Episodes

  • 810 | The Fiberglass Manifesto with Cameron Mortenson – Trout Routes
    Sep 5 2025

    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/810

    Presented By: TroutRoutes

    Cameron Mortenson walks us through the quiet revival of fiberglass rods, why glass still connects you to the line, and how a lifetime of tinkering with rods turned into a giant, searchable blog that helps anglers choose gear and find water. We talk trout-route mapping on a big Driftless trip, five practical questions to ask before you buy a fiberglass rod, travel-packing rules for bringing a quiver, and the joy of slowing down to feel the rod load again. It’s practical, curious, and full of those gear-and-travel moments anglers love.

    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/810

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 809 | Saltwater Fly Fishing Redfish Adventures with John Hunt
    Sep 4 2025
    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/809 Saltwater Fly Fishing is more than just chasing fish—it’s about immersing yourself in incredible locations, learning new techniques, and building lifelong connections. Today’s episode takes us deep into the marshes of Louisiana and beyond, exploring the magic of redfish, permit, and tarpon with a focus on both adventure and community. Our guest, John Hunt of Moccasin Fly Club, has built one of the most unique travel-minded fly fishing communities in the world. From hosted trips and conservation efforts to unforgettable cultural experiences, John shares how the journey is just as important as the fish. By the end, you’ll know when to chase bull reds, why the Double Haul Tournament is different, and how it can change the way you see travel. Show Notes with John Hunt on Saltwater Fly Fishing 01:17 - John Hunt shares fishing reports from Colorado and New Mexico, plus how his lodges adapt to summer heat and the upcoming hunting season. 02:20 - Insight into the upcoming Double Haul Tournament in Xcalak, Mexico, blending saltwater fly fishing with community impact. Check it here. 06:37 - A weeklong experience with training days, three days of competitive fishing, prizes, and sponsor support for local guides. 08:03 - How Moccasin Fly Club lowers costs so anglers can chase permit and tarpon without a $10k+ price tag. 12:23 - John highlights his Louisiana program: three days of guided bull redfish fishing, affordable pricing, and an easy domestic travel plan. Check it out here. 14:58 - Redfish trips help anglers prepare for tarpon, permit, and other saltwater species by teaching heavy rod handling, sight casting, and fish fighting. 16:22 - John breaks down what anglers can expect: casting in wind, tailing fish, adrenaline pressure, and listening to guides. 18:18 - The Louisiana experience includes Cajun food, cultural exploration, and the history of communities shaped by hurricanes. Learn more here. 19:55 - Why 20–30 pound bull redfish return to the marsh after spawning and why late fall/winter is the best time to target them. 23:48 - How hosted trips turn strangers into lifelong fishing friends, with anglers often mixing boats to learn from each other. 26:00 - John walks through a sample Louisiana trip: airport pickup, group dinners, three days of fishing, and easy departure. 34:37 - John explains how Moccasin Fly Club fosters connections that extend beyond trips, building a travel-minded fishing community. If you want to learn more. Click it here! 36:47 - John was talking about the Top 3 Tips for Redfish. Ask questions before casting, Don’t rip line out too fast — it spooks fish more than a bad cast and Keep it light and fun — attitude impacts success as much as skill. Wanted to Learn more about Fishing, Hunting, and Gear Trips. Check this out! Watch the Moccasin Fly Club - Fishing, Hunting, and Gear Trips Around the World 50:30 - Why community is key — sharing spots, travel advice, and trust only works when anglers become friends through these trips. 56:56 - John explains how Moccasin supports both hosted and independent travel — helping anglers find guides, DIY fish, or build their own trips. 58:15 - The mission — Moccasin Fly Club lowers barriers to travel, offers affordable programs, and helps more people get on the water. You can find the guest on Moccasin Fly Club Instagram and Moccasin Fly Club Website Top 10 tips of Redfish Saltwater Fly Fishing Bullet Points for Blog Post: Ask questions and communicate with your guide before casting. Don’t rip your line out immediately if you miss—let the fish react first. Keep the mood light; attitude matters as much as accuracy. Redfish trips are the best training ground for future saltwater adventures. Timing is key—mid-October to January offers the best shots at bull reds. Practice casting with 9- and 10-weight rods to prepare for big saltwater species. Pay attention to local culture—food, music, and community add to the experience. Mix up boat groups to learn from others and build friendships. Be ready for multiple species: redfish, black drum, sheepshead, and even sharks. Remember—it’s fishing, not catching. Stay positive and enjoy the hang. Moccasin Fly Club Saltwater Fly Fishing Conclusion with John Hunt on Saltwater Fly Fishing Saltwater fly fishing offers so much more than just a shot at the “bucket list” species. As John Hunt shared, trips like the Louisiana bull redfish adventure provide one of the best entry points for anglers new to the salt. From casting nine-weights at 20+ pounds saltwater redfish to building confidence for bigger species like tarpon and permit, these experiences are both affordable and action-packed. Add in Cajun food, cultural richness, and the community vibe created on hosted trips, and it’s clear why anglers return year after year. Whether your goal is chasing bull reds in the Louisiana marsh or preparing for international adventures...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 808 | Bahamas Flats Fishing with Bruce Chard – Bonefish, Sight Fishing, Saltwater
    Sep 3 2025

    806 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/808

    Presented by: Drifthook Fly Fishing, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Patagonia, Togiak River Lodge

    What makes an angler who’s fished around the world still pick the ankle-deep Bahamas flats fishing?

    For Bruce Chard, the answer is bonefish. In this episode, Bruce shares why they’re his favorite species, what makes South Andros so special, and how to handle quick-fire shots in windy conditions.

    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/808

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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • GLD #14 | The Skunked Angler’s Survival Guide with Jeff Liskay - Great Lakes Dude Podcast
    Sep 1 2025

    #807 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/807

    Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

    In this episode, Jeff Liskay, your “Great Lakes Dude”, dives deep into the skunked angler's survival guide. From steelhead slumps to blown-out lake days, Jeff shares how he adjusts on the fly, learns from tough conditions, and finds success even when the odds are stacked against him. This episode was inspired by real conversations at the boat ramp with anglers wondering what to do after getting skunked. Jeff’s answer? Start solving the puzzle.

    Whether you’re struggling with fly selection, pressure, or just can’t seem to find fish, this episode is packed with tactical tips and hard-earned wisdom from 250 days a year on the water.

    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/807

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • 806 | Four Simple Steps to Better Spey Casting with Jeff Putnam
    Aug 29 2025

    806 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/806

    Presented by: On DeMark Lodge, Drifthook Fly Fishing, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Patagonia

    In this episode, we dive into Jeff Putnam's straightforward approach to spey casting, built on feel, timing, and simplicity. Jeff walks us through the four steps to better spey casting, common mistakes he sees on the water (and how to fix them), and what to do when your confidence takes a hit mid-swing. (We've all been there!)

    We also get into the evolution of spey lines and rods, the Rogue River, Northern California, and tips for everything from trout with a three-weight to winter steelhead on big rivers.

    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/806

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • 805 | An Exercise in Uncertainty with Jonathan Gluck – Fly Fishing Memoir, Multiple Myeloma Journey, Manhattan Casting Story
    Aug 27 2025

    #805 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/805

    Presented By: Stonefly Nets, Intrepid Camp Gear, Mountain Waters Resort, Patagonia

    Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

    Ever find yourself standing on a river’s edge, the line in the water, and somehow everything makes sense, even when nothing should? That’s where I landed with Jonathan “Jon” Gluck, a writer, editor, and fly-fishing lifer—or at least, someone whose lifeline came through steelhead-strength treatments and the quiet grace of a swing.

    Jon was told he had about 18 months to live after a multiple myeloma diagnosis more than two decades ago. Instead of slowing down, he found healing where you’d expect it least—in the gentle arc of a cast, the flash of the fly, the now. There’s a lot of power in An Exercise in Uncertainty, his memoir, but even more in the way Jon leans into what fishing gives us: calm, clarity, and a reminder that presence is everything.

    #805 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/805

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Littoral Zone #20 | Sinking Line Tactics for Stillwater Fly Fishing with Phil Rowley
    Aug 25 2025

    #804 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/804

    Presented by: Stonefly Nets, Intrepid Camp Gear, San Juan Rodworks

    Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

    Phil Rowley breaks down the world of sinking lines—why and when to use them, how to pick the right one, and the tricks that make them effective. From understanding sink rates and densities to choosing leaders and rigging setups, Phil shares practical tactics that can help you fish deeper and smarter on lakes.

    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/804

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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • 803 | Michigan Salmon and Steelhead with Christian Gradowski - TroutRoutes, Great Lakes
    Aug 22 2025

    803 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/803

    Presented by: TroutRoutes

    If you’re curious about Michigan steelhead and salmon fishing, this episode is for you.

    Christian Gradowski swings streamers under city bridges, strips flies for kings in water warmer than most trout would tolerate, all while capturing it all on film.

    You’ll learn how to read tricky currents without obvious structure, get prepped for Great Lakes kings, and why July bass fishing can actually teach you how to swing in November. Christian keeps it real, sharing stories from the gravel runs of the Muskegon to the busy Grand River, where steelhead stack up under freeway overpasses.

    Find out why stripping streamers could be your new go-to and how glow-headed flies help get bites in cold water.

    Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/803

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    1 hr and 18 mins