Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/524 Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company, Angler's Coffee Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors What a treat we have in store for you in our latest episode! Drawing from the deep pool of Southern hospitality, we welcome Chad Johnson from CJ's White River Outfitters, a team that has revolutionized fly fishing for big brown trout over the past decade. We hear first-hand about his thrilling journey to become a recognized figure in the fly fishing world, and the camaraderie that made it all possible. We follow the ripples of our conversation into the unique trout fishing culture of Chad's region, where the exhilarating bite of the brown trout is truly something to behold. We unpack the mysteries behind their bite intensity post-spawn, seasonal size variations, and even the best streamers for snagging larger fish. Chad also lifts the lid on some of the most effective fly designs, like Kelly Gallup's 'Big Johnson' and his own brainchildren. As we cast our nets even wider, we discuss practical fishing strategies and the importance of observing the water flow. We share the importance of keeping a sharp eye out for potential record-breaking catches. Chad talks about the advantages of seeking the guidance of an experienced hand when you are new to the game. We round off by sharing the nuances of color and technique in streamer fishing, and how constructive feedback can drastically enhance your success rate. So, gear up for an episode brimming with insights and captivating tales for every fishing enthusiast out there! Episode Chapters with Chad Johnson on White River Fly Fishing (0:00:05) - Fly Fishing's Impact on White River Chad's Southern hospitality, CJ's White River Outfitters team, and the rise of fly fishing for big brown trout are discussed. (0:10:51) - Fishing for Big Brown Trout Variations Brown trout spawn, caddis hatches, streamers for larger fish, and why big fish don't go after solvers or midges in summer. (0:18:40) - Streamer Fishing Tactics and Fly Design Brown trout display different behaviors post-spawn, including aggression and feeding bites, which are important to recognize when fishing in the White River with varying fly sizes. (0:28:37) - Fly Fishing Chad's 'Sluggo' and 'Big Johnson' designs, deer hair heads, 'T-bone' prey, and 'kill shots' discussed for streamer fly fishing. (0:45:21) - Fishing Strategies and Water Flow Importance Boating for trout requires raking the bank, casting at an angle, and paying attention to water flow, with a guide recommended for new anglers. (1:00:18) - Color and Technique in Streamer Fishing Yellow is effective for early season spawn, while white and ginger can be used to target rainbows and suckers; depth, movement, and hunter's mentality are key for success. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/524

WFS 524 - White River Fly Fishing with Chad Johnson - Big Brown Trout, Big Johnson, Streamer Fishing

Dave from the Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Blog interviews the biggest names in fly fishing and fly tying today.  He digs out all of the best fly fishing tips and tricks to help you understand how to choose the right gear, find fish, present the fly, discover new patterns and much more.  Find out about new rods, lines, techniques, knots, tying tools and unheard of tips along with great stories about life and the times of some of the most knowledgeable guides, shop owners, and fisherman from around the world.  Season 1 covers all things steelhead fishing.   Better understand topics like spey casting, nymphing vs. swinging flies, intruders, finding fish, conservation and finding new waters.   Come join us for the current season and share the stories and great memories told by amazing people.   

