Margaret Stern from Susitna River Coalition walks us through their mission to protect and support the 312-mile-long, free-flowing, Susitna River. We find out why the construction of the massive Susitna dam and the West Susitna access road projects should be stopped – what its long-term effect would be on the watersheds, wildlife, local economies, and fish.
Why should we be concerned about these issues and what we can do to support this movement? Let us come together and take action as we discover the truth about these exploitation projects in Alaska.
Click below and listen to the Podcast about the Susitna River Coalition with Margaret Stern:
30:30 – Susitna River Coalition is the only local environmental and conservation nonprofit organization in the Susitna Valley. They work with Trout Unlimited and other organizations that are on a conservation mission in Alaska.
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month! So we’re here today with the Director of Casting For Recovery, Faye Nelson. She provides a behind-the-scenes look at the organization with the mission to provide outdoor healing retreats for breast cancer survivors.
We find out how you can get involved in breast cancer awareness programs, how they hold 55 events a year around the country, and how they manage to get going with an almost all-volunteer-based labor force.
For over 25 years, women from all walks of life have benefitted from CfR’s inspiring program model. How does it work? Why is this an important topic? And how does breast cancer affect the lives of these women? Listen to the episode to learn more.
Click below and listen to the Podcast about Casting For Recovery with Faye Nelson:
11:45 – You can get involved in their movement by emailing them at info@castingforrecovery.org to get started.
12:45 – They have an event coming up on October 22 called Cast One Home Waters, where you can submit your fishing photo and win Yetti prices. Click here to learn more.
13:35 – They also have a virtual live auction that people can tune into. They auction trips to Alaska and the Driftless Region, and some non-fishing prices like bird dog, etc.
14:40 – CFR is based on a huge volunteer labor force. They have about 1800 volunteers every year.
19:45 – CFR started 26 years ago with 2 women who were fishing together – 1 was a guide and 1 was a breast reconstruction surgeon.
25:30 – About 10 years ago, Faye joined an organization, Warriors on Quiet Waters – they serve combat veterans through fly fishing.
27:22 – They have 13 national staff all over the country that are paid employees of the organization.
29:55 – They have an opening for a Southern Regional Program Manager role. If anyone is interested, reach them by email at info@castingforrecovery.org
36:00 – They’ve also done boarding for breast cancer with Yeti
Brian Flechsig, founder of Mad River Outfitters, takes us back to square one today as we break down the steps to getting started in fly fishing. We find out the 6 basic things that you need to understand as a beginner and why the leader is one of the most important parts of your gear.
We dig into their YouTube channel that’s about to hit 200k subscribers with over 500 videos published, how they make it educational and entertaining, and why they don’t want to specifically promote any brands.
Brian also shares about his 30 years of friendship with Kelly Galloup and some of the fly-fishing folks we know.
Click below and listen to the Podcast about Mad River Outfitters with Brian Flechsig:
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
Sponsors and Podcast Updates
Mad River Outfitters Show Notes with Brian Flechsig
08:00 – When Brian was in college, he was immersed in playing music and fly fishing. He played the Mandolin and studied jazz guitar. He eventually quit college to work at a music store and then later worked at a fly shop in Cincinnati, Ohio where he became a guide and a shop manager.
09:50 – Brian hosted his first trip in the Fall of 1990 at the Pere Marquette River. His guides were Charlie Weaver, Walt Grau, and Kelly Galloup.
11:30 – In December 1994, Brian opened Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio
12:15 – Brian talks about Clyde Rolf who was a great friend and customer at Mad River fly shop. He invented the Nicorette Gum.
16:00 – He noted a YouTube video they created with Brad Befus, President of Scientific Anglers
31:55 – Brian and Kelly have been friends for 33 years now
35:00 – Mad River Outfitters is about to hit 200k subscribers – subscribe here
40:00 – Brian shares some advice: Surround yourself with the right people
43:30 – They have a YouTube series, Getting Started in Fly Fishing where Episode 1 teaches the 6 basic things that you need to understand as a beginner:
Understand a fly rod
Understand a fly reel
Understand the fly line system
Have a few basic accessories (including a fly)
Have some polarized sunglasses
You need a body of water that has fish
50:00 – Brian talks about how they answer email questions from people
57:42 – Brian explains why the leader is one of the most important parts of your gear
1:02:30 – Fish early or fish late to avoid river traffic in Mad River
1:08:45 – The best question Brian had was: How do you know what you’re fishing for?
