Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/530 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Picture an eager eight-year-old, fishing rod in hand, standing by a South Dakota pond. That was Sam, embarking on a journey that would lead to a lifelong passion for fly fishing. Now, we invite you to come along as my guest Sam shares fishing tales and tips, from the peaceful corners of Eastern Idaho to the sturdy boats of Miller Drift Boats. Our episode navigates the tranquil world of fly fishing, discussing the pursuit of quiet spots away from the crowds and the unique experiences Eastern Idaho offers. Our conversation flows into an exploration of drift boating, examining models like the Hyde Pro Series and the Montana Skiff, and discussing the durability of different materials and designs. We also share essential safety tips for drift boating, emphasizing the importance of wearing life jackets and proper anchor use. Our chat takes a detour into the local scene of Henry's Fork and the charm of the local fly shop, Jimmy's Fly Fish Food. Sam shares his personal experiences with drift boating and dives into the necessity of safety on the river, rounding off our episode. Come join us on this angling adventure, filled with stories, laughter, and invaluable tips for both newbies and seasoned fly fishers. Episode Chapters - Miller Drift Boats (0:00:05) - Fly Fishing and Miller Drift Boats Sam began fly fishing at age 8, learning to catch bluegill and watching bass eat them, and later in college discovered the art of fly fishing and caught fish after fish. (0:09:06) - Fishing Trips and Finding Quiet Spots Enjoy fly fishing, helping guests find peaceful rivers away from crowds, and sharing the joys of nature. (0:12:40) - Fishing in Eastern Idaho and Durability Miller Drift Boats and Hyde's unique boats discussed for extra effort fly fishing spots. (0:22:15) - Types of Boats and Safety Considerations Leg locks, aluminum vs. fiberglass, safety, and finding the best spot for fly fishing. (0:34:13) - Drift Boat Rowing and Safety Tips Prioritize safety when drift boating; row away from danger, avoid fast water and big rocks, and consider restrictions on teaching and guiding. (0:38:06) - Life Jackets and Anchors We discuss life jackets, anchors, NRS Matique Inflatable life jackets, and Tornado Anchors for fly fishing safety. (0:41:15) - Boat and Fishing Recommendations in East Idaho We discuss fishing opportunities on Henry's Fork, Jimmy's Fly Fish Food, Hyde Pro Series XL, Montana Skiff, and safety. (0:54:21) - Music, Podcasts, and Boat Talk Sam and I discussed river safety, boats, life jackets, anchors, and fly fishing on Henry's Fork. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/530

