Traveled #26 | The South Fork Lodge with Justin Adams - Salmon Flies, Snake River, Cutthroat
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 03/15/2025
The Ultimate Leech Guide with Landon Mayer and Phil Rowley (Littoral Zone #24)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
913 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/913 Presented by: Fly Fish with Me Utah, Togiak River Lodge, Golden Fly Shop We’re putting together the Ultimate Leech Guide with Landon Mayer and Phil Rowley. We break down when to use leeches, how to fish them, and why they work so consistently across different lakes. We also dig into presentation tactics, leader setups, and the leech life cycle so you can better understand what fish are keying on. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/913
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Tying Atlantic Salmon Flies and the Grainger Collection with Marvin Nolte (Traveled #42)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#912 Show Notes: Presented by: In this episode on classic salmon fly tying, I sat down with Marvin Nolte, a guy who’s been at the vise since the 1970s and has tied over 2,000 classic Atlantic salmon flies. We get into what it really takes to tie these patterns, why most people don’t stick with it, and how a random Christmas gift turned into a decades-long obsession. We also dig into one of the wildest stories in fly tying, the massive Granger collection, and what it says about craftsmanship, patience, and going deep into the details. Show Notes: ...
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911 | Ultimate Fly Fishing Travel Guide - Bahamas & Kamchatka with Will Blair
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Presented by: , , and . Fly fishing travel isn’t what it used to be. The easy trips are getting crowded, and the places that still feel untouched take a little more effort to reach. In this episode, we get a real look at what that next level of travel looks like. Will Blair walks through two very different fisheries—the remote flats of the Bahamas and the wild rivers of Kamchatka—and explains how both are evolving right now. This is a full-on fly fishing travel guide, from logistics to species to what actually matters once you get there.
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How to Find Trout and Turn Refusals Into Eats: Guide Tips from the Provo River with Mike O'Brien
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Presented by: Most anglers walk right past good water without even knowing it. In this episode, we’re digging into how to find trout and turn refusals into eats with Mike O'Brien. He shares how guides break down a river in the first few minutes and what they look for before making a single cast. We also get into why trout refuse flies that look perfect, and how small changes in your drift and position can turn those refusals into eats. Mike talks about reading trout behavior, spotting high percentage water, and making simple adjustments when things aren’t working. Show...
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910 | Alaska Steelhead Camp with Jonathan Farmer from Midnight Sun Custom Flies
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#910 Show Notes: Presented by: , , Sponsors: Jonathan Farmer from Midnight Sun Custom Flies shares how this camp blends the comfort of a lodge with the authenticity of a true Alaska steelhead camp. It’s built for anglers who want to fish hard, learn more, and experience Alaska in the fall. From swing techniques to river behavior to camp life, this one is packed with insight for anyone chasing chrome. Show Notes:
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909 | The Ultimate Guide to Trout Food: Mayflies, Stoneflies & More with Maggie Heumann
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#909 Show Notes: Sponsors: , , There’s a whole world of trout food drifting beneath the surface that most anglers never fully notice. Tiny insects, short-lived hatches, and subtle movements quietly control how trout feed and where they hold. In this episode, we dig into trout food — not just what they eat, but why it matters. Because once you start noticing bugs, the river starts making a whole lot more sense. Maggie Heumann from Trout Unlimited joins me to break down aquatic entomology in a way that actually connects to your time on the water.
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908 | Fishing Smaller Flies for Great Lakes Steelhead and Salmon with Alex Belonga
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
908 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Do you remember when intruders took over with big profiles and tons of flash? But what if the real edge is going smaller? In this episode, we’re digging into fishing smaller flies for Great Lakes steelhead and salmon, and what happens when you shift from bulk to balance and from heavy push to a more subtle presence. Alex Belonga breaks it down, from Temple Dogs to sparse hair wings, plus how presentation, movement, and fly design all play into getting more eats. 908 Show Notes:
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907 | The Story Behind Fishpond and Modern Fly Fishing Gear with Johnny Le Coq
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#907 Show Notes: Presented by: , Sponsors: What does it take to completely rethink how we carry gear on the water? In this episode, we dig into fly fishing innovation through the story of Fishpond and the mind behind it, Johnny Le Coq. From cassette tape cases to chest packs and carbon fiber nets, this one connects design, function, and purpose in a big way. We get into the early days of Fishpond, how disruption shaped the brand, and why conservation became just as important as the gear itself. Jonny also shares what he's focused on now, including a powerful citizen...
