07:40 – We talk about Chapter 1 and how to avoid spooking fish. Devin notes that being able to see or not see the bottom is a key part of getting into stealth mode.
14:00 – Devin has a blog post that covers the Modular approach along with two instructional videos that are out.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with the most travelled fly fisherman on the planet. Jeff Currier has caught 400 species of fish on the fly and is still going for more.
We talk about some tips and tricks if you want to do some additional traveling this year. We go deep on some African Tigers, his 500k car and is upcoming nomadic life.
Click below to listen to the Jeff Currier Interview:
10:30 – Jeff worked for Jack Dennis for about 30 years and left when they started to restrict his vacation time.
14:55 – Yellow Dog Fly Fishing is a sponsor for Jeff and a leading company that is taking people to Africa to fish for Tiger fish.
27:50 – The Dodge Aspen (see photo below) is a cool story and a reason why Jeff was able to travel the world. Here’s a video on the Aspen from the 1970’s.
36:00 – Jeff describes some of the issues with IGFA and why he doesn’t focus on it anymore for fishing records.
52:00 – The Mission is a good African fly fishing magazine that covers tigers.
1:00:00 – The Octopus hook is one that Jeff loves for Tigers.
1:05:00 – The waterproof Simms bags are the goto product that Jeff doesn’t leave home without. He notes that especially for traveling internationally a waterproof bag can be a game changer. Much of the time you find your bags on the tamarack sitting in the rain.
1:09:27 – A stripping basket is a tool Jeff uses.
1:09:30 – We talked about the SUP Paddle Boards and how many travelers are using them while traveling.
1:12:15 – Ed Engle noted in episode 59 that he went to Woodstock and saw Neil Young. I drew a big blank in the show but this is the beauty of the show notes.
As always, I had a blast going off on a few tangents with Jeff Currier. The life and stories we covered today should inspire you to get out of your box and test out new waters. Jeff has made a life travelling and fishing around the world an has no plan to stop.
From African Tigers to carp in the lower 48, Jeff has hooked into about 400 species on the fly. Find out how he has done it and grab a few tips for yourself.
Denny Rickards, the stillwater guru, came on the podcast to cover lakes and the history of stillwater fishing. Denny breaks down in simple form, where to find fish and how to present the fly properly to fish.
Denny talks about the two most critical things to understand when fishing lakes. He also talks about why a floating line is not great, and why he has the secret line that works 90% of the time. Get ready to take some notes because it’s hard to stay up with Denny on this one!
Click the button below to listen to Denny Rickards:
30:00 – The Ghost Tip is for fishing just the pupae form of the aquatic insect life cycle.
36:45 – The Seal Bugger and Stillwater Nymph are two flies that Denny usually starts his day out with. He talks about the color and size as critical aspects of the fly.
41:00 – Denny noted that fish are keyed on the stage not on the exact bug.
49:38 – Rich Henry was one of Denny’s biggest mentors.
If you want to be successful in stillwater you must fish where they feed, not where they hold. We talk about how fish change the location in the lake based on when and where they are feeding. Early and late in the day they fish the shallow water which is shoreline edges out to 3 to 6 feet in depth.
Denny rarely fishes water that’s greater than 6 feet. When fish are in deep water, they don’t move and are stationary.
The best place to find food is in the top 2 to 3 feet. This is where the bugs are active and where you should be fishing. Try to catch the fish early and late in the day when fish are coming into the feeding areas towards the shore.
Denny covers these topics and much more in this stillwater interview.
I sat down and had a great chat with Tom Rosenbauer from Orvis Fly Fishing, one of the most influential people in fly fishing and the man behind the largest fly fishing podcast in the world.
We talk about the story behind Orvis, some tips, tricks and common questions. Tom gets into the easiest way to get started if you are brand new. This is the perfect show if you are just getting started or want to hear the story behind Orvis.
Click below to listen to the Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast with Tom Rosenbauer:
I loved hearing the history of Orvis and Tom’s connection to them for so many years. Tom shares the names of some of his biggest influences before we get into the juicy tips and tricks.
I dig into fly fishing for winter steelhead with Rob Crandall from Water Time Outfitters. Rob fishes Northwest Oregon and providing some great tips today including how to land steelhead, his 5 step process to catch steelhead, and how to fish steelhead differently on low and clear water days vs high water days.
Rob shares his 3 main tips on catching more steelhead, how to manage your swing, understanding the hover, and how to mend correctly. This one is jam-packed for winter steelhead so let’s get into it. Click below to listen to this amazing winter steelhead show!
Click below to listen to the Rob Crandall on Fly Fishing for Winter Steelhead:
16:20 – Dean Finnerty was on the podcast in episode 19 and covered fishing the North Umpqua for steelhead. Dean was also on Rob’s Winter Steelhead DVD.
18:10 – Gene Herring was the producer of the video and was on the show in episode 23.
22:00 – The Guides Choice can be found on Aqua flies and is one of Rob’s 5 patterns on Aqua.
33:30 – Korkers boots has a big spike boot that is super effective at traction.
45:00 – I noted Ed Ward in Skagit Master and how he does the loose line landing method.
54:20 – I interviewed Scott McGarva in this episode 17. Scott talked about some of the challenges of fishing the Dean River.
1:02:30 – Mike Dooley was a big mentor for Rob and showed him a lot about being a guide.
1:11:09 – Korkers has an extreme sole with studs that Rob really loves.
Rob shared some amazing tips in this one if you are focused on catching winter steelhead. From rod control, to fly choice to mending. I would say we pretty much covered the big points in this one. Leave a comment below and let me know what was helpful.
