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WFS 339 – The Hippie Stomper Fly with Andrew Grillos – Fly Tying, Stroke, Passion

hippie stomper fly

Andrew Grillos is here today to tell us how the Hippie Stomper came to be.

Andrew is known for a number of his commercially tied flies at Umpqua Feather Merchants but we also dig into some of his flies that didn’t make it to Umpqua but works awesome.. like the Pizza fly that he’s been feeding trout since 2005.

He also shares a powerful recovery story from a devastating stroke at the age of 37. He talks about how he finished a 100-mile ultramarathon in 32 hours, 2 months prior to his stroke.

What kept Andrew going and what is it like to be an inch close to death? Listen to his story to find out!

 

Click below and listen to the Podcast about the Hippie Stomper Fly with Andrew Grillos:

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

hippie stomper fly
Photo by Jake Burleson

Show Notes with Andrew Grillos

04:55 – Andrew chose his undergraduate degree based around fishing and snowboarding in Gunnison Colorado. He studied at Western State College. He snowboarded 100 days a year and fished in between. Then he became a guide for High Mountain Drifters.

07:30 – He then guided in Alaska and Southern Chile

09:30 – We talk about how the Hippie Stomper came about

hippie stomper fly
Photo courtesy of Umpqua Feather Merchants

12:50 – Around June 20th is one of the best times to fish the Gunnison River

15:30 – Matt and Jerry owns the Driftless Angler in Wisconsin

16:45 – The Heavy-metal Worm pattern

hippie stomper fly
Photo courtesy of Umpqua Feather Merchants

17:45 – Andrew has 15 flies in Umpqua. He was also active in their blog.

18:30 – Andrew wanted to do more commercially produced flies than Brian Silvey and he eventually did. Brian had 15, Andrew did 22. Brian Silvey was on the podcast at WFS 148.

20:00 – Russ Miller told the story of how Umpqua Feather Merchants began at WFS 303 – Andrew tells the story of how he met Russ at a trade show

23:11 – Andrew shares what it’s like relearning his patterns after having a stroke in November 2020

27:10 – Andrew used to guide in the Olympic Peninsula, Skagit River

29:10 – Steelhead tip: Read the water – imagine what your fly is doing at the end of your line. Don’t mend it left and right, make your cast good, and fish your fly.

30:20 – A sparkly big fly is what Andrew prefers for steelhead

31:40 – Andrew went to New Zealand for 6 months with his wife. He got so obsessed with fishing there.

hippie stomper fly

36:25 – One of his favorite flies to tie is a steelhead hairwing

hippie stomper fly

38:20 – The Steelhead Coachman was a pattern by John Hazel

steelhead coachman
Photo courtesy of Umpqua Feather Merchants

43:10 – Click here to watch the video documentary about his stroke

44:10 – Andrew gives a shoutout to the healthcare providers that helped him recover. Their hard work is truly appreciated. Now Andrew can trail run and fish again.

46:45 – Andrew guided Louis Cahill in Alaska, 2010. Louis was on the podcast at WFS 206.

56:00 – Big foam dry flies work great in the Gunnison river or even like sofa pillow and huge stimulators.

1:00:40 – Andrew describes the Gunnison Canyon

1:05:30 – Andrew’s been feeding trout his Pizza fly since 2005. It’s been denied for years though for commercial tying.

hippie stomper fly

1:08:15 – Andrew talks about how he did the ultra-marathon. He finishes 100 miles in 32 hours and tells us how and why.

1:12:50 – His favorite fish that he caught was the steelhead from the Skagit river

hippie stomper fly

1:14:20 – Fish Hunter that has the best marabou feathers and colors

1:17:40 – Andrew will be working with Tom Morgan Rodsmith. Matt Barber and Joel Doub from TMR was on the podcast at WFS 161.

 

You can find Andrew on Instagram at @andrew_grillos_flyfishing

Visit his website at AndrewGrillosFlyFishing.com

 

Hippie Stomper Fly Videos Noted in the Show

Click here to watch the documentary video about his stroke

 

Related Podcast Episodes to the Hippie Stomper Fly

WFS 303 – Umpqua Feather Merchants with Russ Miller + Euro Nymphing Bonus

Steelhead Fishing in Oregon with Brian Silvey (WFS 148)

hippie stomper fly
Denver Rathbun Photo

Conclusion with Andrew Grillos

So there you go..

What a story from Andrew.. that truly is awakening. That reminds us that things can happen even when you’re in your best shape. So it’s best to not take things for granted and appreciate all the little things we can do because sooner or later we won’t be able to do them as easily.

I’m happy that Andrew survived that big one.. and thankful for the people that helped him get back to the life that he enjoys.

I hope you get even better Andrew. Stroke can’t kill your passion! We are deeply inspired by your testimony and hope that as we remember your story, we change for the better.. the way we think, act, and speak.

Thank you Andrew. Cheers!

         

WFS 338 – The Flyathlon with Andrew Todd – Fly Fishing, Trail Running, and Beer

flyathlon

Andrew Todd, founder of Running River’s Flyathlon, tells us how they combined trail running, fly fishing, and beer into one big outdoor party.

Andrew breaks down the mechanics of the game including how, where, and who can participate. Find out how they raised almost $500,000 for conservation projects through the event and how they built an awesome community in the flyathlon space.

We also hear about some of the challenges they deal with over the years in preparing these events and where they’re headed with that vision.

 

Click below and listen to the Podcast about Flyathlon with Andrew Todd:

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

flyathlon

Flyathlon Show Notes with Andrew Todd

08:30 – They created the motto, “run, fish, beer” that was derived from the traditional triathlon and named the game, Flyathlon. Andrew breaks down the game mechanics.

flyathlonflyathlon

12:01 – They held afterparties in remote places in Colorado

flyathlon

15:50 – They have an event on July 22nd-24th which is their 8th Annual Middle Creek Flyathlon. The event is sold out but you can still join the party. Click here to see their list of events. 