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906 | Scott Fly Rod Founder Larry Kenny on Design and Innovation
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#906 Show Notes: Presented By: , , , . Fly fishing has always evolved, but some moments change everything. From bamboo to fiberglass to graphite, each shift has redefined how anglers experience the water. In this episode, Larry Kenney shares what it was like to be at the center of one of the most important transitions in fly fishing history—the move to graphite fly rods. Larry, co-founder of Scott Fly Rods, takes us through the early days of rod building, the rise of graphite innovation, and the lessons he’s learned from decades in the industry. Along the way, he...
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904 | Upper Missouri Watershed Conservation with Josh Seckinger and David Stagliano from UMOWA
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#904 Show Notes: Presented by: We dig into what’s happening on the Upper Missouri right now, from macroinvertebrate data to water management challenges. This episode with Josh Seckinger and David Stagliano from Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance (UMOWA) connects the dots between science, fishing, and long-term river health. Show Notes:
info_outline#731B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/731B
Presented By: Yellowstone Teton Territory
The West is home to some incredible bug hatches, but only a few can match the size and intensity of the great salmon fly hatch. Today, we're diving into the magic of this hatch with Justin Adams of the South Fork Lodge.
We will talk about the Middle Fork, the Salmon River, and even the Grand Canyon. Find out how Justin puts a 90-degree bend in the leader to fish nymphs more effectively. Plus, he'll share the #1 thing he tells his clients and why fish on the South Fork have scuffed noses!
Episode Chapters with Justin Adams on the South Fork Lodge
04:54 - Justin started as a part-time guide while working for the Forest Service for 10 years. It was around 2018 when he went all in and started guiding over 100 days a season.
Fishing the South Fork
Justin says the South Fork is one of the best-known fisheries in the region. It holds a lot of fish per mile and can handle plenty of fishing pressure while still producing great days on the water. You can fish for cutthroat, brown trout, rainbows, and even hybrids called cutbows.
Seasons & Timing
Winter (December to February)
Fishing slows, but snowmobiling and skiing take over.
Ice fishing is possible on nearby reservoirs.
Spring (March to May)
High water from runoff, but big browns are on the move.
Worm patterns and big nymphs work best.
Summer (June to August)
The legendary Salmon Fly hatch happens around July 4th.
Dry flies dominate, with fish looking up for big bugs.
Fall (Sept–Oct)
Low water levels make for easier wading.
Brown trout start spawning, so target deep holes away from the beds.
Most anglers visit in July, especially around the 4th, when the salmon flies hatch.
Justin’s Go-To Set-Up for the South Fork
13:13 - Justin swears by a simple but deadly setup, which is the double Pat’s Rubber Legs or what they also call "two turds". He usually runs it under a mini bobber with a swivel setup, and if he needs more depth, he says he'll add a split shot.
Guides also swear by the Mic Drop, a simple olive-bodied fly with an orange collar. It looks like a zebra midge but could imitate just about anything. Sizes 16 to 20 work best, depending on the conditions.
https://youtu.be/QUK-if6brp0?si=CNuh5On4qwtoBGXQ
Rods
Justin swaps between 9 ft and 10 ft rods for nymphing. He uses the 10 ft rod (usually a 5-weight with a 6-weight line) for easier mending. Since they're mending all day, he says the extra length helps control the drift. It’s all about keeping the fly line behind the indicator for a slow, natural presentation.
Leader
Justin builds his leaders instead of using store-bought tapered ones. His setup uses a hinge system under the indicator, creating a 90-degree rig.
Why Fish on the South Fork Have Scuffed Noses
During the salmon fly hatch, the trout on the South Fork get aggressive. They’re actively picking them off the rocks instead of just waiting for bugs to land. Many fish end up with scuffed noses or even a bit of "road rash" from rubbing against the rocks while feeding.
The One Fly
The One Fly is a fly fishing competition and fundraiser on the South Fork and Upper Snake River. Anglers get just one fly. If they lose it, they’re out. Bigger fish earn more points, so strategy matters. The event brings in top anglers from all over, but local guides lead the way.
https://youtu.be/9ZxmTBHEqAs?si=04eovcZemagJD5h2
The Rainbros Tournament
Jimmy Kimmel and his crew fish every spring in their dry-fly-only competition. The rules are simple: Topwater fish are two points, subsurface is one, and a whitefish is a minus point. Michael Keaton, Jason Bateman, and Huey Lewis get in on it.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/731B