Mill House Podcast

Whit Fosburgh has spent nearly four decades fighting for fish, wildlife, and the wild places that sustain them. After 15 years with Trout Unlimited and 14 years as President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Fosburgh turned his attention toward what he believes is one of the most overlooked threats facing America’s oceans: the industrial harvest of forage fish. He is now the founder and Executive Director of the Forage Fish Campaign, an organization working to protect menhaden, herring, mackerel, and the small fish that form the foundation of the marine food chain. In this episode, Whit sits down with us to explain why menhaden may be among the most important fish in the sea, the enormous industrial reduction fishery operating in American waters, and the consequences the removal of these fish can have on everything from striped bass and tarpon to ospreys, marine mammals, recreational anglers, and coastal communities. We also dive into the foreign ownership behind portions of the industry, the politics and science surrounding menhaden management, and why protecting the smallest fish in the ocean may ultimately determine the future of the biggest ones we love to chase. This is, without question, one of the most important podcasts we have recorded. What is actually taking place in our waters is absolutely mind-blowing, and the scale of it is something every angler and anyone who cares about the health of our oceans should understand. We encourage everyone to pay close attention to this issue, learn what is happening, and take action through the Forage Fish Campaign. Learn more and get involved at ForageFishCampaign.org.

Mike Dawes has spent more than three decades chasing fish across the globe, building a life around the places, people, and experiences that make fly fishing far more than a sport. Raised in a family steeped in the tradition, Mike caught his first trout on a fly at just five years old. His grandfather helped establish the legendary Deep Water Cay Bonefishing Club in the Bahamas, introducing Mike early to the world of saltwater fly fishing and planting the seeds for a lifetime of exploration. After earning his MBA, Mike traded the conventional career path for a life in the fishing business. He joined WorldCast Anglers in Jackson Hole in 2001, eventually becoming its president and helping build its reputation as a premier outfitter and international fishing-travel operation. Today, he is the managing partner of Westbank Anglers in Jackson, Wyoming. Though he fishes for everything from trout to exotic tropical species, permit have become his great obsession. Mike has won the Del Brown Permit Tournament and captured the March Merkin twice — an extraordinary record in one of fly fishing’s most demanding pursuits. His travels have taken him from the flats of Mexico, Cuba, and the Bahamas to the remote waters of St. Brandon’s Atoll in the Indian Ocean, where he has pursued Indo-Pacific permit and other remarkable species. Beyond the fishing, Mike is deeply committed to conservation and protecting the watersheds that sustain the sport. Through his podcast, Permit to Think, he explores the people, experiences, and unexpected lessons that emerge from a life spent traveling the world with a fly rod in hand.

Mike Lawson is a legend of the Henry’s Fork—and one of the men who helped shape modern fly fishing in the American West. A fourth-generation Idahoan, Lawson grew up fishing the Henry’s Fork and began his professional fly-fishing career in the early 1970s while working as a schoolteacher and tying flies commercially with his wife, Sheralee. He later guided in West Yellowstone before the two founded Henry’s Fork Anglers in 1976, building what would become one of the most respected fly-fishing operations in the country. For more than five decades, Lawson has been a guide, outfitter, fly tier, author, teacher, and tireless advocate for the waters he calls home. He became a contract fly tier for Umpqua Feather Merchants in 1979, and his patterns have been sold in fly shops around the world. His books, including Fly Fishing the Henry’s Fork and Spring Creeks, helped generations of anglers understand the intricate hatches, technical trout, and demanding presentation required to fish some of the West’s most challenging waters. He has also written extensively for publications including Fly Fisherman and served as a contributing editor. Beyond fishing, Lