Mill House Podcast

Jake Jordan is a legendary figure in the blue water world. He is neither humble nor reserved when he speaks about his exploits over his six plus decades of catching tarpon, marlin and sailfish; we’re talking incredible numbers here. He prides himself with a technique he refined that has proven itself to many anglers that chase billfish. He’s not a record chaser, he is a numbers man. How do you document 10,000 sailfish he said he’s caught? For tarpon, he fishes at night under bridges in the lower keys. April and May, during a certain night time tide is when these fish let their guard down and catching a tarpon is almost a given. There’s no poling under a high sun, seeing fish swim down the flat here. But being 80+ years old it’s all but impossible for him to do the daytime game anymore. You got to hand it to him, he’s still out there getting it done! Jake is a kind man. I’ve known him for years and see him at the trade shows. When asked, he said he'd like to be remembered mostly as an innovator, teacher and mentor. He’s been honored with the Chester H. Wolf outstanding Sportsmanship Award by the IGFA in 2022, and was inducted into the Southern Fly Fishing Hall of Fame in 2023. Thanks for coming on, Jake...

On board for this podcast, is a man that has lived fully in many forms; dentist, angler, artist, and as a free spirit that many only dream of doing successfully. Yes, Fred Troxel has excelled profoundly at all of these. Many know him as a highly professional dentist that has worked bare footed for years. Oxymoron? No, because working close to Key West where the liberty to live your life in whatever form works. He has won three All Tackle World Championship Bonefish Tournaments. All of them with the two greats: Harry Speer (1) and Michael Guerin (2). Troxel is also close with many famous writers/fishermen who used to skirt over to the Bahamas where the bonefish were as plentiful as the conversations were vibrant with intellect, nonsense, and always humorous… In this podcast, we talk about his love for hunting big bonefish, his spectacular road kill art, passion for his friends, and his excursions to Burning Man. Today we get a taste of it all! Thanks for coming on, Fred!

Capt. Andy Thompson is, in my book, one of the greatest people you’ll ever have the pleasure of knowing, both on and off the water. He’s soft spoken, but his words carry incredible weight. Why?Because he’s truthful, genuine, and his integrity is gold! He’s also one of the greatest guides in the game. Andy grew up in Miami and at a very young age gravitated to fishing and never looked back. He refined his craft and eventually started fishing against the best in the world, in the biggest tarpon tournaments. He and his angler Mark Weeks won the Don Hawley twice, cementing their names in the history books. Thompson's knowledge is also incredibly vast. He can confidently fish from Chokoloskee to the Marquesas and when the fall arrives, he’ll head west to Louisiana where the monster redfish cruise the shorelines. Nicky and I have had some of our best days there with him, where our minds were blown apart by what he knows and what we caught. Andy also loves to hunt - turkeys, waterfowl, deer and elk. Yes, he’s an extraordinary outdoorsman, but he’s even better as a father, husband, and unwavering friend!

Capt. Al Dopirak is arguably the best fishing guide to ever chase world record tarpon! He and Tom Evans have put more big tarpon in their boat than anyone. Records are meant to be broken but their 194.5 lb tarpon on 12 pound test is beyond imagination, well mine anyway! They also caught a 190.5 lb tarpon on 16 pound test that broke Billy Pate’s 188 lb record that stood for 25 plus years. Tom Evans has been inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame, and a very large part of that success story, unquestionably, has to do with Al Dopirak. Tom said, “Al is the greatest. I fished with Al for 42-43 years. Best tarpon fisherman I ever fished with. And as a person - Just the tops!” Dopirak is much more than a great fisherman, he is a loyal, loving husband, father and friend. When Evans ended up in the hospital while fishing with Al in 2022, Dopirak stayed with Tom 7 hours a day, never leaving his side. Al’s wife, Penny, and son, Brian, are his pride and Joy. I’ve been around this game along time and I can honestly say that you can put Al’s name on that very short list of, “legendary guides."

I have fished with many superstar guides throughout my career. Many were on my hit list for years before seeing that day on their bow, but there was one whose boat I never made it on and he was as famous as anyone, Butch Constable! Butch doesn’t just fish his water around Jupiter, he plays it like Hendrix did with his guitar. Inside and out he knows the timing of the fish that migrate through there as well as those that live there. I guess and presume he loves snook more that anything because is email has the word snook in it, but don’t let that fool all you other fish, because if his eyes hit yours, your dead meat! Top water or on the bottom he covers the water column like no other. Offshore sailfish to inlet snook, he knows the game and is the best at it. Butch also helped pioneer bilge pump live wells, offshore live chumming, and Jupiters’ tarpon and snook fishery. He’s also a great fly fisherman. Trust me, Butch Constable is a master at everything fishing! Another great guide, Scott Hamilton said, “Butch is one of the most talented and intuitive guides I’ve ever met. His feel for the environment would justify him having gills!” And the best yet, he’s one of the most humble, kind men I know!

Rachel Finn is a fearless, free spirit that everyone loves. After attending Yale University in graduate school, she followed her heart and began guiding up in the Adirondacks some 30 years ago. Rachel is also a wonderful artist, friend, and inspiration to never grow up and never stop chasing your passions. Finn is a well-known presence in the Adirondack guide scene throughout the fishing season. Serving as the head guide at the Hungry Trout Fly Shop in Wilmington, New York, she accompanies clients on expeditions across the numerous rivers, streams, and ponds nestled within the breathtaking mountains. Additionally, for many years during July and August, Rachel lead summer float trips in Alaska. She holds positions as a pro staff member for Scott Fly Rods, Airflow, and Nautilus Reels, while also being enlisted by Patagonia as one of their fly fishing ambassadors. Finn also is an ambassador and hosts a couple trips a year for SET Fly Fishing in Argentina. Her expertise has been showcased on ESPN's Great Outdoor Games and the Outdoor Life Network's Fly Fishing Masters.

As a 21 year old Vietnam veteran, Bob Popovics gravitated to fly fishing for striped bass and the people who chased them from shore. These guys became his family and the collective passion became a maelstrom for the north east striper fishermen. The power behind this fish was real and in 1965 a fishing club called the Salt Water Fly Rodders of America was formed. They exchanged information, established the criteria for world record catches (which would be handed over to the IGFA in 1978) and had chapters throughout the country extending to California and Australia. The chapters ran out of steam in 1977, but was revitalized in 1987. It was then that Popovics started weekly meetings and fly tying sessions at his house. Upstairs in a small room 50 fly fishermen would crowd over Bob’s fly tying vise and the creativity exploded. Lefty Kreh called Popovics the greatest fly tier of all time! Bob’s imagination was vibrant, and his designs became the flies of choice for the variety of fish caught in the North East surf. His two books, Pop Fleyes and Fleye Design are a confirmation that Lefty’s statement was spot on and many felt the same. Above all, it's Bob’s heart, personality, and love for his fellow anglers will stand the test of time!! He is beloved by all…. And one more thing, Lefty’s last wish to Bob was, “Help preserve the history of salt water fly fishing!” With this interview and what Popovics has saved, I know Lefty would be very proud of his brother, “Bobby."

