Mill House Podcast

Paul Dixon’s name has preceded his presence for decades, and rightfully so. His life in fishing has had enormous wings, ranging from pioneering the shallow water striped bass fishery with flats skiffs in Montauk and the eastern end of Long Island, to guiding for tarpon in the Florida Keys. He's seen the rise and fall of his beloved stripers and his voice was impactful in their struggle for survival. (Their recovery has been heavily documented and so many years later, today, the fishery is falling apart, again, due to similar practices that all but destroyed them years ago. “There are none so blind as those who will not see!” I don’t know where that quote came from, but it appropriately fits the greedy whose actions guarantee destruction!) On today’s podcast, Paul weaves us through his beautiful, tangled life, which has been connected to his fellow man as much as it is to a fish! He has been a modern day pirate, tv show host and guest, shop owner, and more importantly a heartfelt guy who has inspired his fellow guides, anglers and friends into preserving our resource through love, science, and fundraising. No one has done the latter better! After this podcast was recorded, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust decided it will induct Paul Dixon in the fall of 2022 into their Circle of Honor with the Lefty Kreh Award for his life long efforts in conservation! But, too, what he speaks about today helped cement this well deserved award.

It’s only fitting that we air this podcast with Dr. David Dalu and Capt. Scott Collins the same week as the 2022 Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament. In 2008, Scott and David won all three major tarpon tournaments; The Gold Cup, The Don Hawley and The Golden Fly. It was the first time anyone had pulled off the triple crown in one year. It was also a confirmation that their wins in the previous year’s Gold Cup and Don Hawley were no fluke. They knew their methodology of catching sensitive ocean side tarpon swimming in clear water was under everyone else’s radar (which would soon be blow wide open). The key elements to this recipe was actually formulated by a few earlier moving parts before it got to Dalu and Collins and because of the significance of their success, history deserves to know how it all unfolded and by whom. Bring in steelhead/tarpon angler Neil Light, Capt. Albert Ponzoa, inventor Carl Anderson and Key West fireman, Carl Wagner, all adding to the success of what Collins and Dalu perfected. Who knew what and when? And what about all the refined techniques of their little secret that blew the common tarpon techniques deep into the history pages. With their newfound information, Dalu won five tournaments in three years, and Collins has one of the greatest records of any guide with 8 tarpon wins, 5 permit wins and a bonefish victory in 9 years.... On today's podcast, 14 years after their 2008 sweep, we speak about that magical year, the build up, and the players that participated in how the most current tarpon techniques evolved! This is the story of one of the greatest tarpon teams in history. We hope you enjoy!

I first met Howard Croston 14 years ago when I was hired by Hardy to help with their salt water rods and reels. Howard was their product developer and designer, and we instantly hit it off. His knowledge and experience in the fresh water world was profound. He’d competed in 16 fresh water World Championships, and was the individual World Champion in 2019 when the English won the Team Championships. Howard had also competed in casting competitions and lectured about the spectrum of his craft. The Hardy design team was rewarded with immediate success in our quest in the salt. Our very first prototype rod and reel won the biggest tarpon tournament in the world, The Gold Cup, with Thane Morgan and Craig Brewer. With Howard’s tremendous knowledge, and Hardy’s commitment to winning, the victories kept coming and products keep improving. You can find these rods and reels in many of the boats you see on the flats of the Florida Keys and around the world, and in 2021 the top seven placed teams of the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament were throwing Hardy. As we celebrate our 150th Anniversary at Hardy, I’m proud to have my friend, Howard Croston, on the podcast today to help us understand the the differences in fishing, casting, and building fly rods & reels.

Before I ever met Darren Clarke, I loved him. The big man from Northern Ireland played golf with vibrant passion and his big smile showcased a wonderful demeanor, someone you’d want to share a pint with. When he was stalking one of his great wins, I leaned in closer. When he won the British open, my heart jumped for joy. When he took down Tiger Woods in the World Match Play, it was incredible. Two of my favorites were in the ropes. Soon after his wife, Heather, passed, he became a captains pick for the Ryder Cup. He decided his wife would want him to go, and six weeks later he won all three matches for the European team which would go onto win. Instantly he was an International hero. Tears flowed from millions of viewers, mine too. Then I met him. We played together in a Champions Tour pro am. I couldn’t breath. Soon we were speaking about his insatiable passion for fishing; permit, tarpon... and then it was over, the golfing became secondary that day. He couldn’t retain himself. I realized that fishing was omnipresent in his mindset. We stayed in contact and I finally summoned the courage to request an interview. Without pause he said he’d love too. At some point, Darren asked about Dustin Huff and his permit prowess. I told Darren all about my good friend and told him I’d ask Dustin to join us. So there it is, and that’s how the stage was set. We spend the morning hanging out behind the mics and went to the course for afternoon golf. We hope you enjoy this conversation with my two superstar friends... I’ll cherish this conversation the rest of my life.

Glenn Flutie is one of our sports greatest fisherman with accolades few have. He won the prestigious Fall Fly Invitational Bonefish tournament when he was 16. His passion for them was relentless and when he found his footing with Tarpon, he became an obsessive predator. He would eventually win an unprecedented five Gold Cup Tarpon tournaments in five years. He was a prodigy, born with fisherman’s blood. His father was an offshore Captain, but sea sickness kept Glenn in the bonefish’s shallow water. Raised in the fishing capital of the world, Islamorada, he chased fish every day. With a fly rod in his locker for quick access he’d often be found casting to tailing bonefish instead of attending class. His friends, Timmy Klein and Craig Brewer, too were on the water daily and became iconic guides. On todays podcast, Glenn walks us through a gifted life of living on an island and chasing the greatest game fish in the world, his tarpon mentor Harry Spear, and his methodology on being one of the greatest tarpon anglers of all time.

Born in Miami in 1935 Gary Register would travel into the keys fishing with his family until he moved there in 1965. It was a small fishing village back then - everyone knew each other. He’d play softball with Eddie Wightman and the young Klein boys. Clarence Lowe mentored Register and inspired him to be a guide. Clarence showed him the nuances of the profession and eventually Gary became one of the best. He purchased the La Siesta hotel and would spend day and night guiding. He was known to be a hard working guide, and throughout time started to fish with some of the better fly anglers. Many also considered Gary to be a loner, but big hearted nonetheless. He also explains how he wasn’t resentful when others started coming into town to guide, as most of them were “Stuck in the Mud” guides. He and Jimmy Bell Jr. hoisted the Gold Cup trophy three times. He later was gifted a trip to Alaska by a client and fell in love. Gary would eventually move there to get out of the heat of the Keys and take advantage of the remote serenity. After fishing so hard for so long (35 years), burn out was a real thing. Gary thinks often of the fishing world he once lived in and misses how it used to be. But, at 87, he’s found new footing and passions in Alaska. He wants to be remembered as a nice man and a wonderful husband!

