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697 | Fly Fishing Spring Creeks and the Driftless with PJ Smith

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Release Date: 12/25/2024

894 | Long Island Fly Fishing with Paul McCain of River Bay Outfitters show art 894 | Long Island Fly Fishing with Paul McCain of River Bay Outfitters

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#894 Show Notes:   Presented by: , , , Sponsors:     Long Island fly fishing isn’t the first thing most people think of when they picture New York. Traffic, skyline, beaches maybe. But tucked behind all that is a network of spring creeks, salt marshes, kettle ponds, and over a thousand miles of shoreline that most anglers never see. In this episode, I sat down with Paul McCain, owner of River Bay Outfitters — the only dedicated fly shop on Long Island. Paul’s been building community, guiding anglers, and chasing everything from native brook trout to stripers for decades....

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Hunting with a Fly #1 | Fly Fishing Like a Hunter with Joe Goodspeed show art Hunting with a Fly #1 | Fly Fishing Like a Hunter with Joe Goodspeed

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: Sponsors: Fly fishing doesn’t fall apart because it’s too difficult. It falls apart because most anglers treat it like random casting instead of controlled hunting. Too many flies. Too many casts. Not enough intention. In this first episode of Hunting with a Fly, I sat down with Joe to break fly fishing down to its core principle: approach it like a hunter. Read water like terrain. Move with purpose. Cast only when it matters. Joe’s message is simple. The anglers who consistently catch fish aren’t guessing — they’re stalking, positioning, and presenting with...

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893 | The Fly Fishing Bootcamp:  Streamers, Euro Nymphing, Spey and more show art 893 | The Fly Fishing Bootcamp: Streamers, Euro Nymphing, Spey and more

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Join the Bootcamp at:
https://wetflyswing.com/bootcamp In this episode, we break down the full lineup of the Fly Fishing Bootcamp, a 12-session, multi-day event designed to cover the complete range of modern fly fishing skills. From fly casting mechanics with Kalyn Hoggard and Marty McVey, to steelhead strategy with Jeff Liskay, dry fly precision with Bob Lindquist, modern nymphing with Norman Maktima, trout fly tying with Mike O’Brien, two-handed casting with Jeff Putnam, bass tactics with Brian DeLoach, entomology with The Salmonfly Project, streamer strategy with James Garrettson,...

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892 | Rainy’s Flies: Innovation, Foam Flies, and the Business of Fly Tying with Jesse Riding show art 892 | Rainy’s Flies: Innovation, Foam Flies, and the Business of Fly Tying with Jesse Riding

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#892 Show Notes: Sponsors: Most anglers never think about where their flies actually come from or how an idea turns into something hanging on a fly shop wall. In this episode, Jesse Riding of Rainy’s Flies takes us behind the scenes of commercial fly tying—from a small home operation started by his mother to one of the largest fly production companies in the world. We dig into how flies are designed, how patterns move into large-scale production, and why materials like foam changed modern fly fishing forever. Jesse also shares insights on fly design royalties, innovation ethics, and what...

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Choosing the Right Fly Rod with Gary Davis of San Juan Rod Works show art Choosing the Right Fly Rod with Gary Davis of San Juan Rod Works

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Gary founded San Juan Rod Works in 2020 out of his garage. Today, he’s moved into a dedicated showroom and education space in Rio Rancho, New Mexico — built around community, casting, and conservation. This episode walks through how to actually choose a fly rod without overcomplicating it — starting with species, then flies, then casting style.

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891 | Southern Oregon Steelhead Fishing with James Sampsel of Humble Heron Fly Fishing show art 891 | Southern Oregon Steelhead Fishing with James Sampsel of Humble Heron Fly Fishing

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#891 Show Notes:   Presented by: , , ,   Sponsors:    Steelhead don’t wait around long on the southern Oregon coast. They move with fresh water, travel tight to edges, and disappear as quickly as they show up. If you’re thinking about Southern Oregon steelhead fishing, timing and water conditions matter more than hero casts. In this episode, I sat down with James Sampsel of Humble Heron Fly Fishing to talk about winter steelhead on short coastal rivers, fall fish on the middle Rogue, and why Chinook on the swing isn’t always the plan. James lives in Port Orford,...

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890 | John Shewey on the History and Evolution of Spey Flies show art 890 | John Shewey on the History and Evolution of Spey Flies

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

  890 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/890 Presented by:  , , , If you’ve ever swung a fly for steelhead and wondered where that pattern really came from, this one goes deep. In this episode, we dig into the history and evolution of Spey flies with John Shewey.   Show Notes:  

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889 | Bristol Bay Salmon Management with Tim Sands of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game show art 889 | Bristol Bay Salmon Management with Tim Sands of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#889 Show Notes:     Presented by: Tim Sands is a fisheries management biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, focused on the Nushagak and Togiak districts of Bristol Bay. His primary job is managing commercial salmon fisheries — mostly sockeye — while also protecting Chinook, chum, pink, and coho moving through the system. We covered how sonar counts guide daily decisions, what happens when too many salmon return, and why king salmon are struggling statewide. Show Notes:         

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888 | Panfish on the Fly with Bart Lombardo show art 888 | Panfish on the Fly with Bart Lombardo

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

885 Show Notes:  Presented by: , ,  I sat down with Bart Lombardo from Panfish On The Fly to talk about bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, perch, and all the warmwater species that are often overlooked. We dig into why these fish are some of the best teachers in fly fishing, how they flatten the learning curve for new anglers, and why experienced anglers keep coming back to them.   Show Notes:  

