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Magnificent Roosterfish: Unlocking the Secrets of El Gallo
Tom Boyd
Fly Fisher/Fly Tier/Author
They’re fast, powerful, and one of the toughest fish to fool on a fly—roosterfish, or El Gallo. Join us as legendary angler Tom Boyd shares his decades-long pursuit of these magnificent predators in Costa Rica. From world-record catches to breakthrough tactics, Tom reveals what makes roosters so elusive, how to spot and hook them, and why landing one is considered the pinnacle of saltwater fly fishing. Don’t miss this chance to learn the secrets of chasing one of the ocean’s most extraordinary game fish!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What makes roosterfish one of the most challenging saltwater fish to catch on a fly?
- How do their unique auditory and visual senses make them so difficult to fool?
- Can you explain the role of the dorsal comb and how roosterfish use it to hunt or herd baitfish?
- How does the behavior of roosters differ between calmer waters like Baja beaches and the rougher open Pacific waters of Costa Rica?
- Tell us about your very first encounter with a roosterfish on the Costa Rica/Nicaragua border—what did you see and how did it change your fishing path?
- Walk us through your 1998 catch in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo—the first large roosterfish taken on fly under IGFA rules. What made it possible that day?
- How did that world-record catch open doors for you, including your work with Crocodile Bay in Costa Rica?
- What role does structure—like reefs, points, or guano-covered cliffs—play in locating roosters?
- What do you look for in bird activity when scanning a beach for signs of roosterfish?
- What’s your preferred rod, reel, and line setup for roosterfish in Costa Rica?
- Tell us about the development of Boyd’s Wounded Baitfish fly. What made it so effective?
- How closely do you try to “match the hatch” when choosing fly colors and sizes for Costa Rica?
- What retrieves have you found most effective—steady strips, erratic jerks, or wounded-baitfish movements?
- What are your tips for setting the hook properly on roosterfish, given their tendency to spit flies?
- How do you recommend fighting a rooster—rod angles, pressure, and handling jumps?
- Roosterfish are listed as “data deficient” by the IUCN. What past and current research have you done that will help us to understand roosterfish better in Costa Rica and other parts of the world.
More about Tom Boyd...
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Chasing Trout in the Chill - Beating the Cold and Catching More
Jason Randall
Fly Fisher/Fly Tier/Author
When the temperatures drop and most anglers hang up their waders, Jason Randall heads to the river. In this episode Jason reveals how to outsmart winter’s toughest conditions and find trout when the water turns icy. Learn how to locate warmwater seeps, choose the right flies for slow, cold currents, and keep yourself warm, safe, and successful all day long. Discover why winter may just be the most rewarding season to fish — if you know where to look and how to adapt.Ask Jason Randall your most important questions on fly fishing in cold weather...
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Fly Fishing, Writing and Stories
John Gierach has been writing about fly fishing for most of his life. He is the author of twenty-one books including Trout Bum, Sex, Death and Flyfishing, Standing in a River Waving a Stick and A Fly Rod of Your Own. Join us for a chat with John about his writing, inspiration and of course fly fishing.
Fly Fishing For King Salmon In AlaskaPete has fished all over the world and has 4 IGFA world records on the fly as proof of his expertise. Join us on this podcast and learn about fly fishing for the king of north the Alaskan king salmon.
Colorado’s Greenback Cutthroat TroutOnce thought to be extinct, Colorado's famed greenback cutthroat trout is now in the process of making a remarkable comeback. Listen in to hear how Jim Rubingh and Richard Fritz explored Colorado in search of the greenback cutthroat, where they found them and the best strategies for putting one on your prized catch list.
Fly Fishing the Gunnison RiverJason Booth has guided over 6,000 fly fishers down the Gunnison River over the past 23 years so he knows this river like the back of his hand, maybe better. Join us to learn about the secrets of the Gunnison River in Colorado - where to go and how to fish it.
Musky MagicErik Thue, a professional guide in Wisconsin, has been targeting musky with a fly for many years. His intimate knowledge of this elusive predator will help you get one on the hook. Join us to hear his secrets.