David Mangum is unquestionably one of the most highly exposed tarpon guides there is. His early notoriety came with a film shot by Howard films titled “Location X,” located somewhere in the Apalachicola region of the Florida Panhandle. The darker water and monster fish that swim there are much more prone to eat a fly, creating the opportunity for some highly energetic footage. It was an eye opener. Many locals already knew about what was going on in the Panhandle, but now there was a movie. Then in 2017, Yeti produced a short tarpon film, “120 days,” which represented David Mangum’s tarpon season that rocked the house. Shot in black and white, it was electric and it went viral. It’s an incredible look into a sport and a fish we love, and a man that has refined his craft. But the words I heard expressed, and the way he caught his fish raised a red flag that made me take a closer look. I knew our paths had to cross at some point. Then, I met David in the Florida Keys while we were both filming separate TV shows with Jared Raskob. David was awesome, funny, effervescent and engaging, but I held my questions that I hoped one day would be answered. On this podcast, we tread into some deeper water with Mangum and talked about some very important topics including: passion, legacy, ethics, and spot ownership. He was articulate about our differences and cared about how he would be heard, everything we’d hoped for! Thank you so much for coming on, David!

Timmy Klein is a great husband, father, friend and one hell of a fisherman. I’ve been on his boat shooting tv shows and fun fishing, often we hooked so many tarpon we lost count. But it was the bonefish game that elevated his reputation to being second to none. He’s not only won the biggest tournaments, but his domination was such that, most likely, no one will ever match it. He’s won eight fall fly tournaments, three spring fly's, four all tackles and world record bonefish caught on 6,8,12,16 and 20 pound test. He’s won tarpon tournaments too, but it was his bonefish genius that will forever have his name among the greats of this sport. His father was a commercial diver and his best friend. Growing up, Tim would dive and look for Spanish Galleon treasures with his father offshore of Islamorada. He eventually started to take his boat to school and on slick calm days, he would find himself in the middle of Florida Bay instead of Math class. His desire to explore, and go over the horizon consumed his mind and lead to him making a successful living on the water. On today's podcast, Timmy covers the spectrum of fish, family, drugs, and flying through the air with a kill gaff in his hands....

Rufus Wakeman has been a friend before I ever met him. His legacy precedes his presence. He's big, boisterous and lovable, with the ability to out fish the best of them. We traveled to the Amazon eons ago and was awarded with a trip of a lifetime accentuated by my new found friend! His passion for fishing took him around the world and into the fishes' most demanding and far reaching homes. He’s held numerous highly cherished world records including a 57 pound dolphin on 16 pound tippet. He also, with utter amazement, caught 11 billfish species on fly in one year. He was one species short of catching all 12 billfish species in one year! The elusive swordfish denied his grand slam dream. He built the River Palm Cottages and Fish Camp on the Saint Lucie River where his family experienced first hand the despicable Lake Okeechobee algae discharges, which over the years has decimated the river's ability to grow healthy grass essential to holding game fish. He’s given generously to many conservation based organizations and is the President of the Coastal Conservation Association of Martin County, FL. He is one of the most important people in our sport today and his voice needs to be heard! We hope you enjoy his riveting story... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ATTENTION: SOME OF THE THINGS DISCUSSED IN THIS PODCAST MAY NOT BE ACCURATE AS THIS PODCAST WAS RECORDED ON 2/12/22 AND A LOT HAS CHANGED (IN REGARD TO SB2508) SINCE THIS RECORDING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE UP TO DATE, REAL FACTS ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE GO TO: https://captainsforcleanwater.org/

Born in Illinois in 1955, Dave Denkert had a big life ahead of him in fishing. Two years later, after his family moved to Miami, they found themselves located on the doorstep of some of the greatest fishing on earth. Soft spoken and kind, he eventually found his calling in the backcountry of Florida Bay. His expertise was exposed with his tournament success, highlighted with numerous wins in the Redbone series and a Spring Fly Bonefish invitational. His family too, dove head first into the sport he loved. His wife, Linda, and daughter, Brooke, also found themselves not only passionate, but successful in the tournament fray. On todays podcast, Dave gets into the details of how his genius was refined, and he doesn’t hold back. When I asked him how he’d like to be known, he said “I like to teach!” With mentors like Chico Fernandez and Stu Apte, he learned well and is respected by all! We hope you enjoy... Thanks so much for coming on, Dave!

As I stated in the intro to this podcast, Carl Ball has been a true brother for many years. I first got connected with Carl from a fellow guide, John Glorieux, as I was looking for a camera boat operator for my fishing TV show at the time, “Sportsman’s Journal.” Carl and I instantly hit it off, and he was the first to show me how exhilarating tarpon fishing with mullet can be. We would light up a cigar, catch bait in back finger canals, and troll under the metropolitan bridges for the massive silver demons lurking below. The bites were like underwater fireworks that gave me a direct adrenaline rush down my spine. For the next number of years, our friendship tightened and we began poling each other around in the Everglades and the Lower Keys. Carl Ball was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His passion for fishing came from his grandfather, who was an offshore charter boat captain based out of the Boca Raton/ Fort Lauderdale area in the 1950’s. At the tender age of ten, Carl had an aluminum Jon Boat with a four horse power motor and would explore the canals and waterways in his backyard. He and his buddies would transport their boats on land via shopping carts. As his fishing prowess inevitably grew, he started mating on offshore boats and eventually got his captains license. For the last twenty years, Carl has been one of the top guides in Fort Lauderdale and Biscayne Bay. I don’t know of anyone who loves to fish more than this guy. Raining, blowing 30mph, cold as Nantucket - Carl is fishing. He lives, sleeps, and breaths fishing. He doesn’t care if it’s a redfish, black tip shark, or permit, his desire just to be out on the water inspires me. He is the epitome of the phrase, “you don’t know unless you go!” We hope you enjoy his story!

