Join Marvin Cash on The Butcher Shop fly fishing podcast as he interviews Chase Smith, inventor of the innovative Spiral Spook fly pattern. Chase bridges conventional and fly fishing by adapting the classic walk-the-dog action into a deadly topwater fly for bass and other predator species.

Chase shares his journey from conventional fishing to creating one of fly fishing's most unique topwater patterns. Learn how he solved critical design challenges including weight distribution, foam construction and hook positioning to achieve authentic spook action on a fly rod.

Discover the precise retrieve technique required for walking the fly—short, sharp strips just three inches long with rod tip on the water. Chase reveals why leader material matters, explaining why soft monofilament outperforms fluorocarbon and stiff materials. Get the complete leader formula: 2 feet of 50-pound to 2 feet of 35-40 pound, finishing with 2 feet of 20-pound soft mono.

Chase breaks down the complete construction process, from embedding weights in foam bodies to creating the signature spiral wrap. Learn about material selection including EVA foam, Gorilla Glue clear coating and wide-gap offset hooks that dramatically improved hookup ratios. Understand the precision required—weight placement within millimeters affects the entire action.

Get Chase's preferred setup: 55-millimeter bone-colored spooks on 6-7 weight rods with floating lines with aggressive tapers. Discover why smaller sizes catch more fish and how to adapt the pattern for varying conditions. Chase shares his 90% commitment to bone color and explains the strategic advantage of downsizing.

The most common mistake anglers make is stripping too long. Chase emphasizes the critical importance of short, sharp strips—just a wrist flick of three inches. Learn how to initiate the walk with fast strips then vary tempo for different actions. Understand why loop knots are essential and how tippet diameter affects glide.

Ready to add this deadly topwater pattern to your predator fly arsenal? Tune in for Chase's expert insights on creating and fishing one of fly fishing's most innovative surface patterns.

Thanks to Schultz Outfitters, TroutRoutes and OnX Fish Midwest for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

S6, Ep 124 - Fly Tying with Chase Smith

BONUS - Tying the Circus Peanut: Streamer Secrets and Fishing Strategies with Russ Maddin

S6, Ep 101 - The Chocklett Factory: Fly Fishing Travels, Conservation and New Ventures

S4, Ep 4 - Matt O'Neal of Savage...

In this episode of The Butcher Shop, host Marvin Cash dives deep into one of fly fishing's most versatile streamer patterns with its creator, Doug McKnight. Calling in from Blacksmith Lodge in Punta Herrero, Mexico, Doug shares the complete story behind the Home Invader—from its origins on Pennsylvania spring creeks to its evolution into a deadly pattern for everything from Yellowstone brown trout to backcountry tarpon.

Doug McKnight brings three decades of streamer innovation to this fly fishing podcast, with patterns proven across multiple species and water types. Based in Livingston, Montana, Doug guides on the Yellowstone River and has adapted his signature patterns for both freshwater predators and saltwater gamefish. His design philosophy draws from legends Bob Clouser and Bob Popovics, emphasizing natural movement and practical fishability.

Listeners gain insider knowledge on the Home Invader's creation story, including the accidental discovery that combined pheasant marabou, Australian possum fur and Clouser-style lead eyes into a deadly baitfish imitation. Doug explains material selection—from sourcing premium pheasant marabou to choosing between possum, arctic fox and coyote fur for different fly sizes. He breaks down common tying mistakes, particularly over-dressing with fur, and shares his preferred method for securing lead eyes with thread wraps and Zap-A-Gap.

The core revelation: the Home Invader excels at slow presentations in fast water. Doug introduces his "do nothing" retrieve—casting with a 250-300 grain sink tip, getting tight to the fly and letting current provide all the action. This technique targets pressured brown trout holding in heavy Yellowstone River runs where traditional fast strips fail. Doug details his complete system: 7-8 weight rods, 24-foot sink tips, 15-pound Maxima butt sections and loop-knotted fluorocarbon tippets. Color selection follows water clarity—natural olives and tans in clear conditions, bright yellows and chartreuse in muddy water.

Doug reveals how Montana's fishing pressure has changed his approach over 20 years. Fish now occupy extremely difficult lies in heavy current where precise boat positioning matters more than ever. The Home Invader's inherent movement allows effective coverage of these spots with minimal manipulation—critical when you get only one cast to pressured fish. Doug discusses adapting fly weight by pairing different grain sink tips with varied lead eye sizes, creating everything from dredging presentations to near-surface swims.

The episode includes a bonus discussion of the Home Slice—Doug's weightless Home Invader variation for tarpon and permit. Using plastic eyes instead of lead, the Home Slice swims right-side-up and has proven deadly for backcountry species. Doug also shares his current permit experiment: fishing floating crab patterns over sargassum weed mats with explosive visual strikes.

Whether you're chasing Yellowstone browns, smallmouth bass or backcountry permit, this episode delivers actionable insights from a pattern designer who's refined his craft for 30 years. Doug's willingness to share detailed techniques—from leader formulas to retrieve cadences—makes this essential listening for serious streamer anglers.

Thanks to Schultz Outfitters, TroutRoutes and

The Articulate Fly podcast delivers another essential Ruch Report featuring expert guide Brendan Ruch, who shares critical fall bass fishing strategies while navigating his new role with Megabass.

In this timely episode, Ruch addresses the pivotal question of when to transition from topwater flies to ned rig techniques during fall fishing, revealing that low water conditions and extended warm weather are keeping topwater action alive well into autumn.

Learn about the most effective ned rig-style flies for bass, including detailed insights on Mini Boogeyman patterns from Montana Fly Company and Changer Craw designs that fall vertically under slack line and create erratic jigging actions that trigger strikes.

Ruch explains the specific setup and presentation techniques that make these crayfish-imitating flies so deadly for fall bass, plus shares valuable updates on current water conditions, including extremely low levels due to extended dry conditions.

The episode also covers Ruch's upcoming appearances at the renowned Bobbin the Hood event, where Golden Tickets are selling fast, and provides scheduling updates for anglers hoping to book guided trips.

Whether you're targeting numbers or trophy bass, this report delivers actionable intelligence for maximizing your fall fishing success.

To learn more about Brendan, check out our interview.

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S6, Ep 41 - Smallmouth Secrets and Streamer Savvy with Brendan Ruch

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