#881 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/881

Presented By: San Juan Rodworks, Fly Fish with me Utah, FishHound Expeditions

Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Stillwater fly fishing rewards anglers who focus on presentation, depth, and efficiency rather than constantly changing flies. In this episode, Phil Rowley sits down with England's Howard Croston — former world champion, longtime England team member, Hardy product developer, and Fulling Mill fly designer — to unpack the tactical decisions that consistently put trout in the net.

From reading unfamiliar lakes and understanding stocked fish behavior to leader diameter, drift control, and eliminating "myths" about fly color, Howard explains how competition fishing sharpens efficiency and forces anglers to focus only on what truly matters. The result is a practical, systems-based approach any stillwater angler can apply immediately.

#881 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/881

#880 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/880

Presented By: San Juan Rodworks , On DeMark Lodge, Toyota Canada

Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

There's a point in fly fishing where casting stops being the hard part, and decision-making takes over. In this episode, Dave Stewart is joined by Nick Elcheson from Scott Lake Lodge to break down sight fishing Northern Pike in shallow water, where patience, positioning, and timing matter more than power.

Nick explains why fly fishing for pike is essentially freshwater flats fishing, how seasonal water temperature controls fish location, and why waiting for the right fish often leads to better outcomes than covering water. You'll learn how small decisions near the boat affect success, how to approach shallow bays, and what separates a missed opportunity from a clean eat when targeting big pike.

#880 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/880

#879 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/879

Presented by: FishHound Expeditions

In this episode, I'm joined by Orion Good, a Fishhound Expeditions guide who's quietly dialing in what actually works when the salmon don't show and the bead bite disappears. We dig into nymphing in Alaska trout nymphing, why the Duracell fly keeps producing when nothing else does, and how Orion locates fish in constantly changing systems.

If you've ever wondered how to stay effective in Alaska when conditions shift, this one's packed with real-world guide insight.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/879

#878b Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/878b

Presented by: Mountain Waters Resort

When people think about Newfoundland fly fishing, Atlantic salmon usually steal the spotlight. But tucked into the same rivers and lakes are some of the hardest-fighting brook trout you'll ever see, including sea-run fish pushing three to five pounds.

In this episode, I sat down with Les Wentzell to walk through brook trout fishing. We dug into timing, locations, flies, wind tactics, and why a simple dead-drift can outfish flashy presentations.

If you're heading to Newfoundland for salmon, this episode opens the door to a second fishery that's right under your feet.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/878b

878 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/878

Presented by: Smitty's Fly Box, Intrepid Camp Gear, Stonefly Nets, Togiak River Lodge

Today, we're digging into how fly rods are really designed. Not the marketing side, but what really goes into the design, the testing, and why some rods last for decades while others fall apart.

Zac Dalton from St. Croix Rods is on the podcast today, and he walks us through how fly rods are designed from the ground up.

We talk about rod action and why faster is not always better, what durability really means for anglers who fish hard, and how different actions change the way a rod fishes and casts. We also get into cork, handles, and we even touch on the conventional side toward the end.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/878

#877 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/877

Presented By: San Juan Rodworks, FishHound Expeditions, Pescador on the Fly, TroutRoutes

Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Fly fishing in Southern California looks nothing like a mountain river—and that's exactly why it works. In this episode, Frank Vargas breaks down how surf fly fishing actually functions, from reading tides and beach structure to understanding how species like perch, corbina, and leopard sharks use shallow water to feed and travel.

Frank shares how incoming and negative tides reveal feeding lanes, why anglers often walk past productive water, and how sight fishing in the surf can feel more like targeting carp than blind casting waves. This conversation covers gear, etiquette, safety, and why slowing down and learning to see the beach is the key to success in one of the most overlooked fly fisheries in the country.

#877 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/877

#876 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/876

Presented by: AVC Rig

Most adventure rigs look great online. Fewer are built for real miles, real weather, and those long fishing days that end well after dark. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Dunkerly to talk about building camper vans that actually work for anglers.

Matt runs Adventure Vehicle Concepts, and his approach is refreshingly practical. This isn't about Instagram builds or overcomplicating things. It's about access, simplicity, and designing a rig that helps you fish more without getting in your own way.

If you've been thinking about a van for fly fishing trips, road travel, or long weekends chasing water, this episode will help you avoid the most common mistakes before you ever pick up a tool.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/876

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/875B

Presented by: wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Streamer season is officially here in the Ozarks, and this one is all about slowing things down and fishing with intention. January kicks off the most aggressive window of the year, especially for big browns and smallmouth, and today Chad Johnson is digging deep into how they approach it.

He walks us through why post-spawn is such a key window for them, how aggression bites drive streamer eats, and why presentation matters more than fly choice.

If you fish the Ozarks (or any tailwater with changing flows) this is one you'll want to bookmark.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/875B