Do you need a million flies in every fly box? What about a $1,000 fly rod, or those bougie waders you keep seeing ads for? Will any of this actually HELP you catch more fish?

The short answer is no. Fly fishing is A LOT simpler than it often appears, and you DON'T need a pile of the latest and greatest gear to catch more fish. 

This week on Untangled, we're busting 5 of the most popular gear myths, so you can focus on what really matters: putting flies in front of fish, and making them look real. 

You'll also learn about: 

• How the diet of big and small fish is different
• How to cast multi-fly rigs
• Some tips for fighting and landing big trout in rivers

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Gear Checklist - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

The elk hair caddis is one of the world's most famous dry flies. It floats high, it's easy to see, and trout all across the globe LOVE this pattern. But did you know there's more to it than just dead-drifting it through likely-looking water? The elk hair caddis one of the most versatile flies in the sport, but it doesn't get used that way. 

This week on Untangled, you'll learn how to use the elk hair caddis to catch more fish, along with the history behind how, when, and why this fly was developed. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Where trout move to when water warms up during the summer
• How to decide what flies should be in your day-trip boxes, and to downsize your fly collection to only what you need
• How to detect the subtle bites from wary trout 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Best Trout Flies - CHECK IT OUT

Every angler I've ever met has questions about fly fishing. Whether they're a seasoned vet, or a brand-new beginner, we all want to learn and grow in this sport. And the best part about having these questions is that you never know when you'll learn something -- some nugget of wisdom -- that'll completely change how you approach fly fishing. 

This week's episode of Untangled might just be that moment for you. This show is ALL Q&A, with a bunch of questions from anglers all over the country. From barbless hooks, fixing broken fly rods, and fighting fish, to dealing with crowded rivers, I bet you're about to learn something that'll make a difference on the water. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Fighting and Landing Fish - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - How to Fly Fish Pocket Water - CHECK IT OUT

THIS is the moment you've been waiting for all year long! Fish are about to start BLOWING UP dry flies, like those flies just asked their sister to the prom! 

It's terrestrial season, when bugs like grasshoppers, ants, and cicadas are available to the fish. And if you play your cards right, you have a great chance of catching a HUGE fish on a dry fly. 

This week on Untangled, you'll learn all about terrestrials. From tips to fishing them, to our favorite patterns, you'll end the show ready to put your new personal best in the net! 

You'll also learn about: 

• Troubleshooting your way through fish refusing your dry flies, even when you're using an exact match for bugs you see on the water
• Why the in-line tandem rig is the best way to set up your dry-droppers
• Whether the direction of your hook set matters when fishing for trout 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

GEAR - 3 Packs of VFC Flies - CHECK THEM OUT

How do you know what fly to use, and when to use it? Well, a lot of that knowledge comes from time on the water, and it depends on when and where you're fishing, since a lot of insects are only active at certain times of the year. But there is one fly that'll catch fish year-round, from the dead of winter, to the height of summer: the midge! 

Midges are one of the main groups of aquatic insects that form the majority of a fish's diet. This week on Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through everything you need to know about these bugs. From their appearance, to their lifecycle, and how to fish them, you'll end this show ready to take advantage of midges. 

You'll also learn about: 

• How to time it so that you're on the water for an epic, unforgettable hatch
• Tips for fishing small, brushy streams with a lot of depth changes
• How to gain confidence in your wading skills 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

GEAR - 3 Packs of VFC Flies - CHECK THEM OUT

VIDEO - Beginner's First Time Fly Fishing - CHECK IT OUT

If your favorite river is crowded with a million anglers, or the creek is blown out from runoff, what are you supposed to do? Call it a day, go home, and watch YouTube videos of other people fly fishing? Of course not! Instead, you can head to the nearest lake or pond, and get into tons of fish. Plus, you can do it all with the same rod and reel you use for fishing in rivers. 

