Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co.
Spencer Durrant hosts "Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone." The show answers user-submitted questions about fly fishing, helping others learn and grow in this wonderful sport.
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Exotic Trout Species And The Flies That Catch Them | Ep. 161
01/07/2026
Exotic Trout Species And The Flies That Catch Them | Ep. 161
There's more to trout fishing than rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and brookies. There's all sorts of interesting trout out there, just waiting for you! But when you get the chance to fish for these lesser-known trout, you'll probably get hung up on one thing: what flies do you need? Are there top-secret patterns that only work for these fish, but locals won't tell you about unless you buy 'em the right 12-pack? This week on Untangled, you'll learn about some of the rare trout species on the planet, and the flies we use to catch them. You'll also learn about: Pros and cons of having multiple reels and spools with different line options on them Why your fly line sometimes gets stuck in your rod guides, and how to fix that with the nail knot Does hook gap size matter when fishing with streamers? Why you should let your streamers "die" when they initially get tagged by a trout What a short-strike is LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT -
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Untangled Fly Fishing Report: January 2026
01/05/2026
Untangled Fly Fishing Report: January 2026
This is the first-ever bonus episode of Untangled! Starting in 2026, we're dropping two episodes of your favorite fly fishing podcast every week! And this first episode is a new format we'd love some feedback on. At the start of each month, we're going to do a monthly fly fishing report. You'll learn what bugs are active, how to fish that month, tips and tricks for dealing with water conditions, and the fly patterns we recommend. Not every episode of our extra show will follow this format. Some weeks will be interviews, others will be deep-dives into one topic, and others will be story-driven. But we'd like the first episode each month to be full of actionable information that'll help y'all out on the water. So if you like this format, and want to hear more of it, please let us know! Finally -- this bonus episode of Untangled is ONLY available in audio format. You won't find this content on YouTube, Instagram, or any other social media. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - Browse our 3-Pack Fly Collections -
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The Fish That Taught Us the Most in 2025 | Ep. 160
12/31/2025
The Fish That Taught Us the Most in 2025 | Ep. 160
Every angler loves a good fishing story, even if we tend to stretch the truth sometimes. But those stories are good for more than just reliving old times. You can learn A TON from your best catches, including exactly where and how you can improve. So, this week on Untangled, Spencer shares some stories (from VFC team and Skool members) about the best fish of 2025, and the lessons learned along the way. You'll also hear about: How to tell if you're setting the hook too early or too late How to improve your hook set to lose fewer fish Why super-cheap fly rod combos generally aren't worth the money How to think about sneaking up on fish How much casting angles matter to your success LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT -
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Fly Fishing Exposes Your Ego (And That’s a Good Thing) | Ep. 159
12/24/2025
Fly Fishing Exposes Your Ego (And That’s a Good Thing) | Ep. 159
Have you ever had one of those days on the water where nothing seems to go right? You can't tie a decent knot, you lose all your flies, and you end up not catching fish? When it gets rough like that, what do you blame? Nature? Yourself? Your answer to that quesiton likely exposes the kind of angler you are, and can help you learn how to become an even better one. This week on Untangled, Spencer shares stories and tips about the times his ego has gotten in the way of catching fish, and how you can avoid that same problem. You'll also learn about: Why certain fly lines perform better on some rods than others The reality of being a fly fishing guide How to fish narrow, deep pools in tight canyons LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT -
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The #1 Reason Trout Don’t Eat Your Fly | Ep. 158
12/17/2025
The #1 Reason Trout Don’t Eat Your Fly | Ep. 158
There are a whole lot of reasons a fish won't eat your fly. Maybe you picked the wrong one, or you wore the wrong socks today. Or you forgot your semi-annual offering of used zebra midges for the river gods. In all seriousness, there's often a much simpler reason fish aren't eating your fly: you've spooked them. This week on Untangled, you'll learn about how you end up spooking fish, even if you don't mean to, and a few tips for avoiding that. You'll also learn about: How certain fly rods are designed for use in certain situations, and what you can expect when buying a 10' 4-weight to replace a 9' 5-weight How to tie flies that are more durable The pros and cons of using barbless hooks, and using them to make multi-fly rigs LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - EBOOK - How to Find Fish in Rivers -
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7 Sneaky Good Winter Flies You Should Be Fishing | Ep. 157
12/10/2025
7 Sneaky Good Winter Flies You Should Be Fishing | Ep. 157
