Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co.
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Trout Flies That Work ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD | Ep. 203 | 28 Oct 2026 | 00:51:24 | |
If you travel to fish - whether that's to the river an hour from your house that you've just never visited yet, or you leave the country - you probably wonder what flies you need to pack along. Are the fish all eating the same stuff, or do you need an entirely new fly box for every river? Honestly, this is a question that gets over-thought. And that's because trout all over the world eat a similar diet. Here at VFC, for example, we've caught fish in Iceland and Canada on the EXACT flies we use here in the Rockies. So today on Untangled, you'll learn why fish eat such a similar diet all across the world, and how to put together a fly box that you can have faith in no matter where you're fishing. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT View the VFC Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT TROUT ROUTES - Get A FREE Month Of Access - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| The Most Underrated Trout To Catch on a Fly Rod | Ep. 202 | 21 Oct 2026 | 01:02:06 | |
You can catch just about anything on a fly rod — pike, bass, carp, bluegill, escaped aquarium fish in Florida, and even gar! Everyone talks about how fun these fish are to catch, but for most anglers, trips for permit, tarpon, salmon, dorado, and the like, are out of reach. The travel and cost makes them tough for an average angler to do more than dream about. But there's one fish that checks a lot of the same boxes those exotic fish do. This fish grows to ENORMOUS sizes. It fights like an angry toddler pulling you back to the candy aisle at the grocery store. And this fish isn't always easy to catch. And here's the best part — for a lot of us, they're just a short drive and hike away, swimming in thousands of lakes across the country. Today on Untangled, I'll tell you what this fish is, why I've fallen in love with chasing them, and how you can catch one all on your own. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT TROUT ROUTES - Get A FREE Month Of Access - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Quit Missing Fish On Streamers — Use THIS Technique | Tip of the Week #20 | 19 Oct 2026 | 00:15:36 | |
Everyone says that if you're gonna catch big fish, you gotta fish big flies. And big flies usually means tossing streamers! So you grab a woolly bugger, or maybe a meat whistle, or if you're feeling like living on the edge, a slumpbuster. You head off to the river, start tossing these flies in spots that look promising, and BAM — something freight trains your fly like it owes it money. This is when things fall apart. You're so excited to hook something on a streamer, and your immediate instinct is to fall back on how you were taught to set the hook — hold the line tight and raise the rod tip! The only problem is, that's exactly the WRONG WAY to set the hook when fishing with streamers. So today on Untangled, we'll go over the correct technique for setting the hook, and some other tips for getting the most out of fishing with streamers. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE
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| Tiny Dry Flies for Big Trout: How to Tie Them On, See Them, and Fish Them | Ep. 201 | 14 Oct 2026 | 01:33:19 | |
Sometimes, the biggest fish in the river are caught on the tiniest of flies. And we're not talking size 18 or 20 flies, either - think stuff as small as 26, 28, and even 30! Today on Untangled, Spencer is joined by his longtime friend and dry fly expert Ryan McCullough, for another installment of the Everyday Angler series, which features conversations with anglers across the fly fishing world who don't always get a voice in the industry. Ryan is one of Spencer's fly fishing mentors, and the person Spencer credits with getting him addicted to fishing dry flies. LINKS FROM THE SHOW VFC Field Guide - Get a free copy here! Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE | |||
| Fly Fishing With My Daughter For The First Time | Fly Fishing Stories #13 | 12 Oct 2026 | 00:16:43 | |
My daughter is almost a year and a half old. And don't worry — she's not some sort of prodigy who's already casting a fly rod. She's as stubborn as her dad, but thankfully as adorable as her mom, and just as sweet. I know she's way too young to really remember some time on the water, and she's certainly nowhere near being let loose with a fly rod. But if there's one thing I've learned since becoming a dad, it's how much fun it is to share things you love with your kid. So earlier this summer, I loaded my daughter into the truck and we set off for my old stomping grounds — the same creek where I spent all my growing-up years. My daughter might not remember this day, but I know I'll never forget it. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT
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| We Fixed 20 Anglers' Biggest Fly Fishing Problems (Live Studio Q&A) | Ep. 200 | 07 Oct 2026 | 01:45:31 | |