Dan Malzone experienced first hand the halcyon of Homosassa's tarpon fishery when all the big guns were there chasing the holy grail of Tarpon, a 200 pound behemoth. All the players were there: Evans, Apte, Pate, Huff, Dopirak, Delph, Robinson, Chittum, and everyone else who wanted a shot at catching the biggest tarpon on the world. I showed up in the late 80's when the fish had already been rapidly thinning out. I just wanted to see what all the buzz was about, and hopefully catch some fat fish. Soon, I became friendly with many of the big names I was awestruck by, and one of them was Dan Malzone. Malzone, like most others was extremely nice. With a big presence and a deep voice, he was respected greatly by all his peers. I soon realized why. He was not only generous but had world class skills on both ends of the boat. With Dr. Pete McGary poling, he caught a 167 pound tarpon on 12 lb test for a new world record. He later guided Dr. Balch to a 179 pound tarpon on 12 lb test pushing that tippet class to a whole new level unimaginable, until Tom Evans shattered it with a 194 pound tarpon. The world of record chasing back then had such an audience, Sports Illustrated devoted an in-depth article to it. And right in the middle of this historical time, Dan Malzone not only partook, but helped push the boundaries and evolve the sport of fly fishing for tarpon.

Andrew’s relationship with the Everglades began before his first screams as a baby were heard. Back when the land was free with the long lost term of homesteading, Bostick’s ancestors staked their claim in the Marco Island area in the late 1800’s. Their rugged life simulated the labyrinth waterways of the nearby 10,000 islands, which would eventually become Andrew’s sanctuary and office. Andrew’s dad, Curtis, was a fisherman and introduced his young son to that tug at the end of the string which eventually inspired Andrew to greatness on the ESPN Redfish Tour. He and his two different teammates, Mark Miller and Mark Sepe, were an ominous threat for ten years, winning the overall title once and team of the year three times. They always finished in the top five, ultimately pocketing close to $750,000. Bostick's demeanor is humble and kind, unlike the inner fire it took to push as hard and fast as he did to win on tour. When I first fished with Andrew I was blown away. Now at 58 years old, I see a man who has refined his craft to an art form. I’ve fished with guides around the world for 40 years, and I can count on one hand the guides that are comparable to this subtle giant. He’s not only a fishing genius, but his friendship is just as large. I love this man and I hope you do too...

When I first met Harry Spear I instantly knew I was in the presence of an unusual man. He was affable, wired, and intimidating. His aura exuded a high level of confidence. His legacy had already been established as one of the most successful skiffs guides in the Keys. Little did I know how deeply he’d impact my life. Our introduction was like most others, a call was made with a little chit chat, ending with a time to meet. Harry would not only fish me for the next seven years, but push, groom and demand me to evolve to where I couldn’t sleep because of my pursuit to be better. I connected with his way of thinking. But I was not the only one he inspired to win the big ones as he has a total of 43 wins, including 5 Gold Cup tarpon tournaments, the granddaddy of them all. He won that four times in row with angler Glenn Flutie. He was a tour de force in everything he entered, eventually winning 43 tournaments! Harry Spear will go down in history as one of the most prominent fishing guides the Keys has ever seen. Anyone who ever stepped onto his boat knew they were with a super power. I fished three events with him with a win, a second and a fourth. And then he was gone... Was he burned out or what - I wondered? Huff left the Keys too, well before Harry. Then we all heard he was reinventing himself up in the Panhandle of Florida. Harry is an exceptional adventurer. Never one for complacencies or boredom, he has laser sharp focus with his life’s numerous chapters. On today's podcast we cover this spectrum and his desire for perfection. Enjoy!

At the spry age of fifty, Jeff Legutki is in the prime of his life. Born and raised in Naples, he’s had a prolific life with the water. Prior to his grandfather introducing him to his first fly rod, Jeff was a typical adventurous, Florida kid who surfed the best shore breaks and chased snook and redfish on topwater plugs. His aspirations for both filled his heart. As a young man he followed his dreams aggressively and at one time professional surfing was his goal... Once he realized that wasn’t realistic he started pushing his skiff deeper into the 10,000 Islands of the surrounding Everglades. The challenge of finding the variety of fish that swam in its shallow water became his true calling. He loved being alone with the elements of hide and seek, surrounded by birds, alligators, mangroves, and when the season was right the large tarpon lying in skinny water. He excelled at it and became popular with his clients that sang his praises. When the word got out, he became a target for others to see where and how he was fishing. With the growing popularity of the sport and number of new boats on the water the vastness of his domain started to close in on him. So he pushed his limitations harder, diving deeper into the labyrinth of islands and became even better. Jeff is an inspiration for living life fully. His family is full of love with a beautiful wife and five kids. At some point we will spend more time with this free spirited surfer who is a superstar fisherman. We can’t wait!

Dr. Gordy Hill is one of the most remarkable men I’ve ever met! He was literally a pioneer in both the medical and fly fishing world. He was the 6th surgeon to perform hip replacements and at one time had done more hip replacement surgeries than anyone. He was nominated for a Nobel prize in medicine when he and Dr. Roger Haugen figured out how to successfully process a patients own blood for an infusion. This was monumental at the time because of the aids crisis. Gordy was not one of the first, but the first person to run his skiff behind Big Pine. His life in fishing was as large as his medical career. He was a global fisherman who captured a variety of great fish including large swordfish and marlin, and still holds a 15 pound world record bonefish caught in the Bahamas. Joe Brooks and his father, Pop Hill, were his mentors. His early tackle consisted of silk fly lines and gut leaders. He loved fishing alone and stood on the engine cowling to pole his skiff. Yes, Dr. Gordy Hill is one of our sports living legends, and at 91, he still has a memory bank sharper than a steak knife! We hope you all enjoy this one!

The venerable Fitz Coker is known as one of Key West’s fondest people. This southern gentleman from South Carolina has always been a keen outdoorsman. As a young man he was always found in the back water creeks catching everything he could out of his skiing water canoe. His curiosity for the flora and fauna during those formative years has evolved as vibrantly as his passion to fish. He was an athlete at heart and wrestled at Princeton University where he studied engineering. His family’s business had him traveling the world extensively for decades. Reading too, became close to his heart during his boundless journeys. But it was 40 plus years ago when he found himself on the bow of a flats skiff in Key West. Even though Fitz had and enormous life already, this southern point Island and its abundance of fish was an awakening. So much so that Fitz would spent the vast majority of his life down there. He fished often and grew extremely fond of tarpon and his guides that eventually became extremely close family members. But his finest hour would be with his wife Dotty Ballantyne, who would eventually pursue record fishing. Fitz would be her greatest inspiration. He’d tie the tippets and organize the tackle. He'd be her quarterback as they chased down the incredible numbers. With always a smile and a sense of humor, here is Fitz Coker.

