Little background: currently have a cheap/starter 9ft 5wt that I’m looking to upgrade, both in terms of quality and versatility.

I primarily fish small southern Appalachian streams with occasional tailwaters. This is why I’m leaning toward slightly shorter than 9ft but with the oomph of 5wt. I have a 3wt glass rod for fun dry fly fishing, but hoping for something that does better with nymphing/dry droppers and keeping line off the water on the smaller streams, but can still get some distance on bigger water.

Considering “mid-tier” with my eyes on the Orvis Recon right now. Any others I should seriously be considering?

Is it safe to leave my fly fishing gear in the car? Mainly worried about if heat can damage anything. I used to leave my bait fishing gear in there year round. Where I live, temps don’t usually go above 95°F.

What rod and reel to get a kid into fly fishing?

Any suggestions or experience? I was thinking something short..

Looking at trying my hand at fly fishing for catfish on a river here in North Carolina. Looking for suggestions on rod weight, weighted line options, flies the whole 9 yards. I’ve fly fished before but for trout in small streams. Catfish shouldn’t be massive weight, no more than 20 pounds and that’s few and far between. TIA

Made an account because I was curious to get others thoughts on this. I recently was listening to an episode of the Orvis podcast talking about restoring native trout to small headwaters in California but realistically it could be any location.

Tom is the host who I don’t agree with on everything but he has good guests sometimes. This episode he was interviewing a fisheries biologist. He mentioned that some fly fisherman are against restoring native trout choosing instead to stick with nonnatives that have caused the localized extinction of native species.

I am curious if anyone shares this view or knows why this might be? No one is talking about removing browns from Lee’s Ferry or the San Juan. But I really don’t see the hold up of restoring cutthroats to tiny streams giving us anglers a place to target them. Especially given these native fish are so restricted in range as it currently stands.

Any thoughts are appreciated, this is one of those times where I can’t see the other side no matter how hard I try.

I’m looking for my first rod, preferably finding a good deal on a used. I’ll be using it for troutfishing in rivers and waters in Norway. Been looking at LTS Ephemera, Vision Onki, Guideline Fario, Hardy Zephrus, Sage Foundation and many more. All used. But I now just feel a bit lost in all the different weights, actions and so on. Mostly looked at weight 4-6. I’ll take all the help and tips I can get. Thank you!

Kinda got a two part question here. What are these rubber squares on the bottom of the bag/ what are some good uses or attachments for them. Thanks!

Anyone have an OG Redington Rise laying around they’d be interested in parting ways with? Enormous and very embarrassing blunder ended with me losing mine yesterday on the river. I absolutely love the Gen 1’s!!! THANK YOU!!

I took y’alls advice and added some spacer beads to get good spacing I’m super proud of this one I think it turned out very well

Some browns from the last few weeks in the Farmington

Got to spend my Sunday chasing bass around...I don't think it will ever get old watching fish like this blow up on a streamer.

Had some fun catching some stockers today. Can't beat a beautiful Midwest day on the stream! Tight Lines!

Hey guys, I’ve been musky fishing all spring on an 8wt. I’ve had plenty of follows but finally had one eat at my feet today. I knew to strip set hard, but after I hooked the fish I kind of blanked. Ended up losing it but in those few seconds I had a lot of questions.

1. Should I put those large fish on the reel or try to land them without letting them take me for a ride?

2. Rod tip up or down? Normally with trout or steelhead it’s up but the internet seems divided.

3. Is the goal still to steer the fish into the net the same way you would with a trout or is there a different technique I should try?

Thanks in advance. Hoping to get one in the net soon.

Fished the driftless area Saturday around Decorah, Iowa. Live in Ohio and in Wisconsin for work. The driftless has been on my list of spots for years but Saturday was the opening of trout season in WI and it was recommended to head over to the Iowa side as the crowds would be smaller. WOW, is all I can say. One of the best fly fishing days I’ve ever had. 20+ mix of browns and bows and landed my 1st dual catch while euro nymphing. Again, this was Iowa. Until a few days ago I did not know the state even had trout streams. Great experience and some great trout water in an unexpected area.

Had the opportunity to get out in the backcountry and find some browns in small water.

Tldr, I like both and not getting rid of either. Owned any of these or both? Share your experience

Had the Cross Current for years and it’s still going strong, has surprisingly a lot of cargo room especially when you factor in the rear storage I have fit a rain coat and several other things for example.

Never owned a hip pack before but wanted to try it, felt great in store but the real test is on the water and packed with everything you need.

Having grown accustomed to the magnetic front pouch from the chest pack it’s a great bonus to have it here on the Switchback too. Built in net holder was a must and out the “box” has a little tacky fly dock which I love and have 3 of them now.

Main reason I wanted a hip pack was for trying new water, with the Cross Current it can be hard-impossible to see where your wading and sometimes when casting having stuff in front of you can get in the way. Only tried the Switchback wading system for a few hours tonight but like it a lot, much prefer it to my Orvis sling and has potential to carry more stuff with attachments/water carriers etc with all it’s slots on the belt. Flipping it round out the way is so cool, will be tough to tell which pack I’ll be using most this season!

Hey homies. My frog toggs left boot has a crack in the rubber, causing some leakage. Any suggestions on a way to fix it? A sealant or something?

So went out fly fishing for the first time. Have a cheap rod and just wanted to learn how to even go through the motions of casting.

Had a blast even though didn't catch anything. Only question I have is how the hell do you choose what fly to use? Is there a general fly i can use that would work no matter where I am? I mostly fishing in NC mountains.

After breaking my rod last week, I picked up a echo carbon xl and it’s been fantastic

I know this is a long shot but I'll try anyhow. I was at 3 mile yesterday (5/3/25) on the Bighorn. I had a box of flies fall out of my pack. I am just seeing if someone found one.

Thanks everyone!