Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast (Dave Stewart)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Dec 2024 | In The Bucket #12 | Simon Gawesworth and Adrienne Comeau on Winter Steelhead and Fly Fishing the Dean River | 01:41:25 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/694 Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In today's episode of In the Bucket Podcast, we're joined by spey casting legends Simon Gawesworth and Dean River guide Adrienne Comeau. They’ll share stories, tips, and techniques for hooking these chrome torpedoes and mastering your cast along the way. It’s fish, flies, and a whole lot of fun – stick around! It's time to get in the bucket... Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/694 | |||
| 11 Jan 2022 | WFS 279 - Tim Flagler on Tightline Productions, Fly Tying Tutorials and Youtube | 01:15:33 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/279 Presented By: Togens Fly Shop, Anglers Coffee, Dette Flies, Trxstle Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Tim Flagler, one of the most unique and cleanest fly-tying channels on YouTube is here today to tell the story of how Tightline Productions came about by accident. Find out which of his videos is the most popular and which one he hates the most. Tim tells us his goal for his YouTube channel and how you can help him reach it. Discover Tim's top 5 tips for fly-tying whether you're a beginner or advanced fly tier - who he first learned from and why he loves watching other people tie flies. This is an awesome one with a celebrity fly tier!
06:12 - Tim and Joan started Tightline Productions in 1998 07:10 - Tightline Productions published their first YouTube video in 2009 20:30 - The Blood Knot is their most popular video 21:22 - Tim hates his Muddler Minnow video 23:28 - Don Bastian is amazing at tying wet flies 32:08 - Tim highly recommends using magnifiers when fly tying 33:22 - Tim recommends daylight light 42:12 - Evan Brant from Sideling Hill Hackle produces quality materials on his farm 43:19 - John Rohmer Simi Seal 44:26 - Paul Beel's Yellow Meanie 45:12 - Paul Beel was on the podcast at WFS 129 49:09 - Lefty's Deceiver is one of Tightline Production's most viewed video 56:41 - Tom Rosenbauer was on the podcast at WFS 063 59:26 - Tim learned to tie from Tom Rosenbauer 1:01:03 - Phil Monahan was also on the podcast at WFS 259 1:04:24 - Tim teaches fly tying at Shannon's Fly & Tackle Shop in Califon, New Jersey with a bunch of other big names in the industry 1:11:05 - Tim has been surfing since he was a teen - and into other hobbies as well 1:13:01 - TightlineVideo is the best place to connect with Tim - just comment on one of his videos and mention that you heard him on Wet Fly Swing Podcast - be sure to subscribe!
Tim Flagler from Tightline Productions told us the story of how the YouTube channel came about by accident. We found out which of his videos is the most popular and which one he hates the most. Tim told us his goal for his YouTube channel and how you can help him reach it. We discovered Tim's top 5 fly-tying tips for the beginner or advanced fly tier - who he first learned from and why he loves watching other people tie flies. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/279 | |||
| 17 Feb 2022 | WFS 292 - Largest Fly Fishing Show in the World with Chuck Furimsky | 01:17:03 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/292 Presented By: Fly Fishing Film Tour, Dette Flies, Stonefly Nets, Anglers Coffee Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Chuck Furimsky, founder of The Fly Fishing Show shares the story of how he got started organizing the shows and became the largest fly fishing show in the world. He shares some stories of his experiences with a few of the biggest names in fly fishing and the problems he encountered while preparing the shows and what they did to solve them. Chuck gives his thoughts on his son Ben taking over his role. He mentions some of the best fly shops in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Find out the fly fishing shows we can attend this year!
03:16 - Chuck's son, Ben was on the podcast at WFS 061 05:00 - Chuck took a fly fishing course at Pennsylvania State College taught by George Harvey 08:06 - The Michigan Fly Fishing Club was the first to do fly fishing shows in Michigan - they're used to be called FFF (Federation of Fly Fishing) 11:30 - Ed Rice was the founder of International Sportsmen’s Exposition - the show was established at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds in the late 1970s - Click here to read more 15:08 - Tom Brady of the Patriots used to empty Chuck's fishing show in the afternoon - people on the show would go to their hotel rooms in the afternoon to watch Brady play 17:42 - The pandemic started the weekend after the last show they did in 2020 24:13 - The Denver convention center where the fly fishing show was held for 15 years was foreclosed by the bank since they couldn't pay the mortgage because of the pandemic - this led the fly fishing show to change venue 30:16 - Chuck met Gary Border and Gary LaFontaine and became friends with them 30:37 - Chuck tells the story of Gary LaFontaine's smart dog, Chester who serves as an indicator when Gary fishes 32:10 - The first show Chuck did was at 7th Springs - George Harvey was there, and also Lefty Kreh 34:22 - Chuck talks about Joan Wulff 35:20 - Wendy Gun, Sara Gardener 39:02 - Chuck and Tim Cammisa are good friends - Tim Cammisa was recently on the podcast at WFS 285 40:46 - Chuck is very impressed with Son Tao, a celebrity fly tyer on Instagram - Son is coming to their show in Atlanta 43:14 - Right when Chuck started doing the shows, the movie, A River Runs Through It came out 46:11 - Chuck couldn’t remember the name but he was talking about a supreme court judge who was a fly fisherman but he's probably referring to John Voelker a.k.a Robert Traver Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center 46:43 - Chuck tells the story of how he met his partner Barry Serviente 49:03 - Chuck tells the story of when Ed Rice found out about his show 57:59 - People at the fly fishing show rush to Bill Keough's booth, Hareline Dubbin 1:07:06 - Tight Lines is the biggest fly shop in New Jersey 1:08:07 - The best fly shop in Pennsylvania is TCO - they have 4 locations in PA 1:10:04 - The Bugskin Wiggler is an original pattern by Chuck - he uses leather a lot with his patterns - scroll down to watch a video of Tim Cammisa tying that pattern
Chuck Furimsky, shared the story of how he got started organizing the shows and became the largest fly fishing show in the world. He shared some stories of his experiences with a few of the biggest names in fly fishing and the problems he encountered while preparing the shows and what they did to solve them. He mentioned some of the best fly shops in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We found out what shows we can attend this year! Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/292 | |||
| 14 Jun 2024 | Traveled #19 | Spring Creek Flies with Satoshi Yamamoto - Fly Tying Expo, Classic Salmon Flies, Montana Trout | 01:05:44 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/619 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Think of the last time you saw a fish rise to eat an insect. Were you able to identify what stage of the insect that that fish was feeding on? How about trying to identify the actual bug and what's your best method for capturing an insect? If you want to try to idea it, today's guest is going to give you answers to all these questions, and he's going to dive into fishing Spring creeks. So you are ready for your next big trip on the water. This has Traveled where we take a deep dive into a specific region of the country so you have a better feel for what it takes to put together a great trip. And so you are better prepared for that next journey. Satoshi Yamamoto, fly tying expert in Spring Creek Guide in the Yellowstone country shares his best tips on fishing spring creeks. Today you'll find out which are the best hatches during the year and the best times to fish each of those hatches. How to focus on and fish the PMD hatch and some killer fly time tips if you're fishing smallies or even the larger Atlantic salmon flies. Plus, you're going to hear the story of Satoshi's dream of being a cowboy and how it brought him westward and the story of how he made this a reality. This episode of Traveled is presented by Yellowstone Teton Territory, where you can explore great fishing, hunting, hot springs, winter sports, and so much more. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/619 | |||
| 12 May 2022 | WFS 320 - Casting Forward and Women's Fly Fishing with Madison Lauterbach - Ms Mayhem | 00:56:29 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/320 Presented By: Trxstle, Bearvault, Angler's Coffee, Jackson Hole Fly Company Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Madison Lauterbach, founder and editor of Ms. Mayhem, is here today to talk about their movement to empower women, oppressed individuals, marginalized people, etc. - all those people who are struggling to fit in any industry. In a project called Casting Forward, they produced 5 short films covering topics and issues such as women's fly fishing, conservation, climate change, safety, and inclusion, featuring individuals who are impacting different industries inside and out. Their mission is to unite people in diversity and eliminate all forms of discrimination. This is definitely one of the must-listens and a great cause to take part in. Let's dive right in and hit that play button.
04:30 - Madison was into snowboarding before she got into fly fishing 06:15 - Madison started Ms. Mayhem, a Denver based online news outlet, in May 2020 -they predominantly focus on stories about women in male-dominated industries, fields, and other marginalized communities 08:15 - Casting forward is the end product of what they referred to as the fly fishing project - it is a premier event and a digital journalism package. They're having this event on May 18, 2022, where they will showcase 5 videos that they produced 09:45 - The event will be in person but also available virtually 11:30 - Head over to msmayhem.com to check out more of what they have going that aren't seen in videos 16:00 - Madison talks about their video about women's safety called, Fishing in a Man's World 19:30 - Their first video is about 14 mins long and it's called, River Revolutionaries - about 3 women in the fly fishing industry that are making an impact inside and out and they cover women's gear as well 21:30 - Another video they have is about 12 mins long called, Intangible - talks about how women affect the climate change and conservation, and how they're passing education to the next generation 23:30 - Madison talks about scrapping the size chart 24:45 - Madison got an Adams Built waders for his friend and they fit great - Adams Built is doing some good things for the fly fishing community 26:30 - Shout out to the President and CEO of Adams Built, Mont Adams and a virtual high five to my buddy, Denis Isbister - he was on the podcast back in Feb 2020 27:30 - Madison talks about the amazing team they have at Ms. Mayhem 33:00 - Madison makes a point to start caring about other people that are facing oppression and have disabilities - make them feel they belong and always welcome 38:50 - We talk about the Scope of Inclusion - a 20 mins long video about marginalized people or groups out there, how they can get more involved in fly fishing and the outdoor community in general 44:15 - The fifth video is called, Past The Rack and is about 8 mins long - it's about the other side of the industry and more about women's gear, and their experience with finding gear that fits 47:55 - Madison shares a tip on connecting my kids to the outdoor in a way that enlightens them 50:00 - Madison gives a big shoutout to her team for the awesome work and dedication 51:55 - I mentioned the Jared from the Flylords Magazine - he was on the podcast at WFS 164
Madison and the Ms. Mayhem team are doing great things for all communities around the world. Even if the issues they discuss do not directly affect us, we should still care because people are people and we all want to feel comfortable in whatever community we choose to belong to. This will benefit the next generation of people - our children and children's children. I know we hear this a lot but we really should start thinking about our actions - how it affects people around us and help a person out coming new to whatever industry we are in. That new person could be you, so how do you want to be welcomed? It's as simple as, treat others the way you want to be treated. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/320 | |||
| 13 Apr 2023 | WFS 436 - The Geryon Universal Bike Packing & Rack System with Morgan Misek from Trxstle | 00:53:58 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/436 Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Morgan Misek is here today to take us into bike packing and some of the new product lines at Trxstle this year. We find out how the Geryon Universal Bike Packing system came to be, how he co-founded Trxstle, and what's on the horizon for the company. We also dig into Morgan's biking journey and how Trxstle aims to solve some of the biggest pains in the biking world. Bike Packing Show Notes with Morgan Misek 01:53 - We had an episode with John Smigaj before where we talked about their fly rod carrier. Morgan Misek tells us how he co-founded Trxstle with John. They worked together as mechanical engineers before starting their engineering firm. 03:53 - They realized they had some great product ideas they'd like to turn into reality, so they launched Trxstle. The first product they sold was a T-shirt, but their first actual product was the CRC System. Trxstle collaborates with diverse artists to create unique shirt designs as a part of their Artist Series. 05:49 - John introduced Morgan to fly fishing, and Morgan introduced John to mountain biking. They combined the two activities to ride to fishing spots. Morgan grew up riding in the woods and later raced mountain bikes in college. 08:19 - Morgan discusses the origin of the Geryon, one of the first product ideas they had when starting. The purpose was to provide a means for bikers to carry any gear while mountain biking. 13:26 - The Geryon has 30 lbs gear capacity, 15 lbs on the front + 15 lbs on the rear rack. 19:28 - Morgan shares his top recommendations for bike riders to check out, including Reece Wallace, Brandon Semenuk, the Athertons, who host a race series in the UK called Hardline, and anyone riding in the Redbull Rampage. 20:18 - The name "Geryon" comes from a three-headed giant in Greek mythology who was related to Medusa. Geryon was also the name of a steam locomotive used during the 1800s. 23:50 - We talk about the success of the Trxstle clothing line. Their Tumbleweed Series has been very popular. 26:17 - Morgan highlights the unique feature of Trxstle's CRC System, explaining that its telescopic collapsibility sets it apart from other similar products. 33:40 - Trxstle has new upgrades and a new color option for the CRC system. 34:25 - Morgan also talked about their waterproof cases, like the River Locker Compact Waterproof Case and the Big Water case. 36:00 - We did the two-minute drill with Morgan. I asked him how he felt seeing his product out in the world. For Morgan, success is to see other people use the thing he designed. 38:00 - Morgan's superpower is visualizing things in 3D space. 41:00 - Morgan advises that to find the perfect bike, it's best to consult your local bike shop for expert recommendations. With their knowledge of the local trails and the price points, they can help you find the right bike that suits your needs. 42:40 - Aside from biking, Morgan also likes skiing and surfing. He said he wanted to surf in Alaska. 47:31 - John Gierach was on the podcast, so I asked Morgan his favorite book. His go-to book is Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/436 | |||
| 03 Apr 2018 | WFS 016 - John Shewey Interview - Steelhead Fly Fishing History | North Umpqua & Santiam Rivers | 01:06:14 | |
Show Notes: http://wetflyswing.com/16 The history of steelhead fly fishing and fly tying is covered in episode 016 of the fly fishing show. John Shewey breaks down the history of steelhead flies and how things have evolved over the years in steelhead fly fishing. John is the current editor-in-chief of the NW Fly Fishing group of magazines and has written some of the best and most beautiful steelhead books you've ever seen. We talk about swinging flies on the North Umpqua and North Santiam and how it all came to be.
Click below to listen to the episode with John Shewey:Find the show: itunes | stitcher | overcast
Show Notes with John Shewey:4:05 - Dave McNeese was the first fly shop and one of the first people to apply east coast salmon flies to steeelhead flies 6:40 - Sid Glasso is another huge name in fly fishing and influence to Dave McNeese 9:00 - The Eel River and John Ben is where steelhead fly fishing first began 14:14 - The Parmacheene Belle fly pattern and story told of a pattern that caught a lot of fish back in the day, but people quit fishing it and it disappeared. You can find a photo at the link above and by scrolling down on this page. 16:55 - Jay Nicholas episode of the fly fishing show 17:40 - Trey Combs Steelhead Fly Fishing and Flies is one of the most influential books in history 19:05 - Classic Steelhead Flies is already a classic book 21:05 - Modern Steelhead Flies by Jay Nicholas is a comparison that John makes 25:55 - The North Santiam was John's home river since the 1980's and a river where he has hooked into many summer steelhead 34:05 - John talks about the demographics of the NW Fly Fishing magazine and the difference between the Drake Magazine in readers 41:35 - Birds of the Pacific Northwest and Oregon Beaches showcase John's diversity of publishing 43:45 - Caddis Float Tubes and Bob Houston was a great opportunity at the time and opened some doors for John to continue moving forward 44:20 - Fly Tyer Magazine was John's first publication and he would continue to write for the magazine 45:05 - Steve Probasco was the editor of NW Fly Fishing Magazine and was John's predecessor 47:30 - Rob Bryce Interview on the Skeena basin 53:55 - Forrest Maxwell was a mentor and fishing and hunting buddy 55:15 - Spawning Purple Fly was a fly that developed from the connection with Forrest 1:02:40 - The NW Fly Tying Expo is one of the biggest fly tying events in the western US 1:03:30 - Frank Moore and Joe Howell were icons on the North Umpqua. This link on Mending the line is Frank Moore's story
You can reach John at matchthehatch.com if you have any questions or want to check out NW Fly Fishing magazine.
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"It's an invitation, because I know that anything I produce out of my vice has an equal chance."-John Shewey
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Conclusion with John SheweyI wanted to give a huge thanks to John for taking the time to come on the show and talk about the history of the sport we all love. Hearing John talk about how it all started on the Eel River with the first summer steelhead and has evolved into modern spey lines and flies. I especially loved the tips John shared about what it takes to be a writer or photographer in the fly fishing industry. It's a great story to hear how John got to the place he is at now in fly fishing.
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| 18 Nov 2024 | 681 | Christmas Island Fly Fishing with Rick Lee - Hawaii, Bonefish, Captain Cook | 00:59:34 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/681 Presented By: On DeMark Lodge, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Heated Core, Angler's Coffee Rick Lee, Hawaiian fly fishing master and saltwater expert, is back on the podcast, and today, we're diving into the waters of Christmas Island and Hawaii. Rick’s got the scoop on where to find the biggest bonefish, and he’s sharing some tips on how to DIY your fly fishing trips across Hawaii. We also dive into the crazy world of triggerfish. Ever wonder why they’re called that? Plus, he’s got some wild stories about Captain Cook’s adventures (and how he met his end in Hawaii). Show Notes with Rick Lee on Christmas Island Fly Fishing. 02:33 - We catch up with Rick Lee since our last chat in Episode 116. Rick is still guiding out of O‘ahu while raising his kids. We also discuss the challenges and progress of conserving Hawaii's coastal ecosystems. He said he's helping educate visitors about protecting the bonefish and other species. 07:26 - We catch up with Rick about his time in Hawaii during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was in Christmas Island when things started to get serious and had a narrow escape, catching the last flight home before the island closed for nearly three years. He said tourism in Hawaii took a huge hit, but the silver lining was there was no traffic, no crowds, and empty surf spots. Fishing in Hawaii: What You Need to Know 09:52 - Rick shares some helpful tips for those planning a trip to Hawaii. He said that while Hawaii isn't a top destination for fly fishing, it’s a great activity to add to your vacation, especially if you’re looking for a few hours of fishing before the family wakes up. Oahu has some of the world’s biggest bonefish, but with so many people and tourists, the fishing pressure is high. But Rick still recommends bringing your gear out for an adventure. Aside from bonefish, Rick says you can also fish for triggerfish and some varieties of goatfish. 12:37 - Rick shares that Oahu has flats around the whole island, but winter can bring dangerous surf on the north and west shores, while the south shore gets more giant waves in the summer. For those looking for specific spots, Rick recommends contacting his team for personalized advice based on where you’re staying. Gear 17:28 - Rick talks about catching some really big bonefish in Hawaii, with some reaching over 30 inches! The average fish on their charters weighs around 5 pounds, but you can catch ones that are 7-10 pounds pretty often. 22:53 - Rick explains that Hawaii’s warm water temps stay consistent all year, from the mid-seventies to low eighties. This means you can fish for bonefish pretty much any day of the year. However, late summer and fall can bring rainy weather and strong winds, making fishing tougher. But if you’re up for a challenge, the fishing is still great year-round. Casting in the Wind 23:54 - Rick says the key is to slow down and keep your stroke smooth and powerful. He also recommends casting sidearms to help the fly cut through the wind more efficiently. When it comes to rods, it’s all about personal preference, but fast or medium-fast action rods work best for wind and saltwater fishing. As for fly lines, shorter, quicker shooting lines are great for windy days, while longer lines help with delicate casts when the conditions are better. 27:25 - Rick says there used to be a fly shop called Nervous Waters in Hawaii, but it closed down when the owner retired. If you’re heading to Hawaii, you must bring everything you need. Fishing at Christmas Island 36:40 - Rick shares about Christmas Island, a remote spot south of Hawaii, where you can fish in a beautiful 145-square-mile lagoon. It’s known for its incredible fishing variety, from bonefish and triggerfish to big tuna and sailfish. Triggerfish can grow up to 20 pounds and live in coral forts with special defenses. Rick talks about how tricky it is to catch them, but with the proper techniques, it’s one of the world's best places for trigger fishing. Rick explains that a Christmas Island day isn’t just about targeting one fish species. You could start with milkfish, which travel in huge schools, and then switch to offshore fishing for tuna or sailfish. After that, it’s back to the lagoon to target bonefish and triggerfish. And when you think it’s over, giant trevally might pop up. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/681
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| 19 Jun 2023 | WFS 464 - Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon with Topher Browne - Casting Tips, Swinging Flies, Arthur Wood | 01:33:50 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/464 Presented By: Drifthook Fly Fishing, Waters West, BearVault Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Join me and Topher on an exciting adventure into the world of Atlantic salmon fishing! He takes us to stunning rivers in Quebec and famous spots like Norway, where these magnificent fish are waiting to be caught. Topher will spill all the details about his epic fishing trips, like the time he reeled in a whopping 45 salmon in just one week! He's always up for a challenge and loves finding fish that give him a real fight. Learn all about what affects salmon behavior, like temperature and water levels, and discover the secrets to picking the perfect fly. Topher's got some awesome favorites, like the fancy Picasse pattern. He'll also spill the beans on gear and techniques that work best. If you've ever wondered about Atlantic salmon fishing, Topher's got all the answers to the burning questions. Get ready for thrilling tales of success and learn about the important conservation efforts in the mix. Get hooked on the enchanting world of Atlantic salmon fishing in this super exciting episode! Show Notes with Topher Browne on Fishing for Atlantic Salmon 05:30 - Quebec has one of the best pay-to-play access to fish Atlantic salmon. In Nova Scotia, you have to get a salmon license for about 125 CAD to fish any rivers there the whole season. 08:30 - The Kola Peninsula in Russia is a great destination for Atlantic salmon but unfortunately, it's now closed because of the recent war. Topher noted that Norway and Quebec are his two favorites for Atlantic salmon fishing. 17:10 - Topher's best week for fishing Atlantic salmon is when he caught 45 of them. 18:10 - Topher is looking for fish that will kick his ass. 23:05 - Temperature affects the Atlantic salmon numbers and activity but it has more to do with water levels. 26:30 - Topher talks about the book, Greased Line Fishing. 32:20 - Topher wrote a book for Wild River Press called, Atlantic Salmon Magic which took 2nd place in the National Book Awards. 43:20 - Bigger flies (4 to 5 inches long) work better if the river is big and muddy so that the fish can see it. If the water is clear, you can use smaller flies. 46:25 - Topher's favorite fly is the Picasse fly pattern which is a French-Canadian fly. 50:30 - Topher teaches Spey casting lessons with Rick Kustich and a few other Spey anglers. 53:50 - In a good season, the average weight of Atlantic salmon they catch is around 12 to 14 pounds. 56:00 - We've had Rick Kustich on the podcast at WFS 277 where we dug into advanced tactics for steelhead fishing. 59:00 - Topher talks about Spey Nation. Check out the events schedule here. 1:02:00 - The frequently asked questions about Atlantic salmon fishing are: 1. What should I get for gear? 2. How do I set a hook on a wet fly? If that fly is coming across, what do I do? 1:11:45 - Travis Johnson recently won Spey-O-Rama at the Golden Gate. 1:17:15 - Topher got featured on Forbes.com, authored by Monte Burke. Read that article here. Topher recommends getting Monte on the podcast. 1:19:40 - We talk about Long Rod Resurgence. 1:25:55 - We noted Whitney Gould, who's the best fly caster in North America between single-handed and two-handed. She's won Spey-O-Rama 8 times. She also won the US National Casting Tournament. 1:29:50 - Topher noted the conservation group, Atlantic Salmon Federation based in New Brunswick Canada. He serves on their National Counsel. He also noted the North Atlantic Salmon Fund in Iceland. Lastly, he noted the Atlantic Salmon Trust in UK. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/464 | |||
| 03 May 2024 | 601 | Drift Boat vs. Raft: Decoding the Best Fly Fishing Experience with Adam Hudson of Blue Line Flies | 01:00:33 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/601 Presented By: Stonefly Nets, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Skwala, Togens Fly Shop Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Is it better to purchase a drift boat or a raft for fly fishing? Do you know which of these two options is the better? All-around purchase if you can only get one? And what about rebuilding an old boat? Is this a realistic option to save money and maybe get into your first boat? Today you're going to hear the drift boat versus raft debate and you'll find out how my guest today restored a boat that barely held water. Adam Hudson is back on the show to take us into his unlikely boat build out story and how he took on this project and, and what happened, how he finished it up and where he is heading. Next, Adam And I debate the benefits of the drift boat versus the raft. We find out which raft he recently purchased that has a hard floor, and we also get his top streamer patterns from Blue Line. Plus, we're gonna hear what it was like to finally row this boat down the Green River. And whether it passed the test, the Battle of the Boats is finally here. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/601 | |||
| 21 Mar 2023 | WFS 425 - Northern Lights Lodge with Curtis Royer and Phil Rowley - Stillwater School, Bull Trout, Bears | 01:24:17 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/425 Enter the Giveaway: https://wetflyswing.com/giveaway Presented By: Trxstle, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Angler's Coffee Curtis Royer from the Northern Lights Lodge is here today to talk about the upcoming Stillwater School on May 2023. We're also joined by the Stillwater Master, Phil Rowley as we break down the steps to join, what to expect, and what to prepare for before you get there. What makes this place so special and why should you be excited about it? We dig into it and answer most of the FAQs. So here we go... Show Notes with Curtis Royer and Phil Rowley 05:45 - Skeed Borkowski was on the podcast in episode 397. 08:45 - Their program starts mid-May. They have an upcoming Stillwater School this May 2023. Check out their website to see what they have going. 20:45 - We noted that drone shot video of a Stillwater rainbow chasing a Chernobyl fly which they got on a first take. 28:10 - Curtis breaks down the steps in getting to the lodge from the US. 34:20 - Curtis tells the story of when they caught 48 lake trout in one day. 43:30 - They run their programs almost exclusively with pontoon boats. 49:50 - We talk about the things to remember when encountering a bear out there. 55:30 - Quennell Lake is the deepest freshwater lake in North America. 1:01:00 - Phil mentioned The Cruiser pontoon boat by Outcast. 1:11:00 - Bull trout fishing starts mid-August and goes on till mid-October. 1:12:20 - Curtis tells the story of his most memorable bull trout experience. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/425 | |||
| 25 Oct 2022 | WFS 376 – Susitna River Coalition with Margaret Stern – Alaska Wild Salmon Protection | 00:42:35 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/376 Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company, Country Financial, FishHound Expeditions, Fair Flies Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Margaret Stern from Susitna River Coalition walks us through their mission to protect and support the 312-mile-long, free-flowing, Susitna River. We find out why the construction of the massive Susitna dam and the West Susitna access road projects should be stopped - what its long-term effect would be on the watersheds, wildlife, local economies, and fish. We also learn why we should be concerned about these issues and what we can do to support this movement. Let us come together and take action as we discover the truth about these exploitation projects in Alaska.
04:30 - Margaret currently lives in Talkeetna, Alaska - it's perched right where 3 rivers meet - Susitna, Talkeetna, and Chulitna. 06:00 - Talkeetna is a small town with only about 800 people living there 07:45 - Susitna Watershed drains the 4th largest area in the state of Alaska and it's the 15th largest river in America. 13:15 - Margaret talks about their Susitna-Watana Dam project - why it's unnecessary and why it should be stopped. 17:10 - We learn more about the West Susitna Access Road project - what its long-term effect would be on the watersheds, wildlife, and fish. 22:10 - Signing up for their newsletter is a good way to get updated on their project's progress and status. 24:00 - We had an episode with Ted Manning from Patagonia at WFS 345 30:30 - Susitna River Coalition is the only local environmental and conservation nonprofit organization in the Susitna Valley. They work with Trout Unlimited and other organizations that are on a conservation mission in Alaska. 36:30 - Margaret noted the Susitna Basin Recreational Management Plan which is currently on revision. 37:10 - Adam from FishHound was on the podcast in episode 324 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/376 | |||
| 01 May 2022 | WFS 315 - The Telescoping Fly Rod from Reyr Gear with Derek Roedel | 00:59:30 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/315 Presented By: Reyr Gear Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Derek Roedel, founder of Reyr Gear shares the story of creating one of the most unique rods out there. We find out how this telescoping fly rod makes most of your outdoor trip a fishing trip with its versatility. Derek's goal is for you to be able to concentrate on the fishing and not spend too much time on setup and storage. You'll be amazed how quickly you can get on the water, make the first cast, and pack up instantly when you're done. These rods are like lightsabers! Derek is offering a 20% discount on the rods. Head over to ReyrGear.com and use the coupon code "wetfly20" to avail that discount.
02:30 - Derek tells the story of when his father found a fiberglass fly rod on the side of the road 04:45 - Derek once enrolled in a casting clinic in San Francisco when he was a kid and later became an instructor for the younger kids 07:26 - The rod that Derek's father found, Derek used it for 20+ more years - it was an 8 foot, 6 wt Boyd fiberglass rod 09:50 - Derek often visits Greece because of his wife but spends more of his days in California 12:55 - There's trout fishing in Greece but not very popular 16:15 - We talk about the Reyr First Cast Fly Rod that's like a lightsaber technique for opening 19:00 - Their rod is mainly used for versatility - available to fish anywhere. Fits in any backpack and is quick to rig up. 21:40 - Reyr now has a Tenkara rod - this Tenkara has a line keeper so you can always leave your line 23:50 - Their brand name Reyr means cane or pole in Islandic language 25:10 - Reyr rods don't have the guides - the line goes inside the rod 27:35 - Derek had landed 30-inch pike with the First Cast 6wt 30:30 - Watch how easy it is to set up the First Cast Fly Rod - scroll down for the video 31:00 - If you break your Reyr rod, send Derek the picture and they'll get you replacement parts - they have a lifetime warranty support 33:55 - Brandon Moon was recently on the podcast at WFS 308 38:55 - The usual customer will be able to use the built-in line for more or less 2 years, depending on how often they clean it 40:15 - The Collapsible Insa-Net 42:00 - Reyr is working on a new fishing footwear 48:55 - Derek worked in Silicon Valley for 15 years in a fast-paced prototyping and product development company before he started his own company 56:45 - Check out the video where Derek and his friend race to setup a traditional fly rod vs a First Cast fly rod - scroll down to watch the vid
Derek Roedel from Reyr Gear shared the story of creating one of the most unique rods out there. We found out how the telescoping fly rod makes most of your outdoor trip a fishing trip. If you're someone who doesn't want to worry too much about setting up your gear and just want to get fishing, a backpacker who want to get into fishing, or even an avid fly fisherman who want to get into backpacking, this rod is for you. They're like the iPhone of fly rods. Set it up and pack it up like a lightsaber! Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/315 | |||
| 09 Feb 2021 | Skeena River Steelhead with Todd Scharf - Fly Fishing, OPST, Salmon (WFS 188) | 01:21:11 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/188 Sponsor: Stonefly Nets: https://wetflyswing.com/stonefly Sponsor: Anglers Coffee: https://wetflyswing.com/anglers Todd Scharf shares some huge tips on finding Skeena river steelhead and the gear you need to have a successful trip up north in British Columbia. Todd runs the legendary Skeena Steelhead lodge and provides some insight on a 10 year commitment. Todd shares the exact lines and head he uses and why and when you should fish shallow vs deep for steelhead. We also find out about the connection to Arc'teryx and the early days of the G4 Simms Waders and when to use a single hand spey for steelhead.
