Fly Fishing the East vs West: Who can catch the biggest fish?? (Trout Fishing)

This is the 1v1 to end them all! A brother vs brother, east coast vs west coast challenge to see who can catch the biggest trout in 4 hours!!
Andrew and I decided to do a challenge video to see who could catch the biggest fish in 4 hours... and the results may surprise you. Andrew was fishing in Colorado for brown trout and I was fishing in West Virginia for brown trout and rainbow trout. We each had our own issues to contend with... Andrew was dealing with the tail end of runoff while I was fishing the heat of the summer.
Andrew chose a technique of throwing jig streamers along undercut banks, a technique he has used to catch some absolutely massive fish before out west. The cover out west for the brown trout tends to be sparse with the exception of undercut banks, which give the fish an area to hangout and get away from predators.
I chose to euro nymph deep runs and holes since my issue was fighting water temperatures. I chose to fish a creek I knew really well, and focused on areas I knew had larger fish. I used heavy nymphs to get down deep to where the larger fish tend to hangout, and found areas that had slightly lower water temperatures because of spring influences.
Thank you so much for watching and if you want to see more East vs West challenge videos then let me know in the comments below!
#fishing #flyfishing #outdoors #challenge #troutfishing #KZbin

[@barrylaws6085]

Definitely do a round 2, Great video!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! We’ll definitely try to do another one

[@FishingNature87]

Round 2 back in the East

[@mladensarac6678]

I think this channel would be much more interesting if they will let us know what setup and fly patter they are using. I hope they will do that in future more. Keep good job, I think you guys are the best trout fishing channel on the net!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! And we could go over our setup at the end maybe. But when we’re racing around showing off our setup was the last thing on our mind 😂

[@iseeholesinhisgame4203]

@@hardmanfishing try just putting a little box in the top corner with the fly name and maybe a picture

[@JP-dz7zu]

You guys should do this, but at a bar. Who can catch the biggest woman, east coast vs west coast.

[@JP-dz7zu]

My money is on Andrew.

[@TheMichaelRiley]

😂😂😂😂 I’m CRACKING UP

[@hardmanfishing]

I don’t think my girlfriend would like this much 😂

[@Elliott-ty1es]

East will cook west

[@MaddenAustin]

​@@hardmanfishingInvite me 😂 I have no limits

[@gzeppe4671]

Fun challenge idea! I enjoyed it and I think mixing up what your doing while fly fishing whether its more informative or a challenge like this definitely keeps it fresh and interesting.

[@hardmanfishing]

Agreed! And thanks for watching. We have several other challenge type videos like this that we plan on doing in the coming months. So we’ll probably keep this little series going

[@DavidGordon-c9x]

Absolutely awesome!brotherly love! Andrew if you win next time I will post it all over John’s door.. 😂

[@Nikola_Futbal]

Awesome video! Thanks for getting me into fly fishing!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you for watching the videos! Hope your next fishing trip brings you a ton of fish!

[@richardjones2129]

I enjoy this video. I was rooting for andrew as i live on the west coast side of the country. He was definitely handicapped due to the muddy runoff. It increases the less action n it makes it harder for the fish to recover from a lengthy play. Thats my understanding as I used to steelhead fish before my accident. Your videos inspire me in my recovery. Thanks for the video. God Bless n Fish on!

[@timbojimbo4012]

Great videos. Love this concept, do it again for sure! Gotta show up for the west!👊🏼

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!! We'll definitely try to do this again, I think Andrew probably wins these videos most of the time so it's nice to have an east coast W

[@mattsailor4966]

I like this concept and really like that you didn't take it too seriously and just had fun with it. I could see some people getting out of control with the smack talk and ego but you did it right.

[@bankbeaterzoutdoors6185]

Great video, even if my wife thought I was watching porn when you caught the 2nd fish on the East. LOL

[@hardmanfishing]

LOL ain’t no way 🤣

[@pyro9013]

Do another one! It was fun to watch. You guys single handedly got me into fly fishing and inspire me to be a better angler!

