719 | Flying with Ariel Tweto - Alaska, Bush Planes, Suicide Prevention
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 02/14/2025
Protecting Canada’s Wild Atlantic Salmon with Charline Mccoy
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/847B Presented By: Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Atlantic Canada is home to some of the most storied salmon rivers in the world—and to one of the quiet powerhouses working behind the scenes to protect them. In this episode of the Wet Fly Swing Podcast, host Dave talks with Charline McCoy, executive director of the Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon (FCAS), about how a tiny team is helping safeguard Canada’s wild Atlantic salmon across five provinces. From replacing culverts and removing old dams to planting riparian trees and...
info_outline
847 | Far Bank History and the Rise of Sage with Marc Bale
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#847 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: Marc Bale spent more than thirty years inside one of fly fishing’s most influential companies. In this episode, he walks us through Far Bank history, the early Sage days, the rise of Rio, the Redington years, and the philosophies that kept everything from collapsing under its own growth. Show Notes:
info_outline
846 | Inside Patagonia’s Swiftcurrent Waders with Kate Hadeka & Nick Blixt
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
846 Show Notes: Presented by: If you've ever stood in a cold river and trusted your waders with your whole day, you know how much depends on them. This week, we unpack the story behind the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Waders, how they're built, why they matter, and what Patagonia is doing to make them better for both anglers and the planet. Kate Hadeka and Nick Blixt join us to talk about how these waders are built, why they last, and what Patagonia is doing to make gear that's easier to repair, better for the planet, and still made for hard days on the water. We dig into the shift away from...
info_outline
845 | Feather River Steelhead & NorCal Stillwaters: Lance Gray’s Guide-Level Breakdown
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#845 Show Notes: Presented By: , , , Sponsors: Lance Gray gives us a full guide-level breakdown of Northern California — from the Feather River steelhead runs to the stillwaters that shaped generations of Chico anglers. He talks about reading Davis and Almanor, when stillwaters light up, and why steelhead require technical knots, clean leaders, and perfect presentations. Lance also brings us into the heart of the Chico fly-fishing community, where teaching, mentorship, and his Guide School continue to shape new anglers. It’s part NorCal fishing tour, part education...
info_outline
844 | Saving Wild Steelhead with Nick Chambers of The Conservation Angler
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#844 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: We sit down with Nick Chambers of The Conservation Angler to talk about the current state of wild steelhead. Nick has spent more than 20 years studying these fish in their home waters, from the Skagit River in Washington to the spring-fed systems of southern Oregon. He has snorkeled over reds, gathered juvenile dispersal data, and followed steelhead migrations across entire watersheds. We dig into what the latest research is showing, why some rivers continue to support strong wild fish while others...
info_outline
Kelly Galloup on the Best Streamer Strategies for Giant Trout (CJ's Reel Southern Podcast #8)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
843 Show Notes: Presented by: When Kelly Galloup shows up, you know it’s about to get good. In this episode, Chad sits down with one of the most influential voices in modern streamer fishing for a deep dive into Best Streamer Strategies for Giant Trout, wild eats, and the stories that shaped today’s big-fly game. If you’ve ever thrown a streamer and wondered how the masters make it look easy, this conversation is your front-row seat. Show Notes:
info_outline
842 | Deschutes Fly Fishing with Warm Springs Guide - Randy Nathan
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes:https://wetflyswing.com/842 Presented By: , , Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors If you’ve been dreaming about Deschutes fly fishing with less pressure and more solitude, today’s episode is your roadmap. We sit down with Warm Springs tribal member and guide Randy Nathan, owner of the Eagle Crossing Restaurant at the Deschutes River crossing, to talk about what it really takes to fish the reservation side: permits, timing, access, and the flies that consistently get eats. From steelhead season strategies to the famed salmonfly hatch, Randy shows why this...
info_outline
The Trout Bum Life with Joe Clark of Trout Yeah Guide Service - Team USA, The Popsicle (Traveled #36)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#841 Show Notes: Presented by: In this episode, we sit down with Joe Clark of Trout Yeah Guide Service to talk about his trout bum life. Joe has guided everywhere from Steelhead Alley to Pennsylvania spring creeks, and he’s also coached Team USA Youth to three straight World Championship titles. We dig into what it means to read new water with confidence, how to use drift angles instead of heavier flies, and why sensitivity and feel often matter more than the gear you’re holding. Joe also shares stories from Idaho, Montana, and the Kootenays, along with his own...
