Claim OwnershipThe MEND Fly Fishing Podcast
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Description
Hosted by Joe Rotter of Red’s Fly Shop. All things fly fishing and a podcast with technical talk that will make you a smarter, stronger, and more capable angler. We’ll chat nymphing, dry fly fishing, streamer fishing, saltwater, bad ass fly casting, and ton of technical crap that is too complicated to list. Listen, learn, catch.
98 Episodes
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1On this episode, we discuss developing a two-pronged approach switching between streamers and nymphs. When, why, and how. I share a short update about my Moose hunt that is ongoing, and fishing here on the Yakima River.
In this episode, Eric Nickum, Bob Miller, and Joe Rotter sit down after each spending a full week fishing Christmas Island—but on different schedules, with different guides, different tides, and wildly different experiences. The crew compares notes on what worked, what surprised them, what they’d do again, and what they’d recommend for anyone heading to the island next season. From bonefish first‑timers to GT‑hunters, they break down real‑world tips that’ll help you get more out of your own trip.
Along the way, Joe adds a side‑story detour about getting his butt kicked on a wild spring creek in Eastern Washington, sharing a few laughs and lessons learned the hard way. The result is part fishing report, part travel prep guide, and part storytelling session—delivered with the very real, very honest perspective that only comes from time on the water.
Whether you’re booked for Christmas Island, thinking about it, or just love a good fishing story, this episode is packed with helpful nuggets, laughs, and the no‑nonsense candor these three are known for.
Connect with Red's :
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop Shop
Online: https://redsflyfishing.com/
Host Joe Rotter is joined by George Cook, longtime industry pro and guru of all things fly. Roger Shearer of Red's Fly Shop joins Joe and George and they dive into fishing lore, covering the new Sage ARROW rod, decades of Sage rod development, and the evolution of Spey lines and techniques.
They share Alaska guiding memories, big-fish trip plans (kings, pike, bass, stripers and reds), vintage rod stories, and how modern gear changed the game.
Connect with Red's :
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Instagram: / redsflyshop
Facebook: / redsflyshop
Shop Online: https://redsflyfishing.com/
Jeremiah Houle joins the MEND podcast to share his 21‑year fly‑fishing journey from shop floor to guide to industry rep, plus event dates and insider gear talk.
The episode covers his favorite flies and rods, guiding on the Deschutes and lakes, and a deep dive into carp fishing—tailing behavior, fly choices (crayfish, mussel patterns), presentation tactics, and recommended gear (weighted flies, 8‑weight rods, fluorocarbon, 12–20 lb leaders).
Practical tips, hot‑seat Q&A, and the value of local fly‑shop mentorship round out a lively conversation for new and experienced anglers alike.
Connect with Red's :
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Instagram: / redsflyshop
Facebook: / redsflyshop
Shop Online: https://redsflyfishing.com/
On this episode of the MEND Podcast recorded at Red’s Fly Shop, hosts and guests (notably Jason Randall and TFO’s Nick Conklin) share a full day on the river focused on tightline/euro nymphing. The group breaks down practical coaching, leader setups, and when to choose tightline over indicators.
They cover key techniques like back-roll (roll-jig) animation, controlling sink rate and fly descent, stalling/inverting the sighter, and staying tight to the fly from the cast to catch eager strikes. Subtle rod-tip movement and intentional presentation are emphasized throughout.
The episode also touches gear and testing—TFO prototype rods, leader builds, and fly choices—plus takeaways for anglers wanting to fish pressured waters more effectively.
Bottom line: be intentional, practice tight connections and subtle animation, and use descent and leader choices to improve your nymphing success.
Connect with Red's :
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Instagram: / redsflyshop
Facebook: / redsflyshop
Shop Online: https://redsflyfishing.com/
Joe Rotter, Steve Joyce, Curtis Frisbie, Skyler Lancaster, Max Karns, and Eric Nickum recap recent saltwater trips to Crooked Island and Espiritu Santo Bay in Mexico, share fishing highlights (bonefish, permit, tarpon) and memorable moments from sportsman shows and upcoming Rendezvous events.
They discuss gear and techniques — beads, poppers, leaders and sunglasses — guide tips, travel logistics, and how to book future trips and dates.
Welcome to the Mend Podcast with Joe Rotter, Eric Nickum and Jason Harwood. They recap trips to Patagonia (Estancia del Zorro and Cinco Rios) and Crooked Island, Bahamas, covering trout tactics (dry flies, beetles, caddis, streamers), sight fishing, gear choices, leader setups, sunglasses advice, and saltwater bonefish and permit experiences. The episode mixes trip stories, technical tips, and guide insights for anglers planning similar adventures.
The hosts open with Red's Fly Shop news — upcoming shows, sold‑out Texas redfish dates and a local saltwater rendezvous — then recount a week in Patagonia with Patagonia Trout Outfitters with mixed fishing conditions, creative lodge pivots and memorable social moments.
They cover fishing tactics (streamers, nymphs, padstone techniques), gear and packing advice, travel mishaps, mate culture and tips for couples and anglers planning similar trips.
Interested in coordinating a trip here? Patagonia Trout Outfitters in Argentina — Red's Fly Shop
Email joe@redsflyshop.com with questions or to set up a trip with Patagonia Trout Outfitters!
In this episode Joe Rotter talks with Chris Walker from RIO Products about matching fly lines to rods and fishing situations, how fly lines are manufactured, and the materials and design choices (microballoons, densities, welded loops) that affect performance.