After 200 episodes of Untangled, we decided it was time -- for a LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE! We opened the doors to 20 fans of VFC and spent the night telling stories, answering questions, and sharing those Live Reel Life moments that keep us coming back to the water. Everyone in attendance had the chance to ask their fly fishing questions to Alex and Spencer live, getting real-time feedback for the problems they're currently facing. Some of those include:
This is an episode you can't afford to miss! LINKS FROM THE SHOW VFC Field Guide - GET A FREE ONE HERE GEAR - Hats - CHECK THEM OUT GEAR - T-Shirts - CHECK THEM OUT GEAR - Fly Rods - CHECK THEM OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE | |||
| The Fly Casting Mistakes That Make Wind Worse | Tip of the Week #19 | 05 Oct 2026 | 00:22:56 | |
Nothing makes a great day go immediately down the toilet the way that wind can. If the wind's at your back, it's not a HUGE problem — you probably get a bit more distance on your cast! But if the wind's blowing right in your face, you suddenly feel like the most incompetent fly caster to ever pick up a rod. Or at least, I usually do. And that's because I so often forget some of the key fundamentals for making good fly casts in the wind. So today on Untangled, we'll go through those important skills to keep in mind when the wind starts blowing. That way, you're not sitting on the bank, frustrated that you can't cast, when your buddy ties into a near 30-inch trout. Not that I'm speaking from experience… LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT
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| What Fly Rod Do You Actually Need? How to Pick the Right One for Your Fishing | Ep. 199 | 30 Sep 2026 | 00:48:52 | |
What's scarier - telling your mother-in-law that her pot roast is actually dry, or picking up a new fly rod with NO help at all? Because let's be honest - it's not like fly shops or websites have a ton of clear information about what all these different rods are for. And why do some of them cost $1,000 or more? Today on Untangled, we're going to simplify the world of fly rods and give you the information you need to make the best choice for your own fishing situation. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW FLY ROD FINDER - Find Your Perfect Rod Now! - CHECK IT OUT TROUTROUTES - Get A FREE Month of Pro Access - CHECK IT OUT FLY RODS - Browse the VFC Collection of Fly Rods - CHECK THEM OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE | |||
| Bull Trout, Backcountry, and Giardia — A Disaster Trip | Fly Fishing Stories #12 | 28 Sep 2026 | 00:17:21 | |
My first trip chasing bull trout didn't exaclty go as planned. Instead of holding a giant trout in a crystal-clear stream, I found myself lying in a bed in a stranger's house, feeling like I'd gone to the wrong Taco Bell and had one too many beefy five-layer burritos. So how'd I end up there? What dark forces conspired to keep me from catching a bucket-list fish? Well, it all starts with my buddy Blair. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Fly Fishing A River With No Rising Fish — Where To Start And What They're Eating | Ep. 198 | 23 Sep 2026 | 01:19:31 | |
You show up to the river for a day of fishing, you're stuffed FULL of optimism and happiness, you get all rigged up — and then your mood just CRASHES. There aren't any fish rising. No bugs hatching. No trout sunning themselves in the shallows. Just a river that feels as lifeless as those lovely political ads we're forced to watch during football season. What's the play here? How do you start from what feels like nothing, and end up catching fish, when the river is holding all its cards close to the vest? It boils down to knowing where the fish are probably hanging out, what they're probably eating, and how to get a good presentation. And today on Untangled, that's exactly what you're gonna learn. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT VIDEO - Watch the Beginner Masterclass - CHECK IT OUT RESOURCE - Get The First Fish Roadmap - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Should You Tip Your Fly Fishing Guide? | Tip of the Week #18 | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:19:06 | |
Guided trips are fantastic! They're a great opportunity to learn from people who live and breathe fly fishing. But there's always one awkward part of the day, especially if you've never been on one before - the tip. How much do you tip? Are they expecting it? Is there ever an instance where you'd WITHOLD a tip? Today on Untangled, you'll learn all about tipping culture in fly fishing, and whether it's something you should consider on your next guided trip. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| How To Design Your Own Fly Patterns | Ep. 197 | 16 Sep 2026 | 00:49:54 | |
