BIG LAKES... they can be tricky, daunting, and a LOT of fun. Today's episode of Fly Fish University brings you 5 tips for fishing big lakes from shore successfully.

Though there's a lot of area to cover on big lakes, and finding fish can be a challenge at times due to the fact that they could be anywhere, that's no reason to shy away from them. Though large water bodies can be intimidating, with a proper food source they can offer fish the ability to grow to immense sizes. As a fan of fishing big lakes in the early spring, here are 5 things I suggest to you.

BEFORE WE GET GOING... don't forget to register for the (FREE) Fly Fishing Accelerator Workshop on March 23, 24 & 25! Click here to grab a seat

HERE WE ARE:

1. Break big lakes into smaller lakes - Don't pretend like you're going to tackle the whole thing in one day, find a way to get your brain to understand that a big lake can be seen as simple a series of smaller waterbodies all put together. Remember that so...

Fishing chironomids with confidence and patience, dry fly refusals, and why we see fighting butts on some single-handed rods.

It's Friday, which means it's time for another episode of Q&A Friday on the Fly Fish University Podcast and Fly Fish University TV! Today we're discussing HOW to fish chironomids (or any small flies) with immense confidence, what occurs when a dry fly refusal takes place, and why we see fighting butts on some single-handed fly rods.

Listen or watch this episode below on the device of your choice, and wishing you the best on the water!

Too many fish are lost to poorly tied knots. Understand these 6 knots and how to tie them, and you'll have one less thing to worry about when you're hooked up to the fish of a lifetime.

Knot tying is an intricate game, but just like tying your shoes or riding a bike, you can train yourself to reach a level of unconscious competence when it comes to tying knots that hold. 

The knots we discuss in this episode are:

1. Improved Clinch
2. Non-Slip Mono Loop
3. Double Surgeon's Knot
4. Blood Knot
5. Perfection Loop
6. Nail Knot

Learning both how to tie these knots, and what their purposes are in different fishing applications, will allow you to ultimately have a better experience on the water. If you don't know HOW to tie them, click here to grab our free knot-tying mini-course!

Enjoy today's episode below:

Are fly line tapers important, can trout smell sunscreen, and what's the absolute perfect setup for trout fishing?

It's Friday, which means it's time for another episode of Q&A Friday on the Fly Fish University Podcast and Fly Fish University TV! Today we're discussing the importance of understanding your fly line taper, what would be a perfect trout rod if you could only pick one, and whether trout can smell sunscreen!

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Three common fly fishing mistakes and exactly what to do about them!

Today's episode is exciting because these are three mistakes that are both super easy to make, and super easy to fix!

Before we get too far in, ABSOLUTELY grab yourself a seat in the Fly Fishing Accelerator Workshop on March 23, 24 and 25 by clicking right here.

OK - to the goods...

The first mistake that's way too easy to make is buying fly fishing gear and equipment you don't really need, without knowing exactly why you need it and what its purpose is going to be. 

The second mistake is too spend far too much time changing flies, rather than focusing on switching up your presentation, the speed of your retrieve, and the minor details such as tippet length or diameter.

The third mistake, and one that we are always working on, is not paying enough attention to the minuscule details on the water. The observant angler wins, and increasing the attention you pay to detail will pay massive dividends in fly...

Exactly how heavy of tippet should you be fishing, what is the best line for chironomid fishing, and what is Brennan's secret euro leader setup!

It's Friday, which means it's time for another episode of Q&A Friday on the Fly Fish University Podcast and Fly Fish University TV! Today we're discussing exactly how to determine what strength tippet you should be using, what lines are best for chironomid fishing, and what on earth Brennan discussed about his euro-nymphing leader from the previous episode.

Listen or watch this episode below on the device of your choice, and wishing you the best on the water!

Why are 10% of the anglers constantly catching 90% of the fish? KNOWLEDGE.

If there is one thing that separates good anglers from great anglers, it is their ability to unconsciously weed out unproductive water and techniques. This allows them to spend more time fishing effective methods where fish actually reside...

In today's episode, I am fortunate enough to discuss moving water tactics with my friend Brennan Lund, one of the most accomplished and effective river anglers I've ever met. Though he has fished professionally and competitively around the world, he needs no introduction. Enjoy today's episode!

Proper strike indicator selection for still and moving water, why the strip set is important, and how to join irregular tippets together!

It's Friday, which means it's time for another episode of Q&A Friday on the Fly Fish University Podcast and Fly Fish University TV! Today we're discussing indicator selection for still and moving water, the when and why of strip setting vs. trout setting, and how to join tippets of irregular diameter together.

Listen or watch this episode below on the device of your choice, and wishing you the best on the water!

Fly fishing doesn't have to require a lot of time or financial investment if you get the proper information and instruction right off the bat.

At first, fly fishing was nothing short of a puzzle / trainwreck / dumpster fire for myself, but after a few years of slogging it out on my own I began noticing patterns in those that were successful on the water. 

If I had to go back to my younger self and teach them to fly fish, I would absolutely recommend these five pieces of advice. If you're new to fly fishing, I hope this serves you well:

1. Seek your local fly shop for equipment purchases - Too many times, as a young fly shop employee, I would help a disappointed angler who had opted for a cheap fly rod kit they'd purchased from a big box store that was doing them more harm than good. Your local shop will point you in the right direction based on your skill level, and the areas/species which you spend the most time targeting. 
2. Take a casting lesson - As in golf, the...

Choosing a watercraft for lake fishing, why one angler swears by the Prince Nymph, and the mental game of catching steelhead on the fly!

It's Friday, which means it's time for another episode of Q&A Friday on the Fly Fish University Podcast and Fly Fish University TV! Today we're discussing inflatable vs. aluminum boats for lake fishing, why one angler swears by the Prince Nymph (rightfully so...), and the up and down game of chasing steelhead on the fly! 

Listen or watch this episode below on the device of your choice, and wishing you the best on the water!