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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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Fly Fishing Is More Than Euro Nymphing
Aaron Jasper
Fly Fisher/Guide/Fly Tier
Euro nymphing may dominate the rivers, but it’s only part of the story. Join Aaron Jasper as he reveals why being a versatile angler makes fly fishing more rewarding—and more productive. From lessons learned over 44 years on the water, to the balance between numbers and trophy fish, to his top five insights from 2025, Aaron shares wisdom that will help you catch more fish and deepen your love of the sport.Ask Aaron Jasper your most important questions on enjoyable and effective fly fishing...
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Over 428 Shows for you to listen to!
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Fly Fishing the SurfLee Baermann has been fly fishing the surf for over 40 years. Lee guides us on California's southern coast finding beach structure, surf species, productive flies and fishing techniques. Join us and find out how get the best out of the surf.
Famous Fly FishersNorm Zeigler interviewed twenty-one famous people who fly fish and has published his interviews in his latest book Famous Fly Fishers. These people are famous for what they have done in their careers and not for their contributions to fly fishing. Politicians, businessmen, bankers, musicians, astronauts, scientists and artists are just a few of the professions these fly fishers represent. Listen in while Norm tells us their stories of why they fish and what this great sport means to them. Whose stories will he tell? You'll have to join us to find out.
Ohio Women on the FlyKatie started fly fishing just five years ago. Her passion for the sport has been insatiable. Katie’s journey from newbie fly fisher, to local TU Chapter board member, to the founder of Ohio Women on the Fly and now a professional guide has been fast and furious. Join us to hear how Katie’s journey took place and the challenges she faced as a woman in the fly fishing industry.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How were you introduced to fly fishing?
- Did you grow fishing?
- Did you have any preconceived ideas about fly fishing?
- Where did you get you first fly fishing gear?
- How did you learn your fly fishing skills?
- Did you have a mentor?
- Did you join any groups or clubs?
- How did Ohio Women on the Fly get started?
- What type of events does your group sponsor?
- What recommendations do you have for women thinking about trying fly fishing?
- How did you get your job at Mad River Outfitters?
- How did you learn how to guide?
- Where do you guide?
- What's next on your journey as a fly fisher?
The Upper Columbia River's Unmatched TailwaterKelly 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.
Fly Fishing the Olympic PeninsulaDoug Rose, a professional guide in the famed Olympic Peninsula of Washington, takes us through the area from the rainforest and oyster country to the coast and backcountry. Chinook, chum, coho, pink and sockeye salmon are all available along with winter and summer steelhead, resident rainbows, coastal cutthroat and native char. It's like fly fishing heaven! Join us to learn where, how and when to fish this beautiful world-class fishery.
Fly Fishing Art and IllustrationDave Whitlock has been creating fly fishing fine art paintings and illustrating his books and articles for most of his life. Listen in to find out how Dave got started, how he creates and how he sells his artwork.
Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National ParkSteve Schweitzer has spent the last 10 years researching and fly fishing Rocky Mountain National Park. He knows where to fish and how to fish it. If you're going to fly fish the park you'll want to listen to this show.
Fishing The Caddisfly For TroutBill Edrington has been fly fishing for over 40 years. He knows about the caddis fly as his home waters is the Arkansas River in Colorado known for one of the most intense spring caddis hatches in the United States. Listen in to this podcast to find out Bill's secrets on fishing this fly.
Fly Fishing Spring CreeksMike Lawson was born and raised in southeastern Idaho and has fished the Henry's Fork, a classic spring creek, his whole life. Mike worked on his book, "Spring Creeks", for over 12 years producing a comprehensive work about fishing spring creeks and tailwaters. You'll enjoy hearing Mike share his knowledge about fishing spring creeks and tailwaters on this podcast.
Behemoths of the Great LakesJoe is well known for catching big, big brown trout. He's guided many fly fishers over the years to the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie tributaries to catch these awesome fish. What many don't know is that during the fall spawning run of brown's you can also fly fish for king salmon and steelhead. Join Joe on this podcast and find out his secrets about fly fishing for these coveted trophies.
Kamchatka - Trout Fishing's Next FrontierRene Limeres a professional guide takes you to Kamchatka where there are still more fish than people. It may be the next and last frontier for fly fishers seeking huge trout and salmon. Join Rene and discover what it takes to land the big ones in Russia.
Fly Fishing California's InshoreThe bays, estuaries, and beaches that rim the California coast offer some of the best fly fishing opportunities to be found anywhere in the world but not without their own unique set of challenges and demands. Join Ken Hanley on this podcast to learn the secrets of fly fishing this extraordinary coast.
Think Like A Fish! - Catch More Tarpon, Bonefish & PermitAaron Adams, Ph.D., a marine biologist understands the habitats that warmwater coastal saltwater gamefish live in. Knowing something about a fish’s life cycle and behavior patterns will give you a better idea of when and where you’re most likely to find fish.
Fly Fishing and Photographing the WorldBarry and Cathy Beck have traveled the world fly fishing and photographing their adventures. Learn how their secrets about traveling for fly fishing and how to get the best photographs for youself or your clients.
Smallmouth Bass Top To BottomJake Villwock is a professional guide working in Pennsylvania. He hooks up his clients everyday with big smallmouth bass. Listen in and learn about the flies he uses, how he ties them and how he uses them to catch trophy smallies.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Do smallmouth prefer living in pods or are they a solitary fish?
- Do smallmouth hold in similar lies as trout?
- What is a good weight rod, line, leader and tippet for smallmouth?
- Why do you use swivels in your terminal tackle setup?
- If you could only have one surface fly and one streamer for smallies what would they be?
- What are the trigger colors for smallmouth flies?
- Do you use weed guards on your flies?
- What topwater flies do you use besides poppers?
- What color combinations work best for streamers?
- What crayfish patterns do you like?
- What color is a must have on your crayfish patterns?/li>
- How do you fish crayfish patterns on the bottom?
- When an how do you fish crayfish patterns mid-column?
- Do bigger flies attract larger fish?
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