15 years ago, when I lived in the Akron area, a friend and I both picked up the fly rod for the first time. We read a few books, and practiced enough to cast tolerably well. Excited to put all this effort to work, we got up at 3 a.m., and headed down to the Mad River to chase trout. We turned over rocks to study the bugs there, did our best to create a natural drift, had a hot debate over whether the caddis we were seeing matched the light gray or dark gray dry flies we brought.... All this to get ZERO takes. As we sat on the bank scratching our heads, two guys stepped out into the middle of the river, casted downriver, and slowly stripping their lines, caught one trout after another. I had to know, so patiently waited for one of them to return to the bank to see what natural critter it was that we were failing to immitate. It was a bright pink Chernobyl ant! It did NOT "look like food" or "act like food". I vowed to burn my flyfishing book right there and then, and years passed before I again attempted to catch trout on the fly.
One of the coolest and most memorable things I ever saw while fishing a trout streàm was at dusk when the big old brown trout began hitting the top of the water hard, trying to eat the little brown bats that were flying low feeding off the bugs coming off the water.
I agree 100% omg I can’t believe a professional finally said it “presentation trumps pattern!” I love this channel it is so true I’ve tried to tell people so many times I’ve outfished friends using presentation better than spending time picking out flies
Brian, regarding the third segment question: Thanks for the timing emphasis on “when to the launch” the leader (i.e. executing the wrist flip); as compared to getting the fly line “moving” in preparation of the launch. Your timing point was something I had never thought of before… and I could see immediate improvement of my back cast loading the rod prior to the forward pull stroke. This tip definitely helped me fine tune my double haul. Many thanks.
Thank you Brian!! I just moved south of Denver and very close to the South Platte. I was just reading that about midges ha ha. I have never fly fished and have been watching your videos for a few weeks. I just bought my first fly rod and can't wait to get on the river!!
Oh man - Thanks Brian and MRO for tackling that HUGE topic so extensively! Should have known it gets asked all the time. Got the package from you guys and wondered 'Hmmm...what was on backorder'? 'That order was months ago'? Those fancy reading glasses don't fix your memory too, do they??
Hi Brian! Thanks for the video. How do you feel about perdigons and Czech nymphs? I feel like they seem to not follow any bug hatch cycle, but so do most attractor style flies. But the perdigons and Czech nymphs still look like an insect. Sometimes I feel like I can close my eyes and pick out anyone of them and a fish will hit it, very effective, but weird. Seems like the fish hit the bead and not the “fly”. I sometimes euro nymph but mostly do traditional fly fishing or nymphing, because I still love the bugs, the hatch cycles and the challenge of matching the hatch. A great habit to do on every stream, TURN OVER THOSE ROCKS! The bugs there will at least give you some idea of what bugs the fish in that stream are more apt to encounter. Again, thanks for the great videos.
Do you guys still have this hat in stock? I'm sure it was darker, as it looks like it's been worn for quite a while, but it's exactly what I'd like. I wanted to buy one of the hats currently on your site, but it's out of stock. If you guys have one of these tucked away somewhere, I'd gladly pay top dollar for it. I need some Mad River Outfitter gear. You've taught me so much, I want to spread the word all the way from the west coast!
What if you match the hatch, and the fish are jumping everywhere eating bugs, but not your fly? Do you A) Cry B) snap rod C) jump in the water to catch a fish with your hands?
Presentation trumps pattern...bingo! Trout look for a reason to not eat your fly. I have found all kinds of things in trout stomachs including small sticks, leaves, and rocks. They're constantly putting things in their mouths to test them out...something that looks like a bug and drifts like a bug will catch fish.
Brian, you’re the man! I so appreciate your teaching style. Your videos are what helped me get going in this incredible art/sport. Just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you
Making it act like food is the best advice, I liken it to us, if you're eating PB&J for weeks on end, you're going to not pass up a Big Mac. I've caught fish on something that's totally different, but I made it look act like food.
Really looking forward to the Entomology 101 series or episode. That will help a load of people in fly selection and matching the hatch on their local rivers. Great video again.
