• Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

  • By: Dave Stewart
  • Podcast

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

By: Dave Stewart
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  • Summary

  • 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 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. In Season 2 we switch to a focus on trout fishing with topics like euro nymphing, entomology and much more. Come join us for the current season and share the stories and great memories told by amazing people.
    Copyright: Wet Fly Swing Media - Your Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Resource | 2017 - 2021
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Episodes
  • 665 | Tying Steelhead and Pacific Salmon Flies with Jonathan Farmer – Chasing Chrome, Alaska, Fly Tying

    665 | Tying Steelhead and Pacific Salmon Flies with Jonathan Farmer – Chasing Chrome, Alaska, Fly Tying
    Oct 2 2024
    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/665 Presented By: Drifthook Fly Fishing, Angler's Coffee, Togiak River Lodge, Yellowstone Teton Territory Jonathan Farmer, steelhead fly tying guru and author of Chasing Chrome: Tying Steelhead and Pacific Salmon Flies is here to take us into his world of Alaska and steelhead fishing. We’ll hear the stories behind flies like the Graboid, Led Zep Prawn, and Mini Me, plus why Jonathan’s shifting to more natural patterns and how he picks his colors. Jonathan ties some of the cleanest flies you’ll ever see. He’s been putting in 40 to 70 hours a week for over 10 years! Find out why so many people are looking him up and how his book is packed with tips to help you understand fly design. Ready to pick up some tricks from a pro? Grab a notepad. You’re going to want to jot these down! Show Notes with Jonathan Farmer on Tying Steelhead and Pacific Salmon Flies. 11:17 – Fly fishing started for Jonathan when he was just 17 during a backcountry camp in Colorado. He started with conventional fishing and even joined tournaments in Texas. He worked on sport fishing yachts in South Florida before moving to Alaska, where he got into fly fishing. 12:14 – Jonathan shares that each season in Alaska offers unique opportunities. In spring, he loves stone fly fishing on the Kenai. Summer brings great dry fly action and swinging wet flies. By fall, fish target spawning sockeye. Steelhead and Pacific Salmon Flies Chasing Chrome: Tying Steelhead and Pacific Salmon Flies 21:20 – Jonathan talks about how he always wanted to write a fishing book. A few years ago, he started jotting down thoughts but put them aside. He teamed up with Mike at Mossy’s Fly Shop for help with photos. 24:18 – The book features Jonathan’s favorite steelhead and Pacific salmon flies, complete with step-by-step instructions. He says the book wouldn’t be what it is without Marty Howard’s input on its layout and design. Marty also co-wrote the book Steelhead Fly Tying Art and Design with Dec Hogan. Check out our episode with Dec Hogan here! Steelhead and Pacific Salmon Flies The Book’s Creation 30:37 – Jonathan said the toughest part of writing his book was the editing process. He followed Marty’s advice and printed three copies for friends to review. Visit Jonathan’s website or Instagram to grab your copy of his book. You can also get a signed copy, which comes with three flies from the book! 34:07 – The book covers fly-tying techniques and color choices. Jonathan mentioned that while some flies, like the Led Zep Prawn, are super fun to tie, they can be complex. He enjoys having a fly box just to admire the cool designs, even if he doesn’t fish with all of them all the time. Watch this video of Jonathan tying the Led Zep Prawn on Youtube: The Challenge of Naming Flies 36:08 – There are 21 unique flies in the book that Jonathan created himself. He said that designing flies is probably easier than naming them. “The Graboid,” was named by a friend without even knowing it. Many of his flies have music-themed names, like “Sure Shot,” inspired by the Beastie Boys, and “Crown Jewel,” from Brother Ali. He even has a tube fly named “Zoomer,” which was created during a Zoom course. Finding the Perfect Steelhead Fly Proportions 52:29 – Jonathan has been tying flies for nearly a decade and puts in a serious amount of hours—sometimes 70 a week! 53:26 – We dive into how to balance materials when tying the perfect steelhead fly. It’s all about finding the right proportions—not too sparse, but not overly bulky either. If a fly feels too full, he advises creating a channel to slim it down. Jonathan reminds us that even experienced tiers sometimes end up with flies that are a bit bulkier than intended, and it’s okay to make adjustments. 55:39 – Bulky flies don’t move or breathe well in the water, which affects how they mimic bait. A fly that casts poorly or looks stiff in the water won’t attract fish. Jonathan uses a tank in his office to test the movement of his flies. If it doesn’t swim or breathe right after a few hours, it’s a no-go for him, and he tosses it. The Mini-Me Graboid Jonathan shares the story of the Mini-Me fly. The Mini Me uses pine squirrel instead of rabbit, making it a smaller, more versatile fly. Jonathan uses it for steelhead, coho, and trout, especially in colors like black and red or black and blue. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/665
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • 664 | Fly Fishing Veterans with Doug Myers - Fly Tying and Fishing Expo, 30-inch Trout, Oregon Fishing

    664 | Fly Fishing Veterans with Doug Myers - Fly Tying and Fishing Expo, 30-inch Trout, Oregon Fishing
    Sep 30 2024

    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/664

    Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company, Angler's Coffee, TroutRoutes, Yellowstone Teton Territory

    Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

    Doug Myers, head man at Fly Fishing Veterans, is going to share his story of serving in the Air Force today before fighting fires for over 30 years. We’re going to hear about some of his home waters in Oregon, Montana and Idaho, and we’re going to hear which place he’d choose to settle down in forever if he had to pick just one. Plus, you’re going to hear about Diamond Lake and where you can find 30-inch trout, including those illustrious tiger trout.

