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Magnificent Roosterfish: Unlocking the Secrets of El Gallo
Tom Boyd
Fly Fisher/Fly Tier/Author
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.
More about Tom Boyd...
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Chasing Trout in the Chill - Beating the Cold and Catching More
Jason Randall
Fly Fisher/Fly Tier/Author
When the temperatures drop and most anglers hang up their waders, Jason Randall heads to the river. In this episode Jason reveals how to outsmart winter’s toughest conditions and find trout when the water turns icy. Learn how to locate warmwater seeps, choose the right flies for slow, cold currents, and keep yourself warm, safe, and successful all day long. Discover why winter may just be the most rewarding season to fish — if you know where to look and how to adapt.Ask Jason Randall your most important questions on fly fishing in cold weather...
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Brook Trout: Conservation & FishingBob Mallard is an authority on brook trout and contributes to many of the conservation efforts that are in place today. Brook trout are native to the Eastern United States and were an important gamefish for early anglers. Listen to this podcast to hear about the history, conservation efforts, fly fishing techniques and where to find brook trout today.
Magnificent Roosterfish: Unlocking the Secrets of El GalloThey’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.
The Angler as PredatorGary Borger explores the angler as predator. As successful fly fishers, we need to play the role of the predator, focusing closely on the fish’s ability to sense its environment. What kind of predator are you? Join us and find out...
Subaru-able Brookie Venues in South Park ColoradoMichele White's home range is South Park, Colorado where she guides out of her fly shop Tumbling Trout. South Park is known for the Dream Stream and Eleven Mile Canyon but there are many other beautiful places to fish. The Mosquito Range, Tarryall Mountains, and the tributaries of the South Fork and Middle Fork of the South Platte River offer engaging brook trout fishing with incredible scenery. Join us to learn more about what South Park has to offer fly fishers.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What do you mean by Subaru-Able venues?
- Are brook trout reallyl trout?
- What types of trout do you find at the higher elevations?
- What is the accessibility to streams like?
- What are the best months to fish South Park?
- What weight and length of rod do you use?
- Do you use Tenkara rods?
- What flies do you use for brookies?
- What is the best approach to small streams?
- What types of casts do you use?
- What are the northern tributaries like?
- How accessible are the tributaries of the Middle Fork of the South Platte?
- What do the tributarties of the South Fork offer the fly fisher?
Fly Fishing the Golden IslesCapt David Edens, a professional fly fishing guide knows the Golden Isles , its his backyard. The Golden Isles stretch along 100 miles of Georgia's coast and are home to some incredible redfish. Imagine being poled down a low tide flat, fly fishing for red fish, with so many red fish they bump the bottom of the boat. Join us for another adventure.
Fly Fishing The Island of Hokkaido, JapanRick Wallace is a well-traveled Australian fly fisher who lived and fished the island of Hokkaido, Japan extensively for four years. Unknown to many fly fishers taimen, rainbow trout, char and salmon are all prime targets on the island of Hokkaido. Taimen can get as large as one meter! Listen in to learn more about this fishery and find out where, when and how to fish this northernmost island in Japan.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What fly fishing opportunities are there on the island?
- Where is the best place to stay on Hokkaido?
- What is the best time of year to fish on the island?
- Is the taimen found on Hokkaido similar to those in Mongolia?
- What is the best way to fish for taimen?
- What flies do you use for taimen?
- Where do you fish for rainbows and char?
- When is the best time to fish for salmon?
To hire local Japanese guides for fishing on Hokkaido visit Trout & King.
Currier's QuestJeff is well-known and well-traveled. He hosts fly fishing trips worldwide and is well known for his presentations at the fly fishing shows, and his incredible artwork. He constantly travels and develops techniques for catching the most exotic fish imaginable in places where even the most avid adventurer refuses to go. His quest to catch 500 different species on the fly continues. Join us as Jeff shares some of his adventures in his quest and find out if he’s getting close to meeting his goal.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you first become interested in fly fishing and what inspired you to embark on this quest to catch as many different species as possible?
