Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#763 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/763 Presented by:  TroutRoutes, Fish The Fly, Stonefly Nets, On DeMark Lodge When you hear “urban fly fishing,” what comes to mind? Trash? Pollution? Or carp? But today’s guest is here to flip that idea on its head. He’s a full-time guide who chases fish in the heart of Arizona, exploring canals, lakes, and small streams right in the city.  By the end of this episode, you’ll see carp in a whole new light and pick up some solid tips to help you fish with more confidence in your own local waters.   Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/763

#762 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/762  Presented by: On DeMark Lodge, FishHound Expeditions, Drifthook Fly Fishing Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors      Kirk Wallace Johnson, author of The Feather Thief, joins us to share the wild tale of a world-class fly tyer who broke into a British museum and stole nearly 300 rare bird specimens—all to tie classic salmon flies. We explore the strange subculture behind the heist, the science lost with those birds, and how a flute-playing prodigy nearly got away with it. This conversation digs into conservation, obsession, and the ethical line between passion and crime. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/762 

#761 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/761 Presented by:  Yellowstone Teton Territory, Mountain Waters Resort, Smitty's Fly Box,  Togiak River Lodge Caleb Andrews of Tails of the Tides is here to help you make the most of your trip if you plan on fly fishing for redfish in South Carolina. We’re talking perfect trip timing, his go-to fly materials, how scent actually plays into hookups, and even what to look for when you're creeping across those oyster flats. If you’ve ever dreamed of sight-fishing redfish in a truly wild place, this episode is for you.   Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/761  

#760B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/760B Presented by: Moccasin Fly Club Today's story started with a pair of forgotten wading boots, a group chat, and a long hike into Cheesman Canyon... with only a pair of moccasins! Hear how this mishap not only turned into a fun story to tell around a campfire but also sparked the idea for a company that’s now helping anglers plan better trips, save money, and fish more often. In this episode, you'll learn how to stretch your travel budget, pick the right guides, and build unforgettable trips that fit any style or wallet. John Hunt, founder of Moccasin Fly Club, is here to help us understand how to find trips on a budget, what makes a great fly fishing guide, and why some of the best adventures are still DIY. Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/760B

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/760 Presented By: Mountain Waters Resort, Smitty's Fly Box, FishHound Expeditions, Patagonia Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors One of the most iconic fish you'll see across social media is the peacock bass - massive, vibrant, and found deep in some of the most remote jungle waters on the planet. Today, we're heading into one of those places, Baku Lodge in Colombia. They're the local indigenous community, welcomes you like family, and you'll hear firsthand from three people on the ground and on the water of what it's really like to chase giant peacocks in untamed waters. Today, Andres, Jason, and Nick are gonna take us deep into the Colombian jungle to show us what it's really like to target these giant peacock bass, some up to 25 pounds. Along the way, you're going to learn why Colombia is much safer to travel to than most people think, and how this adventure is surprisingly affordable. We're gonna talk about that today - a full week at this lodge, a price we talk

#759 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/759  Presented by: San Juan Rodworks, Fish The Fly, FishHound Expeditions, Mountain Waters Resort Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors    In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Kustich—bamboo rod builder, author, and one of the pioneers of Great Lakes steelhead fly fishing. From his off-the-grid cabin days in Idaho to building rods with legends like Tom Morgan at Winston and starting Sweetgrass Rods, Jerry takes us on a soulful journey through decades of fly fishing evolution. You'll hear about his early fishing adventures, the rise of the Great Lakes fishery, his passion for writing, and the powerful stories behind the rods, rivers, and people that shaped his life. If you love stories that go deeper than just catching fish, this one's for you. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/759 

#758 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/758 Presented by:  TroutRoutes, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Yellowstone Teton Territory, On DeMark Lodge Alex Xenie Hall — legendary Colorado fly fishing guide, steelhead nut, and self-proclaimed trout bum — takes us deep into his world, from the Upper San Juan to the far end of the Babine River. Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/758

