Mill House Podcast

Willy Benson grew up in Sugarloaf Key washing boats for old time guides after their day on the water. He was a marina kid soaking in all the information those salty guides would give. Soon after, Willy rocketed onto the flats of Key West like a comet shooting across the horizon, blowing rooster tails like contrails off a jetliner. His insatiable desire made Benson aggressive on the water, challenging the best fishing holes. He chased fish and dreams like he had one day left.

As he matured, he went from Willy to Will and during that transition he began to find his calling. Time has done Benson well! He now has profound respect among his peers. Incredibly versed, he used his World Angling Company to showcase his love and Key West's resounding resource, and recently used its visual impact to show the destruction of the big money world of cruise ships. Will has filmed and produced some of the most amazing short films in fly fishing. From his famed Permit film, “Satori” to “Silver Lining,” Will has an incredible gift at telling a story through the lens of a camera. Whether you just want to see some “fish porn” or get pumped up for your last minute trip down to the Keys, I highly recommend you check out his World Angling Films.

Today, Will speaks about the state of Permit fishing in Key West, fighting off cruise ships, and how science helps us paint a clear picture of what’s happening to our fisheries.

World Angling 

A few years ago I was making a presentation in a Miami fly shop when a man came to me and introduced himself. “Hey Andy, I’m Norman Duncan.” Oh my God, I thought, here he is! I was so excited, really. Here was one of the disciples.

Flip Pallot, Chico Fernandez, Little John Emery, and Norman Duncan were as important as anyone in South Florida to initially grow the sport of Saltwater Fly Fishing. This group of four were something to behold. They had heart, passion, and creativity to catch fish, but without the sufficient tools to support their fire. They designed everything they needed because there was nothing available, and many of their innovations are still used today.

We know the story of Flip and Chico, they became rock stars in the fly fishing world. “Little John,” as Emery was known, passed at a young age from melanoma after putting his stamp on history. But where did Norman go? What happened to him? He was smart and ingenious, pushed and shoved as hard as the others, but he stepped aside and the iconic fame the others attained passed Norman by, even though we all know his name.

Today, Norman brought us out back to his porch and gave us an inside look into his eventful life.

Over the last 12 months we've had an open door to some of the most
prolific men and women in fishing. In each interview we've had the
privilege of listening to profound stories that have helped forge our
sport to where it is today. This week we visit with one of the most remarkable people i've ever
met, and one of the most significant men in fishing, Hall of Fame member,  Al
Pflueger Jr.
Pflueger's fishing prowess blew minds with incredibly lofty numbers
and sizes, ask Flip.....or anyone else, and he did most of it alone,
self guided. In this sensitive world of 2020 and his age of 87 years young,
we were blessed beyond words to have been welcomed into Al's home.

I was astounded by not only Al's huge life, but his kindness - and
eyes! Look closely and you'll see something special.
Kiss your heart Al, Thank you!

For the last 50 years Bob Branham has chased his chosen fish, Bonefish, over the shallow flats and edges of Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. You can't count out all the great permit and tarpon he's captured over the years, but Branham is a bone-fisherman! Albula Vulpes is his DNA. He knows where they're going to go next before they know where they're going to go next. Aside from his fishing genius, Bob Branham is one of the most remarkable people we know. Nicky caught his first saltwater fish with Bob and I caught my first Bonefish and Tarpon on fly with him. You can say he had a major influence in our ever growing passion for fishing.

Bob's heart is the size of Texas. He's fought and won the biggest bonefish tournaments, beat the giants, who after congratulated him with the tightest of bear hugs. He is respected and cherished by all of his peers.

Here he is, our beloved friend, Bob Branham.

In this episode, we chat about ethics on the water, IGFA rules and regulations, and address an important comment a listener wrote in about being a hypocrite when promoting the great outdoors. 

Neal Beidleman is no ordinary man. Raised in Aspen, CO his heart had a big outdoor spirit. Pain became a close companion as he started chasing high mountain summits and running 100 mile races.

His job is even abnormal - as an aerospace engineer he designs deployable antenna structures for NASA and holds over a dozen patents on designs and devises he has worked on over the years. This guy is what you call - brilliant.

