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I'm an Iraqi war veteran with PTSD. I had tried to fly flsh before, but my mindset at the time was to go at it like it's work, instead of taking my time and appreciating it as an art form. It requires patience, but instead, I allowed it to create more mental stress for me. A few days ago, I came across a movie on Netflix entitled "Mend the Line." It's about veterans with ptsd taking up fly fishing as a form of therapy. This resonated with me, so I visited a local store yesterday and purchased a new fly rod and reel with some tackle. I'm looking forward to driving to a fishery around 70 miles from me. I sort of wish it was closer, but after I get some casting practice in, I'll be driving 1.5 hours to get there. I've watched several episodes of your fly fishing tutorial class, so I appreciate the knowledge you've shared!

I'm working on writing a story right now about how I fell in love with fly fishing and why I love it now! This episode really summarizes a lot of my feelings! Thanks guys! Lets all continue to love this sports!

My favorite episode yet! Retired physics teacher who is now an NPR science and nature content creator who fly fishes every moment I can. It's never enough. I loved Alex's take on physics. Those equations are the recipes for understanding how nature works. The deeper your understanding of physics, the more you find nature fascinating and beautiful and even...mysterious! Fly fishing offers many of those same aspects for me. It's my favorite thing to do mostly for this reason: it's great for my mental health. When I am fly fishing, it doesn't matter how "good" the fishing is (though catching fish is the most fun!) my mind never wanders. It's just focused on the task and hand and observing what's going on in the waters surrounding me. Time passes faster on the water than anywhere else while the day itself seems timeless. And I bet most folks here would agree that a fish on a fly rod is WAY more fun than on a spinning rod. I used to spin fish and loved it. Until I discovered this. I do have a knock on conventional fishing but it is probably just because there are more people doing that. When you find trash by the river, it's rarely fly fishing stuff. And sorry, but I think Redford's film is very beautiful and moving. I don't think of it as a fly fishing film. It's not about that. It's about a family. As is the vibe here brothers...

Great video buddy. Fly-fishing saved me from addiction. It gave me something to focus on. I think without it, I probably would not be typing this right now. I would be in jail or dead. It's amazing to hear what its done for others. Thanks for taking the time to make this.

I feel for your guys question. Fly fishing, the art of spending the most amount of money to catch the least amount of fish. My own son frustrated with the whole fly fishing scenario threw a worm on a hook with a bobber and bang. He was on. Now, correct me if im wrong but i really cant argue with that. He reminds me every time he sees me.

Ya know have told y’all in the past I am 67 and been fly fishing since the early 80’s I have had maybe six guided trips. Been retired 5 years now now goal is to fish everyday. That doesn’t always happen but I try. I enjoy the small lakes by my home catching sunfish, catfish, bass, and carp. Don’t get me wrong, also fish Tailwaters, mountain streams, and rivers. I know a lot of folks out there that have been around a long time. And I think y’all have done some monumental achievements. And have put in some hard efforts in what y’all are building. I watch everything y’all put out and I am always blown away by it. Keep up the good work and I hope, well know this is going to pay off well for y’all. And as always if y’all pass through Atlanta you have a place to crash and eat wings 🤣😉

I learned more from your channel in the last few months than a year prior to finding it. Caught zillions of bass but nothing nothing beats a 2 pound trout on the end of a 9 ft 5 wt rod. Thanks for all you do. ! ! ! ! !

Thank you so much for answering my question! I didn't expect it to become the topic of a podcast. Oddly enough, for my own personal experience, I related to the parallels more than the differences. "Sadly," I haven't quite been seduced off that rock. For myself it's less about the mental/technical challenge of the act, and all about the adventure, comrade and majesty of exploring nature while taking time to pause; totally still and soaking it all in. Which I believe is true in all forms of fishing (if it's what you're looking for). Like you said, you get out of it what you put into it! I can totally respect the differences between forms, and as an avid listener to this show, truly have a newfound appreciation for the more applied process a fly fisherman might undergo. The entomology, the tactics, the movement of water... all things I'd never even recognized or appreciated before watching this podcast. I realize now, I'm not really fishing for a fish. I'm fishing for the perfect sitting rock, to soak it all in. As you guys said, waving a stick around and having a great day. Thank you both for answering my question! Spencer, shoot me a message and I'll gladly tell you where I caught that Greyling. Now go and catch some pulchritudinous fish! Your Friend, Worwood

Hmm, it is one question that I could not answer in one sentence. In fact, I think it is something that taps into the inner hunter in us all and being part of nature, as well as the thrill and adrenalin rush when you get the fish that you have stalked for maybe a long time. Ultimately I am blabbing on as I cannot put in words why I chose to fly fish, it is like waking up each day in that it just happens. You got me all philosophical and thinking it over now. Tight lines from over the pond.

I appreciate the Ventures team so much. Thanks for all your efforts guys.

Great podcast! Just picked up fly fishing about two months ago I’ve bass fished the last 25 years with conventional so the learning curve is insane haven’t caught a trout yet but just going and learning a whole new way is great keep up the good work!

Thank you very much. After your lessons, I can now ask the right questions.😁👍

Fly fishing is one of the coolest sports/hobbies/activities whatever you wanna call it out there. There’s always more to learn. The feeling you get when you match the hatch and present it just right to get a fish to eat is literally the coolest feeling in the world.

I’m from northeast Louisiana and bass fished with conventional gear my whole life and can say fly fishing is Harder. Part of it for me was catching new species. And trout live in beautiful places. It’s the most rewarding way to fish

My initial fishing was using a long cane pole, worm & bobber. Circa 1965

I am the same way about why I like to fly fish. I'm just getting into fly fishing, and I like the problem solving aspect of it. Where to fish, what fly to use, which spot in a river, all of that. I enjoy the challenge, including other things in my life. I like to solve problems. Thanks for your show. I have a difficult time waiting for the new show each week.

Two absolute opposites with one commonality. Great show about Fly Fishing for everyone. Thanks Alex and Spencer. My favorite show so far. P.S. I'm sad to say that I agree about the movie that shall remain nameless. Alex I also agree with your thoughts on English as Spencer can probably tell, punctuation is not one of my strengths. P.S.S. Conventional Fishing = Throwing a Dart Fly Fishing = Using a Whip

Great video guys. Just started fly fishing and loving it. Your content’s really insightful - appreciate the work you put in. For me, I love fly fishing because of the attention to detail it requires. It’s about The Plan. Where are the fish are rising? What are they interested in? Where’s the best position for me to be in to get out to them? Banging that nice cast out, presenting the fly well. And that moment when it all comes together and you catch a fish? Magic!

Spencer. I really like your fly fishing channel, but I need to ask you why you hate A River Runs Through It? Almost every fly fisher I know, including me, treasures that story. You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but I was just curious.

Me when my husband asks me to go fly fishing: 4:20

Hey so I ordered the ultimate collection of flies and the boxes came with racks and were damaged would I be able to get new boxes from you guys I really like the logo on them and their size but wish they weren’t damaged

Would it be safe to say people out there are fly curious??

Im going to take issue with the comment you made that you can throw a grasshopper into the river and watch a trout eat it. I fish the lower pro...*BEEEEEEEP*...ver. and you can throw all the hoppers in....those dumb fish are so picky youd have to throw a LIVE size 18+ real grasshopper into the water 50 times before you could catch a fish!