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Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/614 Presented By: Drifthook Fly Fishing, FishHound Expeditions, Yellowstone Teton Territory, Visit Helena, MT Jason Moore is on the podcast, and we'll get his three best tips for striper fishing on the East Coast. We'll also get an update on the trends out east and where you can get more information. We're heading to the East Coast today with Jason of Island Fly. Show Notes with Jason Moore on Stiper Fishing.  02:10 - Jason grew up in a small beach town in southern New Jersey, where he loved surfing and conventional fishing. He spent 25 years in Colorado and got into trout fishing. After that, he returned to the coast and got into saltwater fly fishing. Island Fly  3:05 - When Jason started Island Fly four years ago, their main target was stripers, which he said are great on the fly. During summers when stripers head north for cooler waters, they focus on other species like flounder, bluefish, and cow nose rays. Photo via https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/pacific_cownose_ray 06:29 - Jason says they are on Brigantine Island, where there are vast sandy flats, and the best way to fish for cow nose rays is from a boat. Cow nose rays are best targeted from mid-June to late August when the water is warm. You can also go for flounder and catch bluefish during this time. Additionally, they sometimes fish for spinner sharks. Check out our episode on Mako Shark Shark Fly Fishing with Conway Bowman  Wild Fish Wild Places  09:46 - Jason talks about his trip to the Columbian Amazon to fish for peacock bass with my good friend Denis Isbister from Wild Fish Wild Places. The trip was super remote, involving long boat rides and hiking through the jungle to reach untouched lagoons. The episode is set to premiere in October 2024! Catch the raw footage here: Striper Fishing  18:28 - The best time for a striper fishing trip is spring, especially April and May because the weather is more consistent. These fish move north as the water warms, following bait fish like menhaden. 23:55 - Jason owns a 22-foot panga, which he finds perfect for striper fishing. However, there are alternative options for stripers fishing without a boat, such as beach fishing and fishing around jetties. 29:19 - When fishing for stripers, matching the fly to the water depth and fish behavior is important. Surface lures like gurglers and poppers are effective in shallow waters (three feet or less), while streamers work better in deeper areas. Tarpon toad flies work well in challenging situations. Tips for Successful Striper Fishing Look for structures and moving water to locate fish. Use surface lures like poppers in the morning and evening to attract fish. Switch to streamers during the day for continued success. Experiment with different color patterns to find what works. Try crab patterns in shallow waters. Other Species Rays 34:43 - Unlike striper fishing, where you're on the boat chasing after fish, ray fishing involves wading in shallow, warm waters near sandbars. The rays are often seen in large numbers and are targeted with crab flies. A minimum of nine-weight rods is recommended. Sub-50-foot casts are typical. Be prepared with ample backing due to the ray's powerful runs. Blue Fish They can be caught from spring through summer. Very aggressive and fun to catch. Flounder Flounders are found on sandbars during the warm summer months. Shallow water fishing using a six-weight rod. Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/614    

614 | Striper Fishing on the East Coast with Capt. Jason Moore - Island Fly, Wild Fish Wild Places

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/613 Presented By: Guide Book If you had the choice to fish Iceland or the central coast of California, which would you choose? And what if you had to choose between Atlantic salmon and fishing for carp on the fly? Our guest is a guide in both of these areas. And today you're gonna get a front seat to find out why you should choose carp and the tips you need to understand carp behavior so you can catch more fish next time you're on the water. Dagur, The California Carp Hunter, is here to take a deep dive into catching carp on the fly with a focus on fishing lakes in the Central Coast of California. You're gonna find out what dimples on the ground mean and how this will help you find more fish. You're going to know how to catch fish around the carp, spawn something that many people get wrong, and you'll also hear about this amazing algae hatch and how you can match the algae hatch. Plus, you're gonna find out which moon is perfect for carp fishing and the story of day's altercation with the Clint Eastwood family and how he ultimately made amends for our carp, the freshwater equivalent of bonefish.

613 | The California Carp Hunter with Dagur Árni Guðmundsson - Guidebook Co, Iceland, Clint Eastwood

