The Articulate Fly

• S7, Ep 95: Navigating the Bite: Ellis Ward's Guide to Catching Big Browns

  Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for an East Tennessee Fishing Report with guide Ellis Ward, covering exceptional streamer fishing conditions on the South Holston River. Ward breaks down the perfect storm of factors creating explosive brown trout action: pre-spawn behavior, shad kills from dissolved oxygen events and ideal atmospheric conditions that produced multiple fish over 20 inches in single sessions. This fly fishing podcast delivers expert troubleshooting for anglers struggling with streamer refusals, as Ward addresses a detailed listener question about converting follows into hookups. Learn critical techniques for maintaining direct line contact, the importance of "kill" pauses in your retrieve and strategic fly placement near structure where predator-wary browns feel secure enough to eat. Ward explains why jerk stripping and shooting line sabotage hookups, how to adjust retrieve cadence for moody fish and when to dramatically change fly size to trigger strikes. The episode covers post-shad kill windows, lake turnover impacts and prime January-February post-spawn streamer opportunities on Tennessee tailwaters.To learn more about Ellis, check out our interview!Related ContentS7, Ep 14 - The Streamer Playbook: Tips and Tactics for Targeting Big Trout in East Tennessee with Ellis WardS6, Ep 142 - Winter Musky Adventures and Streamer Tactics with Ellis WardS7, Ep 50 - The Art of the Follow: Streamer Strategies and Fishing Tales from East TennesseeS6, Ep 139 - Exploring East Tennessee's Changing Waters with Ellis WardAll Things Social MediaFollow Ellis and Flyzotics on Instagram.Follow Ellis on YouTube.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.Support the Show Shop on AmazonBecome a Patreon PatronSubscribe to the PodcastSubscribe to the podcast in the podcatcher of your choice.Advertise on the PodcastIs our community a good fit for your brand?

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• S7, Ep 94: Rain Dance Revelations: George Costa on Central PA's Fishing Forecast

  Join The Articulate Fly's latest Central PA Fishing Report as host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for critical fall fishing updates. With much-needed rain finally arriving in central Pennsylvania, George breaks down how the changing water conditions are transforming local trout streams. Streamer fishing is heating up as flows increase and water gains color, creating ideal conditions for aggressive fall trout. George reports consistent olive hatches providing sporadic dry fly action throughout the day, though nymphing remains the most productive technique for anglers targeting Pennsylvania limestone streams. Listeners learn essential spawning season etiquette as redds begin appearing, plus insider timing on when streams will clear for optimal weekend fishing. George also provides updates on the developing steelhead run in Lake Erie tributaries as fish begin stacking in the system. Whether you're planning a Central PA trout outing or curious about regional fall conditions, this quick fishing report delivers actionable intelligence for maximizing your time on the water.Related ContentS7, Ep 36 - Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly ShopS6, Ep 118 - Central PA Fall Fishing Report: George Costa's Tips and TacticsS5, Ep 145 - Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report with TCO Fly ShopS7, Ep 14 - The Streamer Playbook: Tips and Tactics for Targeting Big Trout in East Tennessee with Ellis WardAll Things Social MediaFollow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.Support the Show Shop on AmazonBecome a Patreon PatronSubscribe to the PodcastSubscribe to the podcast in the podcatcher of your choice.Advertise on the PodcastIs our community a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.In the Industry and Need Help Getting Unstuck?Check out our

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• BONUS: Designing the Perfect Glide: Chase Smith and the Spiral Spook