1:12:30 – They did a trip to Labrador for the trophy brook trout, New Orleans for redfish, tarpon and bonefishing in Florida, etc. One of the most exotic trips they did was in the Amazon jungle in Brazil for peacock bass.
Nick Larson, Host of the Birdshot Podcast, gives us a bird hunting 101 today. We break down the types of birds you can target, where to find them, and their differences in behavior. He tells us what is the best shotgun to get started with, some useful tips to maintain your composure while shooting, and which gun to get next as you become a more experienced hunter.
We discover how to hunt birds with or without dogs and how OnX maps change the game for upland bird hunting. Nick also shares the story of how he started his podcast which was not far from when we started our podcast too.
Click below and listen to the Podcast about Upland Bird Hunting with Nick Larson:
10:30 – Nick tells us how to get started with hunting – google a bird species and the state you’re in, for ex: ruffed grouse Minnesota. Make sure you secure a hunting license from DNR and pay attention to the state rules and limits. Ruffed Grouse Management Area is a good resource to learn more about ruffed grouse hunting in Minnesota.
16:15 – Ruffed grouse season starts mid-September in Minnesota
18:20 – The best month to hunt grouse is the last 2 weeks of October and the first 2 weeks of November
20:50 – Their firearms dear season usually starts the first Saturday of November
22:45 – Nick’s got a hunt coming up in North Dakota and will primarily hunt sharp-tailed grouse.
23:30 – Another bonus bird that they get a chance to hunt is the Hungarian Partridge – a non-native species
Photo by NDOW.org
35:45 – Tip for sharp-tailed grouse: If your dog is on point, you’re walking in and a bird flushes, keep walking until you see the group of birds. Don’t shoot right away.
39:40 – Wingshooting is a term that is used as a broader term to include Waterfowl hunting or Dove hunting. Upland hunting generally refers to the upland game birds which are grouse, quail, pheasants, or Hungarian partridge, etc.
42:25 – Nick works for Upland Gun Company and they sell a very specific kind of gun. He doesn’t recommend their gun if you’re just getting started with hunting.
Seth Fields, owner of The Hatch Outfitters, is here to walk us through the diversity of Tennessee fly fishing. We chat about some of the species they target around the Chattanooga area – trout, smallmouth bass, Tennessee tarpon, gar, and more.
Seth tells us how he started writing articles for some of the well-known magazines around like American Angler, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and Fly Tyer Magazine. We also find out what they have going at the fly shop – Oyster Roast and Casting Competition, Fly Tying Nights, and the beer bar!
Click below and listen to the Podcast about Tennessee Fly Fishing with Seth Fields:
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
Sponsors and Podcast Updates
Tennessee Fly Fishing Show Notes with Seth Fields
03:00 – Seth is a product of the movie, A River Runs Through It. His father is an avid outdoorsman and he later found out that his great-grandfather is a fly fisherman.
07:30 – Seth and his family now live in Chattanooga. It’s been their dream to live there.
20:30 – Hatch Outfitters is the only fly shop in Chattanooga
Kris Bare from AZ Fly Shop takes us into Arizona to discover how he catches massive carp on the fly in the city. Kris breaks down the rod and line setup for carp, the best time to fish them, and the best flies and techniques to increase your catch rate. Carp are normally underrated species but today, Kris tells us why they’re actually great for sport fishing.
We also find out how they raised around $30,000 for local charities like the Homeless ID Project and what they have going at AZ Fly Shop – the only fly shop in Phoenix.
Click below and listen to the Podcast about Carp on the Fly with Kris Bare:
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
Sponsors and Podcast Updates
Carp on the Fly Show Notes with Kris Bare
06:00 – AZ Fly Shop has only been open for about a year and a half. He connected with the owner from a Facebook group and Kris was eventually offered to manage the shop.
10:10 – They have grass carp and common carp. Kris mostly fish for common carp.
