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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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Over 429 Shows for you to listen to!
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Sodium Free StripersHenry Cowen has been pursuing striped bass for over 30 years in both salt water and fresh water. Join us to find out how Henry finds, hooks and lands these freshwater giants.
Fly Fishing The Hex Hatch on Midwestern StreamsSteve Born never misses a hex hatch, that's when the big monster trout come out of their lairs and enjoy a feast like no other time of the year. Listen in to hear about this Midwestern treat and how you too can have a night of fly fishing you'll never forget.
Fly Fishing the Green RiverKevin Clegg, a professional guide, has been guiding on the Green River in Utah for over 20 years. His knowledge of this exquisite fishery is deep and wide. Outstanding fly fishing and scenery make this fishery one for your bucket list. Join us as Kevin shares his secrets about this great piece of water.
Kamchatka - Trout Fishing's Next FrontierRene Limeres a professional guide takes you to Kamchatka where there are still more fish than people. It may be the next and last frontier for fly fishers seeking huge trout and salmon. Join Rene and discover what it takes to land the big ones in Russia.
Randy Wayne White Tells All (maybe)Randy Wayne White is a New York Times bestselling author of forty-five novels. Randy was a light tackle fishing guide at Tarpon Bay Marina, Sanibel Island for 13-years, did more than 3,000 charters, and draws heavily on those experiences for his novels about marine biologist Doc Ford and his quirky pals at Dinkin's Bay. His series of novels about fishing guide Hannah Smith has also received critical acclaim. Join us to learn about Randy's writing career, how he started, where he gets ideas, what motivates him and of course they'll be a few humorous stories about his travels in the fishing world.
Top Pennsylvania Fly Fishing DestinationsRick Nyles started guiding in 1999 and has since grown his guide service to eight guides in Pennsylvania. His knowledge of Pennsylvania fisheries is deep and wide. Join us to talk about a few of the top Pennsylvania fisheries you want to add to your bucket list.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What books can you recommend that detail Pennsylvania waters?
- I'm coming to fish in Pennsylvania for the first time where should I go to maximize my trip?
- Where and when should I go to hit the Green Drake hatch?
- How do the state laws affect public access to the rivers and creeks?
- I want to swing wet flies to increase my fish numbers; where should I go to do this?
- What rivers or streams are the best for smallmouth bass fishing?
- What are the prime waters in the State College area?
- What's Penns Creek known for most?
- What are the top flies that you recommend for fishing Pennsylvania waters?
- What river would you fish in the Johnstone area?
- How do you get away from the crowds?
- What are the top rivers and creeks in Eastern Pennsylvania?
- What species of trout is Pennsylvania known most for?
- What are your tips for fishing the Lehigh River?
Fly GearGary Borger discusses the how, when, where and why to develop the ideal equipment selection strategy for your fly fishing. Whether it be rod action, flexion profile, reel characteristics or leader construction Gary has an opinion based on a lifetime of experience, listen in and hear what he has to say.
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.
The Madison – A River of Many FacesBrian McGeehan has been a professional fly fishing guide since 1995 and considers the rivers of southern Montana his home waters. Listen in to hear how to fish the Madison River - a river that will always challenge you and show you a different face at every turn.
Tying The Best-Selling Most Effective Fly PatternsVince Wilcox has always had his own take on things and that applies to tying flies as well. Vince developed his own patterns for many of the common challenges fly fishers face when enticing trout and many of those became the commercial patterns you may be buying today including nymphs, dry flies and terrestrials. Join us to hear from Vince why he developed these patterns, why they are so effective and how to fish them.
Poppers, Sliders & DiversSteve Schweitzer dives deep in tying and fishing some of the most exciting flies to fish for topwater. Listen in to learn his secrets on designing and fishing poppers, sliders and divers.
Steelhead Quest for AwarenessTerry Meyers has guided for steelhead most her professional life and has been involved in conservation efforts to preserve the species. To bring awareness to the plight of the steelhead she went on a quest to catch a steelhead in every month of the year and write about it as she fished. Join us to hear about her quest and become educated in the future of steelhead.
Wild Rivers of Northern New MexicoDoc Thompson, a professional guide for 15 years, has been taking fly fishers to where the fish are in the wild rivers of northern New Mexico including the Rio Grande, Cimmaron and the Rio Castilla. Listen in to learn about these unique fisheries and how to fish them.
Fly Fishing For Bonefish In The BahamasBrian O'Keefe has traveled to some of the wildest and most remote angling destinations in the world, including Bikini Atoll, Seychelles, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Tonga, Cuba and Kashmir. He has also traveled to more accessible locations, such as the Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Chile, New Zealand, Christmas Island and more. He's fished for Bonefish just about everywhere so join us on this podcast and learn how to fish for these incredibly fast flats fish.
Colorado's Lost Lakes and Secret PlacesMike Kephart gives you the scoop on which Colorado mountain and wilderness lakes and creeks fish well, how to get there, the difficulty of access, and what you can expect to catch. Join us as we explore these lost lakes and secret places.
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