Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#1006 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1006Presented by: Blue Bonefish Lodge, Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, FishHound Expeditions, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit IdahoA trout can take a wet fly and turn before you ever feel the pull. Davy Wotton joins us to explain how a little slack, the right rod position, and a steady lift can help you connect with fish that are easy to miss.We get into soft hackles, winged wet flies, and how to choose between upstream, across-stream, and downstream presentations. Davy breaks down his leader system and explains why fly spacing, line diameter, and casting pace matter when fishing multiple flies.Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1006

Listen to the Full Tommy Lynch episode here: https://www.wetflyswing.com/347Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/teton https://www.wetflyswing.com/pescadorBig brown trout don't always feed when conditions look good. Sometimes the best streamer fishing happens when rivers rise, water turns muddy, and other anglers head home. In this short solo episode of Wet Fly Swing, we're revisiting 15 streamer fishing tips from Tommy Lynch, one of the most popular guests from 2022. These tips come from episode 347, where Tommy shared his approach to targeting large brown trout and understanding what makes them chase a fly.We cover why low, stable barometric pressure matters, how to adjust your retrieve in clear versus muddy water, and why streamer movement can be more important than fly color. You'll hear how Tommy uses short, sharp strips to make streamers swim naturally, adjusts leader lengths for different rivers, and targets aggressive trout in shallow, fast water. We also get into his approach to following fish, missed strikes, and choosing the right fly line for the conditions.This is a quick breakdown of 15 practical tips you can take to the river on your next streamer trip. Whether you're fishing big tailwaters, smaller trout streams, or high, stained rivers, Tommy's ideas will give you a few things to test. And if you want the full conversation, head back to Wet Fly Swing episode 347 for the complete interview with Tommy Lynch.

#1002 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1002Presented by: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Pescador on the Fly, Blue Bonefish Lodge, No See Um LodgeSponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsorsThe Clouser Deep Minnow started with a practical problem on the Susquehanna River: how to make a fly fish more like the jigs that were catching smallmouth bass. Bob Clouser joins us to explain why the fly’s eyes were originally about weight and how Lefty Kreh gave the pattern its name.We get into retrieves, early red fox tail versions, and the difference between a fly that sinks and one that stays near the surface. Bob also shares the stories behind his Suspender and Furry Foam Crayfish, including why watching a fly fall can matter as much as stripping it back.Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1002

#1000 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1000Presented by: Stonefly Nets, On DeMark Lodge, Gallatin River Lodge, Blue Bonefish LodgeThe night before we recorded, Ron Walp pulled an old baseball scorebook off his shelf and found my dad’s name inside. That’s where this story of Deschutes River history begins, with a connection that reaches back well beyond our fishing camps.For Episode 1,000 of the Wet Fly Swing Podcast, we’re joined by an old friend who has spent more than 50 years running the Deschutes. Ron shares stories about playing professional baseball, buying his first jet sled on a teacher’s salary, fishing the river before the dams, and getting to know my dad, Doug Stewart.We also get into the people who helped protect the lower river, the lesson that changed how Ron hooks steelhead, and the canyon mornings that keep bringing him back to a river that has shaped so much of his life.Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1000

#998 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/998Presented by: Outpost on the Nush, TroutRoutes, On DeMark Lodge, Redd’s FliesTrey Combs has spent decades documenting the people, rivers, flies, and techniques that shaped steelhead fly fishing. In this episode, Trey and his son, Mark Combs, take a close look at steelhead history, from classic fly patterns and early Spey fishing to grease line techniques and the stories behind some of the sport's most important books and photographs.The conversation blends firsthand experience with preservation. Trey shares stories from his years on steelhead rivers, while Mark explains how he is building an online archive that makes steelhead history accessible through books, photographs, fly plates, essays, and fly-pattern research.Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/998

Listen to the full Episode 255 here: https://wetflyswing.com/255Sponsors: Stonefly Nets, Jackson Hole Fly Co, Outpost on the NushIn this Greatest Hits solo episode, Dave revisits his 2021 conversation with Jeff Liskay and pulls out 11 practical Spey and switch rod tips for Great Lakes steelhead.Jeff’s system starts with an 11-foot 5-weight switch rod, roughly 330 grains, a short sink tip, a 14- to 18-inch leader, and an unweighted fly. From there, the focus is less on making long casts and more on controlling swing speed, fishing the right water, and keeping the fly in front of cold water steelhead.Dave breaks down why Jeff fishes higher and dirtier water before the crowds arrive, slows his swing when water temperatures drop into the 30s, and searches the edges before moving toward the middle of the river. You'll also hear why shortening your sink tip can immediately make a struggling Spey cast easier and why presentation matters more than casting across the river.Jeff also explains why he lets the sink tip control depth instead of adding weight to the fly, why some of his best water is the stuff other anglers walk right through, and when warmer, clearer conditions might even call for skating a dry fly for Great Lakes steelhead.The episode wraps up with two bigger lessons: separate casting practice from fishing, and don't fish yesterday's water. Migratory fish move, conditions change, and Jeff would rather keep searching new water than become attached to the spot that produced the day before.If you're getting ready for Great Lakes steelhead season or want to make your switch rod setup simpler this episode gives you 11 tips you can take straight to the river.

