704 | The Perfect Packable Fly Rod with Jeff Ditsworth - Pescador on the Fly, El Rey, Versa Pack
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 01/10/2025
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: ...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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. ...
info_outline
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_outline
880 | Freshwater Flats Fishing for Giant Northern Pike with Nick Elcheson from Scott Lake Lodge
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#880 Show Notes: Presented By: , , Sponsors: There’s a point in fly fishing where casting stops being the hard part, and decision-making takes over. In this episode, Dave Stewart is joined by Nick Elcheson from Scott Lake Lodge to break down sight fishing Northern Pike in shallow water, where patience, positioning, and timing matter more than power. Nick explains why fly fishing for pike is essentially freshwater flats fishing, how seasonal water temperature controls fish location, and why waiting for the right fish often leads to better outcomes than covering water. You’ll...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline#704 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/704
Presented by: Pescador on the Fly
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/pescador
In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Ditsworth, owner of Pescador on the Fly, to talk about the perfect packable fly rod: their six-piece travel rod.
Jeff, an expert in fly fishing travel, shares insights into his innovative line of rods, including the El Jefe and El Rey, which are designed to make traveling with your fishing gear easier and more efficient. We delve into the common misconceptions about multi-piece rods and explore the exceptional quality and convenience they offer. Plus, Jeff reveals the inspiration behind the creation of the Trout Hero bag for Trout Unlimited and shares his daily routine that keeps him at the top of his game.
Join us as we uncover how this game-changing equipment could transform your fly fishing trips and simplify your travels.
Episode Chapters with Jeff Ditsworth on The Perfect Packable Fly Rod
1:55 - Jeff recalls his first introduction to fly fishing. He used to go camping with his father and grandfather, both of whom owned very old fly rods. His first fishing experiences were on lakes and ponds, targeting species like bluegills and bass.
3:44 - He shares his journey of creating the brand Pescador on the Fly. While traveling for work, he found it cumbersome to carry traditional four-section rods and sought a better travel rod. He spent two years in research and development, eventually launching the brand with the El Cinco, a seven-section rod.
9:54 - We dig into their six-section El Rey rod. Jeff mentions that the rod was recently featured in Fly Fisherman magazine's 2025 gear guide, highlighting its recognition in the industry.
12:35 - We ask him for tips on going on a travel for fishing trips. Jeff emphasizes the importance of traveling with more than one rod as a backup. He mentions the unpredictability of trips, such as rods breaking due to accidents, and suggests bringing a lightweight, compact rod like the six-section rod that fits easily into a backpack. Jeff also suggests varying the types of rods based on the fishing environment, such as bringing different weights for different water sizes and fish types.
14:48 - We get into their El Jefe line that includes rods from zero to 10-weight, available in both four and six-piece configurations. He mentions the affordability of their fishing combos making them accessible to newcomers to fly fishing.
18:42 - Jeff criticizes the industry's tendency to overcomplicate fly fishing with too many options, which can intimidate newcomers. He suggests that simplifying the approach to gear is often sufficient for most anglers.
23:22 - Jeff discusses the origins of the names for the brand and its product lines. He explains that "Pescador" means fisherman, a name inspired by his love for fishing in Mexico and speaking Spanish. "El Jefe" means the boss, and "El Ray" means the king. Jeff also addresses the Econ 101 series, which emerged from his desire to offer durable, non-disposable starter fly fishing kits.
25:49 - We touch a bit on this fishing trip to Ascension. On more recent trips, Jeff has been using their El Jefe rods and reels. He mentions that the El Jefe reels are saltwater capable with fully sealed drags, making them versatile for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
27:11 - Jeff shares some of the new things coming up for Pescador on the Fly.
33:04 - We ask Jeff for his essential gears when going to fishing trips. Besides the six-section rod, he highlights the need for packing flies suited for the location, fly boxes, leaders, tippets, and small accessories like weights and fly line dressing.
He also mentions their Versa Pack, a small, efficient bag that caters to minimalist needs. This pack is ideal for carrying essential items such as a couple of fly boxes, ensuring that the angler is not burdened with unnecessary gear.
35:27 - Jeff highlights the importance of considering weather and location when deciding to use waders or opt for wet wading. He also shares his experience of packing efficiently, often including a suit, waders, boots, and fly fishing gear in his carry-on for both meetings and fishing.
40:18 - Jeff shares a heartfelt tribute to his father that was published in Colorado Trout Unlimited magazine. He also highlights their commitment to exceptional customer service, noting they quickly resolve issues like broken fishing rods, often providing replacements within two days, a stark contrast to industry norms.
42:48 - Jeff discusses his commitment to supporting Trout Unlimited, a prominent organization dedicated to protecting waterways and improving fishing access. One of his significant contributions to TU is the creation of the "trout hero bag." This reusable mesh bag is designed for anglers to collect trash every time they're near water bodies, promoting consistent environmental stewardship beyond occasional cleanup events.
46:09 - We ask Jeff about some misconceptions surrounding six-piece fishing rods. Jeff explains that earlier versions of multi-section rods, like the original six or seven-section rods, were not as high-performing as current models.
48:44 - Jeff shares his regimented morning routine which involves meditation with an app called Calm.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/704