Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#928b Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/928b Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho Mike Komara and Michael Bradley are two of the five starters representing Team USA at the upcoming World Fly Fishing Championships in Eastern Idaho. They've spent years refining modern Euro nymphing tactics, and this episode digs into one of the biggest changes in competitive fly fishing over the last decade: the move from traditional sighter systems to fully colored micro leaders. The discussion also covers team strategy, competition preparation, dry-dropper adjustments, minimalist gear systems, and how presentation often matters more than the fly itself. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/928b

928 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/928 Presented by: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Drifthook Fly Fishing, AVC Rig, FishHound Expeditions Today, we're digging into dries and dry dropper fishing beyond the basics with Jason Randall. We talk about better drifts, longer leaders, strike detection, presentation, and the small rigging changes that can completely change how your flies fish on the water. Jason also shares where dry droppers work best, where they fall apart, and a few subtle tricks that help your flies look more natural instead of just floating by. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/928

#927 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/927 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho, Togiak River Lodge, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Drifthook Fly Fishing Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors What happens when a family helps shape the history of drift boats for nearly a century? In this episode, Jeff Helfrich joins us to share stories from the early days of McKenzie River drift boats, how his grandfather Prince Helfrich helped evolve whitewater boat design, and what it's really like navigating technical rivers like the Middle Fork Salmon and Rogue River in wooden boats. We dig into the transition from plank boats to plywood, the origins of the McKenzie-style drift boat, and why certain whitewater rapids still give experienced guides butterflies. Jeff also shares incredible stories from the Frank Church Wilderness, including flash floods that created entirely new rapids overnight, how drift boats handle technical water, and why these wilderness river trips remain some of the most unique fly fishing experiences in the country. #927 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/927

#926b Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/926b Presented by: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge Sean McLendon guides out of Montana Fly Fishing near Absarokee, Montana, where anglers can fish everything from technical spring creeks to big freestone rivers like the Yellowstone and Stillwater. His specialty is small water fishing, especially the kind of creeks where stealth and presentation matter more than distance casting. Throughout this conversation, Sean shared practical strategies for approaching selective trout, fishing dry flies on small streams, and covering water efficiently without spooking fish. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/926b

#926 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/926 Presented by: Pescador on the Fly, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Gallatin River Lodge Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors Greg Keenan is back on the podcast to talk all things stillwater fly fishing, from early season ice-off opportunities to advanced presentations for selective trout. Greg guides and teaches on the lakes around British Columbia and has become one of the go-to voices in stillwater education through his schools and YouTube content. This conversation covers everything from reading lake structure and finding productive shoals to fishing chironomids, leeches, and naked line presentations more effectively. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/926

925 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/925 Presented by: Drifthook Fly Fishing, Golden Fly Shop, On DeMark Lodge Today, we take a look back at 50 years of Henry's Fork Anglers with Mike Lawson and some great stories from the early days of fly fishing on the Henry's Fork. We talk about the rise of fly shops, graphite rods, matching the hatch, famous fly fishing writers, and how Henry's Fork helped shape modern fly fishing as we know it today. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/925

#924 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/924 Presented By: Fly Fish with me Utah, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Smitty's Fly Box, Montana Fly Fishing Lodge Some of the best water you'll ever fish is the water most people never reach. In this episode, Christian Pretorius joins us to share stories from a life spent guiding and traveling across some of the wildest fisheries on the planet—from Seychelles GTs and Kamchatka rainbows to giant Golden Dorado deep in the Bolivian jungle. We dig into what makes remote fisheries so special, the tradeoffs between helicopter access and earning it on foot, and why the journey itself often matters just as much as the fish. Christian also shares lessons from decades of global travel, how pressure changes world-class fisheries over time, and why the best trips are ultimately about people, culture, and connection—not just catching fish. #924 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/924

#923 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/923 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors How does one of the largest free-flowing rivers in the United States end up back on the table for major development projects? In this episode, Margaret Stern from the Susitna River Coalition returns to the podcast to share what's happening right now across Alaska's Susitna watershed—from a proposed hydroelectric dam to a massive access road that could permanently change the region. We talk about why the Susitna remains such a unique and accessible wild river system, how local communities are organizing around conservation, and why public comments matter more than most anglers realize. Margaret also shares details on the coalition's river cleanup efforts, citizen science projects, and practical ways anyone—whether you live in Alaska or not—can help protect these fisheries for future generations. #923 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/923

