Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#917 - https://wetflyswing.com/show https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In this short solo episode, Dave shares a spring check-in and gives you a look at everything happening behind the scenes at Wet Fly Swing right now. You'll hear about the launch of a new show, Hunting with a Fly with Rick Kustich, plus updates on the growing podcast network including In the Bucket, The Great Lakes Dude, and The Littoral Zone. Dave also breaks down what's coming next with the Fly Fishing Bootcamp this summer and how you can get access to live sessions and replays. He also talks about upcoming hosted trips across North America (with some new saltwater opportunities), what's happening inside the Wet Fly Swing Pro community, and how you can get early access to trips, live sessions, and more. This episode is also your chance to help shape the future of the show. Dave is looking for honest feedback—what you want more of, what's working, and where things can improve. If you've been listening for a while or just getting started, this is a quick way to get up to speed on everything going on—and where things are headed next.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/916b Great Lakes steelhead fly fishing doesn't have to be complicated. In this conversation with Rick Kustich, we dig into a simple, effective approach that's been refined over decades on the water. Rick has spent years chasing steelhead across the region, dialing in what actually works and cutting out what doesn't. This episode breaks down his mindset, his system, and how you can start fishing more confidently right away. If you're looking to simplify your approach and catch more fish without overthinking every detail, this one lays it out clearly.

#916 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/916 Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho Fishing big bugs isn't just about throwing something large at the bank and hoping for an explosion. What really matters is precision, realism, and getting that fly exactly where it needs to be. In this episode, I sat down with Ken Burkholder to dig into the details that separate a decent drift from one that actually gets eaten. We get into fly design, fishing tight banks, and why small tweaks can make a big difference when fish are locked in. Ken brings decades of experience from the South Fork of the Snake, plus a deep background in fly design with Fulling Mill. This one covers everything from stoneflies to cicadas and a whole lot in between. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/916

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/915 Presented by: Golden Fly Shop, TroutRoutes, Jackson Hole Fly Company. A music producer doesn't usually end up building a fly fishing podcast—but that's exactly how Pablo Signori got started. What began as a side project during the pandemic turned into The Noob and the Knower, a show built around learning fly fishing from the ground up. Instead of positioning himself as an expert, Pablo leaned into being a beginner and documented the process in real time. That approach not only shaped the podcast but also opened the door to travel, deeper learning, and a completely new path in fly fishing.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/914b There's a stretch of the Midwest that a lot of anglers pass right by without ever realizing what's tucked into it. Beneath the farmland and rolling roads of the region sits one of the most underrated trout fisheries in the country. In this episode, John Van Vliet breaks down why the Driftless has become such a special place for anglers who love small streams, spring creeks, and big wild trout. We get into the unique geology of the Driftless, why the region fishes so differently from freestone rivers, and how a creek that looks too small to hold fish can surprise you with a twenty-inch brown. John also shares practical tactics for approaching new water, finding fish faster, and fishing these clear creeks without blowing your chances. This one is packed with useful takeaways whether you're planning your first trip to the Driftless or just want to become a better small stream angler.

914 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/914\ Presented by: AVC Rig, TroutRoutes, On DeMark Lodge James Frakes and Jackson Birrell break down what they're doing with the Salmonfly Project, a nonprofit focused on tracking aquatic insect populations across the West. They talk about why bugs like salmonflies, stoneflies, and mayflies matter, and how they can show what's really happening in a river. You'll also hear how habitat, water quality, and insect life all connect, and what anglers can do to pay attention and get involved. They also touch on Bug Fest, coming up soon, where you can learn more and connect with the project in person. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/914

913 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/913 Presented by: Fly Fish with Me Utah, Togiak River Lodge, Golden Fly Shop We're putting together the Ultimate Leech Guide with Landon Mayer and Phil Rowley. We break down when to use leeches, how to fish them, and why they work so consistently across different lakes. We also dig into presentation tactics, leader setups, and the leech life cycle so you can better understand what fish are keying on. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/913

#912 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/912 Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho In this episode on classic salmon fly tying, I sat down with Marvin Nolte, a guy who's been at the vise since the 1970s and has tied over 2,000 classic Atlantic salmon flies. We get into what it really takes to tie these patterns, why most people don't stick with it, and how a random Christmas gift turned into a decades-long obsession. We also dig into one of the wildest stories in fly tying, the massive Granger collection, and what it says about craftsmanship, patience, and going deep into the details. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/912

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/911 Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho, Jackson Hole Fly Company, and Montana Fly Fishing Lodge. Fly fishing travel isn't what it used to be. The easy trips are getting crowded, and the places that still feel untouched take a little more effort to reach. In this episode, we get a real look at what that next level of travel looks like. Will Blair walks through two very different fisheries—the remote flats of the Bahamas and the wild rivers of Kamchatka—and explains how both are evolving right now. This is a full-on fly fishing travel guide, from logistics to species to what actually matters once you get there.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/910B Presented by: Fly Fish with me Utah Most anglers walk right past good water without even knowing it. In this episode, we're digging into how to find trout and turn refusals into eats with Mike O'Brien. He shares how guides break down a river in the first few minutes and what they look for before making a single cast. We also get into why trout refuse flies that look perfect, and how small changes in your drift and position can turn those refusals into eats. Mike talks about reading trout behavior, spotting high percentage water, and making simple adjustments when things aren't working. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/910B

