Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast Dave Stewart

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/613
Presented By: Guide Book
If you had the choice to fish Iceland or the central coast of California, which would you choose? And what if you had to choose between Atlantic salmon and fishing for carp on the fly? Our guest is a guide in both of these areas. And today you're gonna get a front seat to find out why you should choose carp and the tips you need to understand carp behavior so you can catch more fish next time you're on the water.
Dagur, The California Carp Hunter, is here to take a deep dive into catching carp on the fly with a focus on fishing lakes in the Central Coast of California. You're gonna find out what dimples on the ground mean and how this will help you find more fish. You're going to know how to catch fish around the carp, spawn something that many people get wrong, and you'll also hear about this amazing algae hatch and how you can match the algae hatch. Plus, you're gonna find out which moon is perfect for carp fishing and the story of day's altercation with the Clint Eastwood family and how he ultimately made amends for our carp, the freshwater equivalent of bonefish.

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/611
Presented By: Togiak River Lodge
Tune in to today's episode and get an inside look into Epic Waters Angling with Steve Morrow. Steve has been putting together epic trips all around the world, and he's here to tell us about their program for king salmon in Alaska and how you can take advantage of it.
In this episode, you'll discover what it takes to find, hook, and land your first Chinook salmon on the fly! You'll also know the perfect timing for fishing and the best spots where fish will likely hold.
Show Notes with Steve Morrow on Epic Waters Angling. 
I'm excited to put this episode together today for several reasons. First, I'm heading back to Alaska, and Chinook is definitely on my mind.
And today, we've got a real expert joining us who knows all about Chinook salmon and spey fishing. Plus, add Alaska. Does it get any better than that?
03:18 - Steve was obsessed with fishing of all kinds and spent a lot of time at tackle shops when he was young. Eventually, he worked at Michael & Young Fly Shop, where he learned from shop guys that he admired.
05:33 - Epic Waters Angling offers fly fishing trips to challenging spots in North America. These trips make tough fishing locations easier and more fun for anglers.
Chinook Fishing in Alaska
07:25 - Steve describes the experience of fishing in Togiak and how it's different from fishing in British Columbia.
He finds Togiak exciting because it's like solving a fishing puzzle with its unique features. Here are some key puzzle pieces for targeting Chinook salmon successfully:
Timing the tides is very important when catching Chinook salmon. Knowing when the tides come in rivers like the Togiak and the Kanektok helps catch more fish.
Aside from the tide, Steve says figuring out how quickly the fish moves upstream can help you position yourself effectively.
Choosing the Right Gear for Chinook Fishing

Rods
17:00 - When gearing up for Chinook salmon fishing, Steve prefers using spey fishing gear for easy casting and reduced shoulder strain compared to single-hand rods.
Steve recommends rods between 13 and 15 feet long, from 8 wt to 10 wt. His number one rod is a 9140 Nom rod.

Lines
23:00 - Steve uses Skagit lines exclusively to target Chinook salmon due to their effectiveness in delivering maximum payload. Here are his recommendations:
Rio Skagit Max Launch
GameChanger

Sink Tips
27:16 - Two of the most important sink tips you should have for Steve are 10 feet of T-17 and 10 feet of T-14.
He also suggests having 10 feet of T-11 for specific situations and a couple of lighter sink tips, like the MOW tips.
Togiak River Lodge Experience
33:24 - Steve talks about the fishing strategies at Togiak Lodge and the overall lodge experience. They spend time observing fish behavior and trends upon arrival at Togiak Lodge.
It takes a few days to understand where the fish are located and how they behave in current conditions.
Leaders
37:23 - Steve's ideal leader length is three to four feet. He uses a 20-lb Maxima across the board because he finds it reliable for steelhead and Chinook.
Fly Selection
38:32 - Steve's go-to fly for Chinook in Togiak is the pink Reverse Marabou. Other effective colors include blue and chartreuse, black and chartreuse, black and blue, and blue and silver.
 
