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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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Want To Be A Fly Fishing Guide?Zach Lazzari worked as a professional guide for 10 years in places like Colorado, Montana, Alaska and Patagonia. If you’ve always wanted to know about what it’s like to be a guide tune in to this show. Zach will give you the inside scoop on getting your first job, living like a guide, the great times you will have and the not so great time you may have.
The Deschutes – Rainbows and SteelheadTom Larimer is an experienced guide who's passion for steelhead is only equaled by his love for trout. Listen in to Tom share his secrets about fly fishing the Deschutes River.
Fly Fishing Everglades National ParkMark Giacobba is a professional guide working the largest subtropical wilderness remaining in the United States today, the Everglades National Park. This truly diverse ecosystem ranges from the open prairies of the glades, cypress swamps, freshwater ponds, brackish bays, rivers, creeks, numerous grass flats and an endless maze of mangrove islands that extend all the way to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Listen in to hear how Mark makes sense of this vast fishery and the incredible fly fishing opportunities available there.
Stripping for StripersThe East coast comes alive when the strippers come in - making the water boil with activity. Michael Mullaney, a professional guide in Cape Cod shares his secrets on catching one of the most popular sportfish on the Eastern seaboard.
Conejos River MagicJon Harp has guided fly fishers for over 17 years on the Conejos River in southern Colorado. Discover one of the last pristine, undeveloped river systems in the West and learn about the big wild brown and rainbow trout you can hook into.
Fly Fishing Spring CreeksMike Lawson was born and raised in southeastern Idaho and has fished the Henry's Fork, a classic spring creek, his whole life. Mike worked on his book, "Spring Creeks", for over 12 years producing a comprehensive work about fishing spring creeks and tailwaters. You'll enjoy hearing Mike share his knowledge about fishing spring creeks and tailwaters on this podcast.
Fly Fishing for White BassBill Butts loves white bass - they're hard hitting and put on a tough fight. Find out from Bill what it takes to catch these great freshwater sport fish on a fly.
Wet Fly MagicDave Allbaugh, a professional guide in Pennsylvania, has spent the last 30 years both on the stream and at his vise perfecting his wet fly fishing techniques and flies. His methods are effective throughout the year and he takes great pride in teaching his clients this lost art of fly fishing. Join us and learn Dave’s secrets to wet fly fishing.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Are wet flies the same as nymphs and soft hackle flies?
- What are flymphs?
- What materials do you use for bodies and hackle?
- What size do you tie your wet flies?
- What flies do you start out with in April and May in PA?
- What is your favorite "go to" wet fly when there is no hatch in progress?
- What variations of flies do you use when searching?
- What are some of your favorite classic wet fly patterns?
- What weight type of rod do you use for wet fly fishing?
- What lines work best for wet fly fishing?
- What is your leader and tippet setup?
- How do you rig up a multi-fly setup?
- How do you present your flies for the best results?
- Is upstream or downstream presentations more effective?
- Do you add any action/movement to your flies?
Stillwater PresentationDenny Rickards is one of the great masters of stillwater fly fishing. In this show Denny covers trout behavior, the impact of weather conditions on trout & their food sources, using the correct line, pattern & retrieve that matches the zone you are fishing, positioning to make the right cast & much more.
Fly Fishing the Inland OceansJerry Darkes takes us on a tour of the Great Lakes including both warmwater and cold water fisheries. Learn about the best places to go for steelhead, northern pike, lake trout, smallmouth bass, trout and salmon.
Colorado’s Hidden Gem: The Rio Grande on the FlyTucked away in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the Rio Grande River winds through the breathtaking San Luis Valley—and with it, some of the finest fly fishing you've never heard of. Guide Presley Garcia takes anglers on unforgettable floats in search of wild brown and rainbow trout, surrounded by stunning high-country scenery. Join us as Presley shares his knowledge of this hidden gem, revealing the tactics, timing, and magic that make the Rio Grande a must-fish destination.
- What makes the Rio Grande in Colorado such a special place to fly fish for trout?
- Can you describe the different sections of the Rio Grande that you guide—upper, middle, and lower—and how each one fishes?
- How does the Rio Grande differ from more popular Colorado rivers like the Arkansas or the Gunnison?
- What kind of access is available for DIY anglers, and how important is a boat for covering water?
- Are there areas on the Rio Grande that you can walk and wade fish?
- What’s your favorite season to fish the Rio Grande, and why?
- What are the most significant insect hatches anglers should look out for on the Rio Grande?
- How does the fishing change from spring to fall on the Rio?
- Can you talk about the famous salmonfly hatch—when it happens and how to fish it?
- How do you manage drifts and casting angles when fishing from a raft or drift boat on this river?
- When streamer fishing from a boat, what techniques do you teach your clients for covering structure?
- How do trout position themselves during different flow conditions or times of day?
- What challenges do anglers typically face when fishing the Rio Grande for the first time?
- What’s one of your most memorable days guiding on the Rio Grande?
Stillwaters SimplifiedTim Lockhart is a stillwater fly fishing junkie and stillwaters provide some of the best opportunities for big fish. If stillwaters have intimidated you in the past get ready for an awakening. Join us and learn about the critical lessons for catching more trout in lakes, ponds and reservoirs.
Designing Trout FliesGary Borger literally wrote the book on designing trout flies so he knows his subject well. Gary's background as a biologist provides him with an approach to designing flies that few fly fishers can claim. Join Gary to find out what makes a fly a successful fly that can catch fish.
Designing and Building a Great Fly RodJeff Blood a lifelong fly fisher talks about what it takes to design and build a commercial fly rod. He'll dispell the myths and sweep away the smoke and mirrors of advertising to get down to what really makes a fly rod great.
Tying Guide Flies and Other FavoritesColorado professional guide Landon Mayer is well known in the Rockies for putting his clients on to incredible trophy trout. Landon shares tying steps and fishing and rigging tips for several of his signature guide flies for trout and bass. These nymphs, dry flies, and streamers have proven to be effective around the world. Join us and get the lowdown on why these flies work and how you can use them to catch more fish. GoFundMe page for Landon: https://gofund.me/b29b467e
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you get started fly fishing?
- What are the elements of a guide fly?
- What size flies do you typically tie and fish?
- Do you prefer to tie flies for a specific location or general flies that can be used at multiple places?
- In a typical day of fishing, how many different fly patterns do you fish?
- What inspired you to create the Tube Midge?
- Why is the Tube Midge an important fly to have in your box?
- What makes the Trident Tube Midge different from other stillwater midge patterns?
- How do you rig for the Trident Tube Midge, and how do you fish it?
- What was the reason you created Mayer's Mini Leech?
- What colors do you type Mayer's Mini Leech in?
- What makes the Mini Leech Jig Damsel different from other stillwater damsel patterns?
- What are the key elements of the Mini Leech Jig Damsel?
- How did you come up with the Tails Up Trico, and why is it such a deadly pattern?
- What is your most tied fly, and is it the most effective fly in the varied waters and conditions we face in fly fishing?
- Which fly you designed surprised you the most on how successful it was and how popular it became? ...and why?
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