18:10 – Andrew explains the pitfalls they’ve encountered in their previous events

21:28 – Through the event, they raise money for native trout restoration projects like Trout Unlimited. They also incentivize the top fund raisers with products donated by sponsors like Yeti and Patagonia

24:55 – Over the course of 8 years, they have raised close to $500,000

27:15 – They’ve got something they call, “Fastest Known Fish” which is where a player goes out, runs to the lake, catches fish, and runs back – the player who has the fastest time doing that wins

flyathlon

28:28 – Derek Roedel is sponsoring their events this year. We talk about how the Reyr Gear telescoping fly rod is an ideal rod for these events because of its quick setup feature and mobility.

flyathlon

33:20 – The Western Native Trout Initiative is a great resource for learning more about trout conservation

34:10 – Andrew tells us about the Troutman marathon – read more about it here

35:00 – Bryon Powell, one of their board members, completed the Troutman 6 times. They created Ultrout which is more difficult than Troutman because Troutman is too basic for guys like Bryon

flyathlonflyathlon

38:45 – Andrew loves barrel-aged imperial stout beers

39:40 – Founders, out of Michigan, makes a beer called Backwoods Bastard – this is one of Andrew’s favorites

39:55 – We’ve had one interview with the founder of Fort George Brewery, Chris Nemlowill at WFS 205

45:30 – An orange size 18 perdigon is Andrew’s go-to fly

47:15 – They have a limit of 65 participants per event to avoid putting too much pressure on the creeks and fish

flyathlon

 

You can Flyathlon on Instagram at @flyathlon

flyathlon

 

Resources Noted in the Show

The Western Native Trout Initiative

 

Videos Noted in the Show

 

Related Podcast Episodes

WFS 315 – The Telescoping Fly Rod from Reyr Gear with Derek Roedel

flyathlon

Flyathlon Conclusion with Andrew Todd

So there you go..

If you are into running, fly fishing, and you love beer, this might be the perfect race for you. I’m not much into running but since I love fly fishing and beer, I might try it if I get a chance. Should be fun.

I think Reyr Gear’s telescoping fly rod is great for events like this. I’m glad they found each other and are now working together.

Check out their website runningriver.org to find out how you can reserve a slot or volunteer for their cause.

         

WFS 337 – Surf Perch Fly Fishing with Waters West – Ed Fuhrken and Kyle McCurdy

surf perch

Today, we focus on surf perch fishing on the Olympic Peninsula beaches with Ed Fuhrken and Kyle McCurdy from Waters West. 

We break down their Top 5 Tips for Surf Perch fishing. Find out why you should consider surf perch fishing for your easy days on the water. 

We touch a little bit on steelhead – their bread and butter – how they’re handling the changes in steelhead numbers which are slowing down lately.

And we also talk about life.. wisdom that leads to more fishing.

Click below and listen to the Podcast about Surf Perch fishing with Ed Fuhrken and Kyle McCurdy:

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

surf perchsurf perch

Show Notes with Ed and Kyle

04:50 – Ed was born and raised in Mexico. He used to fish a lot before but stopped because he felt bad wounding some fish he caught – he later discovered that there are hooks called, barbless, that were safer for the fish. Then he got back to fishing.

06:30 – They describe what Olympic Peninsula is like – mountains and beaches.. surfing, snowboarding, and fishing

olympic peninsula

08:30 – Dave Steinbaugh founded Waters West – Ed tells us how the fly shop got started

surf perch

11:30 – Dave was retiring and wanted to sell the shop – Ed had some money saved up after working a few jobs as a software engineer. Ed was a regular customer at Waters West because they had good steelhead fly tying materials. Then he bought the shop from Dave.

13:00 – They catch steelhead during the winter. Salmon, trout, and surfperch in spring.

steelhead

14:30 – Surfperch can be found on sandy beaches in the steepest part

18:00 – They typically use 5 wt rod with intermediate line, orange clouser minnow for flies or bonefish flies with led eyes. Ed and Kyle break down the fishing tactics.

21:45 – The best time to fish surf perch is 1 or 2 hours after the high tide as the tide is moving out

surf perch

22:30 – Since last year, Ed started using a steel leader because one day he was catching surfperch and he hooked on a lingcod but it got away – it sliced through his leader. Lingcod feed on surfperch in Spring.

29:06 – For leaders, you could use a straight piece of Maxima – 7 feet to 3x is pretty standard, 10 or 20 pound

29:45 – They have a YouTube video tying a surf perch fly – scroll down to watch the video. Surf perch can take a big fly, shrimp or crab pattern – 2 to 8

33:20 – You can catch 10 to 20 surf perch a day in just a couple of hours. They’re good eating fish too.

surf perch

38:04 – For reels, they usually use a Lamson Guru. We had Nick Torres from Waterworks Lamson at WFS 213 and WFS 304

Photo courtesy of Caddis Fly Shop

39:06 – Surf perches give live birth – babies come right out of their mother swimming. They don’t lay eggs like salmon or steelhead. They spawn in eelgrass because surf perch moms eat them.

41:25 – Read more about the redtail surf perch life cycle here

41:30 – You can catch some starry flounder near the eelgrass flats too

43:50 – If they could ask Bob Clouser a question, they would want to ask: What do most people do wrong when tying a clouser?

surf perch

45:40 – Ahrex hooks work awesome on surf perches too – we had Morten Valeur from Ahrex Hooks at WFS 150

49:24 – In most of the rivers in the Olympic Peninsula, there’s not a lot of bug life for the fish to feed on, that’s why rainbows go out in the ocean

50:25 – Sea-run cutthroat can be found in a more rocky structure beach

56:30 – Ed tells us how he stays positive when dealing with the changes in steelhead numbers

58:30 – John McMillan was on the podcast at WFS 117 where we also covered steelhead in Olympic Peninsula

1:09:30 – Waters West has a line, rod, and reel combo setup specifically for surf perch fishing

 

