Trout Markings and their Significance, with John McMillan

This week I have another podcast with John McMillan, as I have to confess I love talking to John about fishy stuff.  His knowledge and enthusiasm and passion are infectious and I think his interviews are always enlightening.  This week we talk about The Colors of Trout—can we tell anything from the coloration of trout about their life history?  Is there a good way to tell a hatchery form a wild fish?  What does it mean when trout carry parr marks into adulthood?  How quickly can trout change their coloration?  And are the spot patterns on trout like fingerprints?  Warning—we come up with more questions than answers and you may as well.

In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips:

• A way to get a dropper off a surgeon’s knot to stand at 90 degrees to the tippet
• A suggestion for an all-around rod for bass and Great Lakes steelhead
• How to carry a sinking line without lugging around a second rod
• Can I add 4X tippet to a 5X leader?
• What is the best way to dispose of tippet clippings?
• What is the difference between Euro, Tightline, Direct Contact, Spanish, Czech, and French Nymphing?
• Does it make sense to try a mouse fly during the winter?
• Do trout live in different places in freestone rivers than in tailwaters?
• Do mayflies live in warm waters?
• What is the best rod for an 8-year-old kid?
• What is the best way to thin UV Cure epoxy?
• If you see nymphs on the bottom, can you predict what adult insect to imitate?