- Rob Bryce was on the podcast in episode 20 and covered Skeena Steelhead fishing. - Northbound is a short movie that was produced on the Skeena. - I noted the Steelhead Alley episode with Greg Senyo who guides in the midwest. - Legendary Skeena Steelhead Lodge can be found at Upstream Adventures. - Scott McGarva was on the podcast and had the Ankle Deep and 20' quote. - The OPST Riffle is great when you need the inside edge - George Cook was on the podcast here and has worked with Todd on the hunting and fishing side. - Golden West Fly Shop from Mike Maxwell - Todd noted Bob Meiser and the Meiser rods in the early days. - I noted the OPST Commando Smooth and Todd break down the other products from Pure Skagit. - We talk about the Groove vs the Smooth - Simon Gawesworth was on the podcast wh - The blue balls intruder
Skeena River Conclusion with Todd Scharf Todd Scharf shares the gear and tips on finding and swinging up steelhead on the Skeena River system. We talk about the difference between fishing the Skeena vs some of the tributaries. We also dig into single-hand spey and other great lines for Skeena River steelhead fishing. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/188 Sponsor: Anglers Coffee: https://wetflyswing.com/anglers Sponsor: Stonefly Nets: https://wetflyswing.com/stonefly
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| 28 Apr 2022 | WFS 314 - Fly Fishing Maine with Bob Ramano | 01:09:42 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/314 Presented By: LakeLady Custom Rods, Dette Flies, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Trxstle Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Today, we're fly fishing Maine. Bob Romano takes us into the lakes and streams of the Rangeley Lakes Region. He tells us why he has been traveling up to this area for over 40 years. We dig into some of his books, his favorite authors, and talk about his new book, River Flowers - how it came to be and what makes it special. Bob mentions some camps that give access to different streams in Maine and breaks down the seasons there. Plus, we hear about the story of White Nose Pete - a trout who lived a hundred years and had never been caught.
04:30 - The first fly fishing book that Bob read was a Robert Traver book 04:50 - His first fly rod was a Cortland Fiberglass Rod in the 1960s 07:30 - Taylor Streit was recently on the podcast at WFS 313 08:30 - Bob talks about the writers that he looks up to - David Brodigan, Gary Schneider, Tom McGuane, etc. 10:30 - George Daniel was on the podcast at WFS 055 11:00 - Bob tells the story of when he fished the Rangeley Lakes Region in Maine and there were no other anglers and boats 13:40 - We can't find top fly fishing writers from the Northeast but there's Top 10 Favorite Fly Fishing Writers from a Google article 14:30 - Bob breaks down Maine fishing - it's known for its brook trout fishing, smallmouth, and landlocked salmon 15:00 - Randy Spencer is a fly fishing guide in Maine, a writer, and has written a number of books 16:50 - The Rangeley Lakes Region has the largest brook trout in the United States - they measure them in pounds rather than inches 18:15 - Bob talks about Carrie Stevens streamers - her most famous streamer is the grey ghost 21:51 - Bob talks about what your itinerary would look like when you go to Maine - drive North, then East if you want to go to Grand Lakes stream, way up North is the Moosehead Region Lake, West is the Rangeley Region - they're equally distant from Portland 26:40 - One of the best times to fish the Rangeley is the 2nd and 3rd week of May - you have to fish something with a white wing because it works great and imitates the smelt 29:00 - The Black Ghost fly pattern is one of the most used in the Rangeley Lakes 30:15 - John Shewey was on the podcast at WFS 296 - Bob shares a tip to keep the streamer feather straight, don't use subtle hackle, use Marabou feather 31:00 - From the end of May and the beginning of June, that's when they use dry flies 34:40 - In the Rangeley Lakes Region, you can get those trophy brook trout in the Magalloway River 42:20 - The Hornberg fly pattern aka meat and potato 42:40 - Bob earns a living as an attorney - he lives on 12 acres of land with his wife 44:20 - June is the dry fly season - the 2nd and 3rd week of June is the black fly season. These flies bite and are intense and so is fishing. July is caddis season. Fishing starts to wane in August. Fishing usually ends by the end of September, then starts the hunting season 47:40 - The moose are dying because they're rubbing off their fur when ticks irritate them - they die of the cold in winter 50:30 - Bob gives 2 reasons why fishing in Maine is great 55:20 - Maine is known for its traditional sporting lodges that date back to the 1800s 56:20 - Bosebuck Mountain Camps give access to the Magalloway river systems 56:30 - Grant's Camps gives access to Kennebago river 56:40 - Lakewood Camps is on the Rapid river 58:00 - Brett and Susan Damm runs the Rangeley Region Sports Shop 58:55 - Bob tells a story about a guy named Shang Willer who came up with a fable about a fish called White Nose Pete 1:03:15 - Ray Troll was on the podcast at WFS 299 1:04:45 - Bob has a new book called, River Flowers 1:05:10 - Elmore Leonard is one of Bob's favorite authors - Elmore wrote the story that became a movie, Get Shorty
Bob Romano took us into the lakes and streams of the Rangeley Lakes Region. We found out why he has been traveling up to this area for over 40 years. We dug into some of his books, his favorite authors, and talk about his new book, River Flowers. Bob mentioned some camps that give access to different streams and breaks down the seasons in Maine. We heard about the fable of White Nose Pete. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/314 | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | WFS 308 - Fiberglass Rods and Furled Leaders with Brandon Moon - Moonlit Fly Fishing | 00:56:14 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/308 Presented By: Stonefly Nets, Reyr Gear, LakeLady Custom Rods, Anglers Coffee Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Brandon Moon, the founder of Moonlit Fly Fishing, is here to shed some light on fiberglass rods and furled leaders. Find out how these fiberglass rods give you a whole new experience with its features. We dig into some of their products and the new rods they're working on that you can preorder today. We talk about the Tenkara rod - how it's so easy to use, portable, and great for beginners. Brandon shares how they acquired Leland and Tenkara, as well as their plans with these companies in the coming months. Brandon also shares how he meditates on a rowing machine and encourages us to find inner peace in our own way.
05:13 - Brandon describes what a furled leader is like 10:25 - Head over to their website to learn more about furled leaders 12:00 - Brandon pays his respects to Mike, owner of Streamside Leaders who passed away last holiday season. Brandon mentions some other companies that produce furled leaders 13:26 - The Moonlit S Glass 2wt 18:01 - The local fly shop in Pocatello Idaho is the Snake River Fly Shop 19:11 - The main stem of the Snake river below American falls reservoir is on the top 10 smallmouth bass fishery 19:43 - They got some native cutthroat, brook trout, rainbows, browns, tiger trout, and some alpine tiger muskies in Idaho, etc. 22:04 - All Brandon's nymphs are tied with soft hackle - he uses them 90% of the time 24:31 - Brandon describes what a Bonneville cutthroat looks like based on his experience 29:37 - The Nirvana Rotary Fly Tying Vise 30:24 - Moonlit Fly Fishing just released their waterproof seat cover 31:27 - They're bringing out new graphite rods in the Nirvana brand and a new lineup of fiberglass - Brandon mentions some more products that they're working on 31:54 - Moonlit purchased Leland Fly Fishing in April 2021 - they also own DragonTail Tenkara, one of the biggest tenkara companies in the world 32:31 - Brandon tells us why tenkara rod is great for beginners and how portable it is 37:34 - Brandon's go-to nymph pattern is a purple pheasant tail soft hackle with a tungsten bead 40:00 - The Fiberglass Manifesto blog is a good resource to learn more about fiberglass rods - Cameron from Fiberglass Manifesto blog was on the podcast at WFS 088 43:04 - Brandon talks about his meditation routine and how he does it 47:00 - We find out where Brandon gets his soft hackles 47:36 - We did an episode about soft hackle with Steven Bird from Soft Hackle Journal at WFS 134 48:17 - We talk about tenkara and what it's called in different places 50:22 - James Park from Red Truck Fly Fishing was on the podcast at WFS 246 - Brandon tells the story of how he bought Leland
Brandon Moon and I talked about fiberglass rods and furled leaders. We found out how these fiberglass rods gives you a whole new experience with its features. We dug into some of their products and the new rods they're working on. We talked about the Tenkara rod - how it's so portable and easy to use. Brandon shared how they acquired Leland and Tenkara. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/308 | |||
| 22 Nov 2024 | 683 | Fly Fishing the Missouri River with Craig DeMark - Big Trout, On DeMark Lodge | 00:56:02 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/683 Presented By: On DeMark Lodge Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/demark In this episode, we're joined by Craig DeMark of On DeMark Lodge to guide us through the intricacies of fly fishing the Missouri River. You'll discover expert tips on navigating downstream fishing, strategies for handling pressured waters, and the crucial elements of achieving the perfect drift. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the sport, Craig's insights will equip you with the knowledge to enhance your fishing experience on the Missouri River. Plus, you'll get his top casting tip and learn what to do when you hook that elusive trophy trout. Join us as we unravel the secrets of the Big Mo with Craig DeMark—your gateway to mastering the art of fly fishing in Montana's majestic waters.
3:02 - Craig shares his journey into fly fishing and the establishment of On DeMark Lodge. He taught himself to fish, starting with lakes and gradually moving to streams. Originally from the auto repair industry, he eventually transitioned to fly fishing. 7:43 - We talk about the Missouri River. Craig explains that the river originates from the confluence of the Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers at Three Forks, located south of their area. He also notes that they fish on the stretch below the Holter Dam down to the town of Cascade, a 40-mile stretch known for its diversity and clear waters due to the reservoirs storing cold water. 10:56 - Craig discusses their lodge, a small, family-run lodge located between Great Falls and Helena, Montana, providing convenient access to the Missouri River. They offer a personalized experience with Craig as a guide and his wife and son assisting in operations. The lodge provides easy access to fishing spots, with launch points within a 10 to 30-minute drive. 13:57 - Their fishing trips span from April to October. Craig explains that although the season has ended, the favorable weather could have allowed fishing into November. April begins with variable weather, offering both sunny and cold, rainy days, but it features excellent fishing with minimal crowds. The fishing season wraps up with blue wing olives and October caddis. Craig highlights the abundance of dry fly fishing opportunities throughout the season, expressing gratitude for the rich fishing environment they enjoy. 17:16 - Craig discusses fly fishing techniques on the Missouri River, emphasizing the excitement of tricos fishing, where timing and the right drift are crucial as fish rise to eat small flies like size 18s or 20s. He notes that while the river is known for technical fishing with small dry flies, there are also opportunities to use larger flies like hoppers in sizes 6 and 8 for a few months. Craig prefers using a single dry fly for a better drift but acknowledges that a dry dropper setup can be effective. 19:14 - We get into the use of dry flies during a PMD (Pale Morning Dun) hatch. Craig explains that during such hatches, fish move to shallow gravel bars, sometimes in waters as shallow as a foot deep. Anglers often anchor on these bars, either wading or fishing from the boat. He notes that it's common to find a spot rich with fish and spend several hours there without needing to move much. 21:03 - We talk about fishing for caddis flies, which are prevalent during the June to July summer period and continue into the fall with species like the tan caddis and big October caddis. Craig mentions they had a successful caddis season and describes different methods for fishing them, such as using corn fed caddis and X-caddis flies. 22:46 - Craig advises that newcomers to the area should look for rising fish during hatch seasons, emphasizing that smaller rises often indicate larger fish. He also stresses that achieving a good drift is more crucial than the choice of fly pattern. To achieve a dead drift, he recommends positioning above the fish and utilizing a reach cast technique. 25:18 - We ask his fishing setup, focusing on using 5wt rods for dry flies, with a preference for rods with softer tips. Craig explains they use 9 to 12-foot leaders ending in a five or even four-weight tippet to prevent fish from breaking off. He emphasizes the importance of balancing pressure when reeling in fish, advising anglers to let the fish run to avoid breaking the line. Craig mentions the advantage of being in a drift boat, which allows them to chase the fish downstream if necessary, ensuring a better chance of successfully landing it. 28:09 - We dig into the best times and conditions for dry fly fishing. Craig highlights that the timing depends on what anglers want to experience. Trico hatches are challenging due to the number of rising fish, but the PMD hatch is considered easier, as early-season fish are less picky. For those who prefer not to use nymphs, August offers a great opportunity to fish single dry flies without worrying about weeds. 31:09 - Craig walks us through their daily routine at their lodge. 32:48 - We talk about the involvement of Craig's family in the lodge. Craig shares that both of his sons started fishing at a young age, initially using spinning rods before naturally progressing to fly fishing. His younger son developed a passion for fishing and began guiding at 18 or 19. The other son contributes on the technical side, helping with their website. 34:49 - We discuss the pressure on the Missouri River. Craig explains that while the river does experience pressure, especially during busy times like June and July, its large size allows anglers to spread out, minimizing the impact of crowded conditions. Craig suggests strategies to avoid pressure, such as fishing at different times of the day or choosing less crowded stretches. 42:43 - Craig emphasizes the importance of mastering the reach cast technique for successful dry fly fishing. He advises anglers to fish downstream to avoid spooking fish and ensure the fly drifts naturally, as drag can deter fish from biting. In the gear section, we discuss the advantages of skiff boats, particularly the ClackaCraft HeadHunter, for their lightweight design and ease of rowing in flat, swift-moving waters. Skiffs are praised for their low profile, which makes them easy to get in and out of, especially for older guests. 47:01 - We ask Craig what his essential gear is for fishing trips. He emphasizes the importance of having a long-handled fish net, especially on the river, for effectively landing fish. He also mentions his Yeti gearbox, which is crucial for holding all his fishing essentials, such as fly boxes, tippet, and floatant. 50:07 - Craig talks about the similarities and differences between the cities of Great Falls and Helena, Montana. Craig advises travelers to check flight rates to decide which airport to fly into, as both cities are equally accessible. He emphasizes the convenience of their lodge's location, being remote enough to avoid city life yet close enough for easy access to urban amenities. 51:47 - Craig emphasizes that the Missouri River consistently meets the high expectations people have when fishing in Montana, offering memorable experiences each day, whether through the sight of fish, a missed opportunity, or a successful catch. He notes that the river provides numerous large fish, making it common to encounter 18-inch fish, which are considered significant in other locations. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/683 | |||
| 15 Dec 2020 | WFS 171 - Cortland Line Company with Brooks Robinson - How to Choose a Fly Line, Delaware | 01:09:10 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/171 Brooks Robinson shares the Cortland Line Company story and how to choose a new fly line whether you are going for trout or tarpon. We find out how Cortland has been going strong for over 100 years now in the fly fishing space. We dig into the Delaware River System, how to choose a dry line for the Delaware and how to catch fish on the surface. We also find out about Cortland tarpon, spey and euro nymphing lines.
- Joe Goodspeed was noted as the guy who got Brooks into his job at Cortland. - The Clear Liquid Crystal is a great line for Tarpon. - Leon Chandler was Cortland's big lead back in the day marketing the company. - The Trout Boss line from Cortland is great for dry fly fishing when it's windy. The Ultra light line is also great for dry lines. - We talk about the 444 line which has been around since since the beginning and is still one of their best selling line. - We talk about the old crown and rimfly reels. They offer the new Crown series reels now for trout along with the fair play. - The liquid crystal tarpon line is the goto and the ghost tip is great for deeper fish. - We note the 9 foot 6 weight rod and the Cortland line that lines up with the dry line. The trout boss is a great all around dry line. - The clear camo is one of my favorite lines for stillwater. The ghost tip was also noted here. - I noted the Jerry Darkes podcast and the switch rod conversation. The Cortland compact switch is the perfect line for spey with the switch.
Cortland Line Company with Brooks Robinson Conclusion Brooks Robinson Cortland Line Company is here to share the story of how Cortland has survived over 100 years in the fishing space with a focus on producing fly lines. We hear the history of Cortland, what sets them apart and how you can choose your next fly line. We break down the fly line from the difference between a double taper and weight forward to what the best euro nymphing rod is for the day. If you want a perspective on fly lines, this is the podcast for you. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/171 | |||
| 23 Apr 2019 | WFS 073 - Joe Humphreys Podcast Interview - 90 Years of Fly Fishing, Live the Stream Movie, Lefty Kreh | 01:15:02 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/73 I sat down with Joe Humphreys, one of the great fly fishing personalities of the 20th century. Joe shares is life in fly fishing, wrestling and teaching both young and old. You'll get a perspective on the history of fly fishing from Joe today and from his movie Live the Stream. You'll here Joe tell the story of how he caught the largest trout on the fly in the state of PA. Plus he'll describe night fishing and some great tips if you ever find yourself out in the evening.
Wet Fly Swing Members Society: https://wetflyswing.com/members-society/
Live the Stream is the new movie based on Joe's life. George Harvey was one of Joe's early mentors in fly fishing George Daniel was on the podcast in episode 55 where we talked about Joe's style including the occasion slap around to get you fired up. Orvis Helios Rod was recommended by Joe as one of his present day goto sticks. Cortland 9' for a 5 weight and a 10' rod are two of Joe's present day rods.
Joe tells a great story about the state record brown trout caught on Fishing Creek in Pennsylvania. Joe shares some great tips on fishing wet flies, nymphs and dry flies. A really cool conversation with one of the all time fly fishing mentors of all time. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/73 | |||
| 26 Apr 2024 | 598 | The Evolution of Fly Casting: Insights from the Golden Gate Casting Club with Jim Dawson | 01:04:01 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/598 Presented By: Stonefly Nets, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Skwala, Togens Fly Shop Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In this episode, we dive into the rich history of the Golden Gate Casting Club with Jim Dawson, the club's resident historian. Discover the revolutionary impact of a young orphan who reshaped fly casting technology, linking his innovations directly to the tech you use today, like your iPhone. Jim shares captivating stories from the club’s past, including tales about legendary figures like Jimmy Green, whose techniques and inventions propelled fly fishing into the future. Tune in to uncover the roots of modern fly casting and get inspired by the techniques that top anglers have used to dominate the sport. Episode Chapters (0:00:05) – Introduction to the Golden Gate Casting Club (0:02:13) – The Legacy of Jim Dawson and the Casting Club (0:03:36) – The Innovations of Jimmy Green (0:07:22) – Mono Running Lines and Their Origin (0:10:45) – The Role of the Golden Gate Casting Club in Modern Fly Fishing (0:15:00) – Evolution of Fly Casting Techniques and Competitions (0:19:55) – Historical Anecdotes and Guest Stories (0:23:38) – The Intersection of Technology and Fly Fishing (0:27:04) – Q&A: Insights into Fly Casting and Conservation (0:30:15) – Closing Thoughts and Future of Fly Fishing Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/598 | |||
| 28 Mar 2023 | WFS 427 - Caddis Hatches with Craig Mathews - 1% for the Planet, Yvon Chouinard, Yellowstone | 01:23:40 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/427 Presented By: Range Meal Bars, Trxstle, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Dalton - Country Financial Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors/
Looking to up your game on caddis hatches? We have Craig Mathews to share his expertise on caddis flies and their history today on the Swing! Craig also shares some incredible stories from his time as a police officer and his adventures around Yellowstone, including how he co-founded 1% for the Planet with Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. 1:02 - We just finished the big stillwater school giveaway, and we'll be announcing the winner soon. We're headed up to Northern Lights Lodge in Northern BC. If you want to join us for some insane stillwater fishing and epic wilderness lodge experience, head here to grab a slot. 3:47 - Craig has been fly fishing for 68 years, starting in Michigan, where he grew up. He moved to Yellowstone, where he worked as a police chief, and started his fly fishing business, Blue Ribbon Flies, in 1979. 6:29 - Blue Ribbon Flies began as a wholesale fly-tying company that employed disabled fly tiers and grew to over 40 tiers, including federal prisoners. They tied for big brands like L.L. Bean and Orvis and local fly shops. 9:04 - Craig worked as a guide and outfitter while running the business. After retiring as a police chief, he opened a retail store and gave the wholesale business to the fly tyers. He sold Blue Ribbon Flies in 2014 after 35 years. 10:27 - Craig tells us how he met Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. We've done several Patagonia episodes in the past. Check out one with Ted Manning here: 12:00 - Craig shares the inspiring story of co-founding 1% for the Planet with Yvon Chouinard, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022. 20:25 - Craig authored several books, including Fly Patterns of Yellowstone with John Juracek, in the 80s and early 90s. He also wrote Fly Fishing Yellowstone Hatches in 1992, which guides anglers on the major insect hatches in and around Yellowstone and the Mountain West. 21:20 - His book Simple Fly Fishing was revised a few years ago. It sold over 30,000 copies and supports conservation efforts. 22:08 - Craig also wrote the Western Fly Fishing Strategy in the mid-90s, which he considers his most significant work. He also wrote the Yellowstone Fly Fishing Guide, revised three years ago and published by Lyons Press. We had Nick Lyons on the show before. 23:31 - Craig continues to tie flies and donate them to conservation causes while also using bird skins collected during hunts for similar purposes. He and his wife were on the founding board of the Yellowstone Park Foundation for nine years, now known as Yellowstone Forever. 25:16 - Craig discusses his upcoming book about pheasant tails that he co-wrote with Yvon, which features about 30 patterns. He also shares insights about caddis hatches and other insect emergences in the Yellowstone region. 52:24 - Craig recommends Gary LaFontaine's book Caddisflies as the best book on caddis. He also shares stories about Gary and their collaboration. 56:40 - Craig talks about how his fly shop, Blue Ribbon Flies, was a hub for fly fishermen where he met many people. He also mentions that Jack Gartside had a room in the shop's basement. 1:00:24 - Craig mentioned that he is writing a book about his adventures at Yellowstone and shared stories about his friendship with the Gypsy Jokers and Hells Angels. 1:17:49 - We hear stories about his long friendship with Yvon and how he has inspired him and others in the industry. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/427
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| 10 Mar 2020 | WFS 125 - Beginner Fly Tying with Charlie Craven - Charlies Fly Box, Fly Tying Class, Tiny Flies, Brassie | 01:11:00 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/125 Charlie Craven from Charlie's Fly Box breaks down a perspective of tying flies for a living. He describes what it takes to make an original pattern and what it means to become a signature fly tyer. We also here about his fly tying class and the book he wrote that many consider the ultimate guide for beginner fly tyers. Find out which is the number 1 selling pattern in the box an what he always has handy heading out on the river.
(Updated links and time stamps: https://wetflyswing.com/125) Rocky Mountain Anglers was one of the main fly shops that helped Charlie understand the process of running a fly shop. I noted the Bruce Chard episode and the hotspot that Denver Colorado is in North America. Charlie is a signature tyer with Umpqua. Charlie clarifies how the royalties works in the business. Rainey Riding was on the podcast in episode 114 and talked about patents and trademarking. Craven's Two Bit Hooker is a trademarked fly pattern. We talk about the RS2 pattern and how little material is needed for a small fly. The Dyna King Pro vice is the same vice that he has used for over 20 years. I noted the Pat Cohen episode from RU Superly. Tiemco is Charlie's favorite hook and the 100SP-BL is the hook he uses for a brassie. Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying Book is a killer resource. The parachute adams is their number 1 seller. We talked about the Humpy and how it was the first and favorite patterns for Charlie. He wouldn't go fish without a humpy. Here's a video for the humpy. The missing link comes up again. This is one of Mike Mercer's great pattern. You can listen to the podcast with Mike Mercer here. We talk about the Mole Fly and new versions that are out there now. The new cdc multi clamp tool that has been going like hotcakes at the fly shop. Nature's Spirit has the best deer hair. Hareline, Wapsi and other big suppliers are where Charlie gets most of his tying products. Here's the Kelly Galloup Podcast where we talked about the porn name flies including the Two Bit Hooker. The Morning Wood Special is another great name for a fly. We talk about the Norm Woods Special who was a longtime guide on the Deschutes. Jack Dennis and Jack's book were influences for Charlie. Here's a quick Jack Dennis video. Nikon D70 and a 40 mm macro lens are the gear Charlie uses to put together his great pics on Instagram. Keep an eye out for the Tying Streamers: Essential Flies and Techniques for the Top Patterns which has been the big project for Charlie.
Resources Noted in the Show Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying Book The Nikon D70
The parachute adam video
Bruce Chard Podcast:
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/125 | |||
| 15 Mar 2025 | Traveled #26 | The South Fork Lodge with Justin Adams - Salmon Flies, Snake River, Cutthroat | 00:57:43 | |
#731B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/731B Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory We will talk about the Middle Fork, the Salmon River, and even the Grand Canyon. Find out how Justin puts a 90-degree bend in the leader to fish nymphs more effectively. Plus, he'll share the #1 thing he tells his clients and why fish on the South Fork have scuffed noses! Episode Chapters with Justin Adams on the South Fork Lodge 04:54 - Justin started as a part-time guide while working for the Forest Service for 10 years. It was around 2018 when he went all in and started guiding over 100 days a season. Fishing the South Fork Justin says the South Fork is one of the best-known fisheries in the region. It holds a lot of fish per mile and can handle plenty of fishing pressure while still producing great days on the water. You can fish for cutthroat, brown trout, rainbows, and even hybrids called cutbows. Seasons & Timing Winter (December to February) Fishing slows, but snowmobiling and skiing take over. Ice fishing is possible on nearby reservoirs. Spring (March to May) High water from runoff, but big browns are on the move. Worm patterns and big nymphs work best. Summer (June to August) The legendary Salmon Fly hatch happens around July 4th. Dry flies dominate, with fish looking up for big bugs. Fall (Sept–Oct) Low water levels make for easier wading. Brown trout start spawning, so target deep holes away from the beds. Most anglers visit in July, especially around the 4th, when the salmon flies hatch. Justin’s Go-To Set-Up for the South Fork 13:13 - Justin swears by a simple but deadly setup, which is the double Pat’s Rubber Legs or what they also call "two turds". He usually runs it under a mini bobber with a swivel setup, and if he needs more depth, he says he'll add a split shot. Guides also swear by the Mic Drop, a simple olive-bodied fly with an orange collar. It looks like a zebra midge but could imitate just about anything. Sizes 16 to 20 work best, depending on the conditions. https://youtu.be/QUK-if6brp0?si=CNuh5On4qwtoBGXQ Rods Justin swaps between 9 ft and 10 ft rods for nymphing. He uses the 10 ft rod (usually a 5-weight with a 6-weight line) for easier mending. Since they're mending all day, he says the extra length helps control the drift. It’s all about keeping the fly line behind the indicator for a slow, natural presentation. Leader Justin builds his leaders instead of using store-bought tapered ones. His setup uses a hinge system under the indicator, creating a 90-degree rig. Why Fish on the South Fork Have Scuffed Noses During the salmon fly hatch, the trout on the South Fork get aggressive. They’re actively picking them off the rocks instead of just waiting for bugs to land. Many fish end up with scuffed noses or even a bit of "road rash" from rubbing against the rocks while feeding. The One Fly The One Fly is a fly fishing competition and fundraiser on the South Fork and Upper Snake River. Anglers get just one fly. If they lose it, they’re out. Bigger fish earn more points, so strategy matters. The event brings in top anglers from all over, but local guides lead the way. https://youtu.be/9ZxmTBHEqAs?si=04eovcZemagJD5h2 The Rainbros Tournament Jimmy Kimmel and his crew fish every spring in their dry-fly-only competition. The rules are simple: Topwater fish are two points, subsurface is one, and a whitefish is a minus point. Michael Keaton, Jason Bateman, and Huey Lewis get in on it. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/731B | |||
| 16 Feb 2022 | WFS 291 – Reduce Reuse Recycle in Fly Fishing with Ross White – Deli Fresh Design | 01:10:55 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/291 Presented By: Fly Fishing Film Tour, Dette Flies, Stonefly Nets, Anglers Coffee Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors The founder and master craftsman of Deli Fresh Design, Ross White, is here to tell us how he came up with the idea to create a fly fishing sling pack and some other fly fishing gear, and how 80% of the materials he uses are repurposed plastic, rope, and old Simms waders. Find out how these simple gear allows us to have a better experience on the water. We talked a lot about fly fishing history and how some of the fly fishing gears evolved throughout the years. Ross also talks about his involvement with the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum and his plans to start a podcast with them - very exciting! We also find out the last 5 podcasts Ross listened to.
03:26 - Ross was on the podcast for the first time at WFS 079 05:04 - Ward Tonsfeldt from Classic Fly Tackle was recently on the podcast at WFS 276 where we talked about classic fly rods 08:04 - About 80% of the material used in creating the bags is made from recycled or repurposed materials - they partnered with Simms to recycle old Simms waders 11:18 - Lee Wulff created or popularized what we've known as the modern fly fishing vest 11:51 - Fly fishermen back then were using creel bags 13:17 - Hardy bags were considered popular in terms of vintage collectible fly fishing bags 14:17 - Deli Fresh Design collaborated with Dette Flies (the oldest fly shop in America) - Dette is also one of our sponsors and we are truly grateful to have them as a sponsor 16:44 - The Neversink Chestpack is what Ross use most of the time when he goes dry fly fishing on the East Coast - he designed it 20:00 - The Beaverkill Weekend Wader Tote is considered their fanny pack 28:27 - I met Ross through Elliot Adler, who use to be the host of The Drake Cast - Elliot was on the podcast at WFS 054 32:59 - The movie, Don't Look Up has a strong message in it that we should all think about 35:18 - Pflueger Medalist was the bread and butter for reel 36:18 - The early Hardy Perfect reels have the drag tension 37:45 - Ross is currently involved with Catskill Fly Fishing Museum 39:12 - Hoagy Carmichael wrote a book on how to make bamboo fly rods 41:14 - Bob Clay is one of the best bamboo fly rods maker (his rods are called Riverwatch) - Bob was on the podcast at WFS 216 41:56 - Watch the Vimeo video, Chasing the Taper below - features a bunch of legendary bamboo rod makers 44:45 - The Golden Gate Casting Club 46:07 - Goodwin Granger - who is he? Click here to find out 50:10 - Ross's bucket-list guests if he was to start a podcast (Marc Aroner, Hoagy Carmichael, etc.) 51:52 - Spinoza Rod Company is one of the best classic fly rod shops out there - and they got a pretty cool story of how they got started (they are definitely on the bucket list to have on the show!) 56:05 - The Fretboard Journal Magazine 1:00:00 - Tom McCoy was on the podcast at WFS 275 and Michael Barger was a co-host for that episode 1:01:27 - Ross shares the last 5 podcasts that he listened to - The Truth About Vintage Amps
Ross White, the founder and master craftsman of Deli Fresh Design shared how he came up with the idea to create a fly fishing sling pack and some other fly fishing gear made out of recycled plastic, rope, and old Simms waders. We found out how these simple gear allows us to have a better experience on the water. We also talked a lot about fly fishing history and how some of the fly fishing gears evolved throughout the years. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/291 | |||
| 26 Apr 2022 | WFS 313 - Fly Fishing New Mexico with Taylor Streit - Rio Grande River, Taos Fly Shop | 01:23:09 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/313 Presented By: LakeLady Custom Rods, Dette Flies, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Bearvault Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Taylor Streit, the founder of Taos Fly Shop, shares the story of how he started the fly fishing business in the 80s during the Woodstock days and went through a difficult time in his life battling alcoholism. We talk about what it's like fly fishing in New Mexico and the Rio Grande River. We dig into his books on fly fishing New Mexico, how they came to be, and the new book he's working on. Find out Taylor's go-to flies including his original pattern called, the Shitfly, and some tips about fishing the Eddies. We also talk about his son, Nick Streit, who now runs Taos Fly Shop and doing some great things there. Taylor named a couple of bands that he used to see play live in Woodstock and some people tripping on acid. Taylor is another example of a person with a powerful story, who was once in a bad condition and decided to turn his life around to pursue his passion.
