Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast Dave Stewart

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/622
Presented By: Skwala, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Togiak River Lodge, TroutRoutes
In this podcast, Dave talks about Ketchum and Sun Valley, Idaho, famous for many "firsts" in fly fishing and skiing. He joins Terry Ring, owner of Silver Creek Outfitters, who shares tips on fly fishing and local history.
The episode highlights the first fly shop in Idaho, the first ski lift, and pioneering fly fishing techniques. Join us as we talk to an expert and the man behind these responsible innovations.
Episode Chapters with Terry Ring on Sun Valley Fly Fishing
3:02 - Terry shared his earliest memories of fishing. His father, a fly fisherman from Montana, crafted his own rods and flies like people did back then. Terry learned the art of tying flies and fly fishing around the age of seven, using a cane rod and rubber hip boots.
4:06 - He proceeded to address the history of his fly fishing shop. A man named Dick Alfs started the store with just a few fishing supplies like hooks, thread, fur, feathers, and head cement, which kept the store running until 1979. Terry then shared that he was hired as a guide that same year.
7:41 - When asked about the origins of his fly fishing shop, Terry mentioned, "I'm really proud of it." He highlighted more details on how Ketchum in Sun Valley grew to become the prominent place it is today.
10:23 - Terry proudly shares that Sun Valley was where the world's first chairlift was invented. He also highlights how Averell Harriman, a known government figure, significantly contributed to establishing Sun Valley.
13:29 - Matching the right guide with the guest's desires is key. His team includes two world champions and enthusiastic college students. To ensure the best experience, he uses "guide's choice" for reservations.
15:28 - He goes on to share how he met Brett and Will who influenced him into fly fishing. We had Bret on Episode 368.
20:09 - Terry talks about the dramatic changes in fishing gear over the years, from rods to tackle to clothing, which he especially appreciates for the comfort they provide.
18:10 - Terry brought up Andre Puyans who owned a fly shop in Walnut Creek, and was a passionate angler and the first to use a strike indicator. According to Terry, Andre often took groups from California to fly fishing schools, including Melwood's.
23:33 - Terry explains a unique situation up north involving three rivers, all part of the Big Lost system.
24:45 - Terry dived deeper into Silver Creek's history, explaining how it has changed significantly over the years due to development and shifting agricultural practices. The store, Silver Creek Outfitters, is named after this renowned creek, famous for its dry fly fishing.
32:36 - Terry introduced Al Grabber, a fantastic angler and fly casting instructor. Also a musician, Al values fly casting as an art. Originally from Austria, he spends a few months each spring in Slovenia leading groups.
39:47 - Terry shares that the best dry fly fishing usually happens from late June to mid-August, peaking in the American West from July 15th to August 15th. Conditions may vary based on the year, weather, and water flow.
42:39 - According to Terry, there's been a noticeable increase in young people taking up hunting, largely credited to figures like Steve Ella, who promotes a broad approach emphasizing locally sourced, organic food.
45:58 - Union Pacific owned Sun Valley until 1964 when it was sold to Bill Janz. However, financial struggles during a drought year in 1976-77 led to another sale. Earl Holding, the third owner, also owned part of the Jan Railroad and a 479-acre ranch, now the Silver Creek Preserve.
48:45 - Recently, a group of anglers formed Project Big Wood, an organization dedicated to research and conservation.
50:33 - Terry has his share of funny stories about famous people visiting Sun Valley, including Demi Moore, Janet Leigh, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/622

We have an interesting show coming your way with pro guide Trevor Covich and fly designer Alex Belonga. These guys have never met before, but they share a passion for king salmon fishing. Alex is well known for creative salmon and steelhead flies. Trevor's a legendary spey guide splitting his time between Washington's Olympic Peninsula and some of the best waters in Alaska. We're gonna get some great tips on fly selection, efficient spey casting, and how to land more large salmon and steelhead.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/620 
Presented by: Guide Book
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/guidebook 
Today we delve into fly fishing Central Florida with the expert guidance of Frank, a seasoned angler with decades of experience. He'll share invaluable insights into fishing strategies, equipment, and techniques. From targeting redfish and snook with varying rod weights to the intricacies of sight fishing with specialized lines, he got it covered.
He also highlights the importance of conservation in preserving the Indian River Lagoon system. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced angler, Frank's wealth of experience and passion for fly fishing will inspire and inform your next fishing adventure.