- Do you have a specific goal?
- What is your current count?
- Which fish has so far been the most fun to catch?
- Which has been the hardest to catch?
- What has been the most challenging journey you’ve had to take to get to a fish?
- Which fish do you think will be the most challenging to catch?
- Which fish are you the most excited to catch?
- Can you share some insights or techniques that you've developed to increase your success rate when targeting various species?
- What fish are next on your list?
- 10 years from now, what’s your prediction on how fly fishing will change?
- How has your pursuit of diverse species affected your perspective on fly fishing and its role as both a sport and a means of connecting with nature?
- What advice would you give to other fly fishers who are interested in pursuing a similar quest to catch as many different species as possible?
Roosters in the SurfMike Reiser shares his newly discovered fly fishing techniques in hooking and landing roosterfish in the surf. Consider this the advance course in stalking roosterfish that you won't find anywhere else.
Babine - World-Renowned Steelhead and Trout RiverThe Babine River in Britsh Columbia has long been known as one of the finest steelhead and trout rivers in the world. Pierce Clegg owned and operated the Babine Norlakes Trout Lodge for 30 years. His knowledge of the river is unmatched. Listen to this podcast to find out how the river used to be, how it is now and how it might be in the future. Is it still one of those fisheries you should have on your bucket list? Tune in and find out.
Fly Fishing MaineBob Mallard has fly fished and guided the Maine waters for over 40 years. Maine has the most diverse fly fishing opportunities in New England and is a popular destination for anglers seeking trout, landlocked salmon, striped bass, and a host of other game fish. Join us and explore the rivers, streams, ponds and lakes of this magnificent state.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you decide what waters to include in your book Fly Fishing Maine?
- What fish species are available to fly fishers in Maine?
- What are the top species fly fishers target?
- What are the top rivers to fish in Maine?
- What are the State Heritage Fish Waters?
- What waters qualify for fly fishing only?
- When is the black fly hatch most prevalent?
- What's causing the decline of landlocked salmon?
- Where do 90% of the native brook trout live?
- Is Artic Char the new "bucket list" fish?
- What fly rods and lines do you recommend?
- What is public access like to the rivers, lakes, and ponds?
- How are striped bass fairing in Maine?
Nymphing The New WayJonathan White has fishing all over the world and has found the new methods of European nymphing to be one of the most effect fly fishing methods used. In this show Jonathan will dig deep into the French leader method and will talk about sight nymphing, short and long range indicator nymphing, dry fly presentations and fishing for grayling, carp and steelhead.
New Mexico's Trout WatersSpencer Seim has been guiding in northern New Mexico since 1995 and calls the Cimarron River, Rio Grande, Costilla Creek, and Ute Creek his home waters. Listen in to hear where and when to come to this picture perfect area and find out how to best fish these mountain waters.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What are the top three most scenic and productive trout streams in northern New Mexico?
- What is the best time of year to fish northern New Mexico?
- Where can you catch the native Rio Grande Cutthroat trout?
- What is Rio Costilla Creek best known for?
- What is the special hatch that occurs on the Cimmarron River?
- What river has an incredible trico hatch?
- What river is known for its awesome dry fly fishing?
- What is Spencer's connection to the book "The Feather Thief"?
Fly Fishing Colorado's South Platte RiverPat Dorsey has guided on the South Platte for more than eleven years. He spends at least 200 days per year on the stream so he knows the water intimately. Join us on this podcast to learn everything you need to know about fly fishing one of the most challenging trout streams in the United States.
Sheepshead On The Fly In Southwest FloridaCaptain 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?
St. Brandon's AtollJeff Currier’s pursuit of the yellow permit, 10 pound plus bonefish and the Picasso triggerfish puts him on the other side of the world on St. Brandon’s Atoll in the Indian Ocean. Who else would endure a 26-hour boat ride after 40 hours of flight travel to add a few more fish to his bucket list. Join us to learn about another “Monsoon” Currier adventure.
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