700 episodes. That’s how many conversations, insights, and stories we’ve shared with you over the years. To mark this milestone, we’re sharing 10 top fly fishing mistakes every angler should avoid from our biggest podcast episodes of the year.
These actionable tips from expert guests like Phil Rowley, Tim Rajeff, and Chris Korich will help you fish smarter, cast better, and make the most of your time on the water.
Can you guess what the number one fly fishing mistake is? Are you guilty of it? Let’s find out!
The Top 10 Fly Fishing Mistakes to Avoid this Year from Our Greatest Fly Fishing Guests
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Mistake #10 – Incorrect Rod Angle when Landing Fish
This one’s from Gilbert Rowley, the mastermind behind the Modern Nymphing Series.
Gilbert says many people don’t use the correct angle when landing fish. The proper angle should be to keep your rod positioned upstream when the fish is downstream and keep the rod as low as possible.
It’s a minor tweak but can make a huge difference when you’re out there. Give it a try next time, and you’ll see what Gilbert’s talking about.
Check out Episode 576 with Gilbert Rowley for more fly fishing tips and tricks.
Mistake #9 – Not Following the Wind Direction
Phil Rowley said that one big fly fishing mistake to avoid when fishing stillwaters is not following the wind direction. He says that many anglers miss this.
You should follow the wind’s direction and look at where it is pushing food for fish and warmer waters.
Follow the wind, the food, and the temperatures, and you will find the fish.
Mistake #8 – Failure to Use Different Grip Pressure when Fly Casting
Tim Rajeff brought this one up in Episode 573: Grip Pressure. How often do you think about it when casting?
Tim said many anglers use the same grip pressure when casting and lose efficiencies here. Instead, Tim says to change the grip pressure based on different conditions.
If you’re not experimenting with your grip pressure, you’re missing a simple way to optimize your casting. Give it a try, and you might notice a huge difference.
And check out Episode 573 with Tim Rajeff for more fly casting wisdom.
Mistake #7 – Not Watching the Top Leg of Your Casting Loop
Bruce Richards said one of the biggest fly fishing mistakes anglers make is not looking at the top leg of your fly casting loop. Instead, look back at your fly casting loop to verify it is 100% straight.
If it’s not straight, you know you must adjust your cast. Continue tweaking your cast until you have a straight top leg.
You can listen to the full episode with Bruce Richards here, where he talks about his 6-step method to perfecting your cast.
Mistake #6 – Using Too Much Abrupt Force
One of the biggest fly fishing mistakes spey legend Al Buhr sees is using too much abrupt force during your cast.
How do you fix this?
Al recommends the power-up method: gradually build up force throughout the cast. This progressive approach helps manage the depth of your D-loop and improves your cast’s overall energy and control.
Listen to that episode here to hear Al’s full casting advice.
Mistake #5 – Ignoring Fish Feedback
This tip comes from Deck Hogan in Episode 651, and it’s all about paying attention to fish feedback. Dec says one common mistake in fly fishing for steelhead is failing to adjust your technique after a fish shows interest.
When a steelhead plucks or touches your fly but doesn’t commit, that’s your cue to make a change. It might mean slowing the fly, speeding it up, or tweaking the swing path.
Catch more steelhead tips from Dec Hogan in Episode 651.
Mistake #4 – Choosing the Wrong Fly Line for Distance
This tip from Topher Browne is especially helpful for Atlantic salmon fishing or when you’re casting on big rivers. Topher points out that one common fly mistake anglers make is choosing a Skagit line when a Scandinavian line would give you more distance.
A Scandinavian line allows you to reach more fish, especially in big rivers. They are better balanced for those longer casts and make it easier to shoot your line up toward the tops of the trees during a spey cast.
So, if you’re trying to cover the middle of the river, don’t just stick with the Skagit. Keep a few different lines in your satchel to make sure you’re prepared for any situation. Hear more about it here.
Mistake #3 – Neglecting Practice Drills
Kaylyn Hoggard talks about the importance of practice drills—especially the grass drill in Episode 629.
The glass drill involves casting on the ground to visualize the perfect loop before taking it to the air. You can watch the loop by casting on the side as it moves back and forth. Doing this helps you understand your line’s dynamics and improve control.
Discover Kaylyn’s 5 Tips to Improve Your Fly Casting
Mistake #2 – Poor Positioning and Casting Angles in Mixed Currents
in Episode 566, Jason Randall shares that a big fly fishing mistake anglers make when fishing mixed currents is neglecting proper positioning and casting angles.
Poor positioning can lead to shorter drifts, increased drag, and fewer strikes. Drag is a killer issue with dry flies, and failing to manage your casting angle and line positioning often results in spooked fish.
To avoid this, focus on the angle of your cast to maximize drift length and minimize drag.
Sometimes, a downstream presentation is the key to extending your drift and giving the fly a more natural movement in the water. It’s not always about casting upstream!
Mistake #1 – Not Choosing the Correct Rod
Chris Korich shared this game-changing tip in Episode 678: many of us use the wrong rods.
Most anglers stick with fast-action rods, but Chris explains that full-action rods are a better choice for most people. They let you feel the line better, which helps you time your cast perfectly.
Hear more from Chris Korich in Episode 678
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