Episode Chapters with Frank Catino on Fly Fishing Central Florida
1:47 - Frank recounts his early days in the mid-1970s when fly fishing was rare in his area. He was mentored by Gary Schroeder, who introduced him to the sport. Frank ran a tackle store where he built custom rods.
He collaborated with a machine shop to create a tarpon reel, which he successfully pitched to Orvis, leading to significant orders and cementing his place in the fly fishing industry.
5:38 - We talk about the Catino reel he used to build for Orvis until about 1984, at which point the market saw an influx of imported reels, making it difficult for him to compete due to his lack of machinist skills, unlike his competitors who were professional machinists.
7:53 - He assists Cortland in various capacities, particularly in Florida. He works with sales representatives and collaborates on developing fly lines and braids, leveraging his expertise in saltwater fishing.
8:24 - We delve into the fishing opportunities in central Florida. Frank highlights the diverse fishing options available in the lagoon system, emphasizing the popularity of sight fishing for redfish in Mosquito Lagoon. He lists other common species such as tarpon and snook, noting the variety available to anglers.
14:44 - Frank explains that the optimal fishing times vary depending on the season and temperature. Overall, he concludes that the best time for an all-day fishing experience in central Florida is from October through April due to cooler temperatures and more active fish.
17:18 - Mid-May they start seeing more tarpon, particularly larger ones. He mentions that there are smaller tarpons, weighing five to 20 pounds, present year-round in the backwater marshes where they grow by feeding on mosquito larvae. Hence the Mosquito Lagoon.
19:46 - We discuss the natural beauty and wildlife of the Mosquito Lagoon and the Canaveral National Seashore. Frank explains that the cape extends far into the ocean, and from his house, which is a few miles south, one can see the lagoon and the ocean. The region is popular for bird watching and is groomed for duck hunting.
22:11 - Frank highlights that while December and January are good months to visit their area, people must be cautious about hurricane season, which peaks from mid-August to the end of October, with September being the most active month.
24:32 - We dig into fishing strategies and equipment for targeting different fish species in various conditions. Around January, Frank typically sets rods for redfish and sometimes snook, using a variety of rod weights, primarily 6 to 8wt, because they are lighter and more comfortable for most anglers.
He elaborates that in places like Mosquito Lagoon, his primary target would be redfish, but this could change depending on the location within the lagoon system. For example, further south, he might switch to targeting snook with heavier tackle.
27:18 - For targeting Snook, an 8wt rod is appropriate, along with 7 and 9wt rods, depending on the size of the fly being cast. He explains that 7wt rods are ideal for fishing smaller snook along mangrove shorelines, while 8 and 9wt rods are better for casting larger baitfish patterns, especially when targeting large snook.
34:42 - Frank

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/619
Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Think of the last time you saw a fish rise to eat an insect. Were you able to identify what stage of the insect that that fish was feeding on? How about trying to identify the actual bug and what's your best method for capturing an insect? If you want to try to idea it, today's guest is going to give you answers to all these questions, and he's going to dive into fishing Spring creeks. So you are ready for your next big trip on the water. This has Traveled where we take a deep dive into a specific region of the country so you have a better feel for what it takes to put together a great trip. And so you are better prepared for that next journey.
Satoshi Yamamoto, fly tying expert in Spring Creek Guide in the Yellowstone country shares his best tips on fishing spring creeks. Today you'll find out which are the best hatches during the year and the best times to fish each of those hatches. How to focus on and fish the PMD hatch and some killer fly time tips if you're fishing smallies or even the larger Atlantic salmon flies. Plus, you're going to hear the story of Satoshi's dream of being a cowboy and how it brought him westward and the story of how he made this a reality. This episode of Traveled is presented by Yellowstone Teton Territory, where you can explore great fishing, hunting, hot springs, winter sports, and so much more. 
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/619

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/618 
Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory, Togiak River Lodge, FishHound Expeditions, Stonefly Nets
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors  
Today, we're diving into choosing the perfect trout fly with an expert who knows his stuff. Imagine you're at the river with your perfect fly rod set-up, ready to catch a trout, but unsure which fly to use.
Spencer Durrant, a fly fishing content creator and gear enthusiast, is here to help. He will guide us through the top three things to consider when choosing the right fly pattern, even if it's your first time fishing. Plus, he'll share his insights on gear reviews and his must-have flies for any situation.