#757 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/757   Presented by: Mountain Waters Resort, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Yellowstone Teton Territory, Four Wheel Campers Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors      What would you do if your wading boot slips, your ankle snaps, and you're stranded miles from help—in the cold, wet, and dark? In this episode, we bring on Brett Stoffel from OutdoorSafe.com, a survival expert with deep roots in military and search-and-rescue training. Brett breaks down the top survival tips for anglers, the three most important items to carry with you on every fishing trip, why most people get survival wrong, and how you can be prepared without packing your entire garage. If you’ve ever wondered whether that shiny space blanket actually works (spoiler: it probably doesn’t), this episode is a must-listen. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/757   

#756 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/756 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Fish The Fly, On DeMark Lodge, Mountain Waters Resort Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Would you guide steelhead anglers through Washington's wild rivers, then hop on a flight to Gabon or French Polynesia to chase something completely different—all while pushing the fly fishing industry to care more and do better? Today we're joined by Dave McCoy, Patagonia Fly Fish ambassador and owner of Emerald Water Anglers. Dave breaks down the real state of steelhead conservation, the overlooked opportunities in warmwater fly fishing, and why swinging flies is more than a method—it’s a mindset. He shares the story of helping launch Patagonia’s Fly Fish social presence, his conversations with Yvon Chouinard, and why guiding should include deeper dialogue—yes, even about politics. You’ll also hear about his global travel program, from sea-run cutthroat in Seattle to tarpon in rivers and bonefish in the Bahamas. Plus, Dave explains

#755 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/755  Presented by: Pescador on the Fly If you’ve ever tried to sneak in a little fly fishing on a business trip or family vacation, this episode is for you. Jeff Ditsworth of Pescador on the Fly shares his fly fishing travel hacks from 25+ years of experience. We dive into how to pack light, avoid common gear mistakes, and make the most of those bonus fishing hours. Jeff also gives us the lowdown on his G6 packable rod and why he always brings at least two rods on every trip. Whether you’re headed to Montana or Mexico, you’ll walk away with simple tricks to fish more and stress less. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/755 

#754 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/754 Presented By: Stonefly Nets, Smitty's Fly Box, TroutRoutes, On DeMark Lodge Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In today's show, we're gonna be expanding our discussion topics beyond the traditional scope of In the Bucket. Since we started the show, we've spent a lot of time talking about space-specific ideas like casting improvement, gear selection, and what to do when a steelhead grabs your fly. In this episode, we've got Will Rice, Jason Rolfe, and Travis Bader joining us. These guys are journalists, outdoor educators, and travel experts. Surely we'll get into steelhead as we do, but today we talk about fly fishing, travel adventure in general, personal safety on the water, and dig into a fly fishing mystery or two. Let's get into it... Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/754

#753 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/753 Presented by: Four Wheel Campers, Smitty's Fly Box, Intrepid Camp Gear When Phil Rowley first came across a balanced leech nearly 20 years ago, he didn’t expect it to become one of the most influential flies in his Stillwater arsenal. In this episode, Phil sits down with the guy who helped make it all happen—Jerry McBride. You’ll hear how the balanced fly came to life, the gear that made it work, and why this style of fly has become a Stillwater staple. If you’ve ever fished a balanced fly under an indicator—or just wondered what the big deal is—this is the origin story you’ve been waiting for.   Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/753

#752B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/752B  Presented by: Fish The Fly If you’ve ever wanted to escape the summer crowds and get into Western Wyoming fly fishing, this episode is for you. I sat down with Jason "JB" Balogh from Fish the Fly Guide Service in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. JB shares what it’s like to hike into the high-country creeks around the Tetons to target cutthroat trout on dry flies. We talk about the gear, flies, techniques, and everything you need to know for a backcountry fly fishing adventure. Plus, JB walks us through some of the bigger water options like the Snake and Green Rivers, and even throws in a few local tips—like where to get the best waffle after a tram ride. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/752B  

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/752 Presented By: Drifthook Fly Fishing,  On DeMark Lodge, Mountain Waters Resort Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors What if the river rose, the wind calmed, and a 30-inch brown slid into view—would you be ready? Deep in the heart of Argentina’s Patagonia, chances like this don’t come often. Today, we’re heading south to chase migratory browns in crystal-clear water and find out what it takes to hook up when it matters most. Ron Sorenson, owner of Chocolate Lab Expeditions, takes us inside the Limay River—where trout hit like steelhead, driftboats rule, and the hatches are still sacred. You’ll hear when to go, how to fish it, and why this might just be the most dynamic trout river in the Southern Hemisphere. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/752

