586 | Choosing the Right Fly without Breaking the Bank – Smitty’s Fly Box with Steve Smith

     

Do you want to level up your fly box without draining your wallet? Today Steve Smith of Smitty’s Fly Box joins us to share his secrets for choosing the right flies without breaking the bank.

Steve shares his top-selling dry flies, nymphs, and stillwater patterns, so you can plan a bit easier for that next trip. This is another big one with Steve!

Show Notes with Steve Smith on Choosing the Right Fly. Hit play below! 👇🏻

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

Episode Chapters with Steve Smith on Choosing the Right Fly

3:44 – RoundRocks is a longstanding family business with over 30 years of experience in producing quality flies for fly shops and sporting goods stores nationwide.

On the other hand, Smitty’s Fly Box offers a unique monthly subscription service. They provide anglers with hand-picked assortments of flies and accessories tailored to their fishing locations. They also offer beginner and intermediate tying boxes.

Listen to the first episode with Steve Smith here.

5:19 – Steve mentions Coach Knight’s passing a few months ago. The book “A Season on the Brink” by John Feinstein chronicles a season with the Indiana Hoosiers and provides insights into Coach Knight’s coaching style.

Top-Selling Flies 

8:10 – Steve delves into some of the best-selling flies from Round Rocks and Smitty’s Fly Box.

• Classic Patterns: Flies like the bead head Prince Nymph are top sellers due to their timeless effectiveness and popularity among anglers.
• Own Patterns: Steve mentions their patterns like the Zebra Midge and the Gunslinger, which have become favorites among customers over the years.
• Newer Hits: Recent additions like the Chernubby and Perdigon have rapidly climbed the ranks to become top-selling flies, showcasing innovation and adaptability in fly design.

Steve also shares the story behind the creation of the Gunslinger fly pattern. Using materials like pheasant tail, hare’s ear, and crystal flash, Steve explains how he designed the Gunslinger to mimic effective nymphing patterns.

Bringing Flies to Life: The Production Process

         

15:00 – Steve sheds light on bringing a fly from the design phase to someone’s fly box. This involves refining samples, sourcing materials, and coordinating production in their factory in Thailand.

1. Initially, the design undergoes refinement and sampling to ensure its tying process is perfected.
2. The materials are then sourced and sent to a factory in Thailand, where detailed instructions and production plans are laid out.
3. Samples are made and approved before full production commences.
4. Once manufactured, the flies are shipped back to Utah, where they are warehoused and distributed to customers.

How Smitty’s Fly Box Tailor Fly Selections for Diverse Fishing Locations

24:00 – Steve outlines how Smitty’s Fly Box refines fly selections for diverse regions, even those he hasn’t personally fished.

Classic patterns generally perform well universally, but the team customizes selections based on customer feedback, research, and regional fishing traits.

Using online resources and insights from customers, they gather data on specific rivers and areas to provide effective flies tailored to each angler’s fishing location.

Steve Smith’s Go-To Flies

• Hopper Flies:
  • Metal Hopper
  • Dave’s Hopper
• Terrestrials:
  • Chernubby
  • Foam Beetle
• Dry Flies:
  • Elk Hair Caddis
• Others:
  • Fatal Attractor
  • Gunslinger

How Smitty’s Fly Box Offers High-Quality Flies at Affordable Prices 

Smitty’s Fly Box stands out with its competitive price point of $1.50 per fly, a rarity in the industry where flies often cost more.

This advantage stems from their streamlined family-run business model, using top-notch materials and controlled production processes to ensure quality without compromising affordability.

You can find Smitty’s Fly Box on Instagram at @smittysflybox

Check out their fly tying videos on Youtube @smittysflybox

Check out their website at SmittysFlyBox.com

You can find Round Rocks on Instagram at @roundrockflies

RoundRockFlies.com

Choosing the Right Fly Resources Noted in the Show

Related Podcast Episodes

WFS 492 – Smitty’s Fly Box with Steve Smith – Round Rocks Fly Fishing, Bobby Knight, Indiana Basketball

Read the Full Podcast Transcript Below

Conclusion with Steve Smith on Choosing the Right Fly

Picture this: top-notch flies that won’t break the bank, crafted with care and love for the sport.  Check out Smitty’s Fly Box now!