Conservation Efforts at Epic Waters Angling
1:02:00 The Coast to Clouds Conservation Foundation is a nonprofit under Epic Waters that collects a conservation surcharge from clients to fund impactful projects. They also collaborate closely with the Native Fish Society.
Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/611
 
 

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/610b 
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors   
Today, we're diving deep into what Memorial Day truly means and how we can honor the brave men and women who have served our country. We're joined by Beau Beasley, the author of "Healing Waters," a book that captures raw and heartfelt stories of veterans in their own words.
Beau's here to share some profound insights from his interviews, including the moving story of Brian Mancini and the challenges he faced while writing about 35 wounded veterans. We'll explore the powerful emotions and sacrifices behind these stories and discover why readers are so captivated by his book.
So, grab a comfy seat and get ready for an emotional roller coaster as we hear from Beau Beasley on this special day.

Episode Chapters with Beau Beasley on Healing Waters
2:10 - Beau tells us how the idea behind his book "Healing Waters" came to be. He had just finished writing his second book, "Fly Fishing Mid-Atlantic" when illustrator Alan Folger approached him with an idea for a new book about Project Healing Waters.
7:08 - He shares about Brian Mancini, a staff sergeant who was his roommate during a project event. He maintained a friendship with Brian, who eventually started a nonprofit and appeared on Oprah Winfrey's show. However, Brian's suicide devastated Beau, leading him to dedicate his book to Brian.
13:29 - Beau shares another story of a veteran named Walt Carey. He served in Korea as a forward observer and spent 29 years in the Navy. During the COVID pandemic, Walt became ill and was hospitalized, ultimately passing away in hospice. Beau recounts the emotional experience of being called to say his final goodbyes and later attending Walt's burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
16:09 - Beau elaborates that his book not only honors service members but also aims to raise funds for Project Healing Waters and inform people about the broader sacrifices made by military families.
19:10 - He explains why he believes Alan chose him to write the book. Beau is a retired firefighter who found solace in fly fishing, which helped him cope with the stresses of his job. He draws parallels between his experiences and those of veterans, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of the sport.
25:01 - I ask him about the challenges in writing Healing Waters. One of these was conveying the veterans' stories accurately while making sure they had control over their narratives.
41:15 - He tells us how he got the veterans to share their intense and emotional stories for his book. He explains that his background in the fire department helped build trust with the veterans, as they knew he had experienced traumatic events himself.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/610b 

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/610 
Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/teton   
Curtis Fry, co-owner of Fly Fish Food, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the acquisition of Jimmy's All Seasons Angler and shares what sets a great fly-tying shop apart from the rest.
But that's not all. Curtis also delves into the everyday philosophy that drives their business, the importance of being prepared for your next fly shop visit, and how to navigate the choppy waters of online feedback. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this episode is packed with valuable advice to enhance your fly fishing journey.

Episode Chapters with Curtis Fry on Jimmy's All Seasons Angler
7:29 - Curtis discusses the acquisition of Jimmy's All Seasons Angler, a renowned fly fishing shop for over 40 years. Jimmy's became well-known for its focus on fly tying, making it a staple in the community, especially during the winter Saturday demo sessions. The shop's reputation and Jimmy's desire to retire presented Curtis and his business partner, Cheech, with the opportunity to take over.
The transition occurred in June 2023, with Jimmy truly stepping back to enjoy more fishing. Curtis and Cheech focused on retaining the shop's essence while implementing significant improvements. They revamped the interior, greatly expanded the fly and fly tying selections, and introduced more brands and products.
18:34 - Curtis talks about the importance of community and relationships in the fly fishing industry. He explains that their approach includes offering high-quality, free content, such as fly-tying tutorials, to engage with the community.
21:41 - Curtis highlights the importance of immediate feedback in today's consumer-driven world, noting that poor customer service quickly becomes known, especially with more options available for consumers. He emphasizes the need for businesses to excel in customer service and social media engagement.
26:41 - We dig into the unique qualities of Jimmy's All Seasons Angler, particularly its emphasis on fly tying compared to other shops. Curtis highlights the extensive planning and analysis in selecting their product mix and managing inventory. He points out the importance of understanding consumer behavior, especially with the shift towards online shopping.
32:33 -  Curtis advises how fly fishing beginners can get started, particularly emphasizing the value of visiting local fly shops like Jimmy's. He said first understand where and how they plan to fish. He also recommends beginners familiarize themselves with the basics of the type of fishing they're interested in and then explore fly tying through resources like the fly tying tutorials on their website.
Beyond basic tutorials, Curtis mentions their "Skill Builder" series on YouTube, which delves into more specific techniques.
36:37 - Curtis mentions that even beginners who have done some basic fly tying, like zebra midges or pheasant tails, can find suitable dry flies to use during specific hatches like the beta hatch, which has been very good recently.
38:16 - The conversation shifts to comparing fishing in the Provo area with other locations such as Henry's Fork and South Fork. Curtis points out that Provo's proximity to populated areas makes it busier, but notes its walk-and-wade accessibility. However, he suggests that areas like Henry's Fork offer a wider variety of water and fewer people, appealing more to destination anglers.
40:06 - Curtis advises that newcomers to fly shops should keep an open mind, as everyone can have a bad day, and emphasizes the importance of being ready to answer questions to help shop employees provide the best guidance. He also suggests that beginners should be willing to set aside any need to appear knowledgeable, as this attitude can hinder learning and the reception of valuable advice.
42:15 - Curtis outlines the selection process for their lineup of boats