#751 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/751  Presented by: On DeMark Lodge, Togiak River Lodge Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors     In this episode, we're joined once again by one of the most well-traveled fly anglers in the world — Jeff Currier. Jeff has now caught over 480 species on the fly, and he’s still going strong with his goal of hitting 500. From the Amazon to Africa, Australia to the Himalayas, Jeff shares some of his favorite fishing destinations, species stories, and a few close calls along the way. If you’ve ever dreamed of planning a global fly fishing trip, this episode is packed with tips and inspiration to get you started. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/751  

#750 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/750   Today on CJ's Reel Southern Podcast, we're going musky fishing in the Northwoods with guide Chris Willen. Chris breaks down how early-season smallmouth keep things interesting before musky season kicks off, and why northern muskies play a totally different game than their southern counterparts.  We’re talking fly patterns that move big fish, the water conditions that make or break a day, and the one thing you have to get right before your next shot at a musky. Or risk blowing your shot at a fish of a lifetime. Don’t miss this one—especially if musky’s on your hit list this season.   Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/750  

# 749 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/749 Presented By: Four Wheel Campers Today, we catch up with Ryan Burch, high school pottery teacher by day, and adventurer behind Tales of the 48 by summer. Ryan is gearing up for the ultimate fly fishing road trip in his fully loaded Four Wheel Camper. He’s aiming to connect with fish, places, and people across the country—starting this summer with the eastern U.S. You’ll hear how Ryan is making this dream happen with help from Orvis, Four Wheel Campers, and a camera crew that includes his little sister and his dog. He shares his travel and packing tips, how he’s organizing life on the road, and what it means to balance ambition with simplicity. From Florida Keys permit dreams to noodling catfish in the South—this episode is packed with the kind of stories that inspire you to get out and explore your own backyard. # 749 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/749

#748 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/748   Presented by: Mountain Waters Resort, Togiak River Lodge Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors     What does it take to build the top fishing magazine in Alaska—and still find time to chase 30-inch rainbows and 250-pound salmon sharks? In this episode, we sit down with Marcus Weiner, founder of Fish Alaska Magazine, to explore his favorite Alaska fish species, epic float trips, and the evolution of fly fishing culture in the Last Frontier. From top fishing tips for sockeye and dollies to behind-the-scenes stories about moose hunting and conservation, Marcus shares 23+ years of hard-earned wisdom from the rivers, mountains, and saltwater of Alaska. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/748  

#747 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/747 Presented By: Mountain Waters Resort Swinging flies for Atlantic salmon in an area made famous by Lee Wulff? Our guest today has been doing just that for over 50 years. Rod Brophy, Master Guide at Mountain Waters Resort, breaks down his favorite surface techniques—including bombers, the Portland Hitch, and the classic riffle hitch. You’ll hear how he rigs his leader, what flies he uses year-round, and what it was like growing up in one of the most iconic salmon fisheries in the world. If you’re ready to step into Atlantic salmon territory and experience the thrill of the surface take, Rod’s your guide. Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/747

#746 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/746 Presented By:  On DeMark Lodge, Intrepid Camp Gear Would you board a 9-hour flight to catch trout in Patagonia or brave a three-hour mule ride into a river camp in Chile—all for the chance to fish water most people will never see? Today we’re joined by Chris Hunt, longtime fly fishing writer and co-founder of Hatch Adventure Travel. Chris shares what it takes to plan bucket-list fly fishing trips around the world, from the Missouri River and Idaho’s backcountry to Cuba, Argentina, and British Columbia. We’ll get his best travel hacks, hear how Hatch Travel started in the middle of a global shutdown, and why he says nobody should pack three rods to the Yukon. You’ll also hear stories from one of the most underappreciated fly-out lodges in North America, his favorite Bloody Mary airports, and the night the Northern Lights danced above Muncho Lake. Plus, Chris shares how Hatch offsets 150% of their clients’ carbon emissions and why it’s time to fish smarter, travel li