The Wrong Fly in the Right Place, with Tim Flagler

The Wrong Fly in the Right Place, with Tim Flagler

Author: Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company August 31, 2026 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, and even bonefish. Steelhead, shad, and carp take bonefish flies. The list goes on, and Tim [35:08] and Tom relate stories where the "wrong" fly has often saved the day. It's a fun discussion.

In the Fly Box, my plea for phone calls has produced some great ones as well as the usual e-mails. Some of the questions and tips include:

Is there any reason I can't cut the hook off a jig head and use that for drop shotting?
A tip from a listener on a way to make guides in foreign countries very happy.
Any pros or cons to fly lines made from PVC as opposed to other materials?
Will a 5-weight rod work for light saltwater fishing?
How do you fish for carp in a lake with no visibility?
A comment on fishing etiquette.
Why do the catfish in my river jump clear of the water?
Which hook should I cut off my articulated streamers?
A great tip from a listener on tying blood knots.


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
Orvis' Return to Roots, with Simon Perkins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:02
My guest this week is Simon Perkins [1:11], president of The Orvis Company and a third-generation family member to run the company. You may have heard about some major changes in Orvis' business over the past couple year…
The US Forest Service Needs Your Help, with Paul Hendricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:53
Many of our favorite places to fish for wild trout are located on Forest Service lands. My guest this week is Paul Hendricks [29:45], executive director of The Conservation Alliance, which is an outdoor industry organiza…
How To Catch Permit On Top, with RA Beattie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:27
Permit on a floating fly? Don't you need to fish heavy flies that get right to the bottom, where permit feed? Sometimes, but over the past decade permit anglers have discovered that permit eat crabs on the surface, and i…
Tips for Urban Fly Fishing, with Marc Fryt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:17
Urban fly fishing is fun and presents some challenges—like bystanders getting in the way of back casts and sometimes fishing from a location high above the water. And it's essential to know how to fish around bridges as…
Fly Tying Talk, with Charlie Craven [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:59
I have been meaning to get Charlie Craven [37:41] of Charlie's Fly Box in Denver on the podcast for quite some time and we finally connected. Charlie talks about what new materials and tools excite him and also how to ap…
Secrets of the Best Early Season Mayfly Hatch, with Blake Katchur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:51
Join me as we explore the fascinating world of early season olive hatches with expert fly fisherman Blake Katchur [35:42] of Anglers All in Denver. No matter where you fish, you'll find this hatch any time from early Mar…
Back Cast: John McPhee and his Favorite Fish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:31
This episode was originally published on August 19th, 2021. This week's podcast guest is especially exciting to me as he is one of my literary heroes. John McPhee [24:10] is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author (Annals of the…
Back Cast: Traveling with Fly-Fishing Gear, with Seth Berger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:25
This episode was originally published on February 17th, 2023. This week is my guest Seth Berger [1:00:18], Fly Fishing Travel Specialist with Orvis Adventures. In his job, Seth visits Orvis-endorsed operations around the…
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…