The MEND Fly Fishing Podcast

On this episode the crew chats with Danny about his move, memories at Red’s, and summer plans, then dives into practical fly‑fishing topics: streamlining your summer gear, wet‑wading tips, and choosing the right boots and rods for small creeks. They also discuss recent canyon fires, a Project Healing Waters raffle supporting veterans, and why the U.S. ranks high for fly‑fishing diversity and publi...

Joe Rotter returns with Bob, Eric and Dallas for a freewheeling episode of The MEND Podcast. They swap stories about the company turkeys, a river calamity where a guest commandeered a rental boat to chase a dog, and a new shop drone. The group recaps a recent trip to Baja—roosterfish, dorado and a yellowfin adventure—plus tips on rods, reels, lines and flies. Joe also previews an upcom...

This episode follows lively shop banter about a busy guiding season, a new four-day/four-river package, and scouting trips to the Methow, Naches, and Yakima. The hosts break down recent smallmouth and largemouth outings, popper and streamer tactics, rod and reel setups, and favorite flies like the Knotty Zirdle Bug and Ballyhoo. They also cover travel plans and trip Q&A for Christmas Island, t...

Joe Rotter and crew talk with Ryan of "Carp on the Fly" about sight-casting for carp: how to read fish behavior, when carp feed, and where to find the best shallow-water fisheries. Ryan shares practical gear and presentation advice — rod, line and leader recommendations, paddleboard and skiff setups, the drag-and-drop method, hookup technique, and handling big carp. The episode closes with f...

Hosts Joe Rotter and Dallas Murrey chat with Bogey about life at Red’s Fly Shop—warehouse systems, guiding tales, Golden Stone and caddis hatches, salmon smolt pushes, and technical dry-fly fishing. They dive into the explosive smallmouth fishery on the lower Yakima, gear tips (rods, shoes, lines, streamer choices), carp curiosity, and the upcoming Red’s Rendezvous event.

Joe Rotter solo recaps a day of adapting to wild weather on the Yakima: leveraging storm-driven changes to find and catch mature trout using larger balanced leeches and heavier nymphs when appropriate. He also shares a smallmouth bonanza downstream, highlights gear and casting tips (from six-weight streamers to vintage Fenwick rods), and recommends lighter tippets, New Zealand rigs, the Trout Rout...

Joe Rotter gives a concise fishing update covering a stormy guiding day, a productive smallmouth trip with his sons, and practical gear and fly recommendations. He explains how he adapts tactics for changing weather, fishing nymphs, streamers, and poppers, and notes upcoming events and new gear to try.

The MEND Podcast goes hybrid with practical trout-guiding tips from recent days, a deep dive on the Mother’s Day caddis hatch (dry-fly tactics, emerger options and short casting technique), and hands-on advice about leaders, floatants and presentation. Plus a big welcome to Dallas fresh from a Texas redfish trip — saltwater casting and line-management tips for beginners, recommended fl...

Joe and Eric recap a week at Tail Inn Lodge in Espiritu Santo Bay, sharing highlights from permit, bonefish and tarpon fishing, wild encounters (sharks, barracuda), and memorable guest moments including multiple grand slams. They also give practical advice on casting, gear choices and spotting fish, discuss hosted-trip logistics and community, and announce an upcoming saltwater Q&A and the May...

Joe Rotter gives a solo recap of a hectic guiding week: packing tips for an upcoming Espiritu Santo Bay trip, events (Reds Rendezvous on May 30 and a saltwater Q&A on May 6), and practical gear advice like lists, Ziplocs for tackle, lens care, and floatant recommendations. He summarizes recent Yakima River fishing—salmon fly and March Brown activity—shares tactics that worked (New...

Welcome to the MEND Podcast with Joe Rotter — quick updates, event details, and practical spring fishing advice. Joe covers a May 6th Zoom Q&A, the May 30th Reds Rendezvous, the purchase of a jet sled, and the value of physical scouting. He explains hatch-rod prep for March Brown mayfly hatches, single-nymph New Zealand rigs, two-rod setups, and gear tips (Paragon rod holder). Joe also p...

On this episode of the MEND Podcast Joe Rotter sits down with travel manager Eric Nickum, Steve Joyce and guide Cam Short to break down a trip to Espiritu Santo Bay and the Tail End Lodge. They cover fishing highlights — permit, tarpon, bonefish and grand slams — plus the surprise of sargassum, memorable guide tips, and standout catches from the week. The guests also walk through logis...

