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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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A Tale of Three FishJim Stenson has traveled the world to fish for many species. The "Holy Trinity," as some call them, are still three of the toughest fish to catch. Permit, steelhead, and Atlantic salmon can frustrate even the best fly fishers. Join us to hear Jim talk about some of his exciting and difficult adventures in search of these elusive fish.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- In your quest of the three fish which came first?
- What is the story about catching your first steelhead?
- What has been your most unique experience fishing for steelhead?
- Where do you go most often today to fish for steelhead?
- How has fishing for steelhead changed since you first started fishing for them?
- What are the important factors in fishing for steelhead?
- What was your first experience fishing for Atlantic salmon?
- What have you learned over the years about fishing for Atlantic salmon?
- How has fishing for Atlantic salmon changed since you first started fishing for them?
- What techniques have you used for Atlantic salmon?
- What makes permit so hard to catch?
- What locations have you been going to for permit?
- What have you learned over the years since then about fishing for permit?
- Over the years which fish has caused you the most amount of consternation?
- Which fish do you dream about catching the most?
Florida's Exotic Peacock BassAlan Zaremba has been fishing and guiding Florida waters since 1986. His expertise in catching the exotic Peacock Bass is unmatched. Join us as Alan unveils his top strategies for catching these colorful trophy fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, you won't want to miss these game-changing tips. Get ready to enhance your skills and land the catch of a lifetime!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Are peacock bass native to Florida?
- How did they get in the Florida waters?
- Is the population growing or has it stabilized?
- Can you explain the habitat preferences of peacock bass and where in Florida they can typically be found?
- Do you find them in rivers and lakes?
- Are they found anywhere else in the US?
- Which species of peacock bass are present in Florida's canals?
- How large do they get in Florida's canals and what size is considered a trophy in Florida?
- What weight rod and what type of line do you use?
- What is your terminal tackle setup?
- What are some of your favorite fly patterns and why?
- What are the optimal conditions for fly fishing for peacock bass in terms of weather, time of day, and season?
- What strategies do you recommend for sight fishing versus blind casting in peacock bass habitats?
- What are some common mistakes anglers make when fly fishing for peacock bass?
Fly Fishing The Panama Canal & Pacific Coast RiversRich Cahill, a professional guide, naturalist, and expedition leader, has pioneered fly fishing the Panama Canal Gatun Lake for peacock bass and snook, as well as Pacific coast tarpon on the Bayano River. This unique fishery is one of a kind and is changing and evolving as we speak. Join us to learn about this incredible place to fish and the conservation efforts Rich has been working on to conserve and preserve Pacific coast tarpon.
Learn about how the Panama Canal works here.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you get started in ecotourism?
- When did you start offering guided fishing?
- How does the Panama Canal work?
- How does Gatun Lake interact with the Panama Canal?
- What fish do you target in Gatun Lake?
- How do you fish the lake?
- Can you fish for tarpon, peacock bass and snook on Gatun Lake on the same day?
- Do you sight fish or blind cast?
- Where is the Bayano River?
- What is the best way to fish for tarpon on the Bayano River?
- What flies do you use for tarpon?
- Where do you go to fish for bonefish and permit?
- How do you fish for bonefish and permit?
- What's the best way to experience the San Blas islands?
Midge SecretsRick Takahashi considers midges the most important year-round foods source for trout and they are in almost every stream and lake around the world. Listen in to learn about tying and fishing midges that will work no matter where live.
Trout TipsLandon Mayer, a veteran instructor and professional guide, will help you analyze your past mistakes and learn how to adapt to a wide range of fishing conditions. He uses unorthodox solutions for common fly fishing problems but they are all designed to help you catch more fish. Join us and Landon will help you sharpen your skills.
Tangling with TarponThose that have fished for the Tarpon say it's addicting. So if you dare join Tad Burke a professional guide in the Florida Keys and learn his secrets about hooking up with a Tarpon and staying hooked.
Montana Without the CrowdsAaron Jaspers, loves to fish but doesn't love the crowds. He's been exploring some fisheries that are off the beaten track in Montana where you can catch nice sized fish easily and avoid the crowds. Join us to learn more about some great places to fish.
A Passion for PermitJon Olch has been fascinated with fishing the saltwater flats for almost 40 years. He’s caught just about every kind of fish on the flats but he’s obsessed with permit. He’s studied the permit inside and out and is one of the most knowledgeable permit fly fishers on the planet. Join us to learn more about fly fishing for one of the most challenging fish in the water.
Fishing Baja's Sea Of CortezJay Murakoshi has spent over 40 years developing his expertise in fishing for dorado, roosterfish, jacks and tuna in Baja's Sea of Cortez. Listen to this podcast learn his secrets about hooking up with these exciting fish.
The Seasons of Stillwater - Rocky MountainsRichard Pilatze's expertise is high mountain stillwater fly fishing. He'll be talking with us about the stillwater fishing seasons in the Rocky Mountain region, detailing what the fishing conditions will be, what hatches occur and best methods to fish at that time of year. Join us a get dialed into high mountain stillwater fly fishing.
Fly Fishing the San Juan RiverJohn Tavenner a professional guide on the San Juan River in New Mexico knows every inch of this trophy producing tailwater. Listen in while he tells his secrets of fly fishing for big trout with little bugs.
Lake Nassar's Nile PerchJeff Currier has just returned from Egypt and his second adventure in search of the exotic Nile Perch. Join Jeff to learn about what it takes to figure out a fish that is seldom caught on a fly.
Fly Fishing with TerrestrialsEd Shenk has been fishing for 80 years and has tied flies for 65 of those years. His homewater is the LeTort River where he developed and tested the LeTort Cricket, Flat Wing LeTort Hopper, Shenk Cress Bug, and Shenk Sculpin. He's a master of fly fishing terrestrials so be sure to listen in and take adavantage of a lifetime of experience.
Cracked: The Ugly Truth About DamsSteven Hawley, an environmental journalist, has revealed the ugly truth about dams. The estimated 800,000 dams in the world can’t be blamed for destroying the Earth’s entire biological inheritance, but they play an outsized role in that destruction. What started as an arguably good government project has drifted oceans away from that original virtuous intent. Join us to learn about the effect dams have had on our planet and what the future of dams can be in our warming world.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- You recently published "Cracked: The Future of Dams in a Hot, Chaotic World." What inspired you to write the book?
- How do you see the role of dams evolving in the context of global climate change?
- What are some innovative alternatives to dams for water management and power generation?
- Can you share a story from the book that particularly moved or motivated you?
- Detractors to dam removal cite the financial and environmental benefits of dams. Can you provide a counterpoint to these arguments?
- How do you propose we balance the human need for water and power with the ecological necessity to maintain free-flowing rivers?
- How do indigenous and local communities fit into the narrative around dams and their impact?
- Can you talk about a specific dam removal project that you cover in the book and its outcomes?
- Can you discuss specific examples where dam removal has led to noticeable improvements in fishing quality or fish biodiversity?
- In some cases, a dam removal would destroy fisheries as we know them. What are your thoughts on those situations?
- What are the most common misconceptions about dams?
- Is it possible to remove a dam like the Glen Canyon Dam?
- Are dams still being built in the United States?
- How do you see the dialogue around dams changing in the next decade?
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.
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