Welcome to the Wet Fly Swing Resources Section, a curated list of the gear I strongly recommend to improve your fly fishing. The links below have one thing in common – They are what the best guides, shop owners and myself personally have used and are highly recommended in the Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast.
Before digging into the amazing resources, I know and trust, and important disclosure:
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that I have experience with all of these companies, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
The Best Fly Fishing Books and Resources Noted from the Most Recent Podcast Episodes
Episode 275 – Tom McCoy on Long Island
Tom’s book: How to Fly Fish for Trout
Episode 220 – Tim O’Neill from Norvise
Tim notes the Modern Midges Book which has been highlighted many time on the podcast
Episode 219 – Al Q Podcast
Al Q noted Fleye Design by Bob Popovics
Episode 190 – Mike Lawson with Henrys Fork Anglers
Mike talks about the greatness of Gary Lafontaine and the best book on Caddisflies
Episode 181 – Fly Water Travel with Ken Morrish
Ken Morrish noted the Guide to Aquatic Trout Foods by Dave Whitlock
Episode 172 – Wanda Taylor on the Hiwassee River
Wanda and I talked about drift boats so I’ve listed my favorite book on drift boats and their history.
Drift Boats and River Dories by Roger Fletcher
Episode 115 – Whiting Farms with Tom Whiting
Episode 113 – Frank Amato on Publishing
Curtis Creek Manifesto Intro Fly Fishing Book
Frank noted this as one of their best selling books of all time and is especially good if you are brand new to fly fishing.
Episode 109 – Rick Takahashi on Fly Tying
Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying
Rick Takahashi said that if you read Charlie’s book from front to back then you would be a very proficient fly tyer.
Episode 107 – Pat Cohen on Tying Deer Hair Poppers
The Stacked Deer Hair Diver by Pat Cohen (Tutorial Fly Tying DVD)
Pat Cohen breaks down the exact process he uses to stack deer hair and tie those amazingly tight flies. This is one of the best videos on tying that’s out there.
Episode 94 – Shawn Holsinger on Fly Tying and Fishing
Pocketguide to Pennsylvania Hatches
Shawn notes the Pennsylvania Hatches Pocket Guide as a goto resource for his neck of the woods.
Episode 93 – Musky with Bill Spicer
The RIO In Touch Pike/Musky fly line is what Bill recommends.
Episode 92 – Kyle Shea on Fishing Alaska
I asked Kyle what is top fly was for fishing Alaska in episode 92. The Mr. Hanky from Jeff Hickman was one of his goto patterns.
Episode 91 – Ray Montoya on Fishing Oman and the Middle East
Ray Montoya breaks out a hidden gem resource that fits perfectly with one of the most remote episodes of the year. The is a great one from the Middle East.
Episode 89 – Captain John McCloskey on Trout Spey
The OPST Pure Skagit Commando Head
In episode 89 John McCloskey tells us that this might be the best head to use for trout spey. There are a few greats but the OPST Skagit Head is one of the best.
Episode 88 – Fiberglass Manifesto with Cameron Mortenson
The Eagle Claw Featherlight Glass Rod ($29.99)
Cameron noted the Eagle Claw Featherlight as one of the great intro glass rods and only costs about $30.
My Most Recent Book on Steelhead
Fly Fishing Quick Tips for Steelhead
Episode 63 – Tom Rosenbourer – Tips and Tricks
The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide by Tom Rosenbauer
Episode 62 – Rob Crandal – Winter Steelhead Tips
Winter Spey Strategies by Rob Crandall
Episdoe 59 – Ed Engle – Tying and Fishing Small Flies
Episode 55 – George Daniel
Dynamic Nymphing by George Daniel
Episode 52 – Kelly Galloup
Modern Streamers by Kelly Galloup
Steelhead Fly Fishing Resources
Klickitat River Steelhead Gear
Airflo Skagit Rage Compact – Click here to check out the Rage Compact Fly Line that was recommended in episode 02 of the Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Show. 
With The Airflo Skagit Rage Compact You Just Add a Polyleader And You’re Ready To Fish.
New Trout Sizes also Available
Next Cast Fall Favorite – Click here to check out more details on the Next Cast Fall Favorite line. Jack Mitchell described this as his favorite spey line for fishing a dry line in episode 02 of the Wet Fly Swing Podcast.
North Umpqua River Steelhead Gear
The Airflo Skagit Switch Line – Click here to check out the Skagit Switch. Dean Finnerty, a North Umpqua River guide recommened this line as his current goto for catching steelhead on the North.
Fly Rods
Sage X Spey Rod Series in the X 7130-4 or X 7120-4 are two great rods that have taken over for the Sage 7126-4. Click here to check out the Sage X series.
The new Two-Handed X rods let you experience the remarkable benefits of Konnetic HD Technology through access to the more powerful lower sections of the rod, allowing for easier and more efficient load carry through the casting stroke.
Trout Fishing Resources
Tailwater Resources:
The Amplitude Infiniti Smooth line from Scientific Anglers – Click here to check out the Amplitude line. Pat Dorsey recommended this line as his goto line for fishing tailwaters.
Tenkara Fly Fishing Resources:
Books Noted in the Show
Steelhead:
A Passion for Steelhead by Dec Hogan
Classic Steelhead Flies by John Shewey
Trout Fishing
Fly Fishing the South Platte River by Pat Dorsey
Fishing Small Flies
Miscellaneous by our guests
Videos Noted in the Show
Secrets of Steelheading with Jim Teeny (from episode 23)
Best Fly Fishing Books and Resources Conclusion
I have highlighted the best Fly Fishing Books and Resources noted by the greatest fly fishermen from around the country. This is not a list I came up with but exactly what all of the best anglers in the world have told us directly on the Wet Fly Swing Podcast.
If you have a book that is not on this list please send me an email at dave@wetflyswing.com
