The MEND Fly Fishing Podcast

Hosts Joe and Eric dig into fall fishing tactics for low, clear rivers, share guide trip openings (Christmas Island, Patagonia, Mexico) and talk gear — including the new TFO Blue Ribbon rods, rod butt caps and repair kits.

They discuss mop flies, October caddis, spay/steelhead casting strategy, recent boat innovations, river cleanup finds, and announce a Nov 13 spey

casting event followed by the Fly Fishing Film Tour.

We lost the last few minutes of this Podcast, but it's 90 minutes of great banter. Hosts recap a weekend on the Yakima: lost big fish, broken tippets and a rising wave of local mini‑competitions. Evan Stock of Red’s Fly Shop joins to share his transition into e‑commerce, what he’s learned about tightline nymphing, beads, flies and leaders, and how top competitors find fish in assigned beats.

The episode covers practical tactics — animating nymphs, choosing bead sizes, rod and leader setups — plus anecdotes about the event, gear chat, Red’s new AI web assistant, and a Project Healing Waters raffle winner.

Recorded outdoors by the river, this episode mixes on-water guide stories (boat recoveries, a dewatered channel and rowing lessons) with practical safety and boat-handling tips.

Hosts dig into fishing tactics—nymphing, tightline techniques, streamer and jig presentations, and the yarn vs. bobber debate—while sharing coaching moments and rod recommendations.

They also announce upcoming events (Trout Spey rendezvous on Nov 13), travel openings (Golden Dorado, redfish, Espiritu Santo), plus news about Team USA's recent win and a used-gear sale.

Guide Eric Nickum returns fresh off the river to walk through fall trout tactics: light nymph rigs, small dry flies, fine tippets, yarn indicators, and how guides tailor gear and presentation to get fish in the boat.

The episode also covers gear picks (rods, lines, Watermaster boats), destination fly lists, shop stories, AI thumbnail talk, and safety reminders — practical advice for anglers heading out this season.

Episode 120 of the MEND Podcast features Jon Covich and Eric Nickum talking fly casting as an art, tightline nymphing clinics, new gear highlights (including glass rods and upcoming TNT rods), and practical casting tips for anglers.

They also share travel reports and trip advice from Black Sands (Colombia) — tuna, sailfish and peacock bass — to jungle payara and Cuba flats (bonefish and tarpon), plus packing and travel logistics for international fly trips.

James St. Clair of @509Flies joins the Mend Podcast to trace his path from fisheries technician tagging salmon in the Wenatchee basin to studying viticulture, all while raising a fishing family. The conversation moves easily between conservation work, practical angling tips, and life as a guide and teacher.

The episode also dives into fly tying—long-form tutorials, favorite patterns (Blowtorch, hoppers, foam caddis), tight-line nymphing, youth fishing strategies, and ideas for managing access to sensitive waters.

Joe Rotter and Eric walk listeners through a concise FAQ-driven episode all about fishing Christmas Island — covering travel logistics, lodging differences, what gear and flies to bring, how many rods to pack, guide culture, sunglasses and packing tips, realistic expectations for giant trevally, and common mistakes first-time anglers make.

The hosts emphasize that the trip is easier than many expect, explain the West Coast–to–Honolulu–to–Christmas Island travel flow, compare the two lodges, and encourage anglers to keep gear simple, be patient for big fish, and book through the hosts for smooth planning.

Joe and the crew press travel manager Eric Nickum with tough questions in a wide-ranging episode covering rooftop tent camping, gear (Redington Claymore, Sage Signal, the travel net), and Alaska BearClaw lodge trips. They compare rafts vs. drift boats, tease upcoming spey trips, and share product deals (promo code PODBEER).

The show closes with practical fall trout-fishing tips for wading and boat anglers during Yakima27s flip-flop, a deep dive into hopper-dropper and yarn indicator tactics, and a humorous roundup of memorable YouTube comments.

Joe Rotter and crew recount a week at Bearclaw Lodge (Bristol Bay): creek hikes, float‑plane flyouts, dry‑fly rainbows, Arctic char, pike fishing, and even surprise boat rescues.

The episode covers logistics, guide life, essential gear and practical tips for anglers planning a remote Alaska fishing adventure.

A chaotic river day unfolds after a sudden microburst pins floaters against a cliff wall, prompting dramatic rescues by guides and the sheriff; the hosts share survival stories, safety takeaways (life jackets, strapping paddleboards, whistles), talk fishing tips, Alaska plans, hoot owl restrictions, and lighter moments about bird apps, quail, and YouTube comments.