This week on Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through a beginner's guide to tackling lakes. From identifying where to cast, learning to locate spots fish are hiding, picking flies, and all the gear you need, you'll end this episode with plenty of confidence to go spend time on stillwater. 

You'll also learn about: 

• How to catch trout that are feeding on dry flies in a nice, consistent rhythm
• How much does a fly rod matter, and when to potentially upgrade yours
• Some tips about how to grip your fly rod for improved accuracy with dry flies 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

Gear - The VFC Fly Flinger 9' 5-weight - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - How We Fly Fish on Lakes - CHECK IT OUT

What do you do when you're out on the water, and you run into a fish you don't want to forget? Whether it's a HUGE trout, or just a giant for that stream, or maybe the prettiest brookie you've ever caught, is there any decent way to get good pictures of it when you're all alone? 

This week on Untangled, Spencer walks you through the 4 steps he takes to get great fish pics, so you can keep the memories alive -- and show off a bit to your friends and family. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Proper fish handling techniques for catch and release fishing
• How to take the jump from beginner to intermediate angler
• Why the first few feet of your fly line might quit floating
• The pros/cons of expensive waders
• The pros/cons of felt vs rubber wading boots

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Rigs & Knots Pocket Guide - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

RESOURCE - How to Handle Fish for Catch-And-Release - CHECK IT OUT

RESOURCE - Keep Fish Wet - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Beginner's First Time Fly Fishing Crash Course - WATCH NOW

It’s the middle of summer, and you’ve finally finished up enough work or chores that you can run off to the river for a bit, and do some fishing. But when you pull up, you realize you haven’t fished since before spring runoff, and your fly boxes are full of tiny little dry flies and nymphs. 

That doesn’t seem like a problem — but it is! The bugs hatching during summer are different from what was coming off in spring, and these summer fish will be keyed in on big insects that look like they belong in Jurassic Park. Your great day of summer fishing starts to look a bit dim. 

This week on Untangled, we’ll brighten that picture up by sharing a list of must-have summer fly patterns. These flies will help you put fish in the net all summer long.

You'll also learn about: 

• How to effectively fish rivers as they change year-round (going from high with spring runoff, to the low flows of late fall) 
• Fishing with nymphs and streamers from a raft or drift boat
• The best way to keep your dry flies floating 
• Sharpening fly hooks, and whether this is a tactic that'll make a difference for you 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

Get the FREE Finding Fish eBook - CHECK IT OUT

Do you often find yourself stuck deciding between throwing dry flies, or tossing nymphs? Well, you don't have to be! The dry-dropper rig lets you fish BOTH at once, allowing you to cover two parts of the water column in a single cast. 

A dry-dropper is one of the most effective ways to catch trout and bass in rivers and lakes, and it's what most of us here at Team VFC use, too. This week on Untangled, Spencer will take you through how to set up this rig, some of its pros and cons, and the flies he likes to use for it. 

You'll also learn about: 

• How long to spend at a hole before moving on and fishing new water
• Tips for casting streamers and getting distance with those larger, heavier flies
• Some thoughts on setting up nymph rigs 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Rigs & Knots Pocekt Guide for FREE - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Dry-Dropper Setup - WATCH HERE

VIDEO - Nymph Rig Setup - WATCH HERE

How often do you walk by water that you think is too fast to hold fish? Would you be surprised if I told you that the water you THINK isn't all that great, is some of the best water on the entire river? 

In this week's episode of Untangled, you'll learn all about how to fish the pockets within that faster water. From identifying pocket water, to understanding why fish hold there, to a few tips for effectively catching fish from it, you'll end this show ready to tackle even more of your favorite rivers! 

You'll also learn about: 

• Techniques for adding distance to your cast
• Whether your leader length matters on small, brush-choked streams
• Whether fish eat mosquitoes, and if so, how to handle that situation 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Right Fly eBook for FREE - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

Get the VFC Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - How to Cast a Fly Rod - WATCH NOW

VIDEO - How We Fish: Spring Fly Fishing - WATCH NOW