689 | Fly Fishing Southwest Washington with Jackson Golik - Cowlitz River, Coho Salmon, Steelhead
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 12/06/2024
894 | Long Island Fly Fishing with Paul McCain of River Bay Outfitters
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#894 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: Long Island fly fishing isn’t the first thing most people think of when they picture New York. Traffic, skyline, beaches maybe. But tucked behind all that is a network of spring creeks, salt marshes, kettle ponds, and over a thousand miles of shoreline that most anglers never see. In this episode, I sat down with Paul McCain, owner of River Bay Outfitters — the only dedicated fly shop on Long Island. Paul’s been building community, guiding anglers, and chasing everything from native brook trout to stripers for decades....
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Hunting with a Fly #1 | Fly Fishing Like a Hunter with Joe Goodspeed
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Sponsors: Fly fishing doesn’t fall apart because it’s too difficult. It falls apart because most anglers treat it like random casting instead of controlled hunting. Too many flies. Too many casts. Not enough intention. In this first episode of Hunting with a Fly, I sat down with Joe to break fly fishing down to its core principle: approach it like a hunter. Read water like terrain. Move with purpose. Cast only when it matters. Joe’s message is simple. The anglers who consistently catch fish aren’t guessing — they’re stalking, positioning, and presenting with...
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893 | The Fly Fishing Bootcamp: Streamers, Euro Nymphing, Spey and more
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Join the Bootcamp at: https://wetflyswing.com/bootcamp In this episode, we break down the full lineup of the Fly Fishing Bootcamp, a 12-session, multi-day event designed to cover the complete range of modern fly fishing skills. From fly casting mechanics with Kalyn Hoggard and Marty McVey, to steelhead strategy with Jeff Liskay, dry fly precision with Bob Lindquist, modern nymphing with Norman Maktima, trout fly tying with Mike O’Brien, two-handed casting with Jeff Putnam, bass tactics with Brian DeLoach, entomology with The Salmonfly Project, streamer strategy with James Garrettson,...
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892 | Rainy’s Flies: Innovation, Foam Flies, and the Business of Fly Tying with Jesse Riding
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#892 Show Notes: Sponsors: Most anglers never think about where their flies actually come from or how an idea turns into something hanging on a fly shop wall. In this episode, Jesse Riding of Rainy’s Flies takes us behind the scenes of commercial fly tying—from a small home operation started by his mother to one of the largest fly production companies in the world. We dig into how flies are designed, how patterns move into large-scale production, and why materials like foam changed modern fly fishing forever. Jesse also shares insights on fly design royalties, innovation ethics, and what...
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Choosing the Right Fly Rod with Gary Davis of San Juan Rod Works
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Gary founded San Juan Rod Works in 2020 out of his garage. Today, he’s moved into a dedicated showroom and education space in Rio Rancho, New Mexico — built around community, casting, and conservation. This episode walks through how to actually choose a fly rod without overcomplicating it — starting with species, then flies, then casting style.
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891 | Southern Oregon Steelhead Fishing with James Sampsel of Humble Heron Fly Fishing
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#891 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: Steelhead don’t wait around long on the southern Oregon coast. They move with fresh water, travel tight to edges, and disappear as quickly as they show up. If you’re thinking about Southern Oregon steelhead fishing, timing and water conditions matter more than hero casts. In this episode, I sat down with James Sampsel of Humble Heron Fly Fishing to talk about winter steelhead on short coastal rivers, fall fish on the middle Rogue, and why Chinook on the swing isn’t always the plan. James lives in Port Orford,...
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890 | John Shewey on the History and Evolution of Spey Flies
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
890 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/890 Presented by: , , , If you’ve ever swung a fly for steelhead and wondered where that pattern really came from, this one goes deep. In this episode, we dig into the history and evolution of Spey flies with John Shewey. Show Notes:
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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...
info_outlineShow Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/689
Presented by: On DeMark Lodge, TroutRoutes, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Togiak River Lodge
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
In this episode, we journey to fly fishing southwest Washington with expert guide Jackson Golik. Known for its impressive steelhead and salmon populations, this region offers anglers a unique experience that rivals the more renowned rivers along the West Coast.
Jackson takes us on an exploration of the famous steelhead rivers such as the Kalama, Cowlitz, and Lewis. Discover the charm of these waters and learn how to optimize your fishing trips by timing them precisely and avoiding the bustling crowds. Jackson also shares his insider tips for surface and subsurface steelhead techniques, alongside strategies for hooking coho salmon—often thought of as exclusive to Alaska.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the southwest Washington fly fishing scene and get ready to plan your next adventure in this often-overlooked fishing paradise.
Episode Chapters with Jackson Golik on Fly Fishing Southwest Washington
4:46 - Jackson shares how he got into fly fishing. He was born into the fly fishing world, as his father guided on the Bow River in Calgary. He became familiar with the industry early on and worked as a shop assistant at the Greased Line, a renowned fly shop in Vancouver, Washington. The Greased Line, which operated for about 42 years, is noted as one of the oldest fly shops in the Pacific Northwest, having started in the late 1970s.
7:01 - He tells about that time when he was introduced to Simon Gawesworth, a significant figure in the fly fishing world. This connection led to an opportunity for Jackson to work as Simon's assistant for about six months at RIO, where he handled fly line box modifications and managed their social media.
