Hot Tips on Using Split Shot, with Dom Swentosky

Hot Tips on Using Split Shot, with Dom Swentosky

Author: Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company November 17, 2025 Duration: 1:31:16

I am not a big fan of using split shot but after this interview with Dom Swentosky [36:41] of the Troutbitten blog and podcast, I'm going to use it a lot more. Dom's method of using split shot is simple and convenient, and he teaches us about placement, adding shot, and removing shot easily—and how to keep it from sliding on your tippet without placing it above a knot. Whether you fish nymphs or streamers, Dom has some great suggestions on using split shot properly.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great tips and questions form listeners, including:

Is a 10-foot, 4-weight fly rod a good all-around rod for fishing in New England?
If I have a floating and full sinking line for bass fishing, would an intermediate line be the next one to try for largemouth bass?
Why aren't there more resources like books on fly fishing for largemouth bass?
How many different floating fly lines do you have at home?
When you are taking a trip, how many floating lines do you take?
I have been steelhead fishing in Alaska with a tight line presentation. In what situations would an indicator be beneficial?
I don't quite understand why we would take food out of a fish's mouth by using a throat pump. How can you justify this?
Will egg flies work in Colorado?
Is it possible to shoot line with a bow-and-arrow cast?
Are there any saltwater barbless hooks?
Why do spawning shrimp patterns always have the egg cluster tied near the head?
A tip on using small magnets to hold hooks at the fly-tying bench
A tip on using a pool noodle to hold larger saltwater flies after tying them
Is an 8-pound bass leader the same as a 3X leader?
A tip from a listener on how to alleviate shoulder pain when fly fishing.


For anyone who’s ever felt the tug of a line or wondered about the quiet rhythm of a river, The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast is a steady companion. Host Tom Rosenbauer, a well-known author and the voice behind this series for The Orvis Company, doesn’t just offer tips; he shares a lifetime of curiosity spent on the water. Each week, the conversation unfolds like a guidebook coming to life, covering the tangible skills and the subtle philosophies that define fly-fishing. You’ll hear practical advice on technique and gear, certainly, but also deeper discussions about conservation, reading different waters, and understanding fish behavior. It’s that blend of straightforward education and reflective storytelling that makes this podcast unique. Whether you’re planning your first cast or have decades of experience, the aim is the same: to make your hours by the stream more thoughtful and rewarding. Tune in for a mix of solo episodes from Tom and interviews with other anglers, all grounded in a genuine passion for the sport and the wilderness it depends on. This is more than a series of lessons; it’s an ongoing dialogue for anyone who finds solace and challenge in fly-fishing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Hidden World of Fish Biology, with Shawn Good [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:22
In this episode, fisheries biologist Shawn Good [24:00] shares insights into the diverse and rewarding world of fish biology, including how fish populations are sampled, the impact of environmental factors, and the impor…
How you can Help to Keep Roadless Areas, with TU's Chris Wood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:19
Roadless Areas are some of the most important coldwater refuges for trout and salmon, and also prime spawning areas. Yet they are under threat because the Forst Service has proposed to eliminate them. Learn how you can q…
The Wrong Fly in the Right Place, with Tim Flagler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:15
Many flies cross boundaries and you shouldn't hesitate to experiment with flies designed for other species. Tarpon flies will catch striped bass, smallmouths, and trout. Squirmy Worms and Mop flies work for bass, carp, a…
New Ideas From George Daniel That May Shock You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:51
My guest this week is Orvis ambassador George Daniel [31:48], who is also a guide, an author, and teaches the Fly Fishing class at Penn State. George is always questioning fly-fishing tactics, and he has some new ideas t…
What to Expect in Patagonia, with Eduardo Barrueto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:03
What is the trout fishing like in Patagonia? Is it worth the time and expense? Is it truly the trip of a lifetime? And what should you expect on a trip to this magical place? Will you catch the biggest trout of your life…
Back Cast: Late Summer Smallmouth Tips, with Colby Trow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:39
This episode was originally published on August 6th, 2021. This week my guest is Colby Trow [38:08] of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing, one of the best smallmouth bass anglers I know. Colby talks about successful techniques in c…
Where are all the Striped Bass? With Peter Jenkins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:15
My guest this week is Peter Jenkins [28:08], owner of the Saltwater Edge in Rhode Island and chairman of the American Saltwater Guides Association. Peter is a lifelong striper addict and has also followed the plight of t…
How to Swing Wet Flies with Trout Spey, with Pete Kutzer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:25
My guest this week is Orvis casting guru and fishing buddy Pete Kutzer [39:31], who makes a case for using trout Spey techniques not just for spring and fall streamer fishing but all summer long, swinging wet flies and s…
Add Rocky Mountain Carp to Your Fishing Trip, with Dustin White [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:59
With warm and lower water levels in many western rivers, there's no need to sit out those hoot owl regulations. Some of the reservoirs in the Rocky Mountains offer the same spectacular scenery as trout rivers, fewer peop…