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
What's Going on in Florida, with Captain Dan Andrews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:35
My guest this week is Captain Dan Andrews [37:51], co-founder and CEO of Captains for Clean Water, one of Orvis' most trusted conservation partners. Orvis has been aligned with this grass roots group since their inceptio…
Hot Tips on Using Split Shot, with Dom Swentosky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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, a…
How to Pick a Floating Trout Line, with Jesse Haller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Fishing for Coastal Cutthroats, with Dylan Tomine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:24
I've had requests in the past for a podcast about chasing coastal cutthroats, so this week my guest is author, "retired" guide, and all-around thoughtful angler Dylan Tomine [33:12]. He tells us where to find them, what…
Fly Fishing for Steelhead and Salmon in Estuaries, with Reed Teuscher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:03
You can catch salmon and steelhead on a fly in salt water before they enter rivers. The fish are bright and strong and may still be actively feeding but the problem is to find them in a big expanse of water. Reed Teusche…
Backcast: Top-Secret Steelhead Tips, with Stefan Woodruff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:17
This podcast was originally published on December 28th, 2016. In this podcast Stefan Woodruff, Orvis-endorsed guide with Ellensburg Anglers in Washington State, reveals (some of) his secrets to catching steelhead, plus a…