Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#867 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/867 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho  This Traveled episode connects with conversations sparked by the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, where anglers gather to share patterns, techniques, and ideas that shape how we fish. Scott Sanchez joins us to break down one of the most important — and often misunderstood — feeding windows in fly fishing: the emerger stage. We dig into how trout feed in the surface film, how to read rise forms correctly, and why classic wet flies and soft hackles remain so effective when fish aren't fully committing to dries. It's a thoughtful, observation-driven discussion rooted in time at the vise and on the water, and a reminder that good fishing starts with paying attention. #867 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/867

863 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/866 Presented by:   Togiak River Lodge Today's story bridges two very different worlds: the tight banks and icy tributaries of the Great Lakes, and the raw, tidal power of Western Alaska. Bailey Adamavich learned to fish where forty-foot casts matter and low water forces precision, then carried that foundation straight into blown-out rivers, chrome-bright kings, and some of the most intense Chinook grabs you can imagine. Bailey was our guide on the Togiak River, and we talked through one of my best days ever swinging for king salmon. We also dig into how Great Lakes tactics translate to Alaska, why simple flies still win, and what it really feels like to guide a full Alaskan season. If you're curious about Chinook on the swing, Midwest steelhead and browns, or the leap from small water to truly big rivers, this one's for you. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/866  

#865b Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/865b      Presented by: Fish The Fly Jason Balogh is back from Fish the Fly Guide Service to recap his season around Jackson Hole and break down how he introduces new anglers to fly fishing. We cover beginner-friendly gear, dry dropper setups, casting basics, and how to read water on big Western rivers like the Snake. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/865b  

Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/865 Sponsors: Togiak River Lodge, Smitty's Fly Box, and Jackson Hole Fly Company. Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Last month on the Madison, I watched a perfect example of why Trout Spey exists. Wind ripping. Skinny water. A high bank behind us. Indicator rigs are getting ripped out of the drift the second they touch down. One angler finally stepped out of the rut, grabbed an 11-foot two-hander, and swung flies through water that had shut everyone else down. He wasn't being heroic. He was listening to what the river was asking for. That moment frames this episode with Nick Conklin. We dig into Trout Spey setup, casting fundamentals, and why indicator fishing, high sticking, and swinging are all equal tools. The difference is knowing when to use each and being willing to adapt when conditions get ugly.

#864 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/864 Presented By: Drifthook Fly Fishing, San Juan Rodworks, On DeMark Lodge, Montana Fly Fishing Lodge Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Stillwater trout don't always eat because they're hungry — and that's where many anglers get stuck. In this solo episode of the Littoral Zone Podcast, Phil Rowley breaks down the power of attraction and explains why trout often strike flies for reasons that have nothing to do with feeding. When matching the hatch fails, attractor patterns can trigger responses rooted in curiosity, aggression, and territorial instinct. Drawing from decades of stillwater experience, Phil explores when and why attractor flies work, how to fish them responsibly, and which patterns consistently provoke strikes from otherwise inactive trout. From blobs and boobies to FABs, worms, and exaggerated chironomids, this episode reframes how anglers should think about fly choice, presentation, and trout behavior in lakes. #864 Show Notes: https://wetflyswi

863 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/863 Presented by:  Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho    If you're trying to figure out where you can find giant stoneflies in July, chase technical midge eaters in March, and explore private spring creeks, all while staying in a five-star lodge that's not priced like Jackson Hole, this episode shows you exactly where that place exists. Today we're heading into Swan Valley, right in the heart of one of the most epic fishing zones in the West, with John and Liz Douville, owners of River Retreat Lodge. We dig into how they ended up buying a lodge in the middle of COVID, why March might actually be one of the best fishing months of the year, and how this area quietly sits at the crossroads of the South Fork, spring creeks, big wildlife, and wide-open country.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/863

Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/862 Sponsors: TroutRoutes, Fish The Fly, and Smitty's Fly Box. Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors There's a certain kind of fly fishing knowledge you don't get from a quick scroll or a gear review. You get it from someone who's been there when the "new" stuff was being invented, watched it cycle back around, and saved the paper trail along the way. That's what this conversation with Jim Adams felt like: a walk through the hidden world of fly-fishing collectibles, rare books, and the history behind the gear we all obsess over. Jim's story starts way back in 1943, tying his first fly at nine years old, and stretches through Florida Keys tarpon on bamboo, world travel, Alaska salmon research, and a lifetime of collecting and selling some of the rarest angling books and tackle out there. If you've ever wondered what makes a bamboo rod truly collectible, why some reels hit five figures, or how fly fishing keeps reinventing itself, this one's for you.