When you think of offshore fly fishing in the Palm Beach/Jupiter, Florida area there is one name that stands out - Scott Hamilton. Scott is a true visionary and fishing genius in how he innovated the south east ocean fishery as an exclusive fly fishing captain. He designed his own flies that successfully caught a plethora of blue water fish, and when he got blown out offshore he could move inside and target jacks, tarpon, and snook which he knew well. Many were amazed how well his spectrum developed. Often he’d out fish the bait captains. I heard of Scott well before I met him and when I did, I couldn’t wait to fish with him. Offshore fishing is something that very much intrigues me, yet have little experience at (maybe because I get sea sick when the conditions are ideal for catching). He mastered his craft quickly and it became a regular occurrence for his anglers to come home with big cobia, kingfish, tuna, and dolphin on the fly. Scott is a guy who says it how it is. He doesn’t exaggerate and will work extremely hard to make sure his clients have a great experience on the water. In the last couple of years, Scott has been experiencing, like many other guides, the frustration of a declining fishery. We all have to appreciate what we still have, try to save it, and cherish the great moments that are still coming. Thanks so much for coming on and telling your story, Scott….

Mark Sosin has experienced a life of giving, determined to teach his viewer how to catch more fish. His avenues were vast and their depths fathomless. He wrote thirty three books, three thousand plus articles, and produced an award winning television show, Mark Sosin’s Saltwater Journal, that spanned 27 years. Offshore, inshore, fly, bait, spin, you name it - he taught it. But was he a great fisherman? Who cares, he was a determined guy that had great intentions and succeeded with his quests. Mark is the director emeritus of the Billfish foundation and a past president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Sosin received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Outdoor Writers Association and has been inducted into four Hall of Fames including the Freshwater Hall of Fame and the International Game Fish Hall of Fame. Flip Pallot said his contribution to fishing was “of epic proportion!” The rest of the fishing world couldn't agree more, amen!

Over the last 34 years Capt. Michael Guerin has been one of the top guides in the Lower Florida Keys. At a young age he knew his heart was connected to fishing and he pursued his passion to the fullest with a bachelors degree in fisheries science from Cornell University. After his last exam, his future wife, Bridgette, picked him up outside the school building and they headed south. He started guiding in 1987 where he shared the empty flats with our sports greatest guides like Steve Huff, Harry Speer, and Nat Ragland. Tournaments have always been important to the Keys guides and their top anglers. Guerin was in the mix too. He and his angler won The Del Brown Permit Tournament and finished second twice. He also won the Islamorada All Tackle Tournament twice and finished second three times. Pretty heavy stuff considering these were wins against the best guides and anglers in the world. At 57, he's still as hungry and determined as anyone. I’ve never fished with Mike but have always relished being in his company and hearing about his day on the water, which is usually remarkable. Today, we relive some of the great memories of the early years in the Keys and the great Keys bonefish of yesteryear....

Dr. Gordy Hill is one of the most remarkable men I’ve ever met! He was literally a pioneer in both the medical and fly fishing world. He was the 6th surgeon to perform hip replacements and at one time had done more hip replacement surgeries than anyone. He was nominated for a Nobel prize in medicine when he and Dr. Roger Haugen figured out how to successfully process a patients own blood for an infusion. This was monumental at the time because of the aids crisis. Gordy was not one of the first, but the first person to run his skiff behind Big Pine. His life in fishing was as large as his medical career. He was a global fisherman who captured a variety of great fish including large swordfish and marlin, and still holds a 15 pound world record bonefish caught in the Bahamas. Joe Brooks and his father, Pop Hill, were his mentors. His early tackle consisted of silk fly lines and gut leaders. He loved fishing alone and stood on the engine cowling to pole his skiff. Yes, Dr. Gordy Hill is one of our sports living legends, and at 91 (next month) he still has a memory bank sharper than a steak knife! We hope you all enjoy this one!

I’ve always had great affection for being in John Donnell’s presence. When I first met him over 30 years ago he was affable with a heart felt care for how well he was received... It’s important for him to be liked and loved he is, by all. Many of us came to know John though Flip’s “Walker's Cay Chronicles,” as he was a guest on the show more than any other. When I asked Flip about his good friend, he said that John’s greatest trait was that he’s reliable - “He’d jump onto the table to give you a kidney if needed....” Whether poling an edge for hefty tarpon, pushing the shallow flats of Louisiana for 40 pound redfish or pulling the trigger of a shotgun, Donnell was born a child of the outdoors, destined to roll through life with the wind in his face chasing big stuff. John has seen the great evolution of the the Florida Keys, from its prolific fishery to the halcyon years of drug running. On today's podcast, our friend relives his vivid, adrenaline filled life. Thank you John for your honesty, and willingness to tell your story with us...

Justin Rea has had a remarkable life on the water. His mother, Beryl, was a fishing guide in Bishop, California when she handed her three year old son a fly rod. Little did she know that gift would pay huge dividends over the next 48 years. At age 31, Justin moved to the Keys and started to chase bigger and faster animals than what swam in the local creeks and small rivers of Bishop. Justin would become one of the best guides in the Lower Keys. His proving grounds were the high profile flats where massive tarpon and permit swim. His high praise were wins in the most coveted permit tournament in the world, “The Del Brown!” Having won it four times and finishing second three times, you wouldn't be wrong calling him one of the best in the world at his craft. His efforts and vision were bigger than the trophies on his wall. His heart would lead him to a platform of conservation. He was influential in conjunction with the Lower Keys Guides Association in successfully removing barracuda from the cross hairs of the local commercial fishing fleet. He and his wife, Lauren, were visionaries in starting the catch and release Cuda Bowl, where today it’s a highly praised tournament to win. And more recently in 2019, he and his son Ryan won the prestigious Key West Slam Tournament. We have fished with Justin over the years and have experienced some of our greatest moments on the water with him. His diving, spear fishing, and kite boarding bring his spectrum with the ocean full circle. This man is not one demential. It doesn’t matter what the species or activity is, he is full throttle into everything he does. Justin may seem laid back and very mellow to many people but on the inside he is full of vigor and passionate about his beliefs. We are honored to call Justin a great friend and so glad he came on the podcast. Thanks buddy!