Top 5 Tips for Surf Perch Fly Fishing 

  1. Spring time is peak time for surfperch but you can fish them all-year round
  2. Look for the steepest part of the beach where is sandy, not rocky – the waves turns over the sand that release the sand shrimps and small creatures they feed on
  3. Use 5 wt rod with intermediate line, orange clauser minnow for flies or bonefish flies with led eyes
  4. As the wave breaks, cast behind it and then let get pulled down and strip it back through that foamy wash
  5. The best time to fish them is 1 or 2 hours after the high tide as the tide is moving out

 

You can find Waters West on Instagram at @waterswestflyshop

Website at WatersWest.com

surf perch

 

Videos Noted in the Show

Related Podcast Episodes

Steelhead Report with John McMillan – Columbia River, Olympic Peninsula, Rainforest Steel (WFS 117)

surf perch

Surf Perch Conclusion with Ed Fuhrken and Kyle McCurdy

So there you go..

Surf perch are not the typical specie that an angler would target but as you heard from Ed and Kyle, they’re pretty chill to catch and actually a good eating fish.

Who wouldn’t want a 10 to 20 average catch in just a couple of hours? I bet every surf perch day is a great day.

You’re on a sandy beach.. nice weather.. nice beer.. you hear the ocean waves.. you’ve got fish in the cooler to take home. Would you still complain?

         

WFS 336 – Fly Fishing Idaho with Ed Anderson – McCall Angler, Smallmouth Bass, Fish Art

fly fishing idaho

In today’s episode, we’re fly fishing Idaho with Ed Anderson from the McCall Angler. He takes us to the McCall area in West Idaho where we touch on the Payette, Boise, and Snake rivers for rainbows, browns, and bass. Find out why McCall was described as “the place of windows”. We won’t reveal those secret fishing spots but Ed tells us the best times to fish up there and some more useful tips.

We also dig into Ed’s art – his role being the Creative Director of West Mountain Drifters, and how he got picked up by Gray’s Sporting Journal for multiple cover projects.

 

Click below and listen to the Podcast about Fly Fishing Idaho with Ed Anderson:

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

fly fishing idaho

Fly Fishing Idaho Show Notes with Ed Anderson

03:30 – Ed used to work for Jackson Kayaks – James McBeath from Jackson Kayaks was on the podcast at WFS 248

04:00 – McCall is located in Southwestern Idaho, 2 hours North of Boise, pinned between the Hells Canyon and Frank Church Wilderness of No Return – Frank Church is the largest wilderness area in the Lower 48 and Hells Canyon is the deepest Canyon in America

09:10 – The Payette and Boise rivers are Ed’s home water

10:30 – The Payette and Cascade reservoirs are gigantic reservoirs – people go wakeboarding there

11:55 – Boise is now the fastest growing place in America

boise idaho
Photo courtesy of WorldAtlas.com

12:30 – Boise gets about 300 days of sunshine

13:50 – Summer is not a good fishing time in Idaho because the water level is low. Ed’s favorite time to fish is when the snow is still on the ground – end of March going April.

17:05 – In Snake River, people go bass, carp, and sturgeon fishing. The largest sturgeon that was ever caught in America was in the Snake River at 117 inches

fly fishing idaho
Photo Idaho.gov

18:20 – Ed prefers the Boise over the Payette river, he says it’s a more consistent cool-water fishery. August and September are Ed’s preferred times to fish the Boise river because the water level stays the same for a number of days.

22:15 – On the Boise river, they get a little of the caddis hatch and primarily they’re euro nymphing or streamer fishing

24:50 – Fish and Game Idaho plant steelheads in the Boise river from time to time

31:50 – Ed used to use a Coosa by Jackson Kayak

coosa jacksyon kayak
Photo courtesy of Salt Strong

34:40 – Ed’s got an Adipose skiff

35:10 – NRS Raft is a raft company from Moscow. They’re coming out with a whole new line of rafts this year.

fly fishing idaho
Photo courtesy of Big Fork Anglers

35:25 – Ed also loves Link Jackson’s Stream Tech Rafts. It’s a Maravia boat too.

stream tech raft

39:50 – Ed talks about carp fishing

41:00 – Bass fishing is consistent in McCall fisheries, especially in the summer. There are some tiger muskies there too. Ed chooses bass over trout because he wants to get away from the crowd.

45:55 – Ray Troll, who is also a fish artist, was on the podcast at WFS 299

46:30 – We dig into Ed’s art. You can check out his artwork on his Instagram at @edandersonart

fly fishing idaho

48:20 – Ed created multiple cover artwork for Gray’s Sporting Journal 

49:30 – Ed and I met through Nick Torres of Waterworks Lamson. Nick had been on the podcast twice at WFS 304 and WFS 213

52:20 – Ed works with West Mountain Drifter as the Creative Director

59:30 – McCall Angler also works with Drift West 

fly fishing idaho

1:01:08 – Ed’s go-to fly is a Yellow Sally.

 

 

You can find McCall Angler on Instagram at @themccallangler

Their website at TheMcCallAngler.com

Check out Ed’s artwork on Instagram at @edandersonart

His website at EdAndersonArt.com

fly fishing idaho

 

Related Podcast Episodes

WFS 299 – Fish Worship and Art with Ray Troll

fly fishing idaho

Fly Fishing Idaho Conclusion with Ed Anderson

So there you go..

If you are from Idaho or near that area and want to enjoy some great fishing spots, you can reach out to Ed and the McCall Anglers crew. They’re committed to making your experience on the water 10 out of 10.

You can also reach out to Ed about artwork projects. If you need a cover art or a logo, he’s the guy for you. Check out his work on Instagram at @edandersonart and send him a DM there to connect with him.

         

WFS 335 – Fly Fishing in the Seychelles with Keith Rose-Innes – Bonefish, Permit, GT’s

fishing in the seychelles

Keith Rose-Innes, Director at Alphonse Fishing Company, takes us fishing in the Seychelles – one of the most sought-after fly fishing and ecotourism destinations in the world. Keith shares some tips and tactics for catching giant trevally, bonefish, and permit.