03:40 - Taylor just listened to one of our previous episodes with Nick Lyons at WFS 202 03:45 - Taylor's book, Instinctive Fly Fishing was published by Lyons Press - Nick helped Taylor with the book's title 04:50 - The first fishing memory Taylor has, he used a red and white plastic bobber (1950s) 07:23 - Taylor talks about when he used to fish the Beaverkill 08:30 - Taylor worked for Francis Betters on the Au Sable in Wilmington Plaza, New York 11:30 - Taylor started Taos Fly Shop in 1980 13:15 - He tells us about his Woodstock experience seeing Creedance Clearwater Revival play live 16:45 - We talk about his new book, Fly Fish Taos Santa Fe, New Mexico and his 2004 book Fly Fishing New Mexico 18:00 - Taylor talks about fishing the Rio Grande River 22:20 - Larry Dahlberg was on the podcast at WFS 241 22:30 - Rio Grande has 45-inch pikes - somebody dumped pike on the Eagle Nest Lake about 15 years ago, so pikes in this area have reached their maximum length and size 31:37 - September and October are the best times to fish the Rio Grande. In Southern Rocky, it's late spring (June to mid July) 35:37 - Taylor closed the Taos Fly Shop in 1987, then his son Nick reopened the shop in 2000 37:45 - Taylor started working in the Bahamas in the 1990s, then later on started bringing people to Argentina - he took Justin Spence there - Justin was on the podcast at WFS 057 41:45 - Nick Streit has a YouTube video fishing the Rio Grande - scroll down to see that vid 42:36 - Brian Koz was on the podcast at WFS 311 and he shared the story of how he was once homeless and turned his life around by pursuing fly fishing 43:40 - Taylor wrote 5 books and he's writing a new one - he tells us about this new book he's working on, thinking of naming it "Which Way is Upstream?" 46:00 - Emily Roley, one of Taylor's guides, has a YouTube video fishing in New Mexico - scroll down to see that video 47:30 - We talk about the Taos Fly Shop Guide School 2022 50:45 - The Pound Meister is Taylor's original pattern 51:38 - Taylor talks about the world's biggest trout restoration project 58:50 - Taylor's go-to flies are the Royal Stimulator and his original fly called, the Shitfly 1:00:00 - Taylor tells a story about Lefty Kreh 1:01:50 - Royal Stimulator is a great choice - it refloats itself 1:06:25 - We talk about fishing Eddies 1:13:45 - Taylor is also into big game hunting 1:15:55 - Sly & The Family Stone used to play in Woodstock - listen to one of their songs below 1:21:08 - Nick Streit was on the Destination Angler Podcast - click here to listen to that episode
Taylor Streit shared the story of how he started the fly fishing business in the 80s. We talked about fly fishing in New Mexico and the Rio Grande River. We dug into his books, how they came to be, and the new book he's working on. We found out Taylor's go-to flies and some tips about fishing the Eddies. We also talked about his son, Nick Streit, doing some great things for Taos Fly Shop. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/313 | |||
| 14 Mar 2023 | WFS 422 - Top Umpqua Flies with Brent Bauer - New Products, Patterns, Hippie Stomper | 01:13:36 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/422 Presented By: Stonefly Nets, Mavrk Fly Fishing, Trxstle Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Brent Bauer is here to take us back to Umpqua Flies and some of the top-selling flies and products they have in their line. We hear about how a fly makes it through the Umpqua cut list, the process, some funny stories, and some of their most popular flies. A man who has been at Umpqua since back in the day, here we go with Brent Bauer.
3:07 - I mention episode 303 with Russ Miller about how Umpqua Feather Merchants came to be. 3:37 - Brent talks about how he got into fly fishing. He grew up in Oregon on the Coast Fork Willamette River. 5:23 - Their family moved to Southern California when he was in high school. 8:04 - He shared how he got connected with Umpqua. His first professional gig in fly fishing was in Westbank Anglers in Houston, Texas in '97, then he got into Umpqua in the early 2000s as a dealer support manager. 12:29 - He takes us back to the downturn back then at the company. 16:25 - He shares his second favorite job at Umpqua and the challenges they deal with working in the company. 18:56 - They are the first company that introduced the taper leader. They are also the largest seller of fly fishing hooks in the US. 20:41 - He tells the categories of their products which are flies, hooks, leaders, tippet, streamside, fly tying, and bags. Currently, Brent is the Director of Product Management. He handles all new product designs and development in all categories. 25:05 - He walks us through the process of deciding on which fly designs go in their catalog. He and Jeff Fryhover, their President, have been members of their fly committee for over two decades now. 29:20 - He talks about their collaboration process with their fly tyers. 31:32 - We talk a bit about travel. He already has been to Alphonse in Seychelles. 33:00 - He shares their top-selling categories. One of the products he mentions is the hippie stomper. 34:52 - I ask him if they keep track of their top products every year. They do extremely well in dry flies in general. They're the hardest flies to tie. 35:34 - He mentions the stimulator by one of their signature tyers, Randall Kauffman. 36:16 - He mentions other trending categories at Umpqua. 38:03 - He shares how they name their flies. 38:55 - He gives us a rundown of their bestselling flies. Among them are the chubby chernobyl, elk caddies, and hippie stomper. 39:20 - We dig into the hippie stomper. He recommends a red size 14 hippie stomper. He says it's a deadly fly. 40:25 - I ask him to compare the hippie stomper with the missing link which he says is a fantastic fly. 41:28 - He talks about their collaboration with Andrew Grillos, the signature tyer of the hippie stomper and the mini hippie stomper which they launched a couple of years ago. We had Andrew in the podcast in episode 339. 45:04 - He gives us their top nymphs. One of them is the zebra midge tungsten which he says is a killer. 51:01 - He talks about what sets Umpqua apart from the other companies. He mentions their signature fly designer program and the late Dave Whitlock who was their first signature fly designer. 52:38 - He also says that the other aspect of their success is the relationships created in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India by the late Dennis Black, Umpqua founder. 55:45 - I ask him why they placed their production in Sri Lanka. They have hundreds of tyers in each of their factories in the abovementioned countries. 57:44 - He shares the challenges they encountered having their production process in those countries. 59:10 - We dig into the categories they look at to consider certain flies in their top list. 1:03:22 - We do the two-minute drill. 1:04:31 - He gives advice to those who are new to getting into the game. 1:06:40 - He shares what's next for them in product development. He also mentions some products that they just launched.
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| 22 Jan 2019 | WFS 059 - Tying and Fishing Small Flies with Ed Engle - Midges, BWO's, John Gierach, Frying Pan River | 01:16:06 | |
Grab all of the Show Notes Links: http://wetflyswing.com/59 I sat down with Ed Engle to chat about fishing small flies on tailwaters throughout the year. We talk about euro nymphing, weighted flies, fishing in Colorado and his experience going to Woodstock. Ed shares his tips on presenting the fly, the casts you need to know for dry flies, how to avoid spooking fish and why blue is a great color for winter fishing. Ed Engle brings 20 years guiding, a perspective on Woodstock and how a 1 weight rod actually has a use for small flies and large trout.
The Portland Fly Shop: https://theportlandflyshop.com/
(Get the links with updated time here: http://wetflyswing.com/59) John Gierach was on the podcast in episode 47 and is one of Ed's close friends and fly fishing buddies. Andy Baird is an expert on tying tiny flies, those 26 and smaller. Here is a link to an article he wrote online. The Pheasant tail is the best fly to imitate the swimming blue wing olive nymph. The Suskwa Poacher fly pattern I noted that has some kingfisher blue in it. Hank Patterson was on the show in episode 58 where he talked about nymph fishing. He is the self proclaimed greatest fly fishing guide in the world. The Book Seasonal covered Ed's life working for the Forest Service and has a cult following now as it's out of print. Rick Takahashi wrote Modern Midges: Tying and Fishing the World's most effective patterns.
Darryl Martin wrote the book Micro Patterns. Fly Fishing the Tailwaters is the first book that talked exclusively about fishing tailwaters. Ak Best had a big influence on Ed's fly fishing life. Here's AK tying one of his patterns. Steve Duda was on to talk about the Fly Fish Journal in episode 38. The Lara Bar is Ed's goto snack while on the river. Ed made it to Woodstock and watched Jimi Hendrix and the other amazing artists. He noted that it was the end of an era and the beginning of something new. Here's a link to Jimi playing the Star Spangled banner on the guitar. Crosby Stills, Nash and Young and the Grateful Dead were two of Ed's other favorites at the show.
Seasonal by Ed Engle Modern Midges by Rick Takahashi Micro Patterns by Darrel Martin
(Click here to view the full Resources page for the Podcast): https://wetflyswing.com/resources/
We touched on Woodstock, blue colored flies, his Forest Service background and a bunch of tips on fishing and tying small flies. Ed has been a mentor to many in fly fishing especially in the Colorado area and around topics on tailwaters. Thanks again Ed! Grab all of the Show Notes Links: http://wetflyswing.com/59 | |||
| 22 Jul 2021 | WFS 232 - Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass with David Perry - Southeastern Fly Podcast | 01:11:28 | |
https://wetflyswing.com/232 We Dig into fly fishing for smallmouth bass with David Perry from the Southeastern fly fishing podcast. David shares a couple of secret patterns, where to get the special materials for them and how you can find more fish today. David describes how he fishes a zoo cougar for sallies and how you want to throw it like a softball so it spats on the water for the reaction strike.
- David runs a High side Hyde Drift Boat - The drift boat series in our series - High Country Boats near David’s place builds a super clean boat. - The Itinerant angler podcast with Zach is one of the longest running podcasts online. - Podcast by SE Fly is David's facebook group. - The Kelly was on the podcast in episode #52 and talked about the Zoo Cougar. - Arrick's Fly Shop in west Yellowstone had the right chenille and materials for David's goto smallmouth bass flies. - We talk about the zoo cougar and fishing this floating fly on a sinking fly. - Charles Jardine was on the podcast in episode 221 and covered nymph fishing in the UK and in the western US. - The Troutbitten episode with Domenick Swentosky. - The Great Smokey Mountain episode - The Music City Fly Girls
David from the SE Fly Podcast breaks down how he catches smallmouth bass on streamers. We talk about the zoo cougar and other patterns that allow David to walk the dog with short wrist strips. https://wetflyswing.com/232 | |||
| 09 Apr 2025 | 742 | Saving the Big Hole River with Brian Wheeler: Trout Declines, Water Quality & Conservation Efforts | 00:59:30 | |
#742 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/742 Presented by: On DeMark Lodge Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In this episode, we’re headed to one of Montana’s most iconic rivers — the Big Hole River. Known as one of the last strongholds for Arctic grayling and a key tributary of the Missouri River, the Big Hole is facing some serious challenges. Brian Wheeler, Executive Director of the Big Hole River Foundation, joins us to talk about declining trout populations, water quality concerns, and what’s being done to turn things around. Brian breaks down the science behind their five-year water quality monitoring project, explains how nutrient pollution and dissolved oxygen levels are impacting the river, and shares why honest, transparent data is key to protecting this watershed for future generations. We also get a peek into Brian’s adventures guiding on the Big Hole and running rivers like the Grand Canyon and the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/742 | |||
| 18 Jan 2023 | WFS 401 - Our Alaska Fly Fishing Guide with Will Donnelly - FishHound Expeditions, Willie Nelson | 01:23:12 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/401 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Will Donnelly, head guide at FishHound Expeditions, takes us into Alaska with a focus on road-tripping. We break down Alaska by car - where you should be heading, species you can chase, and some tips on flies technique. We also talk about that trip we had last year and what you can expect when you fly out to Alaska with the FishHound crew. Show Notes with Will Donnelly 04:45 - Will moved to Anchorage Alaska with his parent when he was 10 years old 10:45 - Eligible Alaskans get Permanent Fund Dividend. 13:30 - Will talks about fishing in Honduras. 17:30 - Adam Cuthriell was on the podcast 3 times in episodes 324, 346, and 377. 22:30 - The fish in Alaska are meat eaters. Mousing is the best way to catch them. 35:00 - Will talks about how they painted a steelhead on their Astro van. 39:30 - Will tells the story of when he caught his first steelhead on the Kenai River with the help of an otter. 48:00 - His favorite mouse pattern is the Rio Pip Squeak. Shares a tip that almost always guarantees a hook-up. Photo by CaddisFlyShop.com 1:00:30 - The Kenai and Susitna Rivers both flow into the Cook Inlet. 1:03:20 - Will recommends his favorite fly shop in Anchorage, Mossy's Fly Shop 1:13:20 - Will talks about fishing one of the Kodiak rivers in July. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/401 | |||
| 01 Jan 2025 | Top Fly Fishing Mistakes to Avoid and Most Listened to Podcasts of 2024 | 00:14:36 | |
Watch the full video here: wetflyswing.com/mistakes We highlight the top 10 fly fishing mistakes to avoid from the top podcast episodes from 2024. We have some of the best fly anglers in the country providing a few of the biggest mistakes to avoid in 2025 and beyond.
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| 10 Jun 2024 | 617 | Quebec's Premier Fly Fishing Destinations with Fred Campbell of Hooké – Atlantic Salmon, Conservation | 01:29:48 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/617 Presented By: Waters West, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Smitty's Fly Box, Guide Book
What happens when life throws you a curveball? Our guest today was a pro skateboarder living the dream. Then, BAM! A car accident forces him to ditch the board. Fred Campbell is here to tell us how this plot twist turned Fred into an outdoor guru and the mastermind behind Hooké, one of Canada's hottest outdoor brands. Fred will give us a tour of Quebec's premier fly fishing destinations! This massive province in Eastern Canada offers incredible opportunities to catch Atlantic salmon, brook trout, arctic char, and many other species. Show Notes with Fred Campbell on Quebec's Premier Fly Fishing Destinations. 07:32 - Fred's first fly fishing experiences were with his grandfather, who took him canoeing and fishing for trout in Quebec. He later got into Atlantic salmon and wanted to make it more accessible. 10:51 - Fred also shares the story behind Hooké. The idea started as a fun name for his skateboarding and snowboarding crew and evolved into a brand. The name's unique accent makes it stand out and reflects his roots.
14:02 - Fred started in film production after a car accident ended his skateboarding career. He created Fokus Productions and eventually worked on big names like Red Bull. After 12 years, he got tired of the hectic lifestyle and found his passion in fly fishing. He started filming his fishing trips, shared them online, and then built a clothing line around his brand. The Hooké grew rapidly and eventually had its own TV show. 21:35 - Fred talked about meeting Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia. We had Yvon on the podcast in Episode 536. 28:44—We chat about Fred's approach to hunting and filmmaking. He doesn't show animals suffering or dying because he believes it doesn't add value. Instead, he focuses on the whole hunting experience.
25:19 - Fred talked about his clothing line and how he spends 100 days a year outdoors testing the gear. He loves seeing people wear his brand, especially in his home province of Quebec. Fishing in Quebec 41:06 - Fred shares about the amazing fishing opportunities in Quebec. Here are the different species you can catch there: Walleye and Lake Trout 50:02 - Quebec has many managed fishing areas where you need permits, especially for Atlantic salmon. DIY fishing is possible but requires preparation and understanding of local regulations. Here are some websites you can visit for more information: Saumon Québec Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/617
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| 29 Oct 2019 | WFS 105 - Sweetwater Travel with Steve Wilson - Taimen, Mongolia, Fly Fishing Guide School, Montana | 01:07:09 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/105 Hosted Trips: https://wetflyswing.com/destination Steve Wilson from Sweetwater Travel breaks down the fly fishing guide school he runs and sheds some light on fishing Mongolia for Taimen. We hear about the school in Montana and a day in the life of a new student at the guide school. Find out why Taimen numbers are going down and how fisherman have had an impact on this fishery. We hear about the best drift boats Steve uses and what you can do to connect with Steve and the gang.
https://wetflyswing.com/destination
Show Notes with Steve Wilson The Eg River is the river they fish for Mongolia fishing. A quick breakdown on Taimen here. You can book your Taimen trip through Sweetwater here. Dan Vermillion is one of the owners and the guy who took President Obama fishing. Ron Meek is taking a break from the guide school and has guided the world. The April Vokey podcast covered a 3 part guide process similar to what Sweetwater covers. So you Want to be a Fishing Guide here. The Cyclopse is the best streamer for Taimen and Pat Cohen's buck tail streamer. The Man Bear Pig Fly is a classic Cohen pattern. We talk about Jako Lucas who I had on the podcast in episode 68 here. Jako and his Redfishing pics. You can find him on instagram and is one of the hardest working people in show business, I mean fly fishing. The Clackamax is the drift boats they use on the river. This is the 18 foot Clackacraft boat. Ro Drift Boats are out of Montana. Steve followed Dave Mathews around the country. Oliver White and Jako Lucas have started a guide school as well.
You can find Steve at Sweet Water Travel.
Resources Noted in the Show The Big Eat - Jako Lucas and Taimen
Videos Noted in the Show How Pat Cohen ties the Man Bear Pig Pattern
Conclusion with Steve Wilson Steve Wilson shares the story of Sweetwater Travel and tells you how to take your first step to becoming a fly fishing guide. We get into a little on Taimen, flies to use and what it takes to put this Mongolia trip together.
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| 30 Jan 2020 | The Ultimate Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Gear List - Rods, Reels, Fly Lines, Waterproof Bags, Resources | 00:24:30 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/wintergear I've been getting some questions about the need for a winter steelhead fly fishing gear list for the upcoming Olympic Peninsula Steelhead Trip. I'll breakdown the basics today so we can assure you have the major items given rain, cold, sun, sleet, hail or any and all of the above. Because it is February in the Pacific Northwest, we prepare for any condition.
https://wetflyswing.com/giveaway
I. Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Gear List Click Here for Links and Videos: Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/wintergear
(please note that if you are going on the Olympic Peninsula trip, waders and boots are the two fishing gear items that are not provided for this year)
Click Here for Links and Videos: Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/wintergear Wool Socks
Click Here for Links and Videos: Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/wintergear Snacks
WFS 002 - Jack Mitchell (Our Guide on the OP this year)
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/wintergear | |||
| 15 Sep 2022 | WFS 365 - Skagit River Fly Fishing with Scott Willison - Bull Trout, Cutthroat, Coho and Steelhead | 01:21:39 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/365 Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company, Zoe Angling Group, FishHound Expeditions, Togens Fly Shop Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Scott Willison, owner and founder of the Confluence Fly Shop, takes us into the Skagit River to target bull trout, cutthroat, and coho. We find out how Scott started the fly shop and how fishing on the Skagit River has evolved over the years. Scott shares his rod, line, and reel setup, his go-to flies, and the best times in a year to target each species in the Skagit. We also dig into some resources to learn more about fishing steelhead, bull trout, cutthroat, and salmon.
05:45 - Scott lives about 30 mins away from the Skagit River 09:00 - Scott and his partner opened the Confluence Fly Shop in 2013 then bought his partner out after a year. 11:00 - Scott used to watch the TV show, Cheers. We had Henry Winkler on the podcast in episode 334 who played Fonzie in that show. 15:00 - Scott started fishing the Skagit River in the early 90s 19:10 - I noted episode 17 with Scott Baker McGarva where we also talked about the Skagit 20:45 - There are a number of Washington-based groups that protect and restore local fisheries and native watersheds like Wild Steelhead Coalition, Wild Fish Conservancy, and North Sound Trout Unlimited. Scott is a board member of the North Sound TU chapter. 24:50 - The Skagit hosts all 5 species of Pacific salmon. The pink salmon in the Skagit can be nothing short of Alaska quality. Coho fishery is pretty outstanding as well - October and November are Scott's favorite months to fish for Coho. 32:00 - Skagit used to be a huge chum salmon fishery but now you almost can't find chums in there 32:55 - The ever-present species that seems to thrive in the Skagit and Sock is the bull trout. Skagit is one of the only places in the world that has anadromous bull trout. 34:15 - Skagit typically opens at the beginning of June and will remain open through the 31st of January 40:50 - Scott uses an 11 and 1/2 foot 4 wt Sage 1 rod with a 240-grain Scientific Angler Skagit Lite 42:25 - One of the species worth noting in the Skagit is the sea-run cutthroat, also known as coastal cutthroat 48:30 - Scott tells us his go-to flies 53:44 - We talk about the difference between hooking on a coho, bull trout, and cutthroat 1:02:00 - Kamchatka is on Scott's bucket list trip. Also Seychelles. Scott enjoyed our episode with Jako Lucas (episode 281) and Keith Rose-Innes (episode 335) 1:03:00 - Scott is going back to Cayo Frances Farm and Fly in Belize. He went there before on a DIY trip. 1:06:00 - You can harvest bull trout in Skagit River that are over 20 inches 1:07:00 - The Confluence website is a great resource if you want to learn more about bull trout, coho, cutthroat, and a lot of other species in Skagit. Scott does some pretty extensive newsletter and blog posts writing there. 1:09:00 - For resources, Scott recommends the book, Fly Fishing for Pacific Salmon and Fly Fishing Coastal Cutthroat Trout 1:09:40 - Tommy Lynch was on the podcast in episode 347. Scott noted our episode with Kelly Galloup too which was one of the best we had. 1:11:45 - Scott's top 3 podcasts are: The Smartless Podcast, Outdoor Misadventures, and Fly Fish Food Shop Talk Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/365 | |||
| 30 Oct 2018 | WFS 046 - Frank Moore Interview | Legendary North Umpqua Fly Fisherman, Steelhead, WWII Veteran, Conservation | 01:30:08 | |
Take the survey: https://wetflyswing.com/survey Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/46 I am pleased to share my podcast interview with Frank Moore, one of the best episodes of the podcast year. Frank shares his amazing 95 years as a fly fisherman, WWII veteran, and conservationist. Frank takes us back to some amazing old stories of some of the famous people he has fished with over the years. He also shares some truly timeless steelhead tips. In fact, one of them already helped me land a steelhead!
Show Notes with Frank Moore 14:25 - Frank talks about his experience storming the beaches during D- Day in World War II. 20:00 - Curly Reynolds was a mentor for Frank early on in his life and the person who showed him the river. Although Curly always insisted that he fishes through first. 21:00 - Clarence Gordon is another friend and famous person on the North Umpqua. 29:00 - Romer Grey was a very good steelhead fisherman and the son of Zane Grey. 30:00 - Jack Hemmingway was the first person to bring the spey rod to the Umpqua. 41:00 - Jack Decius was a chemist, good friend and steelhead addict. 43:00 - Colonel Hayden 49:00 - The movie Mending the Line is about Frank's life and his journey back to Germany and the rivers he saw while in the war. 52:00 - The movie Pass Creek was created because of the conservation work that Frank spear headed back in the early 1960's. 55:50 - The Frank Moore Wild Steelhead Sanctuary Act 59:40 - Dan Calahan was the person who invented the Green Butt Skunk. 1:09:00 - The hyperbolic chamber has been noted as helping people with MS. 1:12:00 - Interview with Doug Stewart in this episode. 1:18:00 - There are a few really cool campgrounds on the North Umpqua. 1:20:00 - Project Healing Waters is the amazing national orginization that is helping veterans by getting them into fly fishing. 1:24:00 - Joel runs the Royal Treatment Fly Shop. 1:24:00 - Here is the Dean Finnerty episode that I did with him.
You can get information for the documentary Mending the Line which is based on Frank Moore.
Conclusion with Frank MooreThat was such a great experience for me and I hope you also appreciate that interview and the life Frank Moore has lived. At 95, he's still sharp and a pleasure to spend a few hours with Frank and Jeanne.
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| 12 Aug 2021 | WFS 238 - Truck Camping Gear with Brent Baker from Oregon AT | 01:07:41 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/238 Sponsor: Koffler Boats: https://wetflyswing.com/koffler Brent Baker from Oregon AT is here to share some truck camping tips and gear you need to stay safe out there. We talk about overlanding and the why the rooftop tents have been gaining popularity in recent years. We cover the top items he always has in his truck when he's going off on a new journey. We also dig into a little on the new electric trucks coming on the market like the Rivian and the Ford F150 lightning electric. Enter the Giveaway to Win the Tire Air down tool
- The Garmin in reach mini allows for two way text messaging - SunFlare cigs solar panel are great for the top of the camper. - The new Ford F150 Lightning electric truck - Rivian electric truck - AT Overland is the company that makes Brent's Oregon AT camper tops. - The Summit and the Atlas are two of Oregon AT's big camper tops. - Here's the AT summit topper - Iron Man 4x4 wing drawers along with the decked system - The Skottle is a cast iron single burner cooking dish. - Tread lightly is a non profit in the US. - The Expedition portal has a great forum and overland journal are great resources
Truck Camping Conclusion with Brent Baker Brent Baker is here to share his must have truck camping gear items that he does not leave home without. We dig into some killer camping items you'll love like a new all in one cooking tool and a lot more. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/238 | |||
| 07 Mar 2024 | Littoral Zone #10 with Phil Rowley - Shoreline Strategies and Tactics with Landon Mayer | 01:12:32 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/576B Presented By: Togiak River Lodge, TroutRoutes Today on the Littoral Zone, Phil Rowley sits down with Colorado-based fly fisher guide and author, Landon Mayer, to uncover his shoreline strategies and tactics for fly fishing lakes. Phil and Landon dive into the challenges of accessing lakes and the rewards that come with mastering shore fishing techniques. Tune in to discover the art of fly selection, understanding wind and weather patterns, and why sometimes, the biggest rewards lie just at the water's edge. Show Notes with Landon Mayer on Shoreline Strategies and Tactics. Fly Fishing Question of the Day: How Do North Winds Affect Trout Fishing? Phil Rowley explains that while southwest winds typically indicate stable weather and good fishing conditions, north or east winds often signal a change in weather and temperature, leading to tough fishing. Phil advises anglers to adapt their tactics by fishing deeper waters with slow-moving flies when facing challenging conditions caused by north winds. "Fishing is often tough in these conditions, so don't expect miraculous results. But if you're persistent and recognize the circumstances and adapt, you should be able to land a fish or two." Episode Chapters with Landon Mayer on Shoreline Strategies and Tactics 06:00 - Landon Mayer is a renowned fly fisher, guide, and author. He fell in love with fly fishing at a young age and started guiding right out of high school, eventually making it his career. He contributes regularly to magazines such as High Country Angler and Fly Fisherman Magazine. Landon is also an accomplished author, having published six books on topics ranging from trophy trout fishing to fly tying. His first book, published at age 25, focused on trophy trout fishing. Other titles include "Sight Fishing for Trout," "Colorado's Best Fly Fishing," and "101 Trout Tips." One of his recent favorites is "Guide Flies," which explores the art of fly design and sharing knowledge through fly patterns. Stillwater Fishing from Shore 9:00- Many fly anglers face the challenge of accessing still waters without a watercraft. Landon emphasizes two approaches to stillwater fishing: Starting from the bank, which is common for new anglers without access to a vessel. 11:18 - Phil and Landon discuss the gear needed for shore fishing stillwaters. Landon recommends using 10 to 11-foot rods for better control over the fish, especially when dealing with larger catches. Choosing the Right Fly Lines for Shore Fishing 13:00 - Landon explains that mid or merger tips can be useful for achieving depth and control during retrieves. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the fishing zone, usually one to four feet deep, and recommends lines that sink at one to three inches per second. 15:27 - Landon typically uses fluorocarbon leaders ranging from three to five feet in length, tied directly to a micro swivel for freedom of motion and rotation. He also shares his preferred setups for fishing with indicators, including both traditional indicator setups and dry dropper rigs. Key Tactics for Shoreline Fishing 30:00 - Landon recommends focusing on three main elements when selecting fishing spots:
By considering these factors, anglers can effectively locate fish-rich areas from shore. How Does Wind Affect Stillwater Fishing? Landon looks for access points where the wind is blowing into or away from the bay, as this can trigger fish movement and increase water temperature. Despite the challenges, Phil and Landon highlight the benefits of wind, including creating choppy water that attracts fish and providing opportunities for successful presentations. How Does Timing Affect Fishing Success? For hatches-driven fisheries, such as those focusing on mayflies and damselflies, mornings to early afternoons are prime times. On the other hand, for fisheries where fish feed on baitfish or crayfish, the first and last hours of the day are key, as these periods coincide with heightened feeding activity. What are the Top Flies for Shoreline Fishing? 50:35 - Landon provides a list of his top favorite flies:
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/576B
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| 30 Sep 2024 | 664 | Fly Fishing Veterans with Doug Myers - Fly Tying and Fishing Expo, 30-inch Trout, Oregon Fishing | 00:38:35 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/664 Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company, Angler's Coffee, TroutRoutes, Yellowstone Teton Territory Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Doug Myers, head man at Fly Fishing Veterans, is going to share his story of serving in the Air Force today before fighting fires for over 30 years. We’re going to hear about some of his home waters in Oregon, Montana and Idaho, and we’re going to hear which place he’d choose to settle down in forever if he had to pick just one. Plus, you’re going to hear about Diamond Lake and where you can find 30-inch trout, including those illustrious tiger trout. In today’s episode, you are going to get an inside view into a relatively new veterans group and the fly tying and fly fishing expo that you’re going to want to attend this year. We’re going to find out what it takes to build a program to help veterans and how you can get involved to help some folks in your region or your part of the world. And we are going to talk fishing today, a little tiger trout and a little brown trout is going to round out today’s episode. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/664 | |||
| 28 Jul 2020 | WFS 148 - Steelhead Fishing in Oregon with Brian Silvey | 01:09:09 | |
Show Notes: http://wetflyswing.com/148 Brian Silvey talks about his life as a fly fishing guide with a focus on Steelhead Fishing in Oregon. Find out what colors are best during the early and late season and how to get your fly down during the day. We dig back into some of the history of spey and how Brian transitioned into it.
- Brian works with Marty and Mia Sheppard who were on the podcast in episode 76 here. - The dragon popper is one of Brian's killer poppers. - The Cottonwood Canyon State Park is a great way to access the river if you don’t have a boat. - We talk about Mark Bachman and the podcast he was on in episode 86 here. - Brian tells a story about tying the Brooks Stone and the big blunder and working for Mark early on. Here's an old school video of the Brooks Stone. - Steve Gobin was one of Brian’s mentors and was highlighted in Trey Combs book. The Silvenator was noted by a number of listeners of the podcast and is still one of Brian's goto flies for steelhead. The green butt skunk, golden demon, muddlers and the max canyon are all goto flies for steelhead. John Shewey noted bird hunting and was on the podcast in episode 16 here. The Scientific Angler Scandi Spey Line is was recommended in this podcast. The Sofa Pillow was a good old fly that could be used for skating for steelhead. Davy Wotton was on the podcast here and still guides a bunch of days per year. Sweetwater Guide School is a great resource. Steve Wilson was on the podcast here and described the school.
