Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#973 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/973
Presented by: https://www.wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Jerry Darkes has spent decades chasing lake trout across the Great Lakes as a manufacturer’s rep, guide, instructor, travel host, and author. He shares his experience finding lake trout in shallow and deep water and tracking their seasonal movements.
We cover the history and recovery of lake trout in the Great Lakes, the evolution of fly lines and patterns, boat and shoreline strategies, retrieves, hook sets, and what it takes to land a 10- to 20-pound lake trout on the fly.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/973

#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