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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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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.
Mongolia - A One Of A Kind AdventureTom Boyd shares a trip of a lifetime to Mongolia. He traveled over the steppes where there were no roads - navigating with GPS and stopping to talk to nomads for directions. He fished the Shishged/Tengis River Protected area where no Americans had ever been before. Listen in to find out about the different types of fish and fishing he did including his largest trophy a 40” taimen.
Fly Fishing the Gunnison RiverJason Booth has guided over 6,000 fly fishers down the Gunnison River over the past 23 years so he knows this river like the back of his hand, maybe better. Join us to learn about the secrets of the Gunnison River in Colorado - where to go and how to fish it.
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.
Tackling TailwatersTerry Gunn lives and guides on one of the most beautiful tailwaters in the world at Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River. Tailwaters provide exceptional fishing and knowing how to fish them can make or break your day. Listen in and learn Terry's secrets to getting the most out of your day on a tailwater.
Fly Fishing the Colorado River at Lee's FerryWendy Gunn, a professoinal guide on the Colorado River, introduces you to fly fishing Lee's Ferry. This tailwater, just below Glenn Canyon Dam and at the start of the Grand Canyon, is one of the most beautiful places on earth to fish. Learn Wendy's secrets to catching the trophy trout that make this place their home.
Nymphing The New WayJonathan White has fishing all over the world and has found the new methods of European nymphing to be one of the most effect fly fishing methods used. In this show Jonathan will dig deep into the French leader method and will talk about sight nymphing, short and long range indicator nymphing, dry fly presentations and fishing for grayling, carp and steelhead.
Nymphing to Catch More FishMichael Gorman, a professional and savvy guide, has vast knowledge on one of the most effective methods of catching fish – nymphing. His well-tested techniques are effective on both trout and steelhead. Join us to pick Michael’s brain on all things nymphing.
Fighting and Landing TroutKurt Finlayson a former member of the Fly Fishing USA Team and former coach of the US Youth Fly Fishing Team knows how to get fish to the net. To win competitions this is essential. Listen to this podcast and learn his techniques for fighting and landing trout that you can use to bring your hookups to the net.
Fly Fishing Taos & Santa FeTalyor Streit has been fishing and guiding for more than 50 years. His knowledge of the northern New Mexico waters is tough to beat. Join us to talk about fishing the Rio Grande, Red River, Costilla Creek, and others. Learn about the new rulings by the supreme court on water access in New Mexico and also on how the recent fires have affected fishing.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Have the recent fires in New Mexico affected the prime fishing areas?
- How did the recent New Mexico Supreme Court decision affect water access rights?
- How has fishing changed in New Mexico since you first came to the area?
- What's the best time of year for dry fly action?
- What segments of the Rio Grande fish best?
- Can you fish the Rio Grande gorge?
- Is New Mexico a good winter fishery?
- What segments of the Red River do you prefer to fish?
- Is there good public access to the rivers in New Mexico?
- What's the current situation with the Costilla Creek restoration project?
- Is Costilla Creek open for fishing?
- What stream flows should you look for to fish Costilla Creek?
- Is the Rio Chama still a good river to fish?
Music City Fly GirlsSusan Thrasher is a professional guide and instructor in East Tennessee. She co-founded The Music City Fly Girls a “no drama” fly fishing club which is a bit different than most clubs you may have been part of. Join us to find out how they run their meetings, plan outings across North America and learn from their journeys. You just might get some great ideas for your club!
Fish FoodRalph Cutter literally wrote the book on fish food. To write Fish Food he donned his snorkeling gear and studied species underwater. Listen in to learn what Ralph has discovered about the food trout eat and why - it's sure to make you a better fly fisher.
Single-Handed Spey CastingSimon Gawesworth shares his techniques on using casts adapted from two-handed spey casting to one handed casts that enable you to fish the most challenging spots that most anglers pass by.
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.
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