Exactly fish it and fish it with confidence however I find if a fish can see it well and the water is high big nymphs are the game if it’s dirty go with a streamer otherwise watch the water level and fish the right size fly for the flow! Watch your surroundings and activity on the water and you’ll have all the answers you need! 🎣👊
I’m 60 years old I did barely yesterday bought my first fly rod listening to you make things a little bit more easier to understand looking to practice in my backyard on the lawn before I Braville into the water thank you again for this great video I will continue watching your videos thank you
I'm just starting out on this adventure and this video was a big help. And I'm sure this question has probably been answered on videos I've not yet watched, but I want to ask anyway..its a long question and I apologize for that.. I'm in northern Utah, and we just got off a big freeze. Last week I walked the river bank for over a mile and there was not a single place a guy could fish. The few areas of moving water were near the center, but the bank was completely blocked by several feet of ice, no way to actually land anything. As of now, the ice is basically all gone. How could this inconsistent weather effect feeding behavior? Mostly rainbows, brook and brown are what we got. My other question is, how would you go about fishing while it's raining or snowing? It's currently snowing here, not a blizzard by any means, just a steady and consistent snow fall, temp is low 30s. Is it worth it to go out under these conditions? If so, what is the best way to go at it?
Thanks for watching. Please send any and all questions directly to the shop and they will be happy to help. You can send them an e-mail or give them a call.
This is a no brainer. Just ask the fish. Wish it was that easy. Some trout are picky eaters and some are "eat anything" slobs. I found out long ago, whatever fly/streamer you use, make it act like that fly/streamer.
I agree that fishing requires trial and error. If I ask someone what they are using it's no longer fishing. If you aren't experimenting on your own then fishing isn't for you. I have been asked numerous times how I catch trout and simply it took me lots of research and development to aquire that skill.
I'm just beginning to get into fly fishing, so I don't have experience to back this up, but I would guess choosing flies is mostly just figuring out what bugs are abundant in your area and picking flies that match those bugs
@8:15 Here in New Orleans, we attract people from all over the world to fly fish for reds. However, regrettably, fly fishing here, in general, still hasn't taken any significant prominence to generate a designated fly shop... which REALLY sucks.
Excellent channel, and have learned so much over the last year, appreciate it. Up in central B.C., limited stream fishing experience but some success with various prince nymphs and Tom Thumbs. On lakes believe it or not have caught as many rainbows with Tom Thumbs as i have with various drys like adams and mosquitos, etc.. If the fish are really hitting surface, dropping any of these flies right on their ripples within a second they just hit it. Good for target practice for me too, landing fly on a spot as fast as possible and getting rewarded most of the time..
Brian...Frankly, In my not so Humble Opinion you nailed the answer concerning picking a fly. I, personally, found it extremely satisfying, as while I'm certainly a novice as per Fly Fishing, but common since lead me to come to fairly the same conclusions. So, Thank You immensely for you seriously made my day and coming days on the water, or in it.
Nice video Brian 👌, especially expanding. What insects & Flys there consuming, same fish different lake, river, strem. All eat different foods, it all depends on the environment.
Man, I just tried your Elk Hair Caddis with a green bead head nymph dropper that you recommend in another video. It is what I used to catch my first Brown trout of the year and my first fish on my new rod.
Thanks for tuning into this Q&A - Stay tuned... Lot's more like butter coming!
Dave Whitlock's Guide to Aquatic Trout Foods is by far the best starting point.
No question!
15 years ago, when I lived in the Akron area, a friend and I both picked up the fly rod for the first time. We read a few books, and practiced enough to cast tolerably well. Excited to put all this effort to work, we got up at 3 a.m., and headed down to the Mad River to chase trout. We turned over rocks to study the bugs there, did our best to create a natural drift, had a hot debate over whether the caddis we were seeing matched the light gray or dark gray dry flies we brought.... All this to get ZERO takes.
As we sat on the bank scratching our heads, two guys stepped out into the middle of the river, casted downriver, and slowly stripping their lines, caught one trout after another. I had to know, so patiently waited for one of them to return to the bank to see what natural critter it was that we were failing to immitate. It was a bright pink Chernobyl ant! It did NOT "look like food" or "act like food". I vowed to burn my flyfishing book right there and then, and years passed before I again attempted to catch trout on the fly.
