Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#998 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/998

Presented by: Outpost on the Nush, TroutRoutes, On DeMark Lodge, Redd’s Flies

Trey Combs has spent decades documenting the people, rivers, flies, and techniques that shaped steelhead fly fishing. In this episode, Trey and his son, Mark Combs, take a close look at steelhead history, from classic fly patterns and early Spey fishing to grease line techniques and the stories behind some of the sport's most important books and photographs.
The conversation blends firsthand experience with preservation. Trey shares stories from his years on steelhead rivers, while Mark explains how he is building an online archive that makes steelhead history accessible through books, photographs, fly plates, essays, and fly-pattern research.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/998

#996 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/996
Presented by: Sullivan Fly Rods, On Demark Lodge, Redd's Flies, Smitty’s Fly Box
There are steelhead rivers, and then there is the Dean. From Kimsquit Bay Lodge in British Columbia, mountains drop straight into the salt, with fresh steelhead only minutes from the ocean.
Jeff Hickman, Adrienne Comeau, and Pat Beahen join Jeff Liskay to break down what makes Dean River steelhead fishing so different. They get into the famous canyon, how tides shape the fishing, dry-line and Chinook tactics, and the gear and techniques that make this river unique.
They also talk about something bigger than catching fish: why these wild steelhead deserve respect and what anglers can do to give something back.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/996

Listen to the full Episode 255 here: https://wetflyswing.com/255
Sponsors: Stonefly Nets, Jackson Hole Fly Co, Outpost on the Nush
In this Greatest Hits solo episode, Dave revisits his 2021 conversation with Jeff Liskay and pulls out 11 practical Spey and switch rod tips for Great Lakes steelhead.
Jeff’s system starts with an 11-foot 5-weight switch rod, roughly 330 grains, a short sink tip, a 14- to 18-inch leader, and an unweighted fly. From there, the focus is less on making long casts and more on controlling swing speed, fishing the right water, and keeping the fly in front of cold water steelhead.
Dave breaks down why Jeff fishes higher and dirtier water before the crowds arrive, slows his swing when water temperatures drop into the 30s, and searches the edges before moving toward the middle of the river. You'll also hear why shortening your sink tip can immediately make a struggling Spey cast easier and why presentation matters more than casting across the river.
Jeff also explains why he lets the sink tip control depth instead of adding weight to the fly, why some of his best water is the stuff other anglers walk right through, and when warmer, clearer conditions might even call for skating a dry fly for Great Lakes steelhead.
The episode wraps up with two bigger lessons: separate casting practice from fishing, and don't fish yesterday's water. Migratory fish move, conditions change, and Jeff would rather keep searching new water than become attached to the spot that produced the day before.
If you're getting ready for Great Lakes steelhead season or want to make your switch rod setup simpler this episode gives you 11 tips you can take straight to the river.

#994 Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/994

Presented by: Stonefly Nets, Drifthook, Togiak River Lodge

English trout fishing offers anglers a different set of rivers, access challenges, hatches, and seasonal opportunities than many famous waters in the American West. Howard Croston shares his experience with English trout fishing, his career with Hardy, competition dry-fly fishing, European grayling, and the equipment being developed for modern anglers.

Show Notes: https://www.wetflyswing.com/994

#993 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/993

Presented by: Golden Fly Shop, FishHound Expeditions, AVC Rig, Redd's Flies

In this episode, Adam explains the hatches, flies, access, water conditions, boat fishing, wading, and presentation skills that matter on West Branch Delaware. He also shares how to recognize feeding rhythms, when to change flies, and why slowing down before the next cast can make a difference.

The West Branch Delaware is one of those rivers where a trout can be holding in a narrow current seam and ignore a fly that passes only an inch or two away. Adam Franceschini has spent 15 spring seasons on the West Branch Delaware, learning how to approach its wild trout and technical dry fly fishing.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/993