We discover how the atolls were formed and how they are being conserved and protected to keep the poachers away, keep their habitats vibrant, and keep the islands pristine.

Keith also talks about the bar at Alphonse where everyone gathers in the evenings to share stories about their amazing day on the island, and he tells us why 80% of their guests return within a year or two.

Jako Lucas, in a past episode, talked about Seychelles as one of his favorite places on earth, so today we dig more into it and find out why.

 

Click below and listen to the Podcast about fishing in the Seychelles with Keith Rose-Innes:

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

 

Fishing in the Seychelles Show Notes with Keith Rose-Innes

05:10 – They have rainbows and brown in the streams near Johannesburg where Keith stays

06:10 – Lesotho is a country surrounded by South Africa. They’ve got big rivers there, big trout, and yellowfish.

06:40 – Conservationists in Africa are more focused on animals

08:30 – Keith has been going to Seychelles for 25 years and has been guiding there for about 23 years

09:30 – Keith describes how a volcano eruption formed corals that create the atolls

fishing in the seychelles

12:30 – Over the years, Seychelles has evolved from just fishing to an eco-tourism destination

15:00 – One of the big-draw cards in Seychelles is the Giant Trevally

fishing in the seychelles

17:30 – Permit numbers have gone up in the Pacific

fishing in the seychelles

18:50 – They got a catamaran boat called Quo Vadis

fishing in the seychelles fishing in the seychelles

20:30 – The creation of a new fly called, Alphlexo has increased their takes on permit

fishing in the seychelles
Photo courtesy of Alec Gerbec

23:15 – Keith uses either an 8 or 9 wt rod, not more than 10 wt line, and a 12-foot leader.

25:15 – They plan a week or 10 days ahead according to tides

28:30 – For pacific permit fishing, Keith uses a furled leader – he does a perfection loop on anything less than a 15-pound tippet

30:10 – Keith talk about his tactics for fishing giant trevallies

35:30 – They use a waxed Cortland braided running line for Pacific permits

Photo courtesy of CompleteAnglerOnline.com

28:50 – Keith uses Shilton Reels

fishing in the seychelles

39:40 – Giant trevallies swim alongside the sharks – they’re one of the predators in the sea

42:15 – For flies, they use surfers, poppers, nymphs, sempers, clausers, rush flies – they use a lot of different patterns but it’s all about the size, color, and profile.. “just believe in the fly”

45:20 – They started the Alphonse Fishing Company in September 2012 and they purchased Alphonse in August 2013. Blue Safari was launched in July 2018.

fishing in the seychelles

46:30 – Keith explains how they raise funds to protect the atolls in Seychelles and conserve the underwater habitats

47:50 – Keith talks about the bar at Alphonse where they gather in the evening and talk about their achievements for the day. The community there is so great that they get an 80% return rate.

fishing in the seychelles

51:00 – 40% of their guests come from the US

56:10 – Check out their website to learn more about the conservation programs they have going

57:30 – The best time of the year, weather-wise to come to Seychelles is October to May

59:40 – The cost per person is about 10-16k depending on the destination. Keith explains the logistics behind the price.

1:00:00 – Keith breaks down the transportation – how far and how long to get there

1:04:30 – Keith tells the story of when his boat parts got stolen which led to his old business shutting down.

1:07:30 – Jako Lucas is a regular on Seychelles. He was on the podcast at WFS 281. Keith tells the story of how they met.

fishing in the seychelles

1:11:20 – Keith is taking a trip to Norway this year

 

You can find Keith on Instagram at @keithroseinnesflyfishing

Visit their website at AlphonseFishingCo.com

fishing in the seychelles

 

Videos Noted in the Show

 

Related Podcast Episodes

WFS 281 – Destination Fly Fishing with Jako Lucas – Capt Jack Productions

 

Fishing in the Seychelles Conclusion with Keith 

So there you go..

Seychelles.. is the place to be. When I see pictures of the islands there, a song plays in the background.. “ooh baby do you know what that’s worth? ooh heaven is a place on earth”

That trip is definitely going on the bucket list. A bit pricey but totally reasonable and worth it. I should probably start saving to take my family there.. that vacation of a lifetime. Would be nice if we could get some promo rates though.

Keith and the Alphonse atoll crew are doing some great stuff out there. If you want to connect with them, visit their website at alphonsefishingco.com or send them a DM on Instagram at @alphonsefishingco.

Are you planning a trip this year? Where to next?

         

WFS 334 – Henry Winkler on the Fonz, Fly Fishing, Happy Days and Barry

henry winkler

Henry Winkler, an actor, author, producer, and angler, is here to chat about fly fishing, Happy Days, and his incredible life.

We find out what it felt like to get offered the movie, Grease and why he turned it down, how he got the role in the HBO show Barry, and how he managed to do great things while being challenged with dyslexia.

We dig into his books and movies – how they came to be and the inspiration behind them. And we discover similar truths about fly fishing and acting.