If you've ever heard other anglers talk about how great it feels to catch fish on flies they tied themselves, you've probably thought they were overselling it. They make the experience out to be something on par with your first kiss, or getting your driver's license. So if catching fish on a fly you tied is that good, then it stands to reason that catching fish on a fly you INVENTED is even better — right up there with getting married, or watching a tax write off actually SAVE you money. This is all well and good, but there's one question we need to ask — how exactly do you start coming up with your own fly patterns? What makes it YOURS and not a copy of someone else's? It's honestly pretty simple — it all comes down to tying your flies to fill a specific need, rather than just sitting at the vise and hoping inspiration strikes. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW GEAR - New Fly Rods From VFC - CHECK THEM OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT VIDEO - How We Fly Fish With Nymphs - CHECK IT OUT VIDEO - Fly Rods 101 - CHECK IT OUT
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| Back From The Brink — Catching A Fish That Almost Disappeared | Fly Fishing Stories #11 | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:18:49 | |
We almost lost one of the most iconic trout species in the world. From the 1970s to 2005, roughly 3.5 million of these fish were eaten by a predator illegally introduced into their ecosystem. It was only through hard work - and a bit of luck - that the fish managed to survive at all. But how did this happen? Why does it matter if some fish go extinct? And where did this all take place? Well, that's what we'll explain in today's episode of Untangled. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| How To Catch Fish On The World's Smallest Mayfly | Ep. 196 | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:45:55 | |
There's one mayfly that, when it hatches, brings EVERY fish up to the surface - including the big ones. These bugs, once they start, come off like clockwork. The fish dutifully follow. So, what's the catch? Because if there's one true thing about fly fishing, it's that nothing is THIS simple. Well, these mayflies are tiny. Microscopic. And the fish get EXTREMELY picky about which ones they're eating. Some times, they want the male mayflies. Other times, they're only eating the females. Throw the wrong one, and your chances of catching fish are as good as Spencer's at quitting Diet Coke. This week on Untangled, you'll learn everything you need to know to take advantage of this tiny mayfly. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get TroutRoutes PRO Free For One Month - CHECK IT OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Get Up And Go Explore | Tip of the Week #17 | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:22:37 | |
The best thing you could do right now is to turn off this podcast, get your gear together, and go fishing. If you can't just drop everything and head to the river right now - maybe you're at work, or any good fishing is a long drive away - then I suppose you could keep listening to today's show. But the message at the end will be the same as it is now: get up and go fishing. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| What It Really Takes To Get Good At Fly Fishing — From A Guy Who Fishes 200 Days A Year | Ep. 195 | 02 Sep 2026 | 01:07:40 | |
The second installment in our Everyday Angler series features Hyrum Weaver, a longtime friend of Spencer's, and one of the fishiest guys he knows. Hyrum is a truly great fisherman who claims he hasn't been skunked in the 21st century. He's also one of the best people you could ever hope to learn from - whether it's figuring out lakes, learning to tie better flies, or simply the key things to look at on rivers to find more fish, Hyrum is a wealth of information, and he's sure to help you level up your game as an angler. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Untangled Fly Fishing Report | September 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:23:38 | |
As the weather finally starts to cool off, that means small mayflies are back on the menu! But they're not the only thing to think about as you hit the water in September. Terrestrial fishing can be excellent this month as well, and will continue to be great until the first hard freeze fo the year. Today on Untangled, you'll get a refresher course on all things fall mayflies, as well as some tips and tricks for troubleshooting those moments when the fish refuse your flies. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT VFC 3-Packs - Get The Fall Flies - CHECK THEM OUT | |||
| Why Biologists Want You To Kill Brook Trout, And When You Shouldn't | Ep. 194 | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:47:31 | |
Brookies are the favorite of tons of anglers. They're gorgeous, and the big ones can be extremely frustrating AND rewarding to catch. But they're also one of the biggest threats to the long-term survival of native fish like cutthroat trout. Brookies are more aggressive than cutties, so in places where the two fish live side-by-side, brookies outcompete cutthroat for food. Eventually, the cutthroat just can't persist on the landscape, and they disappear. So, to help cutthroat and other native fish like gila and apache trout, sometimes fisheries managers ASK for you to kill brook trout. Does killing a few brookies REALLY help cutthroat? And is this a sound practice, or do fish biologists in the West just have it out for brookies? Today on Untangled, we'll dive into all of this and explain what really goes into conserving and protecting our native fish. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Will Fish Really Eat Pink and Purple Flies? | Tip of the Week #16 | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:21:27 | |