Thanks for watching! It clearly looked and acted like food at the time! 👍💪
One of the coolest and most memorable things I ever saw while fishing a trout streàm was at dusk when the big old brown trout began hitting the top of the water hard, trying to eat the little brown bats that were flying low feeding off the bugs coming off the water.
Thanks for watching and sharing.
Nice to know, thanks Mad River team. Your recommendations and teaches are highly liked here in germany, minimal in my friendhood.
Thanks for watching.
I agree 100% omg I can’t believe a professional finally said it “presentation trumps pattern!” I love this channel it is so true I’ve tried to tell people so many times I’ve outfished friends using presentation better than spending time picking out flies
Thanks for watching and backing us up here.
really excited for the entomology series!
They did quite a bit of fliming yesterday! Stay tuned.
Brian, regarding the third segment question: Thanks for the timing emphasis on “when to the launch” the leader (i.e. executing the wrist flip); as compared to getting the fly line “moving” in preparation of the launch. Your timing point was something I had never thought of before… and I could see immediate improvement of my back cast loading the rod prior to the forward pull stroke. This tip definitely helped me fine tune my double haul. Many thanks.
So happy to help. Thanks!!!
What fly do I use? Doesn't matter, as long as you use "flavored fly floatant" you won't be getting skunked.
Cannot believe that he forgot to mention that. Gonna have a talk after work today.
Thank you Brian!! I just moved south of Denver and very close to the South Platte. I was just reading that about midges ha ha. I have never fly fished and have been watching your videos for a few weeks. I just bought my first fly rod and can't wait to get on the river!!
Thanks for watching and feel free to reach out to the shop directly anytime you have questions. They are there to help!!!
Oh man - Thanks Brian and MRO for tackling that HUGE topic so extensively! Should have known it gets asked all the time. Got the package from you guys and wondered 'Hmmm...what was on backorder'? 'That order was months ago'? Those fancy reading glasses don't fix your memory too, do they??
Thanks for participating! We appreciate it. Stay tuned and stay in touch.
This guy is fantastic. Best explanation I’ve heard. 🤙
Thanks for watching.
Y'alls videos are the best! Thank you for doing these!
Thanks so much for being here and please stay tuned.
Thanks for the tips on sink tip
Thanks for watching.
I have to use the artificial fly that comes closest to the original that floats on the water. Very simple!
Pretty simple after all. Thanks for being here.
Hi Brian! Thanks for the video. How do you feel about perdigons and Czech nymphs? I feel like they seem to not follow any bug hatch cycle, but so do most attractor style flies. But the perdigons and Czech nymphs still look like an insect. Sometimes I feel like I can close my eyes and pick out anyone of them and a fish will hit it, very effective, but weird. Seems like the fish hit the bead and not the “fly”. I sometimes euro nymph but mostly do traditional fly fishing or nymphing, because I still love the bugs, the hatch cycles and the challenge of matching the hatch. A great habit to do on every stream, TURN OVER THOSE ROCKS! The bugs there will at least give you some idea of what bugs the fish in that stream are more apt to encounter. Again, thanks for the great videos.
Thanks for watching. Please note that any questions for Brian need to go to him at the shop via e-mail or phone. He'll be happy to help.
“Howdy friends”-Brian Flechsig
Patented. He owns it.
I’ve had a cold the last 3 days so I’ve been off work binging all your videos and I’ve learned more than the past 3 months of teaching myself.
Thanks for watching.
You guys need to fish in South Africa
Brian has.....just not on video!
There are no shops in Prescott AZ.
Yes...there are! Right on your phone....www.madriveroutfitters.com.
Try ALL patterns and sizes.
All flies matter! Thanks for watching.
Do you guys still have this hat in stock? I'm sure it was darker, as it looks like it's been worn for quite a while, but it's exactly what I'd like. I wanted to buy one of the hats currently on your site, but it's out of stock. If you guys have one of these tucked away somewhere, I'd gladly pay top dollar for it. I need some Mad River Outfitter gear. You've taught me so much, I want to spread the word all the way from the west coast!
Here is a link to what we currently sell:
www.madriveroutfitters.com/c-364-mad-river-outfitters-merch.aspx
Any tactics and info for channel cat?