 

Click below and listen to the Podcast with Henry Winkler:

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Find the show:  Apple | Spotify | Overcast

Subscribe on Android

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

henry winkler

Show Notes with Henry Winkler

02:55 – For the past 10 years, Henry has been fishing in Swan Valley, Idaho

05:20 – Double hauling is the most tricky thing for Henry. He’s been fishing since 1986 but he’s never done a double haul. The second most difficult thing for him is the rules: the things you need to do in order to place the fly in the place you need it – mend, strip, watch, strike

07:20 – The truth about fly fishing and acting for Henry:

  1. You cannot take for granted 1 minute of being in the process
  2. You cannot just do it haphazardly – you will miss the fish, you will miss the spot

09:00 – Henry’s wife, Stacey Weitzman is also a good fisherwoman

10:55 – For a long time, Henry didn’t think he was capable of dry fly fishing, then one day he started dry fly and became successful at it

12:30 – Henry describes the guides that he’s had

15:09 – Henry and Lin Oliver wrote 39 novels for children

henry winklerhenry winkler

15:15 – Henry also wrote a book about fly fishing called, I’ve Never Met an Idiot on the River. This was originally published in 2011.

henry winkler

16:30 – Henry recently won an Emmy for the TV series, Barry – an American black comedy crime drama thriller

17:20 – MacGyver was the first show Henry produced because he couldn’t get hired as an actor

henry winkler

17:55 – Happy Days introduced Henry to the world. He used to receive 55,000 letters a week and people welcome him to their homes all the time.

henry winkler happy days

20:30 – Henry, who played principal Himbry in the movie Scream, was asked to go uncredited because the producers did not want to detract any attention from the younger, lesser known actors

henry winkler

23:05 – Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever – is a story about a boy who has dyslexia. Henry also considers himself dyslexic.

henry winkler

27:15 – Henry’s favorite fly pattern is called the Winkler – it’s a pattern that someone made for him when he fished a river in Blackberry Farm, Tennessee. It’s like a little mayfly. Unfortunately, we don’t have a picture. He said it works well.

29:28 – Henry tells the story of when he went to New Zealand for 10 days to fish. He was sponsored by an outfitter. His favorite trip though was when he went to Argentina.

32:00 – Henry was offered the role of Danny Zuko for the movie, Grease, but he turned it down because he played Fonzy for already 10 years and he couldn’t sing. He could dance though.

33:20 – Henry tells the story of how he got the role for the TV series, Barry as Gene Cousineau. His son Max directed his audition.

henry winkler

 

 

 

You can find Henry on Twitter at @hwinkler4real

 

Videos Noted in the Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6TZdk1t8Zo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO_sP6ioQYU&t=198s

 

henry winkler

Conclusion with Henry Winkler

So there you go..

Henry Winkler, the man, the myth, the legend.

Words can’t describe how happy I am to be able to speak with one of my childhood idols.   

Thanks to Fonzie and Happy Days, a lot of people had a wonderful childhood.

Henry is proof that a disability can’t stop you from doing great things.

So thank you, Henry. I hope you live for as long as you wish.

See you on TV! Ayyyy!

         

WFS 333 – The Fly Fisherman Magazine with Ross Purnell – Fly Fishing, Fly Tying and Travel

the fly fisherman

Ross Purnell, the Editor of the Fly Fisherman Magazine, shares how he fulfilled his childhood dream by filling in one of the most important roles at the publication. Find out who are the people that inspired him to fly fish and who mentored him to become a fly fishing writer.

Ross describes the process of creating content and how they come up with ideas for stories that make it to the magazine. We also discover who the top contributors are at FFM. Plus, we get a glimpse of the big topics they’re going to feature in the next 2 issues this year.

 

Click below and listen to the Podcast about The Fly Fisherman Magazine with Ross Purnell:

apple podcasts

Find the show:  Apple | Spotify | Overcast

Subscribe on Android

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

the fly fisherman

Show Notes with Ross Purnell and The Fly Fisherman Magazine

03:15 – Jacques Cousteau was Ross’s first hero. He used to watch Jacques’ videos all the time when he was a kid. That made him become more interested in the underwater world.

the fly fisherman
Photograph: Cine Text/Sportsphoto/AllStar
the fly fisherman
Photo courtesy of The Cousteau Society

04:00 – Tom Tietze was also a big fan of Jacques Cousteau – he was recently on the podcast at WFS 312

08:00 – Ross deal with 2 kinds of stories in the magazine:

  1. In most of the stories that run there, he’s not personally involved. Somebody pitches him the story idea and he decides if it’s a good fit – they write it, and he edits it. That’s 95% of the content in the magazine.
  2. Someone calls him up and says “this is a great story or this has never been done”. If it fits in the schedule and no other experts on the ground, he considers it.

09:40 – Domenick Swentosky was on the podcast at WFS 305. He’s got a great blog that covers waters in Pennsylvania.

11:20 – Ross’s mom bought him a subscription to fly fisherman magazine on his 16th birthday. He started reading stories from Lefty Kreh and Gary Borger. He also bought VHS tapes about fly fishing. That’s how he learned to fly fish.

13:00 – Jim McLennan wrote for the Fly Fisherman Magazine. He owned the local fly shop in Canada where Ross lives. That became an inspiration for Ross to dream of writing for magazines.

16:30 – John Randolph, former Editor of Fly Fisherman Magazine, hired Ross in 1996. John interviewed Ross on the phone and Ross got assaulted. John used his other phone to call 911.

the fly fisherman

18:30 – In 2009, Ross became the new Editor of Fly Fisherman Magazine. He was mentored and groomed by John to fill in for the Editor role.

21:00 – Ross mentions the dedicated people that work on their magazine like their Art Director, Sales Rep, Digital Editor, etc.

22:25 – Ross describes how their process of writing articles looks like from the magazine to a digital version

23:45 – George Daniel recently wrote for the magazine about Euro Jigging and also has a video demonstration – click here to read more

27:45 – Ross describes their conscious effort to highlight other species aside from trout. They also highlight lesser-known waters so that people would get off crowded waters.

31:40 – John Randolph got Dave Whitlock to do the first printed story for carp fishing

32:20 – I recently ran into Oliver White at the IFTD – he was on the podcast back in March 2019 at WFS 069. Oliver has been writing for the FFM for years.

34:30 – Hilary Hutcheson has been the top contributor to the magazine for the past 3 years. Ross describes how pleasurable it is to work with her.

35:25 – George Daniel was on the podcast at WFS 055. George writes a lot of how-to stuff.

36:10 – Blane Chocklett is also one of FFM’s top contributors. Read about his Musky article here.

37:10 – Landon Mayer does a lot of work in the Rockies, Colorado. Landon was on the podcast at WFS 295

38:30 – There’s always an opportunity to get your story in the magazine. You can reach out to Ross at ross@flyfisherman.com and pitch your idea, why it’s interesting and why it should be in the magazine.