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/609
Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company, Yellowstone Teton Territory, Togiak River Lodge, Stonefly Nets
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Have you ever heard this before on a podcast that fly shops are the backbone of the fly fishing industry, this is one of the things that makes the fly fishing industry so unique and is one of the best resources you can utilize as an angler. Do you have a fly shop nearby? And have you seen some of these fly shops go out of business in recent years? And do you do more online shopping or more shopping at a fly shop when you need new fly fishing gear? Today we have a veteran fly fishing rep who's going to take us back in history and then back to the present day. So you have the insight and information you need to make more informed purchasing decisions.

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/608

Presented By: Togens Fly Shop, Waters West, Skwala
Do you want to know the best fly lines for Atlantic salmon fishing? Have you ever wondered when to use a longer leader with a sinking line for that perfect fly presentation? Topher Browne is back on the show to break down spey lines, fish physiology, and all the good stuff in his Atlantic salmon books.
Find out how to tell when your fly is in the fishing zone and why he uses an out-of-production Scandinavian line. Plus, get to know the guy who's caught more steelheads than anyone on the planet!
Show Notes with Topher Browne on Atlantic Salmon Fishing.
01:50 - We had Topher on Episode 464 about a year ago, and it was a hit! We're bringing him back for round two to dive deeper into his Atlantic salmon books and more. But before that, I asked Topher what he's been up to since we last talked.
02:26 - Topher had his toughest June ever last year due to climate change. He spent 17 days on the Quebec and New Brunswick rivers without catching fish.
06:04 - Topher is a field editor for Chasing Silver, an Atlantic salmon and steelhead-specific magazine. He mentions that the Norwegian and Icelandic salmon reports were bad.
09:26 -  Topher shares his fishing experiences with his friend Greg Pearson. He and Greg worked on a spey DVD for Scientific Anglers in 2005 called Spey to Z.

16:09 - Topher uses a Seaguar Blue Label fluorocarbon leader for its durability. He typically starts with a 20-pound tippet for early-season fish.
20:18 - Topher's advice: tweak your fishing techniques based on water flow, temperature, clarity, and fish behavior. Here are some key takeaways:
Early-run fish are more aggressive and likely to move longer distances for a fly.
Topher suggests using a floater in low, clear water to make it easier to speed up your fly.
Use longer leaders in clear water to avoid spooking fish.
Select fly colors more visible in dirty water, like black, orange, and red.
Quicker movements in clear water prevent fish from losing interest in the fly.
36:14 - Topher talks about the advantages of using Scandinavian lines for salmon fishing.
46:06 - Topher did several experiments to compare depths using different techniques. He found that the angler's techniques matter more than the sinking rate of the fly line.
Topher notes that while precision isn't necessary, knowing your fly's depth can greatly improve your fishing success.
53:45 - Topher recalls fishing with Jim Adams. He said that Jim has probably caught more steelhead than anyone. Jim's strategy involved targeting the fish in shallow, quiet spots along the river's edges.
57:00—For Topher, the Triple D line from Guideline is the best line for Atlantic salmon. These triple-density lines are customizable in length and weight but were later discontinued.
Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/608