Why are so many of the flies we tie, use, and sell, all brightly colored, when most of the real-life bugs trout eat are drab and dull? Why do our fly boxes look like they'd be more at home at a middle-school craft fair, or a tea party, than on the river? Well, it all boils down to how trout perceive color. Understanding this key detail of trout biology can help you better understand how and why trout react so well to certain fly patterns. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT VIDEO - How Trout See Color - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Fly Fishing With Hoppers: Strategies You Don't Hear Enough About | Ep. 193 | 19 Aug 2026 | 01:41:21 | |
ALEX STULCE RETURNS! And as he joins Spencer on today's episode, the two talk about the hopper fishing strategies that too often get ignored. Things like adding drag on purpose to make the hopper look like it's alive, to fishing them in shallow, nervous water. These are the little things that WILL make a difference in your fishing this summer, but that most folks don't ever discuss. You'll also hear about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW DONATE - Amber Kelly GoFundMe - VIEW HERE Get TroutRoutes PRO Free For One Month - CHECK IT OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| The Bass I Never Thought I'd Catch | Fly Fishing Stories #10 | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:16:03 | |
The days when you catch something unexpected — your new personal best, for instance — seem to come out of nowhere, like letters from the IRS. And not unlike mail from the tax man, I think every angler has at least SOME level of fear that they won't be prepared to meet those memorable fish when they decide to show up. Of course, not every unforgettable fish has to be huge — it can be a particularly gorgeous brookie, or a wild rainbow trout that's shaped like a football, or a brown all colored up for pumpkin spice season. But those big ones? That show up out of nowhere, when you're fishing the farm pond, that tiny creek near your house, or the stretch of river you've always skipped, because it just didn't look fishy? Those are the fish that make your palms sweaty, get the butterflies swarming in your stomach, and put you right back in that dark, loud gym on the night of your first school dance. That feeling never goes away, no matter how long you've been fishing; or at least, it hasn't for me. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| I Was Wrong About Fly Fishing Apps — Here's What Changed My Mind | Ep. 192 | 12 Aug 2026 | 00:41:03 | |
Fly fishing apps are for those lazy anglers who just want someone to tell them where to go, what flies to use, and how to fish. They're for people who prefer automatic transmissions, boneless chicken wings, and Downton Abbey. Right? Well, not exactly. That was my attitude for a LONG time, until this year. I started using one app, and it honestly made me change my tune. These apps can be really helpful, for anglers of all skill levels. Today on Untangled, you'll learn why I changed my mind about fly fishing apps, the ones we recommend here at VFC, and how to get the most out of these tools. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get TroutRoutes PRO Free For One Month - CHECK IT OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| When And Why You Need A Double-Taper Fly Line | Tip of the Week #15 | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:17:54 | |
There are two main types of fly lines - weight-forward and doube-taper. But what do those words mean? And when would you want to use one versus the other? Today on Untangled, we'll tackle everything to know about the differences between these lines, as well as getting into when and why you might want to use them. We'll also talk about the importance of matching your fly line to your rod, and what makes a fly line "good" or "bad." LINKS FROM THE SHOW FLIES - Get the VFC 3-Packs - CHECK THEM OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Dry Fly Fishing Is Hard, But No One Tells You Why | Ep. 191 | 05 Aug 2026 | 00:52:23 | |
This is the first episode of our new Everday Angler series, where we sit down with anglers who are at every stage of the learning curve. Yes, guides, outfitters, and industry experts have a lot to add to the conversation, but how often is their advice actualyl tailored to the situation you're in right now? And since one of the best ways to learn is by chatting with other anglers in your exact situation, that's what we decided to do. Our first guest is Riley Bayles, an angler from Utah who's been fly fishing for abot 2 years. Alex and I had the chance to fish with Riley this summer, and we were impressed by his approach to the sport and his willingness to learn. Riley has some fantastic insight as someone who's in the thick of figuring it out, and his advice will absolutley help you become a better angler. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Untangled Fly Fishing Report | August 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:21:43 | |