Brad Waitman is the owner and operator of the Igiugig Lodge that sits on the bank of Lake Iliamna, located in the Bristol Bay Area of Alaska. In my mind, it’s the greatest fishing lodge i’ve ever visited. It is world class not only because of its access to some of the world’s extensive, legendary fishing, but because of Brad’s work ethics and the quality of his prideful lodge. Here’s the beauty, he hosts only 6 guests a week and serves food that’ll challenge any restaurant in the lower 48, a dream come true for anyone looking for perfection on and off the water! Waitman was raised in San Mateo, California. As a young teen a local fishing club, Anglers Emporium, took him under their wing and helped him with the skills needed to become a great angler. At 15 he was hired to row rivers and set up camps for outfitter, Galand Haas, who eventually persuaded Waitman to chase his dreams in Alaska. At the tender age of 20, just out of the Marines, Brad flew to Anchorage and became what he was destined to become, an Alaskan bush pilot/guide. Ron Hayes, the legendary hunting and fishing outfitter, immediately became his mentor. He pushed Waitman hard demanding the impossible and the young magic man responded beautifully. The fish were in his blood but soon to follow were monster Moose, Caribou, and 57 Brown Bears! Hayes was a perfect councilor for the young man who was new to Alaska. Now, 37 years later with a successful lodge, the time to hunt has been depleted. I first met Brad when he was guiding for Kirk Gay at his lodge, Valhalla. Kirk would eventually become his father in-law. I was there filming for my TV show at the time, “Sportsman's Journal.” The two of us had a blast! Flying everywhere and catching all the great fish Alaska was offering at the time, monster rainbows, silver salmon, and grayling. Alaska is unique, raw and wild, and to experience it with someone you connect with is a dream come true. The long and short of it, 21 years later we’re still hanging and fishing together. We all love a good story and Brad Waitman’s is compelling. We hope you enjoy it!

Over the course of the 17 years that I fished tarpon tournaments in the Florida Keys the man to beat was always Rob Fordyce and who ever was on his bow... Tarpon tournament fly fishing is a team event with an angler and guide. The teams with a strong guide and a strong angler were always tough, but some guides have the ability to just find more fish than other guides and inspire, teach, and calm an angler to be better than he is. Rob Fordyce is that Guide. I always feared great guides more that great anglers and we all knew Fordyce was going to be there at the buzzer. And he was! If you look deeper into his DNA you’ll understand his genius. First, this man is an athlete. He played baseball and was drafted by the Mariners before an injury forced him onto the water full time. His mentors were hall of famers Al Pflueger Jr. and Flip Pallot. Self guided, he won The Met Master Angler award when he was just 17. The youngest ever. Over the last four decades he has finished in the top three 58 times in tarpon tournaments. That number was 57 when we interviewed Rob, but he recently won the prestigious Don Hawley tournament for the seventh time. His preeminent success has found him as the most decorated tarpon guide to ever poll a skiff. He also hosts the popular television show "The Seahunter." When he’s not on the water, he’s in the woods somewhere hunting or in the gym benching 400lbs. The man is an animal.... Personally, I can relate very closely to all this, and we’ve been close because of it. We spoke of one day fishing an event together for years and it finally happened in 2015. I am honored to say that my last tournament victory was with Rob by my side calling the shots...

Hal Chittum has been pushing the boundaries of greatness his entire life. Everything he’s ever engaged with he’s exerted limitless focus with an innate ability to understand the exacting process it took to succeed. I was first exposed to this when I entered his Islamorada store in the early 90’s and wanted to buy everything I saw. It was a fly fisherman’s wonderland! The door and handles of my tackle room now are a direct replica of his. His stores were incomparable. I’ve spoken to Stu Apte about Hal and the two tarpon world records they caught on six pound test on the same day. One was on conventional plug and the other was an 82 pound 8 ounce fly record that stood for decades. I didn’t meet Hal for the longest time, but everywhere I went his footprints were on the trail I walked. Homosassa, tournaments, records, and the boat I always wanted and finally bought, a Hell’s Bay, from Hal! Chittum did all those things at a very profound level, but it was his boat building that made a historical, indelible change in the game of how we chase fish. His newest vessel of Chittum Skiffs is the most sophisticated, scientifically designed boat ever built.... On today's podcast Hal uncovers his labyrinth fishing life which leads us to his latest stage of brilliance, Chittum skiffs!

In 1959 at 11 years of age, Tom Greene caught his first snook and never looked back. Throughout the 60's and 70's, every bridge from Jupiter to Miami was stacked with big snook on the right tide, and when he could - Tom Greene was there. He was the bridge gargoyle watching the shadow line for hours. Over time he became one of the most prolific snook fisherman in South Florida. Every snook fisherman knew the name Tom Greene. Tom not only loved to fish, but had a great passion for tackle stores where he'd spend most of his life when not fishing. He worked in one for 17 years prior the 43 years he owned and managed the world famous Custom Rod and Reel in Lighthouse Point, FL. His love for sharing knowledge, tips, and tricks to any customer was infectious. You could not go into his store without spending hundreds of dollars. He got people excited and energized for their next fishing trip. Throughout that time, he built one of the greatest reel collections in the world! On today's podcast, Tom Greene recalls the hallowed years of monster snook and other things close to his heart!

Tim Borski is radically distinctive and without equal in many ways. His presence and demeanor commands attention in a low key wonderful way, his humor is flawless, always finding its mark. His attention to detail strays until the stars are in align then his genius awakens. For all the years I’ve known Tim, he’s chased his passions with outstanding success. He’s written for and has been profiled by national magazines. He’s a small fishing town icon that’s known in the world of fishing & hunting. He’s not only an award winning artist that crafts images on canvases, but his birds and fish are creations of an eye that sees the world in a very different way. His warblers demand you to look closer and see every grain of its existence, his fish are bold and brash, outstandingly unique to all fish art you’ve ever seen. He’s not an introvert, but likes to be alone or with his son fishing. He’s one of the best fisherman on the planet. His flies are of his own design and are commercially sold. And as a Ophiophilist, he loves big snakes! So too does his son, Joseph who runs his own skiff, ties his own bugs and catches as many fish as most professional guides and top anglers. On todays podcast we have a welcome diversion and jump into the exceptionally different life of the beloved Tim Borski.

