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

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Release Date: 03/18/2026

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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:   

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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...

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895 | Mountain River Lodge with Jason Pickerill and Jacquie Mosher show art 895 | Mountain River Lodge with Jason Pickerill and Jacquie Mosher

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

895 Show Notes: Presented by:  , , Picture this. You’re in Colorado with mountains in every direction, and the South Platte running just across the road. In this episode, I sit down with Jason Pickerill and Jacquie Mosher from Mountain River Lodge. We talk about how this place began as a historic motor lodge and how they’ve upgraded it into a true base camp for anglers, hikers, hunters, and groups exploring some of the best water in the state. We also dig into the Dream Stream, Mueller State Park, shoulder seasons, and why fall in Colorado is hard to beat.  This is the home...

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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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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 real keys to finding fish. Anglers need to think like hunters, targeting individual holding spots and learning to interpret the subtle clues the river gives about where steelhead are likely resting or traveling.

Jeff also dives into the mechanics of presentation—how casting angle, sink tips, fly depth, and swing speed determine whether your fly actually enters a steelhead’s “strike window.” Small adjustments in rod position, mending, and step-down pacing can keep the fly in the right zone longer and dramatically increase the odds of a grab. Throughout the masterclass, he explains how to evaluate conditions, execute a thoughtful swing, and adjust based on what the river and fish are telling you. The result is a practical framework that helps anglers move beyond random casting and start fishing each run with purpose and confidence.