In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I’m joined by Chase, the founder of Slayfest—a lifestyle brand born “on the banks of the rivers in the hot Southern Oregon summer.” What started as time on the water evolved into a community-driven brand that brings hunting, fishing, and storytelling together under one banner.

We talk about how Chase built Slayfest from the ground up, what their “Fishing is Fishing” tagline means, and how the aesthetic stays authentic yet fresh on the water. From Southern Oregon to Montana, Slayfest represents a wide range of anglers, and we dig into how those landscapes shape the content and apparel they create.

Chase shares some awesome behind-the-scenes stories—including one about tying a fly from a buck he harvested—and we talk about the importance of storytelling in building a brand that connects with people beyond just the cast.

We also dive into the Slayfest community, where the crew is coming from, and what’s next for the brand—new drops, potential meetups, and big plans on the horizon.

🎣 This episode is brought to you by Riversmith. Head to⁠ riversmith.com⁠ and use code WRANGLER10 to save on rod holders and gear.

https://slayfest-fishing.square.site/

On today’s episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we’re joined by Paul Puckett, an incredible fly-fishing artist, musician, and podcast host. Paul’s work has become iconic in the fishing world, blending art, culture, and the passion for angling.

We start by talking about Paul’s fishing journey and whether Charleston has always been home or if his roots began elsewhere. From there, we dive into how his art evolved from childhood doodles into trout paintings and eventually the fly-fishing art we know today.

Paul shares the moment his career took off while helping open a fly shop, transforming his passion into a profession. We discuss his creative idea of painting clients’ catches instead of traditional mounts and how that concept came to life.

You’ll also hear the story behind some of his most popular pieces like “Scarface with a trout” and “Pulp Fiction with rainbow trout”—and why he loves merging pop culture with fishing. We even get into one of my personal favorites, the Baby Billy Bonefish, and talk about his love for The Righteous Gemstones.

We shift gears to Paul’s podcast journey, the challenges and surprises of starting a show, and then dive into his other passion: music. Is he still touring and playing gigs or keeping it local in Charleston?

Finally, Paul opens up about his life outside of art and fishing, including his Boston Terrier, and gives us a sneak peek into upcoming projects he’s excited about.

Stick around until the end for Paul’s 5 songs for the Trout Wrangler Playlist—you won’t want to miss those picks!

This episode is brought to you by Riversmith. Head to riversmith.com and use code WRANGLER10 to save on rod holders and gear.

⁠https://www.paulpuckettart.com/

@Paulpuckettart

On today’s episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast we have Matt Milliron, Sales Representative for Beavertail Skiffs. We dive into Matt’s fly fishing journey, his favorite species to chase in Florida, and how he got involved with Beavertail. Matt also shares insights into the different skiff models—from the ultra-skinny Micro and Rival to the versatile Mosquito, Vengeance, and Lightning—breaking down what sets them apart for different fishing styles and water conditions. If you’re curious about skiffs, customizing your boat, or what makes Beavertail unique, this episode is packed with useful insights.

And don’t worry—Ry’s Flies Picks & Predictions presented by Afuera Coffee are back this week to close things out!

Pick Em Challenge Link

https://fantasy.espn.com/games/college-football-pickem-2025/group?id=7b395c99-a112-4e83-8d7a-bb76234ed60c

Password Wrangler25

@MattMilliron

⁠https://www.beavertailskiffs.com/

In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with Johnny, founder of Blackwater Revival Guide Service, to talk about chasing fish through the winding rivers and estuaries of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. We kick things off with how Blackwater Revival came to life and dive into the meaning behind the name. Johnny shares what it’s like guiding in places like Winyah Bay, a fishery shaped by blackwater rivers, shallow flats, and a rich cultural connection to the outdoors. We talk Lowcountry lifestyle, the unique skiff Johnny runs (a 17-ft Mitzi that drafts under 8 inches), and the incredible redfish and speckled trout fisheries the region has to offer. He also breaks down the seasonal rhythms of the area and how conservation shapes every trip he runs—from catch-and-release practices to supporting watershed initiatives. Johnny shares stories from the water—everything from epic redfish battles to moments that remind you why the backwater holds a special kind of peace. 🎣 This episode is brought to you by Riversmith.

Head to⁠ riversmith.com⁠ and use code WRANGLER10 to save on rod holders and accessories.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzwF72B2F2w

Had a schedule change today so I just talked about some awesome events going down this month and beyond and some general updates

@Afterworkfishclub

⁠https://www.wrongwaycampground.com/events/25/rise-

In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with Tavares, founder of Magnolia Fly, a creative platform blending fly fishing visuals, veteran perspective, and a drive to connect anglers through storytelling.

We start with how his fishing journey began, and how his brand got the name Magnolia Fly. Tavares shares the meaning behind his tagline, “Fly Fishing Content That Inspires and Connects Anglers,” and how that mission has shaped his work—from photography to video to brand collaborations.

