Steve Potter is here today to dig into deer hair poppers and walks us through the steps in choosing the right hook for the next fly you’re about to tie. Steve is a retired Navy veteran with 21 years of service. We kick off the conversation by delving into Steve’s background and his impressive military career.
A devoted Daiichi fan, Steve shares his favorite hooks, including the 2546 and the newly introduced specialty hook, 2477, which he frequently uses for his game-changer flies. Steve talks about his experiences living near a golf course in Florida, where he encounters fascinating species like alligator gars, crappies, and black bass in the nearby pond.
Steve also shares a humorous yet successful experience tying a cigar fly, initially perceived as a joke but crafted with deer hair using a large streamer hook. To top it off, Steve regales us with the exhilarating tale of how he and his buddy, Chuck, emerged as winners in the inaugural bass and fly tournament.
Selecting Hooks for Fly Tying with Steve Potter. Hit play below!
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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
Sponsors and Podcast Updates
Show Notes with Steve Potter
3:40 – Steve retired from the Navy in 1985. He served for 21 years.
10:30 – We had Pat Cohen on the podcast at WFS 107.
11:10 – Steve is a Daiichi fan. He uses the 2546 hooks.
12:30 – Daiichi’s got a new specialty hook – 2477. Steve uses this a lot for his game-changer flies.
16:40 – Steve now uses a regal vise but before that, he used a Thompson vise for a long time.
19:55 – For wet flies, Steve uses a 1550 Daiichi Standard Wet Fly Hook.
22:40 – For Wooly Buggers, he recommends using a 2220 Daiichi
28:40 – Steve’s go-to fly is a Clauser Minnow for saltwater fishing. He uses 2546 for this one too.
33:20 – Steve lives near a golf course where there are alligator gars, crappies, and black bass in the pond.
36:00 – Steve tells us why he prefers to live in Florida than in California.
38:30 – We noted the 2720 Stinger Hook.
44:50 – We noted Joe Jackson who we had on the podcast in episode 384. He also ties some hummingbirds and other cartoon-like flies.
46:14 – Steve tells the story of when he gave a Kingfisher fly to Jeff Currier which Jeff then gave to Bryan Gregson from Yellowdog Fly Fishing. Bryan caught a rainbow with it in Kamchatka.
48:45 – He also tied a cigar fly for someone which he thought was a joke but somehow worked. It was tied out of deer hair using a large streamer hook.
54:30 – Steve tells the story of how he and his buddy, Chuck won the first bass and fly tournament.
Videos Noted in the Show
Related Podcast Episodes
WFS 107 – Fly Tying with Pat Cohen – Deer Hair Poppers, RU Superfly, Smallmouth Bass, Tattoo Art
WFS 384 – Deer Hair Bugs with Joe Jackson – Sgt. Bass Fisher, PHWFF, Farming
Read the Full Podcast Transcript Below
Conclusion with Steve Potter
In this exciting episode, we had the privilege of hearing from Steve, a retired Navy veteran who served for an impressive 21 years. Steve shared his passion for fly fishing and his love for Daiichi hooks which he uses extensively for his game-changer flies.
Steve shared fascinating stories, such as the time he gave a Kingfisher fly to Jeff Currier, which ultimately made its way to Bryan Gregson from Yellowdog Fly Fishing which was a testament to its effectiveness. Additionally, we heard about Steve’s surprising experience tying a cigar fly as a humorous endeavor, only to find that it actually worked wonders. Finally, Steve enthralled us with the tale of his victorious participation in the first bass and fly tournament alongside his friend, Chuck.
Overall, this episode with Steve was filled with valuable insights, personal anecdotes, and a deep appreciation for the art of fly fishing. We are grateful for his service to our country and his contributions to the fly fishing community.