In 1964, in the small Florida Keys fishing village of Islamorada, a tournament was born, The Gold Cup, which would become the most prestigious fly rod Tarpon tournament in the world. All the great fly guides and anglers made it the most prized possession they could attain in their fishing. Over the next 57 years the names on the perpetual trophy were the famed celebrities of the sport. Ted Williams, Billy Pate, Steve Huff, Jimmy Albright, Harry Speer, Glen Flute.... and the late Jim Brewer. The efforts made to win were exceptional. The creativity changed and evolved the sport quickly. Fly designs, hooks, Lines, boats, push poles, everything was looked at as how to better their game to win the Gold Cup. I mentioned Captain Jim Brewer, after his win 1974 his passion to win was life changing. The following year he and good friend Bill Hagley went up in a small plane looking for fish they would target in the upcoming Gold Cup. Circling low and slow over a famed tarpon basin, they fell through the planes lift and crashed into the ocean and perished... Jim left behind two young boys Steve and Craig. At 14, Craig struggled as anyone would, but eventually found his way chasing his father’s legacy of becoming a Gold Cup Champion. Thirty six years later in 2010, he and angler Thane Morgan had their names etched upon the perpetual trophy. They were the first father and son to win the super bowl of saltwater fly fishing... As a guide Craig found great success along the way winning other big events, but what sets him apart from his tournament wins is his wonderful way about him! He’s effervescent, tall, loving, funny, loud, pure, truthful and caring. As a young man he was Islamorada’s son and brother and now a hero to Islamorada and everyone who knows Craig Brewer!

Richard Stanczyk has had a large life as a captain, angler, and business owner. His impact is nothing shy of remarkable. His relationship with Swordfish was a game changer. At one time everyone thought these denizens of the deep could only be targeted in the dead of night. Richard helped evolve this quarry so they could be successfully caught while the sun is high in the sky. Today Richard’s son, Nick, aboard his boat “Broad Minded” is arguably the best sword-fisherman on the planet. As much as Richard loved to drop lines into the deep for these monsters, his passion for big bonefish is just as rich. Stanczyk had great foresight as well - after purchasing the Famed Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in 1978 and grew it to where it docks over 50 boats today. Legendary in every way, Richard shares his enormous life from Bills to Bones, his family, and his iconic marina. Hope you all enjoy his story…

Since the inception of this podcast, many people have commented, messaged, and emailed us asking for Andy’s story. We were hesitant about doing this interview as we want to the focus to remain on our incredible guests and not ourselves. Thanks again to Nathaniel Linville for taking the helm and conducting the interview. Hope you all enjoy.

Dale Perez is in his 54th year as a fishing guide. He was born to compete with a life filled of sports, but gravitated to baseball where he eventually played in the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Socks, and the Minnesota Twins. Sliding into second base he tore the ligaments in his knee and a new career in fishing was born. He was always driven to high standards and as a tarpon guide, he hit his longest home run catching two great world record Tarpon with the iconic Tom Evans. But as much as he's known for his tarpon prowess, his anglers have caught an amazing 869 permit on fly! At his spry age of 74, he still has an insatiable level of passion for this sport that keeps him young at heart. I fished two Gold Cup's with Dale and find myself spending hours with him talking about the second passion dear to both of us - Bowhunting! You'll have to look long and hard to find a more serious, driven man. Dale Perez has a career that is well known in our world. Thanks so much for coming on, Dale!

Fly Fishing in the Florida Keys, especially Islamorada is rich and packed with history. Ever since Joe Brooks put the Purple Isle on the map for light tackle fisherman, there have been people that have impacted and helped shape Islamorada and the flats fishing guide community as we know it today. Billy Knowles is one of those people. There is arguably no other person living as connected or important to the history of flats fishing in Islamorada. In the mid 1800’s, Billy’s family came over from the Bahamas and homesteaded half of Islamorada. The land was nothing but pineapple farms and exportation of this fruit became their main source of income. From a very early age, Billy gravitated to fishing and began mating on an offshore boat in the summers off of North Carolina. He fished for giant Bluefin Tunas in the northeast as well as targeting them off of Bimini. Billy soon become a full time back country guide in Islamorada chasing all of the inshore fish from dark to dark. Knowles has been credited with discovering famous Tarpon fishing spots, helped create the Poor Boys Tarpon Fishing Tournament, and has been a father figure for many of the younger guides. He has won the Fall All Tackle Bonefish Tournament 5 times, the Spring All Tackle Bonefish Tournament 2 times, The Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament, and the Poor Boys Tarpon Tournament a staggering 11 times. It was only appropriate that in 2019 he was inducted into the IGFA Legendary Captains and Crew Hall of Fame. What other living person has fished with Ernest Hemingway, President Herbert Hoover, President George H.W. Bush, and Ted Williams? I believe the “legend” word often gets thrown around a little too much but Billy is a true keys legend. Thank you for coming on Billy!

After his family fled Havana, Cuba, Joe Rodriguez was born on Miami Beach in 1971. His father left early on and throughout Joe’s childhood his mother played multiple rolls as a provider, roll model, and care taker of the family. Joe soon met life-long friend, Rob Hammer, and together started to explore and fish the waters off South Florida, breaking records and creating names for themselves. He later went on to win non-guided Miami MET Master Angler in 1994-1995 & 1996-1997. Norman Jansik, Al Plfuguer Jr., and Ralph Delph quickly became his mentors in one way or another. He not only looked up to these legends but they showed him what was possible and were relatively responsible for his success for years to come. Joe became a full time guide in the Florida Keys in 1998 and hasn’t look back since. Along with angler, Julian Robertson, they won the Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament in 2013 and the prestigious Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament in 2016. Joe also won the Ladies Tarpon Fly Tournament with Jayne Kilpatrick in 2008. As said on the podcast, Rodriguez loves to fish for anything - it doesn’t have to be just Tarpon. That being said, the people who know him, understand his relentless pursuit and unmatched passion for those silver critters. His work ethic and desire to better himself as an angler and a guide speaks for itself. If you want to catch Tarpon, Bonefish, or Permit in the Florida Keys, Everglades, or anywhere in Florida for that matter, finding a more driven guide is going to be nearly impossible. We hope you enjoy Joe’s story…

Tim Carlile was born in San Diego, CA in 1949. His father, Cliff, introduced him to the outdoors at a very young age, and like many others, found a way to pursue a career out of his passion. Tim, following in his father’s footsteps, became a fishing guide out of Sugarloaf Marina in the Florida Keys from very early on. He recalls his first trip was at age 11 years old! Tim is now 72 years old and still puts in at that same marina every day. He has been guiding for 61 years and shows no sign of slowing down - the guy is a super human. Tim not only is an incredible fishing guide, he is one of the funniest people you will ever meet. He loves pulling a good prank whether it’s hiding in the ice cooler, or putting a fake alligator in the shrimp tank. His laugh is infectious and the more you are around him, the more time you want to spend with him. It is a honor to call him a good friend and every time I see him, it’s hard not to smile and give him a big hug. Today, Tim speaks about his near death experience when him and his late wife, Gloria, sunk his Hewes Bonefisher while dolphin fishing. He also talks about what serving in the military meant to him, early backcountry fishing in the lower keys, and the one time he found a cuban refugee boat in the mangroves. This is one you won’t want to miss. Thank you so much for coming on, Tim. Can’t wait to see you again soon…

