The thestillwateredge’s Podcast

Cold Water Confidence for Winter Stillwater Trout

Cold water trout are slow, bottom locked, and tough to move. Here are the winter tactics that keep you catching fish: slow retrieves, micro patterns, bottom contact, simple colors, and key midday feeding windows. Get more free resources at https://thestillwateredge.com.

Blob Fly Basics The Proven Stillwater Trigger

The Blob Fly is one of the most effective Stillwater attractor patterns ever made. In this episode Greg explains what it imitates why it works and how to fish it using indicators sinking lines and the deadly dangle. If your Stillwater days crash during no hatch windows this fly can save the session fast.Get free resources and guiding info at thestillwateredge.com

Washing Line Secrets That Boost Stillwater Success

You don’t need to fish a multi-fly washing line to benefit from its core principles. In this episode, Greg breaks down five simple washing-line fundamentals depth, spacing, fly pairing, slow retrieves, and layered thinking that instantly improve any stillwater setup. Depth control becomes easier, presentation becomes cleaner, and your system becomes more effective.
Get free stillwater resources + book guided trips at thestillwateredge.com.

How to Catch Trout in Dirty or Algae-Stained Lakes

Algae blooms and murky conditions don’t shut down trout. They shift how they feed. This episode breaks down how to adapt fast and start catching.
Episode Description:
When a lake turns dirty or green, most anglers assume the bite is dead. In reality, trout rely heavily on vibration, silhouette, and movement, not just sight. Greg explains how to adjust retrieves, fly selection, leader length, and positioning so you stay connected in low-visibility Stillwater conditions. Learn the best flies, colors, and presentations for murky lakes and how to detect takes when your fly line disappears.
More SWE:
Get free Stillwater resources and enter monthly gear and trip giveaways athttps://thestillwateredge.com/free-resources/
 

How Trout React to Angling Pressure and What You Can Do About It

Fishing pressure doesn’t just make lakes feel crowded—trout change their behaviour fast. In this episode, Greg breaks down how pressured trout feed, move, and react, and how small tactical adjustments can keep you catching fish when others struggle. Learn when to downsize, how to use overlooked water, how to adjust timing windows, and when it’s smarter to switch lakes entirely.
Free Stillwater resources +  giveaways:https://thestillwateredge.com/free-resources/
 

The Five Stillwater Mistakes That Cost Anglers Fish

Most anglers lose fish because of small stillwater mistakes, not bad flies. Greg breaks down the five errors that cost anglers fish and the simple fixes that get you back in the zone.Get free Stillwater PDFs and join the newsletter at: https://thestillwateredge.com/free-resources/

The Balanced Leech: The One Fly You Should Throw on Every New Lake

When you pull up to a brand-new lake, everything feels overwhelming. But there’s one fly that cuts through all the unknowns and catches trout year-round. In this episode, discover why the balanced leech is the ultimate Stillwater confidence fly.
Episode Description:Stepping onto a new lake can feel paralyzing. Unknown depths, shifting food sources, structure you’ve never mapped, and a hundred questions before your first cast. But what if one fly could simplify all of it? Today, Greg breaks down why the balanced leech should be your go-to on unfamiliar Stillwaters. Learn why this pattern is unmatched for versatility, depth coverage, seasonal range, and big-fish consistency. If you want a single fly that produces nearly anywhere, anytime, this is it.
Key Topics Covered:• Why the balanced leech is the most versatile Stillwater fly• How it imitates multiple trout food sources• Why trout rely on leeches in nearly every lake• Fishing the balanced leech under an indicator effectively• Best colors for clear water, stained water, and pressured lakes• Why pumpkin head balanced leeches can be deadly• Micro balanced leeches for trophy trout• How to test depths fast when you hit a new lake• How to keep your approach simple instead of overthinking
CTA:Want free Stillwater resources, depth cheat sheets, gear guides, and a chance to win monthly premium gear? Join the Stillwater Edge newsletter at:https://thestillwateredge.com/free-resources/Stay subscribed to be automatically entered every month.

Fishing the Margins How to Find Big Trout in the Shallows

Most anglers row right past the best Stillwater water. In this episode, Greg reveals why the lake margins consistently hold big trout—and how to fish the shallows with confidence. Get the full breakdown and grab your free Stillwater resources at https://thestillwateredge.com
 
Most anglers overlook the margins—but that’s where the food is, and where trout naturally cruise. In this episode, Greg explains why the shallows are one of the most productive zones on any Stillwater and breaks down how to approach the edges with stealth and purpose.
You’ll learn when trout move shallow, the features that consistently hold fish, how wind and light influence margin activity, and the clean simple setups that excel in skinny water. This episode will help you rethink the shoreline and turn more edge water into fishable opportunity.
Key Topics:• Why margins are prime Stillwater habitat• When trout push into the shallows• The role of weeds, insects, and structure• Stealth, angle of attack, and boat control• Fly line selection for skinny water• Proven patterns for weed edges and drop offs
CTA:For more Stillwater education, free monthly PDFs, and new gear guides, subscribe at thestillwateredge.com.Join the newsletter to enter monthly trip and gear giveaways.

Stealth Casting: How to Catch More Trophy Trout by Staying Invisible

Most anglers spook trophy trout before the fly even hits the water. In this episode, discover how stealth casting can turn every cast into a catch.
 
 
Stealth casting is one of the most overlooked skills in stillwater fly fishing but it’s the difference between watching trout scatter and watching them eat your fly. In this episode of The Stillwater Edge Podcast, Greg Keenan breaks down how to approach, deliver, and control your presentation without spooking fish. Learn why patience, positioning, and precision matter more than distance or power when you’re hunting trophy trout in clear, shallow water.
Key Topics Covered:
The #1 mistake that spooks trophy trout before your fly even lands
How to make your first cast count every time
Why distance and accuracy beat power in stillwater casting
Leader and line setup tips for stealthy presentations
How to read trout behavior and approach feeding zones quietly
The small adjustments that separate average anglers from trophy hunters
 

How to Travel Light Without Leaving Crucial Gear Behind

Most anglers overpack for the lake and it’s costing them time, space, and fish. In this episode, Greg Keenan shares his proven minimalist Stillwater fly-fishing system to help you travel light without leaving behind what matters. Learn how to streamline your gear, pack smarter for float tubes or boats, and focus more on catching fish than managing clutter. Tune in and discover how to stay efficient, organized, and ready for any Stillwater situation.