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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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Fall Stillwater TacticsBrian Chan, an expert on fly fishing stillwaters, explores the challenges and opportunities that present themselves in fishing stillwaters in the fall.
Trout Hunting Colorado's Four SeasonsLandon Mayer has fished Colorado his whole life and has guided across the state for many years. Listen to this podcast to find out when the best seasons are to fish and how to fish them.
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.
Top Saltwater FliesDrew Chicone is one of the top saltwater fly tiers today. His innovative patterns and variations on old favorites catch fish and that's what it's all about. In his recent three volume set of fly tying books, Top Saltwater Flies, Drew provides his top patterns for bonefish, permit and tarpon. Join us to learn how Drew comes up with his designs and his specific techniques in tying flies that catch fish in the salt.
Euro Nymphing - Tips, Tactics and TechniquesJosh Miller, a professional guide and Fly Fishing Team USA member, has put in the hours to become one of the best Euro nymphing experts working today. Listen in to learn how to choose the right rod, reel, and line. Identify essential fly patterns that work best and get detailed instructions on casting and presenting your flies.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is Euro nymphing?
- What part do the Czech, Spanish, and French methods play into Euro nymphing?
- What are the situations in which you would choose Euro nymphing over other methods of fly fishing?
- What types of rods can be used?
- What do you consider to be the ideal rod?
- What role does the reel play when Euro nymphing?
- What type of line do you use?
- How do you construct your leaders?
- What types of sighters do you use?
- What are your go-to flies?
- What color beads do you use?
- Are most of your flies attractors, or are you trying to match the hatch?
- How do you present your flies?
- How do you get your flies to spend more time in the right zone?
- What is your "drift sequence"?
Siberian Taimen The Legend Of Russia's RiversRene Limeres has spent hundreds of hours guiding and fishing for the legendary taimen in Russia. Learn from Rene about this unusual fish and what it takes to hook and land fish that can get up to 200 pounds.
Fly Fishing Soft-HacklesAllen McGee specializes in both traditional and progressive soft-hackle flies and fly fishing methods. He pushes the boundaries of these wet flies and knows how to get the most out of this often ignored fly fishing method. Join us and learn how to use the soft-hackle method of fishing to catch more fish.
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.
Musky MagicErik Thue, a professional guide in Wisconsin, has been targeting musky with a fly for many years. His intimate knowledge of this elusive predator will help you get one on the hook. Join us to hear his secrets.
Largemouth Bass and BugsSkip Morris shares his secrets of finding and catching big largemouth bass as well as tips on tying bass bugs and flies.
Fly Fishing Wyoming's Grey ReefRyan Anderson has been guiding for 17 years, 15 of those seasons were on the North Platte. A Casper native he knows Grey Reef better than just about anyone else. Listen in to hear how a real pro fishes this trophy class fishery.
Making the Right Connection Between Natural Insects and Artificial FliesRick Hafele, a retired aquatic biologist, has studied and fished freshwater streams and rivers for over 40 years. He’s an expert on connecting the dots between the natural world of insects and the artificial world of flies. Listen in to learn how to recognize hatches, pick the right flies and be more successful on your favorite trout stream or river.
What Every Tropical Flats Fly Fisher Needs To KnowMike has fished the saltwater flats of Belize, Christmas Island, Cuba, the Yucatan, and the Florida Keys. The techniques and methods he’s learned along the way are invaluable. Join us as Mike shares what he’s learned about fly fishing the flats, including tackle, knots, casting, presentation, tactics, and much more.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- If I was making my first saltwater flats trip, what are the things I need to do to prepare for the experience to get the most from the trip?
- Do you prefer 7 wt or 8wt for most species, locations?
- What features should I look for in a reel?
- Do you use primarily floating lines or is it wise to have other types with you?
- What knots do you need to know for saltwater?
- How do you prepare for your casts on a boat?
- Are there clues or simple rules as to which flats hold fish at which tides?
- What would you recommend a DIY traveler do to find productive flats before traveling to an area?
- I have trouble seeing the movement of the fish. so my first cast is not as accurate as I would like it to be. I fish from a boat, am I not getting the right information from the guide. Is it a communication issue?
- What flies do you like using for bonefish?
- What techniques are most productive for permit?
- What tips do you have for catching tarpon?
- What are your favorite flies for snook?
- Is it best to wade into the tidal current or with it (follow the tide shallower?)?
Fly Fishing the Boundary WatersJim Blauch has guided the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota for the past 20 years. If you want solitude and crazy smallmouth bass fly fishing listen in and Jim will spill the beans on this great destination.
Cicada MadnessDave Zielinski has been tracking down annual and periodical cicada emergences in an effort to figure out their mystery and the fish that hunt and devour them for the past 20 years. If you'd like to zero in on one of these epic emergences, tune in and learn from Dave about the timing, fishing techniques, and patterns that you'll need to crack the code.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What makes cicada emergences so significant for fly fishers?
- What does a cicada look like?
- How many different species are there?
- What is the life cycle of cicadas?
- What is the difference between periodical and annual cicadas?
- How often do the periodical emergences occur?
- How long does an emergence last?
- When is the best time of day to fish during a cicada emergence?
- What signs are there that an cicada emergence is happening?
- What are the differences between the 13 and 17 year cicadas?
- What color combinations are best for cicada fly imitations?
- Do you have a favorite fly size and pattern?
- What presentation methods work best when fishing with cicadas?
- Is there an online source that tracks cicada emergences?
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