The Scientific Angler Scandi Spey Line
Brian Silvey is on to share some tips on steelhead fishing and spey casting and takes up back to his first job. Find out about Poly leaders vs mono leaders and some of the lines Brian is working on now with Scientific Anglers. Show Notes: http://wetflyswing.com/148 | |||
| 04 Jun 2019 | WFS 080 - Riverhorse Nakadate - Largemouth Bass , Southern Texas Fly Fishing, Redfish, Patagonia, Love | 01:10:25 | |
Show Sponsor: https://www.delifreshdesign.com/ Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/80 I had the pleasure of sitting down with Riverhorse Nakadate to talk about largemouth bass, redfish and southern Texas Fly Fishing. Riverhorse goes deep to share his story and how he's made a life as a writer, surfer, musician and fly fisherman. Get ready for a little bass yoga, comedy and stories about Willie, Stevie Ray and Love.
Wet Fly Swing Members Society: https://membership.wetflyswing.com/
Oliver White was on the podcast in episode 69 where we covered bonefish, the bahamas and how he went all in after the hedge fund position. Here is the link to the movie - Love & Water as supported by the Flyfish Journal and Patagonia. You can see the area that Riverhorse call home in southern Texas. A Southern Wish is one piece about his mother passing away and really resonated with a lot of people in the community. 23andme.com is a good site that will show you your genetics. Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaugn The dixie wiggler fly is a good one. We Write to know that we're not alone. Shiner beer is the goto beverage after fishing. The John Gierach episode was a milestone event for me. the favorite books and resources from Riverhorse. All noted here. Here is the Brian O'keefe podcast episode who Riverhorse noted as one of his favorite people.You can reach Riverhorse here. Videos Noted in the Show Love & Water: Riding Shotgun with Riverhorse from Funny Feelings on Vimeo.the Almond Brothers and Twisted Sister - We're not going to take it. Conclusion with Riverhorse We covered Willie Nelson to Stevie Ray Vauhn, over to Texas and Patagonia then back again. Riverhorse is all about love and laughter. I will listen to this one again and again because of the passion. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/80
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| 24 Jan 2025 | 710 | High-performance Heated Apparel with Amber Liljestrand - Heated Core, Carbon Fiber, Bow Hunting | 01:02:13 | |
#710 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/710 Presented by: Heated Core Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/heatedcore In this episode, we delve into innovative solutions for extreme cold weather with Amber Liljestrand from Heated Core. Join us as we explore how Heated Core's cutting-edge carbon fiber technology is transforming heated apparel, making it more efficient and user-friendly than ever before. Amber shares her journey into the world of outdoor gear, discussing how her passion for bow hunting and fishing led her to the brand. Discover how these revolutionary base layers allow you to control your comfort at the touch of a button, turning on the heat just when you need it most. Additionally, Amber provides valuable tips on staying warm during cold weather adventures, even beyond the use of heated gear. Tune in to learn more about Heated Core’s journey and find inspiration for your next winter adventure.
2:28 - Amber shares how her passion for outdoor activities started. It began with fishing with her grandparents and expanded to kayaking and paddle boarding. Despite her love for summer, she ventured into deer hunting, a cold-weather activity, which introduced her to the challenge of staying warm while being stationary outdoors. 5:29 - She talks about how she discovered Heated Core. Their products, which provide direct warmth through battery-operated heating, transformed her outdoor experiences. 9:33 - Amber describes some of their heated clothing pieces that include a long sleeve top, a vest, and full pants, resembling thermal or base layers. These garments incorporate undetectable carbon fiber heating elements woven into the fabric, providing even heat distribution without hot spots. 15:14 - We explore the features and future possibilities of the brand. Amber mentions potential development of full footed leggings with heating elements for toes as a future option. She also notes that the heating system is designed for flexibility, allowing users to turn it on when they begin to feel cold and off as they warm up through activity. The heating elements can last up to six hours on low settings. 19:19 - Amber shares her strategy of only activating the heated layer when she starts feeling cold, using it as a backup to extend her time outdoors comfortably. This approach helps prevent common issues hunters face, such as cutting hunts short due to cold or missing shots because of tense, shaking muscles. She also emphasizes the versatility of their products, noting its usefulness not only in hunting but also in various activities like skiing, attending sporting events, or even simple tasks like shoveling snow. 23:16 - Amber shares tips on staying warm in cold weather, emphasizing the importance of layering. She explains that layers of air trapped between clothing help retain warmth, and it's crucial to choose layers with thermal regulating properties to prevent restriction. Amber suggests adding insulative layers like puffy jackets or fleece to trap additional warmth. For outer protection, Amber advises using durable shells that are either waterproof or windproof, depending on the weather conditions. These outer layers, often made with advanced materials, allow moisture to escape while protecting against external elements. 27:25 - Amber discusses the gear from Pnuma Outdoors, highlighting its affordability and technical features. She emphasizes the versatility and fit of Pnuma's clothing, particularly noting how well they fit women despite not being specifically designed for them. She praises the cohesive layering system that caters to different hunting environments and activities. 31:54 - We get into Amber's journey into outdoor activities and hunting. Amber shares that she initially engaged in summer outdoor activities and only began hunting four years ago after moving to the Midwest. 35:39 - Amber shares an experience about taking her son hunting, where they encountered a bobcat that approached their blind so closely it brushed against it. 37:50 - She talks about the differences between bow hunting and rifle hunting, highlighting the advantages of the former. Amber explains that bow hunting in the Midwest offers a longer season, from mid-September to mid-January, compared to the 10-day rifle season. She also shares her personal experiences with bow hunting, noting the flexibility and creativity it allows for practice. 50:07 - Amber highlights the product's benefits for construction workers, police officers, and mail carriers who endure cold conditions as part of their jobs. At a recent trade show, there was notable interest from cyclists and motorcycle riders, who appreciate the product's ability to provide warmth without compromising mobility or protective gear. 54:06 - We ask about her hunting activities in January. Amber explains that while the hunting season ends on January 15th, shed hunting begins immediately after. Shed hunting involves searching for antlers like an Easter egg hunt, while also serving as post-season scouting. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/710 | |||
| 20 Apr 2021 | WFS 206 - Gink and Gasoline with Louis Cahill | 01:22:57 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/206 Sponsor: Anglers Coffee: https://wetflyswing.com/anglers Sponsor: Stonefly Nets: https://wetflyswing.com/stonefly I sat down with Louis Cahill from Gink and Gasoline who has been leading the way in the online fly fishing space for a long time now. Louis shares the story of how they decided to start blogging every day and have not stopped since 2011. We hear about some of the blogs that were popular in 2011 and helped pave the way for G and G and why Louis is still going after all of these years. We also find out how Louis almost gave up Gink and Gasoline after he got trolled around political topics.
- Gary Lacey and the bamboo rod class was the place that Louis - Kent Klewein was the original co-founder of Gink and Gasoline - Moldy Chum was the original site that launched Louis' website. Brian from Moldy Chum was on the podcast in episode 112 here. - Bruce Chard was the person who introduced Louis to the industry and was on the podcast in episode 124. - Simon Gawesworth was the first person to sign up for the G and G newsletter. Simon was on the podcast way back in episode 009. - Dan Frazier is going to be hosting the new G and G podcast with Louis. Justin Pickett will also be on the podcast as well as a host. Dan talks Carp on the Orvis podcast here. - Here's a link to the podcast Smartless with Justin Bateman which is one of my new favorite podcasts. - Peter from Cheeky noted the Smartless Podcast. Peter was on the podcast in episode 199. - BoJack horseman with Will Arnett is a hilarious show that Louis noted here. - Tyler Hackett from Wandering and Blue Lines created the logo for the Gink and Gasoline podcast. - In 2011 the big fly fishing blogs included Mid Current, Moldy Chum, Arron Block Mysteries Internal, Jason Tucker with Fontinalis Rising, Fish Beer with Matt Dunn was a site way out in left field. - I noted the new Clubhouse app where were we are doing live podcasting. You can find us at wetflyswing.com/clubhouse - I noted Roger at Ask about Fly Fishing and the Bucky Buchstabber hate mail that came up on his podcast. - I noted the Drake Forum and the craziness over there. - Bob Reece at Thin Air Angler was doing some fly tying videos - The go fund me site Andrew Grillos - Louis on the Fly Fishing Insider Podcast
Gink and Gasoline Conclusion with Louis Cahill Louis Cahill is here to share the story of how he created Gink and Gasoline, a daily fly fishing blog that has been posting content since 2011. We find out about the new G and G Podcast and where they are going next. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/206 | |||
| 22 Sep 2023 | WFS 505 - Stillwater Fishing Tips with Darren Huntsman - Stillwater School Giveaway, Henry's Lake, Sheridan Reservoir | 01:06:12 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/505 Presented by: Bearvault, Chota Outdoor Gear, Waters West Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Darren Huntsman, a seasoned angler and expert in Stillwater fishing, shares his valuable tips and expertise in fishing the Henry's Lake area. This episode is a must-listen for fishing enthusiasts of all levels as we get ready for our exciting event where we will give away a fantastic fly fishing trip and a collection of top-notch gear specifically designed for Stillwater fishing. Darren's insights will help you enhance your skills and achieve success on your next stillwater fishing adventure. So, grab your fishing gear, prepare to soak up some wisdom, and get excited about the incredible giveaway event that awaits.
3:42 - Darren gives us a quick intro about him and his love for Stillwater fishing. We had him in the podcast in Traveled #7 where we talked about the top lakes to fish in Idaho. For this episode, he'll be giving valuable tips on Stillwater fishing. Casting 5:50 - Learn how to cast. On still waters, not being able to cast a good distance is a severe handicap. You don't need to be grandmaster, but you need to throw farther than 30-40 feet. 8:23 - The most common problem people have with casting is timing. Wait a little bit longer for that line to load your rod on your backcast. 8:40 - Keep your rod tip high on your backcast. 10:10 - Keep that straight contact line from the minute you start your countdown to when you start with your retrieve. So have your watch with you. Gear 7:13 - Use a bit heavier rod like a 6 or 7-wt to be able to cast into the wind. 24:35 - If he can have one pattern to fish a stillwater with, it's a real sparsely tied black and blue leech that Phil calls a bruised leech. Leeches are one of the most abundant food sources for fish year-round. 39:25 - Bring rain gear. The worse the weather, the better the fishing. 42:52 - Tie your own bugs. If you're not losing flies and you're not hanging up on the bottom, you're not down where the fish are. 45:50 - When done properly, a throat pump will not harm a fish. You only pump its esophagus, not its stomach to see what it ate in the last hour. He describes further how he does this. Presentation 12:20 - Know the depth of the water so you can count your fly down and be consistent with your presentation to the fish. 19:27 - Watch your rod position. It's very important to have your rod tip down. 30:00 - The shallower or the clearer the water is, the longer his leaders are, anywhere from 11 to 15 feet for a single bug. If he's going to throw a dropper, he's going to lengthen that out to 15 or 18 feet because he wants his first fly to be about 9 feet from where his fly line and leader join. 57:25 - Vary your retrieve until you find the retrieve that the fish want. His basic standard retrieve is about an 8-inch strip. Retrieve 21:20 - Depth, Retrieve, and Pattern (DRP) --Phil Rowley discusses this in detail in our Littoral Zone #3 episode. 27:48 - Figure out when a fish subtly takes it and you don't feel it. Darren's favorite way of Stillwater fishing is to cast and retrieve. Finding the Fish 36:20 - Find the habitat or the weed beds. That's where the bugs live which are the food source of the fish. 52:20 - When you're out on a lake, use your senses. Take a pair of binoculars so you can watch what fellow anglers are doing and don't be shy to ask questions. 56:27 - Be patient. 56:28 - When you think you're deep enough, go a little bit deeper. 1:03:40 - We're giving away a Stillwater fly fishing trip plus a bunch of gear. Visit wetflyswing.com/giveaway to join. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/505 | |||
| 01 Nov 2023 | WFS 522 – AFFTA Confluence 2023 with Lucas Bissett – IFTD, Orvis-Endorsed Guide, Conservation | 00:57:49 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/522 Lucas Bissett joins us today to discuss the AFFTA Confluence 2023 event, providing an exciting insight into the changes it brings this year. Among the highlights is the introduction of real-time census data providing a more accurate snapshot of the industry’s growth. We also explore Lucas’s personal journey in fly fishing. Did we mention that he was an Orvis-Endorsed Guide in 2017? If you’re aspiring to be a fishing guide, get tips from the expert himself on what it takes to excel in the field. Episode Chapters with Lucas Bissett on AFFTA Confluence 2023
02:55 – Following a break during his college years, Lucas reignited his love for fishing at the age of 24 when he successfully landed his first redfish on a fly. He eventually pursued a career as a guide, spending 11 years guiding people red fishing from the back of a skiff. 04:30 – Lucas was an Orvis-endorsed guide for eight years and even got the title of Orvis-endorsed guide for 2017. 07:55 – We discuss the importance of positive reviews as a guide, and Lucas shares insights on navigating and addressing less favorable feedback. American Fly Fishing Trade Association 12:00 – AFFTA is the sole trade association in fly fishing. Their main goal is to try to help guide the sustainable growth of the fly fishing industry. 13:30 – They’ve done the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show in the past, but that has changed to Confluence this year. The Confluence is a very similar show, but they have made pretty dramatic changes, according to Lucas. 14:10 – Lucas shares that AFFTA has partnered with TrackFly, a data collection company, to obtain more precise and real-time census data. This system integrates with retailers’ Point of Sale (POS) systems and then gathers and compiles the information, which AFFTA will use to generate a biannual report. 31:40 – Lucas provides insights into his perspective on the current state of the fly fishing industry. 39:36 – Lucas shares information about the AFFTA Fisheries Fund. 45:34 – Lucas enjoys fishing and tries to do it whenever he can. His job at AFFTA lets him travel across the country, so he takes the opportunity to fish in different places. 47:00 – Lucas offers advice for those interested in becoming fishing guides and shares what it takes to pursue a career in guiding. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/522 | |||
| 07 Apr 2023 | Great Lakes Dude #1 with Jeff Liskay - Steelhead, Walleye, Lake Erie, Fly Fishing | 00:23:33 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/433 Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors/ Jeff Liskay is going to take us around the Great Lakes today. You'll get the history of all the lakes, where to fish, and a heads up on this new podcast all in 20 minutes' time for the Great Lakes. 01:10 - Jeff shares his personal journey into fishing, starting with a small bait and tackle shop in Lakewood, Ohio, called the Tackle Box. He stopped every day after school and eventually started working there, scooping out minnows for small bait buckets of the perch anglers heading to Lake Erie. 03:20 - Jeff met his first two mentors while working at the Tackle Box. He continued to add more mentors to his list over the years. 04:05 -Jeff started his guiding journey on Lake Erie before transitioning to fly fishing. His first fly fishing experience was on the Au Sable River in Michigan for trout, which left a lasting impression on him. 05:20 - If you'd like to share how you got the fishing bug, maybe from your grandfather, dad, mom, sibling friend, or even your mate, reach out to Dave at dave@wetflyswingpodcast.com or Jeff so we can share your story with others, especially if it's a way cool story. 05:28 - Jeff Liskay answers a common question he gets asked - why he chooses to live in Ohio. He explains that being part of the Great Lakes fishing community is exciting because he can fish for various freshwater species and never run out of challenges. 06:12 - Jeff describes the vastness of the Great Lakes region, which offers 11,000 miles of shoreline and 94,000 square surface miles of water for anglers to explore. 07:03 - The northern portion of the Great Lakes is remote and rugged, where Lake Superior starts and is known for the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1985. iI spawned the famous Gordon Lightfoot song, the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. 07:49 - The region also has many islands, some of which are home to a small caribou population. Isle Royale is a remote National Park Island surrounded by clear waters and other islands. It is an ideal destination for fishing and water activities and a dream come true for explorers. 09:56 - The St. Mary's River offers a unique fishery with migratory trout and a chance to catch Atlantic salmon. Another interesting spot is the Garden River, which has an annual run of trout and salmon and a crossbreed of chinook and pink salmon. 11:00 - The lower section of the St. Mary's River has warm water species like bass, walleye, musky, and pike. The Georgian Bay is one of Jeff's favorite fishing spots, with 3000 islands and home to a massive musky weighing 65 pounds with a 30.5-inch girth.
12:39 - Michigan is called the Mitten State because of its shape. Jeff has many fond memories of fishing on Lake Michigan and its tributaries, which offer great opportunities for fly fishing for species such as lake trout and carp. 15:30 - Lake St. Clair, sometimes referred to as the sixth Great Lake, is a productive warm water fishery in the Midwest, with gin-clear waters making it a great spot for sight fishing. It is home to every warm water species and has one of the largest populations of muskies, over 40 inches in the US. 19:08 - East of Lake Erie, the Niagara River offers a unique fishing experience with its powerful water and the world-famous falls as a backdrop. Lake Ontario offers trophy trout and salmon fishing in untouched areas where warm water species are rarely seen. The Salmon River, located on the far east end of Lake Ontario, is a shining star for fly fishing, with clear waters and a chance to catch Atlantic salmon in the summertime. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/433 | |||
| 03 May 2023 | WFS 444 - Selecting Hooks for Fly Tying with Steve Potter - Daiichi, Deer Hair, Cigar Fly | 01:01:01 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/444 Presented By: Waters West, Daiichi Steve Potter is here today to dig into deer hair poppers and walks us through the steps in choosing the right hook for the next fly you're about to tie. We find out the best resources for fly-tying materials including some tips on how to tie bass bugs. Steve tells us why he likes it better to live in Florida than in California and where his go-to fisheries are in that area. We also find out how his signature cigar and hummingbird fly came to be... do they really work on fish? Show Notes with Steve Potter 3:40 - Steve retired from the Navy in 1985. He served for 21 years. 10:30 - We had Pat Cohen on the podcast at WFS 107. 11:10 - Steve is a Daiichi fan. He uses the 2546 hooks. 12:30 - Daiichi's got a new specialty hook - 2477. Steve uses this a lot for his game-changer flies. 16:40 - Steve now uses a regal vise but before that, he used a Thompson vise for a long time. 19:55 - For wet flies, Steve uses a 1550 Daiichi Standard Wet Fly Hook. 22:40 - For Wooly Buggers, he recommends using a 2220 Daiichi 28:40 - Steve's go-to fly is a Clauser Minnow for saltwater fishing. He uses 2546 for this one too. 30:00 - We had Enrico Puglisi on the podcast in episode 210 where we talked about how he developed the EP fibers and brushes. 33:20 - Steve lives near a golf course where there are alligator gars, crappies, and black bass in the pond. 36:00 - Steve tells us why he prefers to live in Florida than in California. 38:30 - We noted the 2720 Stinger Hook. 44:50 - We noted Joe Jackson who we had on the podcast in episode 384. He also ties some hummingbirds and other cartoon-like flies. 46:14 - Steve tells the story of when he gave a Kingfisher fly to Jeff Currier which Jeff then gave to Bryan Gregson from Yellowdog Fly Fishing. Bryan caught a rainbow with it in Kamchatka. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/444 | |||
| 03 Nov 2022 | WFS 379 - StealthCraft Boats with Mike Batcke - Driftboats, PowerDrifters, Rafts | 01:19:52 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/379 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Togens Fly Shop, Reyr Gear, Range Meal Bars Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Mike Batcke, owner of StealthCraft Boats, shares his family story of running a boat company with a focus on drift boats, power boats, and rafts. We discover the advantages of a boat with a headlight and power anchor. Mike tells us how their technology and design evolved throughout the years to keep up with their customer's preferences and the different waters, becoming a top choice for anglers today. What separates StealthCraft Boats from its competitors? Listen to this episode to find out.
04:50 - Mike does some upland hunting. We just had Nick Larson from Upland Bird Hunting Podcast recently in episode 373. 06:25 - Their main hub is in Pere Marquette - kind of like West Yellowstone of the mid-West. Their North branch is the Baldwin Creek Lodge. 12:00 - All their rafts are built in the US, everything, even the materials. 14:20 - StealthCraft started in 1996 with Jim Johnson. 18:45 - We had Roger Fletcher on, who's also a great boat-maker, in episode 177. We talked about the history of drift boats. 20:00 - The haul is the entire bottom of the boat. The transom is the back. StealthCraft boats have one of the widest boats in the industry. 22:50 - According to statistics, the most sold drift boat around the country is the 14.6 Low Pro Hyde 23:30 - Stealthcraft builds 2 boats a day. They build mostly aluminum motor boats. They have 50 employees. 27:45 - Their Superfly Boat hasn't changed in 10 years in terms of design. 31:00 - SteathCarft put lights and power anchors on drift boats which some people hate but a lot of people love. 41:30 - River Masters designed the first skiffs 55:55 - The Hooligan is what they sell the most lately Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/379 | |||
| 16 Feb 2024 | WFS 568 - Catching Atlantic Salmon on a Dry Fly with Robert Chiasson - Margaree River, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton | 01:02:53 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/568 Presented by: Togiak River Lodge, Visit Helena, MT, Smitty's Fly Box Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Today, Robert Chiasson gives us his biggest tips and tactics on finding and catching Atlantic salmon on a dry fly. He also shares a story on what it felt like to land and see this 48-inch Atlantic salmon caught on the surface with a bomber. Robert is the best person you can find if you want to fish the Margaree River and the waters of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. You'll find out how to dead drift a fly, how to fish a seam, how to find those fish in that seam with a dry, why the reach cast is a great cast to know, and the best hook for Atlantic salmon.
Episode Chapters with Robert Chiasson on Atlantic Salmon 1:20 - Robert grew up learning to salmon fish on the Chéticamp River and eventually became a guide there. He has been guiding regularly since 1992. 2:33 - The Margaree has the largest run of Atlantic Salmon in Cape Breton. He says that it's a very friendly and relaxed river to fish in. He tells more about the Margaree for those who are planning a fly fishing trip there. 7:42 - They fish from June to the end of October. In the first couple of weeks of June, they mostly fish wet flies. By mid to late June, they're heavy into the dry fly season. About 80% of his fly choices throughout the summer are dry flies. 10:30 - In the summer, he suggests using a one-handed rod because dries are better presented with single-handed rods. He also likes switch rods. In the fall, he prefers the larger and longer spey rods. 16:10 - We dig deeper into his recommended setup for catching Atlantic salmon in his area. He also gives an important note on Atlantic salmon fishing. 19:28 - He says that when you get into the river, the first thing to look at is the configuration of the flow, so look for the fastest-moving water. And then on the edge of the fast-moving water is the seam. That's where you'll find fish. 21:30 - Robert doesn't cast his dry flies upstream a lot because he likes to lead with the fly. He tells more about his cast presentation for Atlantic salmon. 24:06 - He describes to us what a good day fishing in the Margaree River looks like. He says that one a day is a good day. 30:58 - He tells us about the biggest Atlantic salmon he has seen which he grabbed the tail with two hands. 36:30 - We dig into reels, particularly the click and pawl versus a drag reel in catching Atlantic salmon. 42:05 - He describes how he builds a leader. Straight eight is what they fished growing up. 43:40 - He tells us how different is fishing in Labrador versus in the Margaree. 49:32 - He uses the Daiichi 2110 down eye for the hooks, which is his go-to hook for dry flies. 51:30 - He gives a valuable tip on not losing an Atlantic salmon. 55:40 - He shouts out to some conservation groups such as the Margaree Salmon Association, the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, and the Chéticamp River Salmon Association. They have done a lot of great work on Atlantic salmon conservation. 56:40 - He says that a big factor that affects the Atlantic salmon runs is commercial fishing in Greenland. 58:54 - He recommends some places to stay in for those who are planning to go to their area for a fly fishing trip. 1:00:03 - He tells us some history on the Margaree and Cape Breton. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/568 | |||
| 27 Apr 2020 | My New Show - The Outdoors Online Marketing Podcast Needs Your Help Today | 00:06:54 | |
Listen to the new show here: https://wetflyswing.com/online I am announcing the launch of the brand new podcast that I host weekly! The Outdoors Online Marketing Podcast is perfect if you have an outdoor brand or fly fishing brand and want to improve your online influence! Please help with the big launch today by clicking play below and subscribing to the show.
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| 31 Jul 2024 | 639 | Troutroutes App Feature Updates and Partnerships with Erik Johnsen - OnX, Fly Shops, #1 Mapping Software | 00:50:11 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/639 Presented By: TroutRoutes Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/troutroutes Welcome to another exciting episode where we dive deep into the Troutroutes app innovations and partnerships. Today, we are thrilled to have Erik Johnsen with us, a passionate fly fisherman who has transformed his love for the sport into a groundbreaking role at Troutroutes. As we explore the app's acquisition by OnX and its impressive features—from color-coded trout stream maps to a river miles calculator tool—it's clear that Erik and his team are revolutionizing how anglers navigate and enjoy their fishing experiences. Join us as we delve into Erik's insights, including his favorite fishing spots in Wisconsin and the hidden gems of the Driftless Area. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a curious beginner, this episode promises to inspire and inform, bringing the world of fly fishing to your fingertips.
1:51 - Erik shares his background on fly fishing, explaining that he is from the Upper Midwest and became interested in fly fishing while visiting the Driftless region with his wife. He learned to fly fish on his own about 15 years ago, driven by a desire to connect with his father-in-law, who was an avid fly fisherman. After many attempts, Erik finally succeeded in getting his father-in-law to join him, rekindling his enthusiasm for the sport. 4:54 - He shares his journey to working in Troutroutes. His entry into the fly fishing industry began unexpectedly during a fishing trip with a friend, who suggested he apply for a position at TroutRoutes. After a successful interview with founder Zach Pope, Erik joined the initial team to support the app's development. 8:19 - We delve into the recent acquisition of Troutroutes by OnX, a well-known mapping application used by anglers. Erik explains that this acquisition, which took place in March after years of networking and relationship building, has been a significant milestone for Troutroutes. 10:55 - He discusses the key features of the app. Troutroutes specializes in mapping trout streams across the lower 48 states, offering stream classifications that are color-coded to indicate the quality of trout habitat and ease of access. This feature is particularly useful for beginners in trout fishing or fly angling, helping them identify healthy trout populations and accessible fishing spots. Additionally, the app provides detailed maps that show public and private land boundaries and legal access points, ensuring anglers know where they can fish without trespassing. A standout feature Erik highlights is the river miles calculator tool, which allows users to measure the distance between any two points on a trout stream. This tool is especially beneficial for planning fishing trips, whether for floating, walking, or wading. It provides precise stream miles rather than straight-line distances, making it easier to gauge the actual distance and plan accordingly. 13:53 - Erik mentions that one of the primary challenges is helping users determine what information they need when looking at a map of trout streams. To mitigate this, they outline icons and explain filter and layer settings to make data interpretation easier. Another significant challenge is presenting extensive data in a way that is easy to read, filter, and sort. Erik emphasizes the importance of organizing data meaningfully for different user needs, such as regulations or public access. 16:56 - He says that while maps are accessible online, users can download specific sections for offline use, ensuring the GPS signal remains functional even without cell coverage. This feature enhances navigation and instills confidence, especially in unfamiliar areas. Erik elaborates on the process of downloading maps, which can be done directly on a smartphone. 22:29 - Erik highlights the integration of USGS stream gauges within the app, a feature that provides real-time river conditions, which is crucial for assessing fishing prospects. This feature allows users to gauge stream levels, flows, and heights before even stepping onto the water, offering a significant advantage and a delightful surprise for many users. 25:34 - Our conversation also touches on the importance of fly shops within the app, which Erik notes was a key element from the beginning. These shops are not just places to buy gear but community hubs for conservation activities and educational events. The app manually maps these shops, connecting users with local expertise and resources. 29:51 - Erik reflects on the company's success, particularly emphasizing the importance of community and partnerships. He explains that a pivotal moment occurred about a year and a half ago when they attended their first national fly fishing expos. Initially uncertain of the outcome, they were pleasantly surprised by the positive reception and the eagerness from industry members to collaborate. 32:17 - We dig into the complexities of water use laws and access regulations in different states. Erik explains that access to waterways can vary significantly depending on the state, season, and even water temperature. To navigate these varying regulations, their team compiles as much data as possible into their app, making it easier for users to find relevant information by simply tapping on a stream and accessing the "access laws" tab. This feature links users to up-to-date resources when regulations are subject to change. 36:24 - We discuss their partnership with RareWaters, emphasizing the value and benefits of the collaboration. Erik elaborates on how RareWaters aligns with their mission of increasing access to fishing spots. The partnership allows anglers to explore new fishing opportunities that were once restricted by private ownership. He appreciates the dedication of RareWaters' team to conservation and public access advocacy, highlighting their collaboration with Colorado Trout Unlimited and efforts to support local businesses. 41:05 - Erik commends the Driftless Angler, highlighting their excellent fishing reports. 44:35 - We ask Erik about potential destinations in Wisconsin, particularly for a fly fishing trip. Erik suggests stopping by Viroqua, a central hub for fly fishing. He also highlights the charm of hidden dive bars in the backwoods, which often don't have signs but offer unique and inviting atmospheres. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/639 | |||
| 24 Jan 2023 | WFS 403 - Trout Spey Fly Fishing with Kynslee Scott - Montana, OPST Groove, Steelhead | 01:21:01 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/403 Presented By: Dalton - Country Financial, Yellowstone Teton, Togens Fly Shop, Zoe Angling Group Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Kynslee Scott is here with an update for swinging flies for trout. We find out which trout Spey setup she loves out of Montana and why the Polyleader is the key for big Montana rainbows and browns. She takes us to the Klickitat River and how she's been guiding there since 2015. She gives us a review of her experience in using G Loomis fly rods and OPST Skagit lines. We also break down the flies and materials selection for October Caddis in Montana. Show Notes with Kynslee Scott 05:00 - In 2008, Kynslee moved to Missoula for college where she learned how to properly row a boat, guide, and progress in fly fishing. 07:45 - Kynslee uses a 31-11 G Loomis IMX Pro along with a Commando Head OPST 13:50 - She describes her tip setup throughout the year. 17:30 - We talk about the October Caddis in the fall and how they fish during this season. 20:15 - For October Caddis season, she uses a size 4 elk hair caddis. 22:30 - She noted the 9-foot 3-wt 2-handed Micro Skagit OPST. 30:45 - She's been guiding the Klickitat River since 2015. They have a lodge there called, Flying L Lodge that's been there since 1946. They also have Reds Fly Shop there. 35:20 - We had Joe Rotter on from Reds Fly Shop in episode 186. 47:45 - We just had Jeff Currier for the second time where he talked about the 440 species he caught on the fly. 1:11:10 - Stuart Foxall was on the podcast in episode 391 where we talked about Spey and steelhead. 1:13:00 - She talks about wanting to get a marlin on the fly again. She remembers watching her dad fighting and landing a 500-pound marlin in Hawaii. 1:15:20 - Kynslee is an ambassador for G-Loomis rods. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/403 | |||
| 17 Nov 2022 | WFS 383 - Dads on the Fly Podcast with Joshua and Caleb Simmons - Faith, Fatherhood and Fly Fishing | 01:09:35 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/383 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton, Range Meal Bars, Zoe Angling Group, FishHound Expeditions Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Joshua and Caleb Simmons from Dads on the Fly Podcast are here to share what their podcast is all about. We dig into some of their most interesting episodes and break down some of the best tips on being an angler dad. How can you influence your kids to be on the water without forcing them to? Listen to this episode to find out!
