In this episode of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, Marvin Cash sits down with Land Tawney, outdoorsman, conservationist and co-founder of the American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, for a deep dive into grassroots advocacy, public lands protection and the future of sportsmen's conservation.

Land Tawney brings decades of experience in conservation organizing, including his previous work with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Now leading the American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, Land is building a new model for rapid-response conservation advocacy focused on social media engagement and targeted political action.

This conversation explores the essential skills for effective grassroots organizing, including how to build coalitions, engage decision-makers and sustain long-term advocacy efforts. Land shares insights on navigating political compromise, using social media as an advocacy tool and mobilizing sportsmen around public lands issues. You'll discover why "your voice matters" isn't just a platitude but a practical call to democratic engagement.

While the episode focuses on conservation, Land shares formative memories from Montana's Big Hole River during the salmonfly hatch, fishing with mentors like Jim Posewitz and Dale Burke and learning patience on the water from Jim Range. These early experiences on Montana's legendary trout streams shaped his lifelong commitment to protecting wild places and public access.

Land discusses current threats to public lands, the importance of compromise in conservation politics and why sitting out political debates means "you're on the menu, not at the table." He outlines American Hunters and Anglers' strategy of creating "fires" that larger conservation organizations can respond to, using social media reach to amplify urgent issues affecting sportsmen's access and habitat.

Tune in to understand how fly anglers can effectively advocate for the waters they fish and why conservation requires engagement, not just donations.

Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

S2, Ep 40: Chris Wood of Trout Unlimited

S2, Ep 67: People of Bristol Bay - Tia Shoemaker of Grizzly Skins of Alaska

S2, Ep 83: People of Bristol Bay - Drew Hamilton of Friends of McNeil River

S2, Ep 93: People of Bristol Bay - Kate Crump of Frigate Adventure Travel

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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

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly podcast as he explores the intricate world of Atlantic salmon fly tying with Pennsylvania-based expert Tom Herr, who has spent over 35 years mastering both classic Victorian patterns and innovative freestyle artistic designs.

Tom Herr shares his remarkable journey from a self-taught 10-year-old tying yarn flies with his mother's sewing thread to becoming a recognized authority in Atlantic salmon fly tying. Discover how he transitioned from classic featherwing patterns like the Green Highlander and Jock Scott to creating stunning freestyle artistic flies inspired by unexpected sources, including an iconic Marilyn Monroe photograph.

Master essential fly tying techniques including Tom's signature pinch technique for precise material placement and thread control. Learn about specialized tools like the Regal Revolution and Italian Cotarrelli T-Rex vises, plus Tom's homemade burnishing tool for creating glass-smooth silk bodies. Understand the challenges of sourcing authentic Victorian materials and discover viable substitutes for rare feathers and traditional components.

Explore the difference between traditional married-wing patterns and modern hair-wing alternatives that provide an accessible entry point for aspiring salmon fly tiers. Tom reveals advanced techniques like creating curled married wings using household items and shares insights into synthetic materials from companies like Semperfli that replicate historical components.

Learn about fly fishing development in one of America's traditional angling regions, where Tom developed his skills on local streams before expanding to destinations like New Brunswick's Miramichi River and Alaska's Bristol Bay. Discover how the presentation philosophy passed down from his father continues to influence his approach both on the water and at the tying bench.

Discover how Tom uses his artistic salmon flies to support organizations like Project Healing Waters, Casting for Recovery and local charities. Learn about the therapeutic power of fly fishing and fly tying for veterans and cancer survivors, and understand how skilled anglers can make meaningful contributions to their communities through their expertise.

Ready to explore the artistic side of Atlantic salmon fly tying? This episode provides both technical instruction and inspiration for tiers looking to expand their skills while making a positive impact.

Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

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

S6, Ep 91 - Predator Flies and Sparkle Boats: Steve Maldonado's Journey

S6, Ep 124...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly podcast, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Spencer Durrant after nearly four years to explore the evolving world of fly fishing community building and digital marketing.

Spencer Durrant serves as Director of Content at Ventures Fly Co. and News and Gear Editor at Flylords, while hosting the weekly Untangled: Fly Fishing for Everyone podcast. After transitioning from high school teaching to full-time fly fishing industry work, Spencer brings unique insights into authentic audience engagement and trust-building strategies.

Discover how podcasting creates deeper trust relationships than traditional digital marketing, why consistency beats sporadic content creation and how to compete with larger companies through authentic community engagement. Spencer shares practical insights on building customer loyalty through educational content rather than competing solely on price.

Learn Spencer's approach to scripted podcast production, the power of recurring themes and personality in content creation and how to leverage user-generated questions for engaging episodes. The discussion covers effective gear reviewing strategies that maintain honesty while building industry relationships.

Explore why podcast ROI differs from traditional digital advertising, the challenges of measuring community-building success and strategies for competing with established brands through superior customer experience and educational resources.

Spencer and Marvin discuss the responsible use of AI in content creation, distinguishing between helpful process automation and content that betrays audience trust, plus predictions for how artificial intelligence will impact authentic community building in outdoor industries.

Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

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

S7, Ep 1 - Winter Fly Tying and Pre-Spawn Tips with Matt Reilly

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

S4, Ep 150 - Soft Hackles with Allen McGee

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In this episode of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash sits down with Dave Huff, the driving force behind Whuff Rod Co. and founder of the Kentucky River Musky Classic tournament.

