How to Pick a Floating Trout Line, with Jesse Haller

How to Pick a Floating Trout Line, with Jesse Haller

Author: Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company November 10, 2025 Duration: 1:27:07
Confused about which floating trout line to pick when you need a new one? I'm not surprised as today there is a dizzying array of options and nearly everyone is confused. If you understand what the various options offer the decision is much easier, so I asked product developer Jesse Haller [41:00] to help all of us make this important choice. We talk about what you get in the more expensive lines that you don't get in the price-point lines. We discuss tapers, whether your fly line should be a standard weight or a half- or quarter- or full-size heavy, smooth vs. textured, clear vs. opaque, fly line colors, and other options.  And take heart, we also give you the best option for an all-purpose floating trout line.
 
In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips from listeners:
  • Help in picking an array of fly rods and lines for fishing for various species in Pennsylvania.
  • How to get deeper for crappie in fall.
  • Is there a way to determine the line size of older, non-labeled fly lines?
  • Is putting a spoon on a fly rod considered fly fishing?
  • I bought a Euro rod but don't like that method. How do I use my 10-foot 3-weight rod for dry fly and nymph fishing from a float tube?
  • Where do trout go during droughts when the water gets painfully low?
  • Do you have tips for casting heavy flies like Clouser Minnows?
  • My son and I were frustrated during a blue-wing-olive hatch when the fish would just splash at our dry flies. Do you have any suggestions?
  • Do I need to cut the loop off my fly line and attach my leader with a nail knot?
  • Should I keep my waders away from electric engines when storing them?
  • A tip from a listener on using a pipe cleaner for a material clip on your tying vise.
  • I got a pigtail in front of my fly when using a Uni Knot. How can I prevent that in the future?
  • How much of a tag end does Tom trim off when he ties on a fly?  I seem to use a lot of tippet in the course of a day.

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
Did You Know About Shoal Bass? With Quint Rogers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:31
This week I interview Quint Rogers [31:43], a fly fishing guide specializing in shoal bass fishing in Georgia. We discuss the unique characteristics of shoal bass, their habitat, life cycle, and the best fishing techniqu…
10 Tips For Better Line Mending, With Mike Pease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:11
If you think mending is just lifting your rod and flipping it upstream—well sometimes it is—but there is so much more you can do with line mends to add slack in just the right places, and to deal with tricky currents. Mi…
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Duration: 1:10:33
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Six Tips for Winter Streamer Fishing, with Brian Slusser [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:39
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Tips for Fly-Fishing Backpacking Trips, with Derek Bargaehr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:15
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Backcast: Foraging Along Trout Streams, with Sam Thayer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:50
This episode was originally published on July 14th, 2023. I think most stream anglers are interested in foraging, since we're immersed in nature all day long and although we watch for fish and insects and birds, many of…
Backcast: All About Bamboo Fly Rods, with Shawn Brillon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:45
This episode was originally published on August 19th, 2022. Want to know how a bamboo fly rod is made? How long it takes to make one? How many different hands touch an Orvis bamboo fly rod before you (and your children a…