Covering fish from Trout to Tarpon, from tying flies to casting them - you'll find it all right here on Ask About Fly Fishing - the best fly fishing podcast for learning more about fly fishing.
Want to Catch More Fish? Just listen to any of our in-depth podcasts - we have over 429 shows in our Archive!
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...
Listen to the Show...
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...
Register for our free drawing.
Add to Your Calendar
More about Jason Randall...
Miss a Show? - Browse our Show Archive!
Over 429 Shows for you to listen to!
-
Fly Fishing Christmas IslandSteve McLaughlin has taken more than 450 anglers to Christmas Island over the past six seasons and has fished more than 66 days on the atoll for bonefish, giant trevally, bluefin and golden trevally as well as landed many milkfish on the fly. Listen in to find out what fly fishing on Christmas Island is all about.
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.
Stalking Roosterfish on Baja's East CapeThe Roosterfish is one of the most sought after trophies of the Mexican coast. It's beauty and elusivness make it a challenge you won't want to miss out on. Join Mike Rieser and find out what it takes to stalk and connect with one of this incredible fish.
Drifting the Green: Expert Tips for Fly Fishing Utah’s Legendary RiverThe Green River in Utah is called by some the most beautiful trout river in the United States. Its steep canyon walls and crystal-clear water make for an incredible fly fishing experience. Matt Lucas, owner and professional guide of Western Rivers Flyfisher Guides, will take us down the Green and give us his expert tips on fishing this legendary river.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the history of the Flaming Gorge Dam?
- Is the Green River an all-season fishery?
- What weight rods do you recommend?
- How accessible is the river for DIY anglers without a boat?
- Where does Section A start and end?
- What are the fish counts for the A and B sections?
- What hatches are prevalent on the river?
- How is Section B different from Section A?
- When do the mormon crickets and cicadas migrate?
- What makes the Green River an excellent dry fly fishery?
- Does Section C have larger trout?
- What changes do you make when the fish are hesitant to bit?
- How would you arrange a multi-day float trip?
- How do the dam releases change the fishing?
- Is the river managed properly now and what does the future look like?
- What are the guides and outfitters doing to preserve this fishery?
Fishing Wet Flies, Old School Still WorksBill Edrington knows what works and one of those things is fly fishing with wet flies for trout. If you haven't been using wet flies this show will be very enlightening and may change the way you fish in the future.
Bristol Bay’s Sockeye Salmon and Rainbow TroutBill Horn has had a fifty-year connection with Alaska. Each year 60 million or more wild salmon run up the rivers of Bristol Bay and of course, rainbow trout are right there with them. Bill will share his knowledge of the natural history, culture, and management of this fishery along with fishing strategies, fly choices, and trip planning. Listen in to learn more about this outstanding and one-of-a-kind fishery.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What inspired you to write Crimson Wave?
- Why is Bristol Bay so important?
- What does Bristol Bay represent?
- Who are the people that live in Bristol Bay?
- Why are sockeye salmon important to commercial fishing?
- Are the sockeye salmon a sustainable species?
- Why are sockeye hard to catch on a fly?
- Why don't sockeye have the respect that other salmon have?
- What is the lifecycle of sockeye?
- Is it better to fish for sockeye nearest the sea before they begin to change color?
- What weight rod do you use for sockeye?
- Why are sockeye important to rainbows?
- What fly fishing techniques or presentations do you use for rainbows?
- What is the status of the controversial Pebble Mine project?
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"?
Music City Fly GirlsSusan Thrasher is a professional guide and instructor in East Tennessee. She co-founded The Music City Fly Girls a “no drama” fly fishing club which is a bit different than most clubs you may have been part of. Join us to find out how they run their meetings, plan outings across North America and learn from their journeys. You just might get some great ideas for your club!
Casting Forward, Onward, and SeawardSteve Ramirez is a fly fisher, writer, educator, master naturalist, philosopher, and outdoor adventurer. He's traveled four continents writing about fishing, landscapes, human cultures, and the natural world. He's written for many of the major periodicals and is publishing his latest book Casting Seaward. This book is the third in a book series that started with Casting Forward and was followed by Casting Onward. Join us and hear Steve's thoughts on fly fishing, conservation, restoration, and his hopes for the future of planet earth.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- When did you start writing?
- What effect do your previous careers have on your writing today?
- What do you use fly fishing as the basis for your stories?
- What are your books about and what effect do you hope they'll have on your readers?
- Does writing energize you or exhaust you?
- Do you make notes during a trip and then write about it later?
- How do you think your writing will help the natural world?
- Where and when do you write?
- In all your travels what was the most challenging species, you fished for?
- Of all the places you've traveled and fished, what is the most memorable?
- What can we do as fly fishers to help combat global warming?
- As humans are we working to conserve, preserve, or destroy our natural world?
- Do you think the world would be better off without humans?
- Do you think we can reverse the current trends that adversely affect our environment?
European Fly Fishing TechniquesJeff Currier has learned a lot by participating in the World Fly Fishing Championships including the Polish and Spanish nymphing techniques and English lake techniques. Listen to this podcast as Jeff shares all that he's learned from European fly fishers.
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 Striped BassRich Murphy has been fly fishing for striped bass for more than 25 years and knows the northeast coast of the US like his backyard. Find out all of Rich’s secrets of catching and landing these exciting saltwater trophies.
Snake River Fly FishingBoots Allen, a third generation Jackson Wyoming fly fishing guide, shares his secrets on fishing the Snake River. Locations, flies and techniques are all covered in this in-depth interview.
Klamath RebornThe Klamath River was once a legendary steelhead and salmon fishery, and now, after the removal of four dams, has been reborn. Mikey Wier works for California Trout, which works to improve the habitats of several fish species throughout California. He was also a professional guide and fished the Klamath River before and after the removal of dams. Join us to learn how the river is doing and the best places and ways to fish it.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What was fishing like before the dam removals?
- What roles did the dams play in what fish were available to target?
- Were there other similar dam removal projects that served to inform how this project should proceed?
- Can you describe the most significant changes to the Klamath River's ecosystem since the removal of the dams?
- What role have local tribes played in the restoration and management of the Klamath River fishery?
- How has the removal of the dams affected water quality and temperature in the river?
- Have there been any notable changes in fish populations or species diversity in the Klamath River post-dam removal?
- How have sediment releases during the dam removal process impacted the river's habitat and fishery?
- Now that steelhead migration up the Klamath is possible, how many years are we looking at to see the Klamath to become once again a legendary fishery with world class steelhead?
- What are the optimal water conditions anglers should look for when planning a trip to the Klamath River now?
- How have hatches and insect populations changed in response to the river's restored flow?
- What are the expectations for the Klamath River fishery in the coming years as the ecosystem continues to recover?
- What advice would you give to anglers who are planning their first trip to the Klamath River since the dams were removed?
Fly Fishing the Yellowstone RiverCraig Mathews has fished the Yellowstone River for over 30 years. Join us to hear Craig tell about the best strategies and tactics to use on this renowned river.
Learn more about fly fishing and listen to our podcasts by these top experts...
Supporting Member Of...
Sponsored by: Ugly Bug Fly Shop — Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics — Lees Ferry Anglers
Enrico Puglisi Flies
Copyright © 2025 Ask About Fly Fishing | As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases through links from this website.