Capt. Sarah Gardner has been a full time fishing guide for over 27 years. Along with her husband, Capt. Brian Horsley, they are the go to guides for fly fishing in the area surrounding Outer Banks, NC. Sarah & Brian both run 23 foot Jones Brother boats and target Cobia, Redfish, False Albacore, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, & Sharks on the fly. After getting her Bachelor’s degree in Illustration from Moore College of Art in 1987, Sarah worked in advertising for several years, but she never felt comfortable working inside. To be around other like-minded people and earn extra money, she took an evening sales position at Anglers Sport Center, a big outfitter in Maryland. Shortly thereafter, out of the blue, the legendary Lefty Kreh called and would eventually take her under his wing and help her flourish into the great writer and spokesperson she is today. Years later, Lefty was the photographer at Sarah & Brian’s wedding and their relationship continued until his passing a couple of years ago. Sarah is known by her peers as being a hardy, tough, badass of a human whether on the water, in the woods, or competing in Ironman races. Not only is she “fishy” on the boat but her love for teaching and educating is extremely inspiring. As people look up to Joan Wulff and Kathy Beck, many view Sarah as a role model and shining example on how hard work, dedication, and chasing your passions can lead to a extremely fulfilling life. Thanks for coming on the podcast, Sarah!

Having growing up in Marathon, Florida with the Gulf Stream at his front door and world class flats everywhere he looked, George's playground was a fisherman's dream. It was the ultimate adventure park he’d take full advantage of. His bus ride to school had other kids that loved to fish, too, like Dustin and Chad Huff. They would all become world class at their craft. Sawley dreamed of being a guide and started to fish the bridges at night for tarpon. He began poling locals around at 17, and would mate on a charter boat for a while. George would eventually fish different locations with the legendary "Capt. Hook" (Ron Hamlin) and Benny Spaulding. He’d have his greatest success as a Captain chasing world record marlin with Harry Gray, one the the greatest offshore fly fishers of all time. Many years later, he began conversations with Hal Chittum regarding a mutual goal of building big offshore boats, which evolved to building Chittum skiffs, the greatest flats boat ever built! On today's podcast, George Sawley goes deep into his wild life as a mate, captain, and adventurer.

Daytime swordfishing began in Venezuela when Aquiles Garcia and Captain Oscar Benito Marcano used a bag of rocks to get their bait down to where these prized fish swim in extreme depths during daylight hours. In 1997, on the La Guaira bank many Captains started to target these billfish with confidence. It wasn’t refined until two brothers, Richard and Scott Stanczyk started to consistently catch them in the Florida Keys around 2002. But it was Richards son, Nick, that took the swordfish game to new heights catching an estimated 2,000 fish with a personal best of a 757lber. Nick grew up on the docks in the sport fish capital of the world (Islamorada) and began catching snappers before he could walk. He later attended the University of Miami but always knew he was going to make his living on the water. Nick has gained a massive audience in the last 8 years with social media and marketing himself as the guy that consistently catches broadbill swordfish. Currently he is taking more time off spending time with his family and growing his YouTube and Stanz fishing apparel line. Although, if you want to catch one of these monsters of the deep he still remains one of the top captains in this genre of fishing. On todays podcast, Nick talks about his family’s relationship with swordfish and his profound legend of catching them...

Mitch Howell has had a very interesting life on and off the water. At a young age, Howell’s family was failing him so his grandparents took the helm and raised him. His world was coming at him in different directions very quickly. He would eventually find profound joy and success in fishing. It was one of our sport’s great heroes, Flip Pallot, who would be Mitch’s greatest influence and mentor years later. We have heard numerous stories on this podcast how fishing has saved many of our guests lives, and here, Mitch will document a similar story stemming from a different kind of carnage. Mitch found invigoration with fishing and he eventually carved his way to the podium many of the Florida Keys most prominent tournaments. And, too, Mitch had incredible dexterity. He could do damage with a fly rod as well as a spinning rod or bait caster. Inshore or offshore, he could do it all! Today, we talk about how tackle shops were the hang out spots of the past, fishing with Mark Krowka, Flip Pallot, & Billy Pate, and how there was no challenge quite like the big bonefish of Islamorada. Thanks for coming on, Mitch!

At 41 years of age, Jarad “Dingo” Boshammer, has been fishing the world for a very long time. He’s renowned now for having an acute sense for catching monster snook and tarpon guiding out of his 18 foot Chittum Skiff in Jupiter, Florida. But Florida is a long way from his roots. He was born into a heavy sport fishing family in Queensland, Australia. His Dad, Sid, was a live-aboard Charter Captain, so naturally his son was catching fish at a very, very young age. He loved it! At one time Jarad and his friends had bikes with trailers on them with a number of rods, a live well, and tackle boxes. They’d fish along the shore or catch the ferry to Frasier Island. School was secondary as he knew he was going to be a fisherman. At one point, Dean Butler showed him a photo of a shark ravaged marlin that would impact him greatly. The pectoral fins of this half eaten giant were on the deck and the bill was as tall as Butler. “When I saw that picture, I knew right then and there what I wanted to do with my life - chase dinosaurs!” Soon he was on the high seas. At seventeen he was the #1 deckhand on the boat “Lucky Strike” with Captain John Batterton who would give him the nickname, “Dingo” that would stick. Over a 20 year span he worked with some of the most famous captains in the game including two IGFA Hall of Fame members, Captain Dean Butler and Captain Laurie Wright. He also learned from the great lure magician in Hawaii, Captain Chip Van Mols. Dingo crewed 15 seasons on the Great Barrier Reef, fished in 20 countries and helped catch 150 fish over 700 pounds and 25 over 1,000 pounds! Here is Dingo’s incredible life story...

Betsy Bullard has an amazing heart filled with the love of fishing, her friends, and the insatiable desire to save the Everglades. At a very young age, her father helped her catch her first fish that would eventually direct her empowering life in fishing. I first recognized her beauty when she worked many of the Key's Fly Tournaments as a weigh master. Before she found her footing in Islamorada, Fl she owned and operated the Golfito Sailfish Rancho in Costa Rica. But when she experienced sight fishing on the flats in the Florida Keys, she was “Toast." Betsy ran the Herman Lucerne tournament and also fished in many of the men’s tournaments against some of the best in the game. Her biggest competitive achievement might have been when her and Wesley Locke won the Sail Fly tournament in Guatemala. Bullard is relentless when it comes to conservation and restoring the Everglades. As an honorary board member of Bonefish Tarpon Trust and a tireless worker for Captains for Clean Water she was one of hundreds that showed up on the Senate floor demanding the destructive SB 2508 bill be vetoed by Governor DeSantis. They were eventually victorious. It takes a real ground force, a movement to do such things and Betsy is always up front leading these all important charges. Betsy Bullard, in our book, is true inspiration!