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/480 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Get ready for an epic adventure at the Lodge At Palisades Creek on the South Fork of the Snake River! Justin's got an awesome story to tell—from chef to fly fishing guide to running the lodge. We find out how they won the Orvis Fly Fishing Lodge of the Year and how Orvis has supported them along the way. We explore the river's stunning five sections, each stretchin' about 12 miles. We dive into the wild world of Yellowstone cutthroat and those rowdy rainbows, causing a stir in Idaho with bounties on their heads! We've got the lowdown on the Salmon fly, Goldenstone, and Caddis fly hatches—nature's showtime! Justin also shares valuable tips for all the DIY anglers out there and discusses the importance of river etiquette. Plus, a crazy story involving Dick Cheney's bodyguards and a sketchy civilian that came so close to a river shootout! Show Notes with Justin Hays on Lodge At Palisades Creek 03:00 - Justin tells the story of how he transitioned from being a chef to being a fly fishing guide to managing a lodge. 06:50 - Justin talks about how partnering with Orvis has provided so much support to them in every aspect along the way. 08:20 - We talk about Yellowstone cutthroat decreasing in numbers and the rainbows increasing, almost being considered invasive. As a result, the Idaho Fishing Game made it legal to catch and kill rainbows, making it a controversial topic in Idaho. IFG even put a bounty on rainbows. 12:50 - We are coming to the Southfork in Fall for Euro Nymphing School with Pete Erickson. 20:20 - We had an episode about the Henry's Fork Foundation with Brandon Hoffner at WFS 414. 23:15 - Trivia: Henry's Fork was originally called the North Fork. 27:40 - They divide the river into 5 sections. Each section is roughly 12 miles long. The 1st section has 5 access points. The 2nd and 3rd sections are the Canyon sections - Justin talks about the amazing campsites in these sections and how amazing it is to fish there. The 4th section begins in the town of Ririe. Read about these sections in detail here. 35:45 - You can visit MillerDriftBoats.com to rent a raft or a drift boat. 36:15 - Stonefly hatch lasts about 2 weeks. Justin talks about the Goldenstone hatch. In the summer they have a hopper season which ends in August. He also noted the Mutant Stonefly hatch - stoneflies that can't fly. And then they have some Dunns as September progresses. 41:50 - "The trick to the Salmon fly thing is throwing a large dry fly on 2x underneath a bush or a tree and twitching out and try to mimic the real lifecycle of an adult Salmonfly...", Justin explains in detail. 46:20 - Perdigons has been a game-changer for them in the last 2 years. 48:20 - Caddis fly hatch starts in mid-October. 48:55 - Pro tip for DIY anglers: "This river empties at 5 pm. You can have that river to yourself at 5 pm and it doesn't get dark until 10 pm." 52:30 - Justin is turning 55 this year. He started fishing in the Snake River when he was about 19 years old. 55:45 - We talk about river etiquette. 1:00:50 - Justin talks about how they won Orvis Fly Fishing Lodge of the Year. 1:06:55 - We noted that video by The New Fly Fisher highlighting the Lodge At Palisades Creek. Scroll down to watch the trailer. 👇🏻 1:07:20 - Their outfitting team mainly uses ClackaCraft Drift Boats. Justin talks about how they customized their boats and their great features. 1:11:30 - Justin recommends a 9-foot 6-wt rod. 1:13:13 - Justin noted a few restaurants and places around the area that has good food. 1:14:45 - Justin talks about Dick Cheney who's also a passionate fly angler. He tells a crazy story of when Dick's bodyguard suspected a civilian of being a threat and almost got shot. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/480

860 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/860 Presented by:  Intrepid Camp Gear, Togiak River Lodge, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Patagonia   Today, I sat down with Marcus Bohlin of Nam Products to talk through the things Scandinavian anglers think about differently. Rod length. True line weight. Leader diameter. Presentation. We get into why a 14-foot 7-weight can actually feel easier to fish on rivers like the Deschutes, how Baltic salmon behave compared to Atlantic salmon and steelhead, and why Sweden keeps coming up as a place more anglers should be paying attention to. We also dig into Nám's leaders, why six-piece two-hand rods make more sense than most people expect, and how line choice matters less in some situations and more in others. This one reshaped how I think about modern spey gear and where it really comes from.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/860

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/859 Presented By: Mountain Waters Resort, San Juan Rodworks, Montana Fly Fishing Lodge Tellis Katsogiannos has spent decades at the highest level of fly casting, earning world champion titles while helping shape how modern anglers think about efficiency, control, and simplicity. In this episode, Tellis shares how competitive casting sharpened his understanding of techniques, and how those lessons translate directly to real fishing situations. We also head to Sweden and Atlantic salmon water, where Scandi systems and Spey-style thinking demand precision over power. From line design at Guideline to teaching anglers how to improve without overthinking, this conversation connects elite casting, salmon culture, and innovation into one clear framework for better fly fishing. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/859

Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/858 Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Fly fishing has a way of pulling you back when you need it most. And for Mike O'Brien, those quiet hours on the water turned into a full-on career shift, from financial services to guiding full-time in Utah. In this episode, we dig into what makes Utah such a sleeper fly fishing destination, why the Provo River is a legit year-round option, and the small tweaks that can turn a slow day into a "how is this even legal" kind of day. We also break down Mike's go-to winter and shoulder-season setup: the bounce rig. If you've ever felt like you're "doing everything right" but the trout still aren't eating, Mike lays out exactly where to look, what to adjust, and how to slow things down enough to get the takes.

