How to Take Great Fishing Pictures with Your Smartphone, with Chris Niccolls

How to Take Great Fishing Pictures with Your Smartphone, with Chris Niccolls

Author: Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company December 1, 2025 Duration: 1:25:22

My guest this week is photography expert and co-host of the Petapixel podcast Chris Niccolls [28:39]. Chris has access to nearly every kind of expensive camera in the world because he evaluates photo equipment for his day job. But when he is fishing, guess what he takes most of his photographs and videos with?  You guessed it—his iPhone. Chris shares tips on how to set up your shot, how to get a photograph and still have minimal fish handling, and what settings to use on your phone. He also gives great tips on setting up the scene so that your photos are better than just grip & grin snapshots.

In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips:
You say Orvis fly rods are true to line weight but you say you use a line that is a half-size heavy. Why?
With a fly line that is rated for colder water, is it OK to use it for the occasional largemouth bass fishing trip in warmer water?
A tip from a listener on how to get an estimate of a fish's length and weight using AI.
A tip from a listener on great places to fish close to Chicago.
Can I get a rod that is suitable for carp and for large salmon in the Great Lakes?
How can I target suckers on a fly rod?
Would a leader with a long stiff butt and abrupt taper be a good one for fishing big Chubbies in western rivers?
What do you think of double taper leaders?
What are some fly fishing books form the 1960s and earlier that are still worth reading?
A great tip from a listener on using hockey laces for wading boots.
A tip from a listener on a hot fly to use in the Driftless Region during the winter.
Is there a trick for fly casting in rough seas?


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…