Please contact the shop directly and they will be happy to help. That's what they do! Thanks.
what would you recommend for stocked trout,
Please contact the shop directly with your questions and they will be happy to help. Thanks.
What if you match the hatch, and the fish are jumping everywhere eating bugs, but not your fly? Do you A) Cry B) snap rod C) jump in the water to catch a fish with your hands?
All three?
Hi im Robert From TN and the question i have is about line color does that play a part in fly fishing at all thanks
Please send your questions over to the shop and they will be happy to help there. Thanks.
Whoo whoo first!
Congrats!
I live in Louisiana any good books for me??
Please contact the shop directly via phone or email and they will be happy to help. Thanks.
question, you say mad river trout feed on sculpins, so why don't you primarily fish with sculpin flys
Well, we pretty much do?
@@Madriveroutfitters ok was watching videos and you were using crane fly larvae and soft hackles.
Also could hire a local guide when traveling to an unknown body of water.
Certainly!
Presentation trumps pattern...bingo! Trout look for a reason to not eat your fly. I have found all kinds of things in trout stomachs including small sticks, leaves, and rocks. They're constantly putting things in their mouths to test them out...something that looks like a bug and drifts like a bug will catch fish.
Thanks for backing us up here. Good words!
After six presentations, change the color or the fly pattern. I don't recall what book I read this in, it's true!
I had my first morning standing in the river today. Thanks for the help getting started!
Thanks so much for being here.
Brian, you’re the man! I so appreciate your teaching style. Your videos are what helped me get going in this incredible art/sport. Just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you
Thanks so much for being here and please stay tuned.
Making it act like food is the best advice, I liken it to us, if you're eating PB&J for weeks on end, you're going to not pass up a Big Mac. I've caught fish on something that's totally different, but I made it look act like food.
That's the secret to it all really! Thanks for watching.
Really looking forward to the Entomology 101 series or episode. That will help a load of people in fly selection and matching the hatch on their local rivers. Great video again.
Thanks for watching and please stay tuned.
Is it out? I am searching for entomology on the channel but couldn't find it yet.
@@lorisgerberim looking for that too
Exactly fish it and fish it with confidence however I find if a fish can see it well and the water is high big nymphs are the game if it’s dirty go with a streamer otherwise watch the water level and fish the right size fly for the flow! Watch your surroundings and activity on the water and you’ll have all the answers you need! 🎣👊
Thanks for watching.
Thanks Brian, the part about casting a sinking fly line was really helpful.
Thanks for watching.
We need more Katie
Stay tuned!
Thank you this is amazing
Thanks for watching.
I’m 60 years old I did barely yesterday bought my first fly rod listening to you make things a little bit more easier to understand looking to practice in my backyard on the lawn before I Braville into the water thank you again for this great video I will continue watching your videos thank you
Thanks so much for watching.
Size Shape Color.
It’s basic.but sometimes I forgot it. Thanks Brian & MRO!!
Thanks for watching.
Love the comment ( Support your local fly shop. ) The people in my local fly shops are more than willing to offer there advise.
As they should be. Without fly shops, the sport will cease to exist.
Nice Q&A
Thanks for watching.
I enjoy Mad River's videos. They just feel right.
Thanks for being here.
You taught me a lot since I started fly fishing thanks
Thanks for being here and please stay tuned.
I must need some of those glasses.
Many of us do!
Thanks Brian for another like butter helpful Video 👍
Thanks for watching! #likebutter
I'm just starting out on this adventure and this video was a big help. And I'm sure this question has probably been answered on videos I've not yet watched, but I want to ask anyway..its a long question and I apologize for that..
I'm in northern Utah, and we just got off a big freeze. Last week I walked the river bank for over a mile and there was not a single place a guy could fish. The few areas of moving water were near the center, but the bank was completely blocked by several feet of ice, no way to actually land anything. As of now, the ice is basically all gone. How could this inconsistent weather effect feeding behavior? Mostly rainbows, brook and brown are what we got. My other question is, how would you go about fishing while it's raining or snowing? It's currently snowing here, not a blizzard by any means, just a steady and consistent snow fall, temp is low 30s. Is it worth it to go out under these conditions? If so, what is the best way to go at it?
Thanks for watching. Please send any and all questions directly to the shop and they will be happy to help. You can send them an e-mail or give them a call.
