Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast Dave Stewart

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/637 
Presented By: Skwala, Togiak River Lodge, Togens Fly Shop, Visit Helena, MT
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors   
Kamden Glade, fisheries specialist from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, joins us to discuss his groundbreaking research on the Minnesota musky diet. In some regions, these formidable fish have earned a dubious reputation for preying on prized sport fish like walleye and bass. However, Kamden's research provides a different perspective, revealing that musky in Minnesota seldom consume these highly valued species.
Throughout the episode, Kamden shares intriguing insights from his comprehensive study, including the innovative techniques used to examine the stomach contents of these apex predators without causing them harm. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of what musky feed on, the average sizes of their prey, and how this knowledge can enhance their chances of a successful catch during the fishing season.

Episode Chapters with Kamden Glade on Minnesota Musky Research
3:45 - Kamden shares his lifelong passion for fishing, which started at a young age with his family, and later evolved into a professional career in fisheries biology. He explains that his interest in the ecology and biology of fish was sparked during his undergraduate studies, where a professor with a background in fisheries biology inspired him to pursue this path.
5:03 - His work in fisheries biology became more specialized during his graduate studies at Bemidji State University, where he led a research project analyzing the diets of muskies, walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass in various lakes across Minnesota. This project aimed to address the negative perception of muskies, which are often thought to indiscriminately eat other fish species.
8:50 - Kamden discusses the diet of muskies, focusing on why walleye are not a significant part of their diet. Kamden explains that research, including studies in Minnesota and Wisconsin, shows that muskies primarily consume yellow perch and suckers. Other notable components of their diet include Northern pike, insects, aquatic invertebrates, and bullheads, depending on the region.
Despite the presence of healthy walleye populations in the lakes studied, walleye were found in only four out of 650 muskie stomachs analyzed. This scarcity is not due to habitat differences, as both species often occupy the same areas in the lakes. Instead, it appears that walleye have effective defenses against predation. They have large tails for quick escapes, a heightened awareness of their surroundings, and sharp dorsal spines that deter muskies.
12:11 - We delve into the status, native range, and life history of muskies. Kamden explains that muskies are originally native to the Mississippi River and Ohio River basin, the Great Lakes drainage, and parts of Eastern and Central Canada. Despite remaining naturally reproducing in many systems, habitat changes caused by human activities like building dams and docks, and removing aquatic vegetation have led to a decline in natural reproduction.
14:27 - On the musky life history, he details that muskies typically spawn in spring when water temperatures range from the high 40s to low 60s, with peak spawning activity around the mid-50s. Unlike some fish, muskies do not build nests or defend their eggs. Instead, they spawn in shallow vegetation, and the eggs are left to fend for themselves.
16:25 - We talk about the conservation efforts surrounding musky fishing, particularly in Minnesota. Kamden explains that in Minnesota, muskies are generally not eaten, partly due to a statewide minimum size limit of 54 inches, which promotes their status as a trophy fish. This size limit means that by the time muskies reach 54 inches, they are usually quite old and less critical to the population, allowing for occasional harvesting without significant impact.
19:23 - I ask how their project has imp

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/636
Presented By: FishHound Expeditions
 Today, we hang out with Shannon Martin, executive director of the Kenai Sport Fishing Association. She's here to take us behind the scenes into what they are doing to protect the best salmon rivers in the country. Plus, we'll get an update on the Chinook status in this area.
Have you heard of the suicide run? It's a multi-day fishing adventure where anglers stay up all night, catching their limit for the day and getting their limit again for the next day.
There's nothing better than Alaska King Salmon. Let's jump into it with Shannon and KRSA.
Show Notes with Shannon Martin on Kenai River Sportfishing Association.
02:34 - Shannon grew up in Alaska, where fishing has always been part of her life. About 15 years ago, her brother retired from the Army and got into fly fishing on the Kenai River. Shannon joined him, fell in love with it, and got hooked.
Fly Fishing the Kenai River 
03:48 -  The Kenai River is over 80 miles long with more than 15 public access points. The river is famous for its huge salmon, including the world record King salmon that weighed 97 pounds.
 
