2 Guys and a River

Fathers and a love for the outdoors – a few of us had fathers who opened our eyes to the big world of the outdoors. In this episode, we recall the role our fathers played in giving us a love for fly fishing and hunting. Steve’s father, who has been gone for many years, instilled … Continue reading "S3:E1 Fly Fishing, Fathers and a Love for the Outdoors" The post S3:E1 Fly Fishing, Fathers and a Love for the Outdoors appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

It has been two years. We’re now at 104 fly fishing podcast episodes. In this 104th episode, the finale of our second year, we reflect on the past year and tease out some insights and lessons from the journey. This is not our day job. It’s our avocation, and we are looking forward to another … Continue reading "S2:E52 Lessons from 104 Fly Fishing Podcast Episodes" The post S2:E52 Lessons from 104 Fly Fishing Podcast Episodes appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Fly fishing lies are everywhere. Well, maybe not downright lies. Maybe half truths. And maybe they’re not everywhere. In this episode, we identify five fly fishing lies (or half truths) and then wax eloquently about what we think the real truth is. One of the fly fishing categories that we discuss is “Biggest Gear Lie.” … Continue reading "S2:E51 Fly Fishing Lies and Half Truths" The post S2:E51 Fly Fishing Lies and Half Truths appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Hiring fly fishing guides is core to how we improve our craft. It’s not cheap, and we do it sparingly (about once a year), but we have found great value in learning from the experts. Click now to listen to “Our Top 7 Lessons from Hiring Fly Fishing Guides.” http://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/10651/S2%20E50%207%20Lessons%20Learned%20from%20Guides_mixdown.mp3 Listen now to “Our Top … Continue reading "S2:E50 Our Top 7 Lessons from Hiring Fly Fishing Guides" The post S2:E50 Our Top 7 Lessons from Hiring Fly Fishing Guides appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Two-fly combos are a staple for many fly fishers. Whether fishing nymphs or dries, rigging up with two flies (the top fly and the dropper or trailer) often increases the odds of success. This is especially true when fishing nymphs in the spring or fall spawning season. We often will tie on an egg pattern … Continue reading "S2:E49 Our Favorite Two Fly Combos" The post S2:E49 Our Favorite Two Fly Combos appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Canfield Creek is a gorgeous spring creek fishery in southeastern Minnesota. We love fly fishing in the area, because there seems to be less pressure on the creeks than there is in southwestern Wisconsin, which is also part of what is called the Driftless. We live in the Chicago area, so it’s a bit of … Continue reading "S2:E48 One Fine Day on Canfield Creek" The post S2:E48 One Fine Day on Canfield Creek appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Trying to net your son’s first big brown – and causing him to lose the fish – may require psychotherapy for him later in life. We all have a fly fishing net, and we probably use it more or less, depending on the size of fish or where we fish. In this episode on how … Continue reading "S2:E47 Fly Fishing Net Gains and Losses" The post S2:E47 Fly Fishing Net Gains and Losses appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Unlimited fly fishing sounds too good to be true. No doubt, most of us would love an extra couple days each year on the river. But if you had the chance to do unlimited fly fishing would you? The topic raises some great questions about the role of leisure and when it moves from joy … Continue reading "S2:E46 The Limits of Unlimited Fly Fishing" The post S2:E46 The Limits of Unlimited Fly Fishing appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Dangerous moments are not always recognized fully in the moment. Several years ago while we fished the Wyoming Bighorn, the temperature dropped 25 degrees in a two-hour period. We drifted the Bighorn while stopping to wet-wade periodically. At the mid-point of the drift, however, we were shivering, unprepared for precipitous drop in temperature. In addition … Continue reading "S2:E45 Our 5 Most Dangerous Moments on the River" The post S2:E45 Our 5 Most Dangerous Moments on the River appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Fly fishing proverbs are everywhere. In conversations at the fly shop. In stories after a big day on the river. And in books from our sport’s great fly fishing legends. In this fun episode, we lift ten fly fishing proverbs from the sayings of some of our great fly fishers and regale each other with … Continue reading "S2:E44 10 Fly Fishing Proverbs for the Soul" The post S2:E44 10 Fly Fishing Proverbs for the Soul appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Casting upstream is the default mode for newer fly fishers. It’s how we are taught: stand in the river or on the bank near the bottom of the run, and cast upstream. And then mend your line as it drifts in the current. That’s certainly one approach. But there are other ways to catch fish … Continue reading "S2:E43 Casting Upstream or Downstream?" The post S2:E43 Casting Upstream or Downstream? appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Fishing emergers during a hatch is not the first thing to come to mind for newer fly fishers. Yet, it can be productive. In this episode, we discuss four reasons to throw on an emerger pattern when a hatch is in full swing. Listen now to “Fishing Emergers During a Hatch” Great Stuff from Our … Continue reading "S2:E42 Fishing Emergers During a Hatch" The post S2:E42 Fishing Emergers During a Hatch appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Taking great fly fishing photos is much easier in an age of Instagram and Snapchat. No matter the apps and technology, though, there are a few principles that can help you up your game. We are not professional photographers, for sure, but in this episode, we offer nine commandments for better fly fishing photos. Through … Continue reading "S2:E41 Better Fly Fishing Photos" The post S2:E41 Better Fly Fishing Photos appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

Trout feeding behavior is not an exact science. And yet there are some signals that can help you select which flies to use. In this episode we discuss the four responses of trout when feeding on or near the surface. Listen to The Clues of Trout Feeding Behavior now. Great Stuff from Our Listeners At … Continue reading "S2:E40 Clues of Trout Feeding Behavior" The post S2:E40 Clues of Trout Feeding Behavior appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.

A new fly fishing season brings new expenses. It may be finally time to buy a new pair of waders. Or a new duffle bag or a pair of wading sandals. Too bad you didn’t purchase them last fall when some gear went on sale! In this episode, we discuss the new fly fishing season … Continue reading "S2:E39 Gearing Up for a New Fly Fishing Season" The post S2:E39 Gearing Up for a New Fly Fishing Season appeared first on 2 Guys and A River.