14:15 – For rods, Kris uses Scott Sector saltwater style 6 wt. For lines, he uses Scientific Anglers smooth line.
15:30 – There’s no standard line for carp fishing but if any company plans on creating one, Kris describes what it should be. “Somewhere between the trout line and infinity line. And it should have a tropical coating or make it as hard of a coating as it can be”.
18:30 – Kris gives a shoutout to Derek @lowaterguide who’s a great carp guide in Phoenix
19:30 – Common carp usually eat flies that stand straight up like headstand patterns, dragonfly nymphs, or damsel fly nymphs. Grassies usually go for plant-like flies that are more colorful.
21:30 – AZ is the only fly shop in Phoenix
22:30 – For leaders, Kris uses 12 and 14-foot 3X. Umpqua’s 8-pound 10-foot is a pretty good leader.
27:30 – Kris walks about 7 miles every time he’s fishing for carp. Carp fishing is moving. The more water you can cover, the more successful you’ll be.
28:30 – Carp likes hot weather. The best time to fish them is when it’s too hot outside.
34:10 – F&F Chewing Gum worm is great for swinging flies for carp
37:42 – In Phoenix they have: arctic grayling, brookies, browns, rainbows, tigers, apache trout, hellas, and bonneville cutts
49:55 – Kris mentions some other species that he targets like sucker fish, tilapia, tiger sicclid, and catfish
53:55 – The Carpalicious is a good fly. Kris doesn’t go anything without Black and Brown Wooly Buggers.
59:10 – Kris gives a shoutout to Henry @littleboss2hauler from the Youth Team Fly Fishing USA
1:01:00 – AZ Fly Shop has already raised around 30,000 dollars for local charities. They’re having their 2nd Carp Rally on Sept 24, 2022.
1:09:00 – One of the number one causes of homelessness in Arizona is kids aging out of foster care. They donate a lot of money to the Homeless ID Project where they help the homeless to obtain important documents so they can get a job and a place to live, etc.
You can find AZ Fly Shop on Instagram at @azflyshop
Brian Niska takes us to the Skeena River and basin with a focus on swinging flies for main-stem steelhead. We find out how he targets migrating versus holder fish, when you should be fishing the shallow water, and how to get your swing to slow down.
This one is jam-packed with tips and takes on exact time, location, position.. it’s all here! Brian is very articulate in elaborating techniques that you can already imagine how it works. Check it out right now!
Click below and listen to the Podcast about Skeena River Spey Lodge with Brian Niska:
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
Sponsors and Podcast Updates
Skeena River Show Notes with Brian Niska
12:00 – Brian and Jeff Pieroway designed some Spey rods called Metal Detector
13:00 – Brian tells the story of how they bought a guiding lodge business at Skeena riverside which was previously owned by a German family
20:00 – Fishing season starts in mid-March at Skeena
26:00 – He explains how slowing down the cast is the key to effective Spey casting
32:00 – Tip: If you’re using running mono line, you don’t have access to both sides of the river, and you’re often fishing on the same side of your body, you need to find a way to incorporate some rotation to the other direction to keep your line going nice and straight.
32:55 – Tip: The older the mono line is, the better it fishes because it’s got a stretch. Don’t wait, put that stretch in as soon as you get it. A good way to get it stretched is to get it warm. Put it in a bowl of warm water and give it a good hard stretch.
36:00 – The busiest time of the year at Skeena Lodge is the end of August since most of the salmon species are available in August
38:10 – When people say they are going to fish the Skeena, what they really mean is that they’re going to fish the Bulkley
39:45 – He talks about a picture of a 40-pound dead steelhead back in the 80s
48:45 – Brian mentioned the episode with Jeff Liskay and pointed out the tip about the importance of having a high rod tip. WFS 362 was the latest one with Jeff.
55:50 – “The anglers that are consistently successful are the ones that believe that every single bump is a fish and are willing to repeat the cast, and willing to let the fly fish its way out, they’re not rushing to the next cast.”
57:20 – They fish Skagit line most of the time and a little bit Scandi in the Winter
1:25:50 – Advice: When you’re fishing the Skeena for the first time is plan to be mobile. Plan to fish 3 or 4 different rivers and come for as longest period that your schedule allows. And don’t fish with people in the same spot – spread the pressure out, that’s the best move.
