WOW! Great Stuff. I am new to fly fishing and I have devoured a bunch of Mad River videos. I learn so much from each of these. In fact, I learn so much that I probably forget 50% of it once I am knee deep in the water and excited about catching fish! But, I figure that fly fishing is an art form, a lifelong pursuit, and a lifetime of learning. This is exactly what makes fly fishing so intriguing to me. There is just so much to learn! But, I don't expect myself to learn everything on my first outings. I am grateful that such a great resource exists that will both enhance my fishing experience and expedite my learning process. Thank You for putting out such FANTASTIC material. I am HOOKED!
Colour. Contour. Size. Pattern. Style of pattern as in streamer, type of streamer, then winged wet, nymph, dry, bug, beast, or fry. Read the conditions. Be aware of any changes temp wind light or water condition such as upstream rain adding extra and or discoloured water. River or pond be aware. To crack the code and adapt as the fish do. The same water can have several food sources during the day and at the same time. Read what the fish are actually taking. Not what you first see.
Please have Kelly on as much as possible. Such a no nonsense, unapologetic voice of knowledge. You are both such great story tellers, which is rare these days.
Kelly i change flies a lot but I often wonder if it gets to a point that it's counter productive because you can't catch a fish when your fly isn't in the water. I find frantically changing flies puts me in a head space that I feel I don't have confidence in any of them and don't fish them as well
Great advice as always. I had a guest tell me one time "I don't care if we don't catch fish, but I do care if we don't TRY to catch fish." I really took that to heart and have always made an effort since then to put my guests on fish, even if it means 100 fly changes.
I have been fishing the Wisconsin Driftless for about 20+ years. There was one particular hole full of Brookies that has since been destroyed by one the 100 year class floods. I would start with an Adams and catch 3 fish. I would sit down and put on a Blue Wing Olive and catch 3 fish. Then put on a Sulphur and get 3 more. Then put on a March Brown, guess what 3 more. Then start over.
For what ever reason this hole was only good for 3 fish on a fly. Then you had to change and by the time you went through those four they forgot about the first one. All of us that fished that hole did well. I really believe we caught the same fish multiple times.
Really enjoyed this conversation thanks My question is how I could apply this trout strategy to river small mouth I mostly fish the big central western MI rivers, Muskegon/Grand and smaller tributaries
Great videos as always, quick question though. These tactics have to change somewhat on a lower volume river like some of the rivers in the south east. We just don’t have as many fish per mile resulting in having to change color less frequently simply due to the fact that there are just less fish that see the fly? Is that accurate? Instead of changing 8 times in 15 minutes maybe changing 3 times in 15 minutes, etc. Thanks for all that you do, much love from ATL.
I don’t have rivers/creeks around my area. I have Ponds and Lakes all around me. Do you still go through the same rotation of color? I’ll be honest, I can’t see my flies as they sink down the water so I can’t tell if I caught the attention of any fish until they hit it. Can you give me advice how I can go through the color/fly type rotation?
I’ve had a bit of a different experience from Kelly as I enter competitive fly fishing tournaments mostly nymphing. Fish get a better look at a nymph than a streamer which is more of a reactionary bite. For nymphs I find the far ends of the color spectrum work best specifically orange and purple. If one doesn’t work I switch to the other.
For streamers I think size and shape matter most, but I agree on color switches. I do white, black, olive or yellow until I dial the color in.
Not being a coffee drinker, will your campfire mugs make hot chocolate taste better? Inquiring minds want to know. Also does the color of the mug make a difference? Don't apologize for having a long interview with Kelly, I always learn something from him whether it's 5 minutes or an hour and a half. Keep the good stuff coming guys.
WOW! Great Stuff. I am new to fly fishing and I have devoured a bunch of Mad River videos. I learn so much from each of these. In fact, I learn so much that I probably forget 50% of it once I am knee deep in the water and excited about catching fish! But, I figure that fly fishing is an art form, a lifelong pursuit, and a lifetime of learning. This is exactly what makes fly fishing so intriguing to me. There is just so much to learn! But, I don't expect myself to learn everything on my first outings. I am grateful that such a great resource exists that will both enhance my fishing experience and expedite my learning process. Thank You for putting out such FANTASTIC material. I am HOOKED!
I model a lot of what I do based on Kelly's advice , and the flies he ties also a big fan of Dennis Rickards he ties a lot of suggestive flies.