Tim Mahaffey, without question, is one of our sport’s greatest anglers of all time. His tournament success is astounding having won six of the major invitational bonefish tournaments and all three major tarpon tournaments. His three tournament guides consisting of Mark Krowka, Rick Murphy, and Duane Baker systematically honed their skills and methodology to target success against the top anglers in the Keys. Their focused crosshairs didn't miss too often. Here too is an important foot note to all this; for decades the major fly events were the Spring and Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament, The Gold Cup, and The Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament. To this day, Tim is the only angler to win all four. He is not only a phenomenal angler but an outstanding person with a beautifully kind way about him. Once he decided to move on from the tournament scene and not wanting to be off the water, he became a guide. There too, he’s made his mark. He guided Heidi Nute to a monster 152 pound world record tarpon caught on 12lb test (that later over tested and fell into the 16lb class category) and finished runner up in the Fall Fly. From either end of the boat Tim Mahaffey is incredibly fishy. On todays podcast, we dive into his success on the water. We hope you enjoy!

Every once in a while, amidst your life travels or daily routine, you will meet someone special. Someone who embodies integrity, passion, loyalty, and work ethic. They not only make you feel good when you are in their presence, but they make you a better person. Doug Kilpatrick is one of these people. He has been a brother ever since I met him and I deeply cherish our friendship. Ever since Doug was a little kid, he has been enamored with the water and the scaly creatures below. Doug worked on charter boats all throughout high school and college, and in 1994 received his captains license. He later moved down south to chase his dreams of becoming a flats fishing guide in the Florida Keys. Capt. Tim Carlile and Capt. Steve Huff would quickly become Doug’s idols who he'd look up to and try to emulate. Kilpatrick has become a role model for many of the younger guides. Throughout his career, he has accumulated over 45 world records and won many prestigious tournaments including: The Del Brown Permit Tournament, two March Merkin Permit Tournaments, The Key West Super Fly Tournament, and the 2004 Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament with myself as the angler. His accomplishments speak for themself. Today, Doug speaks about the early years in the Lower Keys, close calls with bear attacks, and the conservation efforts being put in place to protect the flats species. I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as Nicky and I did.

In the Permit world, Kathryn Vallilee is a force to be reckoned with. In 2020 she set two incredible world records. With Capt. Nick Labadie she caught a 9.5 pound permit on 4 pound test and a 22 pound permit on 6 pound test with Capt. Brandon Cyr. She capped the year with a 3rd place finish in the IGFA permit tournament against a 19 angler field. 18 men and her! Too, against her husband, Nathaniel Linville, considered by many to be the best permit angler in the world. Capt. Doug Kilpatrick, her guide in that event, says she wasn't lucky, she's as good as anyone he fishes. He went on to say that Kat is the hardest working angler he knows and will win at some point soon! Kat is an inspiration to all. She is focused, determined, and incredibly talented.... And beautifully humble. Listen closely and many of your questions on how to succeed in the permit game will be answered.

Paul Tejera is one of my closest friends on and off the water. His enthusiasm for life is second to none. He'll dive head first into anything that just appears to be fun and then he'll excel at it. Tennis, Golf, Snowboarding, Kite Boarding, Surfing, and Softball, but his fishing prowess is world class! Having won 6 tarpon tournaments (Paul is one of only a handful of guides to win all three major tarpon tournaments; The Gold Cup, The Don Hawley, and The Golden Fly), two All Tackles, The Spring Fly Bonefish tournament, The $25,000 Biggest Bonefish Shootout, and The Best of The West Casting tournament puts him among one of the world's most sought after guides. Paul and I won 5 of his 6 Tarpon tournaments together and he lived with me in my home is Aspen for a spell. If there's one person you can count on to have the time of your life with, it's Paul Tejera!! I hope you enjoy his stories...

In all sports there are a handful of extremely talented, smart individuals who move the bar, inspiring others to chase that glass ceiling. In doing so they show the world the impossible is attainable. John O'Hearn has been "That Guy" for a long time now. He is the Dali Lama on the water. His cerebral intelligence is second to none. Along with his demeanor a day on the water with him is cherished like a diamond in your pocket. I have fished with John, taped shows with him and lost tournaments against him. He is a force to be reckoned with, challenging you as an angler, guide, and good person. I have 40 some years of looking for fish in skinny water behind me, and those handful of days I've spent on his bow are some of my favorites. The sport, us anglers, guides, and his friends are privileged to be blessed by this special man! I hope you enjoy your time with John as much as we did.

Willy Benson grew up in Sugarloaf Key washing boats for old time guides after their day on the water. He was a marina kid soaking in all the information those salty guides would give. Soon after, Willy rocketed onto the flats of Key West like a comet shooting across the horizon, blowing rooster tails like contrails off a jetliner. His insatiable desire made Benson aggressive on the water, challenging the best fishing holes. He chased fish and dreams like he had one day left.As he matured, he went from Willy to Will and during that transition he began to find his calling. Time has done Benson well! He now has profound respect among his peers. Incredibly versed, he used his World Angling Company to showcase his love and Key West's resounding resource, and recently used its visual impact to show the destruction of the big money world of cruise ships. Will has filmed and produced some of the most amazing short films in fly fishing. From his famed Permit film, “Satori” to “Silver Lining,” Will has an incredible gift at telling a story through the lens of a camera. Whether you just want to see some “fish porn” or get pumped up for your last minute trip down to the Keys, I highly recommend you check out his World Angling Films. Today, Will speaks about the state of Permit fishing in Key West, fighting off cruise ships, and how science helps us paint a clear picture of what’s happening to our fisheries. World Angling

A few years ago I was making a presentation in a Miami fly shop when a man came to me and introduced himself. “Hey Andy, I’m Norman Duncan.” Oh my God, I thought, here he is! I was so excited, really. Here was one of the disciples. Flip Pallot, Chico Fernandez, Little John Emery, and Norman Duncan were as important as anyone in South Florida to initially grow the sport of Saltwater Fly Fishing. This group of four were something to behold. They had heart, passion, and creativity to catch fish, but without the sufficient tools to support their fire. They designed everything they needed because there was nothing available, and many of their innovations are still used today. We know the story of Flip and Chico, they became rock stars in the fly fishing world. “Little John,” as Emery was known, passed at a young age from melanoma after putting his stamp on history. But where did Norman go? What happened to him? He was smart and ingenious, pushed and shoved as hard as the others, but he stepped aside and the iconic fame the others attained passed Norman by, even though we all know his name. Today, Norman brought us out back to his porch and gave us an inside look into his eventful life.

