The thestillwateredge’s Podcast

Why Trout Follow Your Fly but Refuse to Eat

Have you ever watched a trout follow your fly all the way to the boat… then turn away at the last second? That moment is frustrating, but it’s also one of the clearest pieces of feedback a trout can give you. In this episode of the Stillwater Edge Podcast, Greg Keenan breaks down exactly why trout follow without committing and how small, intentional adjustments can turn those follows into eats.
You’re closer than you think.
Episode Description
Trout follows are not failure. They are feedback. In this focused Stillwater Edge episode, Greg explains what a follow actually means, why trout hesitate at the last second, and how retrieve speed, pauses, fly size, material choice, and subtle depth changes can dramatically increase your hookup rate. If you’re seeing fish chase but not commit, this episode will help you make the right adjustments without overcomplicating your approach.
Key Topics Covered
Why trout follows are a positive signal, not a mistake
The most common reason trout refuse to commit
How retrieve speed and pauses trigger eats
Why trout often eat on hesitation or speed change
When fly size matters more than fly pattern
The role of fly materials and natural movement
Small depth adjustments that can make a difference
Why curious trout follow even when they are not feeding
Clear water, pressure, and calm condition considerations
What to do when a trout follows your fly to the boat
Why stopping the fly increases your odds
A simple checklist to turn follows into takes
Actionable Takeaway Checklist
If you are getting follows but no eats:
Slow your retrieve by 20–50 percent
Add pauses throughout the retrieve
Pause near the end of the retrieve
Stop the fly when you see a follow
Change fly size before changing fly style
Consider softer materials like marabou or bunny strips
Make small depth changes only if needed
More SWE
For more Stillwater tactics, free resources, and guided trip information, visit theStillwaterEdge.com. Everything there is built to help you become a more confident and efficient Stillwater angler without overcomplicating the process.

Fly Line sink rates explained

Episode Description
Fly line sink rates confuse many stillwater anglers, from beginners to experienced fly fishers. In this episode, Greg Keenan breaks down sink rates in clear, practical terms so you can understand what hover, intermediate, Type 3, Type 5, and Type 7 lines actually do on the water.
You will learn how sink rates affect depth, presentation, and consistency, why fishing the correct depth matters more than fishing faster, and how to avoid common mistakes when choosing sinking fly lines.
This episode is designed to help stillwater anglers simplify fly line decisions and fish with more confidence.
Topics Discussed
• What sink rates really measure• How inches per second impacts depth control• When to fish intermediate lines• Matching sink rate to trout depth and behavior• Deeper water tactics with faster sinking lines• Beginner mistakes with sink rate selection
MORE SWE
Access free Stillwater fly fishing resources, depth guides, and book on-water instruction at:https://thestillwateredge.com
Subscribe to the Stillwater Edge Podcast for practical stillwater fly fishing education.

Best Fly Rod Weight for Windy Stillwaters

Episode Description
Windy days are part of stillwater fly fishing—but they do not have to ruin your confidence.
In this episode, Greg Keenan breaks down which fly rod weights actually help on windy stillwaters, why six-weight rods are often the most reliable choice, and how to avoid common mistakes that make wind feel harder than it needs to be.
You will learn how rod weight, line matching, and simple casting adjustments can dramatically improve control, turnover, and consistency—without constantly upgrading gear.
This is a practical, no-nonsense episode built for stillwater anglers at any level.
Want More SWE
Find free stillwater fly fishing resources and book guided trips athttps://thestillwateredge.com

Post Storm Stillwater Trout Tactics That Actually Work

Storms do not ruin Stillwater fishing but they do change trout positioning. In this episode Greg Keenan breaks down how trout behave after storms and how to adjust depth location retrieves and fly choice to stay consistent during post storm conditions.
Learn why trout are not shut down where they move once conditions stabilize and how small patient adjustments outperform aggressive tactics in the recovery window.
For more Stillwater resources and guided trips visit https://thestillwateredge.com
Key Takeaways
• Trout reposition for security food and oxygen after storms• Focus on transitional zones near structure• Start fishing deeper than your normal baseline• Slow retrieves and longer pauses are more effective• Smaller natural flies build confidence in pressured fish• Post storm recovery usually stabilizes within 12 to 48 hours

