They’re fast, powerful, and one of the toughest fish to fool on a fly—roosterfish, or El Gallo. Join us as legendary angler Tom Boyd shares his decades-long pursuit of these magnificent predators in Costa Rica. From world-record catches to breakthrough tactics, Tom reveals what makes roosters so elusive, how to spot and hook them, and why landing one is considered the pinnacle of saltwater fly fishing. Don’t miss this chance to learn the secrets of chasing one of the ocean’s most extraordinary game fish!

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

• What makes roosterfish one of the most challenging saltwater fish to catch on a fly?
• How do their unique auditory and visual senses make them so difficult to fool?
• Can you explain the role of the dorsal comb and how roosterfish use it to hunt or herd baitfish?
• How does the behavior of roosters differ between calmer waters like Baja beaches and the rougher open Pacific waters of Costa Rica?
• Tell us about your very first encounter with a roosterfish on the Costa Rica/Nicaragua border—what did you see and how did it change your fishing path?
• Walk us through your 1998 catch in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo—the first large roosterfish taken on fly under IGFA rules. What made it possible that day?
• How did that world-record catch open doors for you, including your work with Crocodile Bay in Costa Rica?
• What role does structure—like reefs, points, or guano-covered cliffs—play in locating roosters?
• What do you look for in bird activity when scanning a beach for signs of roosterfish?
• What’s your preferred rod, reel, and line setup for roosterfish in Costa Rica?
• Tell us about the development of Boyd’s Wounded Baitfish fly. What made it so effective?
• How closely do you try to “match the hatch” when choosing fly colors and sizes for Costa Rica?
• What retrieves have you found most effective—steady strips, erratic jerks, or wounded-baitfish movements?
• What are your tips for setting the hook properly on roosterfish, given their tendency to spit flies?
• How do you recommend fighting a rooster—rod angles, pressure, and handling jumps?
• Roosterfish are listed as “data deficient” by the IUCN. What past and current research have you done that will help us to understand roosterfish better in Costa Rica and other parts of the world.

Kelly Laatsch, a professional guide of more than 25 years, calls the Upper Columbia his home water. This tailwater produces average rainbows at 16 inches, with 20-inch fish common. Big rainbows, up to 28 inches, are caught and released every year. Join us and learn about this great tailwater and how to best fish it.

Dusty Wissmath, a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor, will explore the fundamentals of casting that are so important to catching more fish. Are you struggling with a castitng problem? Here's your chance to ask a question of one of the best casting instructors around.

Misty Dhillon had been guiding and traveling in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar since 1994 in search of Golden Mahseer. These fish are a highly evolved, bio-indicator fish species that swim in rivers across the rugged Himalayan foothills. Listen in and learn about this incredible fish and what it takes to bring one to the net.

Blake Jackson, a professional guide from Casper,  Wyoming, specializes in guiding his clients to Wyoming’s great fisheries, like the Miracle Mile, Grey Reef, Fremont Canyon, and local lakes. Whether it's trophy trout or spooky carp Blake knows where to go and how to get hooked up. Join us to learn about these incredible fisheries and how to fish them.

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

• What are the four major sections of the North Platte River?
• Is the area around Saratoga worth fishing?
• How did the Miracle Mile get its name?
• What spawn occurs on the Miracle Mile that brings up the big fish?
• What flies work best on the Miracle Mile?
• What section is fished most often in Fremont Canyon?
• What epic dry fly hatch is Fremont Canyon known for?
• What sections of Grey Reef are the most productive?
• What flies work best on Grey Reef and why?
• What strategies do you use to fish Grey Reef?
• What is the most common mistake most fly fishers make when fishing Grey Reef?
• Why has carp fishing in Wyoming exploded?
• Where is the best place to fish for carp in Wyoming?

Captain Codty Pierce, a professional fly fishing guide, grew up on the southwest coast of Florida and knows the waters there better than most. His target in the winter when the waters cool are sheepshead also known as convict fish because of their vivid stripes. Sheepshead have developed a reputation that rivals permit, they are hard to catch on a fly but are super exciting because you are sight fishing to tailing fish on shallow oyster beds and can see the take. Join us to learn Codty's techniques for hooking up with these challenging fish.

Questions asked and answered during the interview:

• What is the average size of a sheepshead?
• Where do you find sheepshead?
• What type of water do they inhabit?
• What's the best time of year to catch the larger sheepshead?
• What do they eat?
• What fly patterns work best?
• How should you present your flies to get good takes?

Davy Wotton is a professional guide on the White River in Arkansas and no doubt one of the top experts on the river. Learn Davy's secrets about hooking up with monster browns in this show.

