Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/767 Presented By: TroutRoutes, Stonefly Nets, Grand Teton Fly Fishing, Patagonia Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Today, we sit down with UK fly fishing legend Peter Cockwill for a wide-ranging chat on small stillwaters, chalk streams, and the decades-long friendship with our friend Jim Teeny. Peter shares his origin story insights into stocking trout with simple flies and why you shouldn't overlook that shallow downwind bank when fish and still waters. We've even got a backcountry story. This one is jam-packed with wisdom, humor, and lots of old stories. Peter Cockwill returns with more insight from the stillwater side of the fly fishing world. We dive into fishing clearwater with minimal flies, using the wind to your advantage, and how to fish without a boat on stillwaters. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/767

754 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/766 Presented By: Fish The Fly, Pescador on the Fly, Waters West, Drifthook Fly Fishing California is one of the most populous states in the US and one of the most diverse places to fly fish. From the base of the Sierra Nevadas to the Pacific Coast, steelhead in the North, carp on the flats, and saltwater opportunities in Southern California. It's just about all here. Today you're gonna get an inside look at where to fish and what to expect straight from a guy who reps some of the top brands in fly fishing and helps design gear you're probably using right now. Matt Callies, product designer at Loon Outdoors fly tyer and longtime fly fishing rep joins us to share some of his go-to tips from years in the game. You're gonna hear which Loon product tops the charts these days and has for a while, what new gear is turning heads, and what life on the road as a rep really looks like. Plus, Matt's going to break down one liter he always carries. And why building your own might not be worth the hassle anymore. Heading back to Cali, here we go... Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/766

# 765 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/765 Presented by: Stonefly Nets, Smitty's Fly Box, Grand Teton Fly Fishing, San Juan Rodworks Did you know the Feather Thief story actually connects back to today’s guest? Spencer Seim is a New Mexico fly fishing guide and classic fly tyer whose deep knowledge and love for traditional patterns helped shape the story behind The Feather Thief. We get into his take on that whole crazy story, what it meant for the tying world, and what stood out most to him from the book. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/765

#763 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/763 Presented by: TroutRoutes, Fish The Fly, Stonefly Nets, On DeMark Lodge When you hear “urban fly fishing,” what comes to mind? Trash? Pollution? Or carp? But today’s guest is here to flip that idea on its head. He’s a full-time guide who chases fish in the heart of Arizona, exploring canals, lakes, and small streams right in the city. By the end of this episode, you’ll see carp in a whole new light and pick up some solid tips to help you fish with more confidence in your own local waters. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/763

#762 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/762 Presented by: On DeMark Lodge, FishHound Expeditions, Drifthook Fly Fishing Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Kirk Wallace Johnson, author of The Feather Thief, joins us to share the wild tale of a world-class fly tyer who broke into a British museum and stole nearly 300 rare bird specimens—all to tie classic salmon flies. We explore the strange subculture behind the heist, the science lost with those birds, and how a flute-playing prodigy nearly got away with it. This conversation digs into conservation, obsession, and the ethical line between passion and crime. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/762

#761 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/761 Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory, Mountain Waters Resort, Smitty's Fly Box, Togiak River Lodge Caleb Andrews of Tails of the Tides is here to help you make the most of your trip if you plan on fly fishing for redfish in South Carolina. We’re talking perfect trip timing, his go-to fly materials, how scent actually plays into hookups, and even what to look for when you're creeping across those oyster flats. If you’ve ever dreamed of sight-fishing redfish in a truly wild place, this episode is for you. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/761

#760B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/760B Presented by: Moccasin Fly Club Today's story started with a pair of forgotten wading boots, a group chat, and a long hike into Cheesman Canyon... with only a pair of moccasins! Hear how this mishap not only turned into a fun story to tell around a campfire but also sparked the idea for a company that’s now helping anglers plan better trips, save money, and fish more often. In this episode, you'll learn how to stretch your travel budget, pick the right guides, and build unforgettable trips that fit any style or wallet. John Hunt, founder of Moccasin Fly Club, is here to help us understand how to find trips on a budget, what makes a great fly fishing guide, and why some of the best adventures are still DIY. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/760B