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Seasonal Fly Fishing Across Eastern Idaho’s Most Iconic Rivers with Brian Berry from Scott Lake Lodge (Traveled #40) show art Seasonal Fly Fishing Across Eastern Idaho’s Most Iconic Rivers with Brian Berry from Scott Lake Lodge (Traveled #40)

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#887 Show Notes:  Presented By:   Not every trout river fishes the same, and eastern Idaho might be one of the best places to see that firsthand. In this Traveled episode, we head back to Teton Valley Lodge with Brian Berry to explore how the South Fork Snake, Henry’s Fork, and the Teton River each bring a completely different challenge depending on flows, seasons, and how you approach the water from a drift boat. Brian walks us through how fishing changes throughout the year—from winter nymphing and streamer tactics to the explosive Mother’s Day caddis hatch and summer...

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More Episodes
 
 
Fly fishing spring creeks can be super challenging—the fish are spooky, the water conditions aren't always perfect, and sometimes it's hard to present a fly just right. But today, PJ Smith—Driftless guide and Spring Creek expert—is here to share his secrets.
 
He’s here to share how to find fish in winter, nighttime, and all year. You’ll learn how to sneak up on spooky trout, the best way to position yourself, and whether to cast upstream or downstream.
Plus, you will find out when fishing is not fishing and when not fishing is fishing.
 
Show Notes with PJ Smith on Fly Fishing Spring Creeks and the Driftless.
 
04:23 - Trout Season in the Driftless wraps up in October to give the fish a break for spawning, and it's a chance for anglers to go deer hunting. January marks the start of a new season, where fishing gets tricky with cold, clear water. 
 
PJ says sunny days are your best bet, and being sneaky is key.
 
https://vimeo.com/311013412
 
Fishing Spring Creeks and the Driftless in Winter
 
Fishing the Driftless in the winter is much different than September. The water is colder and gin clear, which can make fish more sluggish. But if you’re patient and sneaky, winter fishing can be great. Here’s what to expect:
 
  • Look for warm, sunny days to get the best fishing.
  • Be stealthy.
  • Small black stoneflies will start hatching; you might even spot them in the snow!
  • You can still catch fish on dry flies.
  • Nymphing with small patterns works well.
 
How to Sneak Up on Spooky Trout
 
 13:12 -  PJ shares some tricks for sneaking up on fish in the winter. He likes to keep a low profile by avoiding high banks and staying in the water. Here are some tips:
 
  • Wear neutral-colored clothing to blend in.
  • Stay quiet and avoid loud movements.
  • If you scare the fish, give them a few minutes to settle before trying again.
  •  What’s the Best Setup for Driftless Streams? 
14:16 - PJ shares his simple setup for fishing Driftless streams. He typically uses a dry-dropper rig with a dry fly like a Hippie Stomper or Stimulator and a nymph below. 
 
He keeps his leader system simple with a 7.5-foot leader, using 3X or 4X for easy casting. He ties the dry fly directly to the leader and attaches the dropper to the hook.  
 
What Fish Are in the Driftless and How Big Do They Get?
 
The native brook trout is pretty small in the Driftless, with a 15-inch one considered a big catch. Most brook trout are around 9 to 10 inches. Brown trout, however, are much larger and can grow over 20 inches. Anglers used to catch 30-inch browns, but they’re harder to find these days. 
 
Nighttime Fishing 
 
20:29 - Night fishing can be pretty fun, but it has challenges. The water may be too deep, and some drop-offs can be dangerous, so it's important to know the area well. You'll need a good headlamp with a red or green light, a spare one, and a small flashlight for safety. 
 
Always let someone know where you're fishing, especially when heading out at night.
 
How Do You Fish Streamers at Night?
 
26:06 -  PJ says he casts his fly across the pool and lets it swing downstream. The goal is to mimic something like a mouse or frog trying to escape. Sometimes, depending on how the fish react, he’ll add a little twitch to the fly to make it more tempting.
 
If bats are out, it’s time to rip the fly through the water. Brown trout will even eat bats if they fall in. The key is adjusting your technique based on how the fish bite that night.
 
How Do You Make the Perfect Cast in Tight Spots?
 
Practice is the key when making the perfect cast in tight spots. You don’t need long casts—just a solid 20-footer with pinpoint accuracy. 
 
Focus on hitting small targets like seams, holding water, or spots near rocks and vegetation. Roll casting is your best friend in the Driftless, even more than a back cast. Learn sidearm and roll cast to handle tricky spots under trees and around obstructions.
 
What Flies Should You Tie for the Driftless?
 
PJ shares his go-to flies for fishing in the Driftless area. These patterns work year-round, especially in winter:
 
  1. Pink Squirrel 
  2. Rubber Leg Stimulator
  3. Hippie Stompers 
  4. Elk Hair Caddis 
  5. Blue-Winged Olives 
  6. Tricos
  7. Griffith's Gnat
  8. Bead Head Nymphs & Leech Patterns
  9. Jiggy Nymph Streamer
 
PJ’s top advice for winter fishing is to be patient and have fun. Not every day is about catching fish. Even guides get skunked sometimes! Use those moments to learn.
 
As PJ puts it, “When is fishing not fishing, and when is not fishing, fishing?” Something to think about next time you’re out there!