Guides

Guides and Resources

Straight answers to the questions people ask before they buy, schedule or sign.

GuideFly fishing for beginners: how to start catching troutFly fishing looks complicated from the outside, but a first outfit and a few habits are enough to start catching trout. This guide covers the gear, the rig and the mistakes to avoid.Read more GuideThe best flies for trout: dry flies, nymphs and streamersYou do not need hundreds of patterns to catch trout. Understanding three fly families and a few classics will cover most situations.Read more GuideHow to tie a clinch knot and other key fishing knotsThree knots handle most trout fishing: the improved clinch for flies, the surgeon's knot for tippet and the arbor knot for the reel. Here is how each works.Read more GuideHow to read a trout stream: riffles, runs and poolsTrout live in particular spots for particular reasons. Once you can recognize riffles, runs, pools and seams, a stream stops being a blur of water and becomes a map.Read more GuideCatch and release for trout: how to handle fish wellReleasing a trout is not enough. How you play, handle and revive the fish decides whether it survives. These practices come from conservation groups and fisheries guidance.Read more GuideTrout species identification: rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroatFour trout dominate most anglers' conversations. Each has a few features that tell it apart, and those features matter because rules can differ by species.Read more GuideWhat is tippet? Leader and tippet sizing explainedTippet and leader connect your fly line to your fly, and picking the right size is one of the easiest ways to improve your catch.Read more GuideWhen trout feed: hatch basics for beginnersA hatch is when aquatic insects rise and emerge as adults, and trout respond to it. Knowing the basics tells you what to tie on and when.Read more GuideSpin fishing for trout: lures, tackle and tacticsYou do not need a fly rod to catch trout. A light spinning outfit and a small box of lures will do the job in streams and lakes alike.Read more GuideTrout fishing licenses and regulations: what to check firstLicensing and fishing rules vary by state, and sometimes by individual stream. The reliable answer always comes from the wildlife agency that manages the water you plan to fish.Read more

Ask About a Trip or Lesson

Tell us what you want to fish, or learn, and we will reply with what is available or planned.

Ask About a Trip or Lesson