05:25 - Caleb is a Pastor at their local church. Joshua is an 8th-grade schoolteacher. 14:10 - Dads on the Fly is about 3 things: fly fishing, fatherhood, and faith 16:10 - On this day DOTF already has 64 episodes published. 17:54 - Number 1 tip: Have enough snacks for the kids. 18:30 - Joshua talks about one of their guest who NC Wildlife Magazine coined as "The Man of a Thousand Streams." Listen to Part 1 here then Part 2 here. 20:00 - Tip: Manage expectations. When you take your kids fishing, the goal is not to catch fish. The goal is to spend time together with your kids. 25:50 - Tom Rosenbauer was on their podcast in episode 59. 26:00 - One of their biggest episodes was with David Coggins, episode 38. 29:20 - They had Wade Blevins on their podcast - a guy whose dad created the fly called One Bug that is rumored to catch everything. 31:50 - Tip: Don't pressure your kids into being on the water. 34:00 - Joshua tells us about this guy who emailed them about being reassured after listening to their podcast. That message stuck with Josh and made him realize that they're not going to quit doing the podcast. 37:00 - They also had Tim Cammisa on. Tim was here a couple of times too. 40:30 - In 2023, they are hosting their first Dads-Son retreat weekend in their backyard. (Sons aged 8-14yrs old only for now). Check out their website to learn more. 48:30 - Caleb mentions some fly shops around the area in Western NC. 51:30 - Caleb is the tech guy who does most of the production and Joshua brings in most of the guests and does most of the talking on the show. 1:02:45 - Advice: Don't let perfection get in the way of progress. 1:03:45 - They typically listen to Sturgill Simpson on the road. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/383 | |||
| 05 Apr 2022 | WFS 306 - Fly Fur, 5D Brushes and Fair Flies with Jeff Coffey - Zag Fish | 01:07:44 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/306 Presented By: Reyr Gear, Dette Flies, Anglers Coffee, Togens Fly Shop Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Jeff Coffey, founder of Fair Flies is here to share the story of how he created a company around fly fur and fly brush while making a positive impact on the world. Jeff tells us how the Zoe Angling Group gives employment opportunities for the survivors of human trafficking and for young men who just got out of prison. Find out how these fly brushes get 90% of your tying done within 2 minutes and how they are also made out of 90% recycled materials. Jeff gives us a peek at their new fly tying vise that is 5 years in the making, plus a new tackle box. Jeff's goal is to employ at least 10,000 victims of human trafficking before he retires and he tells us how we can help them achieve that.
03:52 - Jeff started fly angling at 14 years old and at 26 he was already guiding in Bend Oregon 04:42 - Jeff became passionate about what's going on in human trafficking around the world - he wanted to help those victims/survivors by giving them jobs, teaching them how to tie flies, and paying them double wage 05:19 - They started in the 2nd largest slum in the world - Kibera, Kenya. Since that time, they also have projects in Nepal, India, and Tunisia 05:40 - Jeff tells us which products are assigned for each country 10:10 - Nick Pionessa was on the podcast at WFS 288 where we also talked about commercial fly tying 10:40 - Jeff talks about how the complex flies that usually take 15 mins to tie now takes just 2 mins to get 90% done 13:05 - They took their first 5 patterns of brushes to ICAST in 2017 and they won Best to Show 14:02 - The Mind Bender brush has caught all the sport species in the world Sparse Mind Bender Red/Black 5D Brush 14:41 - About 90% of the mylars they use are recycled plastic 17:07 - If you're going for some big browns, the Spey Cream/Copper and Bleeding Leech works great 17:39 - Fair Flies developed fly fur 18:30 - Faux means fake fur or synthetic fur 20:47 - Jeff talks about how you actually use these fur for better results 24:19 - Scott Wilday was on the podcast at WFS 250 where we talked about Lid Rig products 27:15 - 3 years ago, they took over Wasatch Tools - Wasatch had 54 different fly tying tools before Jeff bought the company 28:49 - Wasatch is the only lifetime guaranteed tool - just give them a call and they'll send you another one 29:10 - Wasatch is coming up with a new vise - Jeff describes what it would look like and says we have not seen anything like this before - price is going to range from $225 to $750 33:08 - Jeff's goal is to create 10,000 jobs for exploited individuals 33:40 - Zoe in Greek means "a full life" 34:00 - Wasatch is going to start selling tube flies soon 37:56 - ZAG is partnering up with a group from Birmingham - they create employment opportunities for young men coming out of prison 39:57 - About 200 women have been brought out of human trafficking situation and were given decent jobs by ZAG 40:22 - Bucky Buchstaber was on the podcast at WFS 226 where we talked about human trafficking. Bucky is Jeff's good friend 48:29 - The average angler gets to fish 2 days a year - avid angler, it's a different game 51:10 - Their new vise has been in development for five years 58:33 - Jeff tells the story of when Steve Abel gave him an Abel vise for being good at selling it 59:24 - Jay Nicholas was on the podcast way back at WFS 003 - he's friends with Jeff 1:00:25 - We re-released Frank Moore's episode as a tribute for his very special life - WFS 300 1:01:51 - Each of their factories has a zero-waste policy 1:03:11 - Go to AnglerTradingPost.Com to check out their products - Orvis sell their stuff but check your local fly shop if they have those brushes 1:03:46 - Jeff gives us a peek at the tackle box that they're working on 1:05:21 - If Jeff was dropped on an island and can only take 1 beverage with him, it would be the Redbreast Cask Strength whiskey
Jeff Coffey shared the story of how he created a company around fly brushes. We learned how the Zoe Angling Group gives employment opportunities for the survivors of human trafficking and young men who just got out of prison. We found out how these fly brushes get 90% of your tying done within 2 minutes and how they are also made out of 90% recycled materials. Jeff gave us a peek at their new fly tying vise that is 5 years in the making. Jeff's goal is to employ at least 10,000 victims of human trafficking before he retires and he tells us how we can help them achieve that. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/306 | |||
| 19 Aug 2024 | 647 | The Six-Step Method to Perfect Your Cast with Bruce Richards - Scientific Anglers, Fly Lines, Fly Rods | 01:10:19 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/647 Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company, Togens Fly Shop, TroutRoutes, Skwala Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In this episode, Bruce Richards, Scientific Anglers' guru and a master of fly casting, shares his six-step method to perfect your fly cast. Whether you struggle with tailing loops, presentation in windy conditions, or fishing with dry flies, his expertise offers simple and effective solutions. We also dive into the fascinating history of Scientific Anglers, one of the premier fly line companies. Bruce explains how fly lines have evolved over time, becoming heavier and more specialized. You'll learn which rod is best for beginners and the key actions to look for in a fly rod. But that's not all—he reveals the number one cause of poor fly casts and provides tips on analyzing your cast for continuous improvement. Tune in for an episode packed with practical advice and expert wisdom from Bruce Richards, a true icon in the fly fishing community.
2:24 - Bruce reminisces about his upbringing in Midland, Michigan, where he was indirectly introduced to fly fishing through his father's best friend, a sales manager at Scientific Anglers. Although Bruce was eager to join fishing trips as a young boy, he was only allowed to participate when he was older. His early exposure to fly fishing laid the foundation for his future career. 3:24 - His professional journey began in a rather unplanned manner. Despite attempts to secure summer jobs at Scientific Anglers, the seasonal nature of the business meant there were no vacancies. After earning a degree in fisheries, Bruce received an unexpected call from a friend at Scientific Anglers, inviting him to apply for a job. He succeeded in securing a position in 1976, marking the start of a long and varied career within the company. 5:30 - He reflects on the significant changes in the fly fishing industry over the years, particularly focusing on the technological advancements since he started in 1976. 9:33 - We discuss the evolution of fly lines and rods over the years. Bruce confirms that lines have become heavier and explains the history behind this trend. He also explains that as these heavier lines became popular, rod designers began developing stiffer rods to match them. This created a cycle where heavier lines required stiffer rods, which in turn required even heavier lines. 13:29 - We dig into the combination of fly rods and lines, emphasizing the flexibility in pairing them. Bruce points out that the action of a rod can be modified by changing the weight of the line used. He suggests that the most logical approach is to select the line first based on the type of fly, the fishing distance, and the environmental conditions, and then choose a rod that can effectively cast that line. 16:45 - He shares a bit of the history of Scientific Anglers. 19:52 - Bruce recounts an experience with a Canadian casting student, which led him to develop his six-step method for improving fly casting. Initially, Bruce faced challenges instructing the student remotely but found that examining the top leg of the loop in the cast revealed critical insights. The method involves assessing the loop's top leg for straightness, understanding the rod tip's path, analyzing the caster's actions, and making necessary adjustments. 29:48 - Bruce advises those who have never cast before. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the mechanics, like how loops work, which allows for self-analysis. He mentions that after a lesson, beginners usually show significant improvement. However, he notes that this improvement can be fleeting, similar to learning in other activities like golf. The key to sustained improvement lies in practice and remembering specific feedback, such as not bending the wrist too much. 31:31 - I ask Bruce whether a rigid wrist is necessary for casting, and he explains that the wrist plays a crucial role in controlling the rod's casting arc. The combination of shoulder, elbow, and wrist movements is essential for an efficient cast, as using only the elbow can be tiring. He also elaborates on how the flexibility of the rod affects wrist movement. A softer rod requires more wrist action, while a stiffer rod requires less. He also mentions that the weight of the line can change the dynamics; for example, using a heavier line on a stiff rod alters wrist usage. 33:13 - Bruce advises against using heavier rods than necessary unless the casting conditions demand it, such as in saltwater fishing where heavier lines are needed to cast heavy flies despite the fish not requiring such heavy equipment. The wind is another significant factor that complicates casting, making the right choice of rod and line even more critical. 35:16 - We go into step four of his six-step method which is about changing the body movements. Bruce describes a scenario where a wide, sloppy loop with an upward curve indicates a wide casting arc, often due to improper wrist movement. He emphasizes that while beginners might struggle to identify these issues on their own, instructors or more advanced casters can use the six-step method to troubleshoot and correct the cast. By narrowing the casting arc, the rod tip path becomes straighter, leading to a more efficient loop. 37:30 - Bruce recommends checking out the Fly Fishers International (FFI) website for valuable sources on loops. Specifically, he highlights a journal and newsletter called "The Loop Journal" which is available on the same website. 41:40 - We discuss the origins and development of the FFI certification program, which was initiated in 1990 and completed by 1992. Bruce collaborated with other prominent figures in the field, including Lefty Kreh, Joan Wulff, Gary Borger, and Chico Fernandez, among others to develop the program. The program has since become the leading and most respected certification for fly-casting instructors internationally. 43:03 - We dig into the FFI's certification process. Many aspiring instructors initially overestimate their casting skills until they undergo the program and realize the areas they need to improve. Bruce mentions that the time it takes to get certified varies; some individuals may take years, while others can achieve certification in about a year with focused effort and mentorship. 47:57 - We talk about what typically causes someone to create a tailing loop during casting. Bruce explains that the issue often arises when an angler tries to cast longer distances, around 60 to 65 feet. At this point, they might apply too much force at the end of their casting stroke. This extra punch causes the rod to bend excessively, leading the rod tip to curve down and create a tailing loop. He elaborates that instead of adding force at the end of the stroke, the caster should begin accelerating the rod earlier in the casting stroke. This smooth, early acceleration distributes the force more evenly and prevents the tailing loop from forming. 50:54 - We discuss the evolution of sinking lines. Bruce shares his experience, noting that the original sinking lines were made by adding powdered lead to the coating, which was effective but problematic due to lead's toxicity. Despite advancements, he also notes that the fundamental chemistry and process of making sinking lines have not drastically changed since the 1980s. Modern lines still use powdered tungsten, varying its amount to control the sinking rate. While design aspects may evolve, the core materials and methods remain similar, reflecting the robustness of the original innovations. 53:49 - We discuss tips and techniques for preparing for a dry fly fishing trip, particularly focusing on casting and presentation. Bruce highlights that the approach varies depending on the fishing environment. For instance, in slick water fishing locations like the Big Horn or Henry's Fork, it's crucial to know how to throw slack in the leader. Conversely, in windy conditions, it's essential to cast straight. He also emphasizes the importance of making a great cast by placing the fly accurately while managing slack in the leader. He points out that many people throw nice loops but at too high a trajectory, which can be problematic in windy conditions. To address this, he advises adjusting the trajectory of both the front and back cast. By throwing the back cast high, it naturally makes the front cast low, ensuring a better delivery of the fly. 57:42 - I ask him how to maintain fly lines. He explains that contemporary lines, such as those from Scientific Anglers, can last significantly longer than older lines due to improved chemistry. While older lines would typically last 3-5 years before becoming stiff and cracking, he mentions having lines that are still functional after 15 years. The key factors that can damage fly lines include exposure to excessive heat, sunlight, and solvents. Improper storage, such as leaving gear in a car trunk exposed to the sun, can lead to quicker degradation. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of cleaning fly lines to maintain their performance. He gives some tips on how to clean them. 1:02:03 - We go into the evolution and impact of fly lines in the industry. Bruce highlights the significance of the GPX taper, describing it as a game-changer due to its half-size heavy design and innovative coating technology. Despite advances in sinking lines, Bruce notes that their market remains relatively small compared to floating lines. 1:06:25 - Bruce shares a memorable story about his first day working at Scientific Anglers in January 1976. He recounts receiving a welcoming phone call from Lefty Kreh which made a significant impact on him. This call not only welcomed Bruce to the industry but also marked the beginning of many friendships with the greats of fly fishing, whom he had long admired. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/647 | |||
| 28 Apr 2020 | WFS 135 - A River Runs Through It with John Dietsch - Norman Maclean, Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Fly Fishing, Soul | 01:07:51 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/135 We hear the story behind the story in the movie A River Runs Through It. Still to this day the greatest fly fishing movie of all time. John Dietsch was the stunt man for Brad Pitt and lead the fly fishing team that created the fishing scenes in the movie. We hear some of the great stories that made this the greatest movie of all time. The story was about family, about death and addiction. The story was not about fly fishing as Robert Redford told John many times during production. Enjoy!
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Show Notes with John Dietsch - Norman Maclean wrote A River Runs Through It about fishing with his brother in the 1920's. - "I'm haunted by waters was a famous quote from the movie. - Graced By Waters is John’s new book that describes John's take on what "it" is. John also lost his brother Paul and has affected his life for over 10 years now,. - "Under the rocks are the words and the words are theirs." - We talked about Robert Redford. Here's a clip from Butch Cassidy, one of the great Redford movies. - John worked at Powder Magazine before taking on the lead with this movie for fly fishing. - Jason Borger was a big part of the movie and was the shadow caster. - Here's a short clip of the scene where Paul lands the crazy robot fish. - The further you get away from Missoula Montana the number assholes increases or the quote. - Fernando the Fish was the famous mechanical fish that game via Gary Borger and crew. - Adventure Guides was a TV show John produced.
Resource Noted in the Show A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean
Big Fish Clip
Conclusion with John Dietsch We find out what the movie was about and why for Norman McClain it was about him coming to terms with the death of his brother. It's a beautiful story and one that we should all watch or read again if you have ever lost someone. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/135 | |||
| 30 Mar 2021 | WFS 200 - The Lefty Kreh Podcast with Gary Reich from the Anglers Journal | 01:15:54 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/200 Sponsor: Stonefly Nets: https://wetflyswing.com/opst Sponsor: Turtlebox Audio: https://wetflyswing.com/turtlebox Today we celebrate the 200th episode of this podcast by celebrating Lefty Kreh who passed away just a few months after we launched the Wet Fly Swing Podcast. Lefty is the most highlighted person in the history of fly fishing so very happy to celebrate with you here. We hear about the life story of Lefty today from Gary Reich who knew Lefty and wrote a great article at Anglers Journal on Lefty’s life. We find out why photography was a big thing that separated Lefty early on and why Joe Brooks was so important for Lefty along the way.
- Here’s the article that Gary wrote in Anglers Journal about Lefty Kreh. - The F3T video with Flip talking about mentors and how Lefty was everyone's mentor or that's how many felt. - Battle of the Bulge - Tochterman's fishing tackle in Baltimore - Lefty worked at Fort Detrick where he made Anthrax. Here's a summary of what happened to some of the anthrax. There was also a strain of Anthrax named after Lefty. - The Miami Metro fishing tournament was given to Lefty from Joe Brooks and was a huge deal for Lefty to elevate him in saltwater fly fishing. - Joe Brooks was on the podcast in episode 71 here and noted the documentary he created about his uncle, Joe Brooks. - Tom Brokaw was a good friend of Lefty and was also interviewed by Gary in preparation for the Lefty article. - The profile articles on Bob Popovich and Bob Clouser were both covered by Gary. - My Life was this Big was one of Lefty's great books and one Gary mentions here.
We find out how Joe Brooks and other influences the direction of Lefty. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/200 | |||
| 18 Apr 2023 | WFS 437 - Fly Fishing New York with Jay Peck - Brown Trout, Steelhead, Salmon | 01:06:32 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/437 Presented by: Yellowstone Teton, Daiichi, Mavrk Fly Fishing Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Jay Peck is here to walk us through New York, and some of the rivers he guides and fishes. We discover his egg setup and how he fishes it, some tips for handling your line and fishing on the water, and an overall primer to fish one of the great states in the union. Get ready to put the feed bags on and find out what it means.
3:45 - Jay tells how he got into fly fishing and guiding. He grew up on a dairy farm in New York. 5:12 - We dig into what rivers to fish in New York in December. He says that the Genesee River in Rochester can be an amazing steelhead river during a dry winter. 7:41 - He talks about fishing in New York specifically near where he lives. 8:37 - He mentions the waters in the state that are great for fishing, including the Beaverkill. 9:53 - He talks about the climate issues he encounters when he fishes in New York. 10:47 - He spends a lot of time fishing in the Salmon River. 12:26 - He loves fishing tributaries and fishing for steelhead, salmon, and brown trout. 13:23 - We dig into lake run browns. 14:42 - He describes the gear he uses for steelhead fishing. He recommends a 10ft 7wt for a one-handed rod. He also uses a 10 1/2ft 6wt with a little switch grip on it and a 10ft switch rod. 16:20 - He walks us through how they present a fly to browns and what fly patterns he uses. 18:18 - He talks about his egg pattern setup when fishing for browns. He uses a lot of nickel roll bugs. He uses a lot of nuclear roe bugs and Oregon cheese is his favorite color for that pattern. 19:37 - We dig into the indicator and the advantages of doing an indicator swing. 22:36 - He mentions the leaders and tips he usually carries with him. 23:41 - He further explains how he does the indicator swinging. 24:51 - I ask him about the best time to swing out there and hit steelheads or browns. 26:41 - He explains where the term feed bag came from. 27:14 - He talks about how they swing for salmon. For Chinook salmon, he uses a lot of woolly buggers. 29:27 - He gives more tips and dos and don'ts on salmon fishing. 34:09 - I ask him how they find a great salmon when there's a bunch of spawners. 36:39 - He talks about the flies he likes to use for swinging. They use a lot of egg-sucking leeches for steelheads. 38:55 - The watershed for the Salmon River is the Tug Hill Plateau. They estimate that the river there produces 20 million young-of-the-year (YOY) wild salmon. 41:43 - Mid to late September is the best time to hit some wild fish. 42:23 - Early to mid-October is the best time to catch some browns. 46:29 - He takes us throughout the year of his guiding. This includes the fish cycles and the species he catches for certain months. 48:43 - We dig into northern pikes. 52:43 - New York has fairly diverse species. 53:48 - He gives us a heads-up on what content they have released and will be releasing on their YouTube channel. 55:25 - He gives a quick summary of their video showing how to fix your waders. 56:37 - We do the two-minute drill. 57:14 - After a long day fishing, he likes listening to Metallica. 57:29 - He tells us his one rod for New York to pick. If it's in the tributaries, he'll go for an 11 ft 7wt switch. He has been using rods from Douglas Outdoors. 59:09 - He prefers the white zonker size six for browns. 59:38 - He gives some tips on spey casting. 1:00:25 - He talks about that one trip that he wants to tick off his bucket list. 1:01:18 - He mentions the people who had the biggest influence on him and his business. 1:03:56 - Listeners can find Jay at JayPeckGuidesFlyFishing.com. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/437 | |||
| 08 Jun 2023 | A Roadmap to Great Lakes Steelhead Fishing (Part 2) - Great Lakes Fly Fishing #3 with Jeff Liskay | 01:02:25 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/460 Presented By: Bearvault, Drifthook Fly Fishing Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Get ready to catch the big one as we jump back into Great Lakes fly fishing today. We know how much you love this, so we're serving up another dose of steelhead wisdom and adventure from the Great Lakes Dude, Jeff Liskay. We continue where we left off, building a roadmap to Great Lakes Steelhead. This time, we cover the equipment, presentation, and of course, the flies. Great Lakes Fly Fishing Show Notes with Jeff Liskay 00:34 - No Great Lakes Dude episode is ever complete without a classic story from Jeff. This time, he takes us back to 1971 when he landed his first King Salmon. 04:19 - We pick up right where we left off in episode #2 of Great Lakes Dude, where we explored the steelhead awareness zone. Jeff Liskay on Fly Presentation 04:25 - Presenting your fly first starts with your equipment. Jeff often gets asked about the ideal rod and line to buy. When choosing a rod, consider where you'll fish the most. 05:38 - Longer rods provide better line management and control over our presentation than shorter ones. 06:35 - It's all about payload delivery when choosing rods and lines. There's no bad rod or line, just bad rod-to-line matching for what you're trying to achieve. Single-Hand Rod Set Ups 07:23 - A 10 ft long with 6, 7, or 8 wt. is recommended for single-hand rods. A 7 wt rod is suitable for smaller venues like Ohio and PA. 08:02 - Regarding lines, the two choices are streamer lines or steelhead taper lines. Jeff's go-to is the Scientific Anglers Mastery Titan Taper Fly Line. For larger venues, Jeff uses the Scientific Angler Anadro Indicator. 09:59 - If Jeff had to pick one rod that might do it all, he would choose a 10 ft 8 wt single-hand rod. Switch and Two-Hand Rod Set Ups 10:31 - Ohio, PA, New York, and all the other Great Lakes Venues can be classified into two categories. The first one is switch trout spey and short spey. This family of rods starts at 10 ft 6 inches to 11 ft. 9 inches, ranging from 4 wt. to 8 wt. 11:19 - Jeff generally leans towards Skagit lines, and when selecting a grain window for a switch rod or short spey, he finds that the 400 to 450 range can get the job done. 13:23 - Jeff walks us through the setup for two-hand rods. According to him, these rods typically range from 12 ft to 15 ft in length and range from 6 wt to 10 wt. 20:12 - For those starting, Jeff's recommendation is to learn it all. 22:01 - Jeff discusses the pros and cons of swung flies. 29:09 - When presenting a fly, the rod's position and casting angle are all part of the equation. 37:37 - Jeff talks about line mending and suggests that one needs to be good at aggressive mends rather than minor adjustments typically used in trout fishing. 40:00 - Jeff's fly box contains a greater variety of sizes and colors rather than a wide range of distinct patterns. 44:50 - Jeff's rule for your tip system is to fish with a shorter distance when the water is cold or dirty and to fish with a longer distance when the water is warm and clear. 46:00 - Jeff discusses the factors to consider when choosing the right sink tip. Choosing the Right Fly 55:36 - Jeff recommends baitfish patterns, egg patterns, and some aquatic bug patterns for nymphing. Pick one or two patterns for each and tie those in three sizes to match the water clarity. 57:48 For swung fly patterns, Jeff says he mostly fishies unweighted flies. He uses three sizes of his six best patterns for low, average, and high water conditions. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/460 | |||
| 02 Jun 2022 | WFS 326 - Classic Flies and Fly Tyers with Scott Biron - NH Fly Tyer | 01:21:22 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/326 Presented By: Bearvault, LakeLady Custom Rods, Anglers Coffee, Dette Flies Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Scott Biron is here to take us into some history of fly tying and fly tyers that have paved the way for fly patterns today. We discover the stories behind these classic flies that have stood the test of time, why they're considered classic, and what makes them so effective. Scott shares some tips on how to tie these classic flies and the materials he uses. We get Scott's Top 10 Favorite Fly Patterns and find out why.
07:20 - Scott was a PE teacher and he would teach his students fly casting 10:10 - Scott call people that troll out in the internet, trying to find things wrong with everything, pattern police 11:00 - There's a big lake in New Hampshire called, Sunapee 11:10 - The Purple Smelt pattern by Ora Smith was said to be the only fly that caught fish on the Sunapee Lake 12:30 - Scott describes a classic streamer 16:30 - We talk about Jim Warner and his original fly, Winnipesaukee Smelt 18:40 - They Grey Ghost pattern was Carrie Steven's original pattern - Carried was said to tie without using a vise 21:20 - There's a book that was written about Carrie Stevens called, Carrie G. Stevens: Maker of Rangeley Favorite Trout and Salmon Flies 25:55 - The Purple Smelt was not really purple, but lavender 27:45 - The Canopache Fly is also one of Ora Smith's original flies 30:55 - Scott talks about Ewing Feather Birds, their excellent products and service 34:00 - Ellis Hatch was the last great production tyer in New Hampshire - he recently passed away 36:00 - The Black Ghost is a pattern by Herb Welch 36:30 - Mike Martinek was a fly tyer from New England. He created some beautiful streamer patterns - one of which was the Boarder Patrol 37:10 - Carrie Stevens has a fly called, Rapid River - named after the river that it was used on 37:40 - The Grey Ghost works great because it looks a lot like a smelt. The feather-wing still is the material that people prefer to tie with 40:00 - Scott tells us his top 10 streamer flies 42:05 - The Morning Glory is another Carrie Stevens pattern 42:30 - Blue Dragon and General MacArthur are also Carrie Stevens patterns 43:30 - The Indian Rock pattern is a brook trout magnet. It's also a pattern by Carrie Stevens 47:50 - Scott talks about the hackle he uses - Ewing Featherbirds 55:15 - The New Hampshire Warden pattern is Scott's original. He tells us a funny story of when a guy at a fly fishing show said that he didn't know what he was doing 1:03:50 - Tim Flagler does a good job explaining his technique via video - Tim was on the podcast at WFS 279 1:06:25 - Scott uses a Regal Revolution for Vise and Sprite for scissors 1:14:00 - Operation Game Thief is a Colorado Parks and Wildlife program that pays rewards to citizens who turn in poachers. You can call them toll-free within Colorado at 1-877-COLO-OGT, Verizon cell phone users can dial #OGT, or contact them via e-mail at game.thief@state.co.us 1:17:00 - At WFS 008, I talked to Darren MacEachern about the Streamers Project 1:18:30 - The B Pond fly pattern is a wet fly - Carrie Stevens tied 30 B pond streamers commissioned for a group of fly fishers in Massachusetts. They couldn't find the recipe for this pattern
So there you go. We learned a lot about the history of classic flies and the tyers who made them. It's always good to find out how a fly pattern came about. That way we acknowledge the brilliant creators behind the patterns that we enjoy today as a way to show our respect to their work and legacy. Scott is an amazing fly tyer and is doing great things for the fly tying world. He may be gone in the future but his fly patterns will surely live on. I am feeling extra inspired to tie a fly today so I'm heading to my workstation to try one of the flies we talked about. Maybe a Carrie Stevens fly or maybe a Scott Biron fly. What about you, what are you tying today? Let me know in the comments. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/326 | |||
| 18 Sep 2024 | In the Bucket #9 | Snowboarding, Hunting, and Steelhead Fishing in Northern BC with Curtis Ciszek, Eric Jackson, and Darcy Bacha | 01:21:31 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/660 Today Brian chats with Curtis Ciszek, Eric Jackson, and returning guest, Darcy Bacha. These guys are known in the snowboarding industry. They are also passionate steelhead anglers. They talk about the movie they did in the Skeena called Alignment and touch on some fishing and hunting stories and insights in Northern BC. It's time to get in the bucket... | |||
| 06 Sep 2022 | WFS 361 - Gar on the Fly with Jon Morris - Fair Flies Fly Fur and Brushes | 01:20:35 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/361 Presented By: Stonefly Nets, FishHound Expeditions, Zoe Angling Group, Trxstle Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Jon Morris from Working Class Fly Fishing Podcast breaks down gar fishing, tying with brushes and fly fur. We find out what gear you need, the best fly line to use, and how rope is used to hook the fish. Jon connects us with the gar guru - state record holder for biggest longnose and alligator gar on the fly, who's also Jon's mentor. Do you know who he is? We also learn about gar's history, how they are threatened today, and why they need our protection.
03:20 - Jon was in the army and used to go on combat tours in Afghanistan 07:45 - Jon focuses on tying streamer and predator flies 09:15 - There are 4 or 5 species of gar in North America 10:00 - "Gars are members of the family Lepisosteidae, which are the only surviving members of the Ginglymodi, an ancient holosteian group of ray-finned fish, which first appeared during the Triassic, over 240 million years ago." - Wikipedia 10:30 - There are 7 types of gar - alligator gar, spotted gar, longnose gar, Florida gar, slender gar, Cuban gar, and tropical gar. Jon's favorite is the longnose gar 14:00 - You need a 12 wt rod if you want to catch alligator gars 15:30 - The best time to fish for gar is when it's too hot outside for you. Gars like calm and clean waters. 18:50 - As per Willife.CA.gov, gar are not found in California 20:30 - Gar typically spawn in May and don't eat much during that time 22:50 - "If you break a gar off with that leader because you didn't tie the right knot or you didn't use the right tippet, you're going to kill that fish" 27:00 - If Jon can only use one line for gar, it would be intermediate or floating. For rod, it would be a 12 wt. 27:45 - For leader down to the tippet, it depends on the size of the fly - but usually he runs a foot and a half of 50-pound with a perfection loop. Loop to loop or you can nail knot it. 29:20 - Jon uses a Maxima Chameleon for tippet. He also talks about the fast ach tippet 32:40 - Jon's buddy, Ryan has been working on a gar fly called, Garmageddon. Ryan holds the state record for gar on the fly for alligator and longnose gar. Ryan is a gar nerd - his Instagram is @professor_rivers. 35:30 - Carps are like the "sewer salmon" 36:45 - Alligator gars are threatened species 38:45 - Jon uses Fairflies' fly fur for his flies 43:45 - Jon talks about tying a rope streamer 44:25 - Tommy Lynch was on the podcast in episode 347 44:55 - The key to a good gar fly is how sparse you can make your materials, for 3 reasons: 1 - it casts a lot better, 2 - it hooks up better, 3 - removal of the fly from the mouth 54:30 - We talk about their podcast, Working Class Fishing 1:00:00 - Jon talks about tying with 5D brushes 1:08:20 - Jon makes a reel tying with a 5D brush - check out his Instagram @morrisflyco 1:10:00 - Jon shares his best tip on fishing gar 1:12:00 - Jon uses a Maxim Falcon rod and reel Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/361 | |||
| 10 Jul 2024 | 630 | The Fly Fishing Therapist with Melissa Ceren – TroutRoutes, Colorado, Mental Health | 00:56:39 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/630 Presented By: TroutRoutes Today's episode is one of a kind. We bridge the gap between fly fishing and mental health with Melissa Ceren, the fly fishing therapist. Learn about her distinct approach to mindful fishing, strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, and practical advice for therapy and angling. Find out in this episode how outdoor activities and mental wellness go hand in hand. Episode Chapters with Melissa Ceren on The Fly Fishing Therapist 02:22 - It was Melissa's husband who first took her fly fishing. But her first experience was terrible due to an unfriendly guide. Her husband took her to an Alpine lake on her birthday, where she caught her first cutthroat trout. She fell in love with the sport and became a guide at Tumbling Trout within a year of starting fly fishing. Melissa's Journey into Counseling 05:12 - Melissa has been in the counseling and mental health field for about eight years now. It all started when she joined the Suicide and Crisis hotline after high school. She later transitioned to leading outdoor outpatient programs for people recovering from substance abuse, focusing on trauma, anxiety, and depression. She pursued a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling at Clemson University and has been practicing as a therapist for three years now. Tips for Mindful Fishing 18:17 - Melissa addresses challenges like imposter syndrome and the pressure to perform as a guide, using positive self-talk to build confidence. Challenging negative thoughts can positively influence emotions and behaviors. Finding a Therapist 25:47 - Melissa recommends Psychology Today's website for finding therapists by location, insurance type, and specialty. Here are some of her tips: Call multiple therapists to assess their suitability. Melissa also mentions crisis lines like the national suicide line and NAMI. Fishing Tips from the Fly Fishing Therapist
39:40 - Melissa likes TroutRoutes because it's easy to use and helps find less-fished streams and public access areas. It's especially useful in Colorado, where private property rules are strict. Here are some highlights she mentioned: Easy-to-navigate interface. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/630
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| 26 Nov 2019 | WFS 109 - Modern Terrestrials with Rick Takahashi - Fly Tying, Fly Fishing Illustrations, Jay Nichols, Taka Hopper, Dollar Store | 01:27:25 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/rick Rick Takahashi is on the podcast to cover fly tying and fishing terrestrials. Rick tells why he loves terrestrials and which terrestrials you should focus on as your A list. Rick describes his biggest influences and the books he loves including Caddisflies by Gary LaFontaine. Tons of great resources and tips in this one by one of our great teachers in fly tying. Hear about the best materials to find from the Dollar Store along with some other items and dollar store nuggets.