39:20 – They publish 3 annuals. One of them is called, Destinations, and it’s mostly about international fly fishing – it comes out every labor day

the fly fisherman

40:30 – One of the annuals is called, Gear Guide, which comes out before Thanksgiving

the fly fisherman

41:20 – And then the other annual is called, Fly Fishing Made Easy – a magazine for beginners

the fly fisherman

48:15 – Ross talks about jungle fishing. He was on the Orvis Podcast with Tom Rosenbauer where they dug in more about jungle fishing.

48:45 – Blood Run: Fly Fishing with Amazon Warriors is a 90 mins documentary film by FFM – scroll below to watch this film

the fly fisherman

52:12 – Ross talks about Indifly – a nonprofit organization that brings attention to some of the unknown fisheries in the world, partnering up with the local communities and making sure the locals benefit from the program.

58:20 – FFM comes out 5 times a year and 3 are already done as of this date (2022)

58:30 – Ross is excited about the Klamath Dam being taken down. It will be featured in their fall FFM issue.

the fly fisherman

1:01:30 – Ross talks about the Deerfield River relicensing in Massachusetts

1:02:55 – George Daniel has a story coming out about “Controlling Your Loop” – Ross talks about it and some other things coming up for FFM

1:04:00 – Ross talks about the biggest FFM they’ve published

1:05:30 – They have a contributor from England that wrote “What Trout See” which talks about how trout’s vision works

1:07:55 – Costa Sunglasses not only makes awesome sunglasses but has been doing great things for the fly fishing community. Evan Russell from Costa was on the podcast at WFS 272.

costa sunglasses

 

You can find Fly Fisherman Magazine on Instagram @flyfishermanmagazine

Website at FlyFisherman.com

the fly fisherman

 

Videos Noted in the Show

 

Related Podcast Episodes

WFS 295 – 7 Easy Fly Patterns for Trout with Landon Mayer

WFS 069 – Bonefish in the Bahamas with Oliver White

WFS 055 – George Daniel Podcast Interview – Joe Humphries, Musky, Euro Nymphing, Teaching

the fly fisherman

Conclusion with Ross Purnell and The Fly Fisherman Magazine

So there you go..

If you have an idea for a story that you think would be good to put in the magazine, you can reach out to Ross at ross@flyfisherman.com. They always welcome fresh and interesting stories.

Ross is proof that dreams come true when you chase your heart. He loved reading fly fishing magazines when he was young and programmed his mind that he will one day write for the magazines, so he did. Law of attraction baby, it works!

Whatever it is that you see yourself doing, even though it seems so far from where you’re currently at.. just take that first step and focus on what you can do now. Keep that vision in mind but don’t let it overwhelm you. Trust the process and the rest shall follow!

         

WFS 332 – Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance with Sherry Meador

Sherry Meador, Board Chair for the Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance (UMOWA), sheds light on their organization’s conservation mission.

Sherry helps us understand how the Upper Missouri River watershed is threatened by a silent invasion of noxious weeds.. weeds that degrade the water quality, reduce native biological diversity, and negatively impact the population of many wild species like elk, deer, swans, variety of ducks, other plants, and of course our fish.

We discover how we can help prevent the spread of these invasive weeds, how we can contribute to the water and streambanks restoration projects, and how we can get involved in ways we can and become more aware of the overall health of this river.

There’s more to it than I could describe so here’s Sherry from UMOWA.org to enlighten us about it.

 

Click below and listen to the Podcast about Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance with Sherry Meador:

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

upper missouri

Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance Show Notes with Sherry Meador

02:50 – Sherry and I connected through John Smigaj from Trxstle. John was on the podcast at WFS 310.

03:30 – Sherry had been involved with the noxious weed project on the Smith River. UMOWA board started in 2014 and Sherry joined 6 years ago.

04:50 – The Missouri River is the longest river in the country. It starts at 3 forks which is about 75 miles upriver from the dams of Helena down to the great falls but they’re primarily focused on the primary fishing area between Holter Dam and Cascade.

upper missouri

08:55 – UMOWA was established by a group of guides and fly fishers. It was established to get baseline data and to get the river back to the high quality or what was considered a good level. They collect water quality samples 3 times a year.

10:10 – They will have the river’s health summary report available on their website for us to see this summer

11:25 – They’re done a couple of restoration projects on banks where they’re trying to get the plants back there to get less erosion – read more here

upper missouri

11:40 – They also work on noxious weeds which are on the land but goes up to the habitat. They work with land owners by the river, trying to get them involved in this project. Noxious weeds are silent invasive and a threat to the watershed. Read more about this project here

upper missouri

12:30 – They educate anglers about the importance of washing their boat and waders to prevent spreading invasive species along the river. They provide boat washing stations that are open to the public and at no charge.

upper missouri

13:30 – The highest amount of angler days recorded was 180,000 a year

16:20 – UMOWA is an all-volunteer board. They have 8 members. John Smigaj is also one of them.

16:30 – UMOWA is in need of enough funding. They are to the point of getting the to the next level because there’s so much integration they need to do with the Department of Environmental Quality and Dept. of Natural Resources.

19:00 – You can help UMOWA’s mission by checking their website to understand more about their projects, spreading the word about their mission, and signing up for their newsletter.

21:40 – Sherry kind of retired as an attorney. For the past 5 years, she hasn’t been working much as an attorney and into some other projects. She describes what her job looked like when she was practicing law.

26:10 – You can also support Montana Watershed Coordination Council – they are doing similar work on watersheds in Montana. UMOWA works with Pat Barnes from Trout Unlimited. Sun River Water Shed Group is a smaller watershed group but also doing some great work out there.

28:40 – They also do some river clean-up where everybody can also volunteer. They have a big event on August 20th this year at the New Brewery in Craig. There’s going to be a raffle too where people can win a Ro drift boat.

upper missouri

 

You can find UMOWA on Instagram @umowaorg

Visit their website at UMOWA.org

upper missouri

 

Related Podcast Episodes

WFS 266 – The Boundary Waters in Minnesota with Riverhorse Nakadate

 

Upper Missouri Conclusion with Sherry Meador

So there you go..

If you want to take part in UMOWA’s movement, you can reach out to them via website at UMOWA.org – they always welcome new ideas and volunteers.

Conservation topics may not always be the most interesting topics out there but it should be our responsibility as anglers to be aware of the things that destroy our rivers and their habitats. So if you want to enjoy these rivers at their best quality, there are many ways to contribute like spreading the word, donating, volunteering, or at the least, be a more disciplined angler – keep the fish wet, wash your boats and your waders after use.

         

WFS 331 – Jackson Hole Fly Company with Greg Epstein

jackson hole fly company

Greg Epstein, owner of Jackson Hole Fly Company, tells the story of how he acquired a 40-year-old fly shop in Jackson, Wyoming. We find out what they have going at the shop – how they produce around 1000 types of flies, outsource materials, and create basic fly fishing packages that are easy on the pocket but great in quality.

We hear some pretty crazy stories from Greg including one when he got caught in an avalanche while skiing. Greg also tells us about his involvement with Teton Gravity Research and his responsibilities being a County Commissioner at Teton.

Jackson Hole Fly Co is one of our podcast sponsors and you always hear me talk about the good stuff they do. Well today, we hear from the headman himself, so hit that play button to get a better feel of their products and service.

 

Click below and listen to the Podcast with Greg Epstein from the Jackson Hole Fly Company:

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Subscribe on Android

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

jackson hole fly company

Show Notes with Greg Epstein and the Jackson Hole Fly Company

03:50 – In 2001, Greg moved up to Alaska – Girdwood, a little southeast of Anchorage

04:50 – Greg used to ski. Then he became a ski photographer.

05:30 – Greg’s wife also loves fly fishing

jackson hole fly company

06:20 – In 2014, Greg got caught in an avalanche while skiing and endured severe injuries. That’s when he went all-in with fly fishing because all he could do was sit on a boat and cast.

07:30 – In 2018, Jackson Cardinal company was for sale – a fly manufacturing, fly distribution company, started by the guy named Kirk Stone in 1978. Greg and his wife didn’t buy the business until 2019.

09:30 – Greg tells the story of how he survived that avalanche

jackson hole fly company

13:00 – Greg teaches his 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter how to ski and fish

14:30 – Greg was head of the production and one of the people who helped create and write the risk management program for all the athletes for Teton Gravity

17:00 – Immediately after they purchased the company, they created Jackson Hole Fly Company. In 6 to 8 months they got everything completed from the website to branding, all the marketing, etc.

jackson hole fly company

18:10 – Their customers are mostly novices and don’t want to do extreme outdoor sports but they want to go out, they want to camp, and disconnect from their day-to-day life

19:45 – One of their focuses is the basics package called, the Crystal Creek – it comes with a rod and reel for only $152.98 (first-time purchase price)

jackson hole fly company

21:00 – They also have another basic package called, the Flat Creek – click here to find out its inclusions

jackson hole fly company

22:00 – They have a great lifetime warranty with a fast turnaround time. They’ll fix it within 1 to 2 weeks.

22:50 – They have around a thousand patterns from fresh to saltwater in different sizes

25:45 – If you don’t see a pattern you like from their fly selection, you can email them at support@jacksonholeflycompany.com

28:10 – Kirk Stone, the previous owner grew the Jackson Cardinal fly company from the ground up. It reminds me of the story of the Umpqua Feather Merchants. We had Russ Miller on the podcast at WFS 303

29:20 – Greg gives a bit shoutout to his employees for doing an amazing job, loving what they do, and really passionate about fly fishing. They got 3 dogs in the shop as well – 1 black Labrador and 2 Corgis.

33:35 – They get their flies tied in Kenya. They ship the materials to Kenya. They source all of the materials out of the country.

35:30 – Greg explains the logistic issues they encounter when shipping the materials

39:00 – The Green River is about 45-50 mins away from their shop. That’s Greg’s favorite river to fish and camp.

40:10 – They use a 16-foot Hyde drift boat

41:20 – Greg’s favorite fly is a Peanut Envy streamer. He also likes a Duracell nymph

jackson hole fly company
Photo courtesy of Ugly Bug Fly Shop

jackson hole fly company

46:30 – Greg shares some photography tips

  1. Don’t be afraid to turn the camera horizontal or vertical to get a better photo
  2. If you’re using an SLR camera, have it accessible. The last thing you want is to have some fish struggling while you’re setting up your camera.

50:00 – JH Fly Co has a 50% off Spring sale. They always have a sale going so check in with them often.

50:45 – Greg is a County Commissioner at Teton and conservation is a big part of his responsibility

jackson hole fly company

56:15 – Alaska wild-caught salmon are healthier to eat

 

You can find Jackson Hole Fly Company on Instagram @jhflyco

Website at Jackson Hole Fly Company

jackson hole fly company

 

Related Podcast Episodes

WFS 303 – Umpqua Feather Merchants with Russ Miller + Euro Nymphing Bonus

 

jackson hole fly company

Conclusion with Greg Epstein and the Jackson Hole Fly Company

So there you go..

Now you know what JH Fly Co is all about. Greg, his wife, and their team are doing an amazing job getting more people engaged in fly fishing. And that’s always the goal.. is to get people on the water, release stress, connect with other folks and create great memories, but also.. have good gear without spending too much.

Thank you, Greg and the JH Fly Co team for partnering with us. We are truly grateful to have you as our sponsor. We’re excited to watch you grow and do more good things for the fly fishing community.

If any of you have more questions for Greg, you can send him a message at support@jacksonholeflycompany.com or send them a DM on Instagram @jhflyco.