The "Suicide Run" and Dip Net Fishing
06:26 - The "suicide run" is a unique way to fish on the Kenai River. You get off work at 5:00 PM in Anchorage, drive down to the river, catch your limit of salmon by midnight, and then catch the next day's limit after midnight.
This July, the sockeye salmon run is expected to bring in about 3.3 million fish, making it a great time to try out a suicide run.
Dip net fishing is only for Alaska residents where they can harvest salmon using a five-foot-wide hoop net. Each household gets 25 fish for the head of the household and an additional 10 for each dependent. 
Kenai River Sportfishing Association
10:25 - Kenai River Sport Fishing Association was founded in 1984 by Bob Penney to protect Chinook salmon. Commercial fishing, especially with gill nets, impacts Chinook as they return to spawn. KRSA aims to balance commercial interests with preserving fish stocks for future generations.
Check out our episode with Adam of FishHound Expeditions! He talked about his experience visiting Capitol Hill to spread the word about the issues facing Alaska's fish.
16:42 - Shannon explains how heavy foot traffic on the Kenai River banks harms salmon habitats. To fix this, they’ve built light-penetrating boardwalks. These walkways let people access the river without damaging the vegetation that holds the banks together.
18:35 - KRSA hosts events like the Kenai River Spring Cleanup, where local students help remove litter from the riverbanks. They organize the Jr Classic in the fall, where they introduce around 100 children to fishing and water safety.
24:19 - Shannon talks about the importance of educating anglers on proper catch and release techniques, especially for the declining Chinook salmon.
31:24 - We talk about KRSA's major project with Alaska State Parks to restore and improve a popular state recreation site on the Kenai. This includes:
Installing light-penetrating boardwalks
Adding stairwells
Providing offsite parking

Kenai River Classic
33:58 - The Kenai River Classic functions as not only an educational opportunity for KRSA to get together with local policymakers and philanthropists, but it's also a fundraiser.  Highlights of the Kenai River Classic include:
A three-day fishing event for about 150 participants
The national round table on sport fish policy, in partnership with Yamaha Rightwaters
Speakers from the American Sport Fishing Association and local tribal entities discussing important topics like the MMPA and in-river fishery protection.
Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/636
 

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/635
Today we're heading back north to Alaska to find out what the road system has to offer. Not only are we going to talk about where you can find 20 and 30-inch rainbows, but we're going to get Mike's take on why Chinook have taken such a downturn and why this is connected to 30 billion hatchery fish being released up there. We're also gonna talk about swinging for rainbows so you're ready this fall when the game turns on. 
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/635
 

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/634
 
Presented By:  Stonefly Nets, TroutRoutes, Togens Fly Shop
 
In this podcast, Dave talks about In this episode, AJ Gottschalk of Project Healing Waters talks about how their organization helps veterans through fly fishing. But did you know it also benefits volunteers just as much? Today, we’ll explore how their conservation program makes a difference and the opportunities to get involved.
2:22 - Growing up on Florida's southwest coast, AJ's first memory is getting stuck in the live well of his dad's boat at around age two and a half. He talked about how this memory resurfaced as he watched his own young son, begin to form his first memories.
4:16 - AJ recalls catching mega snook in Florida but truly fell in love with fly fishing during grad school in Buffalo, New York. Fishing the Great Lakes tributaries, he became an expert in drifting an indicator and later, swinging flies.
7:05 - AJ shares how he recently enjoyed using the rod for swinging small flies like the Partridge and Orange. He loves this simple yet demanding fly, especially when getting the partridge wrap just right.
11:15 - AJ continued with sharing his journey to becoming the creative director for Project Healing Waters. He mentioned his first encounter with the organization while working for Allen Fly Fishing, where they donated rods, reels, and hooks for fly tying, which showcased the program's impact.
13:36 - In 2005, Navy Captain Ed Nicholson founded Project Healing Waters at Walter Reed. He saw disabled veterans struggling and introduced them to fly casting. Now, the organization is nearing its 20th anniversary, continuing to support veterans from all service eras.
18:40 - AJ is proud to say that Project Healing Waters features diverse programs nationwide, mostly in Denver, Colorado Springs, and the National Capital region.
20:31 - Check out their website at projecthealingwaters.org. You'll find a locations list to see if there's a program near you. You can connect with a field support specialist, a regional coordinator, or your local program leader to find out when activities like fishing trips, fly tying sessions, or rod building meetings are happening.
29:57 - AJ highlightend an event that happened at Mosser Creek. Supporters of Project Healing Waters have made a lasting impact. One event that stand out most to him is the gathering of 15 veteran anglers and sponsors in Bridgewater, Virginia, bringing together the local community from Harrisonburg.
33:53 - AJ shared how his interest in fishing grew from studying archeology in grad school.
40:31 - AJ begins to explain how for many veterans, their call to serve doesn't end when they leave the military. It's natural for them to continue serving their communities and the natural environment that brings healing.
50:14 - He then brought up that there are many ways to support Project Healing Waters beyond writing a check. One saying goes, "The best ability is availability," emphasizing the value of donating time.