During the late 80’s, Capt. Ed Walker was one of my first guides in the fabled tarpon grounds of Homosassa where some of the largest megalops in the world were being caught on flies. Eddie, as I called him then, was much younger than I and possessed an innate ability to find and catch fish that many others couldn’t. He was a joy to fish with and we caught some fatties. He was good, very good and his peers recognized his incredible, young talent. Walker would eventually win some of the largest tournaments in Boca Grande, totaling over a half a million dollars in prize money. He was a great innovator and later in his life became very good at catching big grouper and snapper’s on flies. He was thinking differently and his curiosity was not limited to that from the surface of a boat. He started chasing fish underwater with spear guns and became so good at it he won the free diving state championship. Today, we’ll cover his fascinating life in fishing and his desire to give back through conservation and fish management. We hope you enjoy…

Chris Wittman grew up fishing every second he could. He never thought of becoming a fishing guide until he became one in 2000. This was the same year The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan was signed into law by Governor Jeb Bush and President Clinton, which was a financial engine that was designated to save the Everglades. Invaluable clean water is paramount to insure the future of wildlife, birds and fish, and regain its lost prominence. The Everglades is one of our countries most treasured national parks and was rapidly dying. Over the next sixteen years the war over water was real and the flora and fauna of Florida was losing out to big sugar. In 2016, Lake Okeechobee was overwhelmed with green toxic water and billions of gallons were released into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers emptying into the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It killed everything living in the water that was exposed to it. Even local riverside communities suffered the effects of the deadly water. Chris Wittman and Daniel Andrews quit their jobs as fishing guides to build an army to challenge the status quo in Tallahassee and help restore the clean water that was being misappropriated to the sugar industry. Through Chris Wittman, here is the story of Captains for Clean Water.

Kyle Holt is Taylor Creek Fly Shop’s head guide, whose favorite saying is "Fish Hard and Die Rich.” Having been raised in Springfield, Illinois, Kyle became heavily involved in fishing, hunting, and trapping the "flatlands" surrounding his home. As fortune would have it, Kyle's family decided to take regular vacations to Rocky Mountain National Park where he hooked his first browns, rainbows, and brookies - subsequently becoming hooked himself. In 1983 Kyle packed up all of his worldly possessions (which he relates were few) and moved from the cornfields to the Rockies in pursuit of any trout that would take a fly. Holt has been fishing in the Roaring Fork Valley & Frying Pan River for over 29 years, and is now considered a sub-god by many of his clientele because of his skill and knowledge of the area waters. Many years back, after taking a trip to the Bahamas with a group of clients, Kyle returned to Colorado in a sorry state. He realized his addiction for salt water fly fishing is an itch he can’t get rid of. Fast forward many moons, Kyle has been to Mexico, Belize, the Seychelles, Christmas Island, the Amazon, Costa Rica, Louisiana, and of course the Florida Keys targeting his dream catches on fly. On today’s podcast, we speak about the state of the fishery in the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan River, the challenges they face, etiquette on the river, and the Guide Alliance that Kyle helped start in 2014. We hope you enjoy.

Dan Lahren was born in the great western town of Livingston, Montana in 1955. When he was in 7th grade the local fishing icon, Dan Bailey, gave him a fly rod which cemented his life long love affair with fishing and the local waters around the Yellowstone river. Between the ages of 3 and 10 his family traveled often and he found himself in eleven different schools. At the age of 12, he was living alone in the Murray hotel, downtown Livingston. His parent’s marriage had crashed. The railroad which passed through town was a major station connecting the midwest to the west coast. Naturally there was discord between the railroad kids and the locals, and fighting became common. Dan grew up hard and fast. He spent his early adult life chasing many occupations in the north west, but Livingston was in his DNA and he returned to his roots in 1981. He refined a life of fishing and hunting, cooking became an art form and he gravitated to many well know writers and actors who also found a life in the valley. Among others he eventually became great friends with Jim Harrison and Anthony Bourdain. Their passing hurt deeply, but Dan's stories of them fills him with joy. Lahren is a wealth of knowledge, has a great sense of humor, and has earned a voice to be listened to.

David Denholm has had a voracious life in big game fishing. It all began when he caught his first Marlin when he was 12 years old. Denholm has traveled the world seeking the largest Swordfish, Marlin and Tuna, and at one time was one of the most prolific anglers in the the fabled Avalon Tuna Club of Santa Catalina Island. He has experienced first hand what many great writers like Zane Grey and Hemingway wrote about, finning swordfish and giant bluefins over the white sand in the Bahamas. He’s caught 12 fish over a thousand pounds! He’s fished with all the greats in the the game starting at the top with Peter Wright. The Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, Tahiti, Africa, Mexico, Azores, Venezuela, wherever the great legendary fish swam, David has fished there many times. We hope you enjoy this incredible man's story!

Steve Herter is one of the most passionate people I’ve ever meet. Humorous, smart, adventurous, ingenious… Herter checks all the boxes. I’ve been in the elk woods with him and watched him empty the Yampa river with flies only Steve could design and tie. He is world class with everything he engages with. He has led one of the most varied and successful lives of an outdoorsman I know. Aside from developing three of the top ten lodges in North America from the ground up; Elk Trout Lodge, Elk Creek Lodge and Seven Lakes Lodge, he was instrumental in positioning lodge projects in Patagonia and Argentina. He also worked with Orvis Fly Fishing schools and product development with Flies. Steve designed and helped stream improvement projects, one on the White River and Storm Mountain Ranch in Steamboat Springs, CO. He also spent a great part of his life chasing rooster fish on the beaches of Mexico, but what sets Herter apart from all others is his world class ability to design and tie incredibly small trout flies; midges. No hopper dropper, no nymphs, nothing will ever be tied on his leader he can’t see floating. But it’s not just dry fly fishing, it's midge fishing. Flies so small you have to tie them with microscopes.This is an art form, and Steve is a master at it. Also, he’s had hard luck with his health and most recently a stroke…. in spite of it all, he has remained as vibrant as anyone I know! On today's podcast we dive into the incredible life of an old friend. We hope you enjoy!

Conway Bowman is known for many things, but for me he’s defined by passion. He’s crazy about his two boys, Max and Jackson, and his wife Michelle, who give him the base to seek out and pursue the unknown. He’s a fish hunter, and a good one that many people are aware of, specifically pioneering Mako shark fishing on fly in San Diego, minutes from his home. Adventure has no limits, and when discussing Bowman the conversation will take you deep into a fishing life well traveled. As host of three award winning TV shows he has traveled the world extensively catching fish few have ever heard of. But it'll always be the massive Mako’s that he’ll remain famous for. On today’s podcast, Conway talks about how and why his name has become synonymous with one of the fiercest, most exciting sharks that’ll stretch your fly line to its breaking point...

