Fly Rods

Episode Show Notes A fly rod that disappears in your pack but still fishes like your everyday rod sounds like a stretch. In this episode,...

Steve Woit has spent years hunting down the stories behind fly-fishing’s most influential figures — including Mary Orvis Marbury, whose Victorian-era writing documented flies and tiers before the modern industry existed. In this episode, Steve walks us through the research discipline behind Fly Fishing Treasures, his deep dive into letters, catalogs, photographs, and tackle provenance that reveal how anglers built a culture long before we arrived. This conversation isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about protecting memory. Steve shows how writing, archiving, and conservation fundraising through donated tackle help safeguard fisheries and preserve the names and innovations that shaped our sport.

Episode Show Notes Marc Bale spent more than thirty years inside one of fly fishing’s most influential companies. In this episode, he walks us through...

In this episode, we’re joined by Gary Davis, the founder of San Juan Rodworks. Gary shares his unique journey from the golf course to...

In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Kustich—bamboo rod builder, author, and one of the pioneers of Great Lakes steelhead fly fishing. From...

If you’ve ever tried to sneak in a little fly fishing on a business trip or family vacation, this episode is for you. Jeff...

Chris Sparkman is here today, founder and owner of Sparchimedes Bamboo Fly Rods. He's gonna take us on a journey to choosing your first or maybe your next bamboo fly rod. We're gonna find out why the five-sighted Penta style bamboo rod might be better for you than the Hexa style. We're gonna get some information on the differences there, and we're gonna talk about the perfect length of a bamboo fly rod. We're gonna walk through what it might look like for you and your area, and why you might go with a nine-foot or maybe even a six-foot bamboo rod. We're also gonna get into some great resources if you wanna take this conversation further and some other people you might want to connect with to put together your next bamboo rod. Plus, we're gonna find out whether a bamboo fly rod has what it takes to battle a giant Alaskan salmon. Chris is gonna talk about some trips he's excited about this year.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Ditsworth, owner of Pescador on the Fly, to talk about the perfect packable fly rod: their...

What do you do when your favorite spot is packed with other anglers or when you're navigating crowded rivers all day? Today we uncover...

Ed Few, a distinguished craftsman of custom bamboo fly rods, shares his extraordinary journey from traditional boatmaking in England to mastering the art of fly fishing with hand-built gear. Delving into the essence of fly fishing's heritage, Ed brings to life the thrill of using bamboo rods, silk lines, and horsehair leaders, all while chasing steelhead in the Great Lakes. Listeners will be transported back in time, learning not just about the meticulous process of creating these traditional tools, but also how they can elevate their own fishing experiences. Ed's stories of craftsmanship, passion, and the pursuit of the perfect catch with historic gear promise to inspire and ignite a curiosity for the timeless art of fly fishing.