Bill Horn has had a fifty-year connection with Alaska. Each year 60 million or more wild salmon run up the rivers of Bristol Bay and of course, rainbow trout are right there with them. Bill will share his knowledge of the natural history, culture, and management of this fishery along with fishing strategies, fly choices, and trip planning. Listen in to learn more about this outstanding and one-of-a-kind fishery.

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

• What inspired you to write Crimson Wave?
• Why is Bristol Bay so important?
• What does Bristol Bay represent?
• Who are the people that live in Bristol Bay?
• Why are sockeye salmon important to commercial fishing?
• Are the sockeye salmon a sustainable species?
• Why are sockeye hard to catch on a fly?
• Why don't sockeye have the respect that other salmon have?
• What is the lifecycle of sockeye?
• Is it better to fish for sockeye nearest the sea before they begin to change color?
• What weight rod do you use for sockeye?
• Why are sockeye important to rainbows?
• What fly fishing techniques or presentations do you use for rainbows?
• What is the status of the controversial Pebble Mine project?

Charlie Craven is a master fly tier and has figured out the best fly tying techniques for just about any challenge. His latest book Tying Streamers addresses the techniques used to tie both classic and modern streamer patterns. Charlie is always a great source for good tips on tying so join us to find out what he’s discovered about the best way to tie streamers.

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

• How do you make wooly buggers more durable?
• What is the best way to tie in a palmered hackle?
• Are articulated patterns more effective than non-articulated patterns?
• What are your favorite materials for tying streamers?
• What are the three most important triggers when tying streamers?
• Do you prefer streamers that are thick and dense or sparse and thin?
• How do you keep streamers from fouling?
• How do you choose a hook for your streamers?
• What are your considerations for choosing streamers for different water types?

Tom Boyd has fished the salt for more than 50 years and has done exhaustive research on saltwater fish behavior, spawning, migration patterns and baitfish. Listen in to hear Tom talk about some of the greatest gamefish and how to catch them on a fly.

Spey fishing has evolved from being traditionally used for salmon and steelhead to a wider scope of species including inland trout, smallmouth bass, and even saltwater game fish. Rick Kustich discusses presentation techniques for both two-handed and single-handed approaches to spey as well as lines and heads. Join us and learn about spey techniques and methods, and how spey fishing could fit into your fly fishing future.

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

• Where and when did spey fishing start?
• How did you first decide to learn spey casting and how did you go about learning the various spey casts?
• Other than distance, please list the advantages of Spey casting vs one handed casts?
• Can these techniques be adopted to small waters and smaller fish. This seems to be a big water technique?
• For someone starting out with Spey Fishing and an experienced fly fisher, what would you recommend in terms of equipment?
• What are the basics of spey casting?
• What’s the difference between single-hand and two hand casting?
• How does trout spey differ from “conventional” spey?
• What are the differences between Spey fishing for trout and the traditional wet fly swing?
• Are there practical applications for spey casting when musky fishing?
• What technique would be best for casting in a pond that has no current?
• Can you use a spey rod to fish saltwater from a beach?
• In what circumstances if any, do you use a stripping basket? Are they useful in Spey fishing?
• What type of flies are commonly used for spey fishing?

Jeff Currier’s pursuit of the yellow permit, 10 pound plus bonefish and the Picasso triggerfish puts him on the other side of the world on St. Brandon’s Atoll in the Indian Ocean. Who else would endure a 26-hour boat ride after 40 hours of flight travel to add a few more fish to his bucket list. Join us to learn about another “Monsoon” Currier adventure.

Bill Edrington has been fly fishing for over 40 years. He knows about the caddis fly as his home waters is the Arkansas River in Colorado known for one of the most intense spring caddis hatches in the United States. Listen in to this podcast to find out Bill's secrets on fishing this fly.

Jack Mitchell is a seasoned guide and well-traveled fly fisher, having fished throughout North and South America from Alaska to Chile. He considers the Yakima his home water and has guided there for over 35 years. This designated Blue Ribbon fishery is one for your bucket list. Join us and learn everything you need to know about how to fish this outstanding fishery.

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

• What characteristics make the Yakima River stand out as a blue ribbon trout fishery?
• What species of fish are available to fly fishers?
• How do fishing conditions and strategies vary across the different seasons on the Yakima?
• Can you describe the differences in fishing approaches between the upper, middle, and lower sections of the river?
• What are the typical water flow patterns throughout the year, and how do they influence fishing tactics?
• What rod and line setups do you recommend for effectively fishing the Yakima?
• Are there specific leader lengths or tippet materials you prefer for the Yakima's conditions?
• Which insect hatches are most significant on the Yakima, and when do they typically occur?
• What are your go-to fly patterns for the Skwala hatch in early spring?
• During the summer months, how do you adjust your fly selection to account for terrestrial activity?
• How do you decide between fishing dry flies, nymphs, or streamers on a given day?
• What signs do you look for when identifying productive water on the Yakima?
• How have conservation efforts impacted the health and sustainability of the Yakima River fishery?

