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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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Women Who FishSteve Kantner's book Fifty Women Who Fish is a collection of interviews with women who love to fish. Women are the fastest growing demographic in fly fishing and understanding their interest and joy of fishing is important to the industry. Join us on this podcast and learn why many of these women have made fly fishing an important part of their personal and professional life.
If you'd like to purchase Fifty Women Who Fish go to www.whywomenfish.com (not available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble).
Nymphs for Streams & StillwatersDave Hughes shares the secrets he's learned over a lifetime of fishing nymphs in both streams and stillwaters. Listen in to hear how he makes fishing with nymphs simple, direct and effective.
Kamchatka's Wild RainbowsWill Blair started working as a guide in Kamchatka in 1997 and was immediately captivated by the area. Kamchatka is still one of the most remote wild rainbow fisheries in the world and fishing it is an experience not found anywhere else. Join us to learn about fishing Kamchatka from one of the most respected experts in the industry.
Mexico’s Grand Slam ExpresswayPhil Shook has traveled and fished extensively throughout Mexico. Phil considers the three giant estuaries off Highway 307 in Quintana Roo some of the best flats fishing in Mexico. Ascension, Espirtu and Chetumal will definiely have you on the hunt for your grand slam.
Stillwater StrategiesTim Lockhart has fished for over 30 years. Over those years he’s developed a practical system for productive fly fishing in stillwaters. Listen in to learn how to find the best lakes and prime water along with his best presentation strategies.
Fly Fishing for Trophy RedfishCaptain Gary Dubiel, has been guiding the North Carolina waters for over 20 years. Gary is renowned for his expertise in light tackle and fly fishing, In his home waters, catching redfish up to 50 inches is not unusual. Join us to learn Gary’s secrets to locating and hooking up with these trophy redfish.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Can you tell us about your background and how you got started with fly fishing for redfish?
- What makes redfish such a sought-after species for fly anglers?
- What types of water do you fish?
- Can you describe the ideal habitat for finding trophy redfish?
- What is the best time of year for trophy redfish in your area?
- How do the weather conditions affect your approach to fly fishing for redfish?
- How important is line selection, and what type of fly line do you prefer for redfish?
- What types of fly patterns do you find most effective for redfish, and why?
- What is the Pop-N-Fly rig?
- Do you normally sight fish to one fish or to a school?
- What techniques do you use to spot and stalk trophy redfish in shallow water?
- How do you present your fly?
- What type of retrieve do you use and is it different depending on what type of fly you are using?
- What does a typical full-day guided trip entail, and what type of boat do you operate?
- Can you share a memorable story from your guided trips with clients catching trophy redfish?
European NymphingAaron Jasper has found through countless hours of testing and practice that European nymphing techniques require an investment in time to learn but are very often unequaled in their fish catching potential. Find out Aaron's secrets as he explains a variety of Euro-Nymphing techniques including short leader Czech methods to longer leader Spanish and French techniques. Find out Aaron's secrets as he explains a variety of Euro-Nymphing techniques including short leader Czech methods to longer leader Spanish and French techniques.
Musky MagicErik Thue, a professional guide in Wisconsin, has been targeting musky with a fly for many years. His intimate knowledge of this elusive predator will help you get one on the hook. Join us to hear his secrets.
Fall Stillwater TacticsBrian Chan, an expert on fly fishing stillwaters, explores the challenges and opportunities that present themselves in fishing stillwaters in the fall.
Fly Fishing for LeadershipWe know good leadership when we see it. Just as we know a good fly angler we meet on the river. It's not their age or equipment, or the flies stuck on their wader patch. It's the way they behave towards the river, the fish, the environment, their dog, and their fellow anglers. Can we learn fundamental leadership principles through fly fishing? Listen in and learn from Christian Bacasa how leadership and fly fishing can work together to help you in your pursuits.
Mongolia - Genghis Khan’s Home WatersMichael Caranci is one of fly fishing's most experienced and globally respected professionals. He manages the operations, guest services, and conservation programs for Fish Mongolia and Mongolia River Outfitters, the premier fly fishing guides and outfitters for fly fishing for taimen in Mongolia. Join us to learn what an adventure to Mongolia is all about and how you can catch the largest trout in the world – taimen as well as lenok, grayling, and pike.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What areas of Mongolia do you fish?
- What's the best time of year to fish?
- How long should you plan for your trip to Mongolia?
- How do you get to the rivers you fish?
- Can you describe how the rivers you fish differ?
- What are the accommodations like on the river?
- What weight rods do you need to bring?
- What are the average size of the taimen you catch?
- What fishing methods are the most productive for taimen?
- What is an average day of fishing like?
- What flies do you use for taimen?
- How do taiment fight?
- What are the chances that you will hook into a large taimen?
- Can you fish for trout, lenok, grayling and pike on the same trip?
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.
The Most Common Nymph Fishing MistakesRick Hafele has made many nymphing mistakes over the years and also watched others do the same. Sometimes knowing what not to do can make the difference as well. Join us to sort it all out and clean up your nymphing.
Atlantic Salmon MagicTopher Browne worked as a professional guide and has fished for Atlantic salmon in Canada, Iceland, Scotland, Norway and Russia. Listen in to hear his secrets on hooking up with and landing these incredible fish.
Using Fly Fishing to Help Stop Poverty & Human TraffickingBucky is the Founder and Executive Director of Fly Fishing Collaborative. The collaborative has been mobilizing the fly fishing community since 2013 to create sustainable solutions to stop poverty & human trafficking around the world. This non-profit helps communities build environmentally safe and sustainable aquaponics farms for orphanages and schools preventing kids from entering human trafficking. Join us to learn how these farms are built and how you might help the cause. Visit the Fly Fishing Collaborative website to learn more about what they do and how you can help.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the mission of the Fly Fishing Collaborative?
- What motivated you to start FFC?
- What does FFC actually do?
- Why did you use fly fishing as a means to your fundraising?
- What are your methods of fundraising?
- What is aquaponics farming?
- Who builds the farms?
- What foods are harvested from the farms?
- How does building an aquaponics farm help stop poverty and human trafficking?
- What authors do you look to for their writing skills and style?
- How can the fly fishing community help your organization make difference?
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