Episode Summary

In this episode, we learn about the process of making a custom fly rod. My guest is Joel Doub, co-owner of Tom Morgan Rodsmiths.  If you ever wondered how fly rods are crafted, especially custom and hand-made fly rods, you are going to love this episode.

Joel and fellow co-owner, Matt Barber learned the process of making high quality, custom fly rods from the late Tom Morgan.  Tom was the fly rod designer for RL Winston for many years before starting his own, small-batch, custom fly rod company.  Unfortunately, Tom passed in July 2017.  Joel does an amazing job sharing Tom’s passions and legacy in this episode.  The spirit of those passions is carried forth in Tom Morgan Rodsmiths.

https://www.tommorganrodsmiths.com

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Episode Summary

In addition to being an amazing angler, George Daniel is a fly fishing educator and a family man.

Hailing from Pennsylvania, George learned from the years of experience from his mentor, Joe Humphries.  He went on to compete with Team USA and had the opportunity to compete in five World Fly Fishing Championships.  He has also served as coach for both the US Youth Team and Fly-Fishing Team USA.

George is a two-time US National Fly Fishing Champion and was ranked as high as 5th in the world.

He’s written three books: Nymph Fishing, Dynamic Nymphing and Strips-Set.

This was a fun chat where we learn about the foundation of George’s story and pick his brain on some tips and tricks for advancing our skills.

Find more on George Daniel here:  https://www.livinonthefly.com

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Episode Summary

What if you caught your first brown trout at the young age of 2 ½ years old and then by chance get brought back to the same river, almost the same spot at age 21 for a role you would be forever associated with.  It’s just one of those full-circle stories that gives you goosebumps.

You may remember the explosive growth fly fishing experienced throughout the ‘90’s.  It’s widely believed that a lot of that growth came from Robert Redford’s film rendition of Norman Maclean’s novel, A River Runs Through It.

One of the main characters, Paul Maclean, is played by Brad Pitt.  Growing up in Missoula, MT, For Paul, and his brother Norman, fly fishing was intrinsic to their way of life. But Paul has a special gift.  He was the Shadow Caster. If you have seen A River Runs Through It, you know that magical and glorious cast that raises monster trout to a passing dry fly.

And if you haven’t seen it, stop and go watch it!

Brad Pitt, the Shadow Caster, had a stunt double who performed the more elaborate casting in the movie.  So who did Robert Redford call on for this role, my guest on this podcast, award-winning caster and fly fisher, Jason Borger?

It was an honor to visit with Jason in his home town of Vancouver, Washington. In just an enjoyable, fun and a bit technical conversation, Jason and I chat about his role in the movie, growing up in a fly fishing home as the son of fly fishing icon Gary Borger and his lastest book, Single-Handed Fly Casting, A Modular Approach.

http://jasonborger.com

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Episode Summary

This is quite possibly one of the coolest stories I have ever heard. Son Tao and his flies have been an internet sensation.  Tying for a few short years, his flies are meticulous and beautiful.  In this short time, his Instagram channel has grown to over 30K followers. How is that possible? In addition to his gorgeous flies, his photography is stunning. In this podcast, we learn about the equipment and the process he uses to get such amazing photos.  Above all this, Son shares his origin story, how he came to America and how he ended up as a First Sargent in the US Army.

Just amazing.  Please do me a favor and after listening, share this podcast with someone you know who loves fly fishing or fly tying.  I think they will find it as fascinating as I did.

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Episode Summary

When you see young men making such a positive impact within our sport and more importantly our community, that needs to be highlighted as well as commended.

Carson and Wyatt Angeli along with their dad Paul, have created a fly fishing YouTube channel called Happy on the Fly. It focuses on the two boys enjoying fly fishing, on-stream tutorials and fly-tying instruction for youth and beginners alike.

More importantly, the boys are active with their local Trout Unlimited chapter and work as Streamside Mentors helping veterans on the river.  Very cool.

