Ventures Fly Co.

Working on a new cover for the podcast. Which one do you like best?

1 month ago | [YT] | 50

Ventures Fly Co.

“This is NOT a trophy fish by most people’s standards—but for me, it’s a momentous one.

I live in Baltimore, and our local Blue Ribbon River is a chilly, technical tailwater with wary, native browns.

I got skunked my first 4 trips—20+ hours of nothing. Then I finally landed a few small ones, and felt like I was starting to figure it out.

A few days later, I hit the water at dawn. Same dry-dropper rig.

Nothing.

Another angler mentioned he was throwing ants due to the heat.

I swapped to the closest thing I had: a foam beetle.

Second cast into a perfect seam below a riffle, and WHAM—an 11" brownie crushed it.

The fight wasn’t long—I was only 15 feet away—but I used everything I’ve learned from @venturesflyco and landed him clean.

Not a giant. But on this river, as a beginner, with the effort it took to get here—it meant the world.”

Live Reel Life,
Ras W.

Want to submit your own Live Reel Life Moment? Go here - forms.gle/ge5mgDMq1uu84Y4X7

5 months ago | [YT] | 288

Ventures Fly Co.

“Icy water licks my calves, my toes long numb, as I meander downstream, lazily flinging a dry fly at pockets that might hold fish.

Earlier, I’d landed a small Yellowstone cutthroat—halfway through a cutthroat slam.

At this point, another fish would just be the cherry in an already sweet glass of Coke.

I see no rises, but my stubborn purist self keeps the same dry fly tied on.

It’s summer—I don’t need a nymph. Then I spot it: a deep emerald pool, brambly dam at the far end, clear water spilling over.

Of every pocket I’ve fished today, this one looks the most promising.

A gentle pull on my reel sends that delightful tinkle through the air—the sound that sometimes means a “holy crap” fish is about to bolt.

I let line slip out, snap it forward, and watch my fly land softly in the foam line.

It drifts, lazily, toward the dam.

Right then, my son decides to yank my hat off my head—his favorite game.

He erupts in giggles as I snatch it back, losing track of my fly.

I lift the rod tip, see it skitter away from the snags, relieved but disappointed.

There has to be a fish in this pool.

I roll it out again, focusing hard, hat clutched in hand so I won’t get distracted.

My fly drifts... drifts... almost into the mess of sticks.

Suddenly, a flash of silver and an explosion of water. My arm lifts instinctively, rod bends, the trout tries to dash over the dam.

“Fsh! Fsh! Fsh!” my toddler squeals. Strip by strip I bring it in, slipping the net under its lifted head.

I take a moment to admire its color and girth.

Wetting my hand, I pop the fly free, cradle its belly, and let my son blow it a kiss.

Then I turn it upstream, watching it melt back into the cool water.

A deep breath, a quick fist bump with my little buddy.

Another glimpse of something purely wild. I love living reel life.”

Live Reel Life,
Micah D.

Want to share your own LRL Moment, submit one here - vfc.media/YT-LRL-Moment

#livereellife #flyfishing #venturesflyco #TeamVFC #beginnerflyfishing #learntoflyfish #flyfishingtips #flyfishingtrout

5 months ago | [YT] | 102

Ventures Fly Co.

What are your top flies for summer? You can check out our list here - https://youtu.be/Ug0vsx9NV_E

5 months ago | [YT] | 117

Ventures Fly Co.

“This is not a picture of me, rather a picture of my dad. He taught me how to fly fish when I was super young, and gave me so much that I could never repay in full.

A couple years ago my dad was diagnosed with stage 3 non hodgkin's lymphoma and had about a 50% chance of surviving the next year.

He has never been on a drift boat and always talked about it growing up. I made a promise to myself that if he can survive this, and is able, I’m going to get a guide and drift our favorite river — the Green.

My dad is cancer free and I fulfilled my promise last weekend.

This is him catching his PB brown trout during a wading portion of our float.

I learned from this trip that no matter how much time you think you have with your folks, make the most of it now.”

Live Reel Life,
Spencer W.

#livereellife #flyfishing #venturesflyco #TeamVFC #beginnerflyfishing #learntoflyfish #flyfishingtips #flyfishingtrout

5 months ago | [YT] | 348

Ventures Fly Co.

“I am a brand new fly angler and I watched all of your Beginner Masterclass videos and listened to several podcasts.

Your videos were so informative and easy to understand for a beginner.

I recently went fishing for the first time and had a blast and even had success!!!

Although I was nervous and anxious being out there for my first time, all your videos allowed me such an enjoyable time on the river.

I just want to say thank you to VFC, I am totally hooked (pun intended) and can't wait to get out again.”

Live Reel Life,

Chris G.

Click here for the Beginner Masterclass - www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Click here for the Podcast - www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

#livereellife #flyfishing #venturesflyco #TeamVFC #beginnerflyfishing #learntoflyfish #flyfishingtips #flyfishingtrout

6 months ago | [YT] | 88

Ventures Fly Co.

Stoneflies are a HUGE part of a fish's diet - both trout AND bass - but they're often overlooked by anglers.