1:27:25 – For flies, Brian uses Stewart’s Steel Pig. He recommends bringing a small and large version of the fly you’re using.
Jerry French, steelhead flies innovator, shares the story of how Intruder flies, Skagit Spey lines, and short Spey rods came to be. We find out how they changed the game big time for steelhead fly fishing.
Jerry tells us how they tried to keep their ideas secret and when they realized that it was time to share them with the community. We also talk about some of his signature flies like the Dirty Hoh, Sculpins, and Squid.
This is a replay episode from 2020 and also one of our most downloaded episodes so it’s great to listen to it again.
Click below and listen to the Podcast about Intruder Flies with Jerry French:
11:15 – A 13-foot 6 wt rod was considered short back then
13:30 – Jerry tells the story of when they were on a road trip, fishing and guiding, sleeping in the car, and didn’t shower for days.
18:00 – Jerry talks about the evolution of Intruder flies
22:25 – They weren’t planning on sharing the Intruder secrets with anyone but some of their flies got stolen on one of their fishing trips
26:60 – Jerry talks about that time when they realized that it was time to share their secret with the community
32:00 – Jerry was an original founder of OPST and was all about getting Ed Ward paid for his contribution. The ultra-compact heads were a big part of what Jerry and Ed developed.
42:00 – Jerry describes what a Dirty Hoh platform is and why it’s so special to him
46:30 – Listener question: Do you swing butt or broad side on the swing? Jerry says: Straight up, no questions – always broad side. He calls it “controlled” and explains in detail.
56:00 – Jerry shares why he had to part ways with OPST and build Aqua Flies with Doug Brutocao
Bret Bishop from Silver Creek Outfitters tells the story of how he got into Team USA and who his mentor was early on that made his and the team’s dreams come true. He shares how the team sets up their euro rigs while in competition and their mission to win gold in several competitions.
He also takes us fishing in Europe and his home waters and talks about his favorite gears, brands, and some tips on dry droppers.
Listen to this episode to discover more tips and tricks from none other than Bret Bishop – 2006 Individual National Champion and current Captain of Team USA.
Click below and listen to the Silver Creek Outfitters Podcast with Bret Bishop:
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
Sponsors and Podcast Updates
Silver Creek Outfitters Show Notes with Bret Bishop
3:13 – Bret Bishop talks about how he got into fly fishing. His parents wanted him and his brother to be self-sufficient anglers.
3:51 – For years in the summertime, his family would travel around and spend three months living in a VW bus and going trout fishing and camping.
4:17 – They ended up living in Sun Valley, Idaho which is where Silver Creek is. His parents were into spring creeks, so everywhere they went they would go and fish the spring creek.
5:42 – Bret talks about how their father taught them how to be self-sufficient anglers.
6:24 – He also learned fly fishing and the actual casting through attending classes.
7:30 – He shares how different is Silver Creek now than it was in the ’80s.
10:06 – He tells about how the Fly Fishing Team USA started. About 2003, his friend Pete Erickson, who we interviewed for episode 118, got into the team early. There was a lot of history before Bret joined the team.
11:36 – He got involved in the team when he was invited out to Bend, Oregon along with other guys to try out. He fished well enough that he made it to what they called the development team.
13:11 – In 2006, they had the first Fly Fishing National Championship in Boulder, Colorado.
15:20 – He shares why the team struggled during practice in Portugal in 2006 and why that made Portugal kind of a tough introduction to the world of European fly fishing.
16:37 – He talks about what makes fishing in Europe different.
19:26 – He shares the team’s quest to win gold in Italy. He also mentions one person who has been the backbone of the team in terms of financial support and making their dreams come true.
From left to right: Pete Erickson, Bret Bishop, Loren Williams, Jeff Currier, Mike Sexton, and Jerry Arnold (Photo via: https://www.instagram.com/silvercreekoutfitters/)
21:50 – He clarifies the difference among the Masters Team, Senior Team, and Youth Team.
22:31 – I ask what would it be like to have the Masters Team compete with the Senior Team.