They cover practical line recommendations for specific fisheries, temperature and taper considerations, line maintenance tips, and why choosing the right line can transform your casting and fishing.
Connect with Red's :
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Instagram Fly Tying: / redsflyshop_tying
Instagram: / redsflyshop
Facebook: / redsflyshop
Shop Online: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
Hosts Joe and Eric describe a quick, highly productive Redfish weekend at Bay Flats Lodge, sharing travel logistics, guide-led tips, and on-the-water highlights from two days of sight-fishing.
The episode covers presentation techniques (gurglers, drag-and-drop, short strips), shallow-water sight-reading, gear and clothing recommendations, and why guided trips and provided gear make this an approachable fishery for newcomers and experienced anglers alike.
Listeners get an inside look at the scenery, the lodge experience, and why a 4 day trip is recommended for maximum fishing and learning.
Trip Info: Bay Flats Lodge Redfish Trips — Red's Fly Shop
YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/i0Axyq1AKVM
A group of Reds Fly Shop staff and industry friends head to the Snake River and Grand Ronde for steelhead swinging, Hell’s Canyon chucker hunting, jet-boat runs, and a chaotic poker tournament.
The episode covers gear and casting tips, favorite flies and setups, memorable catches and mishaps, and invites listeners to the Reds Rendezvous on May 2nd.
Connect with Red's :
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop
Shop Online: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
High school teacher Ryan Burch describes a year‑long solo journey to catch a fish in each of the lower 48 states, four months in and 10,000 miles traveled so far. He shares stories from the road—camping, local fly shops, standout fisheries like Henry’s Lake and the Madison, and close calls such as a tense encounter in Wisconsin.
The episode covers gear and rig details, memorable people he’s met, lessons learned from guides, and the highs and lows of long‑term travel and fishing. Follow his project on Instagram at @TalesOfThe48 and expect more adventures through the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Casual group podcast. Joe Rotter and Jason Harwood host Chris Waddle to discuss tightline nymphing, competitive angling, and the learning curve from backyard casting to mini-comps. They share personal fishing stories, gear choices, and why tightline techniques reveal more trout in close, pressured water.
Key takeaways include reading water and beats, changing depth before flies, maintaining contact with your nymphs, practical competition rules and strategies, and tips to get over the beginner hump with tightline nymphing.
Joe Rotter ties a simple, fast nymph and walks through why he ties flies on short notice—how pattern choice supports fishing style, materials to use, and keeping flies light and effective. He also explains how tying your own flies increases focus and success on the water.
The episode also covers fishing techniques that produced recent success: mono yarn tightline indicators for technical currents, jigging chartreuse mop flies and leech-style patterns in slow edges, short-line evening nymph rigs, and practical takeaways from guided trips and outings.
Tight Line Indicator Rig: https://youtu.be/gjWVUndhwTQ?si=7aj9v6XDoe1ow0G5
Joe Rotter goes solo and covers a week of fishing highlights: a long-running blue-winged olive hatch, precise small-dry fly tactics with ultralight rods, and tips for slow hook sets. He also talks about jig streamers, a strong worm bite after rain, new Gray Watermaster Kodiaks at Red's, and the value of vintage and modern Sage rods.
Listeners get practical gear notes (sink-tip and single-fly rigs, New Zealand indicators), tying tips for squirmy worms, and advice for spotting and targeting pods of feeding fish during hatches.
Joe and Eric trade hunting stories, river reports and tactics after a big cold snap brought bigger trout and lively blue-winged olive hatches. They cover stonefly and streamer action, tightline nymphing with Protagon-style flies, and the value of a two-rod system for opportunistic dry-fly eating fish.
Plus: upcoming events (women's rendezvous and Fly Fishing Film Tour), practical gear tips on gloves and layering, and quick advice on picking flies in person for the best results.
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Joe and Shop Manager Bob deliver short, practical fall fishing advice for DIY anglers: observe the river and other fishermen, favor small BWO patterns (sizes 18–20), use yarn indicators and shorter nymph rigs, and avoid over-deep setups. Pre-rig rods and keep flies, tippet and tools organized so you can fish efficiently.
The episode also shares shuttle‑peeping and wade vs. float tips, steelhead trip anecdotes, the value of humility and experimentation, and recommends soft hackles and focused strategies for October low-water fishing.
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Joe Rotter hosts a solo episode unpacking a recent guided day on the low, clear Yakima River and previewing the October caddis hatch. He talks through the morning bite, how fish move deeper during the day, and why timing and stealth matter in fall trout fishing.
Practical takeaways include testing flies on lighter tippet (6X) to check effectiveness, running a New Zealand‑style yarn indicator and the indicator tool, rig setups (leader lengths, Frenchie and tungsten mop flies), rod/tippet choices, and proper catch‑and‑release handling.
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Joe Rotter interviews guide Tom Larimer about fishing the Deschutes: his background guiding Alaska to the Deschutes, why the river is unique (wade-only access), and detailed, practical tips for trout anglers — observing water, working deep banks, managing micro-drag and mend timing, yarn and foam indicators, rod/line recommendations, and rigs to maximize success.
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
Joe Rotter chats with guide Steve Burns about transitioning to fall fishing: dealing with smoky skies, adjusting tippet and flies for clearer, cooler water, and techniques from yarn indicators to small streamers. They share guiding tips for new anglers, spay-casting advice, and stories from the Sierras to Alaska.
Listeners get practical takeaways on leader and tippet choices, how to read fish behavior through drift and presentation, and when to switch strategies to find fish as the season changes.
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300
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