#861 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/861 Presented By: Togiak River Lodge Grant Woolridge carries one of the most influential river-boating legacies in the West. As the great-grandson of Glen Woolridge, Grant grew up around the Rogue River and the early innovations that made modern jet boating possible. In this episode, he shares stories passed down through generations—stories that shaped how anglers and boaters access wild rivers today. We dig into early wooden boats, the evolution of jet technology, and why Wooldridge Boats continues to balance innovation with durability and safety. From historic runs through Blossom Bar to modern materials testing, this conversation is about respecting river history while building boats for the future.  #861 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/861

860 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/860 Presented by:  Intrepid Camp Gear, Togiak River Lodge, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Patagonia   Today, I sat down with Marcus Bohlin of Nam Products to talk through the things Scandinavian anglers think about differently. Rod length. True line weight. Leader diameter. Presentation. We get into why a 14-foot 7-weight can actually feel easier to fish on rivers like the Deschutes, how Baltic salmon behave compared to Atlantic salmon and steelhead, and why Sweden keeps coming up as a place more anglers should be paying attention to. We also dig into Nám's leaders, why six-piece two-hand rods make more sense than most people expect, and how line choice matters less in some situations and more in others. This one reshaped how I think about modern spey gear and where it really comes from.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/860

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/859 Presented By: Mountain Waters Resort, San Juan Rodworks, Montana Fly Fishing Lodge Tellis Katsogiannos has spent decades at the highest level of fly casting, earning world champion titles while helping shape how modern anglers think about efficiency, control, and simplicity. In this episode, Tellis shares how competitive casting sharpened his understanding of techniques, and how those lessons translate directly to real fishing situations. We also head to Sweden and Atlantic salmon water, where Scandi systems and Spey-style thinking demand precision over power. From line design at Guideline to teaching anglers how to improve without overthinking, this conversation connects elite casting, salmon culture, and innovation into one clear framework for better fly fishing. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/859

Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/858 Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Fly fishing has a way of pulling you back when you need it most. And for Mike O'Brien, those quiet hours on the water turned into a full-on career shift, from financial services to guiding full-time in Utah. In this episode, we dig into what makes Utah such a sleeper fly fishing destination, why the Provo River is a legit year-round option, and the small tweaks that can turn a slow day into a "how is this even legal" kind of day. We also break down Mike's go-to winter and shoulder-season setup: the bounce rig. If you've ever felt like you're "doing everything right" but the trout still aren't eating, Mike lays out exactly where to look, what to adjust, and how to slow things down enough to get the takes.

#858 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/858        Presented by: Patagonia, Four Wheel Campers, Togiak River Lodge, Drifthook Fly Fishing Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors    Josiah shares how subsistence fishing, military service, and conservation work brought him back home to build Bucks and Bones — a guiding program grounded in Hawaiian tradition, ecological responsibility, and world-class sight-fishing for big Hawaiian bonefish. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/858      

Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/857 Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Most anglers think they know Montana trout fishing until they stumble into the rivers nobody's talking about. No shuttle lines. No shoulder-to-shoulder boats. No mid-summer hoot owl closures shutting things down. Just cold water spilling off nearly 13,000-foot peaks and trout that still behave like trout. That's exactly what we're digging into on this episode of the Wet Fly Swing Podcast. I sat down with Lincoln Power of Montana Fly Fishing Lodge to talk about a pocket of Montana that still fishes like the old days. Freestones, spring creeks, migrating browns and rainbows, and a lodge experience that goes way beyond the water. If you've ever wondered what Montana looked like before the crowds, this one's for you.

856 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/856B Presented by:  Pescador on the Fly A fly rod that disappears in your pack but still fishes like your everyday rod sounds like a stretch. In this episode, we dig into why that idea actually works and why more anglers are turning to six-piece rods for travel, backup, and even daily use. Jeff Ditsworth, founder of Pescador on the Fly, joins the show to break down how he rebuilt his rod lineup from the ground up. We talk about better blanks, tighter tolerances, and a new factory producing six-piece rods that feel just as smooth as a four-piece.  Jeff also shares stories from a recent trip to Austria, chasing wild brown trout in alpine creeks with a local guide who also happens to be the fish police. If you travel with a carry-on, hike into water, or want a backup rod that doesn't feel like a compromise, this episode shows how six-piece fly rods fit into real fishing—from home waters to fly fishing in Austria.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/856B

 #856 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/856 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Togiak River Lodge, Pescador on the Fly Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Steve Woit has spent years hunting down the stories behind fly-fishing's most influential figures — including Mary Orvis Marbury, whose Victorian-era writing documented flies and tiers before the modern industry existed. In this episode, Steve walks us through the research discipline behind Fly Fishing Treasures, his deep dive into letters, catalogs, photographs, and tackle provenance that reveal how anglers built a culture long before we arrived. This conversation isn't about nostalgia — it's about protecting memory. Steve shows how writing, archiving, and conservation fundraising through donated tackle help safeguard fisheries and preserve the names and innovations that shaped our sport. #856 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/856

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855B Duane Hada joins Chad Johnson for a thoughtful conversation on what actually creates trophy trout fisheries—and why stocking alone isn't the answer. Duane breaks down the importance of catch-and-release regulations, managing pressure, and letting fish live long enough to reach their full potential. Drawing from rivers like the White River and the San Juan, he explains how conservation-first thinking shapes not only fish size, but the long-term health of entire fisheries. Beyond fishing, Duane opens up about his life as an artist and how creativity, patience, and observation carry over from the studio to the river. He talks about seeing fisheries as living "gardens," the influence of Dave Whitlock on both his conservation mindset and artistic outlook, and why mentorship—on the water and off—matters just as much as catching fish. This episode is about legacy, restraint, and approaching both art and angling with intention. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855B

#855 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855      Presented by: San Juan Rodworks, On DeMark Lodge, Four Wheel Campers Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors   If you've ever stood knee-deep in a Western river wondering whether a trout spey rod might change your whole approach, this conversation with Howard Cole will get your wheels turning. Howard's spent a lifetime shaping flies, shaping cast loops, and shaping anglers at JD High Country Outfitters — and he brings a river-smart perspective on everything from trout spey dry flies to yellow sally emergers. Trout spey tips show up often in this episode, and they sneak into almost every story he tells from the Snake to the South Fork. By the end of this episode, you'll probably be digging through your fly box looking for your own emerger patterns — or maybe even picking up a short spey rod for the next drift. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855 

854 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/854 Presented by:  Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Intrepid Camp Gear,  On DeMark Lodge, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho  Today, we're sitting down with someone who has lived two deep lives, one on the PGA Tour and one on the flats of South Texas. Phil Blackmar spent years competing against the best golfers in the world, studying pressure, tempo, and how to stay calm when everything speeds up. Now he brings that same understanding to fly fishing, especially sight fishing for redfish and trout.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/854  

853 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/853b       Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/smittys  Steve Smith breaks down the fundamentals of top trout flies, fly tying materials, and the patterns that continue to produce everywhere. We also get into how Smitty's Fly Box evolved, how he approaches local hatches, and why mastering proportions might be the most important part of tying a durable fly. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/853b    

#853 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/853 Presented By: TroutRoutes, Smitty's Fly Box, Four Wheel Campers Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors James Garrettson of About Trout takes us deep into the San Juan tailwater—well beyond the Instagram version—to show what really makes this river a world-class streamer fishery. He breaks down how big trout behave in frog water, why depth and stalls matter more than speed, and how his team consistently targets fish over 30 inches. James shares the story behind a true San Juan giant, talks streamer setups, flow windows, guide etiquette, and why he spends every free day exploring the same river he's guided for a decade. If you've ever wondered how to fish deep, slow, technical water for outsized browns, this episode is the blueprint. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/853