The 2025 cicadas came and went in a six week frame. The experience of chasing trout on big bugs every day left me burned out and exhausted, but grateful and content. VIDEO: Troutbitten | Fish and Film - Post Cicada Blues It also left me with a new understanding of my...
** NOTE ** Video Appears Below. Success begins with how we approach the water and with the angles we choose to fish, because the tight line advantage falls apart if we're not in the best position for great drifts. These nine essential skills are the baseline for dead...
** NOTE ** Video Appears Below. Find feeding fish. Look for fishy water. These are the keys to putting trout in the net. But as the seasons change, so do the habits of trout. This film focuses on the shift between late fall to early winter. The brown trout spawn is...
** NOTE ** Video Appears Below. Find feeding fish. Look for fishy water. These are the keys to putting trout in the net. But as the seasons change, so do the habits of trout. This film focuses on the shift between summer to fall. Every year -- really every season --...
The Harvey Gold has the heart of the Harvey Dry leader, with a little more heft in the butt section and a piece of Gold Stren for a short sighter. The system allows for the quick swap of tippet sections, each specifically built for the river conditions, making this a truly modular leader without sacrifices (almost) . . .
Many anglers hang up the fly rod when the days grow long. As spring surrenders its sweetheart days, summer signals the conclusion of trout fishing season, and new interests take over. The streams are fished out, the water is too warm and trout are off the feed. It’s not worth the effort, they say. Summer water surely presents a challenge. But good trout fishing can be had all summer long by accepting the difficulties and understanding the roots of the problems faced . . .
We can learn much about wading a river for trout by observing the heron. Take time to watch these compelling predators — these master hunters of the river. Because the lessons of incomparable stealth are unforgettable once you’ve seen them . . .
Trout love the plop of a terrestrial — sometimes. But we catch even more by setting the fly up for a dead drift after the plop. It’s not easy, but it makes all the difference . . .
Understand that trout can’t turn their heads, and they don’t look behind themselves casually.
And from a fisherman’s perspective, as one who has spent decades accidentally scaring the fish I intended to catch, I assure you that the best way to approach a trout is from behind . . .
All trout continuously adapt to their surroundings — they learn what to expect, and they spook from the unexpected.
So, stealth on the water and understanding what spooks a trout is foundational knowledge in fly fishing. Trout are easily scared. Are you spooking fish?