709 | Bamboo Fly Rods Simplified with Chris Sparkman – Hex vs. Penta, Fly Fishing Virginia, Salmon Fishing
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Release Date: 01/22/2025
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
#736 Show Notes: Sponsors: Welcome to the very first episode of CJ’s Reel Southern Podcast! This podcast is all about one thing—trophy fishing. Whether it’s brown trout, smallmouth, stripers, or even musky, we’re diving deep into the tactics, flies, and mindset it takes to target big fish. To kick things off, Chad Johnson is joined by Alex Lafkas from Michigan—a longtime streamer junkie and one of the fishiest guys I know. They swap stories about their early days figuring out the White River, compare notes on streamer retrieves, fly patterns, and how to read fish...
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Phil #735 Show Notes: Presented By: , , In this episode of The Littoral Zone with Phil Rowley, Tom Jarman, a top competitive fly angler and winner of the 2024 Australian Fly Fishing Championships, breaks down his best strategies, tactics, and flies for fishing Australian lakes and beyond. Episode Chapters with Tom Jarman on Fly Fishing Australian Lakes Tom was born in Melbourne, Australia, but he spent part of his childhood in England, where he first picked up a fishing rod. When his family returned to Australia in 2000, his passion for the sport grew and he got into competitive...
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#734 Show Notes: Presented by: Did you know that large-scale trawling is wiping out Alaska’s wild salmon, halibut, and other key species? In this episode, we talk with Adam Cuthriell of Fishhound Expeditions about the bycatch crisis—where thousands of fish are caught and discarded every year. Adam breaks down how trawlers operate, the impact on fisheries, and what we can do to fight back. From signing petitions to making smarter seafood choices, we all have a role to play. Tune in to learn how you can help protect Alaska’s fish and fishing communities. Episode Chapters...
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#733 Show Notes: Presented By: , , Sponsors: What makes streamer fishing so different from dry flies and nymphing? Is it about imitating baitfish, triggering aggression, or just throwing the biggest fly you can? Today, we’re bringing back Gunnar Brammer, streamer expert and fly designer, to break down predatory fish behavior, how to cast oversized flies, and why natural materials like bucktail still outshine synthetics. Gunnar shares his five essential streamer fishing rules, the biggest mistakes beginners make, and how to design flies that fish actually want to eat. Plus, we talk...
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#732 Show Notes: Presented By: , , In this episode, Chad Johnson, a legendary guide on the White River, shares his best tips for targeting big browns with streamers. You’ll hear a classic Dave Whitlock story, learn when the big fish bite, and find out why Chad still loves the area—even after the famous Dally's Fly Shop moved on. Plus, there’s a big secret dropping today about a brand-new podcast. Don’t miss it! Show Notes:
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#731B Show Notes: Presented By: 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...
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#731 Show Notes: Presented by: , , Sponsors: Switching from freshwater to saltwater fly fishing isn’t always easy, but today’s guest makes it simple. In this episode, we talk with guide George Sylvestre about fly fishing Massachusetts and the flats of Cape Cod, the Tailwaters of the Northeast, and how to make a smooth transition between fresh and saltwater. George shares his top three differences between the two, plus expert tips on casting, reading the water, and targeting fish in both environments. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started,...
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#730 Show Notes: Presented By: , , , Sponsors: What if we could bring back wild salmon and steelhead to the rivers where they once thrived? With historic runs in the Columbia and Snake Rivers plummeting, it's time to ask—what can we do to reverse the damage? Today, we chat with Rick Williams, fisheries biologist, master fly casting instructor, and co-author of Managed Extinction, a follow-up to the groundbreaking book Salmon Without Rivers. Rick breaks down the four Snake River dams, the barriers to fish recovery, and what needs to happen to restore wild salmon and steelhead...
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#729 Show Notes: Presented By: , , Stillwater fishing has always been close to my heart, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges and misconceptions. I’m excited to have Denny Rickards on today’s episode because we'll debunk some stillwater fly fishing myths. Denny is one of the most knowledgeable stillwater anglers out there, and he’s here to share his step-by-step approach to finding big fish in lakes. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a solid framework for what to do (and what not to do) when fishing stillwaters. You're in...
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#728 Show Notes: Sponsors: In this episode, Jeff Liskay, aka the “Great Lakes Dude,” is joined by longtime outdoor writer D’Arcy Egan. With over 50 years of experience covering fishing and conservation in Ohio, D’Arcy shares his knowledge of Lake Erie’s transformation, the steelhead boom, and the history of fishery management in the region. From early days fishing for perch to breaking conservation stories, this episode is packed with insights into one of the most underrated fisheries in the country. Episode Chapters with D'Arcy Egan and Jeff Liskay on...
info_outline#709 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/709
Presented By: Fish The Fly, Heated Core, Yellowstone Teton Territory, FishHound Expeditions
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
We've talked a lot about the action of the fly rod and the benefits of a full flexing rod over the last few months and beyond. Bamboo rods are the epitome of a rod you can feel. And today you're gonna find out how to choose your next bamboo fly rod...
Chris Sparkman is here today, founder and owner of Sparchimedes Bamboo Fly Rods. He's gonna take us on a journey to choosing your first or maybe your next bamboo fly rod. We're gonna find out why the five-sighted Penta style bamboo rod might be better for you than the Hexa style. We're gonna get some information on the differences there, and we're gonna talk about the perfect length of a bamboo fly rod. We're gonna walk through what it might look like for you and your area, and why you might go with a nine-foot or maybe even a six-foot bamboo rod. We're also gonna get into some great resources if you wanna take this conversation further and some other people you might want to connect with to put together your next bamboo rod. Plus, we're gonna find out whether a bamboo fly rod has what it takes to battle a giant Alaskan salmon. Chris is gonna talk about some trips he's excited about this year.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/709