August can feel like one of the tougher months for fly fishing, and in many ways, it is. BUT - with the right approach, you can still have a great time on the water this month. Depending on where you live, your best option might be fishing early in the morning, or chasing non-trout species. If you have easy access to the high country nearby, this is a great time to go out and explore all the less-visited places where the fishing is still fast and furious. LINKS FROM THE SHOW FLIES - Get the VFC 3-Packs - CHECK THEM OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| The 68-Degree Rule: When Water Gets Too Warm To Fish For Trout | Ep. 190 | 29 Jul 2026 | 00:53:20 | |
When the air temps warm up, we're not the only ones having a hard time of it. Trout don't react well when the water gets too warm, and knowing both HOW and WHY they act differently in warm water, can be an easy way to ensure you're taking care of the fish we love so much. On today's episode on Untangled, you'll learn why it's important to monitor water temps, when you should stop fishing, and other quick tips you can use to ensure the fish stay happy and healthy for years to come. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT ARTICLE - Science-Backed Info on Trout And Warm Water - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Chasing Gold | Fly Fishing Stories #9 | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:16:58 | |
Golden trout are among the prettiest, rarest, and most sought-after trout in the West. They live in hard-to-reach places, and the ones that grow to enormous sizes seem like they're harder to find than clear pictures of Bigfoot. But putting in the work and effort to look for these fish - even if you strike out - usually results in memories you'll never forget. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| I've Been Fishing Caddis Wrong My Whole Life | Ep. 189 | 22 Jul 2026 | 00:45:05 | |
Caddisflies are one of the most abundant aquatic insects on the PLANET! But they're largely misunderstood by anglers - inclulding myself. In fact, I just had an experience on the water that made me realize I've been fishing these flies completely wrong for 20 years! Don't make the same mistakes I did. Listen to this week's episode and learn all about how caddisflies should be fished, and how this can help you put more trout in the net. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| The Ultimate Wet Wading Gear Setup | Tip of the week #14 | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:13:26 | |
Waders are great and all -- but by the time summer rolls around, they get HOT! They're not all that comfortable to wear, either. So, if you wanna ditch the waders, what's the best way to go? We prefer using a fully dedicated wet wading setup. You get all the benefits of the stability of wading boots, without the bulk and added heat of waders. Today on Untangled, we'll dish on all the things we love about wet wading, the gear we recommend, and WHY we've made these choices. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Wet Wading Gear Guide - CHECK IT OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE | |||
| Nymphs, Streamers, or Dry Flies — You Don't Need to Master All Three | Ep. 188 | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:47:14 | |
Starting out in fly fishing is overwhelming. You're told you've got to master all sorts of techniques and tactics, and the second you open Instagram, or read any online content, you're bombarded with new things to try! It feels like, if you're not at least dipping your toe in everything, you're quickly falling behind as an angler. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, that mindset is damaging for new anglers. So in today's episode of Untangled, you're going to learn why this isn't the best way to approach things, and some tips for actually leveling up that don't require new gear, or trips to exotic locations. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| The World's Biggest Cutthroat Trout | Fly Fishing Stories #8 | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:21:26 | |
The largest cutthroat trout ever officially caught was a 41-pounder back in 1925. Rumors persisted of fish in excess of 60 pounds, but like any good fish, those ones got away before they could be weighed... These giant cutthroat were once thought to be lost forever. By the 1940s, they were gone from the landscape, and our chance to fish for giant, prehistoric fish was basically gone. But that's where this story really starts, and gets all sorts of interesting. In this episode of Untangled's Fly Fishing Stories, you'll learn all about the world's largest cutthroat trout -- how they evolved, how they vanished, and how they made one of the world's most shocking comebacks. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| The Summer Dry Flies Trout Love — But Most Anglers Overlook | Ep. 187 | 08 Jul 2026 | 00:47:35 | |
Summer is the time for throwing big foam bugs and large droppers, right? Well, yes - but there are a couple of dry flies that get chronically overlooked by anglers - myself included. So today on Untangled, you're going to learn what these flies are, why you should add them to your box, and tips for getting the most out of them when you tie one on. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT ARTICLE - Fishing Ants - CHECK IT OUT Browse 3-Packs and Tying Kits - CHECK THEM OUT | |||
