Helen Neville [38:57] is Trout Unlimited's senior scientist and also an expert in trout genetics.  In this interview, we talk about what scientists have learned about trout evolution and relationships in the past decade.  They now have tools at their disposal that can tell them how closely two trout populations are related, how much hatchery trout have interbred with wild populations, and how various races and subspecies of trout have evolved.  You'll also learn how they extract this DNA and study it—but you had better review your high school or college genetics first because it gets a bit complex.

 

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and a couple helpful tips from listeners, including:

• A listener from Germany relates a horrible experience he had with a guide
• Can I underline my Orvis bamboo fly rod?
• What do you think putting a strip of material on a leader as a "worm attractor"?
• A great tip from a listener of how to make a paddle and rod rest for a canoe
• A warning from a listener that the drop shot method of fishing nymphs is illegal in California—and possibly other places.
• A listener wants to know if he can effectively use the Euro nymph technique with a 10-foot, 5-weight rod
• What is the best way to get polarized glasses for someone who needs a strong prescription.  Do clip-ons work well?
• Should I lubricate the zipper on my Pro Zippered Waders?
• When fighting fish, is tippet size or rod weight the deciding factor?
• When by myself, how do I take a photo of a fish so that I can later judge its size?
• Why is fall fishing better?  Do trout feed heavily in anticipation of winter?
• What size leader and tippet should I use for carp, and should I use my 6-weight or 8-weight rod?
• I tie my tippet directly to my fly line for small stream brook trout.  What advantages will I have by going to a tapered leader?
• Do brook trout in a small meadow stream move throughout the season?