[@kevingarrett9694]

Gents, great challenge. Idea for another challenge: You both use the same type of fishing (i.e., you both use the same streamer or you both use a euro set up). Thanks as always for letting me live vicariously through your fly fishing adventures!

[@FishingNature87]

12:50 this big fish dogging him made me think I’d laugh if it’s a big daddy carp in that deep slow hole 😂

[@P.N.W.adventures]

This is a great idea for a video without needing to travel. Nice job John and Andrew.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed

[@henryleslievermont6004]

Fun watch guys 👍 Who will win next time? Can't wait to watch👍👍

[@hardmanfishing]

I think Andrew wins this challenge more often than not, so I’ll take my victory 😂

[@Baylor_Barrow_Outdoors]

Love the videos they get me pumped up for my next trip

[@hardmanfishing]

Heck yeah!!! Good luck on your next trip!

[@Baylor_Barrow_Outdoors]

@@hardmanfishing thanks man

[@bengibson2383]

Awesome video!!! Andrew i feel your pain, we all have those days, I’ve streamer fished allllll day without anything before.

[@hardmanfishing]

I think we’ve all had those days 😂 sucks when it’s on a 1v1 though!

[@YouthFlyFishingNC]

Andrews hookset literally scared me lol keep it up amazing vids!

[@SaskFisher]

Well done! Great Ep!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@DB-iu8yl]

Yes indefinitely like this style of video.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! I’ll have to plan out another one

[@charlesnicholson2591]

Awesome video guys!! Let's GO!! 🎣 On!!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@NotTheOnlyBaloney]

Rad video! Did not expect it and clicked right away! Do more! East COAST yyyyeah!

[@hardmanfishing]

East coast represent!! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it

[@bobbywelsh1554]

That set at 15:55 had me thinking Andrew won the challenge😂

[@charlesjohanesen1651]

Great video, good fun, keep it up.

[@TreyTheFisherman]

I love how Jon goes to the best trout stream in the state for his part of the challenge 😂😂

[@brendonvirgil-virgilcustom8441]

I liked the challenge video. Do some more!

[@brendonvirgil-virgilcustom8441]

I would love to have a brother to compete with in fly fishing. You guys have something special!

[@mlg2416]

Yes love it! Next challenge: fish a natural lake!

[@hardmanfishing]

That's tough because there aren't many natural lakes around me... I'd have to travel to the northeast. I'll keep that in mind though and glad you loved this one!

[@mlg2416]

@@hardmanfishing Drat! Okay, fish a creek with the same name!

[@troutsonnets]

rad video and great idea, this seems fun!

[@hardmanfishing]

It was a blast! Glad you enjoyed it

[@scubalurefishing]

Hey guys, curious what you're using for a running line between the leader and flyline? or just dacron backing, no flyline? (during the Eastern challenge portion). Thanks, great vid!

[@kirksoutdooradventures]

Run it back! 😂 love the challenge

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@aaronbarrett861]

Enjoyed this video, hope to see more. You should do most fix over 10 inches in 4 hrs.

[@Codeonegammer]

Do you have a video on the leader formula you are using for euro nymphing? Looks like you can cast it with distance pretty well

[@JakeXSV]

Awesome video idea! Lots of fun to watch.

[@Zachary-h1l]

Maybe both of you guys should use the same tactic (e.g. both euro nymph, or both use streamers), that way both people will have an equal advantage. I had some bias here because I live in the west...😊Another round would be great!

[@hardmanfishing]

Not a bad idea! Only issue with that is it would give someone an unfair advantage likely. If the goal is to compare fishing / fish and not the technique. BUT if we did a video where we compare the effectiveness of techniques it could be awesome

[@AKLumps907]

I love the video idea!

[@frankbutta9344]

They’re stocking trout that big? Great Video! 👍

[@artpetty1591]

Good video fellas, keep up the good work.

