Podcast: Fly-Fishing for Redeye Bass, with Matthew Lewis

[Interview begins at 44:27]

You may have never heard of or seen a redeye bass (Micropterus coosae), yet they are a wonderful fly-rod fish. They live in spectacular, clear mountain streams and take a fly very well. They’re mainly found in the Deep South, particularly in Alabama, so they’re a great fly-rod target in places where you would not ordinarily think of fly fishing. They’re a native species that deserve more visibility from the fly-fishing community, and my guest, Matthew Lewis, is perhaps the world expert on fly fishing for them.

In the Fly Box, we have some interesting questions and great tips from listeners, including:

• What percentage of the time do trout in lakes feed on the surface?
• What is a go-to fly for late-summer fishing on small streams?
• What can I do to prevent foul-hooking so many fish? And when I hook a trout in the belly, is it sure to die?
• Do oils from our hands harm trout?
• Do you have some general rules of thumb for how rain affects fly fishing?
• I am using wide-gape hooks and missing a lot of small brook trout. Is the hook my problem?
• I saw some large brown trout in shallow water around spawning season and could not get them to take a fly. What can I do?
• What do you think of the Double Davy Knot?
• A listener shares a killer nymph pattern he developed.
• When I practice casting, why does the end of my leader fray and my fly-line loop come apart?
• Do you ever guide?
• I fish a stream with rainbow trout, and for the first six months of the season I can’t find them. Where do they go?
• How much less backing fits on a spool when I use 30-pound backing instead of 20-pound?
• Are the natural materials we use for fly tying from ethically treated animals?