Fly Fishing Consultant Podcast

Curtis Knight has worked for CalTrout since 2000, he is currently their Executive Director. He has been working on removal of obsolete dams along the Klamath River which will open up fish passage to over 400 miles of potential spawning and rearing habitat. In this episode you will learn about the Klamath dams and their history and why the dams need to be removed. You will hear about Mcloud river fishing and why the trout there do not eat dries. Curtis talks about water rights for major California cities, the native tribes around Mt. Shasta, and the different strains of fish that enter the river throughout the year.  From CalTrout:Project DescriptionKlamath Dam removal stands out as one of the most promising salmon recovery opportunities in the history of California Trout. Since 1917, the four Klamath Dams have blocked access to hundreds of miles of salmon and steelhead productive habitat. It has diminished the productivity of the Klamath River and its tributaries, blocked spawning grounds, and blocked off cold source water. Beyond loss of habitat, Iron Gate Dam now serves as a giant heat sink that creates water quality problems, including toxic algae blooms. The decommissioning and removal of the Klamath Dams not only makes economic sense, but would greatly benefit the Klamath-origin salmon fisheries and all other Klamath Basin public resources that have been adversely affected by these dams over the past century. CalTrout is working with more than 20 conservation partners and tribes to facilitate a FERC license transfer to KRRC followed by the removal of the four dams and restoration of the river. Support this podcast Produced by Jason Reif Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob recorded his June 6, 2024 talk at his local Trout Unlimited chapter. The subject was urban fishing in Northern Virginia. Locations were chosen based on their unconventional locations. Three locations are next to sewage treat meant plants. One spot is an urban waterfront along the Potomac, another is a tidal creek you wouldn't notice without Google Maps. Rob talks about each location, the gear required, the season to fish, flies to use, and where to grab lunch after. You might want to wear running shoes just incase the man chases you out. Be sure to let loved ones know where you are fishing just incase you decide to fish a swamp with unexploded WWII ordinances. It wasn't until the talk was over that Rob figured out where he should have placed the microphone. Apologies for sound quality on this one. Turn your volume UP. Rob hopes to see you at the Black Pumas show at Wolf Trap on July 28 Flies mentioned in this episode. Produced by Jason Reif. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and electrical engineer Tim Schulz joins Rob for this informative episode. Our first podcast interview about Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Tim live's in the snowiest part of Michigan, on a peninsula, surrounded by fish. The first half of the episode is Tim's stories of fishing his unique home waters which include numerous species including lake-run migratory brook trout. Part two is all about Tim and his writing. He has a new book out about his introduction to fly fishing in Montana and the trout bum life out west. This is a sodium free podcast as Tim has not yet had a chance to fish salt water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob takes a deep dive into the life history of the cutthroat trout. This episode contains everything you need to know about cutthroats except how to catch them. You do not need to be an angler to enjoy this episode. Rob starts off with introducing new terminoogy and then dives deep into the confusing taxonomy of these fish. The podcast continues with the history, physical description, and range/geographic distribution of these fish across the western states. You will learn about their preferred habitats, diet/feeding, reproduction/lifecycle and their economic importance. The episode ends with some conservation notes and miscellaneous information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob and Caitlin venture to the Salmon River of New York for a few days of rest, relaxation, and drop back steelhead. This is their travelogue. They stop in Binghampton on the way up for Caitlin to record a few songs at Business District Recording. There are other non-fishing adventures in this trip. They enjoy some legendary food, epic winds, and meet up with Rob's cousin. What exactly is a drop back steelhead? Rob is going to figure this out while he swings flies, talks to guides, and chats on the river. Shout out to Mike From Reading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allen Rupp is Rob's new favorite fly tyer. Allen’s Fly On The Water specializes in custom hand tied flies. coldwater, warmwater or saltwater. He ties the flies fish want. Allen is the most meticulous fly tying guest on this podcast. His standards for hooks, scissors, vises, and feathers will change how you tie flies. Rob is a bit dismayed that Allen can tie all of these flies, dye materials, and store it all in a tiny Manhattan apartment. We'll learn about the Near Nuff Crayfish, weed guards, pizza by the slice, and stripers in the city in this informative podcast episode. Be sure to take notes on hook models, scissor brands, and thread models.  Produced by Jason Reif. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob speaks with Ralph Valle from The Maryland Fly Fishing Show. The Maryland Fly Fishing and Collectible Tackle Show is one of the East coast's premier shows. It will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024. This event unites fishing aficionados from the mid-Atlantic region with top tier fly-fishing vendors for a day filled with gear exploration, sales, expert fly-tying demonstrations, insightful seminars, enriching clinics, and engaging conversations. Rob and Ralph discuss the history of the show, the vendors, what to expect inside, and where to grab a crab cake. There is some snakehead and trout talk mixed in with Rob’s embarrassment at always having a scheduling conflict on the day of the show. Be sure to check in with past podcast guests while there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob first came across the work of Dr. Jacob Katz in the book Upstream by Langdon Cook. The chapter was titled “Make Way for the Floodplain Fatties”. Cook detailed research by CalTrout that showed salmon grew