info_outline
840 | Alaska Chinook on the Swing with Larry Richmann - Togiak River Lodge
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
840 Show Notes: Presented by: There’s nothing quite like chasing Alaska Chinook on the Swing. Imagine standing knee-deep in the Togiak, that wild pulse of Alaska running through your boots. The river’s quiet and still... until a chrome-bright Chinook melts your 30-pound tippet like butter. Larry Richmann says it best: “All it takes is one swing.” Our guest today, Larry Richmann, is a Michigan-born guide who splits his year between swinging flies for kings in Alaska and chasing steelhead on the Saint Joe. In this episode, he shares how a self-taught spey caster found his...
info_outline
839 | Apache Trout Rivers, Desert Creeks & Carp in the Canals with Ben Smith of AZ Wanderings
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#839 Show Notes: Presented By: , , , Sponsors: Ben Smith of Arizona Wanderings walks us across Arizona — from the high-country creeks that hold Apache trout to the canals and reclaimed ponds around Phoenix, where carp and tilapia lurk. He talks native-fish recovery efforts, the best shoulder-season windows for trout, small-stream tactics (long leaders, stealth, and micro presentations), and the surprisingly wide variety of warm- and cold-water opportunities within a few hours of the city. Along the way, Ben shares how he started blogging, why he still ties flies and furled leaders,...
info_outline#719 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/719
Presented by: FishHound Expeditions
In this episode, we take a unique journey into the world of bush flying in Alaska with Ariel Tweto—pilot, adventurer, and star of Flying Wild Alaska. Ariel shares what it was like growing up in a family of pilots, the thrill of her first appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, and even a memorable drink with Harrison Ford.
Beyond the adventures, we dive into a more serious topic—suicide prevention in Native Alaskan communities, a cause close to Ariel’s heart. From broken bones to big dreams, this episode is packed with stories of resilience, passion, and making the most of every moment.
Episode Chapters with Ariel Tweto
4:43 - Ariel shares that flying has been an integral part of her life since birth, as her entire family is deeply involved in aviation. Her grandfather was one of the first Native American pilots to start an airline, founding Ryan Air in Alaska. Both her parents and extended family are pilots, and she grew up flying regularly, even before she could walk or talk.
8:33 - Ariel shares the unexpected journey of how Flying Wild Alaska became a TV show.
15:23 - Ariel recalls her first solo flight as a terrifying experience. Reflecting on the experience, she acknowledges that being a pilot isn’t her true passion. Though she respects the family legacy, she realizes she doesn’t have the mindset needed for full-time flying.
17:35 - She shares some of the projects she worked on after Flying Wild Alaska including being a recurring guest on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and doing an episode on The Late Show with David Letterman. Currently, she co-hosts Native Shorts where she discusses short films created by Indigenous filmmakers from around the world.
19:41 - Ariel remains passionate about adventure and action sports, participating in extreme activities like mountain biking and surfing. She has suffered multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone from mountain biking, broken ribs, and a recent severe facial injury while surfing in Mexico.
21:41 - She tells how her parents inspired and encouraged her to explore which has been instrumental in shaping who she is today.
26:47 - Ariel has had a love for travel since childhood. One of her earliest experiences was a trip to Texas with her cheerleading coach, where she was fascinated by the cultural differences—frying an egg on the sidewalk and learning line dancing. Her curiosity grew when she joined Alaska’s travel basketball team in middle school, leading her to the UK.
30:35 - Ariel started a nonprofit called Popping Bubbles in 2014, inspired by her personal loss of a number of friends to suicide. The organization focuses on breaking people out of their comfort zones, encouraging them to explore new experiences, meet different people, and see the possibilities beyond their immediate environment.
35:39 - She reflects on her father’s deep passion for flying, emphasizing that no matter how many close calls he had—including a crash where he broke his neck—he never considered stopping. His happiest moments were in the sky, exploring new landing spots, and he had no plans to retire from flying as long as his body and vision allowed. Although he once said he would stop off-airport flying at 70, Ariel and her family believe he would have continued beyond that.
43:00 - She tells us about her running routine. Sometimes she runs for as little as 30 minutes, but on days like she had in Utah, she ran for three hours simply because of the beautiful surroundings
44:40 - Ariel is currently working on the animated TV show The Great North, which is now in its fifth season.
47:09 - Going back to suicide prevention, Ariel emphasizes the power of human connection in addressing depression. She believes that feeling seen and valued is essential, as isolation often leads to hopelessness.
53:18 - Ariel played point guard in basketball. Growing up in Alaska, her high school team often flew to different villages for games. She later played college basketball in Boston but quickly realized she preferred a warmer climate with mountains, leading her to move to California.
57:00 - Ariel is an avid podcast listener. Some of her favorites include SmartLess, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, and Oprah’s Super Soul Sundays. She particularly enjoys Mel Robbins for her practical, life-changing advice.
1:01:23 - She also enjoys music, with her current obsession being Xavier Rudd, an artist from New Zealand known for his nature-inspired music and didgeridoo playing.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/719