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.
VIDEO: Waders On, Waders Off — Stop Wasting Fishing Time
Most anglers hate wasting their fishing time. So, what we do at the vehicle at the beginning and the end of the day matters. Waders on — waders off.
Having a routine and a system that works efficiently saves time. Likewise, boot storage and rod/reel prep goes a long way toward minimizing wasted time and getting us closer to the next cast.
Fish and Film – Skinny Water Nymphing (VIDEO)
Fishing is a story . . . During some of the lowest water I’ve seen in our area, I chose to nymph the skinny stuff on a tight line. But instead of fishing fine and far off, I started with a drop shot of medium weight. Later, I mixed in a tracking approach with a single, light nymph. A couple hours in, I streamer fished a long flat, to test the trout’s response. And I finished the morning with some nice trout that responded to nymphs in the strike zone . . .
Fish and Film – Home Base (VIDEO)
Fishing is a story . . . I’ve fished all of my favorite rivers from their mouths to their headwaters. And within those mile of opportunity, my favored spots keep calling me back. I fish these places for a hard reset, for a return to home base — for getting back to the familiar by seeing what has changed.
Fish and Film – Tight Line to the Indicator Nymphing – Broken Hand Suspenders (VIDEO)
Late summer trout fishing in the Northeast can be challenging. But I’ve had good mornings by choosing cold water and staying open minded to the trout’s patterns and habits. Surprisingly, the best fishing has been found in deep, slow water that still has flow. The dry fly bite has been off, but the nymph fishing has been excellent.
Fish and Film – Post Cicada Blues (STORY & VIDEO)
I fished hard. I fished enough that I was almost satisfied . . . until the next morning. I walked and waded nearly a hundred river miles in those six weeks. I caught about eight-hundred trout, fished just one pattern, went through two dozen cicadas and never tied on another fly . . . until today.
Because it really is over.
I’ll miss the simplicity of shirt pocket fishing. I’ll miss facing off with some of the best and wisest trout in these rivers, day after day. I’ll miss the confidence in fly selection, knowing exactly what fly to use, all day long. And I’ll miss watching our selective, cautious wild brown trout turn into sharks for a two-inch top water fly.
And I’ll do it again . . . in seventeen years.
Slower, Messier, Better — Wilds Media (VIDEO)
With five young kids, Josh and his wife Kelsey have their hands full. But they have the space, too. Living on a family farm with horses and chores can install some work ethic. And that’s the focus of this video.
VIDEO: The Casting, Drifting and Fighting Position – It’s All the Same
Some very common ways of doing things out there are just wrong, in the sense that doing it that way hurts the angler’s effectiveness. There are a few of these bad habits that stand out to me every day.
Hanging your arms out there is the worst of them.
When casting, drifting, stripping, hook setting and fighting fish, the arms should be in, with the elbows in a natural position. Think of it as your fighting stance. It’s an athletic position, your baseline posture, and you’re read for anything. Arms extended is a bad way to spend any day. It limits your range of motion, changes your reaction time and put’s you in a tough spot to land a fish.
Wilds Media YouTube Videos Begin (VIDEO)
I’ve known Josh as a fisherman and a friend. Now I’m excited to watch him tell his own stories. Honestly, through his videos on the Wilds Media channel, I’m looking forward to learning more about him as a father of five and a husband, to see more of his life on the family farm and about his deep commitment to hunting and other outdoor pursuits.
Because Josh, quite simply, is a natural.
Fish and Film – Fish It Anyway (VIDEO)
Fishing is a story . . . It was early summer, in a high water year, where rain for two days pushed the already-full creeks over the banks. But I had time to fish, so I needed a spot and an approach . . .
VIDEO: Trout Strikes and Hook Sets: #8 of The Nine Essential Skills for Tight Line Nymphing
Think about how a trout eats a real nymph. Then think about how you are drifting your flies. What will a take really look like? Then set fast, not far . . .
Fish and Film: High Water Fishing — Streamers, Nymphs and a Big Trout at the End (VIDEO)
We’ve had a lot of rain this spring, so the rivers are full. I love it, because trout like water, and so do I. More flow offers more opportunity, and I had a few hours of fun, picking my spots in some favorite water, narrowing down trout tendencies, and pushing upstream. I had plans, and I adjusted them. I fished nymphs and streamer on a tight line and had some great surprises, with good fish in the soft water edges.
VIDEO: Guiding the Flies: #7 of The Nine Essential Skills for Tight Line Nymphing
There is not just just one way to dead drift a nymph. There are real bugs down there, doing different things. And by really thinking through what our goals are with a nymph, our possibilities for how we present the flies — in a dead drift — are almost limitless.