Alabama is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and diverse fly fishing destinations in North America—and Matt Lewis is here to prove it. Join us as we uncover more than 50 hidden gems across the state, from Appalachian streams teeming with redeye bass to coastal marshes alive with trophy redfish. Whether you're chasing bass, bream, or saltwater giants, Alabama has it all. Don’t miss this eye-opening journey through one of fly fishing’s best-kept secrets!

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

• What inspired you to write Alabama’s Best Fly Fishing and showcase this state as a fly fishing destination?
• Many anglers overlook Alabama—why do you think it’s a hidden gem in the fly fishing world?
• Why is Alabama called "America's Amazon"?
• How would you describe the diversity of Alabama’s fisheries compared to other states in the South or across the country?
• Can you walk us through the typical bonefish diet and how it may vary by location?
• What makes the redeye bass so unique and special for fly anglers?
• What type of water do you find these fish?
• What are the best strategies and fly patterns for targeting redeye bass in Alabama streams?
• What other bass species are popular to target?
• Alabama is known for trophy striped bass—what are your go-to methods and flies for targeting them?
• What other species of fish are available to fly fish for?
• If you could only choose one place to fish which location would go to?
• What makes Alabama’s Gulf Coast marshes and estuaries special for fly anglers?
• What species are there to target in the marshes and estuaries?

Rene Harrop has fished the Henry's Fork for 56 years. His experience is unmatched on this challenging spring creek. Join us and learn about the fish, insects and fly fishing techniques for this incredible fishery.

Katie started fly fishing just five years ago. Her passion for the sport has been insatiable. Katie’s journey from newbie fly fisher, to local TU Chapter board member, to the founder of Ohio Women on the Fly and now a professional guide has been fast and furious. Join us to hear how Katie’s journey took place and the challenges she faced as a woman in the fly fishing industry.

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

• How were you introduced to fly fishing?
• Did you grow fishing?
• Did you have any preconceived ideas about fly fishing?
• Where did you get you first fly fishing gear?
• How did you learn your fly fishing skills?
• Did you have a mentor?
• Did you join any groups or clubs?
• How did Ohio Women on the Fly get started?
• What type of events does your group sponsor?
• What recommendations do you have for women thinking about trying fly fishing?
• How did you get your job at Mad River Outfitters?
• How did you learn how to guide?
• Where do you guide?
• What's next on your journey as a fly fisher?

Devin Olsen qualified for his 10th consecutive berth on Fly Fishing Team USA in 2018 and has traveled the world competing and winning. Join us on this podcast to learn how to get started in competitive fly fishing and what you need to do to be the best and compete with the best.

Landon Mayer spends hundreds of hours each year on the water guiding his clients to trophy trout. He doesn't have time to tie complex time-consuming patterns so he ties simple easy-to-tie fly patterns that get the job done, day in and day out. Join us to learn about Landon's top patterns and how he fishes them to catch trout around the world.

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

• What makes a great guide fly?
• What's your thought process when designing your fly patterns?
• What materials do you consistently try to incorporate into your patterns?
• What suggestions do you have for paring down the number of flies you carry to the water?
• Do you have a core set of guide flies that you use year-round or do you have different selections for the different seasons?
• Do you have a secret pattern that is not in the book?
• Do you think adding UV or hot spots to a fly makes a difference?
• How do you prepare for your day on the water - rods, rigs, flies, presentations?
• What are your favorite techniques for stillwater?
• What methods do you use to get your flies to the right depth?
• What fly do you think is deadly that is not a guide fly?
• What do you do when a larger fish chases a smaller fish that you have hooked up?
• What fly do you go to most often to catch fish?

Brad Miller has fished smallmouth for over thirty years on some of the most hallowed waters in the Midwest and Canada. If you want to catch more smallmouth listen in as Brad goes through the top ten flies that have been written about, tested and voted upon by guides, experts and everyday anglers. He'll tell you what they are and how to fish them.

Richard Pilatzke has been working diligently on dialing in his mouse game. Trout love them bass love them so what does it take to get the fish to attack. Is it in the fly pattern, the presentation or a combination of both? Listen in to this podcast to hear what Richard has learned so you can catch more fish on a mouse.

Veteran author, guide, adventurist and chef; Matthew Supinski shares with us the brown trout/Atlantic salmon lineage and the two species remarkable adaptability and resilience. He highlights fly fishing tactics, fly patterns, artistic appreciation, and culinary/foraging opportunities. Join us on this podcast to learn about two of the world’s most intriguing, beautiful and noble fish.