#858 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/858        Presented by: Patagonia, Four Wheel Campers, Togiak River Lodge, Drifthook Fly Fishing Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors    Josiah shares how subsistence fishing, military service, and conservation work brought him back home to build Bucks and Bones — a guiding program grounded in Hawaiian tradition, ecological responsibility, and world-class sight-fishing for big Hawaiian bonefish. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/858      

Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/857 Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Most anglers think they know Montana trout fishing until they stumble into the rivers nobody's talking about. No shuttle lines. No shoulder-to-shoulder boats. No mid-summer hoot owl closures shutting things down. Just cold water spilling off nearly 13,000-foot peaks and trout that still behave like trout. That's exactly what we're digging into on this episode of the Wet Fly Swing Podcast. I sat down with Lincoln Power of Montana Fly Fishing Lodge to talk about a pocket of Montana that still fishes like the old days. Freestones, spring creeks, migrating browns and rainbows, and a lodge experience that goes way beyond the water. If you've ever wondered what Montana looked like before the crowds, this one's for you.

856 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/856B Presented by:  Pescador on the Fly A fly rod that disappears in your pack but still fishes like your everyday rod sounds like a stretch. In this episode, we dig into why that idea actually works and why more anglers are turning to six-piece rods for travel, backup, and even daily use. Jeff Ditsworth, founder of Pescador on the Fly, joins the show to break down how he rebuilt his rod lineup from the ground up. We talk about better blanks, tighter tolerances, and a new factory producing six-piece rods that feel just as smooth as a four-piece.  Jeff also shares stories from a recent trip to Austria, chasing wild brown trout in alpine creeks with a local guide who also happens to be the fish police. If you travel with a carry-on, hike into water, or want a backup rod that doesn't feel like a compromise, this episode shows how six-piece fly rods fit into real fishing—from home waters to fly fishing in Austria.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/856B

 #856 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/856 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Togiak River Lodge, Pescador on the Fly Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Steve Woit has spent years hunting down the stories behind fly-fishing's most influential figures — including Mary Orvis Marbury, whose Victorian-era writing documented flies and tiers before the modern industry existed. In this episode, Steve walks us through the research discipline behind Fly Fishing Treasures, his deep dive into letters, catalogs, photographs, and tackle provenance that reveal how anglers built a culture long before we arrived. This conversation isn't about nostalgia — it's about protecting memory. Steve shows how writing, archiving, and conservation fundraising through donated tackle help safeguard fisheries and preserve the names and innovations that shaped our sport. #856 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/856

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855B Duane Hada joins Chad Johnson for a thoughtful conversation on what actually creates trophy trout fisheries—and why stocking alone isn't the answer. Duane breaks down the importance of catch-and-release regulations, managing pressure, and letting fish live long enough to reach their full potential. Drawing from rivers like the White River and the San Juan, he explains how conservation-first thinking shapes not only fish size, but the long-term health of entire fisheries. Beyond fishing, Duane opens up about his life as an artist and how creativity, patience, and observation carry over from the studio to the river. He talks about seeing fisheries as living "gardens," the influence of Dave Whitlock on both his conservation mindset and artistic outlook, and why mentorship—on the water and off—matters just as much as catching fish. This episode is about legacy, restraint, and approaching both art and angling with intention. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855B

#855 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855      Presented by: San Juan Rodworks, On DeMark Lodge, Four Wheel Campers Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors   If you've ever stood knee-deep in a Western river wondering whether a trout spey rod might change your whole approach, this conversation with Howard Cole will get your wheels turning. Howard's spent a lifetime shaping flies, shaping cast loops, and shaping anglers at JD High Country Outfitters — and he brings a river-smart perspective on everything from trout spey dry flies to yellow sally emergers. Trout spey tips show up often in this episode, and they sneak into almost every story he tells from the Snake to the South Fork. By the end of this episode, you'll probably be digging through your fly box looking for your own emerger patterns — or maybe even picking up a short spey rod for the next drift. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855 

854 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/854 Presented by:  Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Intrepid Camp Gear,  On DeMark Lodge, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho  Today, we're sitting down with someone who has lived two deep lives, one on the PGA Tour and one on the flats of South Texas. Phil Blackmar spent years competing against the best golfers in the world, studying pressure, tempo, and how to stay calm when everything speeds up. Now he brings that same understanding to fly fishing, especially sight fishing for redfish and trout.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/854  

853 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/853b       Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/smittys  Steve Smith breaks down the fundamentals of top trout flies, fly tying materials, and the patterns that continue to produce everywhere. We also get into how Smitty's Fly Box evolved, how he approaches local hatches, and why mastering proportions might be the most important part of tying a durable fly. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/853b    