Simple Winter Stillwater Fly Fishing System

Winter stillwater fly fishing often feels slow and unproductive because most anglers fish it like fall. In this episode, Greg Keenan breaks down a simple winter stillwater system built around depth, minimal movement, and patience.
You will learn how trout behave in cold water, why depth becomes the foundation of winter success, and how static presentations consistently outperform aggressive retrieves. This episode simplifies winter stillwater fishing and helps you stay productive when trout refuse to chase.
What You Will Learn
Why winter trout conserve energy and move lessHow depth errors kill winter successThe importance of bottom oriented presentationsWhy less movement catches more fishHow patience outperforms fly changes in winterCommon mistakes anglers make in cold water
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For more stillwater fly fishing education, gear systems, and guided trips, visithttps://thestillwateredge.com

Why Ice Off Is Hard

Ice off fishing looks perfect but often fishes poorly. This episode explains why.
Episode Description
Ice off is one of the most challenging and misunderstood times in stillwater fly fishing. Trout are shallow and visible, yet many anglers struggle to connect. In this episode, Greg Keenan explains how cold, clear water affects trout behavior and why common ice off tactics often fail.
You will learn what trout are actually doing at ice off, how clarity changes feeding behavior, and the simple adjustments that lead to more consistent early-season success.
What You Will Learn
• Why trout are cautious at ice off• How clear water works against anglers• The biggest mistakes made at ice off• Why slower and smaller presentations work best• How to adjust expectations for early season lakes
Key Takeaway
Ice off success is not about doing more. It is about doing less, cleaner, and slower.
More SWE
For free stillwater fly fishing PDFs, beginner resources, and step-by-step learning paths, visit https://thestillwateredge.com and explore the Learn section.

Why Anchoring Quietly Catches More Stillwater Trout

If fish disappear the moment you anchor up, it is not bad luck. It is how you are holding position.
Stillwater fly fishing is largely an anchored game, yet many anglers unknowingly spook fish before making a cast. In this episode, Greg Keenan explains how noise, movement, and anchoring mistakes push trout out of the strike zone.
Learn why holding position quietly matters more than fly choice, how common anchoring errors reduce bite windows, and what small adjustments lead to more consistent stillwater success.
More SWE:Follow the Stillwater Edge podcast and visit thestillwateredge.com for free stillwater resources and in depth courses.

Micro Patterns That Outfish Bigger Flies

In this episode, Greg breaks down why tiny flies trigger more takes on pressured lakes, in flat-calm conditions, during midday hatches, and in cold-front periods. Learn the exact situations where downsizing produces more fish and how to fish micro patterns effectively using indicators, naked lines, and subtle retrieves.
Want more Stillwater resources? Visit https://thestillwateredge.com for free PDFs, blogs, and trip options.
 

Ice Fly Secrets Every Angler Should Know

Most anglers think ice fishing means spoons and bait. But the flies already in your Stillwater box can out-fish metal if you know what trout actually eat beneath the ice.
In this episode, Greg reveals the winter food sources trout rely on and the five Stillwater flies that stay deadly under the ice. Learn how to rig, present, and choose flies that catch fish all season long.
Free resources: https://thestillwateredge.com

Smart Stillwater Gear Upgrades That Actually Matter

Most anglers waste money on gear that doesn’t actually help them catch more Stillwater trout. In this episode, learn exactly which upgrades truly move the needle and which ones you can skip.
Smart Stillwater gear upgrades aren’t always the expensive ones. In this episode, Greg breaks down which rods, reels, fly lines, and tools genuinely improve your results and which upgrades are a waste of money. Learn what to replace, what to upgrade, and how to dial in your setup for the season ahead.
Get More Resources: https://thestillwateredge.com