Stillwater

Episode Show Notes There are plenty of lakes where you can catch trout. Then there are lakes that challenge you to think differently every time...

Episode Show Notes Greg Keenan is back on the podcast to talk all things stillwater fly fishing, from early season ice-off opportunities to advanced presentations...

Why do some anglers seem to find fish instantly while others struggle all day on the same lake? In this episode, Gareth Jones, sales Director at Airflo Fishing, breaks down Stillwater fly fishing at a level most anglers never reach—from understanding exact sink rates to building repeatable systems that help locate fish quickly. We dig into countdown systems, retrieves, line densities, and how wind, depth, and presentation all work together. Gareth also shares competition-proven tactics for fishing teams of flies, controlling drift with a drogue, and deciding when to fish attractor patterns versus imitative flies. If lakes have ever felt overwhelming or random, this episode gives you a framework to simplify the entire game.

Henry's Lake fly fishing has a reputation that stretches across North America. Big trout, shallow water, legendary hatches, and a history filled with anglers...

Stillwater fly fishing rewards anglers who focus on presentation, depth, and efficiency rather than constantly changing flies. In this episode, Phil Rowley sits down with England’s Howard Croston — former world champion, longtime England team member, Hardy product developer, and Fulling Mill fly designer — to unpack the tactical decisions that consistently put trout in the net. From reading unfamiliar lakes and understanding stocked fish behavior to leader diameter, drift control, and eliminating “myths” about fly color, Howard explains how competition fishing sharpens efficiency and forces anglers to focus only on what truly matters. The result is a practical, systems-based approach any stillwater angler can apply immediately.

Stillwater trout don’t always eat because they’re hungry — and that’s where many anglers get stuck. In this solo episode of the Littoral Zone Podcast, Phil Rowley breaks down the power of attraction and explains why trout often strike flies for reasons that have nothing to do with feeding. When matching the hatch fails, attractor patterns can trigger responses rooted in curiosity, aggression, and territorial instinct. Drawing from decades of stillwater experience, Phil explores when and why attractor flies work, how to fish them responsibly, and which patterns consistently provoke strikes from otherwise inactive trout. From blobs and boobies to FABs, worms, and exaggerated chironomids, this episode reframes how anglers should think about fly choice, presentation, and trout behavior in lakes.

Lance Gray gives us a full guide-level breakdown of Northern California — from the Feather River steelhead runs to the stillwaters that shaped generations of Chico anglers. He talks about reading Davis and Almanor, when stillwaters light up, and why steelhead require technical knots, clean leaders, and perfect presentations. Lance also brings us into the heart of the Chico fly-fishing community, where teaching, mentorship, and his Guide School continue to shape new anglers. It’s part NorCal fishing tour, part education deep-dive, and part love letter to the waters that raised him.

Stillwater fly fishing in Alaska is one of the state’s most underrated experiences — and George Krumm, editor of Fish Alaska Magazine, wants to...

Episode Show Notes Phil Rowley breaks down the world of sinking lines—why and when to use them, how to pick the right one, and the...

This summer, we’re bringing back a favorite from the archive—originally released as episode 279, this conversation with Norman Maktima is packed with stillwater insights. Norman, a Team USA fly fishing competitor and guide at High Desert Angler, shared a deep dive into stillwater strategies—from euro-nymphing tactics to lake structure, fly line selection, and subtle boat positioning tips. Whether you're working leeches, chironomids, or just trying to improve your game, Norman brings the technical know-how with a grounded, fishy vibe. We also hear about his Native American heritage and what it was like going from youth team standout to the world competition stage. If you're into stillwaters or want to sharpen your nymph game, this one is worth a second listen.