705 | Fly Fishing the Land of the Giants with Jeff Lattig of Living Water Guide
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 01/13/2025
Why Less Gear Catches More Fish with Chris Teas and Jeff Ditsworth of Pescador on the Fly
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#938B Show Notes: Presented By: Sponsors: Chris Teas joins Jeff Ditsworth of Pescador on the Fly to share lessons learned from more than five decades of fly fishing around the world. From growing up fishing Wisconsin and Colorado waters to traveling across South America and beyond, Chris explains why experience has taught him to simplify gear, focus on presentation, and stop overcomplicating fly fishing. The conversation covers fly fishing travel mistakes, stolen gear, packable rods, Euro nymphing, guide tactics, and why Chris believes most anglers only need a handful of flies to catch fish...
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938 | Water Lines with Riverhorse Nakadate - Patagonia, Boundary Waters, and Stories from a Life on the Water
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
938 Show Notes: Presented by: If tomorrow were your last day on the planet, would you feel like you left enough out on the water? That question sits at the heart of this conversation with Riverhorse Nakadate and his new book, Water Lines. Riverhorse has spent decades exploring marshes, rivers, oceans, surf breaks, and wild places around the world. Today, he shares some of the stories, adventures, and lessons that came from a life spent following water wherever it leads. We're talking about the making of Water Lines, what it was like working with Patagonia to bring the book to life, and...
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Fly Fishing Eastern Idaho with Elden Berrett - East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, Salmon Fly Hatch (Traveled #46)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
937B Show Notes: Presented by: , Fly fishing Eastern Idaho is all about timing. Hit the river during the right hatch, find the right feeding lane, and a good day can turn into one you'll remember for years. I sat down with Elden Berrett, a longtime eastern Idaho guide, fly designer, and tier who spent more than 25 years guiding on the South Fork Snake, Henry's Fork, Yellowstone waters, Hebgen Lake, and the Teton. We talked about the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, some of his most productive fly patterns, the famous salmon fly hatch, and what he's learned from decades on some of the best...
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937 | Puget Sound Cutthroat Fishing with Blake Merwin from Gig Harbor Fly Shop
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#937 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: In this episode, I sat down with Blake Merwin from Gig Harbor Fly Shop to talk about Puget Sound cutthroat fishing, steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula, and the small details that separate productive days from frustrating ones. We dug into beach structure, tide movement, chum fry migrations, topwater opportunities, and why standing still is often the biggest mistake anglers make. Blake has spent decades guiding and exploring these waters. Along the way, he's developed a deep understanding of sea-run...
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936 | Fly Fishing Bozeman: Mike Pogoda’s Guide to Building the Ultimate Montana Trip
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#936 Show Notes Presented By: In this episode, we head to Montana with Mike Pogoda from Rising Trout Fly Fishing to break down how to properly plan a fly-fishing trip in one of the best trout destinations in the West. We dive into choosing between the Madison River, Yellowstone River, and Gallatin River, adapting during low water seasons, and making smarter on-the-go decisions so you’re not second guessing once you step into the river. Mike also shares insights from guiding these rivers every day and how local guides stay connected on river flows, hatches, and fish activity...
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The Drifthook Fly Selection System with Matt Bernhardt
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
935B Show Notes: Presented by: Every angler has heard it before: this fly always works, this is my confidence fly, you have to have this pattern in your box. But when you're standing on the river with hundreds of flies to choose from, how do you know what actually matters? Matt Bernhardt from Drifthook joins us to break down fly selection and share a simpler way to think about choosing flies. We also talk about what drives good fly selection, why size and silhouette often matter more than exact imitation, and the differences between beginner, intermediate, and advanced...
