Mill House Podcast

I believe the driving force behind all great human triumphs is an insatiable desire to win. Some people are propelled by an internal storm—a relentless urge to push farther, dream bigger, and pursue the extraordinary. George VanDercook and Rudy Babikian are two young men who embody that spirit. They continue to show the rest of us that chasing fish in faraway places can be more than a passion—it can be a life worth pursuing. Both cut their teeth in the Northeast, targeting striped bass that eagerly ate flies in shallow water. Something about those early experiences struck a deep chord. Fishing wasn't just a pastime; it moved them. Years later, their paths crossed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they became obsessed with hunting big trout throughout the West. Eventually, they hitched an 18-foot Boston Whaler to a truck and hauled it from the East Coast to Jackson, then across the American West and south to San Carlos, Mexico. There, the waters of Magdalena Bay and the Pacific Ocean became both their home and their new frontier. Striped marlin, roosterfish, golden trevally, permit, snook—the sheer diversity of species they encountered expanded their horizons and changed the course of their lives. Their long runs offshore in a small center-console boat quickly became the subject of local conversation. People wondered what these crazy Americans were doing 30 miles offshore, chasing striped marlin alongside 80-foot Viking sportfishing yachts. The locals gave them a fitting nickname: Los Locos. And the name stuck. Today, Rudy and George have built a highly successful operation that caters to fly anglers pursuing some of the world's most prized game fish. The experience they offer is unlike anything else in the sport—one of the most extraordinary fishing adventures imaginable. I know because I've experienced it myself. On this podcast, you'll hear stories of relentless ambition, hard-earned lessons, danger, risk, and the pursuit of a dream that many would consider impossible. It's a story about finding the promised land—and having the courage to chase it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Chicone is a renowned fly designer, author, and educator based in Fort Myers, Florida. Widely respected throughout the fly-fishing community, he is best known for his innovative saltwater fly patterns, hands-on teaching style, and deep knowledge of the species and ecosystems on the west coast of Florida & the Bahamas. A lifelong angler, Drew has devoted his career to studying fish behavior, refining fly-tying techniques, and creating patterns that solve real-world challenges on the water. His work has been featured in numerous national publications, and his patterns are fished by guides and anglers across the country. Drew is the founder of Salty Fly Tying, a platform through which he teaches classes, produces instructional materials, and shares the research and experimentation behind his designs. He has authored 17 fly-tying books, many of which have become staples for saltwater anglers and tiers seeking to improve their craft. He also collaborates with leading brands, guides, and conservation groups to support responsible fisheries and help anglers elevate their skills. When he’s not writing or teaching, Drew can usually be found on the flats or in the backcountry around Southwest Florida—testing new materials, observing local fish, and refining the patterns that have made him one of the most recognizable names in modern fly tying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon Soucie is a full-time fly-fishing guide at Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt, Colorado, and one of the most recognized local experts in the Roaring Fork Valley. Born and raised in Basalt, Brandon grew up fishing the Fryingpan, Roaring Fork, Crystal, and Colorado Rivers — waters that would later become both his playground and his office. He picked up his first fly rod around the age of eight and began spending every spare moment learning the local honey-holes and trout behavior. By fourteen, he was working in the fly shop, and just a few years later, at eighteen, he transitioned to guiding full-time — beginning what would become a lifelong career on the water. Guiding more than 200 days a year, Brandon has built a reputation for his deep understanding of local rivers and his patient, educational approach to guiding. He’s known not just for putting clients on fish, but for helping them understand why the fish are there and how to catch them. His calm, friendly personality and ability to tailor each trip to a client’s experience level make him a favorite among both first-time anglers and seasoned fly anglers. Whether floating the Colorado, walking the Fryingpan, or wading the Roaring Fork, Brandon brings an unmatched level of local insight and enthusiasm to every outing. Outside of his professional guiding, Brandon continues to live and breathe the fly-fishing lifestyle. When he’s not working with clients, he can be found fishing with his wife and daughter, tying flies, or exploring new fisheries for both freshwater and saltwater species. His lifelong dedication to fishing and his deep roots in the Roaring Fork Valley make him not just a guide, but a true ambassador for Colorado fly-fishing — someone who embodies the passion, patience, and respect for the water that defines the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About 30 years ago, I spent a few unforgettable days with Mark Nichols on his home waters near Stuart, Florida, chasing big jacks in the St. Lucie River. At the time, Mark was becoming a well-respected entrepreneur and angler, thanks to his young lure company, D.O.A.