#910 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/910 Presented by: Drifthook Fly Fishing, Togiak River Lodge, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors Jonathan Farmer from Midnight Sun Custom Flies shares how this camp blends the comfort of a lodge with the authenticity of a true Alaska steelhead camp. It's built for anglers who want to fish hard, learn more, and experience Alaska in the fall. From swing techniques to river behavior to camp life, this one is packed with insight for anyone chasing chrome. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/910

#909 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/909 Sponsors: Grand Teton, AVC Rig, TroutRoutes There's a whole world of trout food drifting beneath the surface that most anglers never fully notice. Tiny insects, short-lived hatches, and subtle movements quietly control how trout feed and where they hold. In this episode, we dig into trout food — not just what they eat, but why it matters. Because once you start noticing bugs, the river starts making a whole lot more sense. Maggie Heumann from Trout Unlimited joins me to break down aquatic entomology in a way that actually connects to your time on the water.

908 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/908 Presented by: Golden Fly Shop, Fly Fish with me Utah, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Pescador on the Fly Do you remember when intruders took over with big profiles and tons of flash? But what if the real edge is going smaller? In this episode, we're digging into fishing smaller flies for Great Lakes steelhead and salmon, and what happens when you shift from bulk to balance and from heavy push to a more subtle presence. Alex Belonga breaks it down, from Temple Dogs to sparse hair wings, plus how presentation, movement, and fly design all play into getting more eats. 908 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/908

#907 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/907 Presented by: TroutRoutes, Jackson Hole Fly Company Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors/ What does it take to completely rethink how we carry gear on the water? In this episode, we dig into fly fishing innovation through the story of Fishpond and the mind behind it, Johnny Le Coq. From cassette tape cases to chest packs and carbon fiber nets, this one connects design, function, and purpose in a big way. We get into the early days of Fishpond, how disruption shaped the brand, and why conservation became just as important as the gear itself. Jonny also shares what he's focused on now, including a powerful citizen science movement that's giving anglers a new way to protect the waters they love. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/907

#906 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/906 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Visit Idaho, Stonefly Nets, Drifthook Fly Fishing. Fly fishing has always evolved, but some moments change everything. From bamboo to fiberglass to graphite, each shift has redefined how anglers experience the water. In this episode, Larry Kenney shares what it was like to be at the center of one of the most important transitions in fly fishing history—the move to graphite fly rods. Larry, co-founder of Scott Fly Rods, takes us through the early days of rod building, the rise of graphite innovation, and the lessons he's learned from decades in the industry. Along the way, he shares practical advice that challenges how anglers think about gear, casting, and improvement.

#904 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/904 Presented by: On DeMark Lodge We dig into what's happening on the Upper Missouri right now, from macroinvertebrate data to water management challenges. This episode with Josh Seckinger and David Stagliano from Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance (UMOWA) connects the dots between science, fishing, and long-term river health. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/904

903 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/903 Presented by: On DeMark Lodge In this episode, Craig and Warren break down what really matters when you're fishing the Missouri during peak dry fly season. We get into fishing the Trico hatch, how timing and rhythm often beat perfect fly choice, and what anglers miss when targeting rising fish. You'll also hear about the Missouri River Dry Fly School at On DeMark Lodge. Find out what you can expect on the water, and how to apply the techniques you'll learn there anywhere you fish. 903 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/903

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/902 Presented By: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Mountain Waters Resort. Steelhead fishing rewards patience, repetition, and time on the water. In this episode, Dax Messett shares practical winter steelhead fishing tips on reading water, fishing near tidewater, choosing the right setup, and making better swings on coastal rivers. We also get into the lower Rogue, the Klamath, leader strength, tide influence, and how to land fish cleanly without a net.

#901 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/901b Presented by: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge In this episode, Chase walks through Montana spring creek fly fishing — from the Yellowstone and Stillwater to spring creeks and the Shoshone. We dig into double-nymph rigs, streamer strategies, dry-dropper setups, and how fall fishing in Montana changes the whole game. If you're planning a Montana trip or just want to fish smarter on big western rivers, this one is packed with ideas. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/901b

901 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/901 Presented by: San Juan Rodworks, Pescador on the Fly, Togiak River Lodge, Toyota Prairies In this episode, I sit down with Jim McLennan to explore Bow River fly fishing across generations. We talk about the shift from classic dry fly fishing to streamer fishing, increased boat traffic, and the challenges of managing a well-known tailwater fishery in Alberta. We also get into key hatches like golden stones, how dam operations impact river conditions, and how fly fishing techniques have evolved on the Bow River. Jim shares stories about legends like Lefty Kreh and Gary LaFontaine, along with insights from his books, including Blue Ribbon Bow.