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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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Flies That Catch FishEnrico Puglisi’s flies and fly tying materials continue to have a groundbreaking impact on the future of saltwater and freshwater fly fishing. His unique hand-tied flies are recognized around the world. Listen in and learn how Enrico designs his flies and how he creates the one of a kind materials he uses to match specific baitfish and to catch fish.
Questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What inspired you to start creating specialized fly tying materials?
- What was the first material you created?
- How many different fibers do you have?
- What are your different fibers best used for?
- What's your best tip for making working with fibers easier?
- Why are Trigger Fibers so deadly?
- What material shouldn't you add to saltwater flies?
- What three types of threads do you use when tying your flies?
- Why did you create the line of brushes and what are they best used for?
- What is the biggest mistake most tiers make when tying saltwater patterns?
Skeena River - Steelhead DreamsGill Mckean has been guiding on the world-famous Skeena River for more than 25 years. He’s guided a client to massive steelhead estimated at 34 pounds and has personally landed many in the 30-pound range. Join us to learn from Gill about this incredible fishery and of course how to land that steelhead of a lifetime.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the best time of year to fish for steelhead?
- Are there other streams and rivers to fish in the area?
- What species are available besides steelhead?
- What style of flies do you prefer?
- Is the spey rod the most commonly used rod on the Skeena?
- What type of line do you use and what types of tips do you use?
- What's the difference between Skagit and Scandi heads?
- What is the most productive depth for getting strikes?
- What triggers the fish to strike?
- What is the secret to hooking up with a trophy steelhead?
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?
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?
Steelhead on the FlyDec was a professional steehead guide for 14 years, now he fly fishes just for fun. Listen in to hear Dec's secrets to hooking up with the steelhead of your dreams.
Seasons of the Arkansas RiverTaylor Edrington, a professional guide, literally grew up on the Arkansas River in Colorado. His lifetime of experience on the river is invaluable to any fly fisher wanting to conquer this great river. Join us as Taylor walks us through the different seasons and how to effectively fish those seasons.
Improving Your Casting Fundamentals to Catch More FishDusty Wissmath, a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor, will explore the fundamentals of casting that are so important to catching more fish. Are you struggling with a castitng problem? Here's your chance to ask a question of one of the best casting instructors around.
Saltwater Fly Pattern DevelopmentDrew Chicone has developed and improved many saltwater fly patterns during his professional fly tying career. Learn how Drew approaches his fly design from both a creative and functional aspect. Join us on this podcast and learn about his techniques, materials and testing.
Single-Handed Fly Casting - A Modular ApproachJason Borger knows fly casting he was almost born with a fly rod in his hand. Through slow motion video he's broken down the elements of making the perfect cast and uses it teach others. Join us and find out about Jason's modular approach to learning fly casting.
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.
Conversations with a Bonefish GuideSteve Farrelly, started fishing in the Bahamas with world famous guide Stuart Cleare and caught the bonefish bug. Realizing that there was so much incredible knowledge that Stuart shared while fishing, he decided to try to capture it and share it with others, which he has done in his book, Bonefish Barehanded! Join us in the conversations that Steve and Stuart had and learn the secrets to fishing for bonefish in the Bahamas.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you end up using Stuart Cleare as your guide?
- How did the concept for your book, Barehanded Bonefish! come about?
- When deciding where to fish, what were the factors Stuart considered?
- How could you tell where fish were feeding had recently been feeding?
- What did you learn about seeing fish in the water?
- Did you fish from the boat as well as wade the flats?
- What flies did Stuart prefer fishing with, crabs or shrimp?
- What weight rod and line do you use?
- What flies did Stuart use most often?
- What tip did you learn that helped you cast into the wind?
- Where did Stuart tell you to place your fly?
- What type of retrieve did you use?
- What movement did you give your fly?
- Did you primarily fish to schools of fish rather than solitary fish?
Tying & Fishing Deer Hair FliesTim Jacobs uses many different materials to tie his flies but deer hair is his favorite. Whether it's trout or warmwater species deer hair flies can produce. Join us to learn about Tim's secrets to tying and fishing deer hair flies.
Fly Fishing Yellowstone's BackcountryBruce Staples has unmatched fly fishing knowledge of the greater Yellowstone backcountry. He’s explored its rivers and lakes for over five decades and shares his knowledge with us on this show. Want to get away from the crowds? Join us and find out where and how to fish Yellowstone’s backcountry.
How to Get a Grand Slam in the SaltEarl Waters has achieved over 300 grand slams in the salt for his clients and himself so he knows his stuff. Find out from Earl how to land a tarpon, permit and bonefish all in one day.
Kayak Fly Fishing in Baja MexicoGary Bulla is an expert on fly fishing salt water from Point Conception to the Sea of Cortez. He has landed over 130 species on the fly. Listen in to learn Gary's strategies and techniques for fly fishing from a kayak in Baja, Mexico.
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