We dig into his time as an Air Force veteran, the coolest places he’s been stationed, and how those experiences influenced his approach to fishing and storytelling. Tavares also gives us the backstory on Funky Drummas, one of the most original and underrated pages in the fly fishing content world.

Later in the episode, we talk about his favorite places he’s fished both in and out of the U.S., his dream story to tell next through the lens, and some standout collaborations he’s been a part of.

To close, he drops five songs for the Trout Tunes Playlist and gives a few final thanks and shoutouts.

🎣 This episode is brought to you by Riversmith. Visit⁠ riversmith.com⁠ and use code WRANGLER10 to save at checkout.

 In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with Rich, one of the key figures behind Skwala Fishing—a brand that’s quickly become known for its technical yet minimalist gear designed to keep anglers present and comfortable on the water.

We kick things off with the story of how Skwala came to life, and what made them want to shake things up in the fly fishing world. Rich walks us through the design process behind their waders, jackets, and outerwear—what it takes to strike the right balance between performance and comfort, and how time on the water informs everything they make.

We talk about their gear testing process, what piece in the current lineup Rich is most proud of, and what “stay present longer” really means to him and the Skwala team.

Later on, Rich reflects on what it means to be part of the fly fishing community, how gear has shaped the sport, and what he hopes anglers feel when they first throw on a piece of Skwala gear.

We wrap up with what’s next for the brand and Rich’s 5-song drop for the Trout Tunes Playlist.

🎣 This episode is brought to you by Riversmith. Visit⁠ riversmith.com⁠ and use code WRANGLER10 to save at checkout.

⁠https://skwalafishing.com/collections/all⁠

@Skwalafishing

Episode Description:

In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I’m joined by Matt, co-founder of Afuera Coffee—a brand dedicated to celebrating the outdoors one cup at a time.

We dive into the origin of Afuera: how it started, whether the passion came from coffee or being outside, and the deeper meaning behind the name “Afuera,” which means “outside” in Spanish. Matt explains how the brand lives at the intersection of outdoor culture and high-quality roasting.

We break down their bean sourcing, roasting style, and how they design blends for specific outdoor moments—whether it’s a slow morning at camp or a quick cup before a long hike. Matt also shares his favorite brewing methods off-grid, from Jetboil to cowboy coffee, and offers a sneak peek at upcoming collaborations, events, and whether K-cups are in the cards.

We also highlight the official launch of Kevin’s Behind the Vise—a new series from Fly Box LLC that gives a fresh, behind-the-scenes look at fly design, tying inspiration, and the personalities shaping the vise bench. A must-watch for any fly-tying junkie.

To close it out, Matt adds five songs to the Trout Tunes Playlist—perfect for your next early morning by the fire.

🎣 This episode is brought to you by Riversmith. Visit ⁠riversmith.com⁠ and use code WRANGLER10 at checkout to save 10%.

@AfueraCoffeeCo

⁠https://www.afueracoffee.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoop4_vCCI4NnGuneaF_m_B_DqVZ7WJAZyJ8TRXzI0VpCJ5-c0j9⁠

@TheFlyBoxLLC

⁠https://www.theflyboxllc.com/behind-the-vise

On today’s episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we have Hunter from the Blue Hen Podcast on to talk about his fly fishing journey, the outdoors, and the similarities between bow hunting and fly fishing.

We kick it off with how Hunter got into fly fishing and what made him want to start a podcast. From Delaware streams to Western adventures, we talk about how fly fishing shaped his identity, and the importance of giving space to voices in the fishing community who might not always be front and center.

Hunter shares what it’s been like juggling content creation with his own time on the water, the challenges of growing an audience, and what he's learned from the guests who’ve left the biggest impact.

We also dig into the future of fly fishing media, what it means to create something for the right reasons, and what keeps both of us going when podcasting gets tough.

🎣 This episode is brought to you by Riversmith. Head to ⁠riversmith.com⁠ and use code WRANGLER10 to save on rod holders and gear.

@Bluehenoutdoors on Instagram and tiktok

https://www.youtube.com/@BlueHenOutdoors

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-hen-outdoors-podcast/id1809660546

In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with Matt, a passionate Charleston-based angler whose redfish obsession runs deep. We talk about how his fishing journey began and what led him to fall in love with fly fishing in the Lowcountry.

Matt gives us a flood tide report and shares whether he's ever given in to the temptation of chasing tailing reds under the moonlight. We also explore how Charleston's rapid growth and the rise in fly fishing popularity are impacting the local fishery.

We dive into Matt’s unique history with skiffs and side consoles, what he’s learned through years on the water, and his favorite features on his new Beavertail. He offers advice for beginners navigating the Lowcountry’s technical waters and shares what it’s been like transitioning into fatherhood—and raising the next great poler.

We close it out with Matt’s Mount Rushmore of redfish flies, his craziest fishing story, and of course, his five picks for the Trout Tunes Playlist.

🎣 This episode is brought to you by Riversmith. Visit ⁠riversmith.com⁠ and use code WRANGLER10 at checkout to save 10%.