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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.
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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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Secrets of ChironomidsBrian Chan’s knowledge and understanding of Chironomids in stillwaters is unmatched. Join us to learn about how these insects live and how we as fly fishers can become better fly fishers by understanding their life cycle.
Fly Line Design and ApplicationJim Teeny, originator of the integrated sinking fly line, is always on the cutting edge of fly line design. Learn the differences between the lines and how to use them best to catch more fish.
Paraná River Golden DoradoJoin us as we head to the heart of Argentina with expert guide Fabian “Fabi” Anastasio to explore the thrilling world of fly fishing for golden dorado on the Paraná River. With over a decade of experience navigating its shifting sandbars, clear side channels, and explosive currents, Fabi shares his deep insights into the behavior of dorado, the tactics that consistently produce, and what makes the Paraná one of the most dynamic fisheries on the planet. Don’t miss this action-packed episode full of sharp hooks and golden flashes!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What makes the Paraná River such a unique and productive fishery for Golden Dorado?
- How do the river’s hydrology and seasonal flow changes affect dorado behavior and fly fishing success?
- What role do baitfish migrations play in locating active Golden Dorado?
- What makes the Golden Dorado such a prized target for fly fishers compared to other predatory fish?
- Can you describe the differences in fishing approaches between the upper, middle, and lower sections of the river?
- What are the typical water flow patterns throughout the year, and how do they influence fishing tactics?
- What rod and line setups do you recommend for Golden Dorado?
- How do you rig your leaders for abrasion resistance, especially with dorado’s sharp teeth?
- What flies and in what hook size do you recommend for these fish?
- Can you explain the dorado’s hunting tactics and how they work together to ambush baitfish?
- How do you identify productive water when targeting dorado on sandbars versus banks or structure?
- What clues should anglers look for on the surface or shoreline that indicate dorado activity?
- Why are Golden Dorado so hard to hook and keep hooked?
- What are the most common mistakes anglers make when fighting a dorado?
Fabi guides out of three lodges depending on the season: Karandá Lodge, Suindá Lodge, and Pirá Lodge.
Building Bamboo Fly RodsRay Gould has been building bamboo fly rods since 1958. Join us to hear this master rod builder talk about the machines and tools necessary, selecting cane, creating precise tapers, step-by-step construction, finishing steps, and many more tips on building bamboo rods.
Specialty Casts - Getting Your Fly to the FishMac Brown, a Master Casting Instructor certified through the Federation of Fly Fishers, provides expert advice on how to use specialty casts to get your fly to those hard to reach fish.
Fishing the Lower Colorado River for Trout and CarpKirk Webb has been a professional guide in the Aspen and Glenwood Springs area since 2002. The lower Colorado River just below Glenwood Springs offers not only trout fishing but carp as well. Listen in an learn about this unique fishery and how to fish it.
Why Did Dave Whitlock Move to Oklahoma?Dave moved to Oklahoma for several reasons but the lower Illinois River is one of them where he caught 17 varieties of fish in one day. You won't want to miss this interview of one of fly fishing's most notable figures.
Stillwater PresentationDenny Rickards is one of the great masters of stillwater fly fishing. In this show Denny covers trout behavior, the impact of weather conditions on trout & their food sources, using the correct line, pattern & retrieve that matches the zone you are fishing, positioning to make the right cast & much more.
Dorado On A FlyTad Burke a professional guide in the Florida Keys introduces us to dorado on the fly. Listen in and learn his secrets about hooking up with these beautiful but elusive fish.
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.
Rangeley Lakes Region of MaineBob Romano is an author and fishing camp owner in the Rangeley Lakes region of Maine. Bob loves to examine why we fish while using the rivers, lakes, and streams of Maine’s Great North Woods as his literary canvas. Join us to learn about the places to fish, how to fish them and a bit of history about this historic fishing region.
Salt Water's Greatest GamefishTom Boyd has fished the salt for more than 50 years and has done exhaustive research on saltwater fish behavior, spawning, migration patterns and baitfish. Listen in to hear Tom talk about some of the greatest gamefish and how to catch them on a fly.
Southern Appalachia Trout FishingThe Great Smoky Mountains, Catalouchee Creek, Hazel Creek, Abrams Creek and down to the tailwaters of the Nantahalla River Ian Rutter has fished it all. Listen to Ian share his secrets and life long love for this beautiful fly fising haven.
The Greats Of Adirondack Fly FishingRob Streeter has a great love of fly fishing and its history. He has collected and assembled the life stories of some of the great fly fishers that fished the Adirondack mountains, including Ray Bergman, Lee Wulff, Perry Ehlers, and others. Join us and learn about the history of fly fishing in the Adirondacks and the people who fished its esteemed waters.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What do you know about the early days of fly fishing in the Adirondacks?
- Who were the first fly fishers that were written about?
- What are your three go to flies of the Adirondacks?
- What streamers work best?
- Are the places to trout spey in the Adirondacks?
- Were these fly fishing greats concerned about conservation?
- Who was William Scripture Jr.?
- What contributions did Ray Bergman make to fly fishing?
- How did Lee Wulff combine his love flying with the fly fishing?
- What fly patterns was Lee Wulff famous for?
- Who was the creator of the Ausable Wulff fly?
- What challenges did Francis Betters overcome to continue fly fishing?
- Who was the most interesting person you wrote about?
Angling the WorldRoy Tanami is a leading international outdoor photographer who has traveled the world in search of fish to catch on the fly and beautiful photographs to capture the experiences. He's been to Kamchatka, Brazil, New Zealand, Mongolia and many more wild places. As a traveling fly angler, he's experienced the good, the challenging and the wonderful things you encounter while traveling and fishing. Join us to hear about Roy's travels, experiences and how he's able to capture the world and fly fishing in his stunning photographs.
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