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/760 Presented By: Mountain Waters Resort, Smitty's Fly Box, FishHound Expeditions, Patagonia Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors One of the most iconic fish you'll see across social media is the peacock bass - massive, vibrant, and found deep in some of the most remote jungle waters on the planet. Today, we're heading into one of those places, Baku Lodge in Colombia. They're the local indigenous community, welcomes you like family, and you'll hear firsthand from three people on the ground and on the water of what it's really like to chase giant peacocks in untamed waters. Today, Andres, Jason, and Nick are gonna take us deep into the Colombian jungle to show us what it's really like to target these giant peacock bass, some up to 25 pounds. Along the way, you're going to learn why Colombia is much safer to travel to than most people think, and how this adventure is surprisingly affordable. We're gonna talk about that today - a full week at this lodge, a price we talk about at the end that is pretty amazing of what you get here and what to expect when you're out there and how to prepare for your first jungle trip. Plus, you're gonna find out what the underloop cast is all about from Nick. Nick, the stick. He gets it done. Today, we're gonna talk Lamson liquid outfit, and all the rest. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/760

#759 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/759 Presented by: San Juan Rodworks, Fish The Fly, FishHound Expeditions, Mountain Waters Resort Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Kustich—bamboo rod builder, author, and one of the pioneers of Great Lakes steelhead fly fishing. From his off-the-grid cabin days in Idaho to building rods with legends like Tom Morgan at Winston and starting Sweetgrass Rods, Jerry takes us on a soulful journey through decades of fly fishing evolution. You'll hear about his early fishing adventures, the rise of the Great Lakes fishery, his passion for writing, and the powerful stories behind the rods, rivers, and people that shaped his life. If you love stories that go deeper than just catching fish, this one's for you. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/759

#758 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/758 Presented by: TroutRoutes, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Yellowstone Teton Territory, On DeMark Lodge Alex Xenie Hall — legendary Colorado fly fishing guide, steelhead nut, and self-proclaimed trout bum — takes us deep into his world, from the Upper San Juan to the far end of the Babine River. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/758

#757 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/757 Presented by: Mountain Waters Resort, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Yellowstone Teton Territory, Four Wheel Campers Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors What would you do if your wading boot slips, your ankle snaps, and you're stranded miles from help—in the cold, wet, and dark? In this episode, we bring on Brett Stoffel from OutdoorSafe.com, a survival expert with deep roots in military and search-and-rescue training. Brett breaks down the top survival tips for anglers, the three most important items to carry with you on every fishing trip, why most people get survival wrong, and how you can be prepared without packing your entire garage. If you’ve ever wondered whether that shiny space blanket actually works (spoiler: it probably doesn’t), this episode is a must-listen. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/757

#756 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/756 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Fish The Fly, On DeMark Lodge, Mountain Waters Resort Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Would you guide steelhead anglers through Washington's wild rivers, then hop on a flight to Gabon or French Polynesia to chase something completely different—all while pushing the fly fishing industry to care more and do better? Today we're joined by Dave McCoy, Patagonia Fly Fish ambassador and owner of Emerald Water Anglers. Dave breaks down the real state of steelhead conservation, the overlooked opportunities in warmwater fly fishing, and why swinging flies is more than a method—it’s a mindset. He shares the story of helping launch Patagonia’s Fly Fish social presence, his conversations with Yvon Chouinard, and why guiding should include deeper dialogue—yes, even about politics. You’ll also hear about his global travel program, from sea-run cutthroat in Seattle to tarpon in rivers and bonefish in the Bahamas. Plus, Dave explains why your first fly fishing trip shouldn't always be for trout, how Patagonia is rethinking wader design, and how listening—really listening—might just save the sport. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/756

