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
938 | Water Lines with Riverhorse Nakadate - Patagonia, Boundary Waters, and Stories from a Life on the Water
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
938 Show Notes: Presented by: If tomorrow were your last day on the planet, would you feel like you left enough out on the water? That question sits at the heart of this conversation with Riverhorse Nakadate and his new book, Water Lines. Riverhorse has spent decades exploring marshes, rivers, oceans, surf breaks, and wild places around the world. Today, he shares some of the stories, adventures, and lessons that came from a life spent following water wherever it leads. We're talking about the making of Water Lines, what it was like working with Patagonia to bring the book to life, and...
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Fly Fishing Eastern Idaho with Elden Berrett - East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, Salmon Fly Hatch (Traveled #46)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
937B Show Notes: Presented by: , Fly fishing Eastern Idaho is all about timing. Hit the river during the right hatch, find the right feeding lane, and a good day can turn into one you'll remember for years. I sat down with Elden Berrett, a longtime eastern Idaho guide, fly designer, and tier who spent more than 25 years guiding on the South Fork Snake, Henry's Fork, Yellowstone waters, Hebgen Lake, and the Teton. We talked about the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, some of his most productive fly patterns, the famous salmon fly hatch, and what he's learned from decades on some of the best...
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937 | Puget Sound Cutthroat Fishing with Blake Merwin from Gig Harbor Fly Shop
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#937 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: In this episode, I sat down with Blake Merwin from Gig Harbor Fly Shop to talk about Puget Sound cutthroat fishing, steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula, and the small details that separate productive days from frustrating ones. We dug into beach structure, tide movement, chum fry migrations, topwater opportunities, and why standing still is often the biggest mistake anglers make. Blake has spent decades guiding and exploring these waters. Along the way, he's developed a deep understanding of sea-run...
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936 | Fly Fishing Bozeman: Mike Pogoda’s Guide to Building the Ultimate Montana Trip
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#936 Show Notes Presented By: In this episode, we head to Montana with Mike Pogoda from Rising Trout Fly Fishing to break down how to properly plan a fly-fishing trip in one of the best trout destinations in the West. We dive into choosing between the Madison River, Yellowstone River, and Gallatin River, adapting during low water seasons, and making smarter on-the-go decisions so you’re not second guessing once you step into the river. Mike also shares insights from guiding these rivers every day and how local guides stay connected on river flows, hatches, and fish activity...
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The Drifthook Fly Selection System with Matt Bernhardt
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
935B Show Notes: Presented by: Every angler has heard it before: this fly always works, this is my confidence fly, you have to have this pattern in your box. But when you're standing on the river with hundreds of flies to choose from, how do you know what actually matters? Matt Bernhardt from Drifthook joins us to break down fly selection and share a simpler way to think about choosing flies. We also talk about what drives good fly selection, why size and silhouette often matter more than exact imitation, and the differences between beginner, intermediate, and advanced...
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935 | Brown Trout Fly Fishing in Finland with Jani Himanko from Kellankoski Lodge
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#935 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Jani Himanko owns Kellankoski Lodge in central Finland, where anglers target native brown trout, grayling, pike, and other species in a low-pressure river system connected by lakes and rapids. The fishery is known for aggressive trout feeding behavior, migrating baitfish, and a unique streamer technique centered around the surfboard fly. This conversation digs into the technical side of streamer fishing, Finland’s trout culture, and how protected private water helped preserve giant native browns in their original range. Sponsors: ...
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934 | The Origins of Spey Casting and Deschutes River Steelhead with John Hazel of Deschutes Angler Fly Shop
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#934 Show Notes: Presented By: , , Sponsors: What does it really take to film fly fishing at the highest level? In this episode, Todd Moen of Catch Magazine joins us to share the story behind some of the most iconic fly fishing films ever created—from steelhead rivers in the Pacific Northwest to remote destinations across the globe. We dig into Todd’s early production days filming for Fly Fishing the World, surviving a plane crash in the Bahamas, and how he eventually built Catch Magazine into one of the most respected visual storytelling brands in fly fishing. Todd also...
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933 | How Science on the Fly is Helping Anglers Protect Rivers with Allie Cunningham
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#933 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: Allie Cunningham from Science on the Fly breaks down how anglers can become community scientists by collecting water samples from their local rivers. The project focuses on tracking nutrients, water chemistry, and long-term watershed health while helping everyday anglers better understand what’s happening in the places they fish. This conversation also highlights how grassroots conservation can create real change. From polluted wastewater entering Texas rivers to monitoring watersheds in the Amazon, Science on the...
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Alaska Spey Fishing, Outdoor Filming, and the Togiak River Lodge Experience with Tom Petry and Jorden Susewitz
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#932B Show Notes: Presented By: Sponsors: In this episode, Tom Petry and Jorden Susewitz of Film The Hunt share their experience at Togiak River Lodge, where a filmmaking project turned into a deep dive into spey fishing, Alaska wilderness, and the people who make the lodge special. What started as a content trip documenting the Larsen family's journey quickly became something more as both Tom and Jorden picked up spey rods for the first time and discovered the addictive pull of swinging flies. We dig into filmmaking in remote locations, learning to cast a two-handed rod, the challenges of...
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932 | Jim Teeny and Dick Sagara on Teeny Lines, Steelhead, and Stories from a Lifetime in Fly Fishing
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
932 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , There aren’t many anglers left who were there when modern fly fishing was still being figured out. Jim Teeny and Dick Sagara lived through that era, helped shape it, and still have the stories to prove it. In this episode, we dig into the early days of winter steelhead fly fishing in the Pacific Northwest, the birth of the Teeny fly lines, and the people who changed the sport along the way. We also talked about the famous “I spot ’em, I got ’em” philosophy that still sparks conversation today. This one moves from steelhead to tarpon...
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