24:36 – He emphasizes how important it is to work well together as a team and have great team chemistry and guide.
26:49 – Bret encourages people, especially the best anglers, to get a guide saving time trying to find the water they need to fish and learn some inside knowledge on techniques.
27:52 – I ask about the percentage of time that he uses certain techniques such as euro nymphing, dry fly, dry dropper, and streamers.
31:41 – Bret shares how euro nymphing started and became popular.
33:18 – He talks about how their current style of nymphing is different from what it was 10 years ago.
36:30 – He shares his setup and current favorite gears. His current choice of rod is the Echo Shadow X 10’6″ 3wt rod which he says is really light and just the right balance for everything.
37:10 – When he’s guiding, he uses a level line that’s a little stiffer such as those from Cortland and Umpqua. He currently uses the Cortland White Mono Line (.009″/8 LB) which he says works really well for guiding.
41:27 – He shares more about their practice and setup for a competition.
44:50 – He mentions some of their great guides who helped them win competitions through their techniques and fly patterns.
46:52 – He elaborates his process of how he goes through switching flies with a euro setup.
50:41 – Bret talks about fishing in his home water that is Silver Creek.
52:32 – He explains the big difference between a tailwater and a spring creek.
56:40 – Bret shares the best months to fish in Silver Creek.
58:34 – He mentions the other rivers and streams that he frequents to fish.
1:05:20 – He provides some tips on using a dry dropper saying it’s a matter of keeping your setup simple.
1:09:50 – He says the hardest thing to learn is how to cast a euro dry dropper and provides some tips for it.
1:13:52 – He mentions his favorite tools to use in fishing in his home waters.
1:17:33 – He encourages young anglers to be well-rounded and learn casting besides euro nymphing.
1:18:27 – He shares the most difficult type of fishing to teach.
1:19:48 – He mentions the upcoming events for Team USA as well as the women’s team wherein Tess Weigand is also a part. We interviewed her for episode 364.
Silver Creek Outfitters Conclusion with Bret Bishop
Bret Bishop, Captain of Team USA shares the story of the US team winning the gold medal and his experience guiding in the US. We also get a bunch of great tips on euro nymphing and fishing the dry dropper.
You don’t want to miss this episode so click play above and find out how to improve your nymphing game.
Gunner Brammer goes deep on streamers as we dig into some of his YouTube videos with loads of tips on developing techniques for tying streamer flies.
Gunnar tells the story of how he started working in Kelly Galloup’s fly shop and how Kelly became one of his biggest mentors in fly fishing and fly tying.
Find out how Gunnar accumulated thousands of hours in fly tying at only 27 years old and why he’s considered one of the best in the streamer game.
We also hear some of his rants about people hating other people’s style of fly fishing to the point of slitting their car tires. WHAT??? I know… that’s just too much. But sadly it happens.
This is one of our most listened-to episodes so it deserves a replay today. Check it out right now!
Click below and listen to the Podcast Streamer Flies with Gunnar Brammer:
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
Sponsors and Podcast Updates
Streamer Flies Show Notes with Gunnar Brammer
06:00 – Gunnar’s dad gave him a Kelly Galloup book, Modern Streamers for Trophy Trout which was the first piece of trout literature that he read.
07:55 – Kelly Galloup posted a job opening at his fly shop in Montana and Gunnar’s face lit up when he saw it. He applied and got a call from Kelly.
13:30 – Gunnar talks about the video from 8 years ago fishing the Madison River
16:30 – Gunnar is a big sucker for wade fishing. He fishes the St. Louis River a lot.
18:40 – He fishes no differently for brown trout than he does for smallmouth bass – 7 wt, 250-grain, full sinking line, 3-foot leader, and big articulated flies. His biggest smallmouth caught in the St. Louis River is about 21-inch.
1:04:45 – Brammer has about 5000 streamers tied from his experimentation that are just tucked away in boxes
1:06:20 – Rapid fire round with Gunnar
1:15:45 – Gunnar’s top 2 flies for smallmouth are Super Jerk and Hot Fuzz
1:16:00 – Tip: Don’t play by anybody’s rule except your own. Gunnar tells the story of when he wanted to fish streamers in a place where people hated it.
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