719 | Flying with Ariel Tweto - Alaska, Bush Planes, Suicide Prevention
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 02/14/2025
946 | Fly Fishing for Giant Pike in Northern Saskatchewan with Mark Melnyk of The New Fly Fisher
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#946 Show Notes: Presented By: , , Sponsors: Paul Arden, founder of Sexyloops and one of the most respected fly casting instructors in the world, returns to the podcast to share lessons from more than three decades of teaching anglers how to cast more efficiently. From beginners learning loop control to experienced anglers searching for more distance and accuracy, Paul breaks down the fundamentals that separate average casters from great ones. The conversation covers fly casting plateaus, loop control, back-cast awareness, the 170 cast, double-haul mechanics, fly line selection, and common...
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945 | Carp Flats, Bonefish Trips, and Idaho Steelhead with Drew Evans from House of Fly
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#945 Show Notes: Presented By: , , Sponsors: Drew Evans of House of Fly returns to the podcast to share why carp may be one of the most underrated gamefish in fly fishing—and why they offer some of the best preparation for chasing bonefish, redfish, and other saltwater species. Drawing from years of experience fishing Idaho's rivers and traveling to the flats, Drew explains how sight fishing for carp builds the casting, presentation, and fish-spotting skills that translate almost anywhere in the world. The conversation also explores choosing the right fly line, matching rods to your...
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Eastern Idaho Stillwater Fly Fishing and Fly Tying with Paul Bowen (Traveled #49)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#944B Show Notes: Presented by: Paul Bowen has spent over 50 years fly fishing and tying flies throughout eastern Idaho. From the South Fork of the Snake to Henrys Lake, Hebgen Lake, and a variety of lesser-known reservoirs, he's developed a reputation for effective stillwater patterns and thoughtful fly design. This conversation covers his favorite lake tactics, fly modifications, and the long-running Eastern Idaho Fly Tying Expo. Show Notes:
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944 | Water Master Rafts with Rich Stuber - Lightweight Boats, Bitterroot, River Access
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
944 Show Notes: Presented by: , , Some rivers don't reward bigger boats. They reward smarter access. Water Master Rafts have built a reputation for helping anglers reach water that bigger boats often can't. In this episode, Rich Stuber joins me to share the story behind the company, how he went from employee to owner, and why portability has become such a big part of the way many anglers fish today. We get into what makes Water Master boats different, from their unique design and welded construction to rowing, fins, stability, and fishing rivers solo. Rich also shares some insights...
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943 | Traditional Wet Fly Fishing Secrets from Davy Wotton
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#943 Show Notes: Presented By: , , , In this episode, Davy Wotton discusses why many anglers are missing fish before their flies even land. While most anglers focus on casting farther, Davy argues that shorter, more controlled casts in traditional wet fly fishing often result in better presentations and more fish caught. Show Notes:
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942 | Steelhead Migration and Satellite Tagging with Matt Thornton from The Wilderness Calling
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#942 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: Matt Thornton shares the story behind Wilderness Calling and how a simple conversation about conservation funding turned into one of the most ambitious steelhead research projects currently underway. We dig into satellite telemetry, Oregon steelhead fishing, Alaska guiding, and the challenge of understanding fish that spend most of their lives far from shore. Show Notes:
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How to Plan the Perfect Montana Fly Fishing Trip with Kathryn Bartlett of Gallatin River Lodge
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#941B Show Notes: Presented By: A successful Montana fly fishing trip isn't just about choosing the right river—it's about building the right experience. Kathryn Bartlett, General Manager at Gallatin River Lodge, shares how thoughtful planning, flexible scheduling, great guides, and a comfortable home base can transform a fishing vacation into something much bigger. For anglers looking to explore Montana's legendary waters while still enjoying everything the region has to offer, Gallatin River Lodge provides a unique starting point. #941B Show Notes:
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The Henry's Lake Foundation and the Making of a World-Class Trout Fishery with Kevin Skenandore (Traveled #48)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
941 Show Notes: Presented by: , , What does it take to keep producing nine-pound trout year after year? In this episode, we’re heading to Henry’s Lake with Kevin Skenandore of the Henry’s Lake Foundation. Kevin has spent decades fishing these waters and is now helping lead conservation efforts aimed at protecting and improving one of the West’s most iconic stillwater fisheries. We talk about the new Feed the Fish program, how volunteers are restoring spawning habitat in tributary streams, and what water temperature and oxygen levels mean for trout survival. Kevin also...
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Henry's Lake Stillwater School with Phil Rowley and Darren Huntsman (Traveled #47)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#940 Show Notes: Presented by: Phil Rowley and Darren Huntsman share why Henry's Lake remains one of the premier stillwater fisheries in North America. More importantly, they explain how the techniques taught during the Henry's Lake Stillwater School can help anglers improve on lakes everywhere. Show Notes:
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939 | Sexyloops Founder Paul Arden on Fly Casting, Tight Loops, and Why Anglers Stop Improving
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#939 Show Notes: Presented By: , , , Sponsors: Paul Arden, founder of Sexyloops and one of the most respected fly casting instructors in the world, returns to the podcast to share lessons from more than three decades of teaching anglers how to cast more efficiently. From beginners learning loop control to experienced anglers searching for more distance and accuracy, Paul breaks down the fundamentals that separate average casters from great ones. The conversation covers fly casting plateaus, loop control, back-cast awareness, the 170 cast, double-haul mechanics, fly line selection, and...
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