The thestillwateredge’s Podcast

How to Catch More Trout with the DRP Method (Depth Retrieve Pattern Explained)

Podcast Show Notes (SEO optimized)
Episode Title:
intro:Too many anglers change flies too quickly. The DRP method—Depth Retrieve Pattern—gives you a proven system to locate Stillwater trout and stay consistent even on tough days.
Episode Description:In this episode of the Stillwater Edge Podcast, Greg shares the DRP Framework (Depth Retrieve Pattern), a system he learned from Phil Rowley that transforms how you approach Stillwater fly fishing. By focusing on depth first, then retrieve, then pattern, you’ll unlock more hookups and avoid wasted hours. Perfect for trout anglers fishing chironomids, scuds, leeches, or balanced flies in lakes across BC and beyond.
Key Topics Covered:
Why depth matters more than fly choice
How to adjust retrieves until trout respond
When to change fly patterns and when to stay put
Chironomid fishing tips using DRP
Using DRP with indicators and sinking lines
Lessons learned fishing with Phil Rowley
More SWE:Subscribe to the Stillwater Edge Podcast for more trout tactics. Visit stillwateredge.com for free guides, courses, and guided trip optio

Why a Clean Boat is the Secret to More Trout on Stillwaters

 
Intro:A cluttered boat doesn’t just waste time—it costs you fish. In this episode, learn how a clean sweep and organized system can instantly make you more efficient and successful on stillwaters.
Episode Description:Stillwater success often comes down to preparation—and nothing ruins your efficiency like a messy boat. In this episode of the Stillwater Edge Podcast, Greg Keenan breaks down why keeping your boat clean and organized is more than just aesthetics. From saving trophy shots to protecting expensive fly lines, every detail matters.
Discover Greg’s guiding system for anchor management, rod storage, fly boxes, and tools—plus how a simple clean sweep can protect your investment, reduce tangles, and keep you safe on the water. If you’ve ever missed a fish because your line caught on gear, this is the reminder you need.
Key Topics Covered:
Why clutter costs you fish in critical hatch windows
Efficiency equals more fish: the hidden formula
Safety hazards of a messy boat
Protecting your fly lines and gear investments
Greg’s boat organization system (anchors, rods, tools, fly boxes)
Small habits that turn into consistent Stillwater success
More SWE:Want more Stillwater tips, gear breakdowns, and monthly giveaways? Subscribe to the podcast and grab free PDFs and courses at thestillwateredge.com.

Matching Midges How To Choose The Perfect Chironomid Imitation

You are getting the depth right but trout keep ignoring your fly. The problem is not your cast or your retrieve. It is size color profile and bead choice. In this episode I show you exactly how to match what trout are actually eating so your presentation gets eaten.
Episode Description:Most stillwater anglers miss fish because their chironomid does not match the real thing. In this quick tactical breakdown I walk you through how to pick the correct size first then choose the right colours for season and light and finally dial bead material and visibility so your fly sinks at the right speed and stands out in the right way. You will learn a simple decision tree you can use in minutes so you stop guessing and start stacking fish when the midge hatch is on.
Key Topics Covered:Size wins match silhouette before anything elseFast on water intel throat pump results and surface shucksSeasonal and light based color rules spring black and chrome summer naturals fall rust maroon red with adjustments for sun or cloudBeadheads that serve a purpose silver and nickel for gas bubble look black or matte for pressure and clear waterTungsten versus brass when to drop fast to bottom and when to cover the water column on the descentSlim realistic builds that do not overdo ribs gills or flash especially on pressured lakesFive step tie on process observe shucks match size confirm with pump adjust for conditions pick bead for sink rate and visibility test sizes up or down in short windows
Want More:Want more stillwater wins and simple gear decisions Join the Stillwater Edge newsletter for monthly free PDFs gear checklists and giveaways and subscribe to the podcast. Ready to level up fast Book a guided day with me and get hands on instruction that shortens your learning curve. Visit thestillwateredge.com to subscribe grab the resources and book your dates.

How to Break Down a New Lake in 30 Minutes for More Trout

Showing up to a brand new lake can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to. In this episode of the Stillwater Edge Podcast, guide and educator Greg Keenan shares a proven 30-minute system for breaking down any stillwater quickly and effectively. Learn how to identify the three key zones of a lake (littoral, transitional, and deep), locate structure, and use smart rigging strategies to cover multiple depths. Discover how to fish fast with purpose, read lake clues, and find trout without wasting hours guessing.
Whether you’re fishing solo, with limited time, or just want to step up your stillwater game, this approach will help you fish smarter and catch more trout from the start.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to identify the 3 key zones of a lake
Why the littoral zone is the #1 feeding area for trout
How to spot structure and intersecting habitats that hold fish
Rigging two rods to cover multiple depths at once
How to fish fast but with purpose to dial in trout locations
Key signs from the lake that tell you where the fish are feeding
Want More:Want more Stillwater fly fishing tips, guides, and resources? Subscribe to the channel and visit theStillwaterEdge.com for free PDFs, courses, and guided trip options.

