Fly Fishing Consultant Podcast

Malinda Barna has been the proprietor of her own fly shop along the banks of the Salmon River in New York for a longer time than Rob has been wetting his line there. This distinctive shop is filled with vibrant fly tying materials. Her fly shop attracts anglers from around the globe. Situated on the banks of a world-renowned river, this episode reveals how Malinda acquired the shop and managed it for many years alongside her partner Bobby. Malinda shares anecdotes about her fishing spots during the off-season, explains her decision to stop selling bobbers for fly fishing, and discusses how to navigate the unique microclimate near Lake Ontario. A regular customer named Morris stops by while shopping and provides us with a wealth of valuable insights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode brings us to Roanoke, Virginia, the Star City Of The South, where shop owner and guide, Jay Waide, tells us.his story. We get to know the history and location of the fly shop, its wide range of customers, and some great nearby fishing spots. Jay talks about everything related to fishing in the southwest corner of Virginia, from blue lining brook trout in little streams to jet boating tailwaters for muskie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob initially encountered Andrew at the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival several years ago. At that time, Andrew was likely in middle school, displaying a remarkable passion for fishing as a young boy. He was precocious and downright fishy. He tied his own flies. Throughout his teenage years, he dedicated his mornings and afternoons to fishing at the Falmouth Flats beneath the Rte. 1 Bridge in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the same spot where Rob learned to fly fish for stripers while going to college up the street. A few years down the line, Andrew crossed paths with an Alaskan lodge owner during one of the Virginia Fly Fishing Shows, which ultimately led him to Alaska after graduating high school. We reconnect with him now residing in Puerto Rico to learn about his journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob encountered Boyd Waters at the 2026 Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival. Boyd's 'flies' were unlike anything else at the event. Rob was astonished by the ingenuity with which deer hair was transformed into striking three-dimensional designs resembling characters from Care Bears, Spider Man, and Falcore. It's essential to check out Boyd's social media before you listen to gain a full appreciation of how he uses the same materials as everyone else, but in a unique way. His flies are for sale and yes, you can fish them if you desire. Boyd has a few unique fly tying tools to share from bobbins to hair stackers. Beyond his skills at the vise, Boyd dedicates his time to Project Healing Waters, Boy Scouts, and The Mayfly Project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One day, Rob was browsing Instagram for pictures of lady Amherst feathers when he stumbled upon the Schuman Feathers account. The feathers were absolutely gorgeous, every single one of them, yet none were shown being utilized in fly tying. Rob reached out to ask if the dye would bleed when the feathers became wet, as he planned to use them for tying flies. He was reassured that they were indeed waterproof. Afterward, Rob contacted the company to ask about a podcast—specifically, a podcast about feathers, not one related to fly fishing. Eventually, Rob ordered ostrich plumes for his damsel nymphs. When they arrived, they were even more stunning and luxurious than the feathers he had bought from fly shops. He was convinced. Rob's latest unboxing of additional feathers can be found here. It was clear that Rob needed to have Schuman Feathers featured on the show. Paul Schuman is a multi-generational feather supplier located in Miami. His family has been involved in the feather industry for more than a hundred years. In this episode, Paul talks about everything related to feathers, from how they are sourced to the regulations governing the feather trade. They delve into topics like steaming feathers, the various industries that utilize feathers, feather anatomy, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob received a message from a fly tier accusing him of appropriating their intellectual property. His Etsy shop features a number of original flies as well as several inspired by others, with appropriate credit given when necessary. The sender of the messages has appeared on Rob’s podcast in the past, indicating they are not unfamiliar with one another. However, the tone of the messages lacked any reference to their prior interactions, making it seem as if they were meeting for the first time. Who holds the moral high ground in this situation? Is Rob profiting from someone else's work? Is the creator of the original flies asserting their rights over the design that Rob has tied? Is the original fly’s name appropriated from someone else and thus making the complaint analogous to the pot calling the kettle black? Should fly patterns be eligible for copyright protection? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dean Naujoks from the Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) joins Rob to talk about the recent sewage spill. Hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated sewage have now contaminated the Nation's River. An investigation conducted by the Potomac Riverkeeper Network alongside researchers from the University of Maryland revealed alarming levels of fecal bacteria and harmful pathogens in the Potomac River, raising significant public health alarms and highlighting the dangers associated with outdated sewer systems. The Potomac is NOT safe to be near at this time. Dean addresses the inadequate response from the Washington DC government. Rob shares his concerns about how the spill will affect his guiding and recreational fishing activities this year. The spill is anticipated to persist for several weeks. Mayor Bowser's Office Produced by Jason Reif of Freestone Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob journeys south to the Meadow Event Park located on the state fairgrounds in Doswell, Virginia for the 25th edition of the Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival. There, he encounters both familiar faces and newcomers to chat about where they live and fish, motivations for attending the event, and what they bring to the table. The event was bustling, and Rob couldn't manage to connect with everyone he had hoped to meet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Deloach is a Fly Fishers International (IFF) certified casting instructor hailing from Tennessee. Rob initially met Brian when he hired him for a few hours of urban guiding around Washington D.C. After their fishing outing, they returned to Rob’s house and recorded a podcast where Brian shared insights about casting and fishing in his local waters. This time, the episode’s focus is solely on casting. Brian discusses proper techniques and terms used by IFF certified casting instructors, he will explain the essential principles for successful fly casting, and how to apply this to fishing. This episode is filled with casting analogies, so be sure to jot down some notes. We find out Brian's favorite five weight rod and where he likes to eat after a day of fishing. Brian dispels myths and common misconceptions, clarifies the differences between levers and springs in relation to your rod, recommends casting literature worth reading, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining your fly line. Brian is confident your fly line is filthy. Brian’s notes & links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices