Richard Pilatzke an expert on rocky mountain lake fishing loves fishing with damsel and dragonflies. Learn Rich's techniques for tying and fishing these favorite morsels that fish devour.

Step onto the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world as we explore the legendary fly fishing of the Padre Island National Seashore with acclaimed angler Phil Shook. From bull reds prowling the surf to speckled trout, jacks, snook, and migratory tarpon, this remote stretch of Texas coastline offers endless adventure—and requires smart strategy to fish well. Phil breaks down how to read the surf, locate productive cuts and guts, choose the right flies, handle wind and waves, and target each species through the seasons. If you love saltwater fly fishing, this is a masterclass you won’t want to miss.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• Where is the Padre Island National Seashore and what does it offer fly fishers and other visitors?
• What is the human history of the island?
• How did fly fishers first find out about all the action on these beach safaris?
• What are the game fish that fly fishers find on the National Seashore?
• Are there sharks present, and are they a concern?
• What are the prime seasons, and conditions for the best fly fishing action along the Seashore?
• What is at the end of the road, and why do flyfishers want to get there?
• Is this an area that is easy to wade, or do you need a boat to really fish it?
• Is the Seashore good for day trips or solely for long drives and camping out?
• When you arrive at the Padre Island surf, what are the first signs or indicators you look for before making a cast?
• What rod weights and setups do you recommend to cover everything from trout to bull reds and jacks in the surf?
• What are your go-to fly patterns?
• How do you adapt your retrieve when dealing with wave surges that constantly push and pull the fly?
• What fish-holding features do guides and anglers look for on safaris down the seashore?
• When targeting fast-moving predators like jacks or tarpon, how do you adjust your strip speed or positioning?

Jim, the founder of Sweet Waters Adventure, has fished worldwide but finds South Florida one of his favorites. His fishing adventures from Sanibel to the tarpon capital of the world—Boca Grande—to rivers like the Manatee River and the Little Manatee in Manatee County, the Myakka River in Sarasota County, and the Peace River, which teemed with fish. Join us to talk with Jim about fishing these diverse fisheries and fishing with a colorful cast of characters like Fat Wally, Dick Clevenger, and Frank the Net.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• What inspired you to write your book South Florida's Fishing Paradise?
• What are some of the differences between the East and West coasts?
• How did you get started fly fishing in Florida?
• What was your first experience catching a fish on the fly?
• Who was Dick Clevenger and how did he shape your fishing?
• What was Boca Grande like back in the 70s?
• Who was Frank the Net?
• What makes Charolette Harbor such an interesting fishery?
• Where should one go to fish South Flordia water without a guide?
• Why have East Coast tarpon become so difficult to catch?
• Where can one find the best fishing in Florida now?
• If you were to move to Florida what would be the best place for fishing?
• Why have Florida fisheries deteriorated?
• What can be done to improve the fisheries in Florida?

Wendy Gunn, a professoinal guide on the Colorado River, introduces you to fly fishing Lee's Ferry. This tailwater, just below Glenn Canyon Dam and at the start of the Grand Canyon, is one of the most beautiful places on earth to fish. Learn Wendy's secrets to catching the trophy trout that make this place their home.

Tom Baltz has been living and fishing the limestone valleys of south-central Pennsylvania for the past 40 years. The LeTort, Yellow Breeches and Big Spring creeks are just a few minutes from his home giving him the opportunity to understand and fish them to perfection. He's fished alongside some of the most notable fly fishers of our time including Vince Marinaro and Charlie Fox. Listen in to hear Tom give you a tour of these three great creeks and tips on how to fish them.

Fly fishing for carp is one of the hottest fishing challenges around; they're big, smart and are found almost everywhere. Join Brad Befus on this podcast as he exposes the secrets of fly fishing for carp and learn the strategies and techniques of catching these challenging fish.

Gary Bulla is an expert on fly fishing salt water from Point Conception to the Sea of Cortez. He has landed over 130 species on the fly. Listen in to learn Gary's strategies and techniques for fly fishing from a kayak in Baja, Mexico.