| 4 Quick Tips for Fly Fishing Lakes in Summer | Tip of the Week #13 | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:19:36 | |
Lake fishing can be intimidating. Where do you cast? What are you looking for that tells you fish will be in one spot versus another? And do you use the same flies you use on rivers and streams? Well, fishing lakes is A LOT simpler than it appears, and this is actually the best time of year to give it a shot. So today on Untangled, you'll learn four quick tips for getting the most out of your time on stillwater this summer! LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE | |||
| Fly Fishing Small Streams In The Heat Of Summer | Ep. 186 | 01 Jul 2026 | 00:51:57 | |
It's hard to not fall in love with small streams. They're gorgeous, the fish are generally fairly willing to eat, and they're a GREAT place to escape the crowds for a bit. As summer drags on, though, small streams don't always continue to be this fairytale place to fish. The water levels drop, fish get spooky, and you feel like you're back at square one, looking for a solution to this problem. It boils down to understanding where fish move during the summer, what they're looking to eat, and the best times to be out on the water. Today on Untangled, we'll dive into all of that and more, so you can have success on small streams this summer. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT
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| Untangled Fly Fishing Report | July 2026 | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:23:28 | |
It's hot, windy, dry, and there's a few people out on the water. The biggest hatches of the year are winding down. Mosquitoes have made their unfortunate return. Despite all this, fishing in July can be just as rewarding as a nice hot plate of fresh wings. You just need to be prepared with the knowledge of what bugs are out, and what the fish are doing, so you can take advantage of the fact that trout still gotta eat! Today on Untangled, we'll look at what to expect in July, and give you the tools you need to go out and have an epic day on the water! Recommended Flies:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Wet Wading Guide - CHECK IT OUT Browse 3-Packs and Tying Kits - CHECK THEM OUT VIDEO - Completing The Trout Super Grand Slam - CHECK IT OUT
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| Stop Counting Fish — Here's a Better Way to Measure a Day | Ep. 185 | 24 Jun 2026 | 00:43:39 | |
What makes a day on the water great? Is it really all about how many fish you caught? I mean, I know we're going fishing to catch fish, but is that ALL a day on the water is about? I think a lot of anglers would say no, they appreciate the solitude, the quiet, the beauty, the challenge. But at the end of the day, if you walk back to your truck and you got skunked, you feel like you failed, right? Or at the very least, that you got beat. I'm not here to say that catching fish doesn't matter, and I'm certainly not telling you what to do. I just want to ask one question: Is the number of fish you catch the best way to measure your success on the water? Or is there more to it? That's what we'll discuss on today's episode of Untangled. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT
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| When & Why To Use Weightless Nymphs | Tip of the Week #12 | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:18:17 | |
Nymphs are supposed to be heavy and sink straight to the bottom, where the fish spend most of their time - right? Yes, that's what MOST nymphs are designed to do. But some are tied without any weight at all, and they're great for using when the fish are a bit picky, feeding during a heavy hatch, or you just want to switch up how you're approaching the water. Today on Untangled, you'll learn all about the merits of weightless nymphs, and why they're a style of fly you should consider having in your box. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| How To Buy Fly Fishing Waders & Boots | Ep. 184 | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:43:29 | |
Finding good wading gear that works for your stlye of fishing, AND that's within your budget, feels almost impossible sometimes. It's tough to know what exactly you need from your waders and boots. Well, Spencer has spent the past decade reviewing gear for fly fishing magazines, and he's been fly fishing for over 20 years. Today on Untangled, he's going to share the particular features he looks for in waders and boots, and how you can use that knowledge to find the PERFECT set of wading gear for you. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Wader Buying Guide - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Wading Boot Buying Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| The Worst Fly Fishing Trip Ever | Fly Fishing Stories #7 | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:19:39 | |