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tgsfishing5979]

Very interesting challenge. Awesome video

[@michaelgellenoncourt2876]

dude thats a really cool concept !! Good Job !! Awsome videos !!! Keep on going my friends you are awsome !!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bb-fe9ur]

John's last fish put up a great fight👍 Andrew was swinging for the fences throwing a very large streamer. Love the concept

[@marisahardman]

ayyyyy east coast represent💪🏼

[@malwynne-t6w]

great video boys , I got a day off work tomorrow and could,nt decide what to do , now I know I,m going throwing streamers for brownies on one of my local North Wales rivers,

[@FishingWIthZach1]

What fly rods are you guys using they look really nice

[@tonycamplin8607]

Well done, not only did you win the competition but the east also has much better scenery.

[@Pragwo1f]

Great challenge. Thoroughly enjoyed the vid, with beautiful fish, as always . When is the re-match?

[@hardmanfishing]

Not sure, Andrew is going to be out of state for a while so may be a month before the rematch 😂

[@D901694]

Ohh yeah dude, ohh yeeaaaaaaaaaaaaahh 😛🫨🤤.

[@fishingtothekitchen]

Nice vid. You all need rulers, so you can get accurate measurements. Keep on fishing fellas

[@Razertitina]

Awesome and great video!

[@AaronFultz-u9y]

Good stuff!

[@tomjackson3988]

That was really fun. Maybe make it about numbers for round 2.

[@hardmanfishing]

I think that’s what we might do! Haven’t decided yet

[@DACREM1ST]

I like the challenge. Cool fish.

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@Arthur_Wellesley]

Another round, best 2 out of 3. Do a challenge with 3 levels- who can catch the first fish, the most fish, the biggest fish.

[@hardmanfishing]

That's a great idea! We also had some other ideas as well, biggest fish just seemed like the easiest idea for this time of year.

[@briljantje9583]

Normally I definitely chose for the West, but this time I probably choose for the East. 😇 Nice vid bros.

[@tenkarapondfishing4611]

Alex. You're fishing a meadow stream in the heart of summer. Would a hopper or beetle pattern induce a rise, or if not work as the dry in a dry-dropper rig?

[@e4t662]

I win, just caught a 4.5 pound Smallmouth, east coast. Lol. Great idea for video guys.

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah a smallie could’ve got sure won this challenge 😂 thanks for watching!

[@marisahardman]

you slayed out bae😍

[@hardmanfishing]

Thanks ☺️

[@paulkuzia9236]

I put small pieces of foil tape on my steelhead rod at 20”, 25”, 30” & 35” to assist with measurements. You must fish a lot of private east coast water to run into so many big fish with no one else fishing!

[@kylersytchannel4655]

Where in the east did you fish? I have been looking for some good brown/rainbow or even brookie spots. but can’t find them where I am.

[@noaahhhoke4012]

Love your videos! 🎣

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you!

[@introvertadorj1262]

Good idea for a challenge!

[@hardmanfishing]

Thank you! We had fun filming it for sure

[@eddiemacvicar6637]

what wt rod u guys using

[@jivinmiles6352]

Preference, I would rather deal with summer heat in the East than western glacial silt rivers. I can’t find ANY fish in silt rivers. I can find big fish when it’s hot!

[@hardmanfishing]

This comment right here is why I think people underrate the eastern US. There's not really a time of year we can't catch good fish. But out west I can think of multiple factors that can make fishing impossible or nearly impossible. Having said that when it's good out west I'm not sure many places out east could ever compete. I'm not saying I think one is better than the other but I think everyone yells "western US" before even thinking about it.

[@minnerisland0889]

I loved that video a while back where you tied the fly and then caught a fish on it in the same video I think you and Andrew should do a tie and catch competition. Just an idea, I love your videos and always watch them. Tight lines 😁

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeahhh that video did well, we need to make another one! Thanks for watching

[@johnmoore3924]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@bernabemanzon5915]

what brand and model of euro nymph rod?

[@skoper1525]

What tippets do you use, i mean the thickness

[@stanggangchannel]

Very entertaining video, I know you say easy vs west but can you tell us what states you were in

[@mbgraphics40]

Go round #2 🥊

[@marisahardman]

grab em👍🏻

[@CO-PE-123]

Two things, Andrew has less experience fishing in the west, and he went to the wrong stream for the time of year. However, it does look like the fishing can be pretty good in the east if you know where to go.

