Interviews

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/133 Travis Duddles who owns the Gorge Fly Shop describes how to choose a fly rod.  Travis, who opened the fly shop at age 17, shares his story of how he has built a great local fly shop out of Hood River. Find out what the first thing you should be thinking about when starting to need a new fly rod.  We break down each of the different levels and price ranges of rods and what you get from each.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/132 Jenny Weis provides us an update on the Pebble Mine project and what you can do this week to help protect almost 60 million salmon in one of the most important habitats in the region. We find out why this small project could become a much larger project if it's allowed to move forward.  This is a big year and the call to action for you is to reach out to your local and federal representatives and let them know you oppose this project.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/ascension Brian Oakland shares the experience that is fly fishing the Yucatan and La Pescadora in Mexico.  Brian is the founder of Got Fishing and takes you to the water today on the podcast.  This area of Ascension Bay is known for the opportunity to catch the big 4 - tarpon, permit, bonefish and snook. We talk about all of the juicy details and adventures that come with putting together an amazing trip like this one to one of the amazing locations on the planet.  This lodge is a special place and is obvious when you hear Brian describe the family atmosphere a trip of a lifetime.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/131 George Cook shares the story and history behind how spey came to be in the northwest.  We hear how fishing for kings and the connection to Alaska was a big part of the Alaskabou and the intruder style flies coming to be. George shares some stories about northern California chinook fishing and around the Pacific Rim.  We get into the Deschutes, Oregon Coast and many of the other places and people that have helped defined his career in fly fishing and in hunting.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/130 We get some background on Kulik Lodge and Fly Fishing for coho salmon with Bryce Rushbrook.  Bryce tells us what you can do to prepare for a big Alaska trip with a focus on Bristol Bay. We find out how Bryce became a Sweetwater success story and now has a strong guiding background.  Kyle provides some tips for your first trip to Alaska and how to make the most of your journey.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/129 I sat down with Paul Beel from Frankenfly to hear how he built an amazing fly tying resource online and what's next for the other mad scientist.  Flymphs, Rainy's, Dan Frazier and the carp stalker are all on tap today.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/128 I sat down with Tom Ski who has become a good online friend of mine and who talks about a life outdoors in fly fishing and now as an online free lancer for a number of companies including Yamaha. Find out about his plan to hike the Pacific Crest Trail while do fly tying videos on the road.  We dig into the business side of the outdoors and get into some tips and tricks about monetizing an outdoor business.

Show Notes: Klaus Frimor shares a great perspective on scandi lines and casting (aka underhand casting).  Klaus tells his story about growing up in Denmark and how his connection with Loop came to be. Klaus is the main rod designer for single and two handed rods for Loop.  Klaus shares his perspective on how and why spey casting and spey lines are different if Europe vs the US.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/126 We hear the story of how John Peterka came to own Sage Brush Dry, a great company out of Kake Alaska producing dry bags for hunting and fishing.  Find out how part of the deal when buying the company was for John to become a fly fisher. John describes their process of using radio frequency welding which creates a thermal and air tight bond.  They can get more curve because they are using hot air welding via a double bond.  A lot of terminology but bottom line is they produce a killer water proof bag.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/125 Charlie Craven from Charlie's Fly Box breaks down a perspective of tying flies for a living.  He describes what it takes to make an original pattern and what it means to become a signature fly tyer. We also here about his fly tying class and the book he wrote that many consider the ultimate guide for beginner fly tyers.  Find out which is the number 1 selling pattern in the box an what he always has handy heading out on the river.