#853 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/853 Presented By: TroutRoutes, Smitty's Fly Box, Four Wheel Campers Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors James Garrettson of About Trout takes us deep into the San Juan tailwater—well beyond the Instagram version—to show what really makes this river a world-class streamer fishery. He breaks down how big trout behave in frog water, why depth and stalls matter more than speed, and how his team consistently targets fish over 30 inches. James shares the story behind a true San Juan giant, talks streamer setups, flow windows, guide etiquette, and why he spends every free day exploring the same river he's guided for a decade. If you've ever wondered how to fish deep, slow, technical water for outsized browns, this episode is the blueprint. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/853

851 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/851 Presented by: FishHound Expeditions  For the last ten years, today's guest has been fly fishing the Alaska road system and guiding the south central river, Lower Willow, Upper Willow, the Canyon water, and Montana Creek. He's one of the guides behind our recent Alaskan hosted trip and has a head full of stories that only come from rowing in a place where anything can happen. In this episode, you'll hear what it was like from Will's seat on the sticks during our trip, why the bite shifted every day, how he chooses between bugs, beads, and buggers, and plenty of stories from the river.  Will breaks down how to actively jig, swing, and animate the Duracell and other flies while nymphing, and how they get trout, grayling, and even salmon to eat.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/851  

#850B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/850B Presented By: Intrepid Camp Gear Sloan Hiatt, Manager at Intrepid Camp Gear, breaks down how his team designs rooftop tents and aluminum cargo boxes built for anglers, skiers, and backcountry travelers. He shares why Intrepid manufactures everything themselves instead of white-labeling, how they solved common space and durability problems, and what makes their gear stand out in the overlanding world. We also get the story of Sloan's late-night bear encounter from a rooftop tent, plus a deep dive into his restored Land Cruisers, diesel swaps, and the 4x4 community that keeps these classic rigs alive. Whether you're camping, fishing, or chasing winter road trips, Sloan brings a builder's perspective shaped by miles of real-world use. #850B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/850B

#850 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/850       Presented by: Drifthook Fly Fishing, Four Wheel Campers, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho  Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors   When you spend enough time around steelhead guides, you start to notice something: the truly fishy ones never stop learning. That's exactly the vibe I get every time I'm on the river with Pat Beahen. The guy reads water like it's printed in large font, and he's got this river-smart intensity that makes you believe a fish could grab at any second. This episode pulls together decades of Pat's life chasing steelhead across BC — from Whistler beginnings to long seasons on the Bulkley and the Dean. If you're a Great Lakes angler looking to level up your swung-fly game, this one's packed with insight. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/850         

849 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/849 Presented by:  Jackson Hole Fly Company, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Fish The Fly   Some stories follow you your whole life, and John MacLean grew up inside one of the most meaningful ones ever tied to fly fishing. In this episode, we look past the nostalgia and into the real heart of A River Runs Through It — the family, the grief, the responsibility, and the loss that shaped his father's writing. John is a journalist and author of Home Waters, and the son of Norman MacLean. He's spent decades tracing the real events behind the book and the movie — the slow rise of the original printing, the truth of Paul's murder, the guilt Norman carried, and how writing became the only way to make sense of it all. This episode also follows John's own work, from fire investigations to his next book, marking fifty years of A River Runs Through It. There's a lot here — family history, Montana stories, film moments, and the deeper current that still pulls at John today.      Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/849  

#848 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/848 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho  Chris Smith takes us inside the world of Team USA Fly Fishing, breaking down the systems, strategies, and Euro nymphing methods that have elevated American competitive angling over the last decade. From his first accidental competition in 2009 to mentoring youth anglers and preparing for the Idaho World Championships, Chris shares how confidence flies, rod-angle depth control, beat management, and communication across teams fuel the "medal mentality." He explains the difference between French and Spanish presentations, how Team USA refined its intel-sharing model, and why volunteers at Worlds get front-row seats to world-class fishing. Whether you're learning Euro nymphing for trout or want to understand how top anglers think under pressure, this is a rare look behind the curtain of elite competition. #848 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/848