#993 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/993Presented by: Golden Fly Shop, FishHound Expeditions, AVC Rig, Redd's FliesIn this episode, Adam explains the hatches, flies, access, water conditions, boat fishing, wading, and presentation skills that matter on West Branch Delaware. He also shares how to recognize feeding rhythms, when to change flies, and why slowing down before the next cast can make a difference.The West Branch Delaware is one of those rivers where a trout can be holding in a narrow current seam and ignore a fly that passes only an inch or two away. Adam Franceschini has spent 15 spring seasons on the West Branch Delaware, learning how to approach its wild trout and technical dry fly fishing.Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/993

#991 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/991Presented by: Moccasin Fly ClubEvery destination has a season when the fishing feels just right, and along the Louisiana Coast, clear water, moving tides, and sight fishing are what make Louisiana redfish fly fishing so special.David Phelps from Southbound Fly Expeditions talks about seasonal redfish movements, changing weather, sight-fishing tactics, casting, flies, and tackle. We also dig into the three-day Louisiana trip we're putting together with Moccasin Fly Club.You’ll hear how David sets up the fly for different redfish behaviors, why the 20- to 40-foot cast matters more than the 70-foot cast, and the biggest mistake he sees from trout anglers.#991 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/991

Listen to the full episode: https://wetflyswing.com/989Domenick Swentosky of Troutbitten joins us for one of the most-downloaded Wet Fly Swing episodes of 2020. Dom breaks down a different way to approach streamer fishing, one that borrows heavily from tight-line nymphing. Instead of relying on huge flies and aggressive retrieves, he explains why smaller streamers, precise presentations, and direct contact can be so effective for trout.We get into Dom's Mono Rig streamer setup, including why he likes a 20-pound Maxima Chameleon butt section, a 10-foot 4-weight, and a two-streamer system that helps him track what's happening below the surface. He also explains how he uses his sighter to judge depth, why he targets small pieces of water around rocks, wood, and banks, and why anglers may be stripping their streamer away from the best holding water too quickly.Dom also shares one of the most interesting concepts from the episode: streamer head position. You'll hear how he gets his fly facing down and across, why he wants to keep it near structure, and how his “slow slide” presentation gives trout an easier opportunity to eat. If you want to bring more control and precision to your streamer game, this episode gives you a different way to fish them.

#987 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/987Presented by: No See Um LodgeAlaska trout fishing changes throughout the season, and Caleb Hitzfeld has spent nearly two decades watching those changes firsthand. In this episode, Caleb explains how salmon fry, insects, mice, eggs, and streamers shape Alaska trout fishing. No See Um Lodge also shares how the lodge's fly-out program gives anglers access to different rivers. The conversation begins with Caleb's journey from Texas to Alaska and eventually to owning No See Um Lodge.Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/987

#985 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/985Presented by: Yellowstone Teton TerritoryMichelle Edwards is a fly tyer and former guide who spent years fishing and guiding the South Fork of the Snake. We get into South Fork hatches, guide flies, nymphing from a drift boat, streamer fishing for bigger trout, and the lessons Michelle carried with her from Colorado to Idaho.Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/985

#983 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/983Presented by: Golden Fly Shop, FishHound Expeditions, On DeMark Lodge, Pescador on the FlyStrike indicator techniques for stillwaters can be one of the most effective ways to control the depth and speed of your flies.In this Littoral Zone episode, Phil Rowley takes us through his indicator system, from choosing the right indicator and building leaders to setting exact depth and casting long rigs. We also get into bobber stops, swivels, depth locators, and the naked technique with long leaders and weighted flies.Phil also answers Brad from Arizona’s questions about anchor rope length and shares practical tips for getting your flies to fish at the depth and speed you intended.Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/983

#981 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/981Presented By: TroutRoutesIn this episode, Dave talks with Tim Cammisa of Trout and Feather about exploring new trout water with a better plan. Tim explains how he uses TroutRoutes, access maps, USGS streamflow data, local information, and backup locations before leaving home. The planning does not end when Tim reaches the river. He confirms access, checks water temperature, watches for insects and rising fish, and studies the dominant water type before choosing a fly. Dave and Tim also discuss river-reading, technology, social media, and protective trout water.#981 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/981