681 | Christmas Island Fly Fishing with Rick Lee - Hawaii, Bonefish, Captain Cook
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 11/18/2024
851 | Fly Fishing the Alaska Road System with Will Donnelly - FishHound Expeditions
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
851 Show Notes: Presented by: For the last ten years, today’s guest has been fly fishing the Alaska road system and guiding the south central river, Lower Willow, Upper Willow, the Canyon water, and Montana Creek. He’s one of the guides behind our recent Alaskan hosted trip and has a head full of stories that only come from rowing in a place where anything can happen. In this episode, you’ll hear what it was like from Will’s seat on the sticks during our trip, why the bite shifted every day, how he chooses between bugs, beads, and buggers, and plenty of stories from the...
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Intrepid Camp Gear: Adventure-Ready Rooftop Tents, Cargo Cases & Vintage Landcruisers with Sloan Hiatt
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#850B Show Notes: Presented By: Sloan Hiatt, Manager at Intrepid Camp Gear, breaks down how his team designs rooftop tents and aluminum cargo boxes built for anglers, skiers, and backcountry travelers. He shares why Intrepid manufactures everything themselves instead of white-labeling, how they solved common space and durability problems, and what makes their gear stand out in the overlanding world. We also get the story of Sloan’s late-night bear encounter from a rooftop tent, plus a deep dive into his restored Land Cruisers, diesel swaps, and the 4x4 community that keeps these...
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GLD #16 | Steelhead Swing Tips with Pat Beahen of Bulkley River Lodge - Great Lakes Dude Podcast
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#850 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: When you spend enough time around steelhead guides, you start to notice something: the truly fishy ones never stop learning. That’s exactly the vibe I get every time I’m on the river with Pat Beahen. The guy reads water like it’s printed in large font, and he’s got this river-smart intensity that makes you believe a fish could grab at any second. This episode pulls together decades of Pat’s life chasing steelhead across BC — from Whistler beginnings to long seasons on the Bulkley and the...
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849 | The Real Story Behind A River Runs Through It with John Maclean
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
849 Show Notes: Presented by: , , Some stories follow you your whole life, and John MacLean grew up inside one of the most meaningful ones ever tied to fly fishing. In this episode, we look past the nostalgia and into the real heart of A River Runs Through It — the family, the grief, the responsibility, and the loss that shaped his father’s writing. John is a journalist and author of Home Waters, and the son of Norman MacLean. He’s spent decades tracing the real events behind the book and the movie — the slow rise of the original printing, the truth of Paul’s murder,...
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Euro Nymphing Tactics and Team USA Fly Fishing Systems with Chris Smith (Traveled #37)
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#848 Show Notes: Presented By: Chris Smith takes us inside the world of Team USA Fly Fishing, breaking down the systems, strategies, and Euro nymphing methods that have elevated American competitive angling over the last decade. From his first accidental competition in 2009 to mentoring youth anglers and preparing for the Idaho World Championships, Chris shares how confidence flies, rod-angle depth control, beat management, and communication across teams fuel the “medal mentality.” He explains the difference between French and Spanish presentations, how Team USA refined its...
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Protecting Canada’s Wild Atlantic Salmon with Charline Mccoy
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Show Notes: Https://wetfyswing.com/847B Presented By: Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Atlantic Canada is home to some of the most storied salmon rivers in the world—and to one of the quiet powerhouses working behind the scenes to protect them. In this episode of the Wet Fly Swing Podcast, host Dave talks with Charline McCoy, executive director of the Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon (FCAS), about how a tiny team is helping safeguard Canada’s wild Atlantic salmon across five provinces. From replacing culverts and removing old dams to planting riparian trees and...
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847 | Far Bank History and the Rise of Sage with Marc Bale
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#847 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: Marc Bale spent more than thirty years inside one of fly fishing’s most influential companies. In this episode, he walks us through Far Bank history, the early Sage days, the rise of Rio, the Redington years, and the philosophies that kept everything from collapsing under its own growth. Show Notes:
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846 | Inside Patagonia’s Swiftcurrent Waders with Kate Hadeka & Nick Blixt
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
846 Show Notes: Presented by: If you've ever stood in a cold river and trusted your waders with your whole day, you know how much depends on them. This week, we unpack the story behind the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Waders, how they're built, why they matter, and what Patagonia is doing to make them better for both anglers and the planet. Kate Hadeka and Nick Blixt join us to talk about how these waders are built, why they last, and what Patagonia is doing to make gear that's easier to repair, better for the planet, and still made for hard days on the water. We dig into the shift away from...
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845 | Feather River Steelhead & NorCal Stillwaters: Lance Gray’s Guide-Level Breakdown
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#845 Show Notes: Presented By: , , , Sponsors: Lance Gray gives us a full guide-level breakdown of Northern California — from the Feather River steelhead runs to the stillwaters that shaped generations of Chico anglers. He talks about reading Davis and Almanor, when stillwaters light up, and why steelhead require technical knots, clean leaders, and perfect presentations. Lance also brings us into the heart of the Chico fly-fishing community, where teaching, mentorship, and his Guide School continue to shape new anglers. It’s part NorCal fishing tour, part education...
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844 | Saving Wild Steelhead with Nick Chambers of The Conservation Angler
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#844 Show Notes: Presented by: , , , Sponsors: We sit down with Nick Chambers of The Conservation Angler to talk about the current state of wild steelhead. Nick has spent more than 20 years studying these fish in their home waters, from the Skagit River in Washington to the spring-fed systems of southern Oregon. He has snorkeled over reds, gathered juvenile dispersal data, and followed steelhead migrations across entire watersheds. We dig into what the latest research is showing, why some rivers continue to support strong wild fish while others...
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