Over the last 12 months we've had an open door to some of the mostprolific men and women in fishing. In each interview we've had theprivilege of listening to profound stories that have helped forge oursport to where it is today. This week we visit with one of the most remarkable people i've evermet, and one of the most significant men in fishing, Hall of Fame member, AlPflueger Jr.Pflueger's fishing prowess blew minds with incredibly lofty numbersand sizes, ask Flip.....or anyone else, and he did most of it alone,self guided. In this sensitive world of 2020 and his age of 87 years young,we were blessed beyond words to have been welcomed into Al's home.I was astounded by not only Al's huge life, but his kindness - andeyes! Look closely and you'll see something special.Kiss your heart Al, Thank you!

For the last 50 years Bob Branham has chased his chosen fish, Bonefish, over the shallow flats and edges of Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. You can't count out all the great permit and tarpon he's captured over the years, but Branham is a bone-fisherman! Albula Vulpes is his DNA. He knows where they're going to go next before they know where they're going to go next. Aside from his fishing genius, Bob Branham is one of the most remarkable people we know. Nicky caught his first saltwater fish with Bob and I caught my first Bonefish and Tarpon on fly with him. You can say he had a major influence in our ever growing passion for fishing. Bob's heart is the size of Texas. He's fought and won the biggest bonefish tournaments, beat the giants, who after congratulated him with the tightest of bear hugs. He is respected and cherished by all of his peers.Here he is, our beloved friend, Bob Branham.

In this episode, we chat about ethics on the water, IGFA rules and regulations, and address an important comment a listener wrote in about being a hypocrite when promoting the great outdoors.

Neal Beidleman is no ordinary man. Raised in Aspen, CO his heart had a big outdoor spirit. Pain became a close companion as he started chasing high mountain summits and running 100 mile races.His job is even abnormal - as an aerospace engineer he designs deployable antenna structures for NASA and holds over a dozen patents on designs and devises he has worked on over the years. This guy is what you call - brilliant.While working as a guide for Scott Fischer's 1996 Everest expedition which ended in tragedy, Neal was credited a large role in assisting clients off the mountain to safety. After summiting, a large rouge storm encased the top of Everest with plummeting temperatures, high winds, and zero visibility. The harrowing night had them exposed to the brunt of the storm without shelter at 26,000 feet. Eight people perished...Years later in 2011 and 2018 he successfully summited again, healing the deep wounds of the 96' tragedy.Today he still lives life to its fullest with more big mountain ascents in his near future.His photography has documented his stories which have appeared in National Geographic, TIME, Newsweek, Men's Journal, and the cover of Life Magazine.

Being slighted by the US Ski Team in 1978, Lonny Vanatta spent the rest of his career trying to prove something and that he did. Turning pro he became the top American on the world pro ski racing tour for many years. He won 20 races and won the slalom title in 1980 - finishing 3rd overall in the season title. Even though he was smaller in stature and weight than most of his competition, he had the heart of a lion that many people feared. His success was profound and was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 2018. Throughout his career, his passion for hunting was paramount, as intense as it was for smashing his competitors on a race hill. His archery stone sheep in 1989 was the largest Pope and Young sheep ever killed at the time. He completed the grand slam of North American sheep - only the 54th bowhunter at the time to do so. He has 34 Pope and Young animals to his name. Lonny recently sold his successful outfitting business of 31 years. Vanatta is a cancer survivor but continues to attack life the only way he knows, head on - a true inspiration to all.

Capt. RT Trosset is one of the greatest fisherman of all time… period. When you think of the words Key West and light-tackle offshore fishing, Ralph Delph, Jose Wejebe, and certainly RT Trosset are the first people that come to mind. He has been guiding anglers in Key West and making their dreams come true for over 40 years. He is a machine and is more passionate about fishing now than ever before.In 2004, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and in 2019 the IGFA honored RT with the Tommy Gifford Legendary Captains Award, the most prestigious honor a captain can receive. I’ve fished with RT, produced TV shows with him, and have fished next to him. There’s no kinder, more giving fishing legend I know. It seems like his smile and warm heart are infectious. People love him, but under his sun worn skin is a lion to be reckoned with. If you are seeking a world record, few will fight as hard or have the ability as RT. Having amassed 239 world records, he’s as cagy as they come. In this episode, we chat about the early years of Key West, the origin of shrimp boat tuna fishing, and the shark problem that's taking place on many wrecks.This episode of the podcast is proudly presented by AFTCO - The American Fishing Tackle Company innovating fishing tackle and clothing since 1958. Use discount code "MILLHOUSE10" to receive 10% off all products on https://aftco.com/

At the tender age of 4, after watching Franz Klammer win Olympic gold on TV, Ryan Smalls knew he wanted to be a ski racer. Growing up in the greatest of all ski towns, Aspen, Colorado, it all made sense. He trained hard and eventually made the U.S. Ski Teams talent squad, raced in Europe, and was fulfilling his dreams. He, the only child of his parents Ray and Karen, was their pride and joy.Ski racing is hard and fast and dangerous. His racing longevity succumbed to the odds with a terrible injury. Along the way, Ray showed Ryan the outdoors like few people knew it. After graduating from college, Ryan came home to the rivers and animals of his fathers tutelage. As a plane circles for the weather to clear, so did Ryan's identity. But that didn't take long - he became a guide..... He guided fishing, hunting, and skiing.As a big hearted, passionate man, I know Ryan Smalls to be a perfectionist, world class in everything he cares for.In this episode, we chat about being caught in an avalanche, getting addicted to fly fishing for Tarpon, and being successful in the elk woods.

Very rarely do you hear of a young person doing something so consistently outstanding that the old timers open their eyes and say - "WOW!"This episode is the story of a young Jared Raskob who was constantly catching monster fish. Young people have young eyes but Jared's are legendary, and elder anglers sought him out. He was doing extraordinary things on the flats.Raskob's reputation erupted and shook up the status quo. I'd left the game by then but from afar admired what I'd been hearing. He'd jumped into the tournament fray and won, and won everything! I finally met this shining star and enjoyed everything about him. He was cool, fun, and assertive - his 6' something frame had a dominant presence.On this episode we sat down with this Jedi and laughed, and spoke of many things including the new millennials soon to run everyone over.Game changers don't come around very often but this one is a legend in the making!