We spend A TON of time talking about dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. But there's another type of fly out there that doesn't get enough love. This fly is supposedly the easiest to use, AND it's the favorite of some of the world's best anglers. 

I'm talking about wet flies, or soft hackles (they're the same thing). 

In this episode of Untangled, you'll learn what soft hackles are, what they imitate, why you'd want use them, and how to fish them. This is another trick you can add to your skillset to help you put more fish in the net!

You'll also learn about: 

• How to get good drifts across large, deep pools with multiple currents
• The differences between a 9' 4-weight and 9' 5-weight
• How to cast strike indicators
• The best strike indicators for mountain streams

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

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#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - How to Swing Wet Flies - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Soft Hackle Fly Fishing - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - How to Make a Reach Cast - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - Isaiah's Brown Trout - CHECK IT OUT

Have you ever been told that you HAVE to get a perfect, drag-free drift if you want to catch fish on dry flies? What about the need to keep your rod tip sky-high when you're fighting a fish? Or that you'll catch big fish if you're using big flies? 

These may sound like they're rules, but there are actually NO RULES in fly fishing. There are only guidelines, and just a few at that. 

On this episode of Untangled, you'll learn about some of the "rules" in fly fishing, and WHY and WHEN you should break them. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Fishing for fish other than trout on a fly rod
• How sunscreen impacts trout, and what sunscreen you should use
• Some insight about spring creeks and freestone streams
• What to do when fish swallow your flies 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

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RESOURCE - Scientific Paper about Sunscreen and Fish - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - Brian's Creek - CHECK IT OUT

What fly fishing skills will ACTUALLY move the needle and make you a better angler? Well, if you asked 5 different anglers, you'd probably get 20 different answers! And trying to master 20 new skills in a single year sounds like too much for it to be of any use. 

On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer will share the 5 skills that have made the biggest difference in his own fishing. These are things he's still working on, and they're aspects of the sport that ALL of us can learn and improve on. 

You'll also learn about: 

• How to interpret CFS data
• How much wind is too much for fly fishing, and what it feels like
• Setting your drag for different fish fighting situations
• How to properly position your strike indicator 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

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#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - WATCH HERE

ARTICLE - A Gut Check on Accuracy - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Positioning Your Strike Indicator - WATCH HERE

PICTURE - Jon's Apache Trout - CHECK IT OUT

What flies are go-to patterns for winter fly fishing? And how do you know which flies you should be fishing in winter, anyways? On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through which aquatic insects are most active in the winter, the flies we use to mimic them, and a few tips for how to fish them. This list of the 12 best winter fly fishing flies will have you set to start catching trout and bass! 

You'll also learn about: 

• Why you need wading boots, and advice on buying them
• Why Crocs aren't ideal wading footwear
• How to size your strike indicator when fishing with nymphs
• Spencer's recommendation for pants to wear during winter fly fishing
• Why trout jump all the way out of the water to eat different bugs 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

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Get the FREE Right Fly eBook - CHECK IT OUT

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QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - AJ's #LiveReelLife Moment - CHECK IT OUT

When the fish are eating everything EXCEPT your fly, what do you do? How do you save yourself from getting skunked? Well, there's a simple process you can use to troubleshoot your way out of a bad day on the water. On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through the five steps that will almost always help you put a fish in the net. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Tips for setting the hook when fishing with dry flies
• Why a dry-dropper rig is so versatile
• Your main goal as a fly angler
• How to find active bugs so you can pick the right fly

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Right Fly eBook - CHECK IT OUT

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QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - How to Pick the Right Fly - WATCH HERE

PICTURE - Nate's #LiveReelLife Moment - CHECK IT OUT

Picking the right fly rod is like when your wife asks you if those pants make her look fat. How are you supposed to answer that question? 

Well, we can't help with that--but we CAN help with fly rods! There's a lot that goes into the world of fly rods, and understanding the language, terminology, and prices can be daunting. Spencer Durrant has reviewed fly rods for major fishing magazines for a decade, though, and he's dumping all his experience with rods into this episode of Untangled! 

You'll learn all about rod action, length, and weight, the differences between glass and graphite, why some rods are so expensive, and TONS more. This is a show you just can't afford to miss. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Advice for fishing panfish and bass on the fly
• How to fish midges during the winter
• How to get someone interested in fly fishing

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 MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - What is the Difference Between Leaders and Tippet? - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - Samuel S. #LiveReelLife Moment - CHECK IT OUT

What is it about fly fishing that keeps us coming back? Why is this sport so addicting? Is it the simple pleasure of watching fish eat dry flies, or the rush of hooking and landing a trophy trout? Tons of folks have tried to answer this question, and in a slight departure from the norm on this show, Spencer Durrant will dive into why he thinks fly fishing is so addicting. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Different options for attaching leader to your fly line
• Tips for fishing spring creeks in winter
• Tips on picking the right fly during winter
• How to properly fish nymphs in slow, deep water
• Some general advice on fishing with streamers 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Pick the Right Fly eBook - CHECK IT OUT

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QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

Ben's #LiveReelLife Moment - PICTURE

I know, winter is cold. You've gotta bundle up like the Stay Puft Marshmallow man, and on top of that, the fish aren't all that active, either! So, why do some people just LOVE winter fly fishing? Well, it has enough redeeming qualities to make it worth the effort. The solitude and peace are hard to beat, and you can get into some fantasitc fish, too. On this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through everything you need to know about winter fly fishing: where the fish are, what flies to use, how to stay warm, how to deal with ice in your guides, and more! 

You'll also learn about: 

• The characteristics of wet flies
• Recommended rods for beginners
• Some advice on picking flies for creek fishing
• How to tell where fish are holding in the water column

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Pick the Right Fly e-Book - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

Sean's #LiveReelLife Moment - PICTURE

VIDEO - Proven Winter Fly Fishing Tactics - CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - Fly Flinger Rod - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Beginner Fly Rod Buying Guide - CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - CHECK IT OUT

Is it enough to just know WHAT the best flies are? Or should you spend the time to understand WHY those flies are so effective? 

Well, if you want to become a great angler, then you need to understand WHY the best flies work so well. On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through what real-life insects the flies we use imitate, and a list of 15 flies you should never leave home without! 

You'll also learn about: 

• Adjustable dry-dropper rigs
• The best fly boxes for dry flies
• How to get your flies to sink quicker
• How often to change your flies if the fish aren't biting 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - CHECK IT OUT

EBOOK - How to Pick the Right Fly - CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - VFC Waterproof Fly Box - CHECK IT OUT

Where a fish lives has a HUGE impact on how it behaves and what it eats. Now, this matters to anglers, because if you understand how fish behavior and bug activity changes from a freestone to a tailwater, you'll eliminate A TON of frustration that many beginners experience. On this episode, Spencer Durrant will walk you through the information you need to know about the three main types of rivers, and how this knowledge can directly lead to putting more fish in the net.

You'll also learn about: 

• Why to choose a parachute fly instead of a regular one
• How to sneak up on fish
• The 3 flies beginning fly tiers should start out with
• Tips for setting the hook on dry fly eats 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Rigs & Knots Guide - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Sneak Up on Fish - WATCH HERE