It’s all Tom McGuane’s fault… He’s the culprit who gave Robert Redford the book! Redford loved it, and his film, “A River Runs Through It” indelibly changed everything about fly fishing. Most offensive has been the amount of people around the world we’re now seeing on every body of water. Good for them, actually. Fishing is one of the most important, life changing things we could ever allocate a great amount of our lives to. The down side is the pressure on the fishery, whether it be saltwater speedsters or critters in the fresh. On today's podcast, we visit with Bonefish Tarpon Trust's scientist, Dr. Ross Boucek who is the Florida Keys Initiative Manager studying the spectrum of elements that constitute a healthy resource. Ross is a second-generation South Floridian. He grew up fishing for tarpon and snook out of Everglades City. Ross earned his Masters and Doctoral degrees at Florida International University, studying how weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and extreme cold events, impact sport-fishes in Florida Bay and Everglades National Park. After his schooling, he worked for Florida Fish and Wild Conservation Commission, researching fish movements and migrations, and applying that information to conservation actions. Now based in Marathon, Ross spends most of his time in the Keys, either conducting BTT science, or working with anglers, and management agencies to turn BTT science into meaningful management and regulatory changes that improve our Keys fishery. When you listen to Ross, he defines all the issues and concerns with incredible knowledge, insight and clarity.

Similar to many of our guests, Capt. Brandon Cyr is not only engaging and kind, he’s a giant of canny fisherman. And what does that exactly mean?Well, it means you know a fish's next move before it does. You know where you have to be 10 miles away with the perfect tide building in an hour. You can only understand these moves after you’ve dedicated your entire life to catching these particular fish of Brandon’s passions, tarpon, bonefish and permit. Being a fourth generation Conch helps, but that’s only half of it. Cyr then dedicated a large part of his life on the water to owning the big prizes: tournament wins and world records, which is what you need to do to become a “name," on this particular stage. When you hear “Brandon Cyr” you think of a man whose boat you want to be on. And after winning the Del Brown and the IGFA permit tournaments with Mike Ward and catching two world records with Kat Linville, you have the power to back up your image! On today's podcast Brandon speaks about his incredible dedication to winning…

Richard Black is that man that came a long as a young kid and changed what fishing greatness looked like. At 17, while still in school studying for his degree in marine biology, he had his captains license and was already out-fishing most of the seasoned professionals. His wow factor was real. Richard refined his craft at a blistering speed. His fishing dexterity became legendary; he could fish the gulf stream and the reef as well as the the flats around his home near Islamorada. He is proficient from Chokoloskee to Key West, Miami to the Bahamas. It wasn’t uncommon for him to catch a number of Sailfish in the morning, run home, change boats and go release a number of redfish, snook and bonefish in the same day. Any tournament Richard Black is in, it’s a given he’ll be there at the buzzer. Richard's wife, Brooke Denkert, daughter of well known guide Dave, is a marine biologist as well. The whole family has fishing and water in their DNA. His home is filled with highly sought after tournament wins and most importantly, he’s an incredibly nice guy…. You’ll love this kid!!

The greatest permit fisherman could possibly be a man you’ve never heard of. He’s a man that has caught over 260 permit by himself either out of his kayak or wading. Jay Grant never had the funds to hire guides or mentors. He dissected the tides and popular permit flats from Key Largo to the distant flats west of Key West all on his own. He has struggled much of his life with alcohol and drugs and even spent some time incarcerated. There, he learned how to wood work which gave him some money in his pocket and a chance to get ahead. He’s lived out of his truck for years and now a sailboat near Key West. On today’s podcast, Jay reveals many things he rarely speaks about….. We hope you enjoy!

Ian Slater is one of the most likable people you’ll ever meet. He grew up with a massive desire to win at whatever he pursued. His busy life eventually filtered down to hockey and fishing. It was an equal balance until his college years when he gave hockey everything, and a few years later a professional career became a reality. While playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs farm team he sustained a bad injury. When he was recuperating, he decided he wanted to reinvent himself and pursue a life in the Keys where his dream fish lived. He was soon working at a fly shop, the Angling Company, and guiding the nearby flats of Key West. With his incredible work ethic he rapidly became one of the most successful permit guides. He soon moved his crosshairs to the tarpon game with great friend, Nathaniel Linville. Without a win, yet always in the top 4 placements, they have become one of the powerhouses of the tarpon tour. Today we talk about the nuances of chasing a dream….We hope you enjoy!

In 1959 when Castro was on the eve of taking over Batista and the future of Cuba was unknown, Florida’s fishing intelligence would soon hit pay dirt. Over the next six decades many of our premier guides, anglers and commercial fishermen were descendants of the mass exodus from that small Island only ninety miles from Key West, including our guest today, Albert Ponzoa. Albert was born later in Miami in 1962. He was the only male in the family, but as he says his two sisters have his fishing DNA. His 95 year young dad, Lucas, used to motor his panga right down the Marathon flats and drop anchor where ever he wished. We knew who he was and where he came from. We loved it! His son, Lucas Jr. has followed Albert’s love into the blue water of the gulf stream as an offshore guide, commercial lobster diver and supplies the locals charter boats with pilchards. Fishing and love of the ocean makes this family whole…. I’ve known Albert for many years, but more so of his reputation as a stellar, fishing wizard. When his peers spoke about him it was always with great admiration and respect. He was always pushing and running his skiff further than others with profound success. He never pursued the tournament strife, but if he would’ve, the names on the bling would be different today. He has been a successful commercial fisherman as well as a traditional guide, making his fishing dexterity most interesting. Albert played an important role in how we tarpon fish today through the precise techniques used with worm flies. His concerns for conservation and what he’s seen and knows has to be heard. On today's podcast we cover a fishing spectrum very few in the lower Keys have ever seen!

In 1953, Carl Hiaasen was born in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. A period of time when kids could hang out in wooded areas chasing things that kids chase. Many days were spent on bikes with fishing rods, well before the boom of growth. Their fun house would soon be transformed into parking lots and buildings, a solid reason for his irreverent thoughts. He and his best friend, Bob Branham, soon learned how to navigate around Biscayne Bay chasing their beloved bonefish. “Carl always wrote," said Bob, and would test those waters with a newsletter in school. His classmates liked it and the fire was lit. Throughout his career he became a prolific author and journalist. With thirty one books and forty six years at the Miami Herald, he’d see it all as a writer. He’d amass numerous awards for both skills sets. Two of his books, Hoot and Strip Tease, became movies and Bad Monkey is now being adapted into a series for Apple TV. When I asked the great Tom McGuane to speak of Carl’s work he said, "Carl Hiaasen is a great American writer, a comic genius and fearless journalist. He has made South Florida a world map of human folly, malicious schemes and indifference to the common good. In his novels there’s usually a decent survivor of this milieu to remind us that it doesn’t have to be this way, that there is hope, and that constant vigilance against the insane and corrupt is an indispensable tool for life in America.” Carl grew up fishing as often as he could, usually with his good friend Bob Branham. They both became two of some of the best bone fishermen in the Keys. Carl has won probably the most prestigious bonefish fly tournament in the world, “The Fall Fly," six times, and won the Bonefish All Tackle Tournament four times with good friend and guide, Capt. Tim Klein. The trump card is that Carl Hiaasen is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet! We hope you enjoy this remarkable man’s story...