Colour. Contour. Size. Pattern. Style of pattern as in streamer, type of streamer, then winged wet, nymph, dry, bug, beast, or fry. Read the conditions. Be aware of any changes temp wind light or water condition such as upstream rain adding extra and or discoloured water. River or pond be aware. To crack the code and adapt as the fish do. The same water can have several food sources during the day and at the same time. Read what the fish are actually taking. Not what you first see.
Please have Kelly on as much as possible. Such a no nonsense, unapologetic voice of knowledge. You are both such great story tellers, which is rare these days.
Kelly i change flies a lot but I often wonder if it gets to a point that it's counter productive because you can't catch a fish when your fly isn't in the water. I find frantically changing flies puts me in a head space that I feel I don't have confidence in any of them and don't fish them as well
Two flies? I’m a saltwater guy. Give me a chartreuse clauser and a tan flexo crab and I will take my chances.
Great advice as always. I had a guest tell me one time "I don't care if we don't catch fish, but I do care if we don't TRY to catch fish." I really took that to heart and have always made an effort since then to put my guests on fish, even if it means 100 fly changes.
I have been fishing the Wisconsin Driftless for about 20+ years. There was one particular hole full of Brookies that has since been destroyed by one the 100 year class floods. I would start with an Adams and catch 3 fish. I would sit down and put on a Blue Wing Olive and catch 3 fish. Then put on a Sulphur and get 3 more. Then put on a March Brown, guess what 3 more. Then start over.
For what ever reason this hole was only good for 3 fish on a fly. Then you had to change and by the time you went through those four they forgot about the first one. All of us that fished that hole did well. I really believe we caught the same fish multiple times.
17:20 "piss-ant 14-18 inch fish"
that made me laugh. I do that when this is happening with 4 inch fish and they start getting annoying
I have a question.. If you change that often How many leaders do you go thru in a day ?
Very good content, I am going to tye my 3 best snook & redfish flies in 4 different colors.
We've got to go back to single hook for streamer fishing. Big trout deserve more respect from us.
I have to rearrange colours in my streamer box 😊 Thanks 🙏
Killer Video Y'all !!! Knowledge Is Always Appreciated !!!
How would this work on a low density fish like muskies?
Always appreciate your content!
Always great insight and useful information but what’s with the crooked pics in the background?😉
Really enjoyed this conversation thanks
My question is how I could apply this trout strategy to river small mouth
I mostly fish the big central western MI rivers, Muskegon/Grand and smaller tributaries
Wow! So much practical and applicable information for all anglers. Thanks for bringing Kelly to MRO.
If fishes were able to hear anglers talk about colors of flies, they would laugh their a$$es off.
staccato and legato . Thats why Jimi Hendrix was so good. I think the same applies to fly fishing.
Change it often, if you dont get attention.
Great videos as always, quick question though. These tactics have to change somewhat on a lower volume river like some of the rivers in the south east. We just don’t have as many fish per mile resulting in having to change color less frequently simply due to the fact that there are just less fish that see the fly? Is that accurate? Instead of changing 8 times in 15 minutes maybe changing 3 times in 15 minutes, etc. Thanks for all that you do, much love from ATL.
Hearing him call 14”-18” fish “piss ants” when if I caught a bunch that size in a day I’d be on top of the world is unreal hahaha
3:02 Peak Kelly
"Oh, I start my day and something hurts"!!!! Thank you so much. You both are such amazing ambassadors to the craft!!!! Thank you!
Bring a color wheel on the boat! 😂😂
I don’t have rivers/creeks around my area. I have Ponds and Lakes all around me. Do you still go through the same rotation of color? I’ll be honest, I can’t see my flies as they sink down the water so I can’t tell if I caught the attention of any fish until they hit it. Can you give me advice how I can go through the color/fly type rotation?
Do you start 🤔 big before getting small? Awesome, getting to watch you two talk fishing. Thanks from Minnesota.
Good Stuff!!!
I’ve had a bit of a different experience from Kelly as I enter competitive fly fishing tournaments mostly nymphing. Fish get a better look at a nymph than a streamer which is more of a reactionary bite. For nymphs I find the far ends of the color spectrum work best specifically orange and purple. If one doesn’t work I switch to the other.
For streamers I think size and shape matter most, but I agree on color switches. I do white, black, olive or yellow until I dial the color in.
How does fly size factor into the equation?
I don’t know who said this but if you’re not catching fish fish harder!
Not being a coffee drinker, will your campfire mugs make hot chocolate taste better? Inquiring minds want to know. Also does the color of the mug make a difference? Don't apologize for having a long interview with Kelly, I always learn something from him whether it's 5 minutes or an hour and a half. Keep the good stuff coming guys.
Great video!
Thank you very much for posting!
This is always important to remember.