Fly Tying

Most anglers never think about where their flies actually come from or how an idea turns into something hanging on a fly shop wall. In this episode, Jesse Riding of Rainy’s Flies takes us behind the scenes of commercial fly tying—from a small home operation started by his mother to one of the largest fly production companies in the world. We dig into how flies are designed, how patterns move into large-scale production, and why materials like foam changed modern fly fishing forever. Jesse also shares insights on fly design royalties, innovation ethics, and what really determines quality when flies are tied across the globe.

If you’ve ever swung a fly for steelhead and wondered where that pattern really came from, this one goes deep. In this episode, we...

This episode of Traveled comes straight from the floor of the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, where anglers gathered to share patterns, techniques, and the kind of conversations that only happen when tiers and fishermen slow down and talk shop. Scott Sanchez joins us to break down one of the most important — and misunderstood — feeding windows in fly fishing: the emerger stage. We dig into how trout feed in the surface film, how to read rise forms correctly, and why classic wet flies and soft hackles remain so effective when fish aren’t fully committing to dries. It’s a thoughtful, observation-driven discussion inspired by time spent at the vise and on the water, and a reminder that good fishing starts with paying attention.

Episode Show Notes Some flies come and go, but a few patterns just keep catching fish no matter where you take them. In this episode,...

Today's guest traded trout strains for silk thread vintage hooks, and the history-packed world of classic fly tying never looked back. From his first salmon fly at age 12 to becoming a leading voice in preserving old school craftsmanship, Tony Smith has spent decades chasing the perfect thread wrap. By the end of this episode, you'll know what really defines a classic salmon fly, why wax silk and antique hooks still matter, and how tying flies help Tony navigate OCD social anxiety and come out on the other side.

Brian Wise, streamer, fanatic fly tyer, and the guy behind fly fishing the Ozarks, joins us today to share some of his hard-earned lessons that he's picked up from guiding and fishing Missouri's famed tr water. You'll find out why weightless streamers might be your new best friend. How Slack kills a good presentation and what fly design really matters when chasing big Browns. Plus, Brian's gonna walk us through the rules of streamer fishing. Spoiler alert, there's only one. And why the 10-pound trout can still live and hang out in 10 inches of water. We're heading to the Ozarks with Brian Wise of Fly Fishing The Ozarks.

Did you know the Feather Thief story actually connects back to today's guest? Spencer Seim is a New Mexico fly fishing guide and classic fly...

Kirk Wallace Johnson, author of The Feather Thief, joins us to share the wild tale of a world-class fly tyer who broke into a...

Today, we’re bringing back Gunnar Brammer, streamer expert and fly designer, to break down predatory fish behavior, how to cast oversized flies, and why natural materials like bucktail still outshine synthetics. Gunnar shares his five essential streamer fishing rules, the biggest mistakes beginners make, and how to design flies that fish actually want to eat. Plus, we talk about casting the right fly line, why fast-action rods aren’t always the answer, and his new Articulated 2.0 streamer design. If you’ve ever wanted to fish bigger flies, target aggressive fish, and rethink everything you know about streamers, this one’s for you. 

Take a quick moment and think about what your top 5 euro nymphing flies are right now. If you could only have five flies...