12:10 - We discuss fishing in Southwest Washington, focusing on popular rivers like the Cowlitz, Lewis, and Kalama. Jackson highlights the prolific hatchery fishery in the Kalama, but notes that rivers with more wild genetics offer opportunities for larger fish. We also touch on salmon fishing, particularly for silvers, coho, and spring chinook.
15:25 - Jackson describes coho fishing as similar to bass fishing, using heavy sink tips and flies, with the fishing done from a boat near structures like wood. The season for coho starts in early September and typically lasts through October into early November, although it's dependent on rainfall.
For chinook, the peak season is around Labor Day weekend, with the best fish being bright and high-quality. Jackson notes some rivers have late runs of Chinook, like the Lewis and Sandy rivers, which receive a small run of bright fish around late November to early December.
21:16 - We explore the state of steelhead fishing in Southwest Washington compared to the Olympic Peninsula. Jackson notes that while the OP rivers have experienced closures, the Southwest Washington rivers have remained consistently open, though they receive less publicity.
26:40 - We ask him about winter steelhead fishing in November and December. Jackson recommends focusing on rivers with consistent hatchery plants for better chances, specifically mentioning the Washougal River, known for its strong Skamania stock fish and challenging whitewater conditions.
30:11 - In fishing the Washougal River during winter, Jackson mentions using heavy sink tips and typical winter flies such as leeches, with T-14 being a common choice for getting closer to the fish. Jackson notes that while the Washougal River also has good runs of summer fish, the approach varies, with summer steelhead sometimes eating dry flies.
31:50 - We briefly talk about the impact of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption on the Toutle River system. Jackson shares that he wrote a paper in college about the logging that happens in the Toutle system, highlighting the management strategy of continually raising the dam to contain sediment.
34:08 - We talk about the Cowlitz River, known for its heavy planting of hatchery steelhead, which makes it a prime location for fishing, especially if you're looking to take home fish to eat.
36:23 - Jackson owns a 1979 fiberglass Avro boat and a smaller Aire puma boat, which is about 11.5 feet long. He appreciates the fiberglass boat for its quietness and durability, noting that it can be easily repaired and modified with fiberglass and epoxy.
38:21 - We dig into steelhead fishing on the Kalama River during peak season, from mid-February to late April. He shares strategies for dealing with crowded conditions, such as knowing familiar faces and sections of the river preferred by frequent fishermen. Timing is crucial; sometimes it's better to fish later in the day when conditions improve.
43:30 - Jackson mentions that the Kalama, Cowlitz, and Lewis rivers are accessible, with numerous put-ins and take-outs available, making them great fisheries. He highlights the Kalama River, which stretches about 60 to 70 miles and originates from an aquifer, offering a long drainage.
45:19 - We discuss steelhead fishing in the region around Battle Ground, which is near the East Fork of the Lewis River, known for its historical record of large fish, specifically a 38-pound steelhead caught in the 1980s. Although the gene pool for such large fish has diminished, there are still opportunities to catch steelhead in the 20-pound range.
47:40 - Jackson highlights the Cowlitz as the best for swinging flies due to its consistent fish population, akin to salmon fishing, where fish arrive reliably mid-February each year. However, it faces heavy fishing pressure, both from conventional and fly fishers, with a significant number of boats and guides present, given the river's substantial hatchery support.
49:09 - Jackson mentions that the Lewis River has a program that supports natural spawning of wild steelhead, which has improved the run size over the past decade, attracting more anglers. Despite the predominance of wild fish, the presence of a few brood stock fish allows for some to be kept. The river is becoming busier with more anglers due to these improvements.
The Kalama River, on the other hand, is known for drift boat and raft fishing, making it more competitive due to its smaller size. Anglers there often have to strategically time their fishing to avoid overcrowding and maximize their chances of catching fish. Jackson notes that the fishing dynamics in Southwest Washington are varied, with different runs and genetic variations of fish occurring throughout the year.
51:17 - Jackson recommends several local clubs and shops as valuable sources of information. He mentions the Salmon Creek Fly Fishers and the Clark Skamania clubs, highlighting their extensive knowledge due to longstanding members. Additionally, he suggests the Portland Fly Shop as a prime resource, noting that most staff have guided in the area and have considerable expertise.
52:38 - He shares his recent fishing experience on the Kanektok River, describing it as epic for Chinook fishing. We also talk about other notable locations for Chinook runs in Alaska, emphasizing the thrill of swinging flies for kings.
55:54 - Jackson expresses interest in a trip to Sudan for fishing Giant Trevally and Triggerfish, although plans changed due to the war, opting instead for an opportunity in Alaska.
58:24 - We ask Jackson for tips for a successful steelhead fishing. He emphasizes the importance of consistency in casting, advising beginners to focus on achieving a consistent casting distance and angle to increase their chances of success. He suggests that 40 feet of running line is typically sufficient. Consistency in fishing technique, rather than the number of fish caught, determines a good fishing day. He also recommends using longer leaders and heavier flies to ensure the fly sinks quickly.
1:05:14 - We quickly ask about his music preference. Jackson uses Spotify to listen to indie rock, describing it as having a synth tone and a slower tempo.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/689