There's no NEED to stock your fly box full of hundreds of patterns, all in dozens of different sizes. Sometimes, though, a slightly different fly from what everyone else is using is just the trick to put more -- or larger -- fish in the net. This week on Untangled, you'll learn about 7 underrated fly patterns that we turn to when we need to change things up. You'll also learn about: How to handle long stretches of getting skunked continuously, and how to grow from that How to match a fly line to your fly rod, based on what type of fishing you're doing Whether you should still fish with flies that don't look "perfect" LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - VIDEO - Winter Fly Fishing Master Class - GEAR - Fly 3-Packs -
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The Biggest Nymphing Breakthroughs Nobody Talks About | Ep. 156
12/03/2025
The Biggest Nymphing Breakthroughs Nobody Talks About | Ep. 156
80% of a fish's diet is underwater, which means nymphing is a crazy effective way to put fish in the net. So, this week on Untangled, Spencer and Alex share everything they learned while filming their Nymphing Master Class. From insight on why fly pattern doesn't matter, to tips on picking the right strike indicator, you'll leave this episode ready to put all these tips into practice out on the water. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - VIDEO - Nymphing Master Class -
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Fly Fishing Gear That’s A WASTE Of Money | Ep. 155
11/26/2025
Fly Fishing Gear That’s A WASTE Of Money | Ep. 155
What gear do you ACTUALLY need for fly fishing? And what stuff is just a waste of money? Sure, that fancy reel looks nice, and you'd probably look just like Indiana Jones in that hat. But will that stuff help you put more fish in the net? Or will it just drain your wallet? This week on Untangled, you'll learn about the gear that Spencer thinks isn't worth the cash, AND you'll get a detailed list of the essential items for your time out on the water. You'll also learn about: Tips for pre-tying leader onto flies to make it easier to rig up on the water How to set up a dry-dropper rig so your flies don't have drag Advice on fishing with streamers both on the strip and under an indicator LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - The VFC Starter Packs -
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Stop Changing Flies. Fix THIS Instead. | Ep. 154
11/19/2025
Stop Changing Flies. Fix THIS Instead. | Ep. 154
Fish, especially trout, really don't care about your fly pattern. Alright, A FEW fish do. The pickiest ones, and every single trout in the Henry's Fork. But most fish care WAY more about how the fly is presented, than whether you picked the exact perfect fly. This week on Untangled, you'll learn why presentation matters FAR MORE than pattern, and a few tips for perfecting how the fish see your fly. You'll also learn about: How to react when fish start jumping out of the water on lakes, and the rigs for fishing to them How to get your flies deep in the water without split shot How to cast nymph rigs with split shot on them How to find the right depth for nymphing, no matter what river you're fishing LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - VIDEO - How to Cast Indicators, Split Shot, and Double Nymph Rigs -
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Fly Fishing With Streamers: The Beginner’s Guide | Ep. 153
11/12/2025
Fly Fishing With Streamers: The Beginner’s Guide | Ep. 153
The world of fly fishing with streamers is full of weird terminology, interesting tactics, and new techniques. That makes picking it up, especially as a beginner fly angler, a bit challenging. Here's the truth, though -- streamer fishing is A LOT simpler than it appears. If you can catch fish on dry flies and nymphs, you've already got most of the skills you need! This week on Untangled, you'll get a crash course in fly fishing with streamers. From casting to setting the hook, you'll end the show ready to hit the water with confidence! You'll also learn about: Why you should upgrade your fly rod as quickly as you can afford to Why your flies suddenly stop catching fish on certain pieces of water Tips for successfully fighting larger fish in rivers LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT -
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What to Do When the Fishing Sucks | Ep. 152
11/05/2025
What to Do When the Fishing Sucks | Ep. 152
You've picked a great fly, found some wonderful water, and made tons of good drifts through fishy-looking water. Everything is coming together -- except for the whole catching fish thing. So, what do you do on days like this, when NOTHING you do makes the fish notice your flies? When the fishing sucks, what's the play? Well, this week on Untangled, you'll learn how Spencer and Alex approach these tough days, and tips you can use the next time the river throws you a curveball. You'll also learn about: VFC's new 6-weight fly rod release, and other products in the pipeline Why we have so many different imitations of the same bug, and the value of using different flies How to decide which fishing technique (dries, streamers, nymphs) to use on any given day Tips for cold-weather fishing Tying your own leaders A few tips for fishing streamers in late fall and early winter LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - Join the Fly Tying Mega-Kit Waitlist -
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The Truth About Fly Fishing Guides (From a Former Guide) | Ep. 151
10/29/2025
The Truth About Fly Fishing Guides (From a Former Guide) | Ep. 151
Dropping the money on a guided fly fishing trip is a serious commitment - but with the right planning, you can get the most out of your time (and money) spent on the water! Getting the msot out of a guided fishing trip really comes down to communication -- both with the guide, and yourself. This week on Untangled, Spencer (a former guide and outfitter) walks you through how to have an incredible experience with your guides! You'll also learn about: How to effectively set up and fish a double-dry fly rig What to do when your dropper nymph is pulling your dry fly underwater, but you want a small dry fly up top in your dry-dropper rig Why you need wading boots, and what features to look for when buying them The situations when you need to keep fly line off the water completely How and when to use strike indicators LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Rigs & Knots Pocket Guide - C Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT -
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From Small Streams to Big Rivers: 5 Fly Fishing Tips That Work | Ep. 150
10/22/2025
From Small Streams to Big Rivers: 5 Fly Fishing Tips That Work | Ep. 150
If you've spent most of your time fishing on small streams, making the jump to fishing bigger rivers can be intimidating. Where do you cast? Where are the fish holding? And do they still eat the same flies they do in small streams? This week on Untangled, we'll answer all those questions, and more, as you learn the 5 key tips for fishing big rivers. You'll also learn about: Why you can't use a 7 or 8-weight rod for small stream fishing with dry flies How to keep fish from getting off when you're using barbless hooks How to use woolly buggers underneath indicators to mimic crawdads, leeches, and other common fish food LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Finding Fish eBook - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT -
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Stop Guessing! How to Know What Fly to Use | Ep. 149
10/15/2025
Stop Guessing! How to Know What Fly to Use | Ep. 149
After a long day of fishing, when the trout refused EVERY fly you threw at them, how often have you gone home and looked up some information about the best flies to use during a certain time of year? And when you've done that, have you ever thought, "Well, this is all interesting, but how much does it apply to MY local river?" Well, the short answer is, probably a lot. The longer answer is that as you learn to identify bug trends and aquatic insects, you'll dramatically level up your fly fishing skills. So, this week on Untangled, we're breaking down fly selection into its basic parts, so you can learn how to pick the right fly the next time you're on the water. You'll also learn about: Why tapered leaders are the ideal choice for nymphing Why you might start out a day catching fish, only to quickly stop catching them for the rest of your time on the water The impact that cloud cover has on fly selection and fly color choices LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart -
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How to Become a Great Fly Angler (Without Overthinking It) | Ep. 148
10/08/2025
How to Become a Great Fly Angler (Without Overthinking It) | Ep. 148
How do you become a "great" fly angler? And what makes an angler "great" anyways? In this week's episode of Untangled, Spencer and Alex chat about the one trait all the best anglers they know have in common, and how you can set realistic goals to help you achieve your own level of greatness in fly fishing. You'll also learn about: How to cast flies in the wind Whether the color of clothes you wear on the water impacts how many fish you catch How to plan fishing trips to places you've never been, and when you have a limited time to go fishing LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Finding Fish eBook - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - VIDEO - Find New Places to Fly Fish -
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Should You Keep Your Fly Fishing Spots A Secret? | Ep. 147
10/01/2025
Should You Keep Your Fly Fishing Spots A Secret? | Ep. 147
Us fly anglers share A TON of things: new fly patterns, casting techniques, wing sauce recipes. But we're pretty guarded when it comes to our favorite fishing holes. And why is that? Why is there so much secrecy around where we go fishing? Well, it's not just because we're keeping all the fish for ourselves. There's actually quite a few good reasons to keep fishing spots a secret, the most important of which might just be the adventures you can have while discovering new water on your own. This week on Untangled, you'll learn how keeping fishing secrets can benefit both anglers AND fish. You'll also learn about: Pre-tying rigs before getting to the river, to cut down on rigging time Why you go from consistently catching fish in one spot, to catching no fish, even if you're using the same flies How to teach your spouse/significant other to fly fish LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Finding Fish eBook - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - VIDEO - Find New Places to Fly Fish -
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The Best Flies for Fall Fly Fishing: 10 Must-Have Patterns | Ep. 146
09/24/2025
The Best Flies for Fall Fly Fishing: 10 Must-Have Patterns | Ep. 146
You don't need to overhaul your fly box for fall fishing. Some of the patterns you used all summer won't work anymore (hoppers and stoneflies fall off the menu during fall) but you likely have everything you need right in your box. Just a few bugs are on the menu during fall, which makes matching the hatch a breeze! This week on Untangled, I'll share the 10 patterns I never leave the house without when I'm fishing in the fall. You'll also learn about: My personal expecatations for a day on the river How to cast your fly rod when using a strike indicator What kind of fish can you catch on a 5-weight rod? Is it enough for use in big rivers, chasing bigger fish? LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - VFC Fly 3-Packs -
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Why You’re Not Catching Fish [And How To Fix It] | Ep. 145
09/17/2025
Why You’re Not Catching Fish [And How To Fix It] | Ep. 145