—short for Deadly on Arrival. Back in 1983, he had begun crafting a hyper-realistic plastic shrimp that proved irresistible to a wide range of saltwater species. It was a game-changer—not just for the anglers who used it, but for Mark himself. A man who loved the outdoors and the challenge of fooling fish, he had found his calling. Over the next 42 years, D.O.A. would go on to develop 27 innovative products capable of catching just about anything that swims—from snook and tarpon to bass and flounder. On today’s episode, we reconnect with an old friend and dive into the mind of Mark Nichols—exploring the genius behind his bait designs and how he continues to stay one step ahead of the fish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re diving into one of the most storied arenas in saltwater fly fishing —the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament. Since 1964, it’s been considered the Super Bowl of tarpon fishing, attracting a who’s who of legends—names like Billy Pate, Ted Williams, and Glen Flutie, who famously won it five years in a row. I’ve been fortunate to win it five times in six years myself. And now, there’s a new name knocking on the door of tournament history: Dave Preston. Fishing alongside Louis Cortez, Dave has won four Gold Cups in the last five years, putting him third all-time in wins—a staggering achievement in a field that’s more competitive than ever. An avid fly fisherman and outdoorsman, Dave was born and raised in Miami, and spent the 80s and 90s exploring the waters of Florida Bay, the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, and the Keys. He’s a proud University of Florida alum, and since graduating in 2003, has worked across the state as a commercial real estate broker. These days, he lives in Jupiter, but come spring and summer, you can usually find him anywhere tarpon are swimming. Beyond the tournament leaderboard, Dave is deeply committed to conservation. He serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of the Everglades, and works closely with a number of organizations tackling the urgent water issues affecting South Florida’s ecosystems—from the Everglades to the coastal estuaries. Today, we talk to Dave about what this tournament means to him, how his upbringing shaped his passion for the water, and why protecting Florida’s fragile ecosystems is more critical now than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I fished the fabled Homosassa flats for a few years in the late eighties, before it was obvious I couldn’t get much better at this game because of the lack of fish. Sure, they came and went—big ones too—and great records were caught a few years after, but I wasn’t fishing for records. I wanted to be around the best anglers and see what this big tarpon house was all about. Some of the famous names were still there, like Billy Pate and Tom Evans, and Doparik, of course. I stayed in Bayport, where there were a number of rooms all in a line. This is where the guys I gravitated to took residence for the month of May. All the boats would be lined up, with their batteries charging after the long days of fishing. I loved every second of the tarpon pulse that you could feel in the air. I wanted to meet everyone and ask every question I had. There was a name that I heard often but never met: Earl Waters! I read everything I could about this tarpon fever that had a hold of me. Earl was one that had his hand in about everything over there—whether he was guiding a famous name or writing about how he was catching all these great fish. I know that many went to him when they had trolling motor issues, because he was a genius with the air switches that would turn them on and off with a step of your foot on a button on the tower. Then there was his big cobia he became famous for—and yes, a thirty-pound world record permit he caught on 6-pound test. He was a local with the desire to unturn every rock to find the answers of this incredible fishery he called home. On today's podcast, he gives us a detailed look at how he built a life in fishing around one of the greatest tarpon flats the world has ever known: Homosassa, Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oliver White is a world-renowned fly fishing guide, lodge owner, entrepreneur, and conservationist whose career bridges wild rivers and Wall Street. He began his guiding journey in college after a skiing injury, quickly developing a reputation as a skilled and passionate angler. This passion led him from the rivers of North Carolina to international waters in Argentina and the Bahamas. Along the way, a chance encounter with hedge fund manager Bill Ackman opened the door to a brief but formative stint in finance, sharpening White’s business acumen and laying the groundwork for his future as a fishing industry entrepreneur. In 2008, White channeled that experience into building Abaco Lodge in the Bahamas, followed by partnerships in other elite destinations like South Fork Lodge in Idaho, which he co-owns with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. His lodges have become known not only for their world-class fishing but also for their immersive guest experiences and commitment to sustainability. White continues to guide and host trips around the world, sharing his expertise with a growing community of anglers while advocating for the health of the ecosystems they explore. A dedicated conservationist, White co-founded Indifly, a nonprofit that empowers Indigenous communities through sustainable fly fishing tourism. The organization has helped transform remote villages like Rewa in Guyana into thriving ecotourism hubs, ensuring local control and environmental stewardship. In recognition of his contributions to angling, conservation, and community development, White was recently honored with the 2025 Heritage Award by the American Museum of Fly Fishing—the highest distinction the museum bestows. His life reflects a rare blend of adventure, entrepreneurship, and social impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices