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
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...
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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...
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