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935 | Brown Trout Fly Fishing in Finland with Jani Himanko from Kellankoski Lodge
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#935 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Jani Himanko owns Kellankoski Lodge in central Finland, where anglers target native brown trout, grayling, pike, and other species in a low-pressure river system connected by lakes and rapids. The fishery is known for aggressive trout feeding behavior, migrating baitfish, and a unique streamer technique centered around the surfboard fly. This conversation digs into the technical side of streamer fishing, Finland’s trout culture, and how protected private water helped preserve giant native browns in their original range. Sponsors: ...
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934 | The Origins of Spey Casting and Deschutes River Steelhead with John Hazel of Deschutes Angler Fly Shop
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#934 Show Notes: Presented By: , , Sponsors: What does it really take to film fly fishing at the highest level? In this episode, Todd Moen of Catch Magazine joins us to share the story behind some of the most iconic fly fishing films ever created—from steelhead rivers in the Pacific Northwest to remote destinations across the globe. We dig into Todd’s early production days filming for Fly Fishing the World, surviving a plane crash in the Bahamas, and how he eventually built Catch Magazine into one of the most respected visual storytelling brands in fly fishing. Todd also...
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933 | How Science on the Fly is Helping Anglers Protect Rivers with Allie Cunningham
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#933 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: Allie Cunningham from Science on the Fly breaks down how anglers can become community scientists by collecting water samples from their local rivers. The project focuses on tracking nutrients, water chemistry, and long-term watershed health while helping everyday anglers better understand what’s happening in the places they fish. This conversation also highlights how grassroots conservation can create real change. From polluted wastewater entering Texas rivers to monitoring watersheds in the Amazon, Science on the...
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Alaska Spey Fishing, Outdoor Filming, and the Togiak River Lodge Experience with Tom Petry and Jorden Susewitz
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#932B Show Notes: Presented By: Sponsors: In this episode, Tom Petry and Jorden Susewitz of Film The Hunt share their experience at Togiak River Lodge, where a filmmaking project turned into a deep dive into spey fishing, Alaska wilderness, and the people who make the lodge special. What started as a content trip documenting the Larsen family's journey quickly became something more as both Tom and Jorden picked up spey rods for the first time and discovered the addictive pull of swinging flies. We dig into filmmaking in remote locations, learning to cast a two-handed rod, the challenges of...
info_outline#705 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/705
Presented By: Pescador on the Fly, Heated Core, Visit Helena, MT
Are you ready to fish one of the best tailwaters out west? Today, we’re heading to the Land of the Giants on the Missouri River with Jeff Lattig from Living Water Guide.
Jeff shares tips on fishing rivers and reservoirs, even in winter. We’re talking about the must-have fly color for winter, how to avoid a sloppy mend, and why the short leash nymphing method might just change the way you fish.
Show Notes with Jeff Lattig on Fly Fishing the Land of the Giants.
03:06 - Winter on the Missouri River is slightly different, but it’s still a great time to catch some big fish. The day usually starts later, at around 9:30 or 10 AM, just to let the sun warm things up a bit.
Jeff talks about fishing deep, slow winter water and using flies like pink scuds and worms. If the wind is calm, you might even get some great midge fishing with dry flies. Jeff says pink flies, like pill poppers and lightning bugs, are popular in winter.
Winter Fishing vs Summer Fishing in the Missouri
Winter fishing on the Missouri River can be easier than fishing in the summer. Fish are a bit slower and less picky, so it’s easier to catch them. But they’re also not as hungry, so it’s all about finding the right depth and being patient. Jeff said the best part about winter fishing is fewer anglers.
Dry Fly Fishing on the Missouri
09:16 - Dry fly fishing on the Missouri can be trickier than on rivers like the Clark Fork or Blackfoot. The flies are smaller, so even a small mistake, like a sloppy mend, can cause your fly to sink. Plus, the weeds in the water add an extra challenge.
Jeff said downstream hook sets can be challenging for beginners. You must wait for the fish to take the fly before setting the hook.
When to Set the Hook and How to Avoid Sloppy Mends?
Jeff says the key is patience. You want to wait until the fish completely takes the fly. Here’s what Jeff recommends to avoid sloppy mends:
Avoid sloppy mends by using a reach cast to place your fly where you want it.