Captain Steve Kilpatrick grew up with a cane pole and a .22… Hunting and fishing has always been his life. I first meet this likable man in the late 80’s when I was fishing the fabled flats of Homosassa. He has always been impressively kind, and when I called to talk to him about the day he and his angler Jim Holland jr. caught the 202.8 pound world record behemoth, he was really excited about hosting us in his home. Remember this is an important fish. This fish is the greatest tarpon ever caught on a fly rod because its the only fish over 200 pounds, The Holy Grail! They caught the fish everyone had been chasing for decades. We arrived at his home in Chiefland, Florida on a beautiful, open 10 acre parcel with large live Oaks with hanging Spanish moss on many. His home is filled with stunning furniture that he’s made; dressers, drawers, beds, tables. All made by a true craftsman. He works on all the equipment in the yard and many of his friend’s boats are rigged by Steve, the Fixer! Over the next few days he and his wife Peggy made sure that we’d leave there like family members. But it would all be about the story of a big fish caught by a legendary guide and a young angler.

I am always intrigued by the big blue water world and pelagic species that swim there and perhaps it’s because I am not an avid offshore guy. Sure, I know about the standard tactics, rigging, and the general vicinity on where to fish, but when you speak to someone as in tune as Ray is - the typical fish talk quickly escalates to something much more fascinating. On today’s podcast, Ray conducts a master class on very interesting topics from bait handling to hook up ratios and everything in between. If you live in South Florida and enjoy offshore fishing, there is a good chance you have heard of Capt. Ray Rosher. Ray is a third generation Miami Fisherman that has spent more than 40 years as a full time fishing charter captain. He and his crew have attained more than 30 tournament wins and continue to be a leading force in the sailfish circuit. Rosher operates out of the famous “Miss Britt I” & “Miss Britt II” which are 34 and 43 foot Sportfishers. He also owns R & R Tackle which is a manufacturer of quality saltwater fishing products including bait rigs, jigs, mahi lures, wahoo lures, deep drop rigs, bait pens, and dehookers. With all of his accomplishments on and off the water, he will be recognized by the IGFA in October to receive the Tommy Gifford Award cementing him into the Captains and Crew Hall of Fame. When he is not on the water fishing, he loves spending quality time with his family. Hunting, air boating, and frogging are among his other passions because of the tranquilly and solitude. Ray is a straight shooter who has no ego and tells it how it is. He is a wonderful teacher, captain, leader, and a better family man. We hope you all enjoy his story…

Dr. Lloyd Wruble is a successful, retired oral and facial surgeon by trade, and one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. He’s a soft spoken man with a passion for fishing, not just fishing, but backcountry, Everglades fishing in South Florida. He has fished the nooks and crannies of the Everglades for decades. It’s a labyrinthine waterway of creeks, black mangroves, bays, cypress trees, pines and sable palms that weave in and out and around forever and ever. Inside its world of salt and brackish water swim snook, redfish, tarpon, bass and a multitude of other species. It’s beautiful and pristine, a sacred sanctuary! This is where Lloyd has given his soul. His relationship with the glades was initially cemented with the late pioneer, Herman Lucerne. He took Wruble deeper into the unknown and became Lloyd’s mentor and great friend. Herman showed him this remote country like only Herman could, as he knew it better than anyone else... When Herman died in hurricane Andrew, Lloyd was crushed. He’d lost a brother, then devoted much of his time to preserving the life that Herman lived. On today’s podcast, Lloyd Wruble speaks of many things few people has ever seen or know about.

Bill Bishop grew up the way we wished we all could, in the woods surrounded by nature, with a supporting, loving family. Over the course of his life, Turkeys and Tarpon would became paramount for his adventurous heart. His father had a lease where family and friends hunted deer and gobblers. At a young age it was soon obvious, Bill was born a hunter & gatherer at heart. He learned how to speak to the birds like no one else. Bishop was extremely gifted with everything he touched. Not too long ago, Flip told me that he was the most talented person he’s ever met. He’s an artist, angler, business man, author, and "that guy" that can fix anything or build anything like his own boat, which he did. The very first fish artwork that I bought was a tarpon, that Bill had painted... Yes, he paints beautifully. His three books are from his deep-rooted life in the woods and on the ocean; High Rollers, Double Haul, and Cracker Jack. These tales take you on a wonderful ride with all images drawn by our guest today. But, with his grandchildren calling him, “Poon," it's evident that chasing Megalops was his favorite quest. Bill Bishop is 75 years old with the energy of a young deer. On todays podcast, he lets us into his extraordinary journey which gets better after surviving a heart attack...

Huey Anthony Cregg hit it big in the early 80’s with his band named "Huey Lewis and The News." Many of their songs went large on the Billboard hits, but you can’t get any bigger than the bands #1, Grammy winning song, "The Heart of Rock and Roll!” In 1984, his “Sports” album was a number one seller, a year when Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson and Prince were all over the airwaves and MTV was in its prime. Huey is 72 now - He was traveling, singing, and performing 75 shows a year until 2018 when Meniere's Disease stole his hearing in a matter of seconds at an event in Dallas. It was lost for good. Gone was the music, but also too was the greatness of sound itself. Hearing loss became a war he’ll most likely wage for the rest of his life. Today's podcast is a human interest story that not only shares Huey’s life in music but the great evolution of music in America. How Jazz, the blues and rock evolved profoundly through legendary black singer-songwriters like Chuck Berry. But, more importantly, we understand how fishing has kept this music giant in the game of life now that he can no longer perform.

Few have seen the evolution of tarpon fishing in the famous Boca Grande Pass as Frank Davis. In the early 1960’s, his family moved there and as far back as he can remember his Dad used to take him tarpon fishing. Pass fishing for tarpon began in the late 1880’s and by 1910 Boca Grande was booming. Over the next hundred and thirteen years Presidents, athletes, and movie stars were there to capture this prized fish and a photograph of a dead tarpon hanging next to them. In his teenage years, Frank worked on a harbor pilot boat, eventually becoming a mate on a 60 foot Hatteras. At age twenty five, he captained a boat that won his first marlin tournament - cashing in a hundred thousand dollars. But his heart was alway with the fish that swam in the pass where he caught his first silver king. Thirty six years ago he started guiding his home waters and has witnessed first hand the abuse by fishermen there by poor etiquette, pressure, snagging, tournaments, and greed. He championed the ban of jig fishing and the deadly Professional Tarpon Tournament Series. Frank Davis is now regarded as the voice of reason for fishing the fabled waters of Boca Grande.

