The Troutbitten You Don’t See: A Profile of Domenick Swentosky
Headwaters: The Origin of Troutbitten “Clyde knew I was a trout-bitten kid, obsessed with fishing, and that I fished…
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Cory Cuje: The Teacher Behind Old Dominion Trout Bum
For years, I had followed Cory’s videos through his Old Dominion Trout Bum YouTube channel. Like many anglers, I was initially drawn to the unique perspective created by the chest-mounted camera he used while fishing. The viewer wasn’t simply watching someone catch trout. You felt like you were standing in the river alongside him. And, of course, there always seemed to be a cigar clenched between his teeth. It became as much a part of his on-stream persona as the fly rod in his hand.
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What You’re Missing When You Skip the Local Fly Shop
It’s easy to order everything online, but something gets lost when you do. A visit to a small local fly shop shows what still matters.
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What Happened When I Returned to a Drought Stricken River
After months of drought and watching the gauges bottom out, I finally returned to one of my home rivers. This commentary explores how I prepared for two days of fishing in extreme low water, the tactical changes I made, and the quiet surprises the river still offered.
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When A River (No Longer) Runs Through It
When rivers go dry, anglers learn patience in its purest form. This essay reflects on a season of extremes in Pennsylvania with floods, drought, and the quiet hope that nature will balance itself again. Fly fishing teaches timing, but droughts teach humility. The river will return, and so will we.
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How to Build a DIY Fly Fishing Gear Wall for Under $100
Tired of forgetting essential fishing gear? Discover how a simple DIY gear wall can keep your rods, waders, nets, and more organized and ready for every trip, all for about 100 dollars.
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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.”
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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…
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How a Little “Quicksand” Ended My Trout Season
A big part of troutstrike.com is telling the story of my journey as an angler. From time to time I enjoy telling anecdotes from my youth. Some of my fondest memories of my childhood were the times my family and I would go trout fishing together. This post tells the story of how my father once delayed saving my mother’s life because he thought he had a hit on his last cast. Enjoy!
