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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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Stillwater Trout FishingPhil Rowley is a master at fishing stillwaters for trout. Stillwaters are one of the most challenging opportunities for today's fly fisher. They offer a long active season with numerous hatches and presentation challenges. Fish grow big and fat and many fishers find this appeal hard to resist. But the transfer from rivers and streams is often difficult, especially if a prolonged trial-and-error approach is adopted. Listen in to hear Phil’s approach to Stillwater fly fishing and learn a few secrets along the way.
Fly Fishing the Finger Lakes Region of New YorkMike Hogue, a professional fly tier and fly shop owner, has fished the Finger Lakes region of New York for over 25 years. The lakes, unique unto themselves in beauty, offer salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout all available on the fly. Listen in as Mike takes us on a tour of this unusual fishing destination and shares his secrets to success in fishing in this area.
- What finger lakes are the most important for fly fishing?
- Do you fish both the lakes, streams and tributaries?
- What species of fish can be targeted with a fly?
- What lake should you fish if you want to catch a Lake Trout on the fly?
- Are there migratory rainbow runs on all the lakes?
- What time of year do each of the migratory runs happen?
- Which lake has the famous Brown Drake hatch?
- What type of boat is the best to use on the lakes?
- What type and size of flies work best for the salmon?
Great Lakes Steelhead on the FlyRick Kustich has fly fished for Great Lakes steelhead for over 30 years. Listen in and take advantage of his in depth knowledge on advanced strategies and techniques, two-handed rods, swinging flies and new fly patterns that are sure to get you hooked up on some trophy steelhead.
The Clark Fork River - Where Big Trout Travel in PodsJohn Perry guides on the Clark Fork River which he considers one of the most productive rivers in the West. Techniques that work on other rivers many times have to be adapted on the Clark Fork for you to catch fish. Learn how John approaches this great fishery to get maximum success.
Fly Fishing Everglades National ParkMark Giacobba is a professional guide working the largest subtropical wilderness remaining in the United States today, the Everglades National Park. This truly diverse ecosystem ranges from the open prairies of the glades, cypress swamps, freshwater ponds, brackish bays, rivers, creeks, numerous grass flats and an endless maze of mangrove islands that extend all the way to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Listen in to hear how Mark makes sense of this vast fishery and the incredible fly fishing opportunities available there.
Long Flies for Big FishGary Borger knows that fishing long flies holds the greatest opportunity for the fly rodder to take big fish in any water type. Listen in to find out Gary’s secrets about long flies and how to fish them including tactics such as the Broadside Float, the Leisenring Lift, Shotgunning, the Jigging Swing, and many other methods.
Fly Fishing the Truckee RiverMikey Wier has been guiding in the Lake Tahoe area for over 15 years and calls the Truckee River his home water. The Truckee River is a tailwater that flows from Lake Tahoe for 120 miles ending at Pyramid Lake, NV. Although this river is technically a tailwater, at times it flows like a freestone stream and at others it will fish like a Spring Creek. Listen in to learn Mikey’s secrets about fishing this challenging water.
Pere Marquette River - Browns, Steelhead & SalmonJosh Mead, an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide, has fished the famous rivers of Michigan since he was five years old. Learn about fly fishing the Pere Marquette River where huge Browns, Steelhead and Salmon make their home.
Wet Fly MagicDave Allbaugh, a professional guide in Pennsylvania, has spent the last 30 years both on the stream and at his vise perfecting his wet fly fishing techniques and flies. His methods are effective throughout the year and he takes great pride in teaching his clients this lost art of fly fishing. Join us and learn Dave’s secrets to wet fly fishing.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Are wet flies the same as nymphs and soft hackle flies?
- What are flymphs?
- What materials do you use for bodies and hackle?
- What size do you tie your wet flies?
- What flies do you start out with in April and May in PA?
- What is your favorite "go to" wet fly when there is no hatch in progress?
- What variations of flies do you use when searching?
- What are some of your favorite classic wet fly patterns?
- What weight type of rod do you use for wet fly fishing?
- What lines work best for wet fly fishing?
- What is your leader and tippet setup?
- How do you rig up a multi-fly setup?
- How do you present your flies for the best results?
- Is upstream or downstream presentations more effective?
- Do you add any action/movement to your flies?
Fly Fishing the Green RiverKevin Clegg, a professional guide, has been guiding on the Green River in Utah for over 20 years. His knowledge of this exquisite fishery is deep and wide. Outstanding fly fishing and scenery make this fishery one for your bucket list. Join us as Kevin shares his secrets about this great piece of water.
Tips and Tricks That Will Make You A Better Fly FisherKirk Deeter answers those nagging questions you always wanted to know about fly fishing for trout including casting, presentation, bugs, reading water and more.
Catching ShadowsRich Strolis, a signature fly tyer for Montana Fly Company, designs and ties flies with a purpose. The toughest fish require a different approach and different flies. Listen in and learn about Rich's unique designs and how to fish them.
Making the Right Connection Between Natural Insects and Artificial FliesRick Hafele, a retired aquatic biologist, has studied and fished freshwater streams and rivers for over 40 years. He’s an expert on connecting the dots between the natural world of insects and the artificial world of flies. Listen in to learn how to recognize hatches, pick the right flies and be more successful on your favorite trout stream or river.
Big Bonefish in the Florida KeysBruce Chard is one of the top guides in the Florida Keys and big bonefish are one of his specialties. Listen in to find out his secrets on landing a bonefish of a lifetime.
Lake Trout on the FlyFrank Wood has been on a personal quest to catch and land a lake trout on the fly that weighs over 15 lbs. Well he’s far exceed his goal and has brought in fish at 22 lbs on conventional fly tackle. Learn how he gets hooked up with these monsters on this show.
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