681 | Christmas Island Fly Fishing with Rick Lee - Hawaii, Bonefish, Captain Cook
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 11/18/2024
860 | Scandinavian Fly Fishing with Marcus Bohlin of Nam Products
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
860 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/860 Presented by: , , , Today, I sat down with Marcus Bohlin of Nam Products to talk through the things Scandinavian anglers think about differently. Rod length. True line weight. Leader diameter. Presentation. We get into why a 14-foot 7-weight can actually feel easier to fish on rivers like the Deschutes, how Baltic salmon behave compared to Atlantic salmon and steelhead, and why Sweden keeps coming up as a place more anglers should be paying attention to. We also dig into Nám’s leaders, why six-piece two-hand rods make more sense than...
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859 | World Championship Fly Casting, Sweden Atlantic Salmon, and Scandi Line System with Tellis Katsogiannos from Guideline
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Presented By: , , Tellis Katsogiannos has spent decades at the highest level of fly casting, earning world champion titles while helping shape how modern anglers think about efficiency, control, and simplicity. In this episode, Tellis shares how competitive casting sharpened his understanding of techniques, and how those lessons translate directly to real fishing situations. We also head to Sweden and Atlantic salmon water, where Scandi systems and Spey-style thinking demand precision over power. From line design at Guideline to teaching anglers how to improve without...
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Trout Fishing the Provo River in Utah with Mike O'Brien
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/858 Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Fly fishing has a way of pulling you back when you need it most. And for Mike O’Brien, those quiet hours on the water turned into a full-on career shift, from financial services to guiding full-time in Utah. In this episode, we dig into what makes Utah such a sleeper fly fishing destination, why the Provo River is a legit year-round option, and the small tweaks that can turn a slow day into a “how is this even legal” kind of day. We also break down Mike’s go-to winter and shoulder-season setup: the bounce...
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858 | Fly Fishing Molokai with Josiah Ching of Bucks and Bones - Hawaiian Bonefish, Axis Deer
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#858 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: Josiah shares how subsistence fishing, military service, and conservation work brought him back home to build Bucks and Bones — a guiding program grounded in Hawaiian tradition, ecological responsibility, and world-class sight-fishing for big Hawaiian bonefish. Show Notes:
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857 | The Montana Fly Fishing Lodge with Lincoln Powers
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/857 Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Most anglers think they know Montana trout fishing until they stumble into the rivers nobody’s talking about. No shuttle lines. No shoulder-to-shoulder boats. No mid-summer hoot owl closures shutting things down. Just cold water spilling off nearly 13,000-foot peaks and trout that still behave like trout. That’s exactly what we’re digging into on this episode of the Wet Fly Swing Podcast. I sat down with Lincoln Power of Montana Fly Fishing Lodge to talk about a pocket of Montana that still fishes like the...
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Six Piece Fly Rods and Fly Fishing Austria with Jeff Ditsworth of Pescador on the Fly
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
856 Show Notes: Presented by: A fly rod that disappears in your pack but still fishes like your everyday rod sounds like a stretch. In this episode, we dig into why that idea actually works and why more anglers are turning to six-piece rods for travel, backup, and even daily use. Jeff Ditsworth, founder of Pescador on the Fly, joins the show to break down how he rebuilt his rod lineup from the ground up. We talk about better blanks, tighter tolerances, and a new factory producing six-piece rods that feel just as smooth as a four-piece. Jeff also shares stories from a recent trip...
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856 | Mary Orvis Marbury, Fly Fishing Treasures, and Preserving Angling History with Steve Woit
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#856 Show Notes: Presented By: , , Sponsors: Steve Woit has spent years hunting down the stories behind fly-fishing’s most influential figures — including Mary Orvis Marbury, whose Victorian-era writing documented flies and tiers before the modern industry existed. In this episode, Steve walks us through the research discipline behind Fly Fishing Treasures, his deep dive into letters, catalogs, photographs, and tackle provenance that reveal how anglers built a culture long before we arrived. This conversation isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about protecting memory. Steve shows...
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Duane Hada on Growing Trophy Trout, Conservation, and Life as an Artist (CJ’s Reel Southern Podcast #9)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Duane Hada joins Chad Johnson for a thoughtful conversation on what actually creates trophy trout fisheries—and why stocking alone isn’t the answer. Duane breaks down the importance of catch-and-release regulations, managing pressure, and letting fish live long enough to reach their full potential. Drawing from rivers like the White River and the San Juan, he explains how conservation-first thinking shapes not only fish size, but the long-term health of entire fisheries. Beyond fishing, Duane opens up about his life as an artist and how creativity, patience, and...
