Episode Recap
00:00 – 06:30 — Let Water Temperature Guide Your Strategy
Phil explains why trout live in the 50–65°F “comfort zone,” how oxygen levels affect location, and how using a simple thermometer helps you quickly eliminate unproductive water.
06:30 – 11:30 — Why Competitive Anglers Progress Faster
Howard shares how competition forces you to focus on efficiency, precision, and measurable improvements — eliminating guesswork and fishing with intention instead of habit.
11:30 – 19:00 — Stop Chasing Myths: Focus on What Actually Catches Fish
A practical mindset shift: presentation, depth, and control matter far more than constantly changing flies or chasing small pattern differences.
19:00 – 22:30 — Line Diameter Impacts Drift More Than Fly Color
Why thinner leaders improve sink rate and natural movement, while obsessing over exact fly shades rarely makes a meaningful difference to trout.
22:30 – 27:00 — How to Approach a New Lake with a Simple Plan
Start on the downwind bank, check stocking zones, target structure like weed beds and drop-offs, and use early casts to quickly locate fish instead of blind fishing.
27:00 – 30:00 — Stocked vs. Wild Trout: Fish Them Differently
Fresh stockers often drift with wind and roam open water, while established fish relate to food and structure — knowing which you’re targeting changes where and how you fish.
30:00 – 34:30 — Loch-Style Drifting to Cover Water Efficiently
Use exploratory drifts across multiple depths first, identify productive zones, then repeat only those high-percentage lines to maximize time in the strike zone.
34:30 – 38:30 — Read Rise Forms to Judge Trout Depth and Movement
Different rise angles reveal how deep trout are cruising and how fast they’re moving, helping you choose better fly placement and lead distance.
38:30 – 44:30 — Match Rods and Lines to Conditions, Not Tradition
Why slightly shorter rods handle wind better, heavier lines cast sinking setups easier, and using the right gear reduces fatigue while improving control.
44:30 – End — Shorter Leaders Mean Better Control and More Hookups
Howard’s leader philosophy keeps flies closer to the fly line for improved sink control, fewer tangles, and more time fishing productive margins where trout often hold tight to shore.
Resources Noted in the Show
- Howard Croston – Instagram:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/howard_croston_fly_fisher_/ - Howard Croston YouTube – Videos & Fly Fishing Content:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@howardcrostonflyfisher9227/videos - Fulling Mill – Howard Croston Signature Tyer Page – Flies & Bio:
👉 https://www.fullingmill.com/Products-US/Howard-Croston-US - Fulling Mill YouTube Channel – Fishing & Fly Content:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@FullingMill - Hardy – Official Website (Rods, Reels & Gear)
https://www.hardyflyfishing.com/