Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/911 Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho, Jackson Hole Fly Company, and Montana Fly Fishing Lodge. Fly fishing travel isn't what it used to be. The easy trips are getting crowded, and the places that still feel untouched take a little more effort to reach. In this episode, we get a real look at what that next level of travel looks like. Will Blair walks through two very different fisheries—the remote flats of the Bahamas and the wild rivers of Kamchatka—and explains how both are evolving right now. This is a full-on fly fishing travel guide, from logistics to species to what actually matters once you get there.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/910B Presented by:  Fly Fish with me Utah Most anglers walk right past good water without even knowing it. In this episode, we're digging into how to find trout and turn refusals into eats with Mike O'Brien. He shares how guides break down a river in the first few minutes and what they look for before making a single cast. We also get into why trout refuse flies that look perfect, and how small changes in your drift and position can turn those refusals into eats. Mike talks about reading trout behavior, spotting high percentage water, and making simple adjustments when things aren't working. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/910B

#910 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/910  Presented by: Drifthook Fly Fishing, Togiak River Lodge, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho  Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors    Jonathan Farmer from Midnight Sun Custom Flies shares how this camp blends the comfort of a lodge with the authenticity of a true Alaska steelhead camp. It's built for anglers who want to fish hard, learn more, and experience Alaska in the fall. From swing techniques to river behavior to camp life, this one is packed with insight for anyone chasing chrome. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/910     

#909  Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/909 Sponsors: Grand Teton, AVC Rig, TroutRoutes There's a whole world of trout food drifting beneath the surface that most anglers never fully notice. Tiny insects, short-lived hatches, and subtle movements quietly control how trout feed and where they hold. In this episode, we dig into trout food — not just what they eat, but why it matters. Because once you start noticing bugs, the river starts making a whole lot more sense. Maggie Heumann from Trout Unlimited joins me to break down aquatic entomology in a way that actually connects to your time on the water.

908 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/908 Presented by:  Golden Fly Shop, Fly Fish with me Utah, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Pescador on the Fly Do you remember when intruders took over with big profiles and tons of flash? But what if the real edge is going smaller? In this episode, we're digging into fishing smaller flies for Great Lakes steelhead and salmon, and what happens when you shift from bulk to balance and from heavy push to a more subtle presence. Alex Belonga breaks it down, from Temple Dogs to sparse hair wings, plus how presentation, movement, and fly design all play into getting more eats. 908 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/908  

#907 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/907  Presented by: TroutRoutes, Jackson Hole Fly Company Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors/     What does it take to completely rethink how we carry gear on the water? In this episode, we dig into fly fishing innovation through the story of Fishpond and the mind behind it, Johnny Le Coq. From cassette tape cases to chest packs and carbon fiber nets, this one connects design, function, and purpose in a big way. We get into the early days of Fishpond, how disruption shaped the brand, and why conservation became just as important as the gear itself. Jonny also shares what he's focused on now, including a powerful citizen science movement that's giving anglers a new way to protect the waters they love. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/907      

#906  Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/906 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Visit Idaho, Stonefly Nets, Drifthook Fly Fishing. Fly fishing has always evolved, but some moments change everything. From bamboo to fiberglass to graphite, each shift has redefined how anglers experience the water. In this episode, Larry Kenney shares what it was like to be at the center of one of the most important transitions in fly fishing history—the move to graphite fly rods. Larry, co-founder of Scott Fly Rods, takes us through the early days of rod building, the rise of graphite innovation, and the lessons he's learned from decades in the industry. Along the way, he shares practical advice that challenges how anglers think about gear, casting, and improvement.

#904 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/904  Presented by: On DeMark Lodge We dig into what's happening on the Upper Missouri right now, from macroinvertebrate data to water management challenges. This episode with Josh Seckinger and David Stagliano from Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance (UMOWA) connects the dots between science, fishing, and long-term river health. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/904      

903 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/903 Presented by:  On DeMark Lodge In this episode, Craig and Warren break down what really matters when you're fishing the Missouri during peak dry fly season. We get into fishing the Trico hatch, how timing and rhythm often beat perfect fly choice, and what anglers miss when targeting rising fish. You'll also hear about the Missouri River Dry Fly School at On DeMark Lodge. Find out what you can expect on the water, and how to apply the techniques you'll learn there anywhere you fish. 903 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/903  

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/902 Presented By: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Mountain Waters Resort. Steelhead fishing rewards patience, repetition, and time on the water. In this episode, Dax Messett shares practical winter steelhead fishing tips on reading water, fishing near tidewater, choosing the right setup, and making better swings on coastal rivers. We also get into the lower Rogue, the Klamath, leader strength, tide influence, and how to land fish cleanly without a net.

#901 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/901b   Presented by: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge In this episode, Chase walks through Montana spring creek fly fishing — from the Yellowstone and Stillwater to spring creeks and the Shoshone. We dig into double-nymph rigs, streamer strategies, dry-dropper setups, and how fall fishing in Montana changes the whole game. If you're planning a Montana trip or just want to fish smarter on big western rivers, this one is packed with ideas. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/901b      

901 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/901  Presented by: San Juan Rodworks, Pescador on the Fly, Togiak River Lodge, Toyota Prairies In this episode, I sit down with Jim McLennan to explore Bow River fly fishing across generations. We talk about the shift from classic dry fly fishing to streamer fishing, increased boat traffic, and the challenges of managing a well-known tailwater fishery in Alberta. We also get into key hatches like golden stones, how dam operations impact river conditions, and how fly fishing techniques have evolved on the Bow River. Jim shares stories about legends like Lefty Kreh and Gary LaFontaine, along with insights from his books, including Blue Ribbon Bow.

