In fly fishing, we often get caught up in the imitative trap. We try to match every leg, antenna, and shade of a specific insect. But on the water, tactical beats imitative every time. I
Category: Tight Line Nymphing
Tightline nymphing is one of the most effective ways to catch trout in fast or complex water. This category gives you clear instruction, practical strategies, and detailed examples that come directly from time spent on the river. You will learn how to build leaders, choose flies, control slack, and stay connected through every part of the drift. Each article focuses on real situations you will face on the water and explains how to adjust your approach with purpose. You will also find breakdowns of patterns, rigging choices, and problem solving methods that help you fish with confidence. Whether you are learning the basics or refining advanced skills, these resources will guide you toward better drifts, stronger presentations, and more consistent results.
Why I Always Tie the France Fly in Three Unique Weights
The Single Most Important Lesson a Nymphing Fly Can Teach You If I had to narrow my fly box down to a short list of reliable nymphs, the France Fly would be on it every
Tightline Contact: The Skill That Changes Everything
Tightline contact is the skill transforming your nymphing from guesswork to intention. Learn the Three Controls—Angle, Elevation, and Distance—to drift your flies naturally in the trout’s strike zone, not dragging the bottom. Master this controlled connection to refine your approach, lose fewer flies, and catch more trout in any water.
Confidence Flies are a Myth: Why Fishing with Confidence Matters More
Many anglers swear by confidence flies, but the truth is no single pattern holds the key. I discovered this after a pink pheasant tail seemed magical—until I realized it was my mindset that mattered most. Learn why fishing with confidence is more powerful than any so-called “hot fly.”
Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Learning How to Euro Nymph
Euro Nymphing (or Tightline Nymphing) has gained significant attention in the fly fishing world, and for good reason. These techniques are efficient, highly effective, and offer a direct connection to your flies. While the concepts
Save Your Leaders: The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing Tippet Rings
Stop cutting back your expensive tapered leaders. Tippet rings allow you to replace tippet sections without shortening the leader’s power or taper.
How to Save Money on Fluorocarbon | What We Learned from the Conversation
Recently, I released a video titled Stop Buying Fly Shop Fluorocarbon | Make Euro Nymphing & Tightline Nymphing More Affordable. In that video, I explored how anglers can save money on fluorocarbon tippet by choosing
Winter Nymphing Tactics: How to Fish Two Nymphs
New Year’s Eve Day marked my final fishing outing of 2024. I couldn’t think of a better way to close out the year than to spend a few hours on my local river practicing my
Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear | An Old Reliable Confidence Nymph
If you’ve followed my blog or watched my YouTube channel, you know how much I value confidence flies. These are the patterns I reach for when I need a fly I can rely on—something that’s
A Winter Trout Fishing Story: How to Thrive on the River in the Cold
Winter fly fishing isn’t about numbers or nonstop action—it’s about embracing the challenge, refining your tactics, and finding meaning in the experience. The cold stings, the trout are sluggish, and the takes can be maddeningly subtle. But these conditions teach us to focus, to adjust, and to truly connect with the river on its terms.