Capt. Earl Waters, a Florida native, has been chasing and catching the giant Homosassa tarpon for over 25 years. Learn his secrets on hooking up and landing these incredible trophies.

Devin Olsen, a medal winning member of Fly Fishing Team USA, shares the modern day nymphing techniques he and Lance Eagan use to catch fish in the European style. When competing on an international basis you have to be good and have to know how to adapt. We had so many questions on Devin's first show that we going at it again. Join us to continue this great topic.

John Gierach has been writing about fly fishing for most of his life. He is the author of twenty-one books including Trout Bum, Sex, Death and Flyfishing, Standing in a River Waving a Stick and A Fly Rod of Your Own. Join us for a chat with John about his writing, inspiration and of course fly fishing.

Terry Meyers has guided for steelhead most her professional life and has been involved in conservation efforts to preserve the species. To bring awareness to the plight of the steelhead she went on a quest to catch a steelhead in every month of the year and write about it as she fished. Join us to hear about her quest and become educated in the future of steelhead.

Craig Mathews has fished Yellowstone National Park for over 30 years. Learn from Craig where, when and how to fish this incredibly beautiful and diverse fly fishing destination.

Brian Flechsig owns Mad River Outfitters, Midwest Fly Fishing Schools, and Ohio Fly Fishing Guides. He started his fly shop in 1994 with a passion for fly fishing and the will to succeed, but not much more. Today, Mad River Outfitters ranks as one of the top three largest fly shops in the United States. Join us and learn how Brian started his business on a shoestring and how he has grown it through consistent marketing and proper business management.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• What inspired you to start a business in the fly fishing industry?
• How has your business evolved from its initial concept to the multi-faceted enterprise it is today?
• How has your passion for fly fishing influenced the way you run your business?
• How do you engage with the local community through your brick-and-mortar shop?
• In creating your product lines, do you select low, medium, and high-cost products to appeal to the broadest spectrum of customers or focus on one price point?
• What is the top-selling or highest-grossing product at the fly shop?
• What are the top 2-3 selling fly patterns in the shop?
• What platform do you use for your e-commerce store?
• Do you use manufacturer’s supplied photos for your products, or do you take your own?
• What types of marketing do you do?
• What marketing has worked the best for you?
• Do you do all your marketing in-house or do you outsource some of it?
• Which advertising channels have you found most effective for your businesses, and why?
• How much luck is responsible for your success?

Carol's photographs and paintings have not only appeared in most of her husband Skip's 21 fly-fishing and -tying books, but also on the covers and interior pages of such magazines and books as Grey's Sporting Journal, Fly Fisherman, Yale Angler's Journal, American Angler, Fly Fishing & Tying Journal, and America's Favorite Flies. Join us and learn how to take better photographs of the beautiful places you fish, your fishing buddies, fish and of course yourself.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• What don't my photos turn out the way I see them?
• What do you recommend for pocket-sized, waterproof, point and shoot camera?
• Can you take good photos with your phone?
• What do you do to protect your camera from water?
• Do you use polarizing or warming filters?
• How to keep from stressing out the fish?
• How can you get a good photo of your fish when you are alone?
• What makes a compelling photograph?
• What time of day makes for the best photographs?
• What is the rule of thirds and how can it make my photos better?
• How can I improve the photos I'm taking?

Chip O'Brien, a professional guide in California for 18 years, provides us with a overview of California's wild-trout waters from Northern California to the Eastern Sierra.

Rick Kustich is just getting started when icy winds sweep across the Great Lakes and most anglers pack it in, Rick shares his proven strategies for finding and catching winter steelhead in freezing conditions. Discover how these powerful fish adapt to the cold, what flies trigger their strikes, and the best techniques for slow, deep presentations when water temps drop near freezing. Whether you’re a die-hard steelheader or dreaming of your first chrome in the snow, Rick’s insights will help you turn winter’s chill into your hottest season yet.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• • What makes winter steelheaders such a unique and dedicated breed of anglers?
  • How do Great Lakes winter steelhead differ biologically and behaviorally from their Pacific-coast ancestors?
  • Why do you think winter steelhead have adapted so well to the Great Lakes since their introduction in the late 1800s?
  • Can you explain how water temperature and metabolism affect a winter steelhead’s movement and feeding behavior?
  • How do weather patterns—especially snow, rain, and barometric changes—impact the bite?
  • What are your go-to rod and line setups for both swinging and nymphing winter steelhead?
  • How do you balance the need for depth and control when choosing sink tips or leaders?
  • What types of holding water are most productive for winter steelhead—boulder pockets, gravel runs, or tailouts?
  • How important is timing in a winter day—should you be fishing the warmest part of the afternoon?
  • How do subtle water temperature changes, even a degree or two, alter fish activity and feeding?
  • When you’re selecting flies, what patterns give you the best chance—Intruders, Sculpins, Eggs, or something else?
  • How has the two-handed or “Spey” revolution changed the way anglers target winter steelhead in the Great Lakes?
  • How effective is Euro-nymphing for Great Lakes steelhead, and what are its pros and cons in winter conditions?
  • What method if any do you use to deter ice on your fly rods guides when fishing cold weather?
  • Winter steelheading often means long hours with few bites. How do you keep your mental focus and motivation high?