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/634
 

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/633
Presented By: TroutRoutes
Today, we're diving into the world of next-generation angling boats with Rich Batcheller from Abstract Watercraft.
Rich is the brain behind the revolutionary carbon fiber raft. Find out how their design can help eliminate line tangles and redefine rafting, as well as the features that set this boat apart.
Stay tuned for an insider's look into the future of watercraft with Rich Batcheller.
Show Notes with Rich Batcheller on Abstract Watercraft. 
02:28 - Rich's fly fishing journey is greatly influenced by his father. He grew up fishing for sturgeon and salmon on the Willamette River. Today, he enjoys saltwater cutthroat fishing on Bay Bridge Island.
A quick shoutout to Brian Niska, the host of our In the Bucket Podcast. He recently chatted with Trevor Covich about steelhead fishing. Give it a listen here! 
Abstract Model 1
07:54 - Rich describes the Abstract Model 1 as an ultralight, self-bailing carbon
fiber insert that drops into a whitewater raft.
He explains how this design makes fishing easier and more efficient. Here are some standout features:
Ultralight Design: Weighs around 275 pounds, 125–150 pounds lighter than a comparable drift boat.
Carbon Fiber Insert (Provides a rigid floor and walk-around environment).
No Traditional Rowing Frame
Easy to Dismantle
12:51 - Rich shares their journey in developing this new category of boat, their vision, and the challenges faced.
17:48 - We explore the idea of selling their unique carbon fiber insert separately for other boat models. Rich acknowledges this possibility, but he mentions their partnership with SOTAR.
He talks about SOTAR's durability and customer service, noting its lightweight and easy customization options, which align with everything Abstract Watercraft is trying to do.
Check out our episode with Adam Hudson, where we talk about drift boats versus rafts.
28:20 - One big thing about their raft is the solid platform you can stand on. It lets you move around easily, which is super helpful when you're fishing or guiding people.
33:04 - Rich shared about his early career at Klein Bicycles, where he learned a lot about design and engineering from working alongside Gary Klein.
Looking Forward with Abstract Watercraft
54:51 - Keep an eye on Abstract Watercraft's Instagram and website for their upcoming official boat launch.
Rich is excited about this new model featuring integrated rod holders, extra storage, and lightweight carbon fiber materials.

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/633

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/632
We have a very informative show coming your way, as I'm speaking with April Vokey from Anchored Outdoors, as well as Spey-O-Rama, world champion spey caster, Tim Arsenault. I've been friends with these two for many years and it's been exciting to watch them thrive as respected professionals in the fly fishing industry. April has her own educational media company, including one of the best podcast shows in the outdoor space. Tim runs a fly shop in Vancouver. He's highly sought after as a spa casting instructor and as his own line company. Today we're gonna talk high-level spey casting performance and gain some insight into the mindset of a successful steel header.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/632