Rod Hamilton has been helping fly fishers find the best do it yourself locations for many years. He's traveled the world looking for locations that have local fishing experts that can be called upon for help, accurate fishing reports, vacation rental properties and other points of interest you may want to explore. Many times it's not easy to find these locations but Rod has made it happen. Join us and help me pick Rods brain on how to make a do it yourself fishing vacation a memorable one.

Lani Waller has pursued steelhead for over four decades and is considered one of the foremost experts on trophy British Columbia steelhead. Learn Lani's best techniques for catching steelhead on the fly.

Tom Rosenbauer has been with Orvis for over 30 years and has shared his knowledge across many topics. One of the most studied yet intimidating aspects of fly fishing for trout is an understanding of insect hatches. Tom will enlighten us on entomology and also how to approach trout, how to find where they feed, and how to present the fly so it is accepted as natural food without hesitation. Join us and learn some new techniques to catch more fish.

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

• What do you need to know to be successful when fishing a hatch?
• What is the best way to seine the water?
• What if you don't get any insects in your seine?
• What’s the best way to find fish feeding on a hatch?
• How do you identify the insect that is hatching?
• How to you fish the different stages of a hatch?
• What do you do if you have multiple hatches at the same time?
• How important is it to match the hatch with your patterns?
• Do you prefer to fish a single fly or use a dry dropper setup?
• Do you find that smaller fish are the ones rising first at the beginning of a hatch?
• How do you target the bigger fish in hatches?
• How does the change in climate vary the color of hatching flies?
• What has been the most challenging hatch to match & have reasonable consistent success?

Alabama is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and diverse fly fishing destinations in North America—and Matt Lewis is here to prove it. Join us as we uncover more than 50 hidden gems across the state, from Appalachian streams teeming with redeye bass to coastal marshes alive with trophy redfish. Whether you're chasing bass, bream, or saltwater giants, Alabama has it all. Don’t miss this eye-opening journey through one of fly fishing’s best-kept secrets!

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

• What inspired you to write Alabama’s Best Fly Fishing and showcase this state as a fly fishing destination?
• Many anglers overlook Alabama—why do you think it’s a hidden gem in the fly fishing world?
• Why is Alabama called "America's Amazon"?
• How would you describe the diversity of Alabama’s fisheries compared to other states in the South or across the country?
• Can you walk us through the typical bonefish diet and how it may vary by location?
• What makes the redeye bass so unique and special for fly anglers?
• What type of water do you find these fish?
• What are the best strategies and fly patterns for targeting redeye bass in Alabama streams?
• What other bass species are popular to target?
• Alabama is known for trophy striped bass—what are your go-to methods and flies for targeting them?
• What other species of fish are available to fly fish for?
• If you could only choose one place to fish which location would go to?
• What makes Alabama’s Gulf Coast marshes and estuaries special for fly anglers?
• What species are there to target in the marshes and estuaries?

Oliver White has fished all over the world for many exotic species but his home turf in the Bahamas is still where he is most comfortable. The flats of the Bahamas have always been known for outstanding bonefishing and Oliver knows it well. Join us to learn the ins and outs of fly fishing the Bahamas for bonefish.

Mike McClelland has been fly fishing and hosting trips to New Zealand for over 16 years. Listen to Mike share the challenges and successes of landing nine-pound browns in 20 foot wide streams.

Charlie Craven is a top-selling signature fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. He's also a great teacher so if you want to learn a bunch of great fly tying techniques join us for an in-depth study of tying nymphs.

Joe Jackson has been fly fishing in Alaskan waters since 2014. He’s unlocked the secrets to DIY fishing using the state highways and roads to catch salmon, trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic char, and Arctic grayling. Join us to learn his tricks to success in “The Last Frontier.”

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

• What inspired you to start exploring Alaska’s fisheries without a guide?
• How do you define “DIY fly fishing” in the Alaskan context?
• What are the biggest misconceptions people have about fly fishing in Alaska on their own?
• What are the most important factors to consider when planning a DIY trip to Alaska?
• What are the pros and cons of fly fishing DIY versus using a guide?
• How do you research and locate productive roadside-accessible fisheries?
• Are there any tools, apps, or maps that you rely on when planning your trips?
• Can you walk us through some of the best regions in Alaska for road-accessible fly fishing?
• How accessible is Southeast Alaska for road-based DIY fly fishing?
• What species are most available to DIY fly fishers throughout the year?
• What’s the best time of year for someone planning their first DIY trip?
• Do you typically wade, hike in, or use a pack raft on DIY trips?
• Are camping sites easily accessible?
• What are the biggest safety concerns DIY anglers should prepare for?