larger when feeding in flooded rice fields along the Sacramento Delta. Jacob Katz holds a PH.D. in ecology at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences. He currently directs CalTrout’s Central California region where his work focuses on redesigning California’s antiquated water infrastructure. The Nigiri Project mission is to “Scientifically demonstrate that productivity created by shallow inundation of floodplains is foundational to supporting self-sustaining populations of fish and wildlife in the Central Valley.” Rob and Dr. Katz discuss all things salmon living in an altered environment along the California coast. They talk everything from conservation, geology, and tacos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julie Mattson was born and raised in Montana. At the age of ten, Julie met Joan Wulff, and her life in fly fishing began. Julie has guided in Montana and Alaska. She currently lives and guides near Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow, Oklahoma, on the beautiful Lower Mountain Fork River. We’ll hear stories from Julie’s life as a guide, competitive angler, and dubbing addict. She talks about snakes, bears, and tarantulas that she’s encountered while guiding. This is Rob’s first full interview with Julie as she appeared on the Virginia Fly Fishing And Wine Festival episode this year. She will be back on the show soon.  Produced by Jason Reif  Support This Podcast and buy your 2024 Brood XIX and XIII Cicadas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Rosenbauer joins Rob to discuss fly fishing for bonefish. Tom has worked for Orvis for several decades. Be sure to click the link on his name for his biography. Rob jumps right into bonefish talk and skips over Tom's background. Tom has numerous contributions to the world of fly fishing. Rob forgot to ask him about introducing bead head flies to America. While at Orvis Tom has authored numerous books, created legendary fly patterns, hosted hundreds of podcast episodes, and shared his passion for the outdoors to the universe. This episode is dedicated to Tom sharing what he has learned over these years about fly fishing for bonefish. Rob and Tom discuss fly weight, casting in the wind, preferred methods for stalking bonefish, locations of the biggest fish, Tom's inaugural bonefish trip, conservation issues, and why you should always bring your own flies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the 23rd Annual Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival. The Virginia Fly Fishing Festival is the largest event of its kind in the country and attracts fly anglers from across the United States and the Mid-Atlantic in particular. Nowhere else can anglers learn about the quiet sport in such a beginner-friendly environment. Their unique event combines fine wine tasting, microbrewery beer, and everything you ever wanted to know about fly fishing but were afraid to ask. Rob and his girlfriend walk the floor of the Farm Bureau Building at Meadow Event Park located a few miles north of Richmond, Virginia. Listen as he interviews friends new and old. Some exhibitors live nearby and others as far away as New Mexico. This episode is full of fly tyers, guides, non-profits, and artists. See a list of most guests below: Norvise USA Women's Fly Fishing Team Reel Recovery Mike Heck’s Trout Guides Fly Fishers International-Chesapeake Council Eagles Nest Fly Shack & Lodge George Sabol Meg Davies Design Current Culture Fly Shop Beau Beasley Katie and John Demuth Braden Miller Trout Routes Bailey Stone - Stonefly Outfitters Produced by Jason Reif  Support This Podcast and buy your 2024 Brood XIX and XIII Cicadas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is that fish tungsten worthy? Are you willing to lose ten dollars worth of beads to catch that trout? Which bead to use for spring creeks? Which bead do you need for plunge pools? Rob breaks down the different reasons to weight your flies and the methods used. This episode covers cones and beads to putty and dumbells. You will learn what they are made from, their mass, and current market price. Some are lightweight while others are extremely heavy. Additionally, Rob tells the story from his college days about how he obtained his office’s wooden bookshelf. This podcast is for fly tiers and those that aren’t sure what wet flies to purchase based on the water they will fish. Be sure to rate this podcast on iTunes and give it five stars.  Produced by Jason Reif  Support This Podcast and buy your 2024 Brood XIX and XIII Cicadas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The end of 2023 is a few weeks away and Rob has some suggestions on gear and items for gifts for yourself or others. A listener sends in a net endorsement. Rob breaks his list down into 'small items', those under $100 and 'big items' that cost a bit more. Please contact Rob for any questions on the brands or items. Use code 'snowhite' at Turtlebox. Produced by Jason Reif  Support This Podcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part three of this year's steelhead trip. Rob recounts the events of his excursion north to the Salmon River of New York. He discusses the tactics used, the decisions made, the large and small flies tied, and the ups and downs of the trip. Rob further discusses the oddities of the Salmon River fishery and the the reason people drive there for steelhead. The episode branches off into gear reviews of what worked and what didn't which will be a prelude to the 2023 Gear Guide podcast following this episode. Part 3 takes you through life and thoughts on fishing after a steelhead road trip. Produced by Jason Reif  Support This Podcast  PURCHASE A SOLO STOVE WITH THIS LINK TO HELP SUPPORT ROB'S SMALL BUSINESS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part two of this year's steelhead trip. The annual fall migration to New York's Salmon River. Rob meets Producer Jason in Pulaski, New York for a weekend of steelhead fishing. Rob discusses his fly choices and what has been working, the types of water the fish are hiding in, and serious case of the meatloaf sweats. Rob and Jason host some friends from Maine for an interview and experience their first snow of the year. Be sure to call your local fly shop and ask if they have ingredients to make crystal meth. Part 2 takes you through Sunday after noon through Tuesday evening. Produced by Jason Reif  Support This Podcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices