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.
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.
Tight Line Dry Dropper and Fishing the “Y” (with VIDEO)
There’s a lot to be done with this system — many different ways to fish, with presentations that go far beyond what is commonly shown and talked about. This is not Euro dry dropper. And we’re not fishing within the constraints of rules and regulations that stem from the competition scene.
Instead, by taking a broad look at what’s possible with a tight line dry dropper approach, fly choice, leader design, weight position and rigging methods all open up into a set of tactics that are more fun and lead to more trout at the end of the line.
(VIDEO) Bobbers and Bows – Fish with Friends #5 (Dom and Darling)
Lots of laughs, great scenery, a good bobber hole, a few bows and some brown trout. This is Troutbitten Fish With Friends #5.
(VIDEO) They Were Hittin’ Short – Fish With Friends #4 (Dom and Darling)
Friendship, good times, trout caught and a few missed, Green Drakes, some technical talk and endless scenery. This is Troutbitten Fish With Friends #4.
RIVERSIDE (Video and Podcast): Are Light Nymphs More Effective? Is Less Weight More Natural?
What’s the nymph really doing under there? How is it affected by the currents? And is the attached tippet dragging the fly unnaturally across, over, up or out of the natural, one-seam drift that our picky trout are waiting for? the current trend for lighter flies and lighter tackle has taken a strong foothold. But just a few years ago, the concept of anchor flies was driving weighty considerations in the opposite direction.
Fish and Film – Micro vs Standard Leader (VIDEO)
Fishing is a story . . . On a spring morning, I took advantage of some good nymphing action to test a Micro Mono Rig against the Standard. Varying conditions provided different challenges, but the good action remained until the end.
(VIDEO) Fish With Friends #3 – Dom and Darling
The Fish With Friends series on our Troutbitten YouTube channel is about friendships and good times on the river. It’s about the moments, the woods, the water and the fishing.
On a spring morning in Pennsylvania, two friends went trout fishing. Here’s what happened . . .
(VIDEO) Sighter Angles While Tight Line and Euro Nymphing
At what angle should we set the sighter? Should it be vertical? Should it be at a 45? Should it be flatter? And should it stay the same throughout the drift or should it change? While tight line or euro nymphing, you can get excellent dead drifts with any sighter angle if you’re attentive to the details and understand the strengths of all angles. There is no better leading angle. It’s a choice based on preference, skill, objectives and river conditions.