    In today’s episode, you are going to get an inside view into a relatively new veterans group and the fly tying and fly fishing expo that you’re going to want to attend this year. We’re going to find out what it takes to build a program to help veterans and how you can get involved to help some folks in your region or your part of the world. And we are going to talk fishing today, a little tiger trout and a little brown trout is going to round out today’s episode.

    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/664
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    39 mins
  • 663 | UK Fly Fishing with Chris Hague - Iceland, Spey, Atlantic Salmon

    663 | UK Fly Fishing with Chris Hague - Iceland, Spey, Atlantic Salmon
    Sep 25 2024
    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/663 Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory, Smitty's Fly Box, FishHound Expeditions, Stonefly Nets Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Welcome to our latest episode, where we delve into the exciting world of UK fly fishing with none other than Chris Hague, an elite fly casting instructor and guide. In this episode, we explore the intricacies of fly fishing in the UK and Iceland, focusing on the majestic Atlantic salmon and the art of spey fishing. Chris shares his expert insights on the best techniques, the top locations for catching wild rainbows, and the current state of salmon fishing in Scotland. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a curious beginner, this episode is packed with valuable tips and fascinating stories. Episode Chapters with Chris Hague on UK Fly Fishing 4:19 - Chris' interest in fishing began at a young age, influenced by living close to various fishing spots and seeing salmon fishing on family holidays in Wales. His passion for fly fishing led him to focus exclusively on it. About 20 years ago, he began taking exams to become a fly fishing instructor, starting with entry-level certifications and advancing to more complex qualifications, including those from the Fly Fishers International (FFI). 10:14 - Chris describes the current situation of salmon runs in the UK and how it compares to other locations. The UK has experienced a decline in salmon populations with little improvement. He shares his recent experience fishing on the River Tweed in Scotland, where he caught a 13-pound fish but notes the effort required and the scarcity of fish. Chris contrasts this with Iceland's successful ranching policy, where larger fish are placed in holding pens and a select number of fish are used for breeding. 13:48 - Chris offers spey casting lessons, including single-handed and double-handed workshops, and guided fishing trips for species like trout and pike. He notes that traveling for salmon fishing requires a three-hour drive. 14:32 - He describes his typical two-handed setup for salmon fishing, including a 12'7" Mackenzie FX2 rod made of carbon and graphene, paired with a Lamson reel and a shooting head system. He emphasizes the versatility of multi-tip line setups, which allow anglers to adjust their fishing strategy quickly without carrying heavy gear. He prefers traveling light and uses this adaptable setup to efficiently cover different fishing conditions. 19:18 - Chris explains they are currently designing a new line for Mackenzie, and he describes the evolution of fishing lines, noting that Skagit and Scandi lines emerged around the same time. Skagit lines were short and designed for throwing heavy, large flies, while Scandi lines offered better presentation but were still relatively short. Chris mentions the development of hybrid lines that combine the benefits of both Skagit and Scandi lines, being short but offering better presentation. 21:07 - He mentions the Lamson Guru reel which he says complements the black, orange, and white Mackenzie rods. Mackenzie was founded by Scott Mackenzie, a world champion distance caster. The company has gained recognition for its innovative rods, especially those incorporating graphene, a material known for its strength and stability. This has led to the Mackenzie rods winning several awards in the UK. Additionally, Chris mentions that Mackenzie is expanding their product line to include clothing and various types of rods, including those for tight line nymphing, saltwater fishing, and predator fishing, with new products expected in 2025. 23:49 - Chris recounts catching a 30-pound fish in the River Tweed using a 12ft 7wt rod while fishing from a boat. He mentions that the boat is maneuvered manually by gillies, who have impressive arm strength due to their constant rowing. Chris describes the fishing experience, noting the gentle take of the fish and how he adapted his technique by changing the depth and fly used. 26:35 - For those planning a fishing trip to the UK, Chris suggests that while the UK has fantastic rivers, access can be challenging due to many being members-only. He mentions that many anglers travel to places like Iceland and Norway for better fishing experiences. He prefers Iceland because he can reach rivers there faster than in Scotland and finds the fishing quality superior. 30:24 - We dig into the history and evolution of spey casting. He explains that spey casting originated in the 1880s with fishermen who needed a technique to cast in limited space and under various wind conditions. 34:41 - We talk about salmon fishing techniques, particularly in Iceland and the UK. Chris explains that early in the season, larger and more aggressive fish are more likely to chase bigger flies, whereas later in the season, fish become more cautious and prefer smaller flies. He shares insights on how to keep the fly in front of the fish longer by manipulating the line without creating too ...
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    1 hr and 7 mins

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