Chico Fernandez has fly fished for over 40 years and has broken several world records, most notably, the largest redfish taken with a fly rod, at 42 pounds, 5 ounces (I.G.F.A. record on 12 pound test tippet). He was also one of the first to land a white marlin on a fly rod. His real passion; however, is snook. Listen to this podcast to find out Chico's secrets on fly fishing for these incredible game fish.

Bill Horn has had a fifty-year connection with Alaska. Each year 60 million or more wild salmon run up the rivers of Bristol Bay and of course, rainbow trout are right there with them. Bill will share his knowledge of the natural history, culture, and management of this fishery along with fishing strategies, fly choices, and trip planning. Listen in to learn more about this outstanding and one-of-a-kind fishery.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• What inspired you to write Crimson Wave?
• Why is Bristol Bay so important?
• What does Bristol Bay represent?
• Who are the people that live in Bristol Bay?
• Why are sockeye salmon important to commercial fishing?
• Are the sockeye salmon a sustainable species?
• Why are sockeye hard to catch on a fly?
• Why don't sockeye have the respect that other salmon have?
• What is the lifecycle of sockeye?
• Is it better to fish for sockeye nearest the sea before they begin to change color?
• What weight rod do you use for sockeye?
• Why are sockeye important to rainbows?
• What fly fishing techniques or presentations do you use for rainbows?
• What is the status of the controversial Pebble Mine project?

Fishing pressure is at an all-time high—but smart anglers adapt. In this episode we're joined by Nick Conklin and Collins Illich to break down advanced tactics for fooling highly educated fish on crowded waters. From strategy shifts to subtle presentations, this conversation delivers practical insights you can apply to pressured rivers anywhere.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• How do you define “pressured water,” and what are the earliest signs anglers should recognize?
• How has fishing pressure changed over the last decade on popular Western rivers?
• Can you share with us some of the things that should concern anglers with time management?
• When and where should we fish to avoid highly pressured waters?
• What role does timing—time of day or season—play in beating pressure?
• On a river like the South Platte, below Cheeseman Dam, it looks like the coming months will be a combination of low water (>100 CFS), crowds, and low temps/snow pack (hopefully!). Any recommendations around that specific set of factors?
• If you come across a run where you saw another angler fishing, how long should you wait to fish that run?
• How important is stealth compared to presentation on crowded rivers?
• When fishing pressured water, how do you decide between changing flies versus changing tactics?
• Is it better to add more flies as droppers when fishing for smart trout?
• Do you find that you need to downsize your flies for pressured waters?
• Do you change leader/tippet for pressured waters, and if so, what do you recommend?
• What habits separate consistently successful anglers from frustrated ones?
• With the pressure continuing to get stronger what changes do you see coming in the next 20 years that will change the way we fish today or our access to fisheries?

Adam is obsessed with musky. He’s been fishing for musky for over 25 years. He’s also built a fly shop called Musky Town which is devoted to helping fly anglers catch more musky on the fly. Join us to learn Adam’s secrets to mastering musky on the fly.

***Due to technical difficulties, Adam’s episode has been rescheduled for fall 2023.

Tim Jacobs is a guide and FFI Certified Casting Instructor who fishes both the warm waters of the midwest and the cold waters of the Rocky Mountains. Tim will be sharing tactics including rigs, techniques and fly patterns that you can use to catch more bass. panfish, pike, and other warmwater species. Join us and learn Tim's secrets to warmwater fly fishing.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• Where do you do most of your warmwater fishing?
• What does a fly fisher need to know about lakes to be productive?
• Is it more productive to fly fishing from a boat?
• How do you dissect an unknown lake?
• What types of rods and lines do you need for warmwater fly fishing?
• Where should you look for largemouth bass?
• What is your primary method for finding fish?
• What types of flies do you use for largemouth bass?
• When fishing rivers for smallmouth bass, how do you work the water?
• What's your go-to fly for smallmouth bass?
• Where do the pike hold in the water column?
• How do you rig up your leader and shock tippet for pike?
• What are your favorite types of flies for pike?
• Where is the best place to find pike?

Chris Leonard has been guiding and teaching fly fishing in the Mammoth Lakes, California area since 2005. Mammoth Lakes is well known for its ski area but it also hosts some great fisheries. Hot Creek, the Owens River, the San Joaquin River, Rock Creek, Rush Creek and Crowley Lake are some of Chris's favorites. Listen in and learn about these eastern Sierra fisheries and how to best fish these waters.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• When is the best time of year to fish the Mammoth Lakes rivers, creeks and lakes?
• What is the difference between fishing the Upper and Lower Owens River?
• What river has Golden Trout in it?
• What makes Hot Creek so special?
• Is Tenkara a good system to use on these fisheries?
• What river is known for its hopper fishing?
• What river can you get a grand slam on?
• What's the best way to find fish in Crowley Lake?
• Can you fish Crowley Lake from a float tube?
• What flies work best on these waters?