[@hardmanfishing]

I think both statements are probably true, but don't tell Andrew that. 😂

[@austingoodwin1490]

When you hooked the big brown the line wrapped around the rod near the first eylet was giving me anxiety that whole fight😅😬

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah I saw that when I was editing the video but at the time I was totally unaware 😂 it all worked out though!

[@austingoodwin1490]

@@hardmanfishing I have that happen all too often to me 😅 was glad to see you get that big fish in though!

[@321Phinney]

Where are you in the “west”? Not many browns beyond Montana (arguably the mid west)

[@MarkRochefort-yk9xk]

Runoff can be tough.

[@TristanBapst]

Does a big fish challenge and forgets a tape measure 😂

[@hardmanfishing]

I knew I didn't need a tape to beat my brother 😆

[@FishDR]

Most fish on the dry next ep.?

[@Kurxpt-5G]

I know exactly where the east cost portion was filmed I live near that area awesome video btw.❤️

[@hardmanfishing]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for watching

[@matthewfish3306]

Where in wv do you live? I live in Petersburg

[@FishingMagicks]

If this was last night/ yesterday ill enter on the side of the east 24-25 inch brown on a Ausable wulff dry fly in the middle of the adirondack mountains in a home town lil river 🎣

[@WembyYT]

Do you eat trout or do you just fish for them for fun?

[@hardmanfishing]

both

[@kirksoutdooradventures]

This should be good!

[@blake_outdoors]

Yes do this again

[@hardmanfishing]

We’ll definitely try and plan another!

[@winterwolf13]

Round two in better times for both area

[@djstrategy1]

Anyone know what states they are fishing in?

[@hardmanfishing]

CO and WV

[@ricotrout13]

dude the big fish around the 13 min area, he wasn't taking drag because your line got wrapped around your rod, good job knowing to give him some, that was sick!

[@hardmanfishing]

Yeah I see that in retrospect, but in the heat of the moment I didn’t notice that 😂

[@eddiemacvicar6637]

is the guy on the east have euro line ??

[@beedoubleoh959]

Yes

[@CoachLakey]

Dry fly only, East vs West

[@hardmanfishing]

Good idea!! May have to try this one out

[@jaquasean]

What states?

[@BrysonLittle-nw2nf]

is that in pa or like nc? I live in nc but I'm going up to pa soon I'm 13 and my brothers 11 and were trying to catch our first big brown that's why we're going to pa I'm not like trying to spot steal but you kinda if you couod like help me with a river name it would be awesome thank you!

[@fastjoecorrigan7426]

I would love to see a measuring tape

[@Mntnere]

East can't touch the west when it comes to trout. Unless john is up north east. Definitely not in virginia 😂

[@christophertaylor1575]

Fish are big just not as many. Smaller streams more fisherman. Fished east any west have fun if on the water anywhere.

[@LANsolo12]

That looks just like pit river

[@johnkahler9559]

Culebra?

[@mattmeyer935]

1v1 hit ‘em with 360 no scope

[@hardmanfishing]

Honestly pretty much what happened in this video using COD terms 😂

[@mattmeyer935]

@@hardmanfishing haha Jon you’re too funny man!

[@kailayng702]

Plz fish the norrhwest

[@ABPWPB]

Fly fishing, who can be the most gay

[@hardmanfishing]

You roasted us good!! How will we ever recover

[@alleghenyadventures8561]

You might get it one day. I doubt it. But I hope you do.

[@ABPWPB]

@@alleghenyadventures8561 yeah, I don't understand being gay, I don't want to be gay

[@SlungArrowsTV]

First

[@PaulKing-h9m]

Use a fish measuring tape. Many fly shops and wildlife agents give them away. I think you’ll be surprised at how “big” those fish really are.

[@hardmanfishing]

I have one, but it doesn't matter when Andrew doesn't catch anything 😂 Even if the measuring was an inch off it wouldn't change the outcome!

[@PaulKing-h9m]

Hahaha, very true!

[@amicuselit]

Whoever came up with the idea for this video should take a long, hard look in the mirror.