Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast Dave Stewart

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/616 
Presented by: Stonefly Nets, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Northern Rockies Adventures, Togens Fly Shop
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors 
Today, we're diving deep into Baja Fly Fishing with James Shaughnessy, founder of Beulah Fly Rods. Get ready to discover where to find the elusive roosterfish, how to approach them, and why a steelhead mindset is essential for success. Whether you're a seasoned fly fisher or just starting, this episode is packed with tips and tricks on the best fly rods for different seasons and the ideal rod weight for this year's roosterfish adventure. So, grab your gear and join us for an engaging and informative chat with one of the industry's best.

Episode Chapters with James Shaughnessy on Baja Fly Fishing
1:57 - James recounts his early fishing experiences, starting as a child in Puerto Rico, where he fished off beaches and developed a deep love for the ocean. His passion continued in Florida, where he fished for inshore species like sea trout and snook.
6:04 - He shares his journey into the fishing rod industry, detailing his extensive background and specialization in fly fishing. Having worked in fly shops and as a guide, he gained significant exposure to fly rods.
James highlights that the switch rods were a pioneering product, as they were among the first commercial series available, setting his company apart. This innovation was well-received, leading to the development of fly lines specifically designed for switch rods, which were scarce at the time.
11:18 - James describes Baja as one of the best fishing spots in the world, likening it to a 900-mile pier. He highlights the accessibility of the beaches, the variety of species, and the ease of catching large sport fish like marlin and roosterfish close to shore due to the deep waters of the Sea of Cortez. He also emphasizes the friendly locals and the overall safety and beauty of the area.
14:19 - He elaborates on the challenges of catching roosterfish, particularly from the beach. He explains that even with live bait, roosterfish are notoriously difficult to catch due to their sharp instincts and tendency to reject bait. Catching them from the beach requires perfect timing, luck, and skill, making it a highly rewarding endeavor for dedicated fishermen.
16:15 - We dig into their operations in Baja which run during prime fishing months, offering trips usually consisting of five to six days of fishing. The busiest months are from May to July, and they resume after hurricane season in October, extending to Pacific side trips in November and December.
22:23 - He discusses the unique dorsal fin of roosterfish and its role in their hunting strategy. James explains that the fin is used to corral bait, such as sardines, by creating a vortex that traps the prey, making it easier for the roosterfish or its companions to catch it. This behavior is particularly evident during their feeding frenzy, which presents a prime opportunity for anglers to target them.
23:17 - James elaborates on the gear and techniques for targeting fishing roosterfish. From a boat, anglers typically use flies that mimic the baitfish in size and color. When fishing from the beach, larger flies are used to stand out among the baitfish schools, as roosterfish quickly dart in and out during their attacks.
29:36 - For targeting roosterfish, James recommends the Beulah G2 10wt rod, which is versatile enough for various conditions and effective for casting and fighting fish. He mentions that a 12wt rod might be used for larger fish but generally sticks to 10 or 11wt rods. For flies, James reiterates the effectiveness of a standard six-inch fly mullet pattern for roosterfish.
39:16 - James explains that the trips run from Saturday to Saturday, with guests flying in, picked up by a van, and transported a couple of hours up the coast. There are also opportunities for evening trips to fish for species like cubera snapper.
41:

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/615 
Presented by: Skwala, TroutRoutes, Togiak River Lodge, Visit Helena, MT
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors 
In today's episode, Drew Evans of The Fly Project walks us through their buzzing Carp Clave event.
Drew will share his top three carp fishing tips, including the legendary drag-and-drop technique you don’t want to miss. Plus, he’ll dive into the must-have gear for the season and give us the scoop on spotting carp in those tricky river flats. And if that’s not enough, get ready to be hooked by tales of fish camps and exotic fishing trips to places like Belize!

Episode Chapters with Drew Evans on the Carp Clave
3:11 - Drew describes the Carp Clave event as possibly the first of its kind, aiming to educate and introduce more people to carp fishing, which traditional trout fishermen often overlook. It was held in Boardman, Oregon, a location chosen for its abundant flats and carp.
7:18 - Drew explains that the Carp Clave highlights the parallels between flats fishing, typically a saltwater technique, and carp fishing in shallow waters across the United States and even globally.
8:55 - He walks us through the event. He mentions Dick Sagara and a few more of the huge supporters of the event and the vendors and brands that were there.
18:20 - Drew explains that House of Fly is where he works. They offer a comprehensive range of fly fishing gear, from saltwater equipment to small creek necessities, carrying well-known brands like Echo, Sage, and Winston.
20:51 - We talk about his home river. For steelhead, he goes to Clearwater, Idaho. He also targets salmon and smallmouth bass.