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Ross Purnell was the editor of Fly Fisherman Magazine. Rick put together some illustrations for Ross and the shop to get started. Jay Nichols with Headwaters Books came to Rick to write a book. So he wrote his first book on midges. Modern Terrestrials and Modern Midges were the first two books for Rick. Rick has taught a number of demonstration fly tyers over the years. We discussed IFTD and Whiting Farms. Ask About Fly Fishing had Rick on their show to cover terrestrials as well. Gary Lafontaine was a huge influence on Rick with his underwater work in identifying the insects. CaddisFlies from Gary LaFontaine is one of the most influential books in fly fishing. The Letort Hopper with Rick's spin on it. River Roads Creations makes a great synthetic wing material that works great for some of Rick's favorite pattern. Bears Baetis is a pattern that uses wig material from the Dollar Store. Modern Midges was Rick's first book and how writing has always been the struggle. We noted Pat Dorsey who was on the podcast here and covered Colorado fishing. The Manzanar anglers who snuck out from the Japanese internment camps during the war and went trout fishing. The Taka-Hopper is one of Rick's goto flies. Charlie Craven's book along with Pat Dorsey and Landon Mayer's books are all goto resources for books in fly tying. The vice designed by Kevin Evans Barbara Ann by the Beach Boys The finest fly tying benches are what Rick uses and is another person who Rick influenced.
Modern Terrestrials - Rick Takahashi Caddisflies by Gary LaFontaine
I had a great conversation with Rick Takahashi on fly tying with a focus on terrestrials. Not only do we cover all of this but Rick even breaks out a joke for us. Haha, the lots are of telling jokes. If you have a good joke to tell leave it in the comments. We also hear about Rick's band and his guitar playing, lead singing and the blues harp. As usual we are all over the place on this one but we do get into some nice fly thing tips. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/rick | |||
| 02 Feb 2021 | WFS 186 - Reds Fly Shop with Joe Rotter — Blue Winged Olive Mayfly Hatch, Yakima River | 01:45:08 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/186 Sponsors: Stonefly Nets: http://wetflyswing.com/stonefly Anglers Coffee: https://anglerscoffee.com/ I sat down with Joe Rotter from Reds Fly Shop to dig into some tips on fishing the mayfly hatch with a focus on the blue-winged olive. Joe has a serious passion for teaching and breaks down his good stuff today. We find out what technical dry fly fishing is all about on the Yakima River. Joe is a wealth of knowledge and shares his best tips on dry fly fishing. We find out what gear you need and what makes a great dry fly fisherman. Reds Fly Shop Show Notes with Joe Rotter - The Mend is the podcast that Joe puts together for Red's is another great resource online. - The shadow cast in a River Runs Through It is one of the most impactful scenes in the movie. I interviewed the right-hand man for the movie here. - I noted the couple of entomologists I've had on. Rick Hafele was on the podcast in episode 37 and shared a general rundown on aquatic entomology. Peter Sticher from Ascent Fly Fishing was on the show in episode 51 and shared some killer tips on matching the hatch. - The Sage Foundation is a great dry fly rod for $325 to $350. You can find the Sage Foundation here from our podcast sponsor, the Gorge Fly Shop. (If you purchase through this link from the Gorge, this podcast gets a small commission at no extra cost to you). - The Redington zero and the Scientific Anglers amplitude smooth are two great choices for mid range gear for the reel and the fly line respectively. - Lune aquel or loon lochsa are both great dry fly floatants to use. - Antonio Gonzales has some comp flies that are killer. - I noted the Tom Rowland podcast and the lack of balance as a guide. Tom was on our podcast and I was a guest on Tom's show. - The Gary Borger book on presentation is Joe's most recommended resource and Gary was on the podcast here. You can find joe at RedsFlyShop.com Reds Fly Shop Conclusion with Joe Rotter Joe Rotter brings his A game today as we dig into dry fly fishing with a focus on mayflies on the Yakima River in Washington. Find out why a lighter 3 weight rod is the goto stick for most dry fly fishing. We also find out why its important to put on a new tapered leader at the start of each trip you are on. Joe also breaks down the top gear and brands to get you started for a mid range setup. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/186 Sponsors: Stonefly Nets: http://wetflyswing.com/stonefly Anglers Coffee: https://anglerscoffee.com/ | |||
| 25 Sep 2024 | 663 | UK Fly Fishing with Chris Hague - Iceland, Spey, Atlantic Salmon | 01:07:24 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/663 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory, Smitty's Fly Box, FishHound Expeditions, Stonefly Nets Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Welcome to our latest episode, where we delve into the exciting world of UK fly fishing with none other than Chris Hague, an elite fly casting instructor and guide. In this episode, we explore the intricacies of fly fishing in the UK and Iceland, focusing on the majestic Atlantic salmon and the art of spey fishing. Chris shares his expert insights on the best techniques, the top locations for catching wild rainbows, and the current state of salmon fishing in Scotland. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a curious beginner, this episode is packed with valuable tips and fascinating stories.
4:19 - Chris' interest in fishing began at a young age, influenced by living close to various fishing spots and seeing salmon fishing on family holidays in Wales. His passion for fly fishing led him to focus exclusively on it. About 20 years ago, he began taking exams to become a fly fishing instructor, starting with entry-level certifications and advancing to more complex qualifications, including those from the Fly Fishers International (FFI). 10:14 - Chris describes the current situation of salmon runs in the UK and how it compares to other locations. The UK has experienced a decline in salmon populations with little improvement. He shares his recent experience fishing on the River Tweed in Scotland, where he caught a 13-pound fish but notes the effort required and the scarcity of fish. Chris contrasts this with Iceland's successful ranching policy, where larger fish are placed in holding pens and a select number of fish are used for breeding. 13:48 - Chris offers spey casting lessons, including single-handed and double-handed workshops, and guided fishing trips for species like trout and pike. He notes that traveling for salmon fishing requires a three-hour drive. 14:32 - He describes his typical two-handed setup for salmon fishing, including a 12'7" Mackenzie FX2 rod made of carbon and graphene, paired with a Lamson reel and a shooting head system. He emphasizes the versatility of multi-tip line setups, which allow anglers to adjust their fishing strategy quickly without carrying heavy gear. He prefers traveling light and uses this adaptable setup to efficiently cover different fishing conditions. 19:18 - Chris explains they are currently designing a new line for Mackenzie, and he describes the evolution of fishing lines, noting that Skagit and Scandi lines emerged around the same time. Skagit lines were short and designed for throwing heavy, large flies, while Scandi lines offered better presentation but were still relatively short. Chris mentions the development of hybrid lines that combine the benefits of both Skagit and Scandi lines, being short but offering better presentation. 21:07 - He mentions the Lamson Guru reel which he says complements the black, orange, and white Mackenzie rods. Mackenzie was founded by Scott Mackenzie, a world champion distance caster. The company has gained recognition for its innovative rods, especially those incorporating graphene, a material known for its strength and stability. This has led to the Mackenzie rods winning several awards in the UK. Additionally, Chris mentions that Mackenzie is expanding their product line to include clothing and various types of rods, including those for tight line nymphing, saltwater fishing, and predator fishing, with new products expected in 2025. 23:49 - Chris recounts catching a 30-pound fish in the River Tweed using a 12ft 7wt rod while fishing from a boat. He mentions that the boat is maneuvered manually by gillies, who have impressive arm strength due to their constant rowing. Chris describes the fishing experience, noting the gentle take of the fish and how he adapted his technique by changing the depth and fly used. 26:35 - For those planning a fishing trip to the UK, Chris suggests that while the UK has fantastic rivers, access can be challenging due to many being members-only. He mentions that many anglers travel to places like Iceland and Norway for better fishing experiences. He prefers Iceland because he can reach rivers there faster than in Scotland and finds the fishing quality superior. 30:24 - We dig into the history and evolution of spey casting. He explains that spey casting originated in the 1880s with fishermen who needed a technique to cast in limited space and under various wind conditions. 34:41 - We talk about salmon fishing techniques, particularly in Iceland and the UK. Chris explains that early in the season, larger and more aggressive fish are more likely to chase bigger flies, whereas later in the season, fish become more cautious and prefer smaller flies. He shares insights on how to keep the fly in front of the fish longer by manipulating the line without creating too much slack. 40:37 - Chris shares his love for various fish species and recounts a memorable trip to the Maldives. There, they engaged in sight fishing on flats, targeting species like triggerfish and yellow-spotted trevally. He describes the excitement of seeing fish chase the bait and the necessity of quick casting adjustments. 43:58 - We talk about his fly casting workshop. Chris explains that his workshops, like the recent ones in Italy and Derbyshire, are full-day events focusing on various types of casting techniques. He begins with basic waterborne anchor casts such as snap casts and double spey casts, then progresses to more advanced airborne anchor casts like Touch and Go and Snake Roll casts. 46:31 - Chris describes the snake roll cast. He explains that this cast is designed for quick angle changes and is ideal when there's limited space behind the caster, such as when there are obstructions. 48:42 - He shares his plans for the rest of the year which includes a comprehensive salmon fishing course in Iceland, specifically at the East Ranga. The course, taking place just before prime fishing season, will cover various aspects of salmon fishing, including casting workshops, fly selection, and fishing strategies. 54:32 - We briefly talk about the fishing conditions and fish populations in Iceland, comparing them to those in other regions. Chris says that while there were fewer fish this year, the numbers remain relatively constant due to effective management policies. We also discuss the impact of hatcheries. 57:22 - We get into the gear for salmon fishing. Chris explains that while they do use nets, he personally doesn't carry one, relying instead on nearby gillies to help with netting fish and emphasizing the importance of fish care and keeping the fish in the water. He prefers to travel light, carrying minimal gear such as tippet, nippers, a tape measure, and a small box of flies and hooks. He avoids using a vest or pack, instead storing everything in his waders. 59:42 - Chris gives an advice for those who are planning a fishing trip to Iceland. He suggests first-timers to join organized trips led by experienced guides to avoid common pitfalls such as bringing the wrong gear. He emphasizes the importance of proper preparation, including selecting the right clothing and equipment, and knowing the best fishing spots. 1:01:26 - Chris currently uses a prototype line. He mentions that Mackenzie is developing a new, simplified multi-tip fly line system designed to be easy to use. This system will include a floating body and a sinking body, allowing anglers to control the depth and speed of their fly. The simplified system aims to avoid the confusion associated with blended lines. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/663 | |||
| 23 Jun 2023 | WFS 466 - Outcast Boats with Chris Callanan - Fish Cat, Float Tubes, Pontoon Boats | 01:09:27 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/466 Presented By: Togens Fly Shop, Dette Flies, Bearvault, Mavrk Fly Fishing Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors It's boat talk today with Chris Callanan as we delve deep into Outcast Boats. We explore his tips on finding the perfect boat, including their unique tweaks to float tubes and the significance of internal bladders in all their boats. We also gain valuable insights into the boating industry. Let's jump into the realm of boats, float tubes, and of course, fly fishing from a whole new perspective. Outcast Boats Show Notes with Chris Callanan 03:16 - We did a stillwater event with Phil Rowley, giving away a Fish Cat 4 Float Tube from Outcast. Chris reveals that the Fish Cat 4 is their top-selling float tube because of its good design and materials. And speaking of float tubes, we look back to the '80s and '90s and explore the evolution and notable differences between float tubes of the past and the designs and materials used in today's models. 05:00 - Outcast provides a range of float tube sizes to cater to individuals' varying needs and sizes. They have two models for the bigger guys: the Prowler and the Fish Cat 5 Max. Chris Callanan's Fly Fishing Story 07:00 - Chris grew up in Buffalo, New York. His father was a physician who loved fishing and hunting, so they moved to Idaho, where he and his dad spent their weekends fishing together. 07:53 - Chris had the opportunity to work during the summers as a fishing guide for the Yellowstone Angler, becoming George Anderson's second employee. 09:26 - Today, Chris lives in Idaho and is working for AIRE, with Outcast as the fishing side of the company. AIRE and Outcast Sporting Gear Products 16:47 - Outcast has been in business since 1995. According to Chris, one notable feature of their products is the inclusion of internal bladders. He breaks down the significance of these bladders to safety and simplified repair processes. 22:51 - We discuss frameless boats like the Fish Cat Scout IGS and the OSG Stealth Pro. 24:57 - Phil Rowley is a big fan of the PAC 9000, an exceptional all-around boat offered by Outcast. 27:35 - The PAC 1400 is the top-selling raft frame on the Outcast side. For AIRE, it's the Super Duper Puma. 30:06 - Chris recommends the OSG Clearwater and OSG Commander if you're steelhead fishing. The OSG Commander is more of a kayak-style boat. For Chris, the OSG Clearwater is also an excellent all-around boat. 35:19 - The OSG Striker is one of the staff-favorite. It is a frameless two-person raft that weighs 100 lbs. 39:00 - Besides their boats, Outcast offers a wide range of boating accessories, including fins, oar locks, oar stops, oars, pumps, and more. They also offer durable bags made from leftover boat materials. 39:54 - Chris highly recommends the AIRE 136DD as the perfect boat for longer trips, including full weekends and overnight adventures. 46:59 - We also talk about our stillwater guru, Phil Rowley, who has a long-standing partnership with Outcast. 50:43 - Chris provides a detailed breakdown of the business operations at Outcast. Coffee Talk with Chris 1:00:00 - Chris loves black coffee and admits to being a coffee snob, having lived in Seattle for a while. He also enjoys making his coffee. 1:02:00 - Chris admits to still using the rod George Anderson gave him 40 years ago during his time at the Yellowstone Angler. He uses a 6-wt. rod for everything, a choice that Phil playfully teases him about. 1:03:48 - Chris loves the Smartless and The Rewatchables. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/466
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| 23 Mar 2021 | WFS 199 - Tips on Choosing a Fly Fishing Reel with Cheeky Fishing's Peter Vandergrift | 01:17:38 | |
https://wetflyswing.com/199 Sponsor: OPST: http://wetflyswing.com/opst Sponsor: Sawyer Oars: http://wetflyswing.com/sawyer Peter Vandergrift from Cheeky Fishing is here to walk through the top tips on finding the right fly fishing reel for your setup. We hear about the 4 reel models in the Cheeky lineup and what you need for your species of choice. We hear about an amazing steelhead that Peter landed on the Skagit and the tear that it brought to Dave McCoy's eye. This after they forgot their food and water for the day and only had an 18 pack of beer. This episode
- Camille Egdorf was at the first lodge Peter worked at on his first trip to Alaska. Peter shares a great Alaska adventure with his parent's car as a 16 year old. - Diane Bristol was a huge influence on Peter’s career in fly fishing. Diane has been doing marketing at Simms for many years. - IndyFly is Oliver White's nonprofit and a program that Peter worked on in the past. - I noted the Joe Goodspeed episode 193 with Thomas and Thomas Rod Designs. Joe shared the process and stories behind the T&T rods. - The Preload 350 is the perfect beginner setup for trout fishing - The difference between the PreLoad, Tyro which comes with two spools. - The Cheeky Reel Selector - Schoolie tournament - Dave McCoy was on the podcast and Tom Larimer was on the podcast here.
Cheeky Fly Fishing Reel Conclusion with Peter Vandergrift We get the story behind Cheeky and some tips on choosing a high-quality fly fishing reel with Peter Vandergrift. One of the best stories here is where Peter describes his first Skagit River steelhead and the tears of joy brought to Dave McCoy from this trip. https://wetflyswing.com/199 Sponsor: OPST: http://wetflyswing.com/opst Sponsor: Sawyer Oars: http://wetflyswing.com/sawyer
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| 02 Jan 2024 | WFS 548B - Trophy Trout with Landon Mayer - Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival, Fly Tying, Fitness Tips | 01:08:15 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/548B Presented By: FishHound Expeditions Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Unlock the secrets of landing trophy trout with fly fishing virtuoso Landon Mayer, who generously shares his expertise on everything from the precise art of fly tying to the adrenaline rush of sight fishing. Whether you're wading through the streams of Colorado or casting on still waters, Landon's strategies are a game-changer. As we navigate through a rich conversation, we uncover the intricacies of angling presentations, the importance of matching them to insect hatches, and delve into the role of fitness in ensuring you can keep casting for years to come. Feel the excitement build as Landon reveals his approach to educating anglers, harnessing the power of visual learning to make even the most complex fly fishing tactics accessible. Discover the allure of South Park's diverse fishing landscape and learn why still waters are drawing more anglers into their depths. Landon's anticipation for upcoming fly fishing shows is infectious, and his promise of delivering clear, simplified demonstrations has us marking calendars for the Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival. Wrapping up our journey with Landon, we share a moment of gratitude for the dedicated fan support that fuels the fly fishing community. As we look ahead to a season of shows, books, and the continuous pursuit of those elusive giant trout, this episode stands as a personal invitation to step into the world of advanced fly fishing techniques and embrace the lifestyle changes that will keep you on the riverbanks, doing what you love, for as long as possible. Join us, and let's cast into the future of fly fishing together. Episode Chapters - Trophy Trout (0:00:05) - Trophy Trout and Fly Fishing (0:10:59) - Presentations, Home Water, and Trophy Trout (0:18:43) - Timing and Presentation for Trout Fishing (0:25:15) - Canyons and Water for Trout Fishing (0:36:25) - Angling Strategies With Leeches and Midges (0:43:17) - Delivering and Handling Leeches in Fly Fishing (0:54:37) - Books, Fitness, and Health Tips (1:06:22) - Staying Fit for Life Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/548B | |||
| 15 Nov 2023 | WFS 528 - Yakoda Supply Products with Jason Faerman and Justin Fuller - Fly Tying, Outdoor Gear, Colorado | 01:09:02 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/528 Presented By: Bearvault, Smitty's Fly Box, Yellowstone Teton Territory Jason Faerman and Justin Fuller of Yakoda Supply return today on the podcast to bring us up to speed on the exciting developments in their Colorado-based company. Delve into their commitment to supporting local craftsmanship and their strategic decision to keep all their products American-made. We'll also learn about some of their amazing products, including the Yakoda Gear Transport and Convertible Utility Pack. Let's join Jason and Justin for a conversation filled with insights into the world of fly fishing and the principles that drive Yakoda Supply's success. Episode Chapters with Jason Faerman and Justin Fuller on Yakoda Supply Products 02:00 - It's been two and a half years since our last catch-up with Jason and Justin, but today, they're back to fill us in on all the exciting developments at Yakoda Supply. 03:44 - Justin hails from Texas and has a background in graphic design. He initially collaborated with a friend who owned a fly shop in Boulder, Colorado. It was during a trip in 2017 that he crossed paths with Jason. 04:50 - Jason was originally from New York and made Colorado his home in 1996. His professional background spans operations and creativity, and he spent a significant part of his career as a chef. Yakoda Supply Products 07:10 - The Yakoda Gear Transport was one of their first products and is now in its third iteration. 11:30 - We discussed their commitment to keeping all their products made in the USA, which has proven to be a strategic advantage, especially during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. 17:05 - Jason and Justin shared their experience of opening their shop. Their first year of running a retail shop has been filled with surprises and positive encounters as they meet various individuals walking through their doors. 25:00 - When Justin and Jason started Yakoda, having a line of flies wasn't part of their original plan. It all started when they listed a Hot Wire CDC pattern on their website, which sold out in less than a day, surprising them. 28:00 - They've established a strong partnership with MFC, who now ties their flies. Currently, they have nearly 30 patterns in their lineup, and Justin and Jason said they don't foresee adding many more. 31:57 - Initially, they offered small fly tins on a quarterly basis, but now subscribers receive a larger fly box, known as the Slim Tin, capable of holding around 100 flies. 33:30 - They also launched monthly products, available in three-pack and six-pack options. These monthly deliveries consist exclusively of flies from the Yakoda lineup, carefully selected for the season or even the month. 34:20 - Yakoda offers subscribers not only the flies and corresponding content but also an ongoing discount code for year-round website purchases. Additionally, members can access exclusive Yakoda Fly Club products not accessible to the general public. 35:40 - One of Yakoda's standout and well-received products is their Convertible Utility Pack. 45:22 - We delved into the fishing scene in Colorado, particularly in the Boulder Creek drainage area. They primarily target wild rainbows and wild browns. 52:00 - In our conversation, we delved into the latest addition to Yakoda's lineup: the nippers. 57:00 - Jason and Justine take pride in their commitment to conservation efforts, particularly through their support of 1% for the Planet. They're also founding partners of Protect Our Rivers. Additionally, Yakoda collaborates with Indifly to protect fisheries in indigenous communities and backs Backcountry Hunters and Anglers to advocate for public land access. 59:37 - Jason and Justin love listening to music by Jerry Garcia, Waylon Jennings, and War on Drugs. 1:01:26 - According to Justin, Jason is a true-crime podcast enthusiast, often exchanging podcast links with Justin's wife. Recently, Jason has listened to Spooked and Lost Hills. 1:02:31 - Jason added that they also listen to business podcasts like Wisdom from the Top. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/528 | |||
| 14 Feb 2021 | WFS 189 - How to Rank Your Blog Post to #1 (Outdoors Online Marketing Podcast Podcast) | 00:50:35 | |
Show Notes: https://outdoorsonline.co/014 Stepping out of the Fly Fishing comfort zone as I indulge in promoting my other podcasting baby. I share a great podcast episode from my other show, the Outdoors Online Marketing Podcast. If you have a business or are interested in blogging, then this one if for you. If you are not then you might want to pass on this one, unless you love a good hiphoptic intro. Quote: “Nobody is Born Being a Good Writer.” Conclusion with Mike Alton Mike Alton talks about how to become a better blogger and how to prepare for producing a great blog post. He shares the 5 Paragraph framework that will help you understand blogging. Tons of great content to up your game this week with the Blog father himself. Show Notes: https://outdoorsonline.co/014 | |||
| 25 Jan 2023 | WFS 404 - Rod Building Supplies with Matt Draft at Proof Fly Fishing - Kits, Equipment and Tools | 00:49:37 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/404 Presented By: Stonefly Nets, Mavrk, Drifthook, Range Meal Bars Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Matt Draft is back on the podcast with an update on what he has been up to and some more rod-building supplies and tips. We find out how Matt built his business that doesn't require any marketing. I also dig into some random questions that give us a feel for the how and why behind building a rod-building supplies business. Rod Building Supplies Show Notes with Matt Draft 2:50 - We look back to our episode back in 2018 which was episode 85. 3:37 - Matt gives an update on Proof Fly Fishing. He says they added a new video series with the title How to Restore a Bamboo Fly Rod. 4:24 - He shares tips on restoring a bamboo rod and building one from scratch. More information on these can be found in the tutorials section on their Proof Fly Fishing website. 6:20 - I ask him how he figured out that restoring bamboo rods is the next step he wanted to take. 8:09 - He walks us through the steps of building your own rod. He recommends ordering or customizing a kit from their website and watching their video tutorials. 10:15 - He breaks down the parts of building your own rod. 12:47 - He talks about the blanks which have the largest cost among their rod-building supplies. One of his favorites is the Czech Nymph Blank. 13:09 - He gives the two defining characteristics of a true Czech blank. 13:33 - He talks about cork grips. He also shares some of their new stuff, the carbon fiber handles and EVA grip. 16:28 - We talk about other products from their website. One of these is the Gorilla Glue which is an unbelievable adhesive. They have a tutorial on using Gorilla Glue as a rod finish. 21:00 - We dig into the usual blocks that people encounter when they are just starting out in building their own rods. 22:27 - I mention the Gink and Gasoline series where I found Matt. 23:06 - He gives some tips for those who are looking to get an affordable bamboo rod. 25:43 - He shares about their specialized tutorials. 27:13 - He talks about the process of building rods. 29:27 - He takes us back to building his company. 32:06 - He tells his species of choice. 32:40 - He recommends The Classic Fly Rod Forum that people can dig into to learn more about rod building. 33:08 - I ask about his plans for the company. 35:09 - I mention our episode with Joe Jackson on deer hair bugs. 35:37 - He shares his gratitude to the rod-building community for being generous with information and materials when he was just starting out in the business. 41:01 - He talks about his goal for this year. 42:20 - He shares how he runs and promotes his business. 45:06 - We talk about what music he listens to while building rods. He mentions the Counting Crows. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/404 | |||
| 22 Jun 2021 | WFS 223 - Huge Fly Fisherman with Ben Sittig - Colorado, Comedy, 12 Things | 01:16:03 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/223 Sponsor: Sawyer Oars: https://wetflyswing.com/sawyer Sponsor: Turtlebox Audio: https://wetflyswing.com/turtlebox Ben Sittig aka Huge Fly Fisherman, is here to share the story of how he created one of the most unique and entertaining youtube channels in the fly fishing space. Hank Patterson is the only channel close to Huge but even Hank is much much different. Ben prides himself on teaching in each video but mixes in his own comedy and entertainment value. Listen along today as we sprinkle in some audio cuts directly from Ben's youtube videos. Huge Fly Fisherman Show Notes - Hank Patterson was on the podcast in episode 58. Hank is the other big fly fishing youtube personality with a comedic style. - Louis Cahill was on the podcast in episode 206 and noted the drunk messages he received which almost forced him to give up on Gink and Gasoline. - Stephen Colbert has a style that is a little similar to Ben. Have a look and decide for yourself. - 12 things you don't need for fly fishing, 12 more things, and etiquete are some of the most popular videos.
- Ben hosted the F3T. Paul was on the podcast here where we dig into the Fly Fishing Film Tour. - Black Steve Irwin on instagram is someone you should look up. - The stream etiquette Video - The ketchum release tool - Estes Angler was one of the fly shops Ben worked for over the years. - The Rod Tube video - Ben describes why Tenkara is not fly fishing. - Gary Borger was on the podcast here in episode 45. Scotty from Wild fly productions - You can listen to Ben's Reggae channel on spotifly here:
Ben Sittig is here to share the story of why he created Huge Fly Fisherman and how he created a youtube channel around it with 40k subscribers. We find out which videos are the most viewed and why he hates Tenkara so much. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/223 | |||
| 02 Sep 2021 | WFS 244 - Derek DeYoung on Fly Fishing Art | 01:10:35 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/245 Sponsor: https://wetflyswing.com/togens Derek Deyoung is here to shed light on how he created one of the leading art creators focused on fly fishing. It’s been a life long passion for Derek so you’ll want to check out this episode to hear how he put it all together. We dig into the behind the scenes of how he created some of his most popular art and the process to get there. Derek notes that having ADHD is actually a benefit for his artistic style and is something I deal with as well.
