#972 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/972

Presented by: Intrepid Camp Gear

In this episode, McCormick Snow takes us behind the scenes of outdoor gear design and shares how his product development background has changed how he thinks about the equipment we bring outdoors. McCormick studied Outdoor Product Design and Development at Utah State University before joining Intrepid Camp Gear and moving to Colorado. Fly fishing became an obsession along the way, giving him another way to connect to his career with the outdoors.

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/972

#971 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/971

Presented by: Patagonia

Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Rachel Finn has spent decades guiding anglers on New York's famous Ausable River while building a career as an artist and conservation advocate. Our conversation covers everything from climate challenges facing trout streams to travel, art, saltwater adventures, and why curiosity never stops making us better anglers.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/971

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/970

Sponsors: Redd’s Flies, Fly Fish with Me Utah, Golden Fly Shop, Gallatin River Lodge

Today we’re bringing back one of the most-listened-to conversations in the Wet Fly Swing archive with Craig Mathews, a lifelong angler, author, conservationist, and founder of Blue Ribbon Flies. Craig has spent nearly seven decades fly fishing, and in this Re-Release episode from 2023, we cover everything from Yellowstone caddis hatches and trout fishing to conservation, fly tying, and some unforgettable stories from his years in West Yellowstone.

Craig takes us back to his early days in Michigan and the move that eventually landed him in Montana. What was supposed to be a one-year adventure turned into a new life when Craig became the police chief of West Yellowstone. A few years later, while making $9,000 a year as police chief, he started a wholesale fly-tying operation that employed people with disabilities. That business became Blue Ribbon Flies in 1979 and eventually grew to four fly shops.

Blue Ribbon Flies became a gathering place for anglers, fly tiers, writers, and some of the biggest personalities in fly fishing. Craig shares stories about Jack Gartside, Gary LaFontaine, and the constant flow of people through the shop. He remembers Gary as someone who could walk into a fly shop and immediately get everyone fired up about fishing, insects, and fly patterns.

Conservation is another major part of Craig’s story. He talks about his longtime friendship with Yvon Chouinard and how their shared commitment to giving back helped launch 1% for the Planet. Craig explains how businesses can support approved conservation organizations and shares examples of projects that have protected habitat and public access around the Madison River and Montana.

Then we get into one of Craig’s specialties: caddis and fishing caddis.

Craig breaks down several important Yellowstone-area caddis hatches and explains how anglers can better identify what trout are actually eating. His biggest lesson is simple: slow down and watch the river. Instead of immediately stepping into the water and casting, spend a few minutes observing rise forms, insect activity, and what’s moving through the water.

Craig also explains why fly pattern is often blamed when presentation is the real problem. Getting closer to the fish, choosing the right tippet, controlling drag, and making accurate casts can matter far more than constantly changing flies.

We also cover the X-Caddis, Iris Caddis, spent caddis patterns, pheasant tail flies, and why Craig uses pheasant tail for much more than nymphs.

Finally, Craig takes us into the wilder side of old West Yellowstone, sharing stories from his police chief days involving motorcycle gangs, organized crime, and the relationships he built with people passing through town. Decades later, one of those former encounters even turned into a day of fishing together.

This episode is part fly-fishing lesson, part Yellowstone history, and part reminder of how much can happen when you spend a lifetime paying attention to rivers, insects, conservation, and people.

969 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/969

Presented by: Patagonia

Today's guest has spent years guiding trout anglers in Colorado, but these days he's measuring success by something bigger than just the fish that make it to the net.

Austin Campbell is a Colorado fly fishing guide, Patagonia ambassador, and founder and executive director of Community Fly Fishing. He shares his approach to the South Platte, fishing the Deckers section, finding trout on dry flies, and knowing when to leave the bobber behind.

We cover George Daniel and the Penn State fly fishing program, warm-water challenges during a tough Colorado season, and how Community Fly Fishing is creating zero-barrier opportunities in Colorado, Chicago, Atlanta, the Bahamas, and Belize.

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/969

#968 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/968

Presented by: Stonefly Nets, Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Togiak River Lodge, TroutRoutes

Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Pat Ehlers has been fly fishing since he was a kid exploring trout streams in Wisconsin's Upper Peninsula. Over the years, his curiosity expanded far beyond trout, leading him to become one of the leading voices in warmwater fly fishing and innovative fly design.

We dug into bass behavior, fly line selection, fly tying materials, electronics, and how lessons from conventional bass fishing continue to improve fly fishing techniques.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/968

967 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/967

Presented by: Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho

The greatest fly patterns don’t just catch fish, they stand the test of time and become part of fly fishing history.

