Top 3 Characteristics of “Good” Fly Fishing Flies | Ep. 78

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Is there such a thing as a "bad" fly fishing fly? And if bad flies exist, then what makes some flies "good?" AND - haven't we learned that the presentation of a fly is more important than the fly itself? Those are deep, deep questions. This is the kind of stuff philosophers have debated for millennia. And today, we have the answers! Spencer and Alex sat down to talk about "good" and "bad" flies, the concept of "magic" flies, and the 3 characteristics that all good flies share. This is an episode you can't afford to miss.
If you have any fly fishing specific questions or want to chat, email us at: [e-mail]
#flyfishing #flyfishingtrout #beginnerflyfishing #flycasting #flytying #flyfishingflies
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[@gzeppe4671]

4 year into trout fly fishing and first year fly tying. Watched tons of videos. I can say I caught less with flies I tied likely due to proportions. They looked good to me but the more I observe the more I learn.

[@austinhall485]

I started trying to fly fish as of last weekend and i just figured if i went and bought the flies that were almost sold out id be in pretty good shape. I was indeed right and got 2 rainbows and 2 grayling on my first two times out with a fly rod

[@venturesflyco]

That’s a pretty solid strategy. Haha. Thanks for sharing. 😎🤙🏽

[@christianherrington1456]

I noticed the same thing only had like 2 zebra midges at the shop I grabbed them and started catching slabs.

[@johnhanley8708]

You guys are great to listen to on a podcast you keep things lively and informative Thanks!

[@ravingdog24]

I read The Handbook of Hatches my first year fly fishing. Great book

[@venturesflyco]

Super good!!

[@philipfachan8001]

Great show......I am constantly re-thinking my presentation

[@venturesflyco]

Glad you enjoyed it. Presentation is king! 👑

[@Im_a_dude192]

Hey man love the vids a lot You're a true lifesaver when it comes to fly fishing. Tho I was just watching a video of yours from 7 months ago titled how to set up your fly line and I was wondering why you guys recommend the clinch knot instead of the improved clinch knot. It's just as easy and it adds more strength.

[@Im_a_dude192]

Sorry for the saying this 7 months late😅 just now learning how to fly fish

[@venturesflyco]

Don't worry about being late, we're here to help! As far as the knot goes -- I don't think me or Alex ever really use the improved clinch, and I think that's because neither of us grew up using it, and I'm DEFINITELY a creature of habit. But it's a good knot, so if you want to use it, then go for it!

[@ronwalczak7120]

Fun show guys Thanks…. Great conversation… im from Ypsilanti, Mi Huron River water system… small mouth bass system

[@ravingdog24]

A Bad fly is one that falls apart after a few drifts

[@hiddenspring1542]

I laughed when you took a turn to the dark side 😂

[@egregiousblunder5395]

Honestly, most of the fancy patters are there just to separate the fisherman from his money. I still love buying unique patterns that I think are really cool though. But 99% of my fish come off of very plain looking perdigon variations that I tie myself. Yesterday I had the exception, I had a take on a blowtorch. I will say that some of my own perdigon patterns do vary and look a bit different than what a fish may normally see in its natural environment, thus my theory is they see it, it looks like food that is different and I get those reaction strikes from them. Also, I almost never match the hatch, I'll come close, but I never really worry about trying to match it 100%. I always tell guys, look at the bug hatches, but also remember tossing the same fly, same size or close to the same size will most likely limit your hookups, the fish is seeing hundred's to thousands of the same thing daily. That takes me back to keeping it similar to the hatch, but make it stand out just a bit and get your presentation right. Also, fly prices at shops are just nuts, 3-4 bucks a pop for a simple midge lol.

[@venturesflyco]

All sound advice. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences! 😎🤙🏽

[@egregiousblunder5395]

@@venturesflyco I really enjoy the vid's. Hoping to break into this industry myself these days. Come down to CO for a collab sometime. I got the beer and grill in the truck!