25:01 - Drew explains that spring brings challenges like weather fronts and strong winds, which can affect water clarity essential for flat-style fishing. Despite potential visibility issues, carp can still be targeted due to their bright appearance, especially against sandy bottoms. He emphasizes the importance of identifying the fish's orientation to place the fly correctly.
28:04 - We dig into the gear for fishing in the Boardman area of the Columbia River for successful fishing during April. He emphasizes the importance of having a rod with a good backbone, suggesting an eight-weight rod as ideal. This rod size is versatile for different types of fish, including redfish, bonefish, permit, pike, smallmouth bass, and carp.
29:06 - He highlights the importance of selecting lines that can handle wind and varying temperatures. He recommends saltwater tapers, especially the Rio Outbound short for cold conditions and the SA Grand Slam or redfish taper for warmer conditions.
31:18 - Drew typically uses a long leader, around 12 to 13 feet, particularly when dealing with spooky fish. To counterbalance the long leader and ensure the fly sinks faster, he uses a heavier fly and often opts for a fluorocarbon tippet, ranging from 12 to 16 pounds. He mentions specific products like the redfish leaders from SA or Rio, which he finds particularly effective.

32:15 - He notes that anything from sizes 8 to 4 can be effective for the flies. He mentions the importance of having a variety of flies with different weights, from light bead chain eyes to medium dumbbell eyes, to adapt to different water depths. He highlights a particular fly, the hybrid carp fly created by John Bartlett, which has proven highly effective in carp fishing.
37:28 - Drew gives us three reasons to try carp fishing. He points out the accessibility of it, as it doesn't require long drives like trout fishing. He also mentions the practice it provides for saltwater fishing and the conservation benefits, as carp can be fished in hot weather when other fish are less active. It also offers a thrilling, challenging experience.
41:16 - He talks about the strategies for finding and not spooking carp while fishing. He emphasizes the importance of locating shallow water areas that can accommodate multiple fish. Drew also points o

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/614
Presented By: Drifthook Fly Fishing, FishHound Expeditions, Yellowstone Teton Territory, Visit Helena, MT
Jason Moore is on the podcast, and we'll get his three best tips for striper fishing on the East Coast.
We'll also get an update on the trends out east and where you can get more information. We're heading to the East Coast today with Jason of Island Fly.
Show Notes with Jason Moore on Stiper Fishing. 
02:10 - Jason grew up in a small beach town in southern New Jersey, where he loved surfing and conventional fishing. He spent 25 years in Colorado and got into trout fishing. After that, he returned to the coast and got into saltwater fly fishing.
Island Fly 
3:05 - When Jason started Island Fly four years ago, their main target was stripers, which he said are great on the fly. During summers when stripers head north for cooler waters, they focus on other species like flounder, bluefish, and cow nose rays.
Photo via https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/pacific_cownose_ray
06:29 - Jason says they are on Brigantine Island, where there are vast sandy flats, and the best way to fish for cow nose rays is from a boat. Cow nose rays are best targeted from mid-June to late August when the water is warm.
You can also go for flounder and catch bluefish during this time. Additionally, they sometimes fish for spinner sharks.
Check out our episode on Mako Shark Shark Fly Fishing with Conway Bowman 
Wild Fish Wild Places 
09:46 - Jason talks about his trip to the Columbian Amazon to fish for peacock bass with my good friend Denis Isbister from Wild Fish Wild Places.
The trip was super remote, involving long boat rides and hiking through the jungle to reach untouched lagoons. The episode is set to premiere in October 2024! Catch the raw footage here:
Striper Fishing 
18:28 - The best time for a striper fishing trip is spring, especially April and May because the weather is more consistent. These fish move north as the water warms, following bait fish like menhaden.
23:55 - Jason owns a 22-foot panga, which he finds perfect for striper fishing. However, there are alternative options for stripers fishing without a boat, such as beach fishing and fishing around jetties.
29:19 - When fishing for stripers, matching the fly to the water depth and fish behavior is important.
Surface lures like gurglers and poppers are effective in shallow waters (three feet or less), while streamers work better in deeper areas.
Tarpon toad flies work well in challenging situations.
Tips for Successful Striper Fishing
Look for structures and moving water to locate fish.
Use surface lures like poppers in the morning and evening to attract fish.
Switch to streamers during the day for continued success.
Experiment with different color patterns to find what works.
Try crab patterns in shallow waters.
Other Species
Rays
34:43 - Unlike striper fishing, where you're on the boat chasing after fish, ray fishing involves wading in shallow, warm waters near sandbars. The rays are often seen in large numbers and are targeted with crab flies.
A minimum of nine-weight rods is recommended.
Sub-50-foot casts are typical.
Be prepared with ample backing due to the ray's powerful runs.
Blue Fish
They can be caught from spring through summer.
Very aggressive and fun to catch.
Flounder
Flounders are found on sandbars during the warm summer months.
Shallow water fishing using a six-weight rod.
Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/614
 
 

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