Benny Blanco is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, but under his skin, his blood runs hot. In 2015, his life pivoted becoming a devout conservationists after Florida Bay lost over fifty thousand acres of his favorite fishing grounds. These grass flats were decimated by a large algae bloom cause by poor water quality and lack of fresh water. Joined at the hip with Captains for Clean Water, Blanco has been hand in hand with fellow guides and anglers alike on the footsteps of Tallahassee demanding change. The decimation over the years hasn’t just been in Florida Bay but throughout Florida (Indian River Lagoon, Mosquito Lagoon, Everglades National Park, Caloosahatchee River, etc..). The main culprit was the lack of fresh water as it travels south through the Everglades. 2022 was a critical year when a passed Bill (2508) was on the desk of Governor DeSantis for a possible veto which was successfully executed. Those waning hours were critical. Captains for Clean Water and Benny’s army were called upon and the “Rally in Tally” was a power play demanding to be heard, and they were. Benny Blanco has been a sought after fishing guide for over two decades. But his popular fishing show, “Guiding Flow TV” tells the conservation story from the poling platform of his skiff. Saving the Everglades is his most important work, and his voice has become one of the most powerful and respected in demanding Florida Legislature to clean up its act!

At 74 years young, George Copeland still has the fire in his belly to chase the snook tide late into the night. As a young man of 8, he found a passion that would drive him deep into the fishing abyss. On his bike, similar to Steve Huff, he'd race around Ft. Lauderdale looking for snook and tarpon that would regularly be found in Tarpon Bend, New River, and all the canals in the center of a rapidly growing town. He would soon partner up with buddy, Steve Kantner, and spend much of his time bridge fishing where he also met likeminded snook nut, Tommy Greene. These three would refine snook fishing to a religious art form. People would seek them out, bewildered by the size of their trophy fish. They were renowned and eventually became professionals: Copeland and Greene store owners, Kantner a popular author and guide. Before settling into what he'd do for the rest of his life, George tried his hand at guiding for tarpon in the Keys. A prized possession was a boat he purchased from Little John Emory a few days before he passed. He fished with Ralph Delph and other legendary guides, and at 32, he purchased the famous T&R Tackle in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Today, 42 years later, he's still outfitting some of the biggest and best offshore boats on the billfish circuit. So as we follow up with the history makers of our sport, we'd be remiss without the "George Copeland Story!"

As a fifteen year old tenderfoot building boats, Ansil Saunders would’ve never believed he’d one day become a national hero. Stemmed from Scotland, his extended family of boat builders would eventually build the most sought after bonefish skiffs on an Island in the Bahamas. Five generations later, Bimini’s Saunders was not only working with local wood to build skiffs, but he too started to guide and eventually became legendary by catching the all-tackle world record 16 pound bonefish (which still stands today) with angler, Jerry Lavenstein. But there was a daunting cloud that always bothered him, people treated him differently because of the color of his skin. Bimini’s “Big Game Club” wouldn’t serve black people, and at twenty one years of age he walked in and demanded equality. For forty days he was turned away and on the forty first the tide turned and black men and women were finally welcomed. Saunders, Nelson Mandela, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. all had the same dream of an equal playing field for the black man. Dr. King went to the Bahamas seeking a peaceful place to write his Nobel Prize acceptance speech. It was Ansil that took Dr. King to Bonefish creek to write his legendary oration. Years later he would return to write his striking sanitation workers speech. Four days later Dr. King was assassinated. Saunders’ was the Chairman of the Progressive Liberation Party for fourteen years. Bimini declared Independence in 1973. He also started the Boy’s and Girls Club in 1969. His goal was to educate the younger generation so that they too may continue to “Level the Playing field!” Ansil Saunders is a National Treasure. It was a special honor to get to know him and have him and his son, Tyrone, in my home. And it’s perfect that we bring you his story on Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. Day...

At 49 years of age, Russell Kleppinger has found himself as one of the all time greats in the tarpon fishing world. He was consistently catching around a thousand tarpon a year before he stopped counting. Last year in 2022, he caught three fish over 200 pounds. (based on measurements) Fishing was all he can remember thinking about. When he was five days old, his Dad ran the family to the Bahamas. His Dad was a terrible fisherman who ran aground all the time on the inside flats of Biscayne Bay. Running in the dark with no GPS, he’d find himself high and dry with his 52 foot vessel, and it was during these occasions Russell would catch his first bonefish. At eighteen, he got his captain's license. For five and a half years he was a mate on the boat, “Big Time” before becoming a captain. He was good in the blue water, but his fishing savvy was refined closer to shore. He became a tarpon wizard no doubt, but is being too good at something bad? On today's Podcast we talk about how Russell thinks on the water. We examine how he finds and catches the poon like no one else, but as important, we talk about the pressure he’s putting on this valuable resource, shark predation, and the future of our sport.

Rick Ruoff's infectious personality could calm the roar of a lion. The first time I met this gregarious man, I knew instantly he was my kind of people. I'd see him every morning at the Lorelei restaurant similar to a seawall egret greeting everyone who passes. He's tall and lanky - always sporting a grin under a herculean mustache. Ego and vanity are foreigners to this man's easy going demeanor. He's the type of person who understands the greater aspects of life and how we should all conduct ourselves. Rick is a man younger guides and outdoorsman aspiring to make a living on the water or in the woods should aspire to emulate. Ruoff has been a fly fishing guide in the Florida Keys since 1970. He was the 19th skiff guide in Islamorada. He was among the early pioneers who refined the art of saltwater fly fishing. He wasn't (and still isn't) comfortable with chasing world records or tournament wins. He is overwhelmed with competition and those who have fished with him know he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone... Rick is one of the greats of our sport! As a marine biologist that has pushed his skiff 16 feet at a time for 50 plus years, it's safe to say this guy has seen a thing or two. Many also know that Rick flocks to Montana when the summer heat in Florida becomes unbearable. He is an avid trout fisherman and upland bird hunter who can be found sleeping on the river bank or picking vegetables in his garden to accompany the Hungarian Partridge for supper. Rick is an old school, traditionalist - a true classic gentleman in all aspects. It's an honor to know him and a privilege to call him a dear friend.