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855 | Trout Spey Tips for Dry Flies & Streamers with Howard Cole of JD High Country Outfitters
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#855 Show Notes: Presented by: , , Sponsors: If you’ve ever stood knee-deep in a Western river wondering whether a trout spey rod might change your whole approach, this conversation with Howard Cole will get your wheels turning. Howard’s spent a lifetime shaping flies, shaping cast loops, and shaping anglers at JD High Country Outfitters — and he brings a river-smart perspective on everything from trout spey dry flies to yellow sally emergers. Trout spey tips show up often in this episode, and they sneak into almost every story he tells from the Snake...
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854 | PGA Pro Phil Blackmar Applies Tour-Level Precision to Redfish Sight-Fishing
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
854 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Today, we're sitting down with someone who has lived two deep lives, one on the PGA Tour and one on the flats of South Texas. Phil Blackmar spent years competing against the best golfers in the world, studying pressure, tempo, and how to stay calm when everything speeds up. Now he brings that same understanding to fly fishing, especially sight fishing for redfish and trout. Show Notes:
info_outlineShow Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/681
Presented By: On DeMark Lodge, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Heated Core, Angler's Coffee
Rick Lee, Hawaiian fly fishing master and saltwater expert, is back on the podcast, and today, we're diving into the waters of Christmas Island and Hawaii.
Rick’s got the scoop on where to find the biggest bonefish, and he’s sharing some tips on how to DIY your fly fishing trips across Hawaii. We also dive into the crazy world of triggerfish. Ever wonder why they’re called that?
Plus, he’s got some wild stories about Captain Cook’s adventures (and how he met his end in Hawaii).
Show Notes with Rick Lee on Christmas Island Fly Fishing.
02:33 - We catch up with Rick Lee since our last chat in Episode 116. Rick is still guiding out of O‘ahu while raising his kids.
We also discuss the challenges and progress of conserving Hawaii's coastal ecosystems. He said he's helping educate visitors about protecting the bonefish and other species.
07:26 - We catch up with Rick about his time in Hawaii during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was in Christmas Island when things started to get serious and had a narrow escape, catching the last flight home before the island closed for nearly three years.
He said tourism in Hawaii took a huge hit, but the silver lining was there was no traffic, no crowds, and empty surf spots.
Fishing in Hawaii: What You Need to Know
09:52 - Rick shares some helpful tips for those planning a trip to Hawaii. He said that while Hawaii isn't a top destination for fly fishing, it’s a great activity to add to your vacation, especially if you’re looking for a few hours of fishing before the family wakes up.
Oahu has some of the world’s biggest bonefish, but with so many people and tourists, the fishing pressure is high. But Rick still recommends bringing your gear out for an adventure.
Aside from bonefish, Rick says you can also fish for triggerfish and some varieties of goatfish.
12:37 - Rick shares that Oahu has flats around the whole island, but winter can bring dangerous surf on the north and west shores, while the south shore gets more giant waves in the summer.
For those looking for specific spots, Rick recommends contacting his team for personalized advice based on where you’re staying.
Gear
Rick suggests using a 7 or 8-weight rod, a floating fly line, and a tapered leader.
For flies, crazy Charlie patterns in tan, brown, or orange work well, as do mantis shrimp patterns.
17:28 - Rick talks about catching some really big bonefish in Hawaii, with some reaching over 30 inches! The average fish on their charters weighs around 5 pounds, but you can catch ones that are 7-10 pounds pretty often.
22:53 - Rick explains that Hawaii’s warm water temps stay consistent all year, from the mid-seventies to low eighties. This means you can fish for bonefish pretty much any day of the year. However, late summer and fall can bring rainy weather and strong winds, making fishing tougher. But if you’re up for a challenge, the fishing is still great year-round.
Casting in the Wind
23:54 - Rick says the key is to slow down and keep your stroke smooth and powerful. He also recommends casting sidearms to help the fly cut through the wind more efficiently.
When it comes to rods, it’s all about personal preference, but fast or medium-fast action rods work best for wind and saltwater fishing.
As for fly lines, shorter, quicker shooting lines are great for windy days, while longer lines help with delicate casts when the conditions are better.
27:25 - Rick says there used to be a fly shop called Nervous Waters in Hawaii, but it closed down when the owner retired. If you’re heading to Hawaii, you must bring everything you need.
Fishing at Christmas Island
36:40 - Rick shares about Christmas Island, a remote spot south of Hawaii, where you can fish in a beautiful 145-square-mile lagoon. It’s known for its incredible fishing variety, from bonefish and triggerfish to big tuna and sailfish.
Triggerfish can grow up to 20 pounds and live in coral forts with special defenses. Rick talks about how tricky it is to catch them, but with the proper techniques, it’s one of the world's best places for trigger fishing.
Rick explains that a Christmas Island day isn’t just about targeting one fish species. You could start with milkfish, which travel in huge schools, and then switch to offshore fishing for tuna or sailfish. After that, it’s back to the lagoon to target bonefish and triggerfish. And when you think it’s over, giant trevally might pop up.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/681