- Mike Schultz was on the podcast in episode 229 with a focus on fishing for smallmouth bass. - I noted Anglers Coffee and the Derek DeYoung art series that's going on right now. - Simms was the first big licensing deal and a funny story - The Profitable Artist: A Handbook for All Artists in the Performing, Literary, and Visual Arts (Second Edition) - The fish faces series was used for anglers coffee series and is one of the most popular series. - I noted Ray Troll and his amazing Art. - Phone cases are the leading sku for Derek - The hex hatch print - Oregon AT podcast. Derek has a camper from four wheel camper out of souther california. - Instagram and videos from pictured Rock around May and june 2021 You can find Derek at DerekDeYoung.com
Derek Deyoung shares his passionate fishing art story of how he came to become a leader in the space. We find out some of his most popular are over the years and where he's heading next with his work. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/245 | |||
| 12 Apr 2023 | WFS 435 - Delaware River Fly Fishing with Scott Meyer and Steve Borst from Black Dog Outdoor Sports | 01:25:16 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/435 Presented By: Trxstle, Yellowstone Teton, Togens Fly Shop, Mavrk Fly Fishing Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Scott Meter and Steve Borst from Black Dog Outdoor Sports are here to take us into the Delaware River system. We find out a little more about the history of the Catskills and this part of the country, which streamside guide is a must-have, and what their remote deer camp cabin is all about. We find out what's the best time to fish the Delaware River and the different hatches you can take advantage of. We also talk about what they have going at the shop and how they can get you started with almost any outdoor activity you want to explore. Here we go! Show Notes with Black Dog Outdoor Sports 06:00 - Steve tells us how the shop got started. Now they got lots of different outdoor equipment such as hunting, camping, paddling, fly fishing, etc. 11:00 - Steve fishes the Catskills 90% of the time. We also hear about the other streams they fish on. 15:20 - "Roscoe, New York is self-proclaimed trout town USA." 20:20 - May is the best time to fish in New York. You get a lot of hatches such as the Quill Gordons, Hendrickson, Caddis, March Browns, etc. 21:45 - They also have October Caddis which are huge Caddis, size 6 to 10 inches. 26:30 - We talk about the book, Art Flick by Roger Keckeissen - a Catskill Legend. 33:00 - We noted Lee and Joan Wulff. We had Joan Wulff on the podcast at WFS 100. 36:54 - The Pepacton Reservoir has one of the cleanest water in the country. 44:05 - Steve tells the story of how rainbow trout got in the Delaware River. 46:54 - They talk about the fly shop and what they have there. 51:30 - We noted the Kenetrek Boots which are very durable. They got some in the shop. 59:15 - Steve is an active member of Ducks Unlimited. 1:07:00 - We talk about their dogs and find out how they came up with their shop name. 1:11:45 - Shout out to OnXMaps.com for being a reliable tool outdoors. 1:14:16 - Steve uses a 280 Remington Bolt Action Left-handed Mountain Rifle. 1:15:25 - Scott recommends a 10-foot, 3-wt Sage Sense fly rod for Euro nymphing. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/435 | |||
| 03 Jan 2024 | WFS 549 - Backcountry Hunters and Anglers with Hal Herring - BHA Podcast, Conservation, Fly Fishing | 01:23:14 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/549 Presented By: Skwala, Dette Flies, Drifthook Fly Fishing Step into the wild with Hal Herring as he shares captivating stories of hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors. Hal delves into his early experiences, the roots of his passion for conservation, and the exciting initiatives he's leading. We also hear about the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Podcast and Blast and get a sneak peek into Hal's upcoming book. Don't miss out on the excitement – tune in and discover the extraordinary tales that await in the great outdoors! Show Notes with Hal Herring on Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. 01:41 - Hal Herring tells us about his early experiences hunting and fishing. 06:00 - Hal acknowledges that his parents' decision to move to the countryside in his youth significantly influenced his life. The experience of farm work during middle and high school later provided him with valuable skills, allowing him to easily secure a job in Montana when he was in his mid-20s. 10:34 - Hal tells us how he got into conservation. Hal emphasizes that his passion for conservation was a natural development rooted in his upbringing, influenced by magazines like Field and Stream, Sports Afield, and Outdoor Life. 14:21 - Hal expresses optimism in the power of conservation efforts. He sees the main obstacle as indifference and highlights the potential for passionate anglers to make meaningful contributions to conservation by fighting for the rivers they fish. 22:43 - Hal tells us the story of how the BHA's Podcast & Blast started. 27:49 - Hal talks about how his writing career started. His writing career gained momentum when his work was acknowledged by publications like Field & Stream. 38:31 - Hal encourages individuals to join conservation groups like Trout Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited, citing their positive impact on small-scale dam removal, creek restoration, and wetlands conservation. 44:00 - Hal talks about Ray Scott, the founder of the Bass Angler Sportsman Society. Scott's significant legal efforts involved numerous lawsuits against polluters in the Tennessee River system before the enactment of the Clean Water Act in 1972. 50:31 - Hal shares a recent initiative involving the planting of 286,000 sagebrush and bitterbrush in October. BHA Podcast & Blast 53:09 - Hal discusses how he selects topics for the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Podcast and Blast. 56:00 - Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is a hunting and fishing conservation group focused on issues about public lands. 01:01:10 - Hal emphasizes the importance of getting involved locally and mentions several organizations contributing to conservation efforts, including the Mule Deer Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. 01:06:00 - We also delve into wolf recovery efforts. 01:19:29 - Hal discusses his upcoming book. The book explores the history and profiles various National Forests and Bureau of Land Management lands. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/549
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| 30 Jun 2020 | WFS 144 - Deschutes Salmon Fly Hatch with Elke and Alysia Littleleaf | 01:24:02 | |
https://wetflyswing.com/144 Sponsors: Got Fishing - https://gotfishing.com/ Fly Fishing and Tying Journal - https://ftjangler.com/
We find out how you plan for your next salmon fly trip and the best flies to use for the trip. We find out exactly what Elke’s fly box looks like and why he uses a 6 weight single hander and micro spey in the toolbox.
03:00 - John Smeraglio was on the podcast in episode 32 here and covered the Deschutes SalmonFly Hatch. 07:15 - We talk about Al Bagley who was another native american guide who is retired now. 08:30 - Elke notes the Nestle water issue and how they spoke up to protect the environment 10:30 - The DRA and the NW Steelheaders are two groups that they give back to. 14:00 - Alicia notes the Warrior Pavati driftboat they use for their trips. 15:45 - Elke noted having some green drakes is it’s cold and wet. Here's a green drake fly tying video. 17:30 - The Predator is the killer salmon fly patter that Elke developed. Here's a pic of the predator. 20:50 - We here a great story about the influence of Jim Teeny here. I had Jim on the podcast in episode 5 here. 24:13 - I note the Bruce Chard episode where Bruce tells another Jim Teeny story catching a trophy permit on the last cast. 28:45 - The norm woods special is a great pattern. Anything with legs can make a difference. Here's Jason from the Portland Fly Shop tying up a Norm Woods Special. 43:30 - Marty and Mia were on in episode 76 here. Marty noted how Elke fishes the Deschutes differently for steelhead. 58:45 - Alicia’s large trout photo that we talk about in the show. 1:01:50 - The Deschutes Fly Shop at Warm Springs with RV hookups is right up the road from Elke and Alicia. 1:11:30 - The Warm Springs historic museum in Warm Springs 1:12:00 - When the River Ran Wild is a book by Alicia’s grandfather.
You can Elke and Alysia Littleleaf at Little Leaf Guides here or at 541-615-0402.
Top Deschutes Salmon Fly Hatch Tips have plenty of caddis in your box Get a black magic marker and add dots, stripes, etc to make different bring 6 weight single hand rod or micro spey to deal with the wind in evening
Resources Noted in the Show Here’s a link for the Warrior Pavati drift boat
Videos Noted in the Show How to tie a green drake dry fly How to tie the Predator fly pattern
#waterislife #deschutes #troutfishing #rainbows #conservation #nativeamericanculture #pavati #green-drake #stoneflies
Quote: “Water is Live”
Conclusion on The Salmon fly Hatch Elke and AlysiaLIttleLeaf share their best tips on the Deschutes River. Find out why you shouldn’t walk fast, and the other key items to have for your next trip. Tons of great tips including a biggie on when to stay out of the water and the best time to hit steelhead in the upper river. https://wetflyswing.com/144 | |||
| 14 Jun 2023 | WFS 462 - Fishing Finland with Jani Himanko - Brown Trout, Streamers, Caddis Flies | 01:22:28 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/462 Presented by: Bearvault, Daiichi, Waters West Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Jani Himanko is here to talk about fishing Finland and give us amazing options and resources on your next trip there. We find out who the other European lodges that run drift boats are. We also get a feel for this lodge and the restaurant that is literally on the river. We get an insight into the European Hall of Fame as well. Everything Finland today! Let's find out how to plan that next European vacation.
3:48 - Jani shares his first memory of fly fishing. When he saw the film A River Runs Through It, he was hooked. That's the main reason he became a fly fisher. 5:26 - He tells the interesting story of how he got to own the Kapeenkoski and how he was hesitant at first to take the opportunity. Currently, they also offer rafting and river boarding besides fishing. 11:12 - They have a place in the lodge for dining and private parties like weddings. This is located by the water which he calls a "trout land" because it's a perfect place for trouts to spawn. 14:51 - We talk about why he chose Willie Boats for their drift boats. Their river has a lot of rocks that's why they prefer aluminum boats. For the oars, I recommend him the ones from Sawyer. 16:39 - He describes Finland as very similar to Norway and Sweden in terms of language and culture. He also talks a bit more about Norway. He loves going there every year to fish with his friends. We also covered fly fishing in Norway in episodes 286 and 419. 19:40 - The closes city to their lodge is Jyvaskyla. He tells us how to visit their lodge if you're flying from New York. According to Jani, you won't be able to find Kapeenkonski on the map. Instead, search for Laukaa or Äänekoivisto. 21:51 - He mentions the species you can find in their river such as brown trout, grayling, and pike-perch or zander. They also have 20-30 lb. northern pikes. 23:28 - We dig into their guided fishing and the fishing seasons at Kapeenkoski. They are already sold out for June this year, but they have availability for July to August. 27:25 - We dig into his fishing techniques. Streamer fishing is his favorite fly fishing method. He also shares a bit about his clients' experiences. 31:45 - The best season for dry flies is late July to August. The Goddard caddis in size 10, 12, or 14 is the best pattern to have in your box. He also recommends the Swedish Super pupa. 33:56 - Aside from the fishing laws in Finland, he also makes the local fishing rules. Clients can euro nymph in their waters, but there are some restrictions which he explains further. 37:37 - We go back to dry fly fishing. 39:04 - He gives tips and information on creating your itinerary for Finland. We also talk a bit about European beers and drinks. He drinks Lonkero which he says is the Finnish national drink of fly fishermen. 43:34 - He tells a funny story about that time when he and his wife visited Munich, Germany. 45:10 - I ask him what food they usually serve their clients in Kapeenkoski. We also talk about the seasons and culture in Finland. The best time to visit is summer. 49:15 - He tells his favorite Guns N' Roses song and album. 50:20 - He shares his perspective on how Finland is different from Germany. We also dig into their country's history involving Russia and other European countries. He already has been to the Kola Peninsula in Russia many times to fish. 55:50 - When Jani was 19, he did military training for 11 months and served as a chef there. 59:16 - We talk about hunting in Finland. The species they usually hunt are ducks and moose. 1:00:41 - We dig into how they do streamer fishing. His friend, Mika Vainio, whom he says is one of the best streamer fishermen in Finland created the Musta Kostaja or "The Black Avenger". 1:04:08 - They have this Finnish fly called Surffilauta or the "surfboard tube fly". It's a dry fly, but it's a streamer. 1:07:09 - I ask him about his recognition as the driving force behind fishing tourism in Central Finland. His name can be found in the Finnish Fishing Hall of Fame in Kotka's Maretarium. 1:07:48 - He also writes articles for some fishing magazines such as Metsastys ja Kalastus which he says is the biggest fishing magazine in Scandinavia. 1:08:46 - I ask him about Scandinavia and fishing in Estonia. He also mentions some rivers in Finland that are great for fishing and the species you can find in each of them. 1:12:11 - We talk a bit about hockey in Finland. Jyp Jyvaskyla is his hometown's team. 1:13:40 - He shares his experience in raising his two daughters. 1:16:20 - He used to be a salesman at Rapala, a lure company. For rods and other fishing gear in Finland, he recommends Vision Fly Fishing. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/462 | |||
| 08 Sep 2020 | WFS 155 - Syd Glasso, Dyeing Feathers, Fly Tying & Steelhead with Dave McNeese | 01:55:58 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/155 Dave McNeese tells his stories of a life in fly fishing, fly tying and dyeing feathers. Dave is working on the book on Syd Glasso’s life and has been an expert material dying all star for 5 decades. Dave has done a little bit of everything in fly fishing including building custom rods, custom reels, flies and a fly shop. We connect the dots even more today as we hear about the life of one of the really interesting guys in fly fishing. We also hear the story of the felony conviction that Dave received for trading animals but as you hear this was a bad rap sheet on Dave.
09:30 - Dave attended the 1975 McKenzie fly fishers conclave where Lee Wulff and Ernie where there. Here's a little history on the conclave. - The Master fly tying guide by Art Flick - Dave notes the Fly Fishing and Tying Journal and the dying articles he has written at FTJ. - John Shewey was on the podcast in episode 16 and talked about the old shop “My Flies” which was located in Salem Oregon. - Paul Jorgensen was a big part of Dave’s growth in fly fishing. - Twin River Fly Shop is the local store in Albany Oregon. - The Blue Heron spey hooks were Dave’s line of hooks. - Trey’s first book Steelhead Trout came up again here. - The Atherton Painting - The Orange Heron tied by Syd Glasso is in Trey’s 1976 book - Preston Jennings was noted. Here's a summary of some of his work. - Rube Cross was noted by dave as one of the Tyers everyone tried to copy. - The McNeese Madness is a great pattern for the Deschutes. - Joseph Rossano was on the podcast in episode 136 and is helping Dave with the Syd Glasso book. - Steve Gobin bamboo fly rods.
You can find Dave McNeese here
Master Fly Tying by Art Flick
Videos Noted in the Show Paul Jorgensen Video Orange Heren Syd Glasso
Dave Mcneese shares his story of how he started his fly shop and became a material dying master. We find out how he connected to many of the old timers including Syd Glasso. Dave shares some of the story of who Syd Glasso was and how he got ahold of some of We hear how Dave started his fly shop based on a mail order business and expanded it out until he ran into trouble with the Federal government in relation to some illegal game that was sent to him. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/155 | |||
| 27 Aug 2019 | WFS 095 - Fly Fishers International with Len Zickler - Mel Krieger, Casting Awards, Learning Center, Orvis, PHWFF, Dire Straits | 01:06:56 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/ffi Show Sponsor: TheGreyDrake.com Show Sponsor: DeliFreshDesign.com
Find out about the Fly Tying Skills Award Program and other activities that are helping to engage people in fly fishing. Len talks about his grandfather and the fly rod that planted the seed.
The Grey Drake at: TheGreyDrake.com
Show Notes with Len Zickler The Clearwater Orvis fly rod outfit was the first solid intro outfit that Len picked up when he got started. The "movie" comes up here. Here's another random link. Dec Hogan was hosting a trip to a private lake and helped Len get started. Dec was on the podcast in episode 20. Mel Krieger was one of Len's mentors. Len talks about how Mel came up with the casting certification. Here's a video with Mel providing some casting tips. I noted that Joan Wulff is going to be on the show soon. Here's a placeholder to note the Joan Wulff podcast. Len talks about the difference between Trout Unlimited and FFI. FFI is set apart because they cover all species around the world. Jeff Courier was on the podcast and talked about his 400 fly caught species. Indonesia for example, is a strong part of the FFI community. Project Healing Waters is a partner of FFI and is all about helping veterans get healthy through fly fishing. I interviewed PHWFF back in this episode. The Fly Tying Skills Award Program and now the Fly Casting Skills Award Program are very popular processes that help people to stay active and take it to the next level. The FFI magazine can be found at the Fly Fishing Show or any of the regional events around the country, including the Expo in Bozeman. Len notes the issue with paper and was noted in a past episode here. The Anthem video was produced out of Bozeman. This video explains who FFI is and where they want to go. Pat Flynn says to be everywhere these days which isn't always easy todo. The Learning Center is a great resource for anglers and are not as well known. Here's a link to the Learning Center. Share it if it's helpful for you. TFO and Echo have done a good job finding a mid range and affordable fly rod. Sage has now created a wider range package as well. We talk about Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Here is a great VHI Documentary series on youtube. Mike Mercer created the Missing Link fly pattern. Here's the episode with Mike Mercer and I tell my Missing Link story. Patrick Barry is the new CEO of FFI and has the ability to bring some new tools for FFI and all of us. Say hi to Patrick here.
Orvis Clearwater Outfit The Learning Center
Videos Noted in the Show Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Here's the VHI Video Documentary Dire Straits Sultans of Swing
Conclusion with Len Zickler Len Zickler does a great job providing some tips on how to take advantage of the Fly Fishers International and talks about how they are trying to change makeup of the orginization. Getting away from the "old white guy" syndrome. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/ffi Show Sponsor: TheGreyDrake.com Show Sponsor: DeliFreshDesign.com | |||
| 22 Dec 2020 | WFS 172 - Fishing the Hiwassee River with Wanda Taylor - Dry Fly Fishing | 01:08:04 | |
Show Notes: http://wetflyswing.com/172 Wanda Taylor is here to share some great tips on dry fly fishing the Hiwassee River and her life in fly fishing. Wanda shares her love for drift boats and how she uses a drift boat to get her clients into fish. We hear another great Lefty Kreh story and her connection with Temple Fork Outfitters. Lot's of laughs as we talk about hurricanes, tornadoes, Georgia, and life with one of the fun people in fly fishing.
- I noted Roger Fletcher who will be on the show to talk about the history of drift boats. He wrote the book - Drift Boats and River Dories. - I noted the Pete McBride episode and the history of drift boats. Pete described the story of Martin Litton and the first dories in the Grand Canyon. - I noted the grand canyon dorie boats almost flipping in the massive white water. - The TFO Legacy rod dedicated to Lefty Kreh. - Captain Jake Jordan is Wanda's saltwater mentor with a focus on blue marlin. - Wanda notes the Charlton Reels for Marlin fishing as well as Mako Reels. - The parachute adams is the goto pattern. Kelly Galloup also noted this as the number 1 pattern as well on this podcast where he breaks down some dry fly tips. - The Tied down caddis is one of my old school goto wet flies. I put together a fly tying tutorial on the tied down caddis, one of my all time favorite patterns. - Orvis and the Pete casting videos - The Hatch Fly Shop is the closest fly shop to Wanda but also notes the power of Amazon Prime. The elephant in the room that we all love. - Bob, Ed, Jake, Blaine are part of the - I noted the Rick Pope episode and the story of bringing on Lefty Kreh.
You can find Wanda at Wanda Taylor Fly Fishing
Dories in the Grand Canyon Jake Jordan on sale fish How to Tie a Parachute Adams
Wanda Taylor is here to break down some dry fly tips with a focus on fly fishing the Hywassee River. She also breaks down some of her trips fishing for marlin and other huge game fish. Show Notes: http://wetflyswing.com/172 | |||
| 24 Jul 2024 | 636 | Kenai River Sportfishing Association with Shannon Martin - Chinook, Alaska, Conservation | 00:44:47 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/636 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions Today, we hang out with Shannon Martin, executive director of the Kenai Sport Fishing Association. She's here to take us behind the scenes into what they are doing to protect the best salmon rivers in the country. Plus, we'll get an update on the Chinook status in this area. Have you heard of the suicide run? It's a multi-day fishing adventure where anglers stay up all night, catching their limit for the day and getting their limit again for the next day. There's nothing better than Alaska King Salmon. Let's jump into it with Shannon and KRSA. Show Notes with Shannon Martin on Kenai River Sportfishing Association. 02:34 - Shannon grew up in Alaska, where fishing has always been part of her life. About 15 years ago, her brother retired from the Army and got into fly fishing on the Kenai River. Shannon joined him, fell in love with it, and got hooked. Fly Fishing the Kenai River 03:48 - The Kenai River is over 80 miles long with more than 15 public access points. The river is famous for its huge salmon, including the world record King salmon that weighed 97 pounds.
The "Suicide Run" and Dip Net Fishing 06:26 - The "suicide run" is a unique way to fish on the Kenai River. You get off work at 5:00 PM in Anchorage, drive down to the river, catch your limit of salmon by midnight, and then catch the next day's limit after midnight. This July, the sockeye salmon run is expected to bring in about 3.3 million fish, making it a great time to try out a suicide run. Dip net fishing is only for Alaska residents where they can harvest salmon using a five-foot-wide hoop net. Each household gets 25 fish for the head of the household and an additional 10 for each dependent. Kenai River Sportfishing Association 10:25 - Kenai River Sport Fishing Association was founded in 1984 by Bob Penney to protect Chinook salmon. Commercial fishing, especially with gill nets, impacts Chinook as they return to spawn. KRSA aims to balance commercial interests with preserving fish stocks for future generations. Check out our episode with Adam of FishHound Expeditions! He talked about his experience visiting Capitol Hill to spread the word about the issues facing Alaska's fish. 16:42 - Shannon explains how heavy foot traffic on the Kenai River banks harms salmon habitats. To fix this, they’ve built light-penetrating boardwalks. These walkways let people access the river without damaging the vegetation that holds the banks together. 18:35 - KRSA hosts events like the Kenai River Spring Cleanup, where local students help remove litter from the riverbanks. They organize the Jr Classic in the fall, where they introduce around 100 children to fishing and water safety. 24:19 - Shannon talks about the importance of educating anglers on proper catch and release techniques, especially for the declining Chinook salmon. 31:24 - We talk about KRSA's major project with Alaska State Parks to restore and improve a popular state recreation site on the Kenai. This includes: Installing light-penetrating boardwalks 33:58 - The Kenai River Classic functions as not only an educational opportunity for KRSA to get together with local policymakers and philanthropists, but it's also a fundraiser. Highlights of the Kenai River Classic include: A three-day fishing event for about 150 participants Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/636
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| 14 Jul 2022 | WFS 340 – Fly Fishing in Costa Rica with Tom Enderlin | 01:13:03 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/340 Presented By: Stonefly Nets, Trxstle, LakeLady Custom Rods, Bearvault Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Today, we're going fly fishing in Costa Rica with Tom Enderlin. We discover a few different species in the jungle including a fruit-eating fish called, machaca - cousin of the piranha but vegan. We break down the species to target for each season and we touch on some of the wild habitats in the jungle such as jaguars, monkeys, and birds. Tom tells us how they ensure maximum benefit to the local communities there, equipping them to become excellent guides. Find out why Costa Rica is described as "one of the happiest countries in the world" and why they don't even need a military. What is it like to fish tarpon on freshwater with monkey audiences cheering you? Welcome to the jungle baby!
05:15 - Tom started out as an intern for a coffee company in Costa Rica and then got into tourism. Then he went to Europe and worked as a coffee trader. Then he joined a conservation group, Rainforest Alliance and worked with them for a number of years. Then back to Costa Rica with his Costa Rican wife and that's when Fly Fishing Costa Rica was born. 07:15 - Greg Collett was on the podcast at WFS 242 where we talked about Ecuador Conservation 07:30 - Tom describes Costa Rica as one of the happiest countries in the world. They don't even have an army. 10:50 - Their main program at this time this year is the jungle tarpon reserve. It rains up until November then the rain slows down from December up until April. 12:30 - December to April is their dry season and that's when they fish Machaca. These are related to piranha but eat fruit and flowers. 14:55 - Tom loves fishing Tepemechín (Mountain Mullet). They're small but powerful. 16:30 - Marlin fishing in the Pacific Ocean is great from May until November 18:00 - There are 2 different types of Machaca in Costa Rica - one lives in the Caribbean and the other lives in the Pacific. In March and April, the wild cashew tree produces fruit that the Pacific Machaca feeds on. For the Caribbean machaca, they feed on Chilamate tree fruits. 20:00 - They have rainbow trout all year but the best time to fish them is the dry season 21:00 - The Costa Rica Grand Slam is a tarpon, trout, and billfish fishing 25:41 - Tom breaks down what a 1-week itinerary looks like 27:15 - Tom tells us how they make that perfect "kerplunk" - a funny term they use for putting the fly on the water that drives the machaca crazy. Click here to learn how to tie a Machaca fly pattern. 29:25 - For rods, they typically use a 3 wt or a tenkara for the small rainbows. For machaca, they use a 6 or 8 wt with a floating line. For saltwater, they use 10 or 11 wt for roosters. Billfish, sailfish, and marlin, they fish up to 16 wt. 30:20 - Jake Jordan was on the podcast at WFS 204 talking about the billfish 31:10 - They have a film about machaca with the F3T - scroll below to watch the video 33:00 - Another draw to the area is the bird-watching hub where there lives a bird called, the resplendent kestrel 33:30 - There are lots of jaguars in the jungle. They've set up some camera traps to watch the jaguars and a lot of other biodiversity activities in the area. 36:00 - Costa Rica has 4 different monkey species and 3 of them they see every day - white-faced capuchin, howler monkey, spider monkey 38:45 - Louis Cahill was on the podcast at WFS 206 where he told a story about the aggressive monkey that attacked him and almost ripped his arm off 43:30 - Hunting is prohibited in Costa Rica 44:15 - The jungle tarpon reserve is where they fish for tarpon. They work together with the national park office. 48:10 - There's a specie called Wolf Cichlid or rainbow bass aka Guapote 51:30 - Tom uses bead head nymphs or hopper droppers 54:05 - Costa Rica is also an amazing destination for ecotourism - Tom breaks down the activities to do there 55:10 - Tom's son got his first machaca all by himself - he now holds a small fry world record 58:45 - Tarpon fishing in the jungle river is from August until December and a small window in May 1:00:27 - Sport fishing is illegal in Ecuador 1:01:30 - Tom tells us how we can connect with the local community there. The guys from Indifly came over to Costa Rica to talk about a possible collaboration with Tom's crew. 1:05:00 - Shoutout to Yeti for raising funds for the Bristol Bay project. Their coffee cups work great. 1:06:10 - They work with the company, Zen Tekara
So there you go.. If you want to have that jungle fishing experience and target different species, Costa Rica is the place to be. If you want to connect with Tom, you can send him an email at info@flyfishingcostarica.com Tom and the Costa Rica fly fishing crew is doing a great job at supporting the local communities through fly fishing. This trip is definitely going on the bucket list. I'm thinking of visiting there during the dry season to land my first machaca. Maybe we can go together. Let me know so we can set up a trip next year? See you there. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/340 | |||
| 22 Apr 2024 | 596 | Predator on the Fly: Mako Shark Fly Fishing with Conway Bowman | 00:51:34 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/596 Presented By: Northern Rockies Adventures, TroutRoutes, Jackson Hole Fly Company Try to imagine what a 200-pound shark hooked up on the end of your fly rod and jumping 20 feet out of the water would feel like. Hooking sharks on the fly is what today's guest specializes in. In this episode, Conway Bowman is going to take us into his wild world of mako shark fly fishing. Find out where to find these fish, how to pop your fly to these giants, and the thrilling experience of fighting a top predator on a fly rod. Show Notes with Conway Bowman on Mako Shark Fly Fishing.
7:55 - Despite not seeing himself as a rockstar in fly fishing, Conway's focus on targeting Mako Sharks has made him a recognized figure due to his unique approach and expertise. The World of Mako Shark Fly Fishing 8:60 - Between 2007 and 2013, the demand for Mako Shark fly fishing surged, leading Conway to expand his operation and hire additional guides. At one point, there were a few guides besides Conway involved in Mako Shark fly fishing, but due to the physical demands and logistical challenges, he became the primary figure in the field.
Makos are true predators, actively tracking and attacking live prey, which adds to the thrill of targeting them on the fly. They are known for their acrobatics, being the only sharks that can jump up to 20 feet out of the water. 18:00 - Depending on the size, landing a Mako shark can range from 15 minutes to over three hours. When landing, a release stick is used to safely handle the fish, applying pressure to release them. 24:00 - Conway primarily uses poppers when fly fishing for Makos. Other species like leopard sharks and blue sharks can also be targeted with poppers, especially off the beach for leopard sharks. Mako Shark Life History 26:00 - Mako Sharks typically arrive in Southern California around May to breed, with large females giving birth to 5-10 live pups. Pups stay in the safer Southern California waters until they're a few hundred pounds, feeding on smaller fish like tunas and barracudas. As they grow to 300-400 pounds, their diet shifts to larger prey like seals and sea lions. During colder months, Makos migrate, possibly to regions of Mexico, before returning in waves from April to November, with peak presence from June to August Best Time to Visit for Mako Shark Fly Fishing 28:22 - Conway recommends mid-May through August and then October through November for Mako Shark fly fishing in Southern California. July is considered prime time for Mako Shark fishing. Gear for Mako Shark Fishing Conway uses specialized equipment tailored for handling these powerful predators. Here's a breakdown of the gear he uses: Rod: Starts with a 14-weight rod and then uses custom-made one-piece rods for larger Makos above 200 pounds. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/596
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| 26 Feb 2024 | WFS 572 - Sight Fishing For Redfish with the Bay Flats Lodge Crew - Texas Coast, Double Haul | 01:18:45 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/572 Presented By: Northern Rockies Adventures, Visit Helena, MT, Skwala, TroutRoutes Ready to experience the thrill of sight fishing for redfish? Would you like to visit one of the most natural and diverse barrier islands in the world? We've got the Bay Flats Lodge crew on the podcast to share some tips on sight fishing for redfish and what makes this part of the Texas coast so special. Today you will hear from six of the most passionate guides in Texas and the tips they use to catch redfish by sight. You'll find out how to cast in the wind and why you need to practice your backcast cast. Show Notes with Bay Flats Lodge Crew on Sight Fishing For Redfish. 1:43 - The Bay Flats Lodge specializes in boutique fly fishing experiences, particularly in the unique landscape of the Texas coast, offering access to vast marshlands, creeks, and backcountry areas. The Guides of Bay Flats Lodge 5:23 - Dylan is from Bastrop, Texas. His journey into guiding was initially sparked by fishing trips with family and friends along the Texas coast. Transitioning to guiding in South Padre and eventually joining the team in Sea Drift, Dylan emphasizes the diverse and captivating nature of the fishery in this area. Tip: Dylan emphasizes the importance of polarized sunglasses for spotting fish and advises beginners to focus on looking through the water rather than just at the surface. Capt. Matt Lough 7:55 - Matt, a native Texan from East Texas, discovered fly fishing at a young age and has been pursuing his passion ever since. While he initially focused on trout fishing, he transitioned to guiding for redfish about three months ago and has found a deep love for sight fishing. Capt. Tyler Brown 9:20 - Tyler is originally from Kerrville, Texas, where he grew up fishing in the headwaters of the Guadalupe River. Despite not yet catching a redfish in the Guadalupe River, he expresses interest in doing so, considering it a future goal. Capt. Dane Scott 10:19 - Dane is originally from Pueblo, Colorado, where he grew up fishing in western Colorado due to his grandfather owning a fly shop. Six years ago, he made his way to the coast and immediately fell in love with fishing for redfish, eventually becoming a guide in the area for the past four years. Capt. Mike Gaglianese 11:30 - Mike is originally from upstate New Y Now in their fourth year on the coast, Mike shares his love for coastal living, enjoying the seasonal split between the coast and the mountains. Fly Fishing at Bay Flats Lodge 12:38 - Chris says that the Bay Flats Lodge offers fly fishing opportunities year-round, with no closed season. The unique location, driven by tides and winds, ensures consistent fishing opportunities regardless of the season, with diverse areas protected by mangroves and creeks. 14:40 - Tyler explains that while they primarily catch slot-sized redfish ranging from 20 to 28 inches, occasionally they encounter larger fish over 30 inches. 18:48 - One crucial tip Dane offers is to understand the directions given by the guide and to be mindful of the length of the fly rod when estimating distances. Additionally, he recommends using an 8 weight rod for optimal performance in their fishing conditions. 22:57 - Dylan and Dane discuss the influence of wind on their fishing conditions. While calm periods can be conducive to fishing, excessively glassy water can make fish skittish. They emphasize the importance of adapting to varying wind conditions. 31:38 - Chris discusses the importance of immediate line retrieval upon casting to maintain tension and minimize slack. He notes that sight fishing allows anglers to observe most takes, particularly in clear water, but acknowledges Dane's preference for fishing in dirtier water where redfish use camouflage to approach their prey unnoticed. Choosing the Right Fly for Redfish 37:18 - The crew notes the importance of fly selection based on the fishing conditions, including depth, bottom structure, and the behavior of the fish on a particular day. While hungry redfish may take almost any fly, weight, pattern, and color nuances become crucial considerations. 40:18 - Dane suggests using a bead chain instead of dumbbell eyes. He also likes a mix of natural and synthetic materials in fly tying. He prefers feather flies for their slower sink rate and resistance to water saturation. Sight Fishing For Redfish: Casting Tips 45:00 - When casting into strong winds, double hauling and maintaining line speed are crucial. Practice short, accurate shots and be adaptable with rod angles to adjust to wind direction. Additionally, consider utilizing roll casting techniques for effective casting in challenging conditions. 47:00 - Mastering the back cast can be crucial, especially for casting off to the right side of the boat quickly without spooking fish. It's important to fish the fly, not the fly line, and to practice a slow pickup to avoid spooking fish when recasting. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/572
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| 19 Jan 2023 | WFS 402 - Maine Fly Fishing with Kevin McKay - Big Brook Trout, Dry Flies, On the Reel | 01:31:30 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/402 Presented By: Range Meal Bars, Chota Outdoor Gear, Stonefly Nets, Drifthook Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Kevin McKay is here to talk about Maine fly fishing and give a tour of some of the best brook trout and smallmouth bass fishing in the country. We find out and discover how to fish the West Branch for big brook trout. We hear about which streamer you should be using if you only had one. We get a ton of resources including fly shops and other websites. We also talk about the forums that Kevin runs on his website. We're going to dig into all these and cover a number of species on top of brook trout. We even find out how they've been living off the grid for six years and how and why they offer free lodging in their camp on the river. Maine Fly Fishing Show Notes with Kevin McKay 03:28 - Kevin tells how he got into fly fishing. The first fly rod he bought was from L.L.Bean. 5:44 - He shares the story of his very first experience of fly fishing. 7:02 - He shares why he started his websites MaineFlyFish.com and MaineFishingAdventures.com. 9:21 - He feels honored to be part of the Scott Fly Rods Pro Staff. 9:54 - He shares about his career aside from fly fishing. 10:39 - He mentions that his photos and website are in Bob Clouser's book on smallmouth. 12:34 - He says the two people who influenced him on fly fishing. 13:52 - He walks us through the meticulous process of getting a guide's license in Maine. 14:44 - I try to answer a "Lost Person" scenario which is also part of getting a guide's license. 19:01 - I ask about the restrictions on hunting in Maine. 19:54 - He tells that a lot of people in Maine get a guide's license as a prestige thing. 22:29 - We dig into what he does in Maine and his place being off the grid. 26:00 - He talks about the species he is focusing on. 28:58 - He shares his technique for hitting a landlocked Atlantic salmon. 32:42 - He tells the best times to fish in Maine. 33:55 - He shares a story of their trip to a remote pond with his dad where they caught a 19-inch brook trout. 41:15 - He tells where to go to catch some brook trout. 42:48 - He recommends some resources for people who want to fly fish in Maine. These include his website and fly shops in Maine. 45:42 - He talks about the main fly shops in Maine. 48:50 - We dig into the gear to hopefully hit a brook trout. 50:31 - I mention our episode with George Cook where he talked about chinook in Alaska. 51:21 - I ask him about the sink tip they use. He mentions the Airflo Kelly Galloup streamer line which is his new favorite. 53:09 - He talks about the chubs which the brook trout eat. He also shares that time when a brook trout bit his hand. 54:25 - We dig into his fly fishing style and the techniques he teaches his clients. 58:28 - I ask him about the best times to fish in the West Branch. 1:00:08 - He recommends some places to stay in the West Branch area. These include the Big Eddy Cabins and Campground and the Big Moose Inn. 1:03:51 - He talks about the brook trout in Labrador, Canada. 1:05:15 - He gives tips on fishing in Maine. 1:08:35 - He talks about his fly fishing podcast entitled On The Reel. 1:13:21 - We dig into his off-the-grid. 1:17:09 - He describes his place and his tiki bar. 1:19:58 - He talks about their electricity consumption with living off the grid. 1:22:25 - We do the Two-Minute Drill where I ask him about fishing for brook trout, reliable resources for fly fishing, conservation issue, and budgeting tips. Aside from his website, he recommends Maine IF&W as a resource. 1:25:52 - I ask him about the property value in Maine. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/402 | |||
| 19 Feb 2024 | In The Bucket #2 | Steelhead Secrets and Ski Adventures in Northern BC with Riley Leboe, Kye Petersen, and Feet Banks | 01:12:10 | |
Show Notes: https://inthebucketpodcast.com/002 Today we're joined by Riley Leboe, Kye Petersen, and the legendary Feet Banks. These guys are all enthusiastic steelhead anglers with interesting stories to tell. Riley is a retired pro skier and talented filmmaker. Kye is one of the most influential free-skiers in the world. And Feet is a writer who also happens to be the Editor of Mountain Life Magazine. Stick around with us today as we explore the connection between life on the mountains and chasing fish in the valley. These guys have some great insight for anyone looking to fish for early-season winter steelhead. Alright, let's get going. It's time to get in the bucket. (0:00:01) - Reading the Landscape (0:06:13) - Winter Steelheading (0:14:21) - The Steelhead Fishing Experience (0:22:16) - The Impact of Fishing and Skateboarding (0:30:12) - The Beauty of Fishing and Skiing (0:40:13) - Discussion on Fishing and Multi-Sport Adventures (0:48:42) - Skiing and Ski Movie Discussions (1:00:45) - Impact of Talent in Filmmaking, Fishing Show Notes: https://inthebucketpodcast.com/002 | |||
| 29 Jun 2021 | WFS 225 - Orvis Fly Fishing with Perk Perkins - Smallmouth bass, Travel, Family | 01:00:43 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/225 Sponsor: OPST: https://wetflyswing.com/OPST Sponsor: Sawyer: https://wetflyswing.com/sawyer We hear about Orvis' connection to the local fly shops around the country and how he helped to elevate orvis in is tenure. You'll also hear the background on the Orvis endorsed lodge.