If you're consistently struggling to catch fish, you're probably trying to figure out why. Are your casts bad? Poor fly selection? Are the planets just aligned against you? While all that CAN have an impact, you're often struggling to put fish in the net because of one problem: you're not focusing on the fundamentals. In this week's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through the three basics of fly fishing -- casting, fly selection, and presentation -- and why you need to focus on those when nothing else seems to be working. You'll also learn about: Casting single dry flies, and setting up rigs for single dry fly fishing How much tippet to use when setting up multi-fly rigs What to do when you don't catch fish from water that looks PERFECT LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Rigs & Knots Pocket Guide - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT -
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Fall Fly Fishing Explained: 4 Tactics for ALL Anglers | Ep. 144
09/10/2025
Fall Fly Fishing Explained: 4 Tactics for ALL Anglers | Ep. 144
While everyone else is obsessing over pumpkin spice and college football, YOU'RE out on the water, because you know fall is one of the best times of the year for fly fishing! And if you didn't know that? Well, this week's episode of Untangled has you covered. Fall is one of the best times to bust out the dry fly rods, target big fish on small bugs, and hunt for that new personal best. You just need to know how to overcome some of the hurdles that this season will throw at you. Today's episode walks you through 4 tips for successful fall fly fishing. You'll also learn about: Tips for seeing small dry flies in low-light conditions Why some fish seem to eat any dry fly, no matter what's actually hatching How to ensure your fly cast has the proper timing to create tight, accurate loops LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Rigs & Knots Pocket Guide - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT -
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Fish Fighting Fundamentals for Fly Anglers (Beginner to Advanced) | Ep. 143
09/03/2025
Fish Fighting Fundamentals for Fly Anglers (Beginner to Advanced) | Ep. 143
So, you've picked out a fly, made a cast, and hooked a fish -- now what? Is there a mantra you can chant to help you land the trout? Some spell to calm your nerves? It's honestly not that complicated. Fighting and landing fish on a fly rod requires some understanding of how to use your rod and reel to their full extent. Once you figure that out, you'll have A LOT fewer stories about the big one that got away! This week on Untangled, you'll learn all you need to know about fighting and landing fish on a fly rod. You'll also learn about: How to deal with drag on your dry-dropper rigs, and how to improve your presentation with them How to rig up your nymphs in a double-nymph or dry-dropper-dropper rig What to look for in a guided fly fishing trip when you're a beginner angler LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT -
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5 Fly Fishing Gear Myths [BUSTED!] | Ep. 142
08/27/2025
5 Fly Fishing Gear Myths [BUSTED!] | Ep. 142
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart -
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The Fly Every Angler Needs in Their Box | Ep. 141
08/20/2025
The Fly Every Angler Needs in Their Box | Ep. 141
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - VIDEO - Best Trout Flies -
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Fly Fishing Q&A: Multi-Fly Rigs, Fighting Fish, & Crowded Rivers | Ep. 140
08/13/2025
Fly Fishing Q&A: Multi-Fly Rigs, Fighting Fish, & Crowded Rivers | Ep. 140
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - VIDEO - Fighting and Landing Fish - VIDEO - How to Fly Fish Pocket Water -
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How to Fly Fish with Terrestrials (Grasshoppers, Ants & More!) | Ep. 139
08/06/2025
How to Fly Fish with Terrestrials (Grasshoppers, Ants & More!) | Ep. 139
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - GEAR - 3 Packs of VFC Flies -
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Catch Fish ALL YEAR With These Flies! | Ep. 138
07/30/2025
Catch Fish ALL YEAR With These Flies! | Ep. 138
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - GEAR - 3 Packs of VFC Flies - VIDEO - Beginner's First Time Fly Fishing -
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Fly Fishing 101: Lake Fishing Tips for Beginners | Ep. 137
07/23/2025
Fly Fishing 101: Lake Fishing Tips for Beginners | Ep. 137
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - Gear - The VFC Fly Flinger 9' 5-weight - VIDEO - How We Fly Fish on Lakes -
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How to Take AMAZING Fish Photos By Yourself! | Ep. 136
07/16/2025
How to Take AMAZING Fish Photos By Yourself! | Ep. 136
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - RESOURCE - How to Handle Fish for Catch-And-Release - RESOURCE - Keep Fish Wet - VIDEO - Beginner's First Time Fly Fishing Crash Course -
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The Best Summer Fly Fishing Flies: 13 Must-Have Patterns | Ep. 135
07/09/2025
The Best Summer Fly Fishing Flies: 13 Must-Have Patterns | Ep. 135
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - Get the FREE Finding Fish eBook -
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Fly Fishing’s #1 Rig for Any River: The Dry Dropper | Ep. 134
07/02/2025
Fly Fishing’s #1 Rig for Any River: The Dry Dropper | Ep. 134
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - VIDEO - Dry-Dropper Setup - VIDEO - Nymph Rig Setup -
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How To Find Fish in Rivers: Fly Fishing Pocket Water | Ep. 133
06/25/2025
How To Find Fish in Rivers: Fly Fishing Pocket Water | Ep. 133
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 - Join the VFC Online Community - QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - Get the VFC Year-Round Hatch Chart - VIDEO - How to Cast a Fly Rod - VIDEO - How We Fish: Spring Fly Fishing -
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