You never expect a trip to nosedive, especially when you've planned it for the better part of a year, you're traveling across a few states to get there, and you're going with two of your best friends. As the old saying goes, though, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. In our case, we just didn't understand that we even had an enemy, or how far south things could actually go. This is the story of the trip we all have at some point, but few of us ever remember fondly. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE
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| How To Build a Fly Box That Works on Any River | Ep. 183 | 10 Jun 2026 | 00:40:29 | |
Do you have a fly box that's full of go-to patterns for your local creek? And maybe another one that's stuffed with all the right flies for the tailwater you visit a few times a year? And let's be honest for a sec — when's the last time you used EVERY fly in those boxes? How many of those patterns are there mostly for emotional support? Or do they just weigh down your pack and make it hard to find the pattern you're looking for? I think the secret to a good fly box isn't variety of patterns. Instead, it's about hitting every life cycle stage of the major insects — midges, mayflies, caddis, and stoneflies. A few imitations of each are all I often reach for in about 90% of trout fishing situations. So today on Untangled, I'll share more about this approach to picking flies and stocking your box, so you can hit the water without hauling an entire fly shop along with you. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Wet Wading Guide - CHECK IT OUT PODCAST - The 10 Flies You Need For Trout - CHECK IT OUT VIDEO - The Guide to Wet Wading - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| How To Read River Flows For Better Fly Fishing | Tip of the Week #11 | 08 Jun 2026 | 00:18:02 | |
Have you ever heard someone say something like "Oh, the flows on the river are good today, that means the fishing will be great!" And you're a bit too embarrassed to ask why flows matter? Maybe you've even heard the phrase "CFS" thrown around too? Well, high and low water flows have different impacts on how the fishing is. Too high, and it's tough, or impossible, to fish. Too low, and the water's too warm for trout. Learning how to read flow charts, though, gives you the power to hit the water at just the right time. So today on Untangled, I'll explain exactly what river flows and CFS means, how it impacts fishing, and how you can use it to pick the best place to spend your day on the water. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE | |||
| The Biggest Lie in Fly Fishing — There's No "Right" Way to Fish | Ep. 182 | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:43:36 | |
The biggest lie in fly fishing is that there's an exactly-perfect, foolproof, never-fail method to fish every piece of water, and that if you study or learn enough, you'll never get skunked. Here's the truth -- great anglers still get skunked, or at the very least, have TOUGH days on the water. But one skill they've mastered? The ability to sift through the advice that's out there, and learn how to apply it to their unique situations. On today's episode of Untangled, that's exactly what you'll learn. You'll get advice on how to implement fly fishing advice so you actually see results on the water. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT GEAR - Ultimate Fly Collection from VFC - CHECK IT OUT RESOURCE - The Study on Mink Predation - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Untangled Fly Fishing Report | June 2026 | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:17:26 | |
June usually means high water, big bugs, happy fish, and the first days that are warm enough to think about wet wading. June's also the first month when some of the high country starts opening up, which means your favorite small streams and ponds are just a hike away. The most challenging thing about June fishing, though, is navigating the high water and finding the fish. Once you know what to look for, though, you can have some fantastic days out there. So, today on Untangled, we'll take a look at all the key info you need to know to have great days on the water this June. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE FLIES - Get the 3-Packs From VFC - CHECK THEM OUT Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT FLIES TO USE IN JUNE
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| The Only 10 Flies You'll Ever Really Need | Ep. 181 | 27 May 2026 | 00:43:35 | |
How many flies do you have in your box right now? A few dozen? A few hundred? More than a thousand? Yeah, it's great to have a lot of flies on hand - but that many choices makes it easy to overthink your fly selection. That can lead to you switching flies too often, when the real reason you're not catching fish has to do with your presentation. So, today on Untangled, you'll learn a bit more about why it's a good idea to pare down your fly selection, and the 10 fly patterns you could catch 90% of trout with. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| The Most Valuable Fly Fishing Skill | Tip of the Week #10 | 25 May 2026 | 00:22:41 | |