  Discover the Spiral Spook: Innovation in Topwater Fly FishingJoin Marvin Cash on The Butcher Shop fly fishing podcast as he interviews Chase Smith, inventor of the innovative Spiral Spook fly pattern. Chase bridges conventional and fly fishing by adapting the classic walk-the-dog action into a deadly topwater fly for bass and other predator species.Expert Design Insights from Chase SmithChase shares his journey from conventional fishing to creating one of fly fishing's most unique topwater patterns. Learn how he solved critical design challenges including weight distribution, foam construction and hook positioning to achieve authentic spook action on a fly rod.What You'll LearnDiscover the precise retrieve technique required for walking the fly—short, sharp strips just three inches long with rod tip on the water. Chase reveals why leader material matters, explaining why soft monofilament outperforms fluorocarbon and stiff materials. Get the complete leader formula: 2 feet of 50-pound to 2 feet of 35-40 pound, finishing with 2 feet of 20-pound soft mono.Advanced Tying TechniquesChase breaks down the complete construction process, from embedding weights in foam bodies to creating the signature spiral wrap. Learn about material selection including EVA foam, Gorilla Glue clear coating and wide-gap offset hooks that dramatically improved hookup ratios. Understand the precision required—weight placement within millimeters affects the entire action.Topwater Strategies for Predator SpeciesGet Chase's preferred setup: 55-millimeter bone-colored spooks on 6-7 weight rods with floating lines with aggressive tapers. Discover why smaller sizes catch more fish and how to adapt the pattern for varying conditions. Chase shares his 90% commitment to bone color and explains the strategic advantage of downsizing.Master the Walk-the-Dog RetrieveThe most common mistake anglers make is stripping too long. Chase emphasizes the critical importance of short, sharp strips—just a wrist flick of three inches. Learn how to initiate the walk with fast strips then vary tempo for different actions. Understand why loop knots are essential and how tippet diameter affects glide.Ready to add this deadly topwater pattern to your predator fly arsenal? Tune in for Chase's expert insights on creating and fishing one of fly fishing's most innovative surface patterns.SponsorsThanks to Schultz Outfitters, TroutRoutes and OnX Fish Midwest for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.Related ContentS6, Ep 124 - Fly Tying with Chase SmithBONUS - Tying the Circus Peanut: Streamer Secrets and Fishing Strategies with Russ MaddinS6, Ep 101 - The Chocklett Factory: Fly Fishing Travels, Conservation and New VenturesS4, Ep 4 - Matt O'Neal of Savage...

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• S7, Ep 93: Rainy Day Strategies: Mac Brown on Fishing High Water and Stained Conditions

  In this Casting Angles segment of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash and fly fishing expert Mac Brown tackle high water fishing strategies as fall rains transform river conditions across the mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions. Fresh from teaching in Arkansas during challenging turnover conditions, Mac shares critical techniques for bank fishing during elevated flows, explaining why staying out of the water lets anglers cover 8-10 times more productive water than wading. Learn why tight-line nymphing outperforms indicator setups when current speeds up, discover Mac's color selection science for stained water (including why blue mops dominate in dirty conditions) and master the prospecting approach that keeps flies in the strike zone along current seams. Mac also breaks down tippet adjustments for flood-stage fishing, streamer jigging tactics and the safety considerations every angler should follow when rivers rise. Whether you're chasing steelhead runs or working your home water after a soaking rain, this episode delivers actionable high water fly fishing techniques from one of fly fishing's most accomplished instructors.Related ContentS7, Ep 41 - Navigating High Water: Strategies for Success with Mac BrownS7, Ep 36 - Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly ShopS7, Ep 14 - The Streamer Playbook: Tips and Tactics for Targeting Big Trout in East Tennessee with Ellis WardS7, Ep 28 - Warming Waters and Active Fish: A Spring Fishing Update with Mac BrownAll Things Social MediaFollow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.Support the Show Shop on AmazonBecome a Patreon PatronSubscribe to the PodcastSubscribe to the podcast in the podcatcher of your choice.Advertise on the PodcastIs our community a good fit for your brand? Advertise with us.In the Industry and Need Help Getting Unstuck?Check out our

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• S7, Ep 92: Last Call for Fishing: Brendan Ruch Discusses Fall Conditions and Future Plans

  Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for the season finale of The Ruch Report, where host Marvin Cash and Brendan Ruch deliver critical late fall fishing insights from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Ruch, a respected smallmouth bass guide and fly tier, breaks down the challenging low, clear water conditions dominating the region and explains how fish behavior shifts as topwater season ends. Despite late summer-like water levels continuing into fall, Ruch reveals a key pattern: smallmouth are grouping up, creating opportunities for multiple hookups in productive spots. He discusses the seasonal transition as cooler temperatures push the topwater bite into hibernation until spring, while teasing an upcoming deep dive into his innovative "Nut Job" pattern. The episode concludes with the announcement of the season's giveaway winner and details on how anglers can book Ruch for pre-spawn smallmouth trips. Whether you're planning fall outings or looking ahead to spring, this episode delivers actionable intelligence on adapting techniques to tough conditions and capitalizing on concentrated fish.To learn more about Brendan, check out our interview.Related ContentS6, Ep 41 - Smallmouth Secrets and Streamer Savvy with Brendan RuchS6, Ep 112 - Smallmouth Transitions and Musky Prep: Matt Reilly's Southwest VA UpdateS6, Ep 83 - Hot Days and Clear Waters: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing ReportS7, Ep 36 - Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly ShopAll Things Social MediaFollow Brendan on Facebook and Instagram.Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.Support the Show Shop on AmazonBecome a Patreon PatronSubscribe to the PodcastSubscribe to the podcast in the podcatcher of your choice.Advertise on the PodcastIs our community a good fit for your brand?

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