I am very proud of these two fine young men and was honored to interview them. You can follow their YouTube channel: Happy on the Fly.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3C3gALNsooQnPkdaMSnw-A

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Episode Summary

In this episode of the Fly Fishing Journeys Podcast, you will see the heart of the American entrepreneurial spirit in full force.  From the TV show Deadliest Jobs, to Ice Road Truckers to a highly successful line of women’s apparel and fly-fishing products, Linda Leary is all about passion in everything she does.  Based in Anchorage, Alaska she realized after she sold her trucking company, so much of what she had learned in years of business would apply to her love of fly fishing and FisheWear was born.   

We caught up at the Fly Fishing Show in Denver and learn about how she transitioned from a trucking company and a reality TV series to a leader in women’s fly fishing and apparel and technical products. 

https://fishewear.com

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Episode Summary

In this episode of the Fly Fishing Journeys Podcast, Tom Baltz shares about the legends of the Pennsylvania limestone streams and spring creeks. The Letort, the Big Spring, the Yellow Breeches and the like have a special lore and heritage in American Fly Fishing history. Names like Charlie Fox & Vince Marinaro are synonymous with the area. We talk about the difference between a limestone a spring creek and even touch on the English chalk stream.

Tom is an Orvis Endorsed guide and an accomplished fly tier. His Para-Nymph was magical on a back-country pond in Labrador for me this summer.  If you see Tom at a show, be sure to grab some of his masterful Para-nymphs.

Tom Baltz – Orvis Page

https://www.orvis.com/p/thomas-e-baltz/8e1k

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FFJ & Trout and Feather Trip to Iceland – Join Us!

Iceland2020.net

Episode Summary

As a 10-year-old on the pacific coast of California, Fred Contaoi would tie flies and share them with his fly fishing teachers.  In his high school years, he learned how to build fishing rods.  At 19 he went to work for Lamiglas in sales and design.  He went on to be a guide in Alaska and fished on the FLW Pro Bass tour for 5 years.  He now serves as Rod Designer for Douglas Outdoors. 

We caught up at the Pleasanton, CA Fly Fishing Show and learned about the fly rod design process.  We touch on what it was like to be on the FLW Pro Bass tour.  Fred shared some great stories about guiding in Alaska and fishing in over 50 countries.  We finished with a birds-eye view of the differences between each series of Douglas fly rods.

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FFJ & Trout and Feather Trip to Iceland – Join Us!

Iceland2020.net

Episode Summary

As producers of Fly Fusion Magazine, Fly Fusion TV and the IF4 Film Festival, the Jennifer and Chris Bird and their team are dedicated to put out high quality fly fishing media content in various formats.

As a reader of Fly Fusion Magazine, a subscriber of Fly Fusion TV and an annual attendee of IF4, I’d say they are doing just that.

It’s certainly overused to say “this was a fun conversation” but you can’t get within ten feet of Chris and Jenn without finding yourself in a great conversation, usually ending in some great laughter.    

The combination of fly fishing and media is something that fuels me.  To get a close up look at the success of Fly Fusion was just a joy. Seeing a couple and team doing it right, doing it well and arguably doing the best, was more that I could have hoped for in this conversation.

Stay in touch with Jenn & Chris and all things Fly Fusion at:

https://www.flyfusionmag.com

https://www.flyfilmfest.com

Thanks to our sponsors:

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https://flyfishingshow.com

Norvise

https://www.nor-vise.com

FFJ & Trout and Feather Trip to Iceland – Join Us!

Iceland2020.net

Episode Summary

This episode of the Fly Fishing Journeys podcast takes use from Bavaria, Germany for Trout and Grayling, to the shores of Norway for Atlantic Salmon to the Treasure Coast of Florida for giant Snook, Tarpon and Jack Crevalle. We learn what spey casting and romance have in common.  Finally, we hear about what it takes to catch a 200 lb+ giant Goliath Grouper on a fly.

Growing up in Germany, Michael Mauri caught the fly fishing bug at an early age.

Rumor is he may have missed a few school days because the trout bite was on.

We caught up at the Atlanta Fly Fishing Show and had a great conversation about many shared passions. Take a listen and drop us a comment on your thoughts on this episode.  If you like the show, please subscribe on your favorite podcast player.

MauriFlyFishing.com

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International Fly Tying Symposium

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FFJ & Trout and Feather Trip to Iceland – Join Us…

Iceland2020.net