         

WFS 330 – Andy Mill on the Mill House Podcast, Tarpon and Olympic Skiing

mill house podcast

Andy Mill, an athlete, broadcaster, angler, and author, shares his passion-filled stories of competing at the highest level in multiple sports. We talk about some of the remarkable guests they’ve had on the Mill House Podcast. We dig into his award-winning book, Passion for Tarpon – how it came to be and who mentored him to write it. And we find out what his yearly routine looks like, living the rest of his days to the fullest.

Andy also shares how he met Chris Evert, one of the greatest women tennis players of all time, their family set up then and now, and their visits to the white house, hanging out with ex-president George Bush. Lots of good stuff in this episode!

 

Click below and listen to the Podcast with Andy Mill and the Mill House Podcast:

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Find the show:  Apple | Spotify | Overcast

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

 

Sponsors and Podcast Updates

 

mill house podcast

Show Notes with Andy Mill and the Mill House Podcast

03:00 – Tom Evan is the greatest big-game saltwater fly guy of all time. He caught a 273-pound blue marlin on a 16-pound tippet, 194-pound tarpon on a 12-pound, and broke Billy Pate’s record of 188 pounds on a 16 – Tom caught a 191. Tom Evans, Dean Butler and Al Diporak were on the Mill House Podcast.

05:45 –  Ernest Schwiebert wrote the book Matching the Hatch. Ernest taught Andy how to fly cast.

07:00 – Andy talks about his skiing career in the 60s and 70s. He was in the Aspen Valley Ski Club and joined the ski Olympics.

mill house podcast

14:28 – “The difference between being good and great as a fisherman – good fisherman catch a lot of fish and big fish, a great fisherman can catch the fish that doesn’t want to be caught. The difference between a good and great guide is a good guide can find fish but a great guide can find a fish that doesn’t want to be found”

17:10 – Harry Spear became Andy’s mentor. Harry refined Andy to become a tournament angler. Seven years later, Andy started fishing tournaments.

mill house podcast

18:00 – Flip Pallot was on the podcast at WFS 070

18:45 – Andy wrote the book, Passion for Tarpon after winning some tournaments

mill house podcast

21:00 – Andy married Chris Evert, the number 1 tennis player in the 70s and one of the greatest of all time, and they’ve got 3 sons. Andy tells the story of how they met.

26:30 – We talk about what makes Aspen special

29:00 – Andy and Chris used to hang out with ex-president George Bush and some other famous folks

36:00 – Andy and his son Nicky founded the Mill House Podcast. We talk about some of the remarkable guests they’ve had on the show.

36:40 – They interviewed Billy Knowles a year ago. He passed away this year.

mill house podcast

37:55 – They had Neal Beidleman on the podcast. He was a guide on Mt. Everest in 1996 where 8 people died from a storm. Neal was credited a large role in assisting clients off the mountain to safety.

mill house podcast

39:00 – After he got injured, Andy started a show “Ski with Andy Mill”. He covered the 92 and 94 Olympics for CBS. He also worked as a broadcast for 20 years.

40:00 – After 20 years of broadcasting, he got offered to host a fishing show by the Outdoor Life Network

41:45 – Andy had a part-time gig with Good Morning America where he was a segment host. He also wrote for magazines like Tail Fly Fishing

42:45 – Jim Teeny was on the podcast at WFS 005

42:55 – Roland Martin was known for bass fishing but when Andy asked him, he said “tarpon on a fly” was his favorite

47:15 – Andy just had a shoulder operation which is already his 23rd operation

47:50 – In spring, Andy and his son tarpon fish for 6 weeks in the Keys. Then to Aspen, get in a high country for elk hunting. Then in Sept and early Oct, they hunt in Colorado and Montana for elk with bow and arrows. Then to Florida to play golf till February. Then back to the Keys.

51:27 – We talk about his son Nicky, how he’s chasing his own heart

55:10 – We talk about the TV show, Sportsman’s Journal with Andy Mill (1990s) – watch one of the episodes below

57:50 – Andy won more tarpon tournaments than anyone. There are only 3 guys that won a bonefish, tarpon, and permit tournament – Andy was the first one who did it.

58:50 – They had David Mangum on the podcast

mill house podcast

1:02:40 – The most downloaded episode of the Mill House Podcast is their episode with Flip Pallot with over 40k downloads

mill house podcast

1:05:10 – Joan Wulff was on the podcast at WFS 100

1:05:45 – Andy knew Lefty Kreh. Lefty mentored him in the book he wrote. They’re good friends.

1:22:00 – Andy played football in college and was a quarterback. He played baseball as a pitcher. He also raced road bikes.

1:22:50 – The most exciting thing he’s done today is big bull elking with bow and arrows

mill house podcast

1:24:15 – Andy demonstrates how to cow call an elk. Really cool!

 

You can find Mill House Podcast on Instagram @millhouse.podcast

Website at MillHousePodcast.com

Facebook at Mill House Podcast

YouTube at Mill House

mill house podcast

 

Videos Noted in the Show

 

Related Podcast Episodes

Giant Tarpon Fly Fishing Success with Bruce Chard (WFS 124)

WFS 100 – Joan Wulff Podcast – Fly Casting Tips, Lee Wulff, Yarn Rod, Dun Magazine, American Sportsman

 

mill house podcast

Conclusion with Andy Mill and the Mill House Podcast

So there you go. We heard a lot of cool stories today. Andy is an extraordinary guy, doing extraordinary things to everything he focuses on. I got to admit.. he’s my idol now. I feel extra inspired to get out there, do what I love to do, and give it my all.

Thank you, Andy for sharing these awesome stories. I hope you continue to live for as long as you like, doing great things for the industry we’re in.

For people out there who are struggling to focus on the thing you like to do, remember Andy – how he’s able to excel in different things. Hopefully his story inspires you that if someone can do it, you can too!

This is definitely my new favorite episode. Leave a comment or send me a DM on Instagram at @wetflyswing if you enjoyed this episode.

         
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