684 | Surf Fishing California with Tyler Vanosdell - Mission Bay Fly Fishing, Corbina, Halibut
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 11/25/2024
879 | Alaska Trout Nymphing with Orion Good of Fishhound Expeditions
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#879 Show Notes: Presented by: In this episode, I’m joined by Orion Good, a Fishhound Expeditions guide who’s quietly dialing in what actually works when the salmon don’t show and the bead bite disappears. We dig into nymphing in Alaska trout nymphing, why the Duracell fly keeps producing when nothing else does, and how Orion locates fish in constantly changing systems. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay effective in Alaska when conditions shift, this one’s packed with real-world guide insight. Show Notes:
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878 | Brook Trout Fishing in Newfoundland with Les Wentzell of Mountain Waters Resort
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#878b Show Notes: Presented by: When people think about Newfoundland fly fishing, Atlantic salmon usually steal the spotlight. But tucked into the same rivers and lakes are some of the hardest-fighting brook trout you’ll ever see, including sea-run fish pushing three to five pounds. In this episode, I sat down with Les Wentzell to walk through brook trout fishing. We dug into timing, locations, flies, wind tactics, and why a simple dead-drift can outfish flashy presentations. If you’re heading to Newfoundland for salmon, this episode opens the door to a second...
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878 | How Fly Rods Are Really Designed: Inside St. Croix with Zack Dalton
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
878 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Today, we’re digging into how fly rods are really designed. Not the marketing side, but what really goes into the design, the testing, and why some rods last for decades while others fall apart. Zac Dalton from St. Croix Rods is on the podcast today, and he walks us through how fly rods are designed from the ground up. We talk about rod action and why faster is not always better, what durability really means for anglers who fish hard, and how different actions change the way a rod fishes and casts. We also get into...
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877 | Fly Fishing the Surf with Frank Vargas - Corbina, Surf Perch, Leopard Sharks
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#877 Show Notes: Presented By: , , , Sponsors: Fly fishing in Southern California looks nothing like a mountain river—and that’s exactly why it works. In this episode, Frank Vargas breaks down how surf fly fishing actually functions, from reading tides and beach structure to understanding how species like perch, corbina, and leopard sharks use shallow water to feed and travel. Frank shares how incoming and negative tides reveal feeding lanes, why anglers often walk past productive water, and how sight fishing in the surf can feel more like targeting carp than blind casting waves....
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876 | How to Build an Adventure Vehicle with Matt Dunkerly of AVC Rig
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#876 Show Notes: Presented by: Most adventure rigs look great online. Fewer are built for real miles, real weather, and those long fishing days that end well after dark. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Dunkerly to talk about building camper vans that actually work for anglers. Matt runs Adventure Vehicle Concepts, and his approach is refreshingly practical. This isn’t about Instagram builds or overcomplicating things. It’s about access, simplicity, and designing a rig that helps you fish more without getting in your own way. If you’ve been thinking about a van for fly...
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Streamer Season in the Ozarks with Chad Johnson (CJ's Reel Southern Podcast #10)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Presented by: Streamer season is officially here in the Ozarks, and this one is all about slowing things down and fishing with intention. January kicks off the most aggressive window of the year, especially for big browns and smallmouth, and today Chad Johnson is digging deep into how they approach it. He walks us through why post-spawn is such a key window for them, how aggression bites drive streamer eats, and why presentation matters more than fly choice. If you fish the Ozarks (or any tailwater with changing flows) this is one you’ll want to bookmark. Show Notes:
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875 | Phil Monahan on Simplifying Fly Fishing for Beginners
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/875 Sponsors: and Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Fly fishing doesn’t fall apart because it’s too hard. It falls apart because there’s too much going on at once. Too many rods, too many flies, too many opinions, and not enough clarity about what actually matters on day one. In this episode, I sat down with Phil Monahan to strip fly fishing back to its essentials. Phil’s spent decades teaching, writing, guiding, and answering the same beginner questions over and over. His takeaway is simple. Most new anglers don’t fail because...
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874 | How Grundéns Turned Commercial Fishing Survival Gear into Fly Fishing Essentials
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/874 Sponsors: , , and Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Most fly fishing gear is built for comfort. Some of it is built for performance. But very little of it is built with the assumption that conditions can turn from “kinda crappy” to “this could go bad” in a hurry. That’s where Grundéns comes in. In this episode, I sat down with Justin Waters, who’s right in the middle of translating nearly 100 years of commercial fishing toughness into gear that guides, steelheaders, and fly anglers lean on when the weather goes...