Episode Chapters with Spencer Durrant on Choosing the Perfect Trout Fly
2:40 - Spencer recounts his earliest experience with fly fishing. He shares a nostalgic story about how his father took him on an unexpected fishing trip instead of the grocery store, leading to a memorable day at Family Creek in Utah.
5:23 - He talks about his career journey. Spencer shares that after serving a mission for a church, he was uncertain about his future and decided against attending college. He gravitated towards fishing and spent significant time on the Lower Provo River in Utah.
10:30 - We discuss Spencer's journey into podcasting and his collaboration with Ventures Fly Co. He reveals that he has long been interested in podcasts and had a short-lived one a few years ago. His involvement with Ventures Fly Co. began serendipitously when he met the team while fishing, leading to a partnership. They launched their current podcast in December 2022, focusing on making fly fishing accessible for beginners.
13:40 - We dig into choosing the right fly for fly fishing. Spencer emphasizes simplifying the selection process to make it more accessible, especially for beginners. He and his colleague Alex from Ventures developed an easy-to-follow method called the "Right Fly Formula." The formula is based on three main criteria: size, shape, and color.
19:55 - To learn about fly fishing without getting too deep into the etymology, Spencer suggests visiting a local fly shop for detailed information about local rivers and hatching insects. For those without access to a fly shop or a nearby river, he recommends getting a basic education on identifying common insects like caddis, mayflies, and stoneflies, including their nymphs.
22:36 - He recommends visiting their website for online fly fishing and fly tying masterclasses for beginners.
23:58 - We dive deep into how to prepare for fishing in Yellowstone with dry flies.
31:23 - Spencer emphasizes that making flies look perfect isn't necessary and suggests that uniqueness can help a fly stand out. He shares an anecdote about a friend catching fish with a severely worn-out fly to highlight that presentation might be more important than the fly's appearance.
35:51 - He stresses the need to closely observe the surroundings. He advises turning over rocks in the water to match the local insect life to the flies in your tackle box, ensuring a better match and higher success rate in catching fish.
40:43 - Spencer mentions using a big dry fly and an orange dubbing that he found among his grandfather's fly-tying materials, which perfectly matches the October caddis. He often fishes a caddis emerger pattern, either off the back of an elk hair caddis dry fly or by nymphing it deep under a stonefly nymph to reach the bottom where fish are feeding.
43:40 - Spencer's Untangled Podcast began as a Q&A-based show driven by listener questions. He mentions his recent episodes, including topics like fly rods, waders, and trout behavior, and a notable episode where I gave my top 5 lessons from his 600 episodes.
46:45 - Spencer curates news stories and writes gear columns at MidCurrent, including reviews and guides on selecting the right equipment. He recently wrote about the BOA versus traditional laces for wading boots.

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/617
Presented By: Waters West, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Smitty's Fly Box, Guide Book
 
What happens when life throws you a curveball? Our guest today was a pro skateboarder living the dream. Then, BAM! A car accident forces him to ditch the board.
Fred Campbell is here to tell us how this plot twist turned Fred into an outdoor guru and the mastermind behind Hooké, one of Canada's hottest outdoor brands.
Fred will give us a tour of Quebec's premier fly fishing destinations! This massive province in Eastern Canada offers incredible opportunities to catch Atlantic salmon, brook trout, arctic char, and many other species.
Show Notes with Fred Campbell on Quebec's Premier Fly Fishing Destinations. 
07:32 - Fred's first fly fishing experiences were with his grandfather, who took him canoeing and fishing for trout in Quebec. He later got into Atlantic salmon and wanted to make it more accessible.
10:51 - Fred also shares the story behind Hooké. The idea started as a fun name for his skateboarding and snowboarding crew and evolved into a brand. The name's unique accent makes it stand out and reflects his roots.
 
14:02 - Fred started in film production after a car accident ended his skateboarding career. He created Fokus Productions and eventually worked on big names like Red Bull.
After 12 years, he got tired of the hectic lifestyle and found his passion in fly fishing. He started filming his fishing trips, shared them online, and then built a clothing line around his brand. The Hooké grew rapidly and eventually had its own TV show.
21:35 - Fred talked about meeting Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia. We had Yvon on the podcast in Episode 536.
28:44—We chat about Fred's approach to hunting and filmmaking. He doesn't show animals suffering or dying because he believes it doesn't add value. Instead, he focuses on the whole hunting experience.
 
25:19 - Fred talked about his clothing line and how he spends 100 days a year outdoors testing the gear. He loves seeing people wear his brand, especially in his home province of Quebec.
Fishing in Quebec
41:06 - Fred shares about the amazing fishing opportunities in Quebec. Here are the different species you can catch there:
Walleye and Lake Trout
Brook Trout
Atlantic Salmon
Arctic Char
 
50:02 - Quebec has many managed fishing areas where you need permits, especially for Atlantic salmon.
DIY fishing is possible but requires preparation and understanding of local regulations. Here are some websites you can visit for more information:
Saumon Québec
Quebec Outfitters
Sépaq
Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/617