Loop to Loop

Ross Purnell
  • 4.8 (21)
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The official podcast of Fly Fisherman, the leading magazine of fly fishing since 1969.

  1. Jeff Wagner on how growing up a "fish nerd" and "casting geek" helps him guide Mayfly Outdoors today

    3D AGO

    Jeff Wagner on how growing up a "fish nerd" and "casting geek" helps him guide Mayfly Outdoors today

    Ross Purnell sits down with Mayfly Outdoors CEO Jeff Wagner in the Montrose Colorado headquarters for Ross, Abel, Renzetti, Dyna-King, Airflo, and several other brands. They discuss the unsung heroes of fly fishing; the best warmwater fly fishing in Nebraska; being a "fish nerd" installing aquariums; how Cabela's influenced the course of fly fishing; "geeking out" on casting, and learning to cast from Mel Krieger, Tim Rajeff, and Bruce Richards. Jeff reveals how stretchy lines pair best with stiff rods and low-stretch lines work best with more flexible rods, how the $249 Ross Cimarron Creek reel has "open source" pawls you can 3D print at home, how Mayfly manages to anodize reels in Colorado and protect the environment at the same time, the unique artistry behind each Abel reel, giving back to conservation organizations, recycling aluminum, and much more. If you've ever wondered how fly line tapers are like a wizard throwing fireballs, this techy podcast is for you. There's even an Easter egg that reveals brand new Abel artist collab, so don't miss this behind the scenes look at one of the most interesting people in the fly-fishing world.

    1h 14m
  2. Erik Johnsen from TroutRoutes discusses species lists, access points, and navigating offline maps

    APR 23

    Erik Johnsen from TroutRoutes discusses species lists, access points, and navigating offline maps

    Born and raised in the upper Midwest, Erik Johnsen's first connection to fishing was with panfish and bass. He found his passion for fly fishing chasing wild and native trout in Wisconsin's Driftless Region. He studied geography and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, which led to him becoming a member of the TroutRoutes team. TroutRoutes is a fly-fishing app that gives anglers a powerful tool backed by onX Maps to find access points, map out your next adventure, download offline maps, and even find specific species to chase with a fly rod. Erik lives in Southwest Wisconsin with his wife Cally, and two sons, Arlo and Frankie, on their homestead property.

    1h 5m
  3. Tiki Furimsky on getting kids into fly fishing, salmonflies, and The Fly Fishing Show

    APR 16

    Tiki Furimsky on getting kids into fly fishing, salmonflies, and The Fly Fishing Show

    Tiki Furimsky is an avid fly fisher and skier from Crested Butte, Colorado. He hails from the legendary Furimsky family. His grandpa, Chuck, started The Fly Fishing Show, and his dad, Ben, is the president and CEO.  Tiki and editor Ross Purnell discuss how to get kids into fly fishing, gear for kids, cutthroat trout or brook trout, striped bass on the fly, and why the shows are great for learning. From shredding the ski slopes to fly fishing the Salmonfly hatch, Tiki and friends are on the water and becoming the next generation of fly fishers and conservationists.

    26 min
  4. Rod designer Shawn Combs on leaving a dream job at Orvis to take a dream job as VP at Scott Fly Rods

    APR 9

    Rod designer Shawn Combs on leaving a dream job at Orvis to take a dream job as VP at Scott Fly Rods

    Shawn Combs got started as fly fisher in Kentucky, got a degree in mechanical engineering, and started with Orvis in 2011. He was the designer of all of Orvis's very successful Helios rods, and was most recently responsible for the development of all of Orvis tackle including waders, reels, boots, and packs. After 15 successful years at Orvis, Combs announced was leaving Vermont to take on a new role as vice president of Scott.  We had the chance to sit down with Shawn in the Montrose, Colorado, Scott Fly Rods factory to find out what inspired the move, how he feels about his former employer and co-workers, how he will collaborate with Scott President Jim Bartschji, and what the future holds for fly rod design. You won't want to miss this inside look at two of the biggest brands in fly fishing.

    47 min
  5. Fly-fishing instructor Dusty Wissmath on Joan Wulff, the Wulff School, and the mechanics of casting

    MAR 26

    Fly-fishing instructor Dusty Wissmath on Joan Wulff, the Wulff School, and the mechanics of casting

    Dusty Wissmath is a fly-fishing instructor, author, and travel host who lives in Pennsylvania's trout-rich Cumberland Valley. He teaches through TCO fly shops, is an Orvis instructor for Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, and is an instructor at the Wulff School of Fly Fishing in Livingston Manor, New York. He's a climber, mountaineer, fly fisher, and has spent a lifetime outdoors. He has over 30 years of experience instructing new to advanced anglers, and is working on a new book that teaches proper body mechanics in fly casting.

    1h 33m
  6. Director Joshua Caldwell on big brookies, making a Netflix hit, and his film on Cathy and Barry Beck

    MAR 12

    Director Joshua Caldwell on big brookies, making a Netflix hit, and his film on Cathy and Barry Beck

    Joshua Caldwell is the director of the Netflix hit "Mending the Line" starring big names like Brian Cox, Sinqua Walls, Perry Mattfeld, Patricia Heaton and Wes Studi. He's also passionate fly fisher who directed the documentary "Legacy: The Story of Cathy and Barry Beck." Both films deal with loss and grief—and also on the soothing joy that can come from fly fishing. His conversation with Ross Purnell focuses on his experiences catching huge brook trout in Labrador, working with veteran groups like Warriors and Quiet Waters, the difficulties of making films with live animals (trout), and his next projects on the horizon.

    1h 15m
  7. George Daniel Q&A with current Penn State students, and how to fish in extreme conditions

    FEB 26

    George Daniel Q&A with current Penn State students, and how to fish in extreme conditions

    George Daniel is the director of the Joe Humphreys Fly Fishing Program at Penn State University. George sits down with editor Ross Purnell to discuss fly fishing in extreme conditions, from low and clear conditions to fishing rising water, Daniel explains how adjusting your approach and tactics can lead to a successful day. In the second part of this special podcast, students who are currently enrolled at PSU become the "Loop to Loop" hosts and ask George about everything from fly-fishing careers to special moments on the water. You do not want to miss this one!

    38 min
  8. Landon Mayer on Hunting Trout and River Etiquette

    FEB 12

    Landon Mayer on Hunting Trout and River Etiquette

    Colorado guide Landon Mayer grew up in Colorado Springs and was mentored by his local fly shop (shout out Angler's Covey) and local fly tier John Barr. He became a pro fly tier and one of the leading experts on sight-fishing for trout. In this episode of Loop to Loop Landon explains how to look for telltale trout signs—a hint of color, the noticeable  "potato chip" of a brown trout's pectoral fin, or the giveaway of a ghostly shadow. He also explains why he is crazy about leeches, how he prepares for every day of fishing by tying at least a dozen flies as part of his routine, and how a golden dorado in Argentina changed his life. Ross and Landon also dive into the Clean the Dream project started by Landon and his friend Brandon Kramer 10 years ago. The annual event in 2025 had 300 volunteers that included 100 different families and 75 kids picking up trash from Colorado public lands.

    54 min
See All (30)

4.8
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

The official podcast of Fly Fisherman, the leading magazine of fly fishing since 1969.

Information

  • Creator
    Ross Purnell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Loop to Loop

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