Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#1010 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1010

Presented by: Pescador on the Fly, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho, Togiak River Lodge, Blue Bonefish Lodge

Scott Barrus arrived at Spinner Fall in 1998 as a 21-year-old shuttle driver, sleeping behind a couch and fishing every day. A year later, he spent his college tuition money on a drift boat and began his guiding career on the Green River.

Today, I sit down with Scott to explore the 30 miles below Flaming Gorge Dam in Utah. We cover the A, B, and C sections, blue-winged olive hatches in April and May, summer caddis, and cicada fishing that can bring trout looking for your fly.

Scott also shares why he usually fishes a 12-foot leader with 4X tippet, the story behind the Chernobyl Ant, and why seeing trout rise through the Green’s clear water can make you set the hook too soon.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1010

#1009 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/1009

Presented by: Outpost on the Nush, Sullivan Fly Rods, AVC Rig, Jackson Hole Fly Company

Stephen Collector has spent decades combining photography, writing, and time outdoors. From photographing John Gierach for book covers to fishing in Alaska and documenting people and places, his career has connected him with remarkable anglers, writers, and storytellers.

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/1009

#1008 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1008

Presented by: Blue Bonefish Lodge, Smitty’s Fly Box, On DeMark Lodge, Outpost on the Nush

Big trout don’t always give you much room for a back cast. Streamer Spey helps you put a fly beside a logjam, work a tight bank, and reach water that’s tough to cover with a standard overhead cast.

In this fifth episode of Hunting with a Fly, Rick Kustich breaks down his approach to chasing predatory trout with Spey gear. He explains how rod and line choices shape your presentation, which casts suit tight spots, and how to move a streamer to trigger a chase.

From a short feeding window after rain to a trout following your fly into the shallows, Rick shares how to recognize these opportunities and make the most of them.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1008

#1006 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1006

Presented by: Blue Bonefish Lodge, Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, FishHound Expeditions, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho

A 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

Register for the Bootcamp: https://wetflyswing.com/bootcamp

Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/pescador

https://wetflyswing.com/stonefly

In this episode of Wet Fly Swing, Dave gives you a full preview of the 2026 Fly Fishing Bootcamp for Trout Anglers, happening October 30 through November 2.

This free, four-day online event brings together 23 fly fishing instructors covering everything from trout behavior, nymphing, and reading water to casting, dry flies, streamers, trout spey, and fly tying. Dave walks through each day's lineup, including sessions with Jason Randall, Devin Olsen, Rick Kustich, Davy Wotton, Skip Morris, Phil Rowley, and more.

You'll also hear four practical fishing tips from Bootcamp speakers, learn how to join the live demonstrations and Q&A sessions, and find out how to access the replays and bonus resources through the All-Access Pass.

Register for free at https://wetflyswing.com/bootcamp

Listen to the Full Tommy Lynch episode here: https://www.wetflyswing.com/347

Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/teton https://www.wetflyswing.com/pescador

Big 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.

#1003 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1003

Presented by: On DeMark Lodge

In this episode, Brandon Friis and Heath Gunns discuss Missouri River fly fishing, dry-fly techniques, drift boats, and the value of spending time outdoors. Brandon shares what he learned at the Missouri River Dry Fly School, including fishing the Trico hatch and switching to nymphs as conditions changed.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1003

#1002 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1002

Presented by: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Pescador on the Fly, Blue Bonefish Lodge, No See Um Lodge

Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors

The 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

#1001 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1001

Presented by: Sullivan Fly Rods

Casting for Recovery began with two retreats in Vermont and has grown into a program serving nearly 14,000 women. In this episode, Susan Gaetz shares how Casting for Recovery uses fly fishing, nature, volunteer support, and small-group retreats to help women diagnosed with breast cancer find connection and confidence.

Susan also explains how Casting for Recovery developed retreats for women with advanced breast cancer, how volunteers make the program work, and how partnerships help expand its reach. The conversation finishes with the Jane Drift Boat Project and a rapid-fire round covering fishing gear, gardening, smoothies, education, and photography.

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/1001

#1000 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/1000

Presented by: Stonefly Nets, On DeMark Lodge, Gallatin River Lodge, Blue Bonefish Lodge

The 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

#999 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/999

Presented by: Moccasin Fly Club

Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors

The San Juan River gives anglers a chance to work on three very different approaches in one day: streamers, nymphs, and dry flies. John Hunt joins us to talk about why that variety makes this New Mexico tailwater such a useful place to learn.

We get into the water people pass by, including slow, shallow stretches that can hold a big trout. John also explains why a small change in fly depth can make all the difference on a pressured river. Then we head to Mongolia, where the fishing shifts to mouse patterns, large baitfish flies, and the search for taimen.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/999

#998 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/998

Presented by: Outpost on the Nush, TroutRoutes, On DeMark Lodge, Redd’s Flies

Trey 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

#996 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/996

Presented by: Sullivan Fly Rods, On Demark Lodge, Redd's Flies, Smitty’s Fly Box

There are steelhead rivers, and then there is the Dean. From Kimsquit Bay Lodge in British Columbia, mountains drop straight into the salt, with fresh steelhead only minutes from the ocean.

Jeff Hickman, Adrienne Comeau, and Pat Beahen join Jeff Liskay to break down what makes Dean River steelhead fishing so different. They get into the famous canyon, how tides shape the fishing, dry-line and Chinook tactics, and the gear and techniques that make this river unique.

They also talk about something bigger than catching fish: why these wild steelhead deserve respect and what anglers can do to give something back.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/996

Listen to the full Episode 255 here: http://wetflyswing.com/255

Sponsors: Stonefly Nets, Jackson Hole Fly Co, Outpost on the Nush

In 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.

#994 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/994

Presented by: Stonefly Nets, Drifthook, Togiak River Lodge

English trout fishing offers anglers a different set of rivers, access challenges, hatches, and seasonal opportunities than many famous waters in the American West. Howard Croston shares his experience with English trout fishing, his career with Hardy, competition dry-fly fishing, European grayling, and the equipment being developed for modern anglers.

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/994

#993 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/993

Presented by: Golden Fly Shop, FishHound Expeditions, AVC Rig, Redd's Flies

In 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

#992 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/992

Presented by: Smitty's Fly Box, Togiak River Lodge, Stonefly Nets, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho

Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Jan Erik Granbo lives near Trondheim in central Norway, where he has around 40 Atlantic salmon rivers within his region. We dig into everything Atlantic salmong fishing, from the June salmon window and Scandinavian two-handed setups to finding resting fish, planning a Norway trip, and fishing dry flies later in summer.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/992

#991 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/991

Presented by: Moccasin Fly Club

Every 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

#990 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/990

Presented by: Sullivan Fly Rods, Blue Bonefish Lodge, AVC Rig, Gallatin River Lodge

Bitterroot River fly fishing offers an unusual mix of water, from mountain-stream fishing in the headwaters to wide, technical flats closer to Missoula. Robert Prince spends about 90 percent of his guiding and fishing days on the Bitterroot, and he joins Dave to break down the river's major hatches, dry flies, nymphs, and presentations that help anglers find trout year-round.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/990

Listen to the full episode: https://wetflyswing.com/989

Domenick 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.