#755 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/755 Presented by: Pescador on the Fly If you’ve ever tried to sneak in a little fly fishing on a business trip or family vacation, this episode is for you. Jeff Ditsworth of Pescador on the Fly shares his fly fishing travel hacks from 25+ years of experience. We dive into how to pack light, avoid common gear mistakes, and make the most of those bonus fishing hours. Jeff also gives us the lowdown on his G6 packable rod and why he always brings at least two rods on every trip. Whether you’re headed to Montana or Mexico, you’ll walk away with simple tricks to fish more and stress less. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/755

#754 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/754 Presented By: Stonefly Nets, Smitty's Fly Box, TroutRoutes, On DeMark Lodge Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In today's show, we're gonna be expanding our discussion topics beyond the traditional scope of In the Bucket. Since we started the show, we've spent a lot of time talking about space-specific ideas like casting improvement, gear selection, and what to do when a steelhead grabs your fly. In this episode, we've got Will Rice, Jason Rolfe, and Travis Bader joining me. These guys are journalists, outdoor educators, and travel experts. Surely we'll get into steelhead as we do, but today we wanna talk about fly fishing, travel adventure in general, personal safety on the water, and dig into a fly fishing mystery or two. Let's get into it... Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/754

#753 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/753 Presented by: Four Wheel Campers, Smitty's Fly Box, Intrepid Camp Gear When Phil Rowley first came across a balanced leech nearly 20 years ago, he didn’t expect it to become one of the most influential flies in his Stillwater arsenal. In this episode, Phil sits down with the guy who helped make it all happen—Jerry McBride. You’ll hear how the balanced fly came to life, the gear that made it work, and why this style of fly has become a Stillwater staple. If you’ve ever fished a balanced fly under an indicator—or just wondered what the big deal is—this is the origin story you’ve been waiting for. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/753

#752B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/752B Presented by: Fish The Fly If you’ve ever wanted to escape the summer crowds and get into Western Wyoming fly fishing, this episode is for you. I sat down with Jason "JB" Balogh from Fish the Fly Guide Service in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. JB shares what it’s like to hike into the high-country creeks around the Tetons to target cutthroat trout on dry flies. We talk about the gear, flies, techniques, and everything you need to know for a backcountry fly fishing adventure. Plus, JB walks us through some of the bigger water options like the Snake and Green Rivers, and even throws in a few local tips—like where to get the best waffle after a tram ride. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/752B

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/752 Presented By: Drifthook Fly Fishing, On DeMark Lodge, Mountain Waters Resort Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors What if the river rose, the wind calmed, and a 30-inch brown slid into view—would you be ready? Deep in the heart of Argentina’s Patagonia, chances like this don’t come often. Today, we’re heading south to chase migratory browns in crystal-clear water and find out what it takes to hook up when it matters most. Ron Sorenson, owner of Chocolate Lab Expeditions, takes us inside the Limay River—where trout hit like steelhead, driftboats rule, and the hatches are still sacred. You’ll hear when to go, how to fish it, and why this might just be the most dynamic trout river in the Southern Hemisphere. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/752

#751 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/751 Presented by: On DeMark Lodge, Togiak River Lodge Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors In this episode, we're joined once again by one of the most well-traveled fly anglers in the world — Jeff Currier. Jeff has now caught over 480 species on the fly, and he’s still going strong with his goal of hitting 500. From the Amazon to Africa, Australia to the Himalayas, Jeff shares some of his favorite fishing destinations, species stories, and a few close calls along the way. If you’ve ever dreamed of planning a global fly fishing trip, this episode is packed with tips and inspiration to get you started. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/751

#750 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/750 Today on CJ's Reel Southern Podcast, we're going musky fishing in the Northwoods with guide Chris Willen. Chris breaks down how early-season smallmouth keep things interesting before musky season kicks off, and why northern muskies play a totally different game than their southern counterparts. We’re talking fly patterns that move big fish, the water conditions that make or break a day, and the one thing you have to get right before your next shot at a musky. Or risk blowing your shot at a fish of a lifetime. Don’t miss this one—especially if musky’s on your hit list this season. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/750