While working as a guide for Scott Fischer's 1996 Everest expedition which ended in tragedy, Neal was credited a large role in assisting clients off the mountain to safety. After summiting, a large rouge storm encased the top of Everest with plummeting temperatures, high winds, and zero visibility. The harrowing night had them exposed to the brunt of the storm without shelter at 26,000 feet. Eight people perished...

Years later in 2011 and 2018 he successfully summited again, healing the deep wounds of the 96' tragedy.

Today he still lives life to its fullest with more big mountain ascents in his near future.

His photography has documented his stories which have appeared in National Geographic, TIME, Newsweek, Men's Journal, and the cover of Life Magazine.

Being slighted by the US Ski Team in 1978, Lonny Vanatta spent the rest of his career trying to prove something and that he did. Turning pro he became the top American on the world pro ski racing tour for many years. He won 20 races and won the slalom title in 1980 - finishing 3rd overall in the season title.

Even though he was smaller in stature and weight than most of his competition, he had the heart of a lion that many people feared. His success was profound and was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 2018. Throughout his career, his passion for hunting was paramount, as intense as it was for smashing his competitors on a race hill.

His archery stone sheep in 1989 was the largest Pope and Young sheep ever killed at the time. He completed the grand slam of North American sheep - only the 54th bowhunter at the time to do so. He has 34 Pope and Young animals to his name. Lonny recently sold his successful outfitting business of 31 years.

Vanatta is a cancer survivor but continues to attack life the only way he knows, head on - a true inspiration to all.

Capt. RT Trosset is one of the greatest fisherman of all time… period. 
When you think of the words Key West and light-tackle offshore fishing, Ralph Delph, Jose Wejebe, and certainly RT Trosset are the first people that come to mind. He has been guiding anglers in Key West and making their dreams come true for over 40 years. He is a machine and is more passionate about fishing now than ever before.

In 2004, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and in 2019 the IGFA honored RT with the Tommy Gifford Legendary Captains Award, the most prestigious honor a captain can receive.

I’ve fished with RT, produced TV shows with him, and have fished next to him. There’s no kinder, more giving fishing legend I know. It seems like his smile and warm heart are infectious. People love him, but under his sun worn skin is a lion to be reckoned with. If you are seeking a world record, few will fight as hard or have the ability as RT.

Having amassed 239 world records, he’s as cagy as they come. In this episode, we chat about the early years of Key West, the origin of shrimp boat tuna fishing, and the shark problem that's taking place on many wrecks.

This episode of the podcast is proudly presented by AFTCO - The American Fishing Tackle Company innovating fishing tackle and clothing since 1958. Use discount code "MILLHOUSE10" to receive 10% off all products on https://aftco.com/

At the tender age of 4, after watching Franz Klammer win Olympic gold on TV, Ryan Smalls knew he wanted to be a ski racer. Growing up in the greatest of all ski towns, Aspen, Colorado, it all made sense. He trained hard and eventually made the U.S. Ski Teams talent squad, raced in Europe, and was fulfilling his dreams. He, the only child of his parents Ray and Karen, was their pride and joy.

Ski racing is hard and fast and dangerous. His racing longevity succumbed to the odds with a terrible injury. Along the way, Ray showed Ryan the outdoors like few people knew it. After graduating from college, Ryan came home to the rivers and animals of his fathers tutelage. As a plane circles for the weather to clear, so did Ryan's identity. But that didn't take long - he became a guide..... He guided fishing, hunting, and skiing.

As a big hearted, passionate man, I know Ryan Smalls to be a perfectionist, world class in everything he cares for.

In this episode, we chat about being caught in an avalanche, getting addicted to fly fishing for Tarpon, and being successful in the elk woods. 

Very rarely do you hear of a young person doing something so consistently outstanding that the old timers open their eyes and say - "WOW!"

This episode is the story of a young Jared Raskob who was constantly catching monster fish. Young people have young eyes but Jared's are legendary, and elder anglers sought him out. He was doing extraordinary things on the flats.

Raskob's reputation erupted and shook up the status quo. I'd left the game by then but from afar admired what I'd been hearing. He'd jumped into the tournament fray and won, and won everything! I finally met this shining star and enjoyed everything about him. He was cool, fun, and assertive - his 6' something frame had a dominant presence.

On this episode we sat down with this Jedi and laughed, and spoke of many things including the new millennials soon to run everyone over.

Game changers don't come around very often but this one is a legend in the making!