Dave Huff brings a unique perspective to fly rod design through his background in industrial design and mentorship under legendary rod builder Mike Arnold from the Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers. What started as custom rod building in 2016 evolved into Whuff Rod Co., driven by Dave's frustration with existing musky fly rods that lacked soul and proper mid-flex action.

Discover how Dave's "better mousetrap" mentality led to developing rods with superior feel and casting comfort. Learn about his commitment to organic growth over flash marketing, his unique $65 full rod replacement warranty policy and why he believes affordable quality rods ($179-$459 price points) can democratize fly fishing access.

Dave explains why traditional saltwater rods repurposed for musky fishing fail when throwing "wet socks at tree stumps." His River Wolf 11-weight and complete lineup from 3-weight to 12-weight prioritize all-day casting comfort and fish-fighting capability over stiffness.

Get inside details on this growing tournament that went from 21 teams in year one to 112 anglers in year two, despite historic flooding challenges. Dave shares how the event supports Muskies Inc. Chapter 52 conservation efforts and influences state fisheries management decisions.

Learn about the upcoming "Destination Series" mid-priced rods and Dave's ambitious three-pack rod bundles for saltwater slam fishing. Plus, find out where to catch Whuff Rod Co. at 2026 trade shows and the new Whuff Pack YouTube series.

Ready to discover how thoughtful rod design and authentic business practices are reshaping the fly fishing industry? This episode delivers actionable insights for anglers and entrepreneurs alike.

Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

S6, Ep 146 - Musky Mysteries: Winter Tactics and Fly Tying Tips with Matt Reilly

S6, Ep 142 - Winter Musky Adventures and Streamer Tactics with Ellis Ward

S6, Ep 112 - Smallmouth Transitions and Musky Prep: Matt Reilly's Southwest VA Update

S7, Ep 61 - The Chocklett Factory Unleashed: New Flies and Other Goodies with Blane Chocklett

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Join The Butcher Shop podcast host Marvin Cash for an exclusive deep dive into fly line design and manufacturing with Josh Jenkins, R&D Manager at Scientific Anglers.

Josh Jenkins brings mechanical engineering expertise and years of hands-on experience developing fly lines for America's leading manufacturer. As SA's sole engineer, Jenkins oversees product development, manufacturing optimization and quality control for the company's entire line portfolio.

Discover the complete fly line manufacturing process from core selection through PVC coating application. Learn how Scientific Anglers revolutionized the industry by moving from tapered cores to level cores with tapered plastic coatings. Understand the collaboration process between pro staff anglers and engineers that drives new product development.

Explore specialized line development for musky fishing, including running line diameter optimization for powerful strip sets and color contrast improvements for low-light visibility. Get insights into new sinking line densities and the evolution from basic streamers to modern oversized flies.

Learn production realities including minimum viable quantities (200-300 lines annually), development timelines from concept to retail and the technology evolution from mechanical cam systems to computer-controlled manufacturing that enables rapid prototyping.

Ready to understand what makes premium fly lines perform? This episode delivers insider knowledge every serious angler needs.

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 142: Winter Musky Adventures and Streamer Tactics with Ellis Ward

S7, Ep 14: The Streamer Playbook: Tips and Tactics for Targeting Big Trout in East Tennessee with Ellis Ward

S2, Ep 114: All Things Game Changer with Blane Chocklett

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Join this special episode of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast as Henry Cowen and Allen Rupp share intimate stories about their friendships with legendary angler, tier and artist Dave Whitlock and his profound impact on their fly fishing careers.

Henry Cowen, author of "Fly Fishing for Freshwater Striped Bass" and renowned Lake Lanier guide, discusses his deep connection with Dave over their shared passion for freshwater striper fishing. Henry reveals how Dave's insights shaped his understanding of striper behavior and fly design, including their extensive correspondence about tactics and seasonal fishing patterns.

Allen Rupp, Dave's hand-selected legacy tier and founder of the NearNuff fly schools, shares his unique perspective as Dave's protégé. Allen discusses the intensive mentoring he received, learning over 130 of Dave's 400+ fly patterns and the philosophy behind Dave's perfectionist approach to fly tying.

Discover how Dave Whitlock revolutionized fly fishing by making species like bluegill, carp and freshwater stripers "cool" to target decades before today's multi-species movement. Learn about Dave's teaching philosophy that emphasized stopping to fix imperfect flies rather than accepting "good enough," and how this approach elevated both guests' tying skills.

Hear fascinating stories about Dave's handwritten correspondence, including detailed diagrams and multi-page letters that served as personal fly fishing tutorials. Allen shares specific techniques Dave taught him, including proper eye and operculum placement on baitfish patterns and the development of signature flies like the NearNuff crayfish and sculpin.

Learn about Allen's specialized NearNuff schools that teach Dave's techniques and philosophies. Discover how both guests are working to preserve Dave's contributions through the American Museum of Fly Fishing and continued education efforts.

Whether you're a striper enthusiast, serious fly tier or simply appreciate fly fishing history, this heartfelt tribute reveals the man behind the legendary patterns and his lasting impact on generations of anglers.

Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

S2, Ep142 - Stripers with Henry Cowen and Dave Whitlock

S6, Ep41 - Smallmouth Secrets and Streamer Savvy with Brendan Ruch

S1, Ep97 - All Things Smallmouth with Mike Schultz

S6, Ep91 - Predator Flies and Sparkle Boats: Steve Maldonado's...