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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Podcast
Hopper Fishing Tactics and Adjusting to Dramatic Weather Changes on the Yellowstone River with Evan Keene (Ep. 210)
In this episode we WadeOutThere with Evan Keene from Livingston, Montana. Evan fell in love with fly fishing after his father took him on a fishing trip to Alaska after high school graduation. From then on he was learning all he could about the sport while making the drive from his home state of Tennessee to fish the Little Red River in Missouri as much as possible.
Finally, Evan took a job in Montana, that got him out on the river more often, and eventually into the guiding business. Now, Evan is in his first year of running his own fly shop, Hatch Finders, in the Yellowstone Valley, with his close friend and business partner.
We discuss summer hopper fishing, adjusting to dramatic weather changes that bring snow and rain, as well the Yellowstone River.
In this episode we WadeOutThere with Duane Redford. Duane began his love of fly fishing and tying as a youth in the mountain lakes of Arizona. He moved to Colorado in 1982, where he became a teacher and a coach, as well as an avid angler.
When his coaching days were over, Duane became a full time guide for Minturn Anglers, in the Vail Valley, and immersed himself in his passion for the water. Today, Duane continues to teach through fly fishing. He has written several books and creates content for his YouTube channel.
We discuss approaching a new river, interpreting and obs erving water, directional control throughout the drift, and the Eagle River.
In this episode we WadeOutThere for Part Two of our conversation with Danny Lane from Idaho Falls, Idaho. Danny grew up fishing in the ponds around Boise as a child and became fascinated with fly fishing early on.
After leaving his hometown for a change of pace, he finally found himself in the fly shops and rivers of Eastern Idaho, when his wife’s job brought them to the banks of the Henry’s Fork River. Danny was guiding shortly after and is a signature fly tier for Umpqua Feather Merchants.
In Part Two of our talk we discuss the Henry’s Fork River, tactics and techniques for dry flies, and Danny’s unique artwork.
After leaving his hometown for a change of pace, he finally found himself in the fly shops rivers of Eastern Idaho, when his wife’s job brought them to the banks of the Henry’s Fork River. Danny was guiding shortly after and is a signature fly tier for Umpqua Feather Merchants.