684 | Surf Fishing California with Tyler Vanosdell - Mission Bay Fly Fishing, Corbina, Halibut
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 11/25/2024
889 | Bristol Bay Salmon Management with Tim Sands of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#889 Show Notes: Presented by: Tim Sands is a fisheries management biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, focused on the Nushagak and Togiak districts of Bristol Bay. His primary job is managing commercial salmon fisheries — mostly sockeye — while also protecting Chinook, chum, pink, and coho moving through the system. We covered how sonar counts guide daily decisions, what happens when too many salmon return, and why king salmon are struggling statewide. Show Notes:
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888 | Panfish on the Fly with Bart Lombardo
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
885 Show Notes: Presented by: , , I sat down with Bart Lombardo from Panfish On The Fly to talk about bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, perch, and all the warmwater species that are often overlooked. We dig into why these fish are some of the best teachers in fly fishing, how they flatten the learning curve for new anglers, and why experienced anglers keep coming back to them. Show Notes:
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Seasonal Fly Fishing Across Eastern Idaho’s Most Iconic Rivers with Brian Berry from Scott Lake Lodge (Traveled #40)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#887 Show Notes: Presented By: Not every trout river fishes the same, and eastern Idaho might be one of the best places to see that firsthand. In this Traveled episode, we head back to Teton Valley Lodge with Brian Berry to explore how the South Fork Snake, Henry’s Fork, and the Teton River each bring a completely different challenge depending on flows, seasons, and how you approach the water from a drift boat. Brian walks us through how fishing changes throughout the year—from winter nymphing and streamer tactics to the explosive Mother’s Day caddis hatch and summer...
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GLD #17 | Spey Casting Techniques with Tim Arsenault of Bridge Outfitters - Great Lakes Dude Podcast
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#886 Show Notes: Presented by: , , Sponsors: Some people fall into fly fishing. Others get pulled in hard and never really come back out. Tim Arsenault fits squarely in that second camp. From skipping school to chase salmon, to designing some of the most thoughtfully tuned Spey lines on the water, Tim’s journey is all about curiosity, obsession, and learning how things really work. In this episode, we dig deep into Spey casting techniques, steelhead rivers, line design, and what happens when you stop accepting off-the-shelf answers. Show Notes: ...
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885 | Rethinking Bamboo Fly Rod Materials for Modern Rods with Peer Doering-Arjes
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
885 Show Notes: Presented by: , , For more than a century, bamboo fly rods have been built from the same bamboo. It was accepted as tradition, rarely questioned, and almost never tested. Peer Doering-Arjes decided to test it. Instead of relying on history or feel, he approached bamboo like a scientific problem. He traveled through Vietnam and China, worked with botanists and universities, and ran controlled tests on hundreds of bamboo samples. He measured strength, flexibility, and durability the same way engineers test modern materials. What he found led to a different bamboo species...
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884 | How to Combine Tight Line Nymphing and Streamer Fishing with Brian DeLoach
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#884 Show Notes: Presented By: , , , Sponsors: Progress in fly fishing often happens when you stop treating techniques as separate lanes and start combining them. In this episode, Brian DeLoach shares the hybrid system he’s developed by blending Euro nymphing principles with heavy jig-style streamer fishing to efficiently target predatory fish. Brian explains why stout leaders and heavier rods protect fish during the fight, why drift matters more than tippet visibility, and how changing retrieves—including dead drifts, jig motions, and active strips—can trigger aggressive eats. If...
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883 | New Zealand Fly Fishing and Patagonia Gear Testing with Simon Chu
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#883 Show Notes: Presented by: If you’ve ever wondered why some anglers seem to always be in the right spot at the right time, this episode digs straight into that idea. In this conversation with Simon Chu, we talk about New Zealand fly fishing, spring creeks in Montana, and why slowing down and walking often reveal what boat fishing hides. Simon spends his seasons split between hemispheres, guiding and testing gear in some of the most demanding conditions on the planet. We get into Patagonia waders, sight fishing big browns, and the mindset shift that comes from hunting...
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882 | Understanding Fly Line Design with Zach McKnight
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/882 Sponsors: , , and Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Fly fishing has a way of making simple problems feel complicated. Your cast feels off, the presentation isn’t doing what you want, and suddenly you’re blaming everything in your hand. In this episode, we dig into understanding fly line design with Zach McKnight from Cortland Line, and it’s one of those conversations that can instantly clear the fog. Not by piling on more jargon, but by getting back to the one connection that quietly drives everything: rod to line to fly. We...
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882 | Hunting with a Fly Podcast - Fly Fishing for Apex Predators with Rick Kustich
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
882 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , What if the hardest fly fishing in the world is not about numbers, but about patience, restraint, and waiting all day for one real chance? That is the game today’s guest lives in. Rick Kustich is back on the podcast. Rick has spent decades chasing some of the toughest fish on the planet, from Great Lakes steelhead and giant muskie to Atlantic salmon and windswept rivers in Patagonia. He breaks down why strategy matters more than repetition, how small adjustments change everything, and what it really takes to fish at the highest level. ...
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Howard Croston on Competition Mindset and Loch-Style Fishing for Stillwater Trout (Littoral Zone Podcast #22)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#881 Show Notes: Presented By: , , Sponsors: Stillwater fly fishing rewards anglers who focus on presentation, depth, and efficiency rather than constantly changing flies. In this episode, Phil Rowley sits down with England’s Howard Croston — former world champion, longtime England team member, Hardy product developer, and Fulling Mill fly designer — to unpack the tactical decisions that consistently put trout in the net. From reading unfamiliar lakes and understanding stocked fish behavior to leader diameter, drift control, and eliminating “myths” about fly color, Howard explains...
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