Author: johnnysain

Cutthroat Country

"It’s often said that if anglers are willing to hike a half mile from the access point, they’ll find the solitude they seek. Nowhere is that more true for anglers than in Yellowstone National Park, and the crown jewel of Yellowstone is the spectacular native cutthroat trout fishery. For those anglers who fish Yellowstone’s backcountry, the rewards can...

How To Match the Hatch with Caddis

"Learn the stages of a caddis fly's life (larva, pupa, and adult), how to identify caddis in your local waters, and discover the best fly patterns like the Elk Hair Caddis, Hare's Ear, Frenchie, Peeping Caddis, CDC Caddis, and more. We’ll share tips on selecting the right fly to match the hatch and proven strategies to improve your fly fishing success...

MidCurrent Tested and Trusted: Orvis Disc Spey Reel

There's nothing more satisfying in fly fishing than the sound of a screaming reel. It's the sound of success, the sound of joy, and often the reason many of us go fly fishing. This is especially true in Spey casting, where hours of calm serenity and rhythmic casting are shattered by a hooked fish streaking downstream. The peeling line makes your reel sing...

The Ins and Outs of Tightline Nymphing

I sometimes hate waiting for trout to strike. While fly fishing is traditionally a game of patience—searching your box for the right pattern, making elegant casts, and watching your fly drift perfectly through the current to entice a strike—sometimes I just want to skip all the "art doesn't come easy" nonsense. Sometimes I just want to wade into a river...

Fly Fishing with Wet Flies: The Complete Guide

"Wet flies are often considered one of the easiest types of fly fishing flies to use, and some experts recommend starting anyone out in fly fishing with wet flies."

Review: Infinity X1 Headlamp

The Infinity X1 headlamp is one of those rare pieces of gear that actually delivers on its promises. You're getting a premium headlamp that punches well above its weight class. Yes, it's a bit bulky compared to some ultralight options, but the trade-off brings you impressive durability and some genuinely useful smart features that make it a standout choice...

I Hated Dry Fly Fishing Until I Made These Changes

"Dry fly fishing frustrated me—missed strikes, poor presentations, and endless patience I didn’t have. But then I made a few key changes and everything clicked."

Fly Tying Tips Episode 1: The Anatomy of a Hook

"Ryan Ratliff from Mad River Outfitters explains the anatomy of a fishing hook and what you need to know about them to begin fly tying."

Free Falling: A Fly Fishing Documentary on Baltic Salmon

"This is a story about an urgent ecological situation but also offers a glimpse of the people whose lives are deeply intertwined with the salmon. One could argue that when those people peer into a future without wild salmon, they are also in a freefall."

Ask MidCurrent: Am I Casting Wrong?

Question: Total newbie to fly fishing here, and I'm honestly feeling a bit overwhelmed with the casting part. Been watching tons of YouTube videos and reading articles, but now I'm even more confused. Seems like every "expert" has their own take on the "perfect cast," and I'm starting to second-guess if I'm doing anything right at all. Is there actually one...