One day, Rob was browsing Instagram for pictures of lady Amherst feathers when he stumbled upon the Schuman Feathers account. The feathers were absolutely gorgeous, every single one of them, yet none were shown being utilized in fly tying. Rob reached out to ask if the dye would bleed when the feathers became wet, as he planned to use them for tying flies. He was reassured that they were indeed waterproof. Afterward, Rob contacted the company to ask about a podcast—specifically, a podcast about feathers, not one related to fly fishing. Eventually, Rob ordered ostrich plumes for his damsel nymphs. When they arrived, they were even more stunning and luxurious than the feathers he had bought from fly shops. He was convinced. Rob's latest unboxing of additional feathers can be found here. It was clear that Rob needed to have Schuman Feathers featured on the show. Paul Schuman is a multi-generational feather supplier located in Miami. His family has been involved in the feather industry for more than a hundred years. In this episode, Paul talks about everything related to feathers, from how they are sourced to the regulations governing the feather trade. They delve into topics like steaming feathers, the various industries that utilize feathers, feather anatomy, and much more.

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Rob received a message from a fly tier accusing him of appropriating their intellectual property. His Etsy shop features a number of original flies as well as several inspired by others, with appropriate credit given when necessary. The sender of the messages has appeared on Rob’s podcast in the past, indicating they are not unfamiliar with one another. However, the tone of the messages lacked any reference to their prior interactions, making it seem as if they were meeting for the first time. Who holds the moral high ground in this situation? Is Rob profiting from someone else's work? Is the creator of the original flies asserting their rights over the design that Rob has tied? Is the original fly’s name appropriated from someone else and thus making the complaint analogous to the pot calling the kettle black? Should fly patterns be eligible for copyright protection?

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Dean Naujoks from the Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) joins Rob to talk about the recent sewage spill. Hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated sewage have now contaminated the Nation's River. An investigation conducted by the Potomac Riverkeeper Network alongside researchers from the University of Maryland revealed alarming levels of fecal bacteria and harmful pathogens in the Potomac River, raising significant public health alarms and highlighting the dangers associated with outdated sewer systems. The Potomac is NOT safe to be near at this time.

Mayor Bowser's Office

Produced by Jason Reif of Freestone Productions

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Rob journeys south to the Meadow Event Park located on the state fairgrounds in Doswell, Virginia for the 25th edition of the Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival. There, he encounters both familiar faces and newcomers to chat about where they live and fish, motivations for attending the event, and what they bring to the table. The event was bustling, and Rob couldn't manage to connect with everyone he had hoped to meet.

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Brian Deloach is a Fly Fishers International (IFF) certified casting instructor hailing from Tennessee. Rob initially met Brian when he hired him for a few hours of urban guiding around Washington D.C. After their fishing outing, they returned to Rob’s house and recorded a podcast where Brian shared insights about casting and fishing in his local waters. This time, the episode’s focus is solely on casting. Brian discusses proper techniques and terms used by IFF certified casting instructors, he will explain the essential principles for successful fly casting, and how to apply this to fishing. This episode is filled with casting analogies, so be sure to jot down some notes. We find out Brian's favorite five weight rod and where he likes to eat after a day of fishing. Brian dispels myths and common misconceptions, clarifies the differences between levers and springs in relation to your rod, recommends casting literature worth reading, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining your fly line. Brian is confident your fly line is filthy. 

Brian’s notes & links

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Rob has proclaimed 2026 as the year of the five weight fly rod. You'll need to wait a bit longer for a comprehensive explanation of his reasoning. In the meantime, tune in as Rob heads back to Mossy Creek to test out his new Hardy Marksman 5 weight setup. He has been preoccupied with thoughts about the restored section of the upper part of the stream and strategies for using weighted streamers. With winter settling in, the once vibrant wildflowers and overgrown banks have withered away, making it easier to walk and cast. Rob is ready to fish all day Monday, camp out in his car, and return for another session on Tuesday morning to pursue his goal. Listen as Rob shares insights about the stream and its winter conditions, the fish lurking in the structure, and the way the stream weaves through the agricultural landscape.

The podcast ends with Rob at Dam 4 on the Potomac. Three guys had out on kayaks without proper safety gear. Those on shore watch at the kayakers nearly die.

Purchase Rob's flies to support the show.

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Rob first encountered Matthew Lordeau around twenty-five years ago while they both were employed at the Orvis store in Tysons Corner, Virginia. The store was quite lively during that time, and all the staff tried to fish together whenever they could. Rob doesn’t remember going fishing with Matt. Even though they went their separate ways long ago, they have maintained their connection through meetings at The Fly Fishing Show and interactions online through social media. Since their days at Orvis, Matt has tied the knot and is now the father of a lively brood of children, ranging from young nymphs to instars. His experiences in fishing, writing, and travel have motivated Matt to launch his very own podcast, Casting Across. On this podcast, listeners can hear him talk about the individuals, locations, and elements involved in the quest for fish with a focus on the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania. Rob was eager to chat with Matt about his passion for both contemporary and traditional fly fishing literature. This marks Matt’s second time on the show as a podcast host. You can catch him in various episodes from the Somerset and Edison Fly Fishing Shows.

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Rob reflects on the year spent fishing and enjoying lunch, concluding with a gift guide. The year began with excessive rainfall and wrapped up with a lack of it. There were multiple road trips and his first flight since 2019. Rob takes a look at the sandwiches that powered his adventures. He also provides a concise list of items that have demonstrated their value for inclusion in a gift guide.

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It’s time for Rob’s yearly journey up north to the Salmon River in New York. The fish he’s aiming to catch are lake-run steelhead and brown trout. For weeks, Rob has been monitoring the low water levels while he meticulously crafted flies to complement his already stocked fly boxes, all with the hope of landing a steelhead for Producer Jason. However, this trip didn’t unfold as anticipated. Overwhelmed by sorrow, Rob finds himself unable to fish. While he was in New York, two people dear to him passed away. What was meant to be a few days of relaxing casting of flies amidst the snow has turned into just a few hours of swinging in the rain. The episode is divided between the trip preparations and the drive northward. Rob and Jason conclude the episode after Rob shares what went awry and reflects on the loss of his friends. Hence, the episode is named 'Short Stories.'

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Recently, Rob dedicated a fall weekend to traveling to the Catskills to fish and conduct an in-person interview with Nick Lyons. Nick’s works in writing and publishing have played a crucial role in shaping Rob’s lifelong passion for fishing. When Rob launched this podcast in 2010, he was significantly inspired by the writings of both Nick Lyons and John Geirach. Rob has emulated Lyons' authenticity alongside Geirach's "trout bum" way of life as he seeks to educate others about fly fishing and share captivating tales. This moment provides Rob with the opportunity to connect with Nick in his sunroom in Woodstock, NY, exchanging stories about his fishing experiences, from his very first catch to his last catch and those he shared the water with along the way. Nick recants tales involving notable figures like Ed Van Put, Lefty Kreh, Mark Sosin, Tom Rosenbauer, Sparse Grey Hackle, Charles Ritz, Lee Wulff, Art Flick, Vince Marinaro, William Humphrey, Craig Matthews, Yvon Chouinard, Tom McGuane, and Al Troth. Some of these anecdotes have yet to be shared publicly.

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