WADEOUTTHERE - Fly fishing blog, podcast, and art

Podcast

Western Spring Creek Tactics and How to Tie Flies Fast with Jan Axtell (Ep. 218)

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Jan Axtell, from Livingston Montana. Jan grew up in Wisconsin, and started fly fishing with a friend at sixteen years old. His first experience on the river was on a spring creek in the Driftless Region, which he continued to fish through high school and college. After school, Jan moved to Vermont and started guiding. He fished spring creeks in Vermont and Pennsylvania until a job opportunity took him to Livingston, Montana. By then, Jan’s love for spotting and stalking trout in spring creeks was deeply rooted, and even though Jan also guides on the Yellowstone River, and in Yellowstone National Park, his passion remains the challenging spring creeks in the Yellowstone Valley. Jan is also a commercial fly tier. We discuss finding success in casting through angles, spring creek observation and sight fishing tactics, how to tie flies fast, and fishing through the learning curve.

On October 16, 2024 • By Jason Shemchuk

Podcast

Swinging Wet Flies, Wade Fishing, and the Green River with Heidi Lewis (Ep. 217)

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Heidi Lewis from Salt Lake City, Utah. Heidi started fly fishing when her two daughters were little as a way to get out of the house and spend time in nature. After taking a women’s fly fishing class at her local fly shop, she immediately fell in love and became a dedicated student of the sport, spending most of her free time on the river and in the fly shop. We discuss wade fishing the Green River, techniques for swinging wet flies, Utah’s cutthroat slam, and finding time to go fishing alone and with family.

On October 9, 2024 • By Jason Shemchuk

Podcast

Jake Villwock Part 2. Smallmouth Fly Design and Frog Flies for Trout in Pennsylvania (Ep. 216)

In this episode we WadeOutThere for Part Two of our conversation with Jake Villwock, from Carlisle, PA. Jake grew up in Maryland, on an island in the Chesapeake Bay surrounded by fishing. His father was a commercial fisherman and professional bass fisherman. In college, Jake learned early on that he wanted a career in the outdoors and fishing. After working a summer job at a sport and fly fishing lodge in Alaska, he moved to Pennsylvania to pursue his passion for fishing as a guide. Jake soon fell in love with the solitude and exploration of the state’s many smallmouth bass fisheries. He has now been guiding smallmouth in Pennsylvania for over twelve years, is the author of the book “Smallmouth Bass Flies - Top to Bottom”, and owns and operates his own outfitter Relentless Fly Fishing. In Part Two of our discussion, Jake explains his problem solving process for designing smallmouth bass flies and tips and techniques for how to present them in Pennsylvania’s miles of smallmouth water. Jake also talks about fishing frog flies for trout.

On October 2, 2024 • By Jason Shemchuk

Podcast

Jake Villwock Part 1. Smallmouth Tactics in Pennsylvania (Ep. 215)

In this episode we WadeOutThere for Part One of our conversatoin with Jake Villwock, from Carlisle, PA. Jake grew up in Maryland, on an island in the Chesapeake Bay surrounded by fishing. His father was a commercial fisherman and professional bass fisherman. In college, Jake learned early on that he wanted a career in the outdoors and fishing. After working a summer job at a sport and fly fishing lodge in Alaska, he moved to Pennsylvania to pursue his passion for fishing as a guide. Jake soon fell in love with the solitude and exploration of the state’s many smallmouth bass fisheries. He has now been guiding smallmouth in Pennsylvania for over twelve years and is the author of the book “Smallmouth Bass Flies - Top to Bottom.” In Part One of our discussion, Jake shares tactics and techniques for observing and presenting to smallmouth bass in Pennsylvania.

On September 25, 2024 • By Jason Shemchuk

Podcast

Spinner Fall Tactics on the Missouri River and Observation From the Center Seat with David Payne (Ep. 214)

In this episode we WadeOutThere with David Payne, from Helena, Montana. David grew up in Lewistown, Montana, fishing the small towns local stream, Big Spring Creek at age 8, with no fly shops and mail order materials, on a homemade vise. That was in 1964 and he’s been fly fishing ever since. In 1995, David started guiding on the Missouri River after moving to Helena in 1982, where he still guides today. We discuss spinner fall tactics on the Missouri River, why you should fish all four seasons of any river you are trying to learn, and how observing others in the boat can make you a better guide and fly fisher.

On September 18, 2024 • By Jason Shemchuk

WOT 213: Wyoming Trout Streams on Horseback and Building Community Through Casting for Recovery with Missy Sprouse

Podcast

Wyoming Trout Streams on Horseback and Building Community Through Casting for Recovery with Missy Sprouse (Ep. 213)

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Missy Sprouse, from Crowheart, Wyoming. Missy learned to fly fish in East Tennessee after meeting her husband. Together they moved to the remote Wind River Range of Wyoming to settle down and enjoy fishing and riding horses in the mountains. Missy is also a photographer and after falling in love with fly fishing, became excited about capturing the powerful experiences that women encounter through Casting for Recovery, an organization created to help women with breast cancer through fly fishing. Missy also served on the organization’s national board for eight years. We discuss fly fishing in the Wind River Mountains, the special experience of reaching your trout stream on horseback, and building lasting communities of ladies through Casting for Recovery.

On September 11, 2024 • By Jason Shemchuk

WOT 212: Fly Tying Salmon Flies and the South Fork of the Snake River with Ken Burkholder

Podcast

Fly Tying Salmon Flies and the South Fork of the Snake River with Ken Burkholder (Ep. 212)

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Ken Burkholder, from Boise, Idaho. Ken grew up playing music and fly fishing. Growing up in a musical family, with two older brothers to drive him to the river helped him live his early years doing what he loved: practicing the oboe, and fly fishing. After eventually earning his masters in the oboe at Northwestern University, the mountains called Ken back. He put his passions to work as a member of the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra in his hometown in the winter, and a fly fishing guide on the South Fork of the Snake River in the summer… living his dream for over thirty five years. Ken is also a signature tyer for Fulling Mill. We discuss tying salmon flies and golden stones, problem solving on the vise for beginners, and the South Fork of the Snake River.

On September 10, 2024 • By Jason Shemchuk

WOT 211: Line Management, Tag Flies, and the Upper Green River with Pete Erickson

Podcast

Line Management, Tag Flies, and the Upper Green River with Pete Erickson (Ep. 211)

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Pete Erickson, from Boise Idaho. Pete grew up fly fishing in Washington state and exploring the surrounding mountain lakes. After college, he became a guide on the Upper Green River, in Wyoming, while also teaching high school English. Pete has been a competitor for team USA in the competitive fly fishing world and is a rod designer for Echo. We discuss Pete’s experience learning and fishing in Tuscany, Italy, the Upper Green River, line management tips for nymphing and dry fly fishing, and Pete shares his progress into the outdoor wellness space in the coming years.

On September 10, 2024 • By Jason Shemchuk

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