#917 - https://wetflyswing.com/show

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In this short solo episode, Dave shares a spring check-in and gives you a look at everything happening behind the scenes at Wet Fly Swing right now.

You'll hear about the launch of a new show, Hunting with a Fly with Rick Kustich, plus updates on the growing podcast network including In the Bucket, The Great Lakes Dude, and The Littoral Zone. Dave also breaks down what's coming next with the Fly Fishing Bootcamp this summer and how you can get access to live sessions and replays.

He also talks about upcoming hosted trips across North America (with some new saltwater opportunities), what's happening inside the Wet Fly Swing Pro community, and how you can get early access to trips, live sessions, and more.

This episode is also your chance to help shape the future of the show. Dave is looking for honest feedback—what you want more of, what's working, and where things can improve.

If you've been listening for a while or just getting started, this is a quick way to get up to speed on everything going on—and where things are headed next.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/916b

Great Lakes steelhead fly fishing doesn't have to be complicated. In this conversation with Rick Kustich, we dig into a simple, effective approach that's been refined over decades on the water.

Rick has spent years chasing steelhead across the region, dialing in what actually works and cutting out what doesn't. This episode breaks down his mindset, his system, and how you can start fishing more confidently right away.

If you're looking to simplify your approach and catch more fish without overthinking every detail, this one lays it out clearly.

#916 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/916

Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho

Fishing big bugs isn't just about throwing something large at the bank and hoping for an explosion. What really matters is precision, realism, and getting that fly exactly where it needs to be.

In this episode, I sat down with Ken Burkholder to dig into the details that separate a decent drift from one that actually gets eaten. We get into fly design, fishing tight banks, and why small tweaks can make a big difference when fish are locked in. Ken brings decades of experience from the South Fork of the Snake, plus a deep background in fly design with Fulling Mill. This one covers everything from stoneflies to cicadas and a whole lot in between.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/916

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/915

Presented by: Golden Fly Shop, TroutRoutes, Jackson Hole Fly Company.

A music producer doesn't usually end up building a fly fishing podcast—but that's exactly how Pablo Signori got started. What began as a side project during the pandemic turned into The Newb and the Knower, a show built around learning fly fishing from the ground up.

Instead of positioning himself as an expert, Pablo leaned into being a beginner and documented the process in real time. That approach not only shaped the podcast but also opened the door to travel, deeper learning, and a completely new path in fly fishing.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/914b

Presented by: TroutRoutes

There's a stretch of the Midwest that a lot of anglers pass right by without ever realizing what's tucked into it. Beneath the farmland and rolling roads of the region sits one of the most underrated trout fisheries in the country. In this episode, John Van Vliet breaks down why the Driftless has become such a special place for anglers who love small streams, spring creeks, and big wild trout.

We get into the unique geology of the Driftless, why the region fishes so differently from freestone rivers, and how a creek that looks too small to hold fish can surprise you with a twenty-inch brown. John also shares practical tactics for approaching new water, finding fish faster, and fishing these clear creeks without blowing your chances.

This one is packed with useful takeaways whether you're planning your first trip to the Driftless or just want to become a better small stream angler.

914 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/914\

Presented by: AVC Rig, TroutRoutes, On DeMark Lodge

James Frakes and Jackson Birrell break down what they're doing with the Salmonfly Project, a nonprofit focused on tracking aquatic insect populations across the West. They talk about why bugs like salmonflies, stoneflies, and mayflies matter, and how they can show what's really happening in a river.

You'll also hear how habitat, water quality, and insect life all connect, and what anglers can do to pay attention and get involved.

They also touch on Bug Fest, coming up soon, where you can learn more and connect with the project in person.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/914

913 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/913

Presented by: Fly Fish with Me Utah, Togiak River Lodge, Golden Fly Shop

We're putting together the Ultimate Leech Guide with Landon Mayer and Phil Rowley. We break down when to use leeches, how to fish them, and why they work so consistently across different lakes.

We also dig into presentation tactics, leader setups, and the leech life cycle so you can better understand what fish are keying on.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/913

#912 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/912

Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho

In this episode on classic salmon fly tying, I sat down with Marvin Nolte, a guy who's been at the vise since the 1970s and has tied over 2,000 classic Atlantic salmon flies. We get into what it really takes to tie these patterns, why most people don't stick with it, and how a random Christmas gift turned into a decades-long obsession.

We also dig into one of the wildest stories in fly tying, the massive Granger collection, and what it says about craftsmanship, patience, and going deep into the details.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/912