[@Redneckeverything]

As a spin fisher of +20 years for mostly pike who fly fish with friends a week a year in the north (Scandinavia) who are fly fishing nerds are really experienced. I have found something interesting. I cast like shit, have no clue about fly patterns, tippets, hatch-matching etc. But what happens every year is that I get the latest amount of fish but I always catch the biggest. I go by the "go bigger than what hatch" strategy. If there are 1000 bugs on the surface, why would they pick mine. So I make sure to go bigger and more colorful. This is just what we do while pike fishing and it seems to work also for fly fishing. Now my friends have started going for size 6-8 instead of 12-16 like they did before. So it seems like we have learnt from each other across the disciplines 😊

[@venturesflyco]

Yeah, there's some definite truth to that. It just happened to us this April, during a blue-winged olive hatch, where we caught all our fish on a size 14 Purple Haze. Kinda crazy how it works sometimes.

[@RollinRollinReelin]

Thanks for all of this great information guys! God I wish I could shadow you guys for just one day,!

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

There are some bad flies and duplicate patterns with different names, and perdigons...bad flies. One of my first flies was a size 8 "zebra midge" on a straight shank hood that I fished and complained that zebra midges do not work on the Provo....

[@venturesflyco]

😂😂😂

[@RollinRollinReelin]

Hi Spencer! Hey dude I'm really really green when it comes to fly tying and fly fishing. Now I'm I a wheelchair and on a fixed income so I fish my flies on spinning gear due to cost and having to fish from the bank. How can I, in my unique situation, learn about presentation? Any advice you may offer me and other disabled fisher persons I will be very greatful for! Tight lines guys!

[@venturesflyco]

Man, that's a tough question! Ha. And props to you for still getting out and fishing, no matter what. That's awesome! I think the basic principles of presentation are going to stay the same, though -- you want to get your flies looking as natural as possible. So the big thing is probably going to be positioning yourself in such a way that you don't get too much drag on your flies while they're drifting. I also know a lot of guys who fish big streamers on spinning rods, they just tie them behind a bubble full of water. That might be a good option, because you don't have to worry about drag. You'd fish it just like you would a lure, but you'll be catching fish on flies.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Did....did you REALLY have 156 first dates?! Dear. GOD!! I thought I had it bad at around 50...

[@DaveyMedley]

In my fishing area, basics rule when all else fail. Parachute pheasant tail, Parachute hairs ear, and yes adams, if one doesn't work go smaller. Dry season anyway

[@venturesflyco]

Great tip!

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Why do my clinch knots break every time on 6x and 7x tippet? It doesn't seem to matter how many times I wrap or how slow I tighten it or how I moisten it, especially on 7x Tippet they always break.

[@venturesflyco]

You might have a bad batch of tippet, but knots will break on 6 and 7x a lot easier than 4x, so you do have to be careful.

[@andrewgreco9215]

Possibly the wrong weight of rod.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@andrewgreco9215 they break when I tighten them, long before they get in the water. :(

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@venturesflyco I typically only use 4 lb fluro now. Tippet is just so stupid expensive!! What are they thinking pricing 50 or even 30 yards of mono at 13 dollars?

[@MrTxalus]

U neeed the hawk tuah

[@AJBundaBunges]

The thumbnail really said the zebra midge was bad?!?😮

[@jaceallen7400]

Do you guys offer guiding?

[@gabel.5269]

Ok but what is the best fly to use?

[@RickMidds]

Back to the age old question… “Are fish smart or stupid?” 😁

[@aidenscoresby9358]

Quality checked flies are best flies 😅

[@venturesflyco]

You know a thing or two about that. 😎🤙🏽

[@TheZachatree]

What if it was your presentation along with you’re a bad fly and that’s why it took 156 dates. 😂

[@Hersirs-Fly-Fishing-Channel]

The squirmy is a magic fly 😡😡😡🤣

[@venturesflyco]

😂😎🤙🏽

[@Hersirs-Fly-Fishing-Channel]

@@venturesflyco I have caught 4 nice trout since late april thanks to you The largest one was 48 cm brown that took a buzzer on the swing And a 47 cm searun brown on a frenchie

[@ericoakley4388]

Tacomas? That was a joke right?

[@DPM-dp9on]

Any fly that reliably catches fish, is a good fly. Not rocket science.

[@venturesflyco]

Great summary. 👍🏽