Ask Us A Question! Nathaniel Linville has become one of the most respected technical minds in flyfishing — a tournament champion, Master Certified Casting Instructor, IGFA Trustee, world-record holder, and owner of The Angling Company in Key West. But what makes Nathaniel especially interesting isn’t simply what he has accomplished. It’s the way he approaches the sport: relentlessly analyzing casting, presentation, fish behavior, equipment, preparation, and all of the small details that ultimately determine whether an angler converts an opportunity or watches it disappear. In Part One of this two-part conversation, we dive into Nathaniel’s remarkable 2026 March Merkin victory, including an incredible seven-permit final day, before exploring what years of tournament fishing have taught him about permit, tarpon, and success on the flats. Nathaniel breaks down what anglers misunderstand about these species, why supposed “refusals” often begin with mistakes made seconds earlier, and what traveling anglers can do before a trip to dramatically improve their odds. We also dig into the science of fly casting and the skills anglers should actually be practicing. This is a fascinating conversation about preparation, precision, and the small differences that separate good anglers from consistently great ones. NOTE OF CORRECTION: In the introduction to this episode, host Jim Klug incorrectly identified Nathaniel Linville as an MCI (Master Casting Instructor) certified through Fly Fishers International. While we know Nathaniel to be one of the finest casting instructors in the industry, he does not hold the MCI certification and did not want our mistake to be interpreted as a claim on his part that he does. Nathaniel appropriately pointed out that, out of respect for those who have put in the work to earn the MCI certification, the distinction is an important one. We appreciate him bringing it to our attention, apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused, and want to be clear: this one is entirely on us. Waypoints is brought to you by Patagonia To bring their gear to life, Patagonia is motivated by relentless curiosity and a passion for the wild. They evaluate hundreds of materials, build dozens of prototypes and spend seasons punishing them in the world’s most extreme conditions. The work is the guide, and Patagonia never tires of exploring, learning and improving. For the past two years, the Yellow Dog Flyfishing travel team has worked closely with Patagonia to test and refine the all-new Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II in destinations ranging from New Zealand to the Seychelles. Featured throughout the Yellow Dog Field Reports series, these boots have become the go to choice for our team thanks to their Vibram® Megagrip soles, durable quick drying construction, speed to get on and off, and support built for both freshwater and saltwater environments. - Follow us on Instagram - Follow us on Facebook - Check out our YouTube Page - View the official Yellow Dog w...