Mill House Podcast

Boots Allen is a third-generation fly-fishing guide, tournament angler, writer, fly designer, and one of the longtime stewards of the rivers around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born and raised in the valley, Boots grew up immersed in a family whose name is woven into the history of fly fishing in the region. His grandfather, Leonard “Boots” Allen, was one of the early guides and outfitters in Jackson Hole, securing permits to guide the waters of the Greater Yellowstone area in the 1940s. His father, Joe Allen, continued that tradition and became known for his innovative fly patterns, including the famous Double Humpy.

Baker Bishop is an avid fly fisherman, surfer, husband, father, and mentor whose life has been shaped by a lifelong connection to the water. He picked up a fly rod at just ten years old, taught by his mother, who passed down the skills, traditions, and passion she had learned from her grandfather—a bamboo-rod builder and lifelong angler.

Rudy Babikian is an accomplished fly fisherman, adventurer, and co-founder of Los Locos, a premier fly-fishing destination in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. Originally from Maine, Rudy cut his teeth in the Northeast chasing giant striped bass from shore—often putting himself in precarious situations in pursuit of the biggest fish. Those early experiences helped shape the adventurous, risk-taking approach that would define his fishing life.

In 2013, Rudy moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he became an obsessive trophy-trout hunter. It was there that he met George VanDercook, and the two quickly bonded over their shared desire to push beyond conventional fishing and pursue bigger fish in more challenging ways.

That shared obsession eventually took them to Mexico, where they began exploring Magdalena Bay in a small Boston Whaler. Their willingness to venture miles offshore in pursuit of striped marlin earned them the nickname “Los Locos”—the crazy ones—from local fishermen. What began as an adventurous fishing trip ultimately grew into one of the world's most unique fly-fishing destinations.

Rudy's fishing life is filled with stories of risk, persistence, and occasionally questionable judgment. He recounts many of those wild adventures—including his near-death experiences pursuing striped bass. These stories offer a glimpse into the mindset that made Los Locos possible: an unrelenting desire to find bigger fish, go farther, and see what lies beyond the edge of the map.

Landon Mayer is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, fly designer, author, and educator known for his expertise in hunting and sight-fishing large, selective trout. Based on the South Platte River, Landon has spent decades studying trout behavior, water dynamics, and the subtle details that separate a good presentation from a great one.

On today’s podcast, we answer a wide range of listener-submitted questions, including whether top-of-the-line rods are really worth it, how far you actually need to cast, advice for aspiring fishing guides, and how our tarpon season has gone so far. Along the way, we cover plenty of other topics and share stories, insights, and practical tips from the water.

Paul Puckett is an acclaimed sporting artist, illustrator, and lifelong angler whose work captures the beauty, adventure, and emotion of life on the water. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Puckett developed an early passion for fishing, art and music, spending countless summers on the bass lakes of East Texas with his father and grandfathers—experiences that continue to inspire his work today. He earned a degree in advertising design from the University of North Texas before embarking on a career that blended his artistic talents with his love of fly fishing.

I first heard the name Tommy Robinson nearly 38 years ago while fishing in Key West. Time and again, anglers spoke about Tommy and his brother, Chris—their reputation as exceptional fishermen extending far beyond Key West to the waters around Apalachicola on Florida's Forgotten Coast.

I believe the driving force behind all great human triumphs is an insatiable desire to win. Some people are propelled by an internal storm—a relentless urge to push farther, dream bigger, and pursue the extraordinary. George VanDercook and Rudy Babikian are two young men who embody that spirit.

They continue to show the rest of us that chasing fish in faraway places can be more than a passion—it can be a life worth pursuing.

Both cut their teeth in the Northeast, targeting striped bass that eagerly ate flies in shallow water. Something about those early experiences struck a deep chord. Fishing wasn't just a pastime; it moved them. Years later, their paths crossed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they became obsessed with hunting big trout throughout the West.

Eventually, they hitched an 18-foot Boston Whaler to a truck and hauled it from the East Coast to Jackson, then across the American West and south to San Carlos, Mexico. There, the waters of Magdalena Bay and the Pacific Ocean became both their home and their new frontier.

Striped marlin, roosterfish, golden trevally, permit, snook—the sheer diversity of species they encountered expanded their horizons and changed the course of their lives. Their long runs offshore in a small center-console boat quickly became the subject of local conversation. People wondered what these crazy Americans were doing 30 miles offshore, chasing striped marlin alongside 80-foot Viking sportfishing yachts.

The locals gave them a fitting nickname: Los Locos.

And the name stuck.

Today, Rudy and George have built a highly successful operation that caters to fly anglers pursuing some of the world's most prized game fish. The experience they offer is unlike anything else in the sport—one of the most extraordinary fishing adventures imaginable.

I know because I've experienced it myself.

On this podcast, you'll hear stories of relentless ambition, hard-earned lessons, danger, risk, and the pursuit of a dream that many would consider impossible. It's a story about finding the promised land—and having the courage to chase it.

Nathaniel Linville joins us for Round 2 to share what he's been up to since his last appearance on the show. Two years ago, Nathaniel and his guide, Ian Slater, captured the prestigious Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament title. They followed that achievement by winning the 2026 March Merkin Permit Tournament, staging what many consider one of the greatest comebacks in fly-fishing tournament history with an incredible seven-fish final day.

On today’s podcast, we answer a variety of listener-submitted questions, including our favorite ocean tarpon flies, different bonefish flies and when to use them, the most underrated saltwater game fish, and our favorite fishing movies and documentaries — plus plenty more along the way.