Ben Furimsky talks about the Fly Fishing Show, the largest fly fishing trade show in the world. Ben tells us how you can get the most out of the next show an some of the famous guests that attend.
We get into the Film Festival, the Gunnison River and tons of additional tips and tricks. Ben also shares his perspective on surfing, Specolli from fast times and tons of other useful fun facts about his life.
Click below to listen to the Ben Furimsky Interview:
That was a solid interview with Ben Furimsky who broke down the ins and outs of the Fly Fishing Show. It is the largest fly fishing show in the world. We cover Ben’s life, including his experience catching 270 species on the fly and his life as the man running the big show.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Jen Ripple, the editor of The Dun Magazine. We talk about how Jen came to produce the largest fly fishing magazine for woman out there.
We talk about getting into Tarpon in Mexico and a few tips that might allow you to DIY your way around. Listen below and find out what a Tarpon feels like and get in the mindset to put together your first trip.
Click the Play Button to Listen to the Jen Ripple Interview:
Jen and I covered everything from Tarpon from Tarpon, to the Dun Magazine to her life as a pastors wife. Some great tips on fishing Mexico and some fishing tips that will help you understand what it takes.
I sat down with Ed Engle to chat about fishing small flies on tailwaters throughout the year. We talk about euro nymphing, weighted flies, fishing in Colorado and his experience going to Woodstock.
Ed shares his tips on presenting the fly, the casts you need to know for dry flies, how to avoid spooking fish and why blue is a great color for winter fishing. Ed brings 20 years guiding, a perspective on Woodstock and how a 1 weight rod actually has a use for small flies and large trout.
Understanding and interpreting water flows for small fly fishing
Identifying and reading fish behavior and signs for effective small fly fishing
Tips for choosing and using small flies in various fishing conditions
The importance of patience and precision in small fly fishing
Strategies for presenting small flies to fish in a natural and enticing manner
Adjusting fishing techniques according to seasonal changes and fish activity
The role of conservation in fly fishing and respecting the aquatic environment
Personal anecdotes and experiences from Ed Engle’s extensive fly fishing career
Insights into tying small flies and the creativity involved in the process
Show Notes with Ed Engle
02:43 – John Gierach was on the podcast in episode 47 and is one of Ed’s close friends. We talk about their relationship and why John is such an amazing writer.
29:05 – Hank Patterson was on the show in episode 58 where he talked about nymph fishing. He is the self proclaimed greatest fly fishing guide in the world.
39:30 – The Book Seasonal covered Ed’s life working for the Forest Service and has a cult following now as it’s out of print.
Practice Precision Casting – Mastering the art of casting small flies requires precision. It’s all about making your fly land softly on the water to not spook the fish.
Select the Right Gear – Choose a rod and line that complement the size of the flies you’re using. Sometimes, lighter gear can make a significant difference in presenting small flies effectively.
Observe Water Flows – Pay close attention to how water moves and where fish are likely to hold. Small flies often work best in specific water conditions.
Master Slack Line Casts – Perfecting slack line casts, such as reach and parachute casts, can help keep your fly on the water longer without spooking fish.
Use Stronger Tippets – Even with small flies, don’t shy away from using a slightly stronger tippet. It can handle the subtle strikes better and improve your hook-up rate.
Focus on Presentation – The presentation of your fly is crucial. Work on making your fly behave as naturally as possible to entice wary fish.
Learn to Read Fish – Understanding the behavior and feeding patterns of fish can significantly improve your chances of success with small flies.
Embrace Patience – Fishing with small flies often requires a lot of patience and observation. Take your time to understand the environment and the fish.
Experiment with Flies – Don’t be afraid to try different small fly patterns. Sometimes, the slightest change in size or color can make a big difference.
Conservation First – Always practice catch and release, especially in delicate ecosystems. Small flies can be great for targeting fish without causing undue stress.
We touched on Woodstock, blue colored flies, his Forest Service background and a bunch of tips on fishing and tying small flies. Ed has been a mentor to many in fly fishing especially in the Colorado area and around topics on tailwaters. Thanks again Ed!
Hank Patterson is on the show to go deep on how he became the Greatest Fly Fishing Guide on the planet. We talk about his tips for dealing with bears, bug sex and his best fishing tips.
Hank describes what his live shows are like and how he connects with the audience. He talks about upcoming videos and movies this year along with his take on conservation.
Click below to listen to the Hank Patterson Fly Fishing Interview:
32:10 – The Yellowstone video that has a ton of bad language and lots of bleeps. Travis thinks the bleeeping is pretty funny. Stay the F*#@!ck away from these wild animals.
37:10 – Elliott Adler from the DrakeCast had an opinion on Euro Nymphing in episode 54. Click here to listen to this episode and find out why he was so against it.
Hank shares some of his favorite clips from his youtube channel along with a little bit on why he does what he does. We get a perspective on what it takes to be the greatest fly fishing guide in the world.
I talked to Justin Spence about traveling and fishing Argentina and tips to DIY your way down there. Justin has travelled extensively in Argentina and throughout Patagonia prior to going all in on Big Sky Anglers.
We cover Brown Trout, Golden Durado, his almost professional soccer career and how he came to find himself owning a fly shop. Lots of great tips to help you get down to Argentina on a budget.
Click below to listen to the Justin Spence Interview:
02:57 – Matt Klara was on the show in episode 21 and is the person who connected me to Justin.
10:45 – The Dallas Burn and San Jose were two professional teams that were interested in Justin. He decided to stay in fly fishing at a minimum wage job even though his family thought he was crazy.
Justin talks about the biggest challenges to DIY’ing your way in Argentina and some of the tips he shares. Getting around is probably the hardest part of doing it yourself. He shares some great areas to hit up and why you can still get to many areas.
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