VIDEOS
Fish Hard
I published the first Troutbitten video in the spring of 2017, in an effort to show the things that cannot be written or photographed.
Years later, I brought Josh Darling, owner of Wilds Media, into the project. His art, his eye and his film expertise make Josh the perfect partner for this work.
In 2022, Josh and I began the Troutbitten Tips series on the Troutbitten YouTube channel. These are short, helpful and unique tips for a life on the water.
We’ve also added a series called, Fly Fishing the Mono Rig. This ongoing collection of videos highlights the versatility and the nuances of this hybrid fly fishing system.
A dedicated Gear Review series just launched on the channel, and who knows what’s next.
Troutbitten videos teach tactics and share stories that keep the river in our minds and in our hearts.
From the video, The River Doesn’t Owe You Anything. (Fall, 2020) Photo by Josh Darling
WHERE TO WATCH
All Troutbitten videos are found on the Troutbitten YouTube channel.
Explore the playlists. Subscribe to the channel, and Leave a comment.
Every Troutbitten Video also has a companion article, with more information and an embedded video link.
Thanks for watching.
Lane, Depth and Speed – What Matters Most In a Nymph Drift (VIDEO)
When a nymph disappears under the surface, it’s easy to settle for a drift that’s merely good enough . . . but we shouldn’t. Underwater currents are complex, and a convincing nymph drift depends on three things: lane, depth and speed. No matter the rig — tight line or indicator, Mono Rig or fly line — we must understand what the nymph is doing and make deliberate choices about its path. And while all three elements matter, trout are more particular about some drift qualities than others. In this video, I break down each element and rank them by importance, with one goal in mind: better dead drifts and more consistent fishing.
Fly Fishing Elitists – Enough Already (VIDEO)
Fly fishing has suffered from its own elitism for too long. The I’m better than you because I have a fly rod in my hand . . . attitude . . . has sadly carried over and infested every part of the sport (at times).
But all of this is changing swiftly. And we can be part of moving away from the elitism and instead passing along the good things about what makes all of us anglers.
Nine Myths About Fly Choice (VIDEO)
Most anglers put a lot of focus on fly choice. And that makes sense, because we have to tie something to the end of the line, and we have to feed something to the trout. The fly is the quickest thing to change, and it’s the easiest thing to blame. Consequently, a lot of myths have grown around fly choice. Here are nine of those myths.
Building the Troutbitten Mono Rig – Reels, Lines, Materials, Connections and Knots (VIDEO)
For over a decade, I’ve written and talked about fishing a Mono Rig for all underwater presentations — nymphs with and without an indicator, with and without split shot, dry dropper, streamers of all shapes and sizes and even pure dry flies.
I’ve detailed the formulas for my favorite leaders in many places, but I’ve never put everything together from the ground up. This video answers the most frequent questions about reels, fly lines, leader connections, materials and knots. No matter what tight line leader you choose to build, the principles shown here apply.
Fishing With Visible Flies — Learning From What You Can See (VIDEO)
Seeing the fly is one of the most enjoyable aspects of fishing. But there’s a world of education inherent, too. Watch the fly dance and fall as it mixes with the currents. Notice how it responds to rod tip animation and line strips. Then see a trout materialize around the fly and judge its reaction. Visible flies are teachers. Whether dries, wets, nymphs or streamers, watching the fly helps us refine the techniques that catch fish.
Fishing the Edges (VIDEO)
Here are specific strategies for targeting edge water, with footage from two trips — one on small water and one on a larger river. I fish nymphs and streamers, changing frequently to suit the conditions.
How to Fish One Fly Rod for Everything — Dries, Streamers, Nymphs and Wets (VIDEO)
I use one fly rod for everything. It doesn’t matter if I’m fishing dry flies, nymphs, wet flies or streamers, the rod I leave the truck with is the rod I’m using all day. If you’re locked into the mindset that you need a bunch of fly rods to fish different tactics and flies, think again. I promise, there’s an easy, efficient, effective way to use one rod for everything.
Nymphs On the Drop (VIDEO)
Sometimes, trout eat nymphs on the drop — as the fly is falling or fluttering to the bottom. And when we recognize that, it’s time to make some adjustments to our rig, the presentation and even the water we choose to fish.
This video shows how I fish for trout when their focus for nymphs is out of the strike zone and above them. I cover tracking the flies, floating the sighter, longer casts, power curves, tuck casts, slack to the nymph, strike detection and more. And I walk through all of this while fishing through a favorite section of river.
Fish and Film – Dry or Die (VIDEO)
Every summer I fish dry flies more than anything else. This year, without really planning on it, that’s all I’ve fished. I haven’t touched a nymph or a streamer for about two months now. It’s been dry fly or die.
Summers are my off season from guiding, but life gets complicated. There’s all the branches of the Troutbitten Project to keep up with, and rest of life creeps in too. It all gets mixed together. It get’s too cluttered. And maybe simplifying my flies and tactics is a response to all that.
Fly Casting Curves (VIDEO)
There are two types of fly casting curves: a power curve, and the one no one seems to mention, the lagging curve. Understanding both leads to a complete set of skills to match any situation with a fly rod. Mastering these concepts — and these casts — can change everything on the water for you.
Dry Flies In Fast Water – Fly Fishing Tips (with VIDEO)
Here’s a look at fishing dry flies in faster water — in more complex currents — because there’s a unique set of skills to get true dead drifts in the fast water and pocket water. The drifts are shorter and harder to achieve. But some of the best fish hang out in faster stuff, and if you give them a great presentation you have a really good chance.
In this video, I cover three main skills that help meet the particulars of fishing dry flies in fast water. Those skills are also detailed below the video, in the article, with links to further Troutbitten resources.
Straight Talk About Competition Nymphing (with VIDEO)
A handful of strict competition rules have been passed on to the whole nymphing community. And maybe that’s not such a good thing.