Tom McGuane is a giant among legends across all continents and countries. His boundless heart and endless determination tackled dreams only he could’ve accomplished. Tom’s extraordinary writing is in the record books and for the rest of time he’ll be remember as one of the greats. His literary spectrum includes ten novels, five screen plays, and countless short stories. His work has received a page full of awards culminating with his induction into The American Academy of Arts and Letters. But then there’s the fishing, the hunting, and the HORSES; cutting horses. Tom McGuane is a savant of many talents! Although he was born in Michigan, his heart ventured west. As a young man he worked on a ranch in Wyoming where he first got his boots dirty. After the success of his book and movie “Sporting Club," he bought a ranch in Montana and property in Key West. His life on a horse became extremely important to him and he became a great “cutter” often beating the best in the world and eventually was inducted into The Cutting Horse Hall of Fame. But it was in Key West where Tom McGuane caught fire. It was there, when his writing was young and his aspirations were as vibrant as the blistering sun. Literature, fishing, and adventures after dark took on a life of its own. It was there, where of a handful of friends, all writers too, became a brotherhood that challenged life’s offering to its fullest. Jim Harrison, Russell Chatham, Guy De La Valdene, Jimmy Buffett, Hunter S.Thompson, and Kurt Brautigan did what the rest of the world wished they could do. They had more fun than the law allowed and were brilliant with everything they touched. Each would become extremely successful and famous. But as much as anything else, they loved to fish. What most the fishing world doesn’t know is that these guys put Tarpon fishing on the map. And they made a movie about it called, "Tarpon." This production showed what a magnificent, beautiful, ageless fish it is. It loves to eat flies, it’s big and jumps majestically.... It's the most perfect fly rod fish one could ever have the privilege to catch. As much as Tom McGuane has accomplished, his greatest success is having Laurie Buffett as his wife and their daughter Annie. And fathering two other children, Thomas and Maggie with former wives, Rebecca Crocket and Margot Kidder.

Tom McGuane is a giant among legends across all continents and countries. His boundless heart and endless determination tackled dreams only he could’ve accomplished. Tom’s extraordinary writing is in the record books and for the rest of time he’ll be remember as one of the greats. His literary spectrum includes ten novels, five screen plays, and countless short stories. His work has received a page full of awards culminating with his induction into The American Academy of Arts and Letters. But then there’s the fishing, the hunting, and the HORSES; cutting horses. Tom McGuane is a savant of many talents! Although he was born in Michigan, his heart ventured west. As a young man he worked on a ranch in Wyoming where he first got his boots dirty. After the success of his book and movie “Sporting Club," he bought a ranch in Montana and property in Key West. His life on a horse became extremely important to him and he became a great “cutter” often beating the best in the world and eventually was inducted into The Cutting Horse Hall of Fame. But it was in Key West where Tom McGuane caught fire. It was there, when his writing was young and his aspirations were as vibrant as the blistering sun. Literature, fishing, and adventures after dark took on a life of its own. It was there, where of a handful of friends, all writers too, became a brotherhood that challenged life’s offering to its fullest. Jim Harrison, Russell Chatham, Guy De La Valdene, Jimmy Buffett, Hunter S.Thompson, and Kurt Brautigan did what the rest of the world wished they could do. They had more fun than the law allowed and were brilliant with everything they touched. Each would become extremely successful and famous. But as much as anything else, they loved to fish. What most the fishing world doesn’t know is that these guys put Tarpon fishing on the map. And they made a movie about it called, "Tarpon." This production showed what a magnificent, beautiful, ageless fish it is. It loves to eat flies, it’s big and jumps majestically.... It's the most perfect fly rod fish one could ever have the privilege to catch. As much as Tom McGuane has accomplished, his greatest success is having Laurie Buffett as his wife and their daughter Annie. And fathering two other children, Thomas and Maggie with former wives, Rebecca Crocket and Margot Kidder.

Ted Juracsik, the creator of Tibor Reels, has one of the most interesting and inspiring stories I know. As a young Hungarian in Budapest, he was the smartest of his friends. At age 17, he was the youngest Hungarian ever to be awarded Master Papers and went to work in a bicycle factory. Not long after the Hungarian revolution began and was in full swing against the Russians and Soviet Union, Ted escaped to Austria. Leaving his family and his sister behind, the big world of the unknown was before him. Eventually, he immigrated to the the United States and started a successful tool and dye business. One day in the World Wide Sportsman store, he met Billy Pate who needed a better fly reel to fight the monster Tarpon he was chasing in Homosassa. Ted told him he could design a better reel for him and the rest is history. The Tibor Reel company became the salt water fly reel of choice for all the world record chasers for the next few decades. On todays podcast, we travel with Ted through his legendary life and the hardships along the way.

Roger Seiders was always building and tinkering with things he thought he could make better. It soon became his motto, “If we can’t find what we want, we make it!” And so he and his two kids did. The father started to build fishing rods but found that the clear coat used to glue the thread cracked when casted. He soon produced his own called “Flex Coat." It worked like a charm and became an instant success. Ryan and Brother, Roy, jumped in the game head first. Ryan built a fishing rod and company called, "Waterloo Rods," that he would sell after a few years of traveling the trade shows. The two were passionate fisherman and would end up in the Florida Keys standing on makeshift coolers as casting platforms looking for Tarpon. Their minds couldn't let go with how to improve the caved in Igloo they were standing on and in 2006 after diligent research and design, they launched their own cooler, Yeti, and the outdoor world would never be the same. Over the years we would hang with Ryan and get to know him as he started to compete in The Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament, which he would eventually win with Capt. Rob Fordyce. On today's podcast, he sits with us and talks about his life in a creative family, how his success with Yeti evolved, and the passions he pursues today.... We hope you enjoy...

I first met Bob Clouser during a trade show in Somerset, New Jersey close to 15 years ago when I first traveled there with Hardy. The industry is small, everyone knows each other in about 10 minutes. But it's people like Bob that give you that special bonus of going to a show. Many of these guys have been in attendance for decades, they’re the foundation of our sport, and Bob was one of my guys. Clouser has a big, boisterous laugh that is full of love. His heart is with Smallmouth Bass and the Susquehanna river. Always has been and always will be. The Smallmouth Bass was was Lefty’s favorite too. Bob’s life changed when his father bought him a fly tying vice at a young age, but it was thirty seven years ago when he tied the Clouser Minnow that would be a game changer. It was a baitfish pattern that would catch the largest variety of fish that swim. Lefty said he caught 86 difference kinds of fish with it. Bonefish to billfish this fly is deadly. Bob has been a guide, tying and casting instructor, author of two books and lecturer. But Bob’s biggest story is one about love, the love of fish and his friends. We hope you enjoy...