Great Lakes Steelhead on the FlyRick Kustich has fly fished for Great Lakes steelhead for over 30 years. Listen in and take advantage of his in depth knowledge on advanced strategies and techniques, two-handed rods, swinging flies and new fly patterns that are sure to get you hooked up on some trophy steelhead.
West Branch of the Ausable RiverJoin us as Evan Bottcher reveals the secrets of the West Branch of the Ausable River, a legendary fly fishing destination. With a rich history of legendary anglers and diverse insect hatches, Evan shares expert tips and techniques honed since childhood. Perfect your skills and discover captivating stories in this not-to-miss show!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What makes the West Branch of the Ausable River such a unique fly fishing destination?
- Can you tell us about the history of fly fishing on the West Branch and its significance in the region?
- How has the river's reputation among anglers evolved over the years?
- What is the overall health of the river's ecosystem and the quality of the water?
- What species of trout are most commonly found in the West Branch of the Ausable River?
- What is the best time of year to fly fish the West Branch, and how does the fishing change with the seasons?
- Are there any specific regulations anglers need to be aware of when fishing this river?
- What are the different sections of the river and how do vary in terms of fishing difficulty and trout density?
- What's best way to fish the areas that are difficult to wade?
- What role do local hatches play in planning a successful day of fishing on the river?
- What is your favorite hatch?
- Where and when are streamers likely to be effective on the Ausable?
- Is it true that many times larger flies produce better than those that match the hatch?
- What are some key strategies for fishing this river, especially for first-time anglers?
- Do you have any recommendations for targeting deeper pools versus shallower runs on the West Branch?
- Where an how do you sight fish for striped bass?
- How does the presence of large boulders and pocket water impact your approach to fishing specific sections of the river?
Fly Fishing with Terrestrials in the RockiesRichard Pilatzke loves bugs especailly those that drop out of sky, trees or weeds. Listen in and learn the best way to fish terrestrials in the Rocky Mountain region.
Stillwater PresentationDenny Rickards is one of the great masters of stillwater fly fishing. In this show Denny covers trout behavior, the impact of weather conditions on trout & their food sources, using the correct line, pattern & retrieve that matches the zone you are fishing, positioning to make the right cast & much more.
Next Episode in the Works: Stay with Us!Hello, listeners! We wanted to give you a quick update: while we're still finalizing our next guest for the show, rest assured that we're working hard to bring you another exciting and insightful episode. Stay tuned for more details, and in the meantime, feel free to check out our past episodes or drop us a line with any topics you'd like to hear more about. Thanks for your continued support and patience!
Fly Fishing for Atlantic SalmonPaul Marriner shares his 25+ years of experience fly fishing for Atlantic Salmon. Learn his secrets about tactics, flies, casting and playing this classic trophy fish.
Fly Fishing for Trophy Trout in Georgia's Noontootla CreekKent Klewein is well known in Georgia for being the top guide for putting clients on trophy rainbow and brown trout on Noontootla Creek and its tributaries. Learn how to hook up with these trophies southern style on this show.
Steelhead Quest for AwarenessTerry Meyers has guided for steelhead most her professional life and has been involved in conservation efforts to preserve the species. To bring awareness to the plight of the steelhead she went on a quest to catch a steelhead in every month of the year and write about it as she fished. Join us to hear about her quest and become educated in the future of steelhead.
Flies That Catch FishEnrico Puglisi’s flies and fly tying materials continue to have a groundbreaking impact on the future of saltwater and freshwater fly fishing. His unique hand-tied flies are recognized around the world. Listen in and learn how Enrico designs his flies and how he creates the one of a kind materials he uses to match specific baitfish and to catch fish.
Questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What inspired you to start creating specialized fly tying materials?
- What was the first material you created?
- How many different fibers do you have?
- What are your different fibers best used for?
- What's your best tip for making working with fibers easier?
- Why are Trigger Fibers so deadly?
- What material shouldn't you add to saltwater flies?
- What three types of threads do you use when tying your flies?
- Why did you create the line of brushes and what are they best used for?
- What is the biggest mistake most tiers make when tying saltwater patterns?
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