Do Moon Phases Affect Trout? Fly Fishing the Lunar Cycle Explained

Intro:You’ve got the flies, the gear, and the perfect conditions yet the fishing is dead. The missing piece? It might just be the moon. In this episode, discover how lunar phases influence trout feeding windows and how to use them to your advantage.
Episode Description:Moon phases don’t just matter for tides they also shape trout behavior in stillwaters. In this episode of the Stillwater Edge Podcast, Greg Keenan breaks down the facts versus the fluff around lunar cycles. Learn why full moons often lead to slower daytime fishing, why new moons can be a hidden gem for hungry trout, and how moonrise and moonset create short but powerful feeding windows. If you want to stack the odds in your favor, understanding the moon could be your secret edge.
Key Topics Covered:
Why moon phases matter (even without tides)
Full moon myths and realities for daytime fishing
Why the new moon is overlooked but productive
How moonrise and moonset trigger short feeding bursts
Combining moon data with hatches and weather for the best results
Logging trips to spot lunar patterns in your fishing
Want More :Want more proven Stillwater tips and gear strategies? Subscribe to the Stillwater Edge Podcast and visit stillwateredge.com for free guides, resources, and guided trip options.

Seasonal Trout Behavior in Stillwaters Spring vs Fall

If you fish spring and fall the same way, you’re leaving trout on the table. In this episode, discover the five key differences in trout behavior that will help you adapt your approach and catch more fish year-round.
Episode Description:Trout may be the same species, but their behavior in spring and fall could not be more different. In this episode of the Stillwater Edge Podcast, Greg Keenan breaks down the five seasonal shifts every angler needs to understand: water temperature trends, food availability, depth and location, activity levels, and weather stability. Learn how to adjust your tactics so you’re not missing fish by using the wrong seasonal strategy. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been fishing stillwaters for years, these insights will sharpen your seasonal approach and get you dialed in faster.
Key Topics Covered:
Why warming vs cooling water temperatures change trout metabolism
The seasonal diet shift: chironomids and scuds vs minnows and leeches
How trout location and depth vary between spring and fall
Behavioral changes: scattered fish vs schooling and aggressive cruising
The role of weather stability and turnover in both seasons
Practical tips to adapt your fishing strategy for more consistent success
Want More SWE:Enjoyed this breakdown? Subscribe to the Stillwater Edge Podcast for more seasonal tactics, and visit stillwateredge.com for free guides, in-depth courses, and guided trip options.

Stillwater Leader Setup with Tippet Rings & Swivels

Episode Title:Stillwater Leader Setup with Tippet Rings & Swivels
Intro:Two tiny upgrades tippet rings and micro swivels can save leaders, reduce line twist, and keep your flies in the strike zone longer.
Episode Description:Most stillwater anglers focus on rods and lines but ignore the micro gear that makes everything work better. In this quick episode, Greg explains how tippet rings and micro swivels upgrade your leader system. You’ll learn how they extend leader life, simplify rigging, prevent line twist, and improve presentations under indicators and while stripping flies.
Key Topics Covered:
Why tippet rings save leaders and speed up fly changes
How micro swivels stop line twist and stabilize depth
The best leader layout for indicator fishing
Bonus tools every stillwater kit should have
CTA:Want more stillwater gear tips and rigging breakdowns? Subscribe to the podcast and visit stillwateredge.com for guides, courses, and guided trip options.

Barometric Pressure and Stillwater Trout Feeding Windows

Episode Description: When a hot bite dies for no clear reason, barometric pressure is often the culprit. In this quick tactical breakdown, Greg explains how high and low pressure systems change trout behavior and hatch timing, why fish sulk during fast drops, and the exact windows when feeding turns on again. You will get simple adjustments for tactics, flies, and retrieves so you can fish smarter through tough weather and capitalize when conditions bounce back.
Want More SWE: Want proven stillwater tactics gear guides and checklists Subscribe to the podcast and visit thestillwateredge.com for free resources courses and guided trip options

7 Major Bugs Trout Eat in Lakes and How to Fish Them

Episode Description: Trout follow a seasonal food calendar, and understanding it can transform your fishing success. In this episode of the Stillwater Edge podcast, Greg Keenan breaks down the primary food sources trout rely on in lakes—chironomids, daphnia, scuds, damsels, dragonflies, mayflies, and back swimmers. Learn when trout key in on each, how they feed, and the best fly fishing techniques to match the hatch. If you’ve ever struggled to connect the dots between bug life cycles and trout behavior, this episode gives you the blueprint.

Five Secrets of Fly Fishing w/ Scud Patterns

intro:
Scuds might be the most overlooked food source in stillwater fly fishing but they’re often the key to consistent success. In this episode, Greg Keenan breaks down exactly when, where, and how to fish scuds so you can start catching more trout. Episode Description: Scuds, also known as freshwater shrimp, are one of the most important year-round food sources for trout in stillwaters. In this episode of the Stillwater Edge Podcast, Greg explains why scuds matter, the best times and places to fish them, and the proven techniques that turn them into trout magnets. From throat sampling to choosing the right colors, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to boost your success on the water.
Key Takeaways Fast Points : Scuds are a year-round food source trout rely on for protein
Best fished in spring and fall when trout need energy most
Thrive in weedy, nutrient-rich lakes
Throat sampling helps confirm scud presence
Fish them tight to the weeds for best results
Floating line with an indicator works well for scuds
Vary retrieves to trigger more takes
Olive is the most reliable scud color
With the right setup, scud fishing is highly effective and fun
Want More SWE: Want more stillwater strategies and cheat sheets? Subscribe to the podcast and visit stillwateredge.com for free guides, gear breakdowns, and guided trip options.