Since the inception of this podcast, many people have commented, messaged, and emailed us asking for Andy’s story. We were hesitant about doing this interview as we want to the focus to remain on our incredible guests and not ourselves. Thanks again to Nathaniel Linville for taking the helm and conducting the interview. Hope you all enjoy.

Episode 34: Andy & Nathaniel

With a passion for storytelling, Mill House is more than a fishing podcast. Comprised of in-depth conversations with innovators, legends, and pioneers of the outdoors, we expose untold and compelling stories from industry leaders.

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On board for this podcast, is a man that has lived fully in many forms; dentist, angler, artist, and as a free spirit that many only dream of doing successfully. Yes, Fred Troxel has excelled profoundly at all of these. Many know him as a highly professional dentist that has worked bare footed for years. Oxymoron? No, because working close to Key West where the liberty to live your life in whatever form works. He has won three All Tackle World Championship Bonefish Tournaments. All of them with the two greats: Harry Speer (1) and Michael Guerin (2). Troxel is also close with many famous writers/fishermen who used to skirt over to the Bahamas where the bonefish were as plentiful as the conversations were vibrant with intellect, nonsense, and always humorous… In this podcast, we talk about his love for hunting big bonefish, his spectacular road kill art, passion for his friends, and his excursions to Burning Man.
Today we get a taste of it all! Thanks for coming on, Fred!

Episode 113: Dr. Fred Troxel - Dentist, Artist, & Fanatic Fisherman

Capt. Andy Thompson is, in my book, one of the greatest people you’ll ever have the pleasure of knowing, both on and off the water. He’s soft spoken, but his words carry incredible weight. Why?Because he’s truthful, genuine, and his integrity is gold! He’s also one of the greatest guides in the game. Andy grew up in Miami and at a very young age gravitated to fishing and never looked back. He refined his craft and eventually started fishing against the best in the world, in the biggest tarpon tournaments. He and his angler Mark Weeks won the Don Hawley twice, cementing their names in the history books.
Thompson's knowledge is also incredibly vast. He can confidently fish from Chokoloskee to the Marquesas and when the fall arrives, he’ll head west to Louisiana where the monster redfish cruise the shorelines. Nicky and I have had some of our best days there with him, where our minds were blown apart by what he knows and what we caught. Andy also loves to hunt - turkeys, waterfowl, deer and elk. Yes, he’s an extraordinary outdoorsman, but he’s even better as a father, husband, and unwavering friend!

Episode 112: Capt. Andy Thompson - The Sheriff

Capt. Al Dopirak is arguably the best fishing guide to ever chase world record tarpon! He and Tom Evans have put more big tarpon in their boat than anyone. Records are meant to be broken but their 194.5 lb tarpon on 12 pound test is beyond imagination, well mine anyway! They also caught a 190.5 lb tarpon on 16 pound test that broke Billy Pate’s 188 lb record that stood for 25 plus years. Tom Evans has been inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame, and a very large part of that success story, unquestionably, has to do with Al Dopirak. Tom said, “Al is the greatest. I fished with Al for 42-43 years. Best tarpon fisherman I ever fished with. And as a person - Just the tops!”
Dopirak is much more than a great fisherman, he is a loyal, loving husband, father and friend. When Evans ended up in the hospital while fishing with Al in 2022, Dopirak stayed with Tom 7 hours a day, never leaving his side. Al’s wife, Penny, and son, Brian, are his pride and Joy. I’ve been around this game along time and I can honestly say that you can put Al’s name on that very short list of, “legendary guides."

Episode 111: Capt. Al Dopirak - Homosassa's Greatest

I have fished with many superstar guides throughout my career. Many were on my hit list for years before seeing that day on their bow, but there was one whose boat I never made it on and he was as famous as anyone, Butch Constable! Butch doesn’t just fish his water around Jupiter, he plays it like Hendrix did with his guitar. Inside and out he knows the timing of the fish that migrate through there as well as those that live there. I guess and presume he loves snook more that anything because is email has the word snook in it, but don’t let that fool all you other fish, because if his eyes hit yours, your dead meat! Top water or on the bottom he covers the water column like no other. Offshore sailfish to inlet snook, he knows the game and is the best at it. Butch also helped pioneer bilge pump live wells, offshore live chumming, and Jupiters’ tarpon and snook fishery.
He’s also a great fly fisherman. Trust me, Butch Constable is a master at everything fishing! Another great guide, Scott Hamilton said, “Butch is one of the most talented and intuitive guides I’ve ever met. His feel for the environment would justify him having gills!” And the best yet, he’s one of the most humble, kind men I know!

Episode 110: Capt. Butch Constable - Jupiter's Finest

Rachel Finn is a fearless, free spirit that everyone loves. After attending Yale University in graduate school, she followed her heart and began guiding up in the Adirondacks some 30 years ago. Rachel is also a wonderful artist, friend, and inspiration to never grow up and never stop chasing your passions.
Finn is a well-known presence in the Adirondack guide scene throughout the fishing season. Serving as the head guide at the Hungry Trout Fly Shop in Wilmington, New York, she accompanies clients on expeditions across the numerous rivers, streams, and ponds nestled within the breathtaking mountains. Additionally, for many years during July and August, Rachel lead summer float trips in Alaska. She holds positions as a pro staff member for Scott Fly Rods, Airflow, and Nautilus Reels, while also being enlisted by Patagonia as one of their fly fishing ambassadors. Finn also is an ambassador and hosts a couple trips a year for SET Fly Fishing in Argentina. Her expertise has been showcased on ESPN's Great Outdoor Games and the Outdoor Life Network's Fly Fishing Masters.

Episode 34: Andy & Nathaniel

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