Jim Blauch has guided the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota for the past 20 years. If you want solitude and crazy smallmouth bass fly fishing listen in and Jim will spill the beans on this great destination.

Chip Drozenski, has fished many of the great rivers in Argentina but one of his favorites is the Limay River better know as the River of Monsters. Join us to discover the secrets of this river where the average migratory browns and rainbows are 26 to 30 inches and trophies are 36 to 40 inches. These monsters can weigh 10 to 20 pounds and be caught in water less than 3 feet deep. This is one show you don't want to miss!

Kelly Galloup lives and runs his shop and lodge just minutes from the Madison River. He's guided on the river for over 17 years and knows the river intimately. Whether you want to fish the upper, the lower or the section in Yellowstone Park he'll be able to guide you to success. Listen to this podcast and discover what it takes to be successful on this famous river.

This show features a panel of three top women fly fishers from Alaska, Idaho and as far down as the Florida Keys. Cecilia 'Pudge' Kleinkauf, Lori-Ann Murphy and Diana Rudolph are our guests. All three know their fly fishing and know the business of fly fishing—they are all working professionals in the industry. Join us on this podcast to learn more about fly fishing and how women are raising the bar—Diana won the Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament, a male-dominated event and she holds two I.G.F.A. fly division records.

Gary Lewis has fished in seven countries and across the US and the one challenge that he has always faces is how to read the water especially new water or water that has been affected by weather or other external factors. Listen in as we explore three fisheries in the Mount Hood Country of Oregon and how each presents a different challenge when reading the water.

Chris Leonard has been guiding and teaching fly fishing in the Mammoth Lakes, California area since 2005. Mammoth Lakes is well known for its ski area but it also hosts some great fisheries. Hot Creek, the Owens River, the San Joaquin River, Rock Creek, Rush Creek and Crowley Lake are some of Chris's favorites. Listen in and learn about these eastern Sierra fisheries and how to best fish these waters.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• When is the best time of year to fish the Mammoth Lakes rivers, creeks and lakes?
• What is the difference between fishing the Upper and Lower Owens River?
• What river has Golden Trout in it?
• What makes Hot Creek so special?
• Is Tenkara a good system to use on these fisheries?
• What river is known for its hopper fishing?
• What river can you get a grand slam on?
• What's the best way to find fish in Crowley Lake?
• Can you fish Crowley Lake from a float tube?
• What flies work best on these waters?

Steven Hawley, an environmental journalist, has revealed the ugly truth about dams. The estimated 800,000 dams in the world can’t be blamed for destroying the Earth’s entire biological inheritance, but they play an outsized role in that destruction. What started as an arguably good government project has drifted oceans away from that original virtuous intent. Join us to learn about the effect dams have had on our planet and what the future of dams can be in our warming world.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• You recently published "Cracked: The Future of Dams in a Hot, Chaotic World." What inspired you to write the book?
• How do you see the role of dams evolving in the context of global climate change?
• What are some innovative alternatives to dams for water management and power generation?
• Can you share a story from the book that particularly moved or motivated you?
• Detractors to dam removal cite the financial and environmental benefits of dams. Can you provide a counterpoint to these arguments?
• How do you propose we balance the human need for water and power with the ecological necessity to maintain free-flowing rivers?
• How do indigenous and local communities fit into the narrative around dams and their impact?
• Can you talk about a specific dam removal project that you cover in the book and its outcomes?
• Can you discuss specific examples where dam removal has led to noticeable improvements in fishing quality or fish biodiversity?
• In some cases, a dam removal would destroy fisheries as we know them. What are your thoughts on those situations?
• What are the most common misconceptions about dams?
• Is it possible to remove a dam like the Glen Canyon Dam?
• Are dams still being built in the United States?
• How do you see the dialogue around dams changing in the next decade?

Chico Fernandez has fly fished for over 40 years and has broken several world records, most notably, the largest redfish taken with a fly rod, at 42 pounds, 5 ounces (I.G.F.A. record on 12 pound test tippet). He was also one of the first to land a white marlin on a fly rod. His real passion; however, is snook. Listen to this podcast to find out Chico's secrets on fly fishing for these incredible game fish.