- Perk noted the importance of Jim Lepage on Orvis products. - Mike Schultz on small mouth bass. - Lori Ann Murphy and Reel Women Fly Fishing was a big part in helping to get the 50/50 movement going with Orvis. Lori Ann was on the podcast in episode 195 here. - United Woman on the Fly and Heather Hodson is a huge movement for women around the country. - I noted the Bucky Buchstaber podcast in episode 226 where he covered the Fly Fishing Collaborative. - We talked about Perk's blog from the sabbatical - The mutton snapper and barracuda were two common fish Perk caught on his sebbatical. Here's a Barracuda video: - Paul Roos and Spencer Morten both passed away and were amazing teachers in fly fishing. (photos below are from Orvis.com)
Orvis Hunting Video Videos and/or podcasts Noted in the Show This River by JJ Grey We get a view on the Orvis brand from the guy who ran the company for over 20 years and elevated in from an 80 million dollar company to almost 300 million. We also find out about the 50/50 movement and the evolution of awareness. We talk about the similarities between Orvis and Patagonia and where they have been with Conservation. We dig into a little on Perk's year long sabbatical to fish for bonefish for over a year. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/225 Sponsor: OPST: https://wetflyswing.com/OPST Sponsor: Sawyer: https://wetflyswing.com/sawyer | |||
| 08 May 2022 | WFS 318 - How to Build a Fly Fishing Net with Ethan Igleheart - Stonefly Nets | 00:56:05 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/318 Presented By: Stonefly Nets Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Ethan Igleheart, founder and master craftsman at Stonefly Nets, walks us into and behind the scenes of creating a custom fly fishing net. We find out how the custom build-out bonus came to be, which burl he selected and how to make it beautiful, and the step-by-step process from wood cut out to package ship out. Ethan talks about his collaboration with Tom Morgan Rodsmiths to come up with the Catch and Release package which is a pretty sweet combo. Ethan also tells us about that bamboo rod that was passed on to him from his great grandmother, the rod he first learned to fish with and still uses today. Today, we announce the lucky winner of the Stonefly Nets giveaway. Plus, a quick shoutout to one of our listeners at the end of the podcast, so stay tuned!
03:00 - Ethan was on the podcast for the first time at WFS 198 03:20 - Stonefly Nets collaborates with Tom Morgan Rodsmiths 03:30 - Stonefly Nets was recently at a trade show in Charleston, South Carolina - hosted by Southeastern Wildlife Expo 05:50 - Matt Barber and Joel Doub from Tom Morgan Rodsmiths were on the podcast at WFS 161 12:40 - Ethan talks about bending the hoop which is the most time consuming 16:30 - Ethan breaks down the steps on building the net from scratch 25:00 - The holes on the wood are filled with crushed stones 26:50 - Ethan tells us about that bamboo rod that was passed on to him from his great grandmother - he learned to fish using that rod and he still uses it today 31:00 - Ward Tonsfeldt was on the podcast at WFS 276 where we talked about classic, vintage, and antique fly rods 34:18 - We announce the winner of the Stonefly Nets Giveaway - congratulations Julie Kelner! 36:00 - Ethan credits Matt Barber for the calligraphy. Ethan also found a woman calligrapher in Little Rock 38:45 - Ethan uses brass for the eyelets to attach the net 40:44 - For the net, Ethan uses PVC plastic 48:30 - Martin Joergensen from Global FlyFisher was on the podcast at WFS 099 - he's got a blog about DIY fly fishing net 51:00 - Cameron Mortenson from Fiberglass Manifesto was on the podcast at WFS 088 - he did a "how to build a landing net" content 54:30 - Quick shoutout to Ronald Burnett - he really enjoyed the recent episode with Landon Mayer at WFS 295. Thanks for checking in Ronald!
In this episode, we learned the step-by-step process of building a custom wood landing net. Ethan's goal is to produce quality wood landing nets that can be passed on to your children and your grandchildren. We announced the winner of the Stonefly Nets giveaway - congratulations, Julie Kelner! If you're reading this, I hope you land more fish with that net and spread the word about your Stonefly Net experience. I appreciate your support for the podcast and I hope to maybe see you on the water someday. A big virtual high five to you! Thank you Ethan for putting this together. We are very grateful to have you as a sponsor. Looking forward to fish with you soon. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/318 | |||
| 26 Dec 2023 | GLD #7 – Cuyahoga River with Mike Durkalec – Great Lakes Dude Podcast with Jeff Liskay | 01:04:47 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/gld Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Embark on a journey of environmental triumph and angling adventure as we explore the Cuyahoga River's spectacular comeback, guided by the expertise of Mike Durkalec, aquatic biologist and fishing report hero. Discover how this once fiery river became a success story of ecological restoration, propelling forward thanks to the Clean Water Act and concerted community efforts. Dive into our discussion about the significance of dam removals, and witness the river's rebirth through improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity, and the return of thriving aquatic life. Feel the pulse of Cuyahoga's currents as Mike and I unpack the nuances of steelhead migrations, the survival of these resilient fish through urban challenges, and the stocking strategies that promise a brighter fishing future. Learn how walleye and the prehistoric lake sturgeon are making waves in the river's ecosystem, potentially turning the Cuyahoga into their new spawning haven. As the river flows, so does our conversation—from the excitement of elusive muskies to the practicalities of finding the best fishing spots—offering a treasure trove of tips for anglers eager to cast their lines into these revitalized waters. Finally, join us as we reveal the secrets to successful fishing along the scenic Cuyahoga, where every bend in the river might yield the catch of a lifetime. Get the inside scoop on the optimal bait presentation, the art of navigating stream access laws, and the most effective techniques to lure in the big ones, whether you're after steelhead or musky. From towpaths to tackle, this episode is a call to all fishers of dreams and stewards of nature to celebrate and partake in the resurgent spirit of one of America's most storied rivers. Episode Chapters - Cuyahoga River Restoration (0:00:24) - The Rebirth of the Cuyahoga River (0:08:29) - Dam Removals' Impact on Fish Migration (0:14:18) - Cuyahoga River Steelhead Surveys and Fishing (0:20:02) - Cuyahoga River Spawning and Stocking (0:30:05) - Exploring the Cuyahoga River for Steelhead (0:40:06) - Fishing, River Access, and Lure Presentation (0:48:09) - Fishing Techniques for Steelhead and Musky (0:54:32) - Weight and Depth Considerations in Fishing Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/gld | |||
| 11 Apr 2025 | 743 | Fly Fishing the Gaspé Peninsula with Andrew Murphy - Atlantic Salmon, Stripers, Sea-Run Brook Trout | 01:15:36 | |
#743 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/743 Presented By: Fish The Fly, FishHound Expeditions, Yellowstone Teton Territory,
We’ve had episodes on fly fishing the Gaspé Peninsula before: the famous rivers, active Atlantic salmon to the surface, and why it's a fantastic destination. But today, we’re diving even deeper. Andrew Murphy, longtime guide and now lodge owner at Gaspé Coastal, takes us into his home waters and shows us how diverse the fishery really is. You’ll learn how to fish for salmon, stripers, and even sea-run brook trout, all on the same trip. By the end of this one, you’ll have the knowledge, and probably the itch, to book your Gaspé adventure. Let’s go! Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/743 | |||
| 13 Jun 2019 | WFS 082 - Fly Fishing Founders - Fly Tyers Dungeon with Mad Scientist - Unique Fly Tying Materials, UV-X, Congo Hair, Doug Swisher | 00:50:16 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/mad The Mad Scientist (Doug) of Fly Tyers Dungeon sat down to tell his story and the story of his company which produces unique fly tying materials in Montana. Find out how to get some unique materials at a great discount in this one. We get into how he produces his material and how you can get custom made materials if you just reach out and ask.
The Wet Fly Swing Members Society: https://membership.wetflyswing.com/
The famous book by Jack Dennis - The Western Trout Fly Tying Manual. Congo Hair is one of Doug's best selling items. Meat Market Flies was on the podcast where we talked about selecting fly tying. materials. The Members Society where Fly Tyers Dungeon is providing a 40% discount for a limited time for members of the group. Here is a link to the Fly Tyers Dungeon Youtube channel. Doug likes to use his youtube channel to get you thinking about patterns and not to just copy an existing pattern. Hareline Dubbing was discussed briefly in relation to how Doug does business in the fly fishing space. Mike Mercer was on the show in episode 81 where he described opening up a fly shop in his parents house when he was a young kid. We discuss the UV-X Material and what makes it unique. This is one of their highest selling products. Northern Lights is another popular item in the selection. The MS Bugger Dubbing is a good material to take the place of chenille and hackle. Cone Head Minnow, BK Leach and Uncle Willie Flies are all goto's for Doug. The Redding Fly Shop produces low cost hooks. Yellowstone Fly Goods is a big partner with the dungeon. Doug Swisher is a big mentor for Doug. Here's an old Doug Swisher video of about an hour in length. Here is a link to the blender that Doug recommends. Doug has used a custom vice from Bernie Grifinn. Here's a link to some other Griffin vises. The Red Hot Chili Pipers You can find the mad scientist at FlyTyersDungeon.com.
The Mad Scientist breaks down a great summary from his fly tying products including UV, Congo and northern lights. He describes how you can create your own material through the fly tyers dungeon and his process of creating them. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/mad
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| 08 Feb 2022 | WFS 288 - Tying Dry Flies for Trout with Nick Pionessa | 01:19:29 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/288 Presented By: Trxstle, Dette Flies, Togens Fly Shop, Fly Fishing Film Tour Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Nick Pionessa, a professional fly tier from New York takes us on a journey today of becoming a full-time production fly tier, tying over 100 dry flies for trout a day. We hear about the story of how he got started fly tying and eventually made a living out of it. Nick walks us through some of the most effective and requested dry fly patterns. This episode is loaded with a bunch of dry fly tying tips. You're going to want to stop what you're doing and get on your workstation while listening to this. Discover Nick's Top 5 Dry Fly Patterns! Learn from a pro to become a pro. If you're passionate at fly tying, you're going to love this one!
04:13 - One of Nick's first fly rods is an Eagle Claw fly rod 04:28 - Nick took a fly tying class in high school with Jim Keech 05:15 - He does a little guiding in the great lakes 06:00 - Rick Kustich used to own a fly shop in Albion Oak Orchard, NY - his partner Bob Morrisey gave Nick his first fly tying order 10:37 - When Nick worked in a fly shop, he tied 100 trout flies a day 18:15 - Tim Flagler was on the podcast at WFS 279 and he shared some great tips on fly tying 20:01 - Nick's flies go as far as Alaska 21:27 - Last year, Nick's most popular fly was the Peacock Emerger 26:26 - Parachute Spinner 31:59 - Nick describes his technique in tying the Peacock Emerger 35:19 - Nick describes the Para-Spinner technique 36:46 - Most of Nick's parachute patterns have poly yarn material for the wing 39:55 - Calf tail is his least favorite material to work with 40:55 - The Disabled Dun Hendrickson 46:47 - If Nick could only have one dry fly, he would choose the Sparkle Dun (Craig Matthews original) 48:52 - One of the dry flies that Nick fished with the most is the Yellow Bodied Stimulator 50:10 - The Thorax by Mike Lawson lost some of the points that its originally known for 55:06 - The big no-nos in fishing the fish that are actively spawning 58:10 - For steelhead, Nick tied and used the Bill Spey a lot 1:01:40 - Collins Hackle in New York is recommended for the second time - Tim Cammisa recommends them too 1:02:30 - Nick gives some tips on tying small dry flies You have to see what you're doing - have proper magnification, proper visibility, wear glasses if necessary 1:03:30 - For threads, Nick recommends Veevus 16/0 1:06:34 - Nick describes how he does his shanks
Nick Pionessa, a professional fly tier from New York told us his story of how he became a full-time production fly tier, tying over 100 flies a day - how he got started fly tying and eventually made a living out of it. Nick mentioned some of the most effective and requested dry fly patterns. We discovered Nick's Top 5 Dry Fly Patterns! Now we feel so much more motivated to get on that vise. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/288 | |||
| 11 Apr 2023 | WFS 434 - John Gierach on Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers, McGuane and Hemingway | 01:06:37 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/434 Presented by: Trxstle Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors John Gierach, the author of the book Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers, is back on the podcast to dig back into some of his amazing books. We find out from John what makes a good guide. We also learn about how much a fly rod loves a dry fly, what rejection feels like, and how he deals with writer's block.
1:53 - We had John in the podcast in episode 047. 3:21 - We look back on the previous books he had published. 4:32 - He talks about his book that just came out titled All the Time in the World. 5:52 - John describes his process of writing a book. 9:23 - We talk about his book titled Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers. 12:56 - He takes us on his trip to Colorado last September. 15:34 - He explains how he prefers to include conservation issues in his books. 17:33 - He talks about Thomas McGuane and Ernest Hemingway. He also shares a bit about the latter's book titled Big Two-Hearted River. 20:20 - He tells about what makes a great fishing guide in his opinion. 29:35 - I ask him about his interesting notes from his book Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers which is how much a fly rod loves a dry fly. He also tells about the first ever written mention of fly fishing anywhere. 34:10 - He shares his struggles back then and how he dealt with rejection when he was just starting out as a writer. 36:44 - He gives tips on how to know what story will create an impact on readers. 38:44 - I mention our episode with Lane Forrer. John also talks about the true success of writing and how to be a good writer. 40:49 - He shares his take on impostor syndrome. 42:43 - He gives advice on what to do when a publisher rejects your book. 44:35 - He shares his take on writer's block. 45:15 - He talks about his friend Paul who died from cancer. He shares more about this in his book Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers. 50:53 - He mentions the quote "It takes an old man to appreciate it, but it takes a kid to think it's important." and how it also applies to writing and fishing. 51:34 - He explains what his quote means about how vanity has lost its grip on him over time. 52:49 - He mentions a quote from Nick Lyons' book. 54:31 - He gives his opinion on the book and movie A River Runs Through It. 56:07 - He tells about his planned trip. 58:19 - He talks about the techniques he uses when fishing for trout. 59:46 - I ask him about his spey game. 1:01:55 - He talks about fly fishing being like a con game. 1:03:40 - He shares his plans and some upcoming events for his latest book. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/434 | |||
| 08 Dec 2023 | WFS 538 - Togiak River Lodge with Zack and Jordan Larsen - Bristol Bay, Alaska Wildernes, King Salmon | 01:16:41 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/538 Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Ever found yourself dreaming of the Alaskan wilderness, casting your fly into pristine waters teeming with abundant fish? Join us as we follow brothers Zach and Jordan on a thrilling journey from the early days of fishing with their dad, to becoming skilled fly fishers on the Togiak River in Alaska. They share vivid memories of their fishing journey, the allure of the Togiak River Lodge, and the unexpected twist that saw them contemplating its ownership. An adventure that is sure to stir your imagination and pull at your heartstrings. Wrapped in the wild beauty of the Togiak River, we explore the challenging dynamics of running a family business. Jordan shares his multitude of experiences – from managing the lodge, to nurturing his newfound passion for video production. Get ready to soak up insightful tips about trust, communication, and the intricacies of managing people in a family-run business. As the narrative unfolds, the brothers find themselves navigating the complex process of possibly acquiring the lodge. Hear about their intriguing journey, filled with unexpected turns, opportunities, and valuable lessons. Planning a trip to the Togiak Lodge in Bristol Bay, Alaska? We've got you covered! We dive into the vibrant fishing culture in this remote corner of the world. Discover the diverse fishing options on the Togiak River, understand the best fishing times and techniques for each fish species, and get a sneak peek into the amenities available at the lodge. We also share the unique challenges and rewards of living and working in this wildly beautiful location. So, whether you're an avid angler, a passionate outdoor enthusiast, or someone who just loves a good story, this episode is a must-listen! Episode Chapters - Togiak River Lodge (0:00:05) - Fishing Memories and Fly Fishing Journey (0:06:59) - The Fishing Experience in Tokyak, Alaska (0:12:45) - Dream Job at Tugiak River Lodge (0:20:38) - Filming to Management in Family Business (0:26:21) - Taking Over Lodge in Challenging Times (0:37:32) - Lodge's Trip Options and Arrival Process (0:44:50) - Fishing Options and Fly Fishing Opportunities (0:49:33) - Fishing Season at Togiak River (1:02:11) - Outdoor Amenities and Fishing Regulations (1:14:25) - Alaska Travel Planning and Logistics Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/538 | |||
| 17 Nov 2020 | WFS 166 - Pete McBride on National Geographic, Martin’s Boat and the Grand Canyon (Drift Boat Series Ep. 1) | 01:13:33 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/166 Pete McBride, one of the great outdoor film makers for National Geographic, is here to tell the story of the Grand Canyon through the documentary Martin’s Boat and the 750 mile long hike through the canyon. Pete has produced a number of great films and we dig into some of this history and his experience writing and producing films in the outdoor niche.
So Fly Gear: https://wetflyswing.com/sofly
Show Notes with Pete McBride - Marty Sheppard was on the podcast in episode 76 and was the person who introduced me to Martin’s Boat. - Chasing Water was a great movie that was released in 2011 and covered the history of the Colorado River. - We talk about Martin Litton and the impact on protecting the Grand Canyon. Here's an interview with Martin. - OARS created the Marbled Canyon boat - Kevin Fedarko was in the front of the boat with Martin in Lava. Kevin wrote the Emerald Mile. - Into the Canyon, the movie on hiking 750 miles of the Grand Canyon - A pic of the Little Colorado confluence with the Colorado - The Grand Canyon Trust is a group that is helping to protect the National Park. - Pete compares Kevin Fedarko to Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. - John Gierach was on the podcast here and talked about the almost crash. You can find Pete at PeteMcBride.com
2019 - Into the Canyon 2016 - Holy (un)holy river 2016 - Martins Boat 2014 - Delta Dawn 2014 - River of Eden 2013 - I am Red 2013 - The Water Tower 2011 - Chasing Water
The Emerald Mile Book by Kevin Fedarko
Martin’s Boat Conclusion with Pete McBride Pete McBride, film producer and writer for National Geographic is here to share some great stories on the Grand Canyon and other travels around the world. We explore the documentary, Martin’s Boat, which sheds light on drift boats in the Grand Canyon and some conservation issues. If you haven't watched Martin's boat, press pause and head over to youtube and have a view. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/166 | |||
| 06 Apr 2023 | WFS 432 – Reel West Coast with Brendan Morrison – Hockey, Fly Fishing | 01:14:27 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/432 Presented By: Range Meal Bars, Stonefly Nets, Mavrk Fly Fishing, Togens Fly Shop Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Brendan Morrison from Reel West Coast is here today to share his story of becoming a professional hockey player and how his love of fly fishing came to be. We hear about that winning goal he made that pushed Michigan to the National Championship and what it's like to play in front of cameras and huge crowds. We talk about how they film their episodes at Reel West Coast, what's coming up for them, and why we should be excited about it. How did Brendan transition from scoring goals to scoring fish? Listen to this episode to find out! Show Notes with Brendan Morrison 06:30 - Brendan mentioned BC Outdoors with Mike Mitchell. Brendan was invited to host their show. 10:30 - We noted the Northern Lights Lodge. We just had Curtis Royer recently in episode 425. We also had Skeed Borkowski in episode 397. 14:30 - Brendan played professional hockey for 14 years. We hear about what it's like to play in front of the camera with huge crowd. 22:55 - Brendan tells us about that time when he scored the winning goal against Colorado which was their first NCAA National Championship in 32 years. 25:00 - Reel West Coast is heading into its 7th season. They have more than 60 episodes published. 27:15 - We hear about their upcoming trip to Chile this month. 30:15 - We talk about their trip to Terrace, BC with Nicholas Dean where they Spey fished for steelhead and salmon. 34:25 - We dig into hunting. Brendan talks about hunting for mule deer in Southern Alberta. 37:00 - Brendan's 21-year-old son plays hockey too! 38:00 - Brendan played center. He was originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils. He talks about playing with the big names in hockey. 40:00 - Wayne-Gretzy was Brendan's hockey hero. 43:40 - Len Ronson played pro hockey from the 1950s to the 1970s. He lived next door to us in Oregon. 45:15 - Alex Ovechkin is creeping up to take the number 1 spot as an all-time scorer. 50:00 - Vancouver versus Calgary? Brendan tells us the story of that awesome rivalry. 1:03:55 - Brendan explains what a hat trick means in hockey. "When a player scores three goals in a game." Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/432 | |||
| 15 Oct 2019 | WFS 102 - Carp Fly Fishing with Kevin Morlock - Beaver Island Lake, Casting Tips, Flats Fishing, Tailing Fish | 01:12:23 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/102 Kevin Morlock breaks down carp fly fishing in the Beaver Island Lake area. Lots of great tips for carp fishing regardless of your area including how to deal with the wind, why a loop not is key and why carp hate the plop. Carp fishing in this area is every bit of the flats fishing experience and cast for cast better than permit. We talk about the gear you need to get started and why you might have a chance for a 35 pounder.
The Grey Drake at: https://www.thegreydrake.com/ (use coupon wfs20 for 20% off) Deli Fresh Design at: DeliFreshDesign.com (use coupon wfs20 for 20% off)
Show Notes with Kevin Morlock The Orvis shop in Baldwin was one of the first shops that Kevin worked out of and helped to get his start. Kevin describes the difference between mudding and tailing carp. We hear about the analogy between water temperature for carp and air temperature for humans. How would you do without a shirt in 40 degree temps. The Carp Are Gamefish by George Von Shrader is a great resource if you can get your hands on it. Kirk Deeter - The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing for Carp is another great resource. We talk about Fly Girls and the importance of mentors. Spey Rod Outfitter and Guide Service - Walt Grau is a good friend of Kevin's and guides for salmon and steelhead. The Goby fly patterns are the best for Carp. You can find the pattern in the fly section. The carp breakfast is a goto fly as well. All of these are focused for northern great lakes. You can check out a few other of Morlock's pattern here. Flip Pallot was on the podcast in this episode where he talked about Hells Bay Boats. Kevin's boat of choice is a little different. He talks about how he uses his and the effect of wind. ThirdCoastFly.com has some great information with years of great information. Steve Martinez is another guide Kevin works with down south. He'll be doing that again this year for redfish. The carp skills transfer over perfectly for redfish. Here are a couple of our past redfish episodes. I note John McCloskey and the Alaska and Georgia mix.
You can find Kevin at IndigoGuideService.com.
Carp are Gamefish by George Von Schrader
Videos with Kevin Morlock Amazing Fly Fishing Carp Action!
Conclusion with Kevin Morlock Kevin Morlock from Indigo Guide Service goes deep into fly fishing for carp with a focus on Beaver Island Lake. Find out when to go for them and what a spawning carp looks like. Crystal clear water takes much of the guess work out of it. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/102 | |||
| 21 Jan 2021 | WFS 182 - Boulder Boat Works with Shaun Hargrave (Drift Boat Series Ep. 4) | 01:03:55 | |
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/182 Shaun Hargrave shares the Boulder Boat Works story and how he came to own one of the unique polymer hulled drift boat designs on the water. We talk a little about drift boat fly fishing but get more into some of the nerdy specs on boat design and history. Shaun Hargrave shares the Boulder Boat Works story and how he came to own one of the unique polymer hulled drift boat designs on the water. We talk a little about drift boat fly fishing but get more into some of the nerdy specs on boat design and history. Shaun describes how their boat design does not chip and there is very little maintenance overall and has a ton of great features. We also find out why they developed a river skiff and why it's so killer for trout fishing.
- We Talked about use Line X on the wood to protect if for the longterm. Shaun describes how their boat is bulletproof. - Here’s a photo of the NRS frame inside of the boat, aka guide series.
- Roger Fletcher was on the podcast and broke down the history of drift boats and dories. - We talked about Prince Helfrich and the early drift boats. There is a 100 year old history of drift boats and a cool transition over the years. - The DC 10 is the decked over boat that was used for the Grand Canyon trips. Here's a pic of the Boulder Boat in the whitewater. - I noted the Robert Hirch podcast and flipping the company. Robert talks about how he did it in this clip. - Tom Morgan Rodsmiths was on the podcast and talked about building a great top of the line fly fishing rod.
Boulder Boat Works Conclusion with Shaun Hargrave We hear about how Boulder Boat Works came to be and how Shaun Hargrave came to be the co-owner of one of the unique drift boats on the market. They use a polymer mix with wood highlights to make a beautiful and indestructible drift boat. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/182 | |||
| 18 Jul 2019 | Fly Fishing Founders - Wilderness Lite Float Tubes with Phil Hayes - Ultralight Boats, Gregory, Outcast, REI, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers | 01:13:08 | |
Take the Survey: https://wetflyswing.com/fantasy Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/tube Phil Hayes breaks down ultralight backcountry fly fishing. He produces the Wilderness Lite float tube which is a good start to your gear list when heading out on a backcountry trip. We get into most of the gear you need to put together your trip and shed light on what it's all about.
The Outcast Trinity and CaddisFly Floats tubes are discussed here in comparison to the smaller pack volume of the Wilderness Lite tubes. Phil's journey to his home waters is even further than a previous guest in Rob Snowhite who was on in episode 12. Phil likes the airplane life jackets but there are other alternatives. Here is a backpacking checklist from REI. You should make your own updated list based on your own needs. The Gregory Paragon is the goto pack for Phil. I also use an old Gregory pack that I love. They are super basic and tough. Kenetrek Boots are what Phil has used for many years. The ThermaRest Chair Kit is my luxury item while backpacking. Phil Rowley was on the podcast in episode 34 and broke down stillwater fishing. Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is a group that promotes protection of our public lands. Try to find a wader that's under 2 pounds. Patagonia has an ultralight light wader with a super small pack size. Creek Company makes a lightweight fin and Phil has his own lightweight fin now. Garmin E-Trex 30 John Gierach noted in this episode 47 that people die every year in the parks because they didn't do the basic preparation. The REI duffle for backpacks The CampingStoveCookout.com has some resources for camping and hiking.
Conclusion with Phil Hayes Phil and I take the deep dive into ultralight backcountry fly fishing and packing. We hear what gear Phil loves and a few of my highlighted gear. Not many fishing tips but if you'd like to hear a backcountry stillwater episdoe, leave a comment below. Take the Survey: https://wetflyswing.com/fantasy | |||
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