Fly tyer and author Al Ritt shares the stories behind his book, 25 Best Most Versatile Flies, and some of the most useful patterns in fly fishing. We explore classics including the Adams, Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, Royal Wulff, and Clouser Minnow.

We explore Al's long history in fly tying, the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, his own fly patterns, and his approach to teaching beginners and learning the techniques behind fly tying.

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/967

#966 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/966

Presented by: TroutRoutes, FishHound Expeditions, Yellowstone Teton Territory - Visit Idaho, Jackson Hole Fly Company.

In this episode, we speak with longtime fly-fishing author Skip Morris about his latest published book, Imposters, and a collection of essays that brings together fly patterns, fishing history, personal stories, and artwork by his wife, Carol Ann Morris. Skip also shares practical lessons from decades on the water, including his “turn-down trick” for presenting a fly to rising trout, why action and size can matter more than constantly changing patterns, and how classic dry flies and wet flies still have a place in today's fly box.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/966

http://wetflyswing.com/965

Sponsors: Sullivan Fly Rods, On DeMark Lodge, Redds Flies

Dave shares the story of his father, Doug Stewart, who recently passed away at 87. Doug was the person who introduced Dave to fly fishing, and his influence eventually helped lead to the creation of the Wet Fly Swing Podcast.

Doug’s own fly fishing story reaches back more than 70 years.

He first started fishing the Deschutes River with his father in the early 1950s, when seeing a dozen anglers on the river could make it feel crowded. He eventually became a longtime Deschutes guide, fly shop owner, fly tyer, rod builder, writer, and teacher who introduced countless people to fly fishing.

Doug was also the creator of the Max Canyon steelhead fly. He tells the story of sitting under the trees with Steve Dorn during a brutally hot day on the Deschutes. With fishing slowed down, they started tying flies to pass the time. Doug liked orange and black, put the colors together, and eventually refined the pattern that became the Max Canyon.

We also hear about the early days of Stewart’s Custom Tackle, which later became Stewart’s Fly Shop. Doug talks about building the business through word of mouth, teaching casting and fly tying, and watching A River Runs Through It bring a surge of new anglers into fly fishing.

But this episode goes well beyond the history of a fly shop or a famous steelhead pattern.

Doug shares stories from decades on the water, including hooking and releasing 58 steelhead with Jim Teeny during an incredible day of fishing, falling into the Deschutes while fighting a steelhead, encounters with bears in Alaska, and watching the fly fishing world change around him.

Teaching runs through much of Doug’s story. Before going full-time in fly fishing, he was a seventh and eighth grade teacher. He later brought that same mindset to the fly shop, guiding, casting lessons, fly tying classes, and the many anglers he helped along the way.

Dave also reflects on what that influence looks like today. Doug taught him to fish. Dave passed some of those lessons to friends, who then taught their own kids. That ripple effect may be one of Doug’s greatest legacies.

Near the end of their original conversation, Doug is asked what he would like to be remembered for. His answer comes back to the people: running the fly shop, teaching people to cast and tie flies, learning from others, and staying connected to the fly fishing community.

This episode is ultimately about more than fly fishing.

It’s about fathers, sons, teachers, friends, and the limited amount of time we get together.

If your dad, father figure, mentor, or fishing partner is still around, give them a call. And if you still have the chance to take another fishing trip together, don’t wait too long to make it happen.

#964 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/964

Presented by: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, AVC Rig, Fishhound Expeditions

Sponsors: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Paul Plum entered our Scott Lake Lodge giveaway without expecting much to happen. A few weeks later, he got the call that changed his summer. Together, we traveled deep into northern Saskatchewan, where world-class fishing, incredible hospitality, and untouched wilderness created an experience neither of us will forget.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/964

963 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/963

Presented by: Moccasin Fly Club

Big predator flies are built for explosive strikes, brutal fights, and anglers who live for the hunt.

From striped bass on Long Island to peacock bass in the Amazon, Max Rivetta has spent years tying flies for predator fish. As the in-house fly tyer and host of Moccasin Fly Club, he shares the techniques, materials, and lessons he's learned along the way.

We cover Bob Popovics' influence on modern fly design, choosing high-quality bucktail, preparing for destination trips, and why connecting with other fly tyers is one of the fastest ways to improve your skills.

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/963

962 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/962

Presented By: Montana Fly Fishing Lodge, Togiak River Lodge, Drifthook, Blue Bonefish Lodge

Fly fishing has always been about more than catching fish; it's about building connections, sharing experiences, and protecting the waters that bring people together. In this episode, host Dave Stewart sits down with Kyle Schaefer, founder of Soulfly Co Outfitters, to discuss how his company is bringing those values to life through music, fly fishing, and conservation. Together, they explore how Soulfly Co. is creating a welcoming community that inspires both seasoned anglers and newcomers alike.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/962