#922 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/922b Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho Dry fly fishing can look simple from the outside. Match the hatch, make a clean cast, and watch the eat. But once you dig into how top competitors approach it, you realize it's not about the fly nearly as much as everything around it. In this episode, I sat down with Devin Olsen and Jack Arnot to break down what they're doing differently, especially with the Spanish dry fly system. This one gets into leader design, casting control, and why simplifying your flies might actually help you catch more fish. If you've ever struggled with drag, picky fish, or missed eats on dries, this one will open your eyes. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/922b

922 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/922 Presented by: FishHound Expeditions Today, we're digging into what's happening right now across Alaska, from the fight over West Susitna and Alaska public lands to bycatch, mining, and road development, and why it matters to anyone who cares about wild fish. I sat down with Rachel James and Ryan Astalos from SalmonState, along with Adam Cuthriell of Fishhound Expeditions. We talk about Bristol Bay, the proposed West Susitna Road, trawl bycatch, and how public lands decisions in Alaska ripple across the entire country. This one goes beyond fly fishing. It's about protecting the future of wild fish and the places we all depend on. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/922

#918 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/921 Presented By: On DeMark Lodge, Intrepid Camp Gear, Pescador on the Fly, Jackson Hole Fly Company Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Why do some anglers seem to find fish instantly while others struggle all day on the same lake? In this episode, Gareth Jones, sales Director at Airflo Fishing, breaks down Stillwater fly fishing at a level most anglers never reach—from understanding exact sink rates to building repeatable systems that help locate fish quickly. We dig into countdown systems, retrieves, line densities, and how wind, depth, and presentation all work together. Gareth also shares competition-proven tactics for fishing teams of flies, controlling drift with a drogue, and deciding when to fish attractor patterns versus imitative flies. If lakes have ever felt overwhelming or random, this episode gives you a framework to simplify the entire game. #921 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/921

#920b Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/920b Presented by: Moccasin Fly Club In this episode, I sat down with John Hunt from Moccasin Fly Club to dig into what these trips actually look like. We got into fly fishing Baja liveaboards, chasing trophy roosterfish, and the stuff most people don't think about until it's too late. If Baja has been on your radar, this one gives you a clear picture of what to expect and how to do it right. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/920b

#920 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/920 Presented By: Togiak River Lodge, Golden Fly Shop, AVC Rig, TroutRoutes Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors What happens when you take fly fishing beyond your home water and start chasing it across the world? In this episode, we sit down with Emilie Björkman and Ted Logart from Loop to talk about Wild Fish, Wild Places, a global series focused on travel, culture, and conservation. They share how the project came together, how they choose destinations, and what they've learned filming in places like Montana, Sweden, Iceland, and New Zealand. We also dig into the real challenges behind the scenes, why conservation issues are often global, and how anglers can take simple steps to make an impact right at home. #920 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/920

919 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/919 Presented by: Golden Fly Shop, TroutRoutes, FishHound Expeditions In this episode, we go inside the minds of world champion fly casters Whitney Gould, Rick Hartman, and Kalyn Hoggard to break down what really separates good from elite. We talk about the World Fly Casting Championships, what it takes to carry 80+ feet of line in the air, and the biggest mistakes most anglers make when trying to cast farther. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/919

#918 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/918 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho, Togiak River Lodge, Montana Fly Fishing Lodge Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In today's episode of In the Bucket podcast, Brian Niska is joined by Adrienne Comeau and Eric Leininger for a candid conversation on what really drives success in steelhead fishing. What starts with fly choice and presentation quickly shifts into a bigger discussion around uncertainty, experience, and how much control anglers actually have on the water. Eric shares a perspective shaped by years of guiding—that in certain conditions, especially when water temperatures are right, many of the details anglers focus on may not be as critical as they seem. Adrienne adds her experience from the river, highlighting the role of confidence, instinct, and pattern recognition, while also recognizing the randomness that shows up time and time again. Together, they unpack the balance between what we think we know and what remains unpredictable—and why that tension is part of what keeps steelhead fishing so compelling. #918 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/918

917B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/917B Presented by: Togiak River Lodge Losing fish after a solid grab happens more than people talk about. You feel the eat, the rod loads up, maybe even a head shake, and then it's just gone. Floyd Carter is back to break down what he's been seeing all season, from the Olympic Peninsula to Togiak. They get into what an actual take feels like, when to stay patient, and when it's time to hit it. They also dig into the loop vs drag debate, how small changes might keep fish pinned, and why even experienced anglers are still figuring this out in real time. If you've been losing fish and can't quite figure out why, this one will hit close to home. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/917B

#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.