How to Improve Your Indicator Nymphing, With Guide Matt Squillante

The most common reason anglers lose fish on indicator rigs isn't lack of skill—it's a failure to load the rod properly before casting. Matt Squalante, an Orvis-endorsed guide from Redding, California, reveals that the water load cast is the only effective technique for indicator fishing, yet most anglers default to the overhead back cast, which fails with heavy rigs. He explains that without loading the rod—creating tension and bending the rod—casts are slow, inaccurate, and inevitably lead to tangles that can cost 10 to 20 minutes per incident. The fix? Strip in line until you feel tension and see the rod bend. The second major issue? Bad hook sets. Squalante debunks the myth that power wins in fly fishing, emphasizing speed and timing over force. A quick, upward hook set—especially straight up for beginners—keeps you in the game. Pulling back toward you sends flies into bushes or tangles, costing more time and fish. He shares a simple trick: point your thumb downstream before setting, and your body will naturally pull in the right direction. These two habits—loading the rod and setting quickly—can double your fishing time and slash frustration, turning a frustrating day into a productive one. The episode underscores that fly fishing isn’t about brute force, but about precision, rhythm, and understanding physics.