The river’s running high after heavy runoff and full reservoirs, forcing guides and anglers to find alternative fisheries. The hosts discuss current river conditions, predictions for an exceptional dry-fly summer, and recent outings to lakes for bass and lahontan trout. They also cover gear prep, fly-tying, youth programs, upcoming events (Reds Rendezvous on May 30 and a tying class on April 16),...

On this episode the MEND podcast welcomes world traveler and guide Jon Covich to discuss his 35-year career in the fishing industry, recent gear highlights (including the TNT Contact 3), and the hosted international trips he leads. John outlines the different trip styles, outfitter standards, and what makes each destination unique. The conversation covers a variety of fisheries and itineraries &md...

Joe Rotter and longtime pal Josh Potter reenact a classic spring-creek trip, sharing tactics for tightline nymphing, streamer work, and using New Zealand-style yarn indicators in windy, gin‑clear water. The episode mixes technical instruction—leader setups, cider material, long casts and stripping—with storytelling about a 25‑mile roadless backpack-fishing documentary, nostalgic memori...

In this episode, Eric Nickum, Bob Miller, and Joe Rotter sit down after each spending a full week fishing Christmas Island—but on different schedules, with different guides, different tides, and wildly different experiences. The crew compares notes on what worked, what surprised them, what they’d do again, and what they’d recommend for anyone heading to the island next season. Fr...

Host Joe Rotter is joined by George Cook, longtime industry pro and guru of all things fly. Roger Shearer of Red's Fly Shop joins Joe and George and they dive into fishing lore, covering the new Sage ARROW rod, decades of Sage rod development, and the evolution of Spey lines and techniques. They share Alaska guiding memories, big-fish trip plans (kings, pike, bass, stripers and reds), vintage rod...

Jeremiah Houle joins the MEND podcast to share his 21‑year fly‑fishing journey from shop floor to guide to industry rep, plus event dates and insider gear talk. The episode covers his favorite flies and rods, guiding on the Deschutes and lakes, and a deep dive into carp fishing—tailing behavior, fly choices (crayfish, mussel patterns), presentation tactics, and recommended gear (weighted fli...

On this episode of the MEND Podcast recorded at Red’s Fly Shop, hosts and guests (notably Jason Randall and TFO’s Nick Conklin) share a full day on the river focused on tightline/euro nymphing. The group breaks down practical coaching, leader setups, and when to choose tightline over indicators. They cover key techniques like back-roll (roll-jig) animation, controlling sink rate and fl...

Joe Rotter, Steve Joyce, Curtis Frisbie, Skyler Lancaster, Max Karns, and Eric Nickum recap recent saltwater trips to Crooked Island and Espiritu Santo Bay in Mexico, share fishing highlights (bonefish, permit, tarpon) and memorable moments from sportsman shows and upcoming Rendezvous events. They discuss gear and techniques — beads, poppers, leaders and sunglasses — guide tips, travel...

Welcome to the Mend Podcast with Joe Rotter, Eric Nickum and Jason Harwood. They recap trips to Patagonia (Estancia del Zorro and Cinco Rios) and Crooked Island, Bahamas, covering trout tactics (dry flies, beetles, caddis, streamers), sight fishing, gear choices, leader setups, sunglasses advice, and saltwater bonefish and permit experiences. The episode mixes trip stories, technical tips, and gui...

The hosts open with Red's Fly Shop news — upcoming shows, sold‑out Texas redfish dates and a local saltwater rendezvous — then recount a week in Patagonia with Patagonia Trout Outfitters with mixed fishing conditions, creative lodge pivots and memorable social moments. They cover fishing tactics (streamers, nymphs, padstone techniques), gear and packing advice, travel mishaps, mate cul...

In this episode Joe Rotter talks with Chris Walker from RIO Products about matching fly lines to rods and fishing situations, how fly lines are manufactured, and the materials and design choices (microballoons, densities, welded loops) that affect performance. They cover practical line recommendations for specific fisheries, temperature and taper considerations, line maintenance tips, and why choo...

Hosts Joe and Eric describe a quick, highly productive Redfish weekend at Bay Flats Lodge, sharing travel logistics, guide-led tips, and on-the-water highlights from two days of sight-fishing. The episode covers presentation techniques (gurglers, drag-and-drop, short strips), shallow-water sight-reading, gear and clothing recommendations, and why guided trips and provided gear make this an approac...

A group of Reds Fly Shop staff and industry friends head to the Snake River and Grand Ronde for steelhead swinging, Hell’s Canyon chucker hunting, jet-boat runs, and a chaotic poker tournament. The episode covers gear and casting tips, favorite flies and setups, memorable catches and mishaps, and invites listeners to the Reds Rendezvous on May 2nd. Connect with Red's : Email: staff@redsflysh...