Watch the full video:  https://wetflyswing.com/salmonflyproject Take the Angler Survey:  https://salmonflyproject.org/survey/ Support the Salmonfly Project:  https://salmonflyproject.org/donate/ In this episode, we dig deep into one of the most important but often misunderstood parts of fly fishing: entomology, or the study of aquatic insects, and how it directly connects to success on the water. James Frakes and Jackson Birrell from the Salmonfly Project break this topic down in a way that makes it approachable, practical, and actually useful for anglers at any level. Instead of overwhelming you with scientific jargon or Latin names, they focus on what matters most: understanding bugs well enough to make better decisions when fish are feeding. Right from the start, the conversation shifts the way you think about "matching the hatch." It's not just about picking the right fly—it's about understanding timing, behavior, and movement. When you start thinking not only like a fish, but also like the bug, everythin

899 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/899 Presented by: Patagonia, San Juan Rodworks, Intrepid Camp Gear Henry's Lake fly fishing has a reputation that stretches across North America. Big trout, shallow water, legendary hatches, and a history filled with anglers chasing trophy fish. In this episode, Phil Rowley sits down with Idaho native Darren Huntsman, a lifelong angler who has spent decades learning the nuances of this famous stillwater. Darren grew up fishing nearby rivers and lakes, eventually falling in love with Henry's Lake for the same reason many anglers do—the chance to chase truly big trout in a bug-rich, shallow lake that fishes differently from almost anywhere else.

Show Notes: Https://wetflyswing.com/898B Sponsor: San Juan Rodworks Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Fly fishing in New Mexico offers an incredible range of water that many anglers overlook. From tiny mountain creeks hiding in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the famous San Juan River tailwater, the state delivers everything from technical dry fly fishing to big trout below dams. In this episode, I sat down with Trisha Valdez to talk about growing up around the Mora River, how she found fly fishing later in life, and why local rivers often shape us more than destination trips. Trisha also shares the story behind New Mexico Lady Anglers, the community she founded to help more women get comfortable with fly fishing. We get into small-stream fishing, the San Juan River, conservation challenges, and several New Mexico trout streams worth adding to your list.

Watch the Video:  http://wetflyswing.com/steelheadbootcamp Sponsors:  https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors/ In this episode, Jeff Liskay breaks down the core ideas behind successful swung-fly steelhead fishing and why so many anglers struggle with it. Instead of focusing on gear or the perfect fly, Jeff explains that success starts with understanding where steelhead actually hold in a river. He shares lessons from decades of chasing steelhead across the Great Lakes, West Coast, and beyond, emphasizing how reading water, identifying structure, and recognizing current changes are the real keys to finding fish. Anglers need to think like hunters, targeting individual holding spots and learning to interpret the subtle clues the river gives about where steelhead are likely resting or traveling. Jeff also dives into the mechanics of presentation—how casting angle, sink tips, fly depth, and swing speed determine whether your fly actually enters a steelhead's "strike window." Small adjustments in rod position, mendin

897 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/897 Presented by:  Togiak River Lodge, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho  In this episode, we dig into the science of a perfect fly cast with legendary casting instructor Ed Jaworowski. We talk about rod loading, loop control, timing, and the small mechanics that make a cast efficient and accurate. Ed also shares how he learned alongside Lefty Kreh, and why mastering these details can keep anglers improving for decades. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/897  

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/896 Sponsors: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho  Some fly tying skills come quickly. Others only show up after thousands of flies, years behind the vise, and a lot of mistakes along the way. Proportions, thread control, and material handling are things you really can't shortcut. In this episode, I sat down with Dave Allison to talk about fly tying travel, the expo circuit across the West, and the patterns he loves tying when people sit down across the table. We also dug into the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, one of the best tying events in the country. Dave shared some great insights into dry flies, Quigley patterns, Wally Wings, the Found Link, and the small tricks that make a big difference when you're tying or fishing these flies.

895 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/895 Presented by:  Fly Fish with me Utah, Drifthook Fly Fishing, TroutRoutes Picture this. You're in Colorado with mountains in every direction, and the South Platte running just across the road. In this episode, I sit down with Jason Pickerill and Jacquie Mosher from Mountain River Lodge. We talk about how this place began as a historic motor lodge and how they've upgraded it into a true base camp for anglers, hikers, hunters, and groups exploring some of the best water in the state. We also dig into the Dream Stream, Mueller State Park, shoulder seasons, and why fall in Colorado is hard to beat.  This is the home base for our upcoming Landon Mayer trip, and we still have a couple of spots open. If you're interested, send me an email and put "Landon Mayer" in the subject line, and I'll get you the details.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/895  

#894 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/894  Presented by: AVC Rig, Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Fish The Fly, Patagonia Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors/    Long Island fly fishing isn't the first thing most people think of when they picture New York. Traffic, skyline, beaches maybe. But tucked behind all that is a network of spring creeks, salt marshes, kettle ponds, and over a thousand miles of shoreline that most anglers never see. In this episode, I sat down with Paul McCain, owner of River Bay Outfitters — the only dedicated fly shop on Long Island. Paul's been building community, guiding anglers, and chasing everything from native brook trout to stripers for decades. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/894