Jose "Pepe" Lopez is a legendary big bonefish catching giant. He learned his craft from many of the old school, iconic guides such as Harry Snow Jr., Billy Knowles and Timmy Carlile. His family, like many other well know angling families (such as Chico Fernandez’s,) left Cuba in 1959 when Castro became the infamous nightmare he evolved to. Pepe was one year old at the time and ten years later his Dad built a house on stilts near mile maker 17. Sugarloaf and its surrounding water would become his playground. With a 15 foot Mitchel boat he named "REEL THING" and a 40 Evinrude, this young man was destined to become the man to beat in the All Tackle Bonefish Tournaments many years later, which he won five times with the late Capt. Billy Knowles. He also won the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) World Championships and The Redbone Series. No one cares how many times you get second, but there were plenty of those for this driving force of an angler. All Tackle tournaments are just that. You can use bait, jigs, flies, spinning reels, bait casters and fly rods. To win these things you need to have a vast spectrum of skills as an angler and as a guide. The points per each division vary with the difficulty of options. The biggest bonefish in the world lived in the Florida Keys at one point, and the All Tackle Tournaments caught the largest ones because of the option of bait; crabs and shrimp were the food of choice for these dinosaurs. Yes, they caught large fish on fly and jigs too, but believe me, those monster fourteen and fifteen pound bonefish loved meat! On today's podcast, we hang with one of the most driven people I know. His business acumen is international, expanding on what his father did for a living which was electrical distribution. It’s hard to believe he’s an introvert when you're around him but he is, and his time whacking trees and pulling weeds in his yard is what he cherishes most. His privacy is his home water now, a self proclaimed loner. The drive down from his main home in Miami is daunting with terrible traffic but his heart is in the Keys, always will be. Unfortunately, his fishing days are all but over. It’s sad, here’s a man who’s caught over 200 thirteen pound bonefish, won all the great bait tournaments, was raised during the prime decades of the Florida Keys fishery and now at 64, Pepe lives a fishing life through his vivid memory bank filled with stories mostly dreamers see. He said “When the big bonefish left with the freeze in 2010 my heart went with them!” Here is Pepe Lopez everybody, one of the greats!

Mike Holliday’s spectrum in the fishing realm has been expansive and varied. He graduated with a degree in Marine Science but his adventurous mind pursued many facets, including time as an ocean lifeguard EMT, an extensive writer authoring six books, editor of two magazines and had bylines for ESPN, and The Miami Herald. He also worked as a marketing visionary for two major companies during their infancy, Maverick Boats and Costa Sunglasses, both became giants of our sport. He also authored seven books and was a highly sought after guide for close to 40 years. All along he's watched the slow decline of his beloved resource, which has ultimately lead him to his finest hour as a conservationist. He’s driven to save the habitat and fish he loves so deeply. And his voice has incredible impact, inspiring fellow guides and anglers alike to join his army. Working with Captains For Clean Water, he and many others convinced Tallahassee, lawmakers, and Governor DeSantis to “Kill The Bill 2508” which was a success. Hell Yea! Holiday doesn’t dabble with anything he puts his mind to. He engages, grows and refines his craft he’s committed himself to. His energy is infectious. I know that whenever i’m going to be in his presence good things happen, just like on this compelling podcast with him. It’s impossible to dislike the guy, because his attention to you is true to his core.... No bullshit with Mike Holliday. Sure we all like to joke around, but when Mexico is in town, just stand back, watch and listen, it’s a hell of a ride! We dare you not to love HIM! Thanks so much for coming on, Mike!

Eddie Wightman will go down in history as one of the legendary guides of Islamorada, Florida! Pushing his boat for his clients over 300 days a year, he was known as one of the hardest working guides and was an independent man who prided himself on finding his own fish in different locations. When the fleet of boats went one way, Wightman went the other. So much so that Flip Pallot named him “The Loner!” Wightman took great pride in that name because that’s who Wightman is. His reputation preceded him and many wanted his talents to guide them. Eddie fished with a lot of great anglers, those who chased world records and big tournaments. He saw the halcyon years of the best tarpon hole in the world, Homosassa, and won the biggest tarpon tournament, the Gold Cup, twice. His voice was heard loud and clear when the push for no kill tournaments was waged. Conservation prevailed, and in 1992 the Gold Cup evolved into a catch and release event. There were others too, pushing for the change, but Eddie was there at the forefront. I fished with and against Eddie, and I must say there were few at the dock that carried a presence like him. With great respect, we hope you enjoy Mr. Wightman!

Steve Kantner has one of the greatest fishing spirits I know of, and his spectrum of ability on and off the water is legendary. For many decades he’s been known as “The Land Captain”, fishing on foot, out of his car, in the surf, off piers, canal banks and canoes, but sadly the great Captain has been grounded, if you will, because of the debilitating Parkinson’s disease. Steve is famous in South Florida, and was on my radar well before I produced two television shows with him. The finished product was one of the most popular of the thirteen we delivered to the network that year. He was brilliant, informative, humorous and he was good on his promises. We caught a pile of fish driving around in his land vessel, his car. He’s been predominantly a writer most his life, and has written for many South Florida fishing publications. He also has a technical background with a degree in science. With all this in his back pocket, he’s authored four books and wrote the history of tarpon chapter for, A Passion for Tarpon. Steve is a fascinating friend who has always been there for many of us, and it gives me great pleasure to have him on our podcast today...

A cool thirty three some years ago I fished the sacred water of Homosassa, Florida with Tommy Locke. There, I met a young man I’d soon realize was one of the young, passionate guides of those flats. Initially he was just a name, as I was to him, but we fished hard together and I really dug being in Tommy's presence. We chased the poon in Homo for a few years then I went to the Keys, where I felt I’d see more fish, and have a better chance of upping my game. The poon house is a small house, where everyone knows each other or knows of the others. Well, Tommy became one of the great guides of Homosassa and Charlotte Harbor, before moving to the Florida Keys. He was hungry for new water and challenges. He started fishing the three big tarpon tournaments including the Gold Cup. But what he found was his deepening love for conservation! The poon would never go away, but he started working closely with Captains for Clean water and Bonefish Tarpon Trust, where in 2019 he was awarded with the Flats Stewardship Award for his passion, enduring commitment, and tireless service in protecting and conserving our flats fishery. It has been a privilege and an honor to stand on the bow of Tommy Locke’s boat and an even greater one to stand next to him as a friend.... We hope you enjoy the fishing story behind this great man!

At ten years of age, Randy Towe started building a fishing life for himself when his mother wouldn’t buy him a fishing rod, instead she bought him the parts to build one. This became a catalyst for his successful life on the water. Most anglers or guides gravitate to the offshore chase or the skinnier backcountry shallows or the oceanside flats. The latter two being the same. This is Pandora's box of the Florida Keys. The options are extensive with a plethora of fish to pursue, and Randy wanted it all! The effort to excel at just one kind of fishing takes a lifetime to refine, yet Randy defied the odds and became one of only a few guides to win major offshore tournaments as well as one of the biggest tarpon fly tournaments six times. His offshore prowess was just as impressive, winning major marlin, sailfish, and swordfish tournaments. Randy’s spectrum of knowledge is mind boggling. Aside from all these great wins he also built his own offshore boat in his backyard. I’ve competed against Randy in many tournaments over the years and must say, he was not only one of the greats, but one of the guys in the room you liked to hang with. On today's podcast we visit with one of the Florida Keys' greatest fisherman! We hope you enjoy....