loader from loading.io

822 | Montana Fly Fishing and Photography Tips with Drew Baker

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Release Date: 10/02/2025

903 | Fishing the Trico Hatch and the Missouri River Dry Fly School with Craig & Warren DeMark show art 903 | Fishing the Trico Hatch and the Missouri River Dry Fly School with Craig & Warren DeMark

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

903 Show Notes: Presented by:   In this episode, Craig and Warren break down what really matters when you’re fishing the Missouri during peak dry fly season. We get into fishing the Trico hatch, how timing and rhythm often beat perfect fly choice, and what anglers miss when targeting rising fish. You’ll also hear about the Missouri River Dry Fly School at On DeMark Lodge. Find out what you can expect on the water, and how to apply the techniques you'll learn there anywhere you fish. 903 Show Notes:  

info_outline
902 | Winter Steelhead Fishing Tips: Dax Messett on Swinging Flies, Tides, and Reading Water show art 902 | Winter Steelhead Fishing Tips: Dax Messett on Swinging Flies, Tides, and Reading Water

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: Presented By: , , . Steelhead fishing rewards patience, repetition, and time on the water. In this episode, Dax Messett shares practical winter steelhead fishing tips on reading water, fishing near tidewater, choosing the right setup, and making better swings on coastal rivers. We also get into the lower Rogue, the Klamath, leader strength, tide influence, and how to land fish cleanly without a net.

info_outline
901 | Montana Spring Creek Fly Fishing with Chase Glowacki from Montana Fly Fishing Lodge show art 901 | Montana Spring Creek Fly Fishing with Chase Glowacki from Montana Fly Fishing Lodge

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#901 Show Notes:    Presented by: In this episode, Chase walks through Montana spring creek fly fishing — from the Yellowstone and Stillwater to spring creeks and the Shoshone. We dig into double-nymph rigs, streamer strategies, dry-dropper setups, and how fall fishing in Montana changes the whole game. If you’re planning a Montana trip or just want to fish smarter on big western rivers, this one is packed with ideas. Show Notes:       

info_outline
901 | Jim McLennan on Bow River Fly Fishing Then and Now show art 901 | Jim McLennan on Bow River Fly Fishing Then and Now

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

901 Show Notes:   Presented by: , , , In this episode, I sit down with Jim McLennan to explore Bow River fly fishing across generations. We talk about the shift from classic dry fly fishing to streamer fishing, increased boat traffic, and the challenges of managing a well-known tailwater fishery in Alberta. We also get into key hatches like golden stones, how dam operations impact river conditions, and how fly fishing techniques have evolved on the Bow River. Jim shares stories about legends like Lefty Kreh and Gary LaFontaine, along with insights from his books, including Blue Ribbon...

info_outline
The Science of Hatches: What the Salmonfly Project Is Teaching Anglers with James Frakes and Jackson Birrell show art The Science of Hatches: What the Salmonfly Project Is Teaching Anglers with James Frakes and Jackson Birrell

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Watch the full video:   Take the Angler Survey:   Support the Salmonfly Project:   In this episode, we dig deep into one of the most important but often misunderstood parts of fly fishing: entomology, or the study of aquatic insects, and how it directly connects to success on the water. James Frakes and Jackson Birrell from the Salmonfly Project break this topic down in a way that makes it approachable, practical, and actually useful for anglers at any level. Instead of overwhelming you with scientific jargon or Latin names, they focus on what matters most: understanding bugs...

info_outline
Henry's Lake Fly Fishing with Darren Huntsman (Littoral Zone #23) show art Henry's Lake Fly Fishing with Darren Huntsman (Littoral Zone #23)

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

899 Show Notes: Presented by: , , Henry's Lake fly fishing has a reputation that stretches across North America. Big trout, shallow water, legendary hatches, and a history filled with anglers chasing trophy fish. In this episode, Phil Rowley sits down with Idaho native Darren Huntsman, a lifelong angler who has spent decades learning the nuances of this famous stillwater. Darren grew up fishing nearby rivers and lakes, eventually falling in love with Henry's Lake for the same reason many anglers do—the chance to chase truly big trout in a bug-rich, shallow lake that fishes differently from...

info_outline
Fly Fishing New Mexico with Trisha Valdez – Small Streams to Big Tailwaters show art Fly Fishing New Mexico with Trisha Valdez – Small Streams to Big Tailwaters

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: Sponsor: Sponsors: Fly fishing in New Mexico offers an incredible range of water that many anglers overlook. From tiny mountain creeks hiding in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the famous San Juan River tailwater, the state delivers everything from technical dry fly fishing to big trout below dams. In this episode, I sat down with Trisha Valdez to talk about growing up around the Mora River, how she found fly fishing later in life, and why local rivers often shape us more than destination trips. Trisha also shares the story behind New Mexico Lady Anglers, the community she...

info_outline
898 | The Steelhead Swing System and the Fly Fishing Bootcamp with Jeff Liskay show art 898 | The Steelhead Swing System and the Fly Fishing Bootcamp with Jeff Liskay

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Watch the Video:  http://wetflyswing.com/steelheadbootcamp Sponsors:  https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors/ In this episode, Jeff Liskay breaks down the core ideas behind successful swung-fly steelhead fishing and why so many anglers struggle with it. Instead of focusing on gear or the perfect fly, Jeff explains that success starts with understanding where steelhead actually hold in a river. He shares lessons from decades of chasing steelhead across the Great Lakes, West Coast, and beyond, emphasizing how reading water, identifying structure, and recognizing current changes are the...

info_outline
897 | The Science of a Perfect Fly Cast with Ed Jaworowski show art 897 | The Science of a Perfect Fly Cast with Ed Jaworowski

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

897 Show Notes: Presented by:  , ,   In this episode, we dig into the science of a perfect fly cast with legendary casting instructor Ed Jaworowski. We talk about rod loading, loop control, timing, and the small mechanics that make a cast efficient and accurate. Ed also shares how he learned alongside Lefty Kreh, and why mastering these details can keep anglers improving for decades. Show Notes:   

info_outline
Fly Tying Travel with Dave Allison at the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo(Traveled #41) show art Fly Tying Travel with Dave Allison at the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo(Traveled #41)

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: Sponsors:   Some fly tying skills come quickly. Others only show up after thousands of flies, years behind the vise, and a lot of mistakes along the way. Proportions, thread control, and material handling are things you really can’t shortcut. In this episode, I sat down with Dave Allison to talk about fly tying travel, the expo circuit across the West, and the patterns he loves tying when people sit down across the table. We also dug into the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, one of the best tying events in the country. Dave shared some great insights into dry flies, Quigley...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

#822  Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/822

Presented By: Pescador on the Fly

From shoulder surgery rehab to 10 guiding seasons across Rock Creek, the Blackfoot, and the Big Hole, Montana guide and photographer Drew Baker shares how he turned days on the oars into a career behind the lens. In this episode, Drew shows why the best Montana fly fishing photography tips aren’t about megapixels—they’re about telling a real story on the water.

You’ll learn how to capture authentic moments (not just grip-and-grins), build a simple kit that travels well, and plan your shots so you protect fish and still come home with wall-worthy images. We also dig into summer strategy across Montana, when to pivot rivers, and the underrated power of the point-and-shoot in your waders.

Show Notes with Drew Baker on Fly Fishing Photography

02:57 - Drew shared how photography became his focus, noting that breaking into the hunting industry was easier than fly fishing since many fishing content creators were established early, but his passion for photos began with fly fishing.

 04:30 - He recounted how rehabbing a shoulder surgery in college led him to daily fly fishing, on the advice of his physical therapist, which eventually turned into guiding in 2015. 

06:08 - Drew explained that Philipsburg, Montana offers access within 90 minutes to major rivers like the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Big Hole, and Beaverhead, giving guides flexibility depending on flows and client lodging.

07:19 - He described guiding on the upper 14 miles of Rock Creek, where outfitters without Forest Service permits are restricted, and how this stretch provides prime opportunities close to town.

09:11 - Drew talked about his collaboration with Jeff from Pescador on the Fly, capturing lifestyle product photography and storytelling video while fishing on the Missouri. 

10:28 - He discussed filming Happy Hustle masterminds, where entrepreneurs combine survival skills, fishing, and camping with business problem-solving, which has shaped how he organizes his own guiding and photography business.

14;21 - Drew explained that while phones can work for casual anglers, carrying a small point-and-shoot camera can inspire more creativity and story-driven photos.

16:19 - He detailed his pro setup: two Sony bodies, one wide-angle lens for scenery and one telephoto for wildlife or tight fishing shots, since swapping lenses mid-float risks water damage.

18:12 - On the Pescador shoot, Drew used his Sony A7 IV, a wide and tight lens, a DJI Pocket 3 gimbal camera for stabilized boat footage, and a drone to capture varied perspectives.

19:58 - He described how gimbals stabilize video, eliminating distracting shake, and why the DJI Pocket 3 has become a game-changer for filming on water. 

22:03 - Drew highlighted the DJI Pocket 3’s “creator combo,” which includes a wireless mic with 10-bit float audio, ensuring clear sound even in high wind conditions.

24:31 - He emphasized must-have accessories like a circular polarizer filter to cut water glare, an air puffer to clear droplets before wiping a lens, and a waterproof camera bag to safely store gear but keep it accessible.

26:46 - Drew encouraged anglers to document the whole story of a day-sunrise, fly selection, facial expressions, net shots, and release rather than just grip-and-grin photos.

31:22- When asked whether photography or video tells a better story, Drew chose photography, explaining that a single strong image can convey a complete narrative.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/822