Stack your line out to feed it properly and get that perfect drift.
Short leaders (9 to 12 feet) are usually enough—no need for crazy long leaders!
Leader Size and Technique for Dry Fly Fishing on the Missouri
The leader size for dry fly fishing in Missouri depends on the fly you’re using. Here’s the breakdown:
For smaller flies (like size 18), choose a 4x to 5x leader.
For larger flies (like chubby Chernobyls or grasshoppers), use 2x or 3x to prevent twisting and get a good turnover.
The technique stays the same even in the winter. Jeff says that if there aren’t many fish rising, they fish blind.
https://youtu.be/9U1jUdOjsLA?si=TGkZjLa7cE5f2_8Q
Hopper Season on the Missouri
13:03 - Hopper season runs from late July through September. During this time, Jeff targets shallow waters (less than 2 feet deep) with grasshoppers. Here's what you should look for:
Faster, choppy water with good oxygen levels
Current breaks and structure, especially wood (as Jeff says, "wood is good")
Fish with a single hopper or a hopper dropper
Missouri is known for its epic grasshopper fishing, but other hatches like PMDs, caddis, tricks, and pseudocloeons.
What is Short Leash Nymphing?
17:34 - Short leash nymphing is a technique where you target super shallow water, where larger fish tend to feed. The method involves using soft landing indicators placed a few feet above the flies, typically two to three feet.
Anglers cast to specific spots like gravel bars or drops where fish feed. The technique requires precision and frequent casting. Check out this article on Short Leash Nymphing on the Missouri River.
How Do You Find Fish in Shallow Water?
To find fish in shallow water, look for areas where the water gets shallow, like gravel bars, shorelines, or center river flats. These are the spots you want to target when nymphing.
Make sure your flies, indicators, and weight are set for that depth. Short leash nymphing makes it easy because you can visually spot those shallow areas and focus your efforts there.
Dealing with Weeds When Nymphing
Weeds can be a big issue when nymphing, especially in the summer months in Missouri. Sometimes, you might need to switch to unweighted flies to float over weed beds, especially in faster or deeper water.
Jeff says that areas near the dam have less vegetation due to cooler water, but warmer temperatures bring more weeds further downriver.
https://youtu.be/wxbXwDgqhAU?si=BxebQWXWKz3XArRG
Fly Fishing the Land of the Giants
The "Land of Giants" is a stretch of river below Hauser Dam, about 3 to 4 miles long and known for its huge fish. You can catch fish around 18 to 22 inches, with some reaching 24 inches or more.
This section is regulated with permits. Only 50 guides can operate there for commercial use. Jeff says they use jet boats to fish the area.
26:45 - You don’t need a drift boat to fish the Missouri, but it helps. Wade fishing can be great, especially when flows are low. Below Hauser Dam is the sweet spot for guided trips. If you’re into walleye or spin fishing, places like Hauser or Canyon Ferry Reservoirs are options, too, but most fly fishing happens below Hauser.
Best Time to Fish
June and July are the best months for fishing. The main hatches are pale morning duns and caddis. As summer turns into fall, expect Trico and pseudocloeons, and then in late October, the Blue-wing olives show up. Even in winter, there’s still fishing with midges and chironomids.
Tips to Catch More Fish in the Land of Giants
40:33 - Jeff Lattig shares two key tips for fishing the Land of Giants:
Let Your Fly Hunt: When fishing with an indicator, let your flies hunt instead of constantly casting.
Know Your Depth: Make sure your flies are at the right depth. If you're fishing 10 feet of water, keep your flies close to the bottom.
Top Winter Flies for the Land of the Giants
You don’t need to match the hatch exactly—it's more about the drift and timing. Here are some top choices for flies that work great in winter:
Pill Popper
Pink Lightning Bug
Radiation Baetis
Thin Mint
Parachute Adams
Griffith’s Gnat
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/705