Rob interviews Chris Williams from the Gulf Coast Classic. The Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International organized their 4th annual Gulf Coast Classic fly fishing festival on May 1-2, 2026, at the Learning Campus of Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. A unique fishing area that offers tarpon fishing on foot on one side of the park and bluegill on foot on the other. We discover how Chris launched a tournament from the ground up, involving participants ranging from non-profits to fly tyers and casting instructors.

You’ll learn about the various freshwater and saltwater species found in the tournament's nearby waters, along with past catches and this year's results and where the participants have traveled from. Chris discusses the intense heat of the Gulf Coast, local sandwich favorites, his passion for fishing, and much more.

Produced by Jason Reif.

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 Rob gave a presentation at the May 2026 gathering of The Potomac Patuxent Chapter of Trout Unlimited. His topic centered around slow water foam flies intended for summer predators. He emphasized how ultraviolet rays from the sun can deteriorate your flies, covering various types of foam, the food sources for fish during summer, the appearance and presentation of flies, the importance of using droppers in summer fishing, and finally, he shared his favorite slow water flies for the summer season. Among these flies are the gutless frog, scorpion bug, splat rat, night monkey, Chernobyl ant, fish skull popper heads, cicadas, and crickets.

Rob detailed how these flies should be constructed and used to effectively to attract predators in calm and shallow waters during the summer months. Two key points to remember are to retrieve your flies slowly and avoid moving them over long distances.

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In this episode, Rob discusses the recent emergence of the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in the mid-Atlantic region of North America. The lanternflies, in every stage of their life cycle, look very different from any insects found in northern Virginia, where Rob lives. He will elaborate on how the adult's striking red hind wing is unlike any colors in his local surroundings and why he considers them to be the dumbest of all creatures. He will delve into the insect's classification, share intriguing facts about them, describe their physical traits, feeding habits, reproduction, his personal observations, and how he crafted a fly to mimic the adults. Rob challenges the notion that local species won't prey on lanternflies because they do not recognize them as a food source. These unusual insects have already invaded Northern Virginia and are on their way to you. Don't waste your efforts trying to crush them when they arrive; it won't prevent their spread.

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James Andrew Holt unexpectedly passed away in April 2026. He was highly inteligent, witty, crass, and always there when you needed him. Rob and Andrew were the closest of fishing buddies. Even though they had not been in contact for several months due to Rob taking a step back from their friendship, he is still heartbroken. He had a passion for gourmet food and a particular love for Scotch Whisky (His father was from Glasgow) having once served as the Macallan Ambassador for the Washington DC area. Andrew dedicated his time to Frogman Outdoors and Project Healing Waters. He enjoyed all types of fishing, whether it was conventional, bait, or fly fishing, and from freshwater to saltwater, warm water to cold water. His fast car was always stocked with fishing equipment, and his home was overflowing with tackle. Rods or surfboards in the corners. 

Andrew was a first responder at the Pentagon on 9/11 and at Ground Zero on 9/12. After the traumas of 9/11, Andrew faced a challenging life. He battled post-traumatic stress and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his mid-thirties. He lived life to the fullest and was perpetually ready for another drink, focusing on the present without much contemplation of the future. Drinking took over his life which was something Rob has never experienced with such a close friend. His challenging life eventually took its toll, leading to struggles in his final years. Rob shares some stories that highlight Andrew's uniqueness. From the whisky glass he kept in his wading jacket to the incident when Rob's Xterra was towed (he said to park anywhere). Here are a few anecdotes that illustrate why Andrew was one of a kind and why Rob cherished their friendship and kept him around for so long. With his luck, England will win the World Cup this year and he’ll miss it. He'll be missed.

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Mike Komara’s mission is to share the skills and techniques learned over a decade of competing and fishing across the globe. He grew up as a competitive angler starting on the USA youth team where he was mentored by greats like George Daniel and Joe Humphreys. Mike still competes but on the senior level and is the one now teaching the younger anglers. He is currently booked as a guide. If you hire him, wear quality glass lens polarized sunglasses. Mike and Rob discuss the current price of tungsten beads, how he splits his time between Pennsylvania and New Zealand, and the trout to giant eel that he catches. Mike checks in with Rob after a day of guiding. We learn he is just as passionate about musky fishing as he is with trout. Mike also starts fishing during the interview and you’ll have to wait to hear what happens. Spoiler, he drops his phone in the river.

Produced by Jason Reif

Intro music: Goldrush

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This marks Rob's inaugural visit to the Maryland Fly Fishing Show. For various reasons, he has faced scheduling conflicts with the event for several years. Rob doesn't frequently travel to Towson. When he was younger, his father brought him here to purchase lacrosse balls. Finding lacrosse gear and fly fishing supplies was quite challenging in the late 80s.

Rob stops for a burger on his way home.

Rob's 2024 interview with Ralph Valle.

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Rob makes his way back to The Fly Fishing Show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. With a microphone in hand, he strolls through the venue to uncover the stories of both attendees and exhibitors. His attention is drawn to the fly tying section of the event. We discover insights about local anglers from Pennsylvania, the tiny flies they prefer, and the bodies of water they fish in. Rob and Caitlin encountered Joe Humphreys and even had a book signed by him. You never know who Rob might run into. These are their narratives. If you haven't visited the Lancaster show before, this episode might inspire you to check it out. Hopefully next year you will find Rob behind one of the fly tying tables.

Produced by Jason Reif.

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Malinda Barna has been the proprietor of her own fly shop along the banks of the Salmon River in New York for a longer time than Rob has been wetting his line there. This distinctive shop is filled with vibrant fly tying materials. Her fly shop attracts anglers from around the globe. Situated on the banks of a world-renowned river, this episode reveals how Malinda acquired the shop and managed it for many years alongside her partner Bobby. Malinda shares anecdotes about her fishing spots during the off-season, explains her decision to stop selling bobbers for fly fishing, and discusses how to navigate the unique microclimate near Lake Ontario. A regular customer named Morris stops by while shopping and provides us with a wealth of valuable insights.

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This episode brings us to Roanoke, Virginia, the Star City Of The South, where shop owner and guide, Jay Waide, tells us.his story. We get to know the history and location of the fly shop, its wide range of customers, and some great nearby fishing spots. Jay talks about everything related to fishing in the southwest corner of Virginia, from blue lining brook trout in little streams to jet boating tailwaters for muskie.

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Rob initially encountered Andrew at the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival several years ago. At that time, Andrew was likely in middle school, displaying a remarkable passion for fishing as a young boy. He was precocious and downright fishy. He tied his own flies. Throughout his teenage years, he dedicated his mornings and afternoons to fishing at the Falmouth Flats beneath the Rte. 1 Bridge in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the same spot where Rob learned to fly fish for stripers while going to college up the street. A few years down the line, Andrew crossed paths with an Alaskan lodge owner during one of the Virginia Fly Fishing Shows, which ultimately led him to Alaska after graduating high school. We reconnect with him now residing in Puerto Rico to learn about his journey.

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