What's keeping you from having consistent, repeatable success on the water? From fishing with the same sort of confidence you see guides approach it with, or anglers who've been fishing for decades. Is it really just time and honing a bunch of technical skills, like casting, or fly selection? That stuff helps. But the best anglers I know — the ones I say I wanna be like when I grow up — aren't necessarily the best casters, and NONE of them can tell you the latin name of every bug on the water. What they all have in common is simple — they're incredible at watching the water, and using what they see to inform how they tackle any given situation. More than anything, this is the skill that separates good from great anglers. Today on Untangled, I'll walk you through why this is so important, and how mastering the art of watching and waiting will make you a noticeably more successful angler. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| The Bass Lessons That'll Make You a Better Trout Angler | Ep. 180 | 20 May 2026 | 01:18:43 | |
Trout aren't the only fish to catch on a fly rod. From bass and pike to panfish and tarpon, there's almost no end to the critters you can catch with this style of fly fishing. Doing something so different from what you're used to, though, will definitely throw you for a loop - just like it did to Alex and Spencer. They just went on a trip to Florida for some bass fishing, and got some time in on the salt as well. What they learned made them realize just how much there is about fly fishing they don't know. And perhaps most surprising were all the lessons they observed that can help you be a better angler, no matter what you fish for. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||
| Every Angler Has A Lake Like This | Fly Fishing Stories #6 | 18 May 2026 | 00:19:28 | |
You hear stories about some fisheries that are supposed to be excellent. Since you don't want to miss out on great fishing, and you figure that many people who talk up a spot can't be wrong about it, you plan a day to go see it. Then you make the trip there — whether it's a long drive, a hike, or both — and you can't quite figure out what all the fuss was for. Either you get skunked, you don't see many fish, or the fish you DO see feel impossible to catch. Well, maybe that was just a bad day. Every fishery has 'em. So the next time you go, you go with a friend who's fished it before, and he pulls out a pair of 24-inch fish, while you're left picking your flies out of trees and wondering why you gave up a Saturday of good college football for this. Spots like this tend to stick under your skin, to stay with you until you either figure them out, or the memory fades enough that you can quietly shuffle it into the bin of character-building experiences you don't want to go through again. There's one lake like this that I've fished for the better part of two decades, and against all my better judgement, I'm itching to go back this summer. It feels like unfinished business, but if I'm being honest, it's probably more about wounded pride. Still — there's a lot to learn from places like this. I bet you'll pick up a few of the lessons far quicker than I did. LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT GEAR - Shop the VFC Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT | |||
| Everything I Wish I Knew My First Year Of Fly Fishing | Ep. 179 | 13 May 2026 | 00:48:36 | |
What information do you ACTUALLY need to know if you're getting started in fly fishing? What's going to help you improve, and what's just going to add to the noise? Well, there are a lot of opinions on this topic. This week on Untangled, Spencer Durrant shares the 5 things he wishes he knew when he started fly fishing, A LONG time ago. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT PODCAST - Wet Flies Explained - WATCH IT NOW | |||
| How To Cast Better In The Wind | Tip of the Week #9 | 11 May 2026 | 00:20:46 | |
When the wind picks up and you suddenly can't land your flies right where you want them anymore, what do you do? If you're anything like me, you probably make a few classic mistakes that are actively harming your ability to fly cast in the wind. Today on Untangled, you'll learn about the 3 big mistakes to avoid, and the things you should do instead, to battle the wind when it inevitably shows up. LINKS FROM THE SHOW
Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Field Guide - CHECK IT OUT GEAR - Shop the VFC Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT | |||
| Split Shot Is Killing Your Nymphing Game | Ep. 178 | 06 May 2026 | 00:36:33 | |
I used to HATE fishing with nymphs. What bugged me the most was dealing with split shot - taking it off, or putting it on my rig. You've gotta get those tiny slits in the shot lined up with your tippet, then crimp it down, and NOT drop it all in the river. It's not fun to cast with, either. The biggest problem is how much split shot actually effects your ability to feel what your flies are doing, and how they're drifting. By ditching split shot, you gain a TON of feedback and control over your rig. That means more fish in the net. Today on Untangled, you'll learn how to get your flies down deep without split shot, and why it's actively harming your nymphing game. You'll also learn about:
LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Pocket Nymphing Guide - CHECK IT OUT | |||