719 | Flying with Ariel Tweto - Alaska, Bush Planes, Suicide Prevention
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 02/14/2025
952 | Will Godfrey Shares 80 Years of Fly Fishing History
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#952 Show Notes: Presented by: , , Sponsors: Will Godfrey has lived through nearly every major era of modern fly fishing. Along the way he built successful fly shops, guided legendary outdoor writers, traveled the world chasing trout and steelhead, and helped promote catch-and-release long before it became standard practice. This conversation is packed with stories that connect today's anglers to the people and places that built our sport. Show Notes:
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951 | Fly Fishing Texas: Mitch Kempe on Tailing Carp, Gar & Kayak Adventures
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#951 Show Notes: Presented by: Fly fishing in Texas offers anglers much more than bass and trout. In this episode, Mitch Kemp shares why rivers like the Brazos, Devils, and Pecos have become must-visit destinations for anglers looking to target carp, gar, and other warmwater species. Along the way, Mitch talks about building Fatty's on the Fly, planning overnight river trips, and the small adjustments that lead to more success on the water. Whether you're new to fly fishing in Texas or planning your next adventure, this episode is full of practical tips and memorable stories. Show...
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Pacific Lamprey in Alaska: Why this Ancient Fish Matters with Nate Cathcart
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#950B Show Notes: Presented by: Nate Cathcart leads research focused on Pacific lamprey across Alaska, working with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and partners to map habitat, understand migration patterns, and fill major knowledge gaps about this ancient fish. We also talk about how local communities, conservation groups, and anglers are helping collect data that could shape future management efforts. Show Notes:
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World Championship Lake Fly Fishing with Cody Burgdorff and Devin Olsen (Traveled #50)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
950 Show Notes: Presented by: , Lake fly fishing is a different game. Finding trout in a river is one thing, but finding them in a thousand acres of open water is a whole different game. Cody Burgdorff and Devin Olsen of Team USA joined the show to talk about lake fly fishing, one of the most important and most misunderstood parts of competitive fly fishing. They broke down how they approach a brand new lake, how they work through the water column from shallow to deep, and how they systematically find trout when they have zero information to start with. They also got into...
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949 | From Pro Hockey to Trout: Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters with Dana Lattery
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
949 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Some of the biggest changes in life don't come with a plan. They happen after an injury, a setback, or a moment that forces you to look for a new purpose. In this episode, we're joined by Dana Lattery of Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters, who shares how leaving professional hockey eventually led him to one of North America's great trout rivers. Show Notes:
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948 | Inside Thomas & Thomas: Connor Quigley on Fly Rod Design and Innovation
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
948 Show Notes: Presented By: In this episode, Connor shares the history of Thomas & Thomas, explains what gives a fly rod its "soul," and offers practical tips for choosing the right rod for trout, stripers, Atlantic salmon, pike, and more. Show Notes:
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From Filmmaker to Togiak River Lodge: Jordan Larsen's Alaska Fly Fishing Story
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#947B Show Notes: Presented by: Jordan Larsen joins us to share the behind-the-scenes story of Togiak River Lodge, one of the most remote fishing destinations in Bristol Bay. We talk about Chinook fishing, spey programs, conservation, mentorship, filmmaking, and the unlikely road that led Jordan and his brother Zack to ownership during one of the most uncertain periods in modern history. Show Notes:
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947 | Cast and Iron Camp Cooking and British Columbia Fly Fishing with Teddy Cosco
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
947 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , , You can learn a lot about a person by looking in their cooler at the end of a fishing trip. In this episode, we're digging into Cast and Iron Camp Cooking and British Columbia Fly Fishing with Teddy Cosco. Teddy is a steelhead angler, university professor, camp cook, and someone who has spent years exploring rivers across British Columbia, the Yukon, and beyond. We get into steelhead fishing, Spey casting, camp cooking, and why some of the best memories from a trip happen back at camp after the rods are put away. Teddy shares his system for preparing...
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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...
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