The float plane banked sharply as we descended toward the jade-green waters of Naknek Lake, and I caught my first glimpse of the legendary river that would change my perspective on what wild rainbow trout could be. Below us, the Naknek River carved its way through ancient glacier moraines, creating the boulder-strewn rapids that give this fishery its famous character. My guide that week was a seasoned Alaska veteran who'd spent his life fishing in Alaska, Michigan, Belize, and a ton of other places, looked at me with a grin.

The November morning mist hung thick over the White River below Bull Shoals Dam, and I could hear the telltale splash of feeding browns before I even stepped out of the truck. My guide that day was Steve Dally, a Tasmanian transplant who'd made these Arkansas waters his home for over fifteen years. As we rigged up Simms waders in the pre-dawn darkness, Steve pointed to a series of subtle rings spreading across the calm water near the dam's concrete buttress.

Picture this: you're standing knee-deep in a mountain stream at dawn, the only sounds coming from moving water and maybe a kingfisher somewhere upstream. Your line unfurls in a graceful arc, and for a moment, the weight of your inbox and your mortgage and that meeting you're dreading just... disappears.

Look, I've fished a lot of water across the country, and I can tell you that the Green River A Section below Flaming Gorge Dam is something special. When people call it the "Aquarium," they're not exaggerating. With over 5,000 trout per mile in crystal-clear water flowing through one of Utah's most stunning red rock canyons, this isn't just fishing—it's an experience that'll stick with you.

Just as every car enthusiast has their preferred brand, so too does every fly fisherman hold allegiances to certain reel manufacturers. From the sturdy reliability of a Ford to the sleek performance of a Ferrari, there’s a perfect parallel in the world of fly fishing reels. Let’s cruise through the connections between top reel manufacturers and their automotive counterparts.

Hey everyone—Christian Bacasa here, host of the Fly Fishing Insider Podcast. April is one of my favorite months to get out on the water. Spring is in full swing, hatches are picking up, and fish are on the move after a long winter. I’ve spent a good amount of time researching this year’s hottest fly fishing spots, and I want to share my top five destinations for April 2025. These aren’t just guesses—they’re backed by experience, research, and a deep love for helping you make the most of your time on the water.

From chasing trout in the mountain streams of the Rockies to stalking tarpon on the flats of the Florida Keys, I’ve got something for every angler. Plus, I’ll give you gear recommendations for each location—perfect if you're thinking about upgrading your setup or exploring new fly patterns from our eCommerce shop.

I've always been fascinated by the legends and experts who have shaped our fly fishing. Recently, I decided to dive deep into researching the top performers in fly fishing, aiming to compile a list of 25 well-known anglers renowned for their technique, tactics, and overall performance. I ran prompts on ChatGPT, watched YouTube Videos, looked at a few books, and read some blogs. Hell, I even called a few friends and got some thoughts.  I thought that was enough.

I'm back with a follow-up to my article "4 Bow and Arrow Cast Stories: How to Fly Fish in Tight Situations." After receiving great feedback from our listeners and readers, I realized there were some misconceptions about the bow and arrow cast that needed clearing up. So, let's dive in and set the record straight on this versatile and often misunderstood technique.

As the host of the Fly Fishing Insider Podcast, I've had the privilege of exploring various fly fishing techniques and sharing insights with fellow anglers. Today, I want to dive into a casting technique for fly fishing in tight spaces the bow and arrow cast.

The bow and arrow cast is a game-changer when it comes to nymphing in confined areas. It allows for precise fly placement without the need for a traditional backcast, making it ideal for small streams with overhanging vegetation or limited casting room. At some point look on YouTube for video of Joe Humphreys executing the cast.  His technique is tremendous and you can learn quickly how deadly the cast can be at short and longer distances.