How to Fly Fish from a Paddleboard, with Peter Laurelli

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

Peter Laurelli [40:07] is a film-maker and fly fisher, and specializes in fly fishing from a paddleboard. And not in just any place—Peter fly fishes off the northeast coast for striped bass and false albacore, and if you can fish from a paddleboard in these conditions you can do it anywhere. Peter shares his tips on launching and landing a paddleboard, as well as tips for rigging a paddleboard for fly fishing, and of course approaching fish and playing and landing them. If you want to see a sample of his fishing and filming in salt water you can see it here: Surf & Inshore Fly Fishing - SIFF18: Four Years For Life It includes some spectacular drone footage of striped bass and false albacore schools feeding on baitfish. In the Fly Box this week we have some interesting questions, including the inevitable queries about what rod and reel to buy and how to handle issues with leaders. Questions include: Can I replace the tippet ring I use in my leader setup with a Perfection or Surgeon's Loop? Can I use 6X or even 7X when hanging a size 14 nymph from a larger dry fly? Can you recommend a quality reel for the fiberglass rod I own that won't break the bank? What is your take on fishing tandem streamer setups? I'm planning on taking my first tarpon fishing trip to Florida in June. Is a 10- or 11-weight rod suitable or do I need to go to a 12-weight? Can I use my Mirage LT IV for bonefish? I want a rod for midwest trout and bass. Can you help me pick one? I typically modify my knotless leader back and forth. But at what point should I replace my leader with a fresh one? What are your thoughts on glow-in-the-dark fly lines for striped bass at night? Which species does Tom always go barbless for, and which does he stick with a barbed hook? What is your take on the no-targeting regulation proposed for striped bass?