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/611 Presented By: Togiak River Lodge Tune in to today's episode and get an inside look into Epic Waters Angling with Steve Morrow. Steve has been putting together epic trips all around the world, and he's here to tell us about their program for king salmon in Alaska and how you can take advantage of it. In this episode, you'll discover what it takes to find, hook, and land your first Chinook salmon on the fly! You'll also know the perfect timing for fishing and the best spots where fish will likely hold. Show Notes with Steve Morrow on Epic Waters Angling.  I'm excited to put this episode together today for several reasons. First, I'm heading back to Alaska, and Chinook is definitely on my mind. And today, we've got a real expert joining us who knows all about Chinook salmon and spey fishing. Plus, add Alaska. Does it get any better than that? 03:18 - Steve was obsessed with fishing of all kinds and spent a lot of time at tackle shops when he was young. Eventually, he worked at Michael & Young Fly Shop, where he learned from shop guys that he admired. 05:33 - Epic Waters Angling offers fly fishing trips to challenging spots in North America. These trips make tough fishing locations easier and more fun for anglers. Chinook Fishing in Alaska 07:25 - Steve describes the experience of fishing in Togiak and how it's different from fishing in British Columbia. He finds Togiak exciting because it's like solving a fishing puzzle with its unique features. Here are some key puzzle pieces for targeting Chinook salmon successfully: Timing the tides is very important when catching Chinook salmon. Knowing when the tides come in rivers like the Togiak and the Kanektok helps catch more fish. Aside from the tide, Steve says figuring out how quickly the fish moves upstream can help you position yourself effectively. Choosing the Right Gear for Chinook Fishing Rods 17:00 - When gearing up for Chinook salmon fishing, Steve prefers using spey fishing gear for easy casting and reduced shoulder strain compared to single-hand rods. Steve recommends rods between 13 and 15 feet long, from 8 wt to 10 wt. His number one rod is a 9140 Nom rod.  Lines 23:00 - Steve uses Skagit lines exclusively to target Chinook salmon due to their effectiveness in delivering maximum payload. Here are his recommendations: Rio Skagit Max Launch GameChanger  Sink Tips 27:16 - Two of the most important sink tips you should have for Steve are 10 feet of T-17 and 10 feet of T-14. He also suggests having 10 feet of T-11 for specific situations and a couple of lighter sink tips, like the MOW tips. Togiak River Lodge Experience 33:24 - Steve talks about the fishing strategies at Togiak Lodge and the overall lodge experience. They spend time observing fish behavior and trends upon arrival at Togiak Lodge. It takes a few days to understand where the fish are located and how they behave in current conditions. Leaders 37:23 - Steve's ideal leader length is three to four feet. He uses a 20-lb Maxima across the board because he finds it reliable for steelhead and Chinook. Fly Selection 38:32 - Steve's go-to fly for Chinook in Togiak is the pink Reverse Marabou. Other effective colors include blue and chartreuse, black and chartreuse, black and blue, and blue and silver.   Conservation Efforts at Epic Waters Angling 1:02:00 The Coast to Clouds Conservation Foundation is a nonprofit under Epic Waters that collects a conservation surcharge from clients to fund impactful projects. They also collaborate closely with the Native Fish Society. Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/611    

611 |  Epic Waters Angling with Steve Morrow - Chinook Salmon, Togiak River Lodge

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/610b  Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors    Today, we're diving deep into what Memorial Day truly means and how we can honor the brave men and women who have served our country. We're joined by Beau Beasley, the author of "Healing Waters," a book that captures raw and heartfelt stories of veterans in their own words. Beau's here to share some profound insights from his interviews, including the moving story of Brian Mancini and the challenges he faced while writing about 35 wounded veterans. We'll explore the powerful emotions and sacrifices behind these stories and discover why readers are so captivated by his book. So, grab a comfy seat and get ready for an emotional roller coaster as we hear from Beau Beasley on this special day.  Episode Chapters with Beau Beasley on Healing Waters 2:10 - Beau tells us how the idea behind his book "Healing Waters" came to be. He had just finished writing his second book, "Fly Fishing Mid-Atlantic" when illustrator Alan Folger approached him with an idea for a new book about Project Healing Waters. 7:08 - He shares about Brian Mancini, a staff sergeant who was his roommate during a project event. He maintained a friendship with Brian, who eventually started a nonprofit and appeared on Oprah Winfrey's show. However, Brian's suicide devastated Beau, leading him to dedicate his book to Brian. 13:29 - Beau shares another story of a veteran named Walt Carey. He served in Korea as a forward observer and spent 29 years in the Navy. During the COVID pandemic, Walt became ill and was hospitalized, ultimately passing away in hospice. Beau recounts the emotional experience of being called to say his final goodbyes and later attending Walt's burial at Arlington National Cemetery. 16:09 - Beau elaborates that his book not only honors service members but also aims to raise funds for Project Healing Waters and inform people about the broader sacrifices made by military families. 19:10 - He explains why he believes Alan chose him to write the book. Beau is a retired firefighter who found solace in fly fishing, which helped him cope with the stresses of his job. He draws parallels between his experiences and those of veterans, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of the sport. 25:01 - I ask him about the challenges in writing Healing Waters. One of these was conveying the veterans' stories accurately while making sure they had control over their narratives. 41:15 - He tells us how he got the veterans to share their intense and emotional stories for his book. He explains that his background in the fire department helped build trust with the veterans, as they knew he had experienced traumatic events himself. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/610b 

Healing Waters with Beau Beasley - Memorial Day, Brian Mancini, Veterans' Stories

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/610  Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/teton    Curtis Fry, co-owner of Fly Fish Food, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the acquisition of Jimmy's All Seasons Angler and shares what sets a great fly-tying shop apart from the rest. But that's not all. Curtis also delves into the everyday philosophy that drives their business, the importance of being prepared for your next fly shop visit, and how to navigate the choppy waters of online feedback. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this episode is packed with valuable advice to enhance your fly fishing journey.  Episode Chapters with Curtis Fry on Jimmy's All Seasons Angler 7:29 - Curtis discusses the acquisition of Jimmy's All Seasons Angler, a renowned fly fishing shop for over 40 years. Jimmy's became well-known for its focus on fly tying, making it a staple in the community, especially during the winter Saturday demo sessions. The shop's reputation and Jimmy's desire to retire presented Curtis and his business partner, Cheech, with the opportunity to take over. The transition occurred in June 2023, with Jimmy truly stepping back to enjoy more fishing. Curtis and Cheech focused on retaining the shop's essence while implementing significant improvements. They revamped the interior, greatly expanded the fly and fly tying selections, and introduced more brands and products. 18:34 - Curtis talks about the importance of community and relationships in the fly fishing industry. He explains that their approach includes offering high-quality, free content, such as fly-tying tutorials, to engage with the community. 21:41 - Curtis highlights the importance of immediate feedback in today's consumer-driven world, noting that poor customer service quickly becomes known, especially with more options available for consumers. He emphasizes the need for businesses to excel in customer service and social media engagement. 26:41 - We dig into the unique qualities of Jimmy's All Seasons Angler, particularly its emphasis on fly tying compared to other shops. Curtis highlights the extensive planning and analysis in selecting their product mix and managing inventory. He points out the importance of understanding consumer behavior, especially with the shift towards online shopping. 32:33 -  Curtis advises how fly fishing beginners can get started, particularly emphasizing the value of visiting local fly shops like Jimmy's. He said first understand where and how they plan to fish. He also recommends beginners familiarize themselves with the basics of the type of fishing they're interested in and then explore fly tying through resources like the fly tying tutorials on their website. Beyond basic tutorials, Curtis mentions their "Skill Builder" series on YouTube, which delves into more specific techniques. 36:37 - Curtis mentions that even beginners who have done some basic fly tying, like zebra midges or pheasant tails, can find suitable dry flies to use during specific hatches like the beta hatch, which has been very good recently. 38:16 - The conversation shifts to comparing fishing in the Provo area with other locations such as Henry's Fork and South Fork. Curtis points out that Provo's proximity to populated areas makes it busier, but notes its walk-and-wade accessibility. However, he suggests that areas like Henry's Fork offer a wider variety of water and fewer people, appealing more to destination anglers. 40:06 - Curtis advises that newcomers to fly shops should keep an open mind, as everyone can have a bad day, and emphasizes the importance of being ready to answer questions to help shop employees provide the best guidance. He also suggests that beginners should be willing to set aside any need to appear knowledgeable, as this attitude can hinder learning and the reception of valuable advice. 42:15 - Curtis outlines the selection process for their lineup of boats, ranging from entry-level float tubes to high-end drift boats. He mentions that float tubes despite their simplicity are still very useful, especially for accessing high mountain lakes. Curtis also shares his favorite float tube model, the slash float tube from Dave Scadden Paddlesports. This model is distinctive for using a standup paddleboard's rigid style to create a platform that sits between two pontoons, serving as the seat. 47:15 - Curtis reveals they have four "shop dogs", a 65-pound Sheepadoodle named Gwen, a jet-black Poodle named Zeppelin who is notably annoying, and an English Bulldog named Scotty. Additionally, there's Squatch, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, brought in by Curtis's colleague, Cheech. 48:60 - We talk about their Shop Talk Podcast. Curtis acknowledges that their podcasting efforts are the least consistent part of their projects, but they still maintain a dedicated space for it. Despite the irregular schedule, he enjoys producing it. 50:41 - Curtis advises beginners in fly fishing to take a guided trip early on, emphasizing how such an experience could significantly flatten the learning curve. He notes that while not everyone can afford it, investing in at least one guided trip can offer personalized learning opportunities, tailored to the beginner's needs. 52:40 - Curtis shares the potential expansion plans for Fly Fish Food, which has a strong presence in various locations and is considering further growth. 58:35 - Curtis recommends Stockman's Restaurant in Idaho Falls, a reputable steakhouse known for its quality beef. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/610 

WFS 524 - White River Fly Fishing with Chad Johnson - Big Brown Trout, Big Johnson, Streamer Fishing

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