Covering fish from Trout to Tarpon, from tying flies to casting them - you'll find it all right here on Ask About Fly Fishing - the best fly fishing podcast for learning more about fly fishing.
Want to Catch More Fish? Just listen to any of our in-depth podcasts - we have over 429 shows in our Archive!
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...
Listen to the Show...
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...
Register for our free drawing.
Add to Your Calendar
More about Jason Randall...
Miss a Show? - Browse our Show Archive!
Over 429 Shows for you to listen to!
-
Tenkara TodayTenkara was introduced to the United States in 2009 and has become a rapidly growing method of fly fishing for many fly fishers. How has it evolved and what role does it play in today's fly fishing world? Listen to this podcast to hear Morgan Lyle catch us up on what's happened and share his secrets on how to catch more fish using tenkara methods.
High Country Fly FishingMarty has hiked and backpacked into many high mountain lakes and streams and discovered that it requires a few different skills and techniques to master fly fishing for trout at altitude. Listen in to hear Marty share what he's learned.
Trout - Hidden in Plain ViewDuane Redford will delves into what the top 10% of anglers are seeing and doing differently from the fly fishing masses, and how they are consistently putting fish in the net in every situation. Join us and learn from a master angler how to increase your odds of catching more trout.
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.
Tigerfish in TanzaniaJeff Currier loves adventure fly fishing and is back at it again chasing tigerfish in Tanzania. Listen in to learn about fishing for this exotic species.
Fly Fishing Colorado's Indian Peaks Wilderness AreaSteve Schweitzer and Michael Kruise have explored, fished and documented over 100 fishing destinations in Indian Peaks Wilderness Area (IPWA) of Colorado. The IPWA is a beautiful place to fly fish and is easily accessible from the Denver metro area. Join us to learn about the best fly fishing locations, how to fish them and what flies work best.
Fly Fishing Micronesia - A Fly Fishing AdventureTrapper Rudd is always going to somewhere exotic in search of new places to fly fish. Putting together a trip to a place like Micronesia is no easy task and the results are always unknown. Join us to find out how a trip like this comes together from the initial concept to hooking up with new exotic species like Indo-Pacific tarpon, permit, bonefish and giant trevally.
Fishing Streamers For Trophy TroutKelly Galloup knows how to catch trophy trout, especially with streamers, but not in the way you might think. You'll have to listen to our podcast to find out his techniques and strategies. Kelly has written two books and has been published in nearly every major fly fishing periodical in the country. Kelly was also one of the hosts of Fly Fish TV on the Outdoor Life network.
Pike On The FlyBarry Reynolds knowledge of pike and musky is amazing. Listen in to this podcast as Barry covers your questions on fly fishing for pike and musky covering habitat, gear, flies and tactics - get ready for some explosive answers.
St. Brandon's AtollJeff Currier’s pursuit of the yellow permit, 10 pound plus bonefish and the Picasso triggerfish puts him on the other side of the world on St. Brandon’s Atoll in the Indian Ocean. Who else would endure a 26-hour boat ride after 40 hours of flight travel to add a few more fish to his bucket list. Join us to learn about another “Monsoon” Currier adventure.
California Corbina on the FlyAl Quattrocchi has been fly fishing for corbina on the southern shores of California for many years. He's obsessed with the fish and the challenge to catch them. Some say it's one of the hardest fish to catch on the fly, even harder than permit. Join us and learn about this incredible fish and how to hook up with them on the fly.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How were you first introduced to corbina?
- What are the history, characteristics, and size?
- Where are corbina found?
- When is the best time of year to target them?
- What type of habitat do corbina prefer?
- What is their behavior like?
- What do corbina eat?
- What signs do you look for to find them?
- What weight fly rod do you use?
- Do you use floating, intermediate or sinking lines?
- What flies work best for corbina?
- Do you do more sight fishing or blind casting?
- What is the best way to present your fly?
- What are some of the mistakes fly fishers make when casting to corbina?
- What's the best way to land and handle a corbina?
Fly Fishing The Tailwaters Of The North PlatteThe 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.
Tying the Classic Salmon FlyMike Radencich has been tying the classic salmon fly since 1990. These flies are the most beautiful of all fishing flies. They are truly cativating whether fished on big water or proudly framed and displayed. Listen to Mike share over 20 years's experience in both tying and photographing these exquisite flies.
Mastering the NymphJason Randall fishes with fly fishing giants such as George Daniel, Landon Mayer, Lefty Kreh, Ed Jaworowski, Ed Engle, Gary Borger, and Joe Humphreys and on this show Jason will share their top nymphing techniques, flies, and tactics. Randall covers everything from rigging flies, reading the water, casting, and fighting fish. Join us to see what Jason has learned from fishing with the masters.
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.
Learn more about fly fishing and listen to our podcasts by these top experts...
Supporting Member Of...
Sponsored by: Ugly Bug Fly Shop — Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics — Lees Ferry Anglers
Enrico Puglisi Flies
Copyright © 2025 Ask About Fly Fishing | As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases through links from this website.
