Storied Waters, with David Van Wie

I get frequent requests for suggestions on what fly-fishing literature to read during these long winter nights when you want to enjoy fly fishing but don’t want to snuggle up to something lighter.  I invited David Van Wie (interview starts at 45:10), author of the recently published book Storied Waters—subtitled “35 Fabled Fly Fishing Destinations and the Writers and Artists Who Made The Famous”—to share with me his favorite writers and books.  It is pretty much an eastern-oriented tour of these books, but don’t worry.  I have an idea for someone to do a similar podcast on western North America writers on a future podcast so stay tuned. 

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and suggestions from listeners—and one who slapped my hands:

• A listener who took me to task for encouraging another listener to try to introduce mayflies from one watershed into another.  Shame on me.  I didn’t think about also transferring other unwanted critters and I should have known better
• Can I use the same nymphs under an indicator that I use when Euro nymphing and vice versa?
• A suggestion from a listener about the great classes available at Orvis stores
• What are the pros and cons of indicator vs. non-indicator nymphing?
• What is your opinion on click-and-pawl fly reels?
• Does anyone rent waders?  I don’t want to pack them into my luggage.
• What gear do you carry when saltwater fly fishing that you would not carry on a trout stream?
• Can I attach droppers to a tippet ring?
• Why can’t I catch stocked trout when conventional anglers are yanking them in on Power Bait?
• I had a trout take my plastic strike indicator.  Does this ever happen to you?
• Does perfection matter when tying flies?  I have trouble tying a size 20 Purple Prince.
• Do midges migrate to Indiana during the winter?
• Why can’t I catch stocked trout on surface flies?