This is a no brainer. Just ask the fish. Wish it was that easy. Some trout are picky eaters and some are "eat anything" slobs. I found out long ago, whatever fly/streamer you use, make it act like that fly/streamer.
Thanks for watching.
I agree that fishing requires trial and error. If I ask someone what they are using it's no longer fishing. If you aren't experimenting on your own then fishing isn't for you. I have been asked numerous times how I catch trout and simply it took me lots of research and development to aquire that skill.
Thanks for watching.
Love the videos, thank you for sharing your expertise
Thanks so much for watching.
I was fishing in Jericho vermont today. it was my first time bringing a fly rod to a trout river. unfortunately no luck
Just keep fishing. The luck will come!
Brian you should have added the "breaking wrist and double haul for casting"
Thanks for watching. Will pass along.
Thanks Brian. Stay well.
Thanks and same to you.
but how do we make it smell and tast like food??
Here you go:
ua-cam.com/video/snhWmQc57vg/v-deo.html
what is the address and phone #
Both can be found on the website at www.madriveroutfitters.com.
Maybe one of your best
Thanks for watching.
I'm just beginning to get into fly fishing, so I don't have experience to back this up, but I would guess choosing flies is mostly just figuring out what bugs are abundant in your area and picking flies that match those bugs
Figuring out what the fish are eating is in fact....the secret.
I don’t know why, but when his glasses clicked together and the Nintendo Switch sound was inserted I found that funnier than it should have been.
Happy to help. Thanks for watching.
@8:15 Here in New Orleans, we attract people from all over the world to fly fish for reds. However, regrettably, fly fishing here, in general, still hasn't taken any significant prominence to generate a designated fly shop... which REALLY sucks.
We ARE your designated fly shop.
Excellent channel, and have learned so much over the last year, appreciate it. Up in central B.C., limited stream fishing experience but some success with various prince nymphs and Tom Thumbs. On lakes believe it or not have caught as many rainbows with Tom Thumbs as i have with various drys like adams and mosquitos, etc.. If the fish are really hitting surface, dropping any of these flies right on their ripples within a second they just hit it. Good for target practice for me too, landing fly on a spot as fast as possible and getting rewarded most of the time..
Thanks for being here!
Brian...Frankly, In my not so Humble Opinion you nailed the answer concerning picking a fly. I, personally, found it extremely satisfying, as while I'm certainly a novice as per Fly Fishing, but common since lead me to come to fairly the same conclusions. So, Thank You immensely for you seriously made my day and coming days on the water, or in it.
Thanks for watching and happy to help.
Nice video Brian 👌, especially expanding. What insects & Flys there consuming, same fish different lake, river, strem. All eat different foods, it all depends on the environment.
Thanks for watching.
Brian.... always a pleasure.
Appreciate you being here.
I expected this answer to go like this, "I'll make it real simple for ya, *woops a fly out like a magician* The Swimmin, Jimmy..."
Of course…..like butter.
Man, I just tried your Elk Hair Caddis with a green bead head nymph dropper that you recommend in another video. It is what I used to catch my first Brown trout of the year and my first fish on my new rod.
Thanks for watching and for sharing.
I learned most of my fly fishing techniques from you Brian! Keep up the good work helping all of us be better anglers! Always take care!
Thanks for being here.
Always great content and maybe you have done this before but have you considered showing your cast tutorials in slow motion?
Thanks for watching. Will pass along.
Very good 👍
Thanks for watching.
I have always been a big fan of Lefty’s Deceiver, it works well in a number of regions and water temperatures.
It sure does! Thanks for sharing.
With fly selection and many things in life: yes everything does matter but few things matter a great deal.
Good one! Thanks for being here.
Whoever edits these videos is a savant, well done anonymous producer!
Thanks for watching.
Dave Whitlocks book is an excellent resource! Get it ...
Agreed!
great vid, thank you!!
Thanks for watching.
I love you brian
Thanks!
The cut in / zoomed sequences are borderline cringy .... I love it! Keep it up.
Cringy is one of our main goals. Thanks for watching.
A fantastic new video, full of lessons and very helpful!Thank you, Mad River Outfitters!
Thanks for watching!