Stoneflies are most prevalent in early through mid-summer, and you'll find the best hatches of this bug throughout the Rocky Mountain West, although they're found throughout the country, as well.
 
The stonefly life cycle is simpler than that of midges, mayflies, and caddis, which makes fishing them a lot easier.

Want to watch the podcast version, click here - https://youtu.be/N0M6roG2O_E

Like every other aquatic insect, stoneflies start out as an egg on the bottom of the river. Once they hatch, they’re in their larval, or nymph, stage, and they can live as a larva for up to two years. They spend this time eating, growing, and getting ready to hatch into the full-blown adult.

Once they’re ready to hatch, stoneflies crawl out of the river and attach themselves to a rock, tree branch, or other sturdy structure.

They attach themselves to that sturdy structure — and these are usually the first big rock or branch nearest the water the stoneflies can find—and molt into the adult.

They shed their nymphal shuck and leave this husk behind that’s a perfect replica of a stonefly nymph, kinda like a ghost got frozen in place.

At that point, they fly away to find a mate so they can lay some eggs and die. So, if you see these shucks, it’s a great clue to tie on stoneflies and start fishing them, so long as you’re within the May through August timeframe when stoneflies are typically active.

These husks can stick around for a while, so if you see them in October, it might not be the best idea to tie one on.

Adult and larval stoneflies look very similar, which is another unique check for this bug.

Other than the wings, they both have heavily segmented bodies that taper down to a pair of short, stubby tails (always two forked tails with stoneflies).

Mayfly and stonefly nymphs can look very similar, but stonefly nymphs are generally larger, and mayfly tails are usually longer/finer, even at the nymph stage.

They’ll have long antennae, and wings that are the length of the body, folded up, laying flat on their backs.

🐟 Want to keep learning? Watch the full podcast here - https://youtu.be/N0M6roG2O_E

Fly Fishing’s Most Underrated Hatch? | Ep. 130
Untangled: Fly Fishing for Everyone
 
#flyfishing #venturesflyco #TeamVFC #livereellife #beginnerflyfishing #learntoflyfish #flyfishingtips #flyfishingtrout

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6 months ago | [YT] | 222

Ventures Fly Co.

If you wanna catch a cutthroat trout this year, when and where should you go?

The best time to chase cutthroat, in their native drainages, is from about July through the first big frost of the year.

It’s a short season, but it’s some of the most incredible fishing you’ll ever have.

I personally think the Bear River and Colorado River cutthroat are the prettiest, with the flashiest colors, so you’d need to head to Utah, Colorado, or Wyoming to catch those.

What can be helpful if you want to plan a trip out West to catch cutthroat is to try the Wyoming Cutt Slam, or the Utah Cutthroat Slam.

These programs are run to support cutthroat conservation, and they also offer detailed information on exactly where to go to catch each subspecies of native cutthroat.

Once you've caught all those fish and had your catches validated, you get a certificate, and in Utah you get a commemorative coin, as well. It’s a fun way to experience these fish.

But you can also find tons of information online about where to catch cutthroat out here.

They’re not a secret (well, the big ones are) and most folks are generally happy to share cutthroat spots with other anglers who want a chance to catch this incredible fish.

If you want to learn more about cutthroat, check out this week's episode of our podcast - https://youtu.be/4wuJKcgUS8o

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7 months ago | [YT] | 151

Ventures Fly Co.

What do you like to catch the most?

7 months ago | [YT] | 89

Ventures Fly Co.

Ever roll up to the river in spring, see chocolate milk flowing bank to bank, and think, "Welp... guess I'm not fishing today"?
 
We've all been there.

Spring can be unpredictable—check out this video if you don't believe me (https://youtu.be/RvuojUFJxaQ).
 
But here's the thing: spring runoff doesn't have to ruin your day. In fact, it can be a great opportunity—if you know how to approach it.
 
The good news? Fish still gotta eat. You just have to know where and how to find them.
 
TARGET SOFT WATER
 
When the current's ripping, trout will slide into slower pockets to conserve energy.
 
Focus on the soft seams, inside bends, eddies, and side channels—anywhere the current slows down.
 
Don't overlook spots tight to the bank or even behind big rocks.
 
The water might look shallow, but it can hold fish this time of year.
 
USE BIG, BOLD FLIES
 
With reduced visibility, you'll need bigger, brighter, and bolder flies.
 
Pat's Rubber Legs, San Juan Worms, Mop Flies, even flashy streamers like a Woolly Bugger—they all help get a trout's attention in murky water.
 
CONSIDER PLAN B
 
And if the rivers are completely blown out? Give 'em a break and go fish some lakes.
 
Ice-off is prime time on many stillwaters.
 
Look for cruising fish along the edges and use chironomids, leeches, or scuds under an indicator.
 
It's peaceful, productive, and a great excuse to explore something new.
 
Spring runoff might not be easy fishing, but with the right approach, it can still be great fishing.
 
Live Reel Life,
Alex Stulce

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7 months ago | [YT] | 164