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873 | Fly Fishing Entomology Made Simple with Sawyer Finley
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
873 Show Notes: Presented by: This episode breaks entomology down into something you can actually use. Sawyer Finley, guide at Grand Teton Fly Fishing, explains how insects live, move, and emerge—and how trout respond to that reality, not just to textbook hatches. The focus is on observation, timing, and availability, not memorization. Show Notes:
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872 | Fly Fishing Patagonia with Nicolas Rivero of Guides Patagonia
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#872 Show Notes: Presented by: In this episode, I sat down with Nicolas Rivero to dig into fly fishing Patagonia. We covered the two-basin setup in Patagonia, the famous Limay River, giant brook trout in mountain lakes, and what a full April trip with Moccasin Fly Club looks like on the water. If you’re curious about swinging flies for migratory trout, fishing both lakes and rivers in one week, or planning your first Patagonia trip, this one’s packed. Show Notes:
info_outlineShow Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/684
Presented By: Grand Teton Fly Fishing, Heated Core, Waters West, Angler's Coffee
Today, we're surf fishing California, home to some of the toughest surf fishing spots in the country. Southern California also boasts one of the largest manmade bays and some of the best weather and fish species around.
Tyler Vanosdell from Mission Bay Fly Fishing takes us from his roots on a cotton farm to becoming a San Diego fly fishing guide. Tyler shares the top three things you need to do before hitting the surf, the best apps to use, and essential tips for casting a full sink line.
Plus, you’ll learn why the strip set is critical and how walking your line can make all the difference.
Show Notes with Tyler Vanosdell on Surf Fishing California.
02:10 - Growing up on a fifth-generation cotton farm in western Arizona, Tyler started fly fishing on the muddy Gila River, catching largemouth bass, catfish, and even carp before it became popular.
03:42 - Tyler spent time in Montana, Utah, Colorado, and even traveled to Mexico and Costa Rica before landing in San Diego. It was a chance offer from a friend needing a roommate that brought him to San Diego, and he's been there for almost 18 years now.
Surf Fishing California: Where to Begin?
05:24 - The first thing Tyler teaches new surf anglers is understanding the conditions. The waves are constant in San Diego, so knowing how to read the waves, tides, and wind is key. Tyler also emphasizes showing beginners the right structure and how to use apps and gear.
Must-Have Apps for Surf Fishing
06:43 - Tyler recommends starting with free apps for tides and wind. For waves, he suggests paying for Surfline, which costs about $10 a month. The cool part? Surfline offers live video feeds of different beaches, letting you scout out fishing spots before heading out.
Surf Fishing Species
07:51 - Tyler talks about the top fish species to target in Southern California.
Corbina - The most popular by far is corbina (or "beans"), which come into shallow waters in the summer to feed on sand crabs.
Halibut - Tyler also loves fishing for halibut, especially the big ones. There are two types of halibut:
Pacific halibut
California halibut
Croakers (like Yellowfin and Spotfin)
Corvina - a toothy fish similar to white sea bass.
Ideal Fishing Conditions and Timing
Tyler explains that fishing in San Diego is possible year-round, but winter is his favorite time. It gets crowded in summer, so Tyler tries to fish early to avoid the crowds.
When it comes to conditions, he looks for low-energy waves, around zero to two feet. For tides, he prefers lower ones, especially around zero to two feet, which helps him find good structures for casting. He also likes light winds, ideally 3 to 5 knots, for a smooth experience.
Tyler encourages anyone interested in surf fishing to give it a try. The conditions might be tough some days, but other times, it feels like everything just falls into place. He believes if he can do it, anyone can.
Gear and Casting Tips for Surf Fishing
18:57 - Tyler talks about the gear he uses for surf fishing. He usually takes one rod, sometimes two, with a backup just in case. He recommends a full sinking line of around 250 grains to handle the strong surf and currents.
He explains how casting with a heavy sinking line takes a bit of practice but it's all about letting the rod do the work. Tyler also suggests using a wider casting stroke and double hauling for distance. Start close, work your way out, and you might even catch fish right in front of you.
24:18 - Tyler says low tide is the best time to spot fish-holding structures like rocks, holes, or steep beaches. These areas give fish a place to feed or wait for prey. Tyler also recommends checking out river mouths, which are great spots because they bring in brackish water full of baitfish that predators love.
29:15 - Tyler sticks to a few key flies like the Clouser and Surfin' Merkin, which are great for catching fish in Southern California. He uses size four hooks with medium dumbbell eyes, and colors like red and white, chartreuse, or olive. Tyler also likes red flies because they're popular in the area.
Chasing Corbina and Other Fish
38:56 - Tyler talks about how fishing for corbina can be a mix of blind casting and sight fishing. Sometimes the fish are right at the water’s edge, and you can literally see their backs and tails. To catch them, you often have to wade out into the water depending on where the structure is.
Mission Bay Fly Fishing
44:11 - Mission Bay is the heart of fly fishing in San Diego. It’s the largest manmade aquatic park in the U.S., offering 34 miles of fishable shoreline. You can walk around, cast, and explore different areas, making it super accessible.
One of the coolest things about fishing there is the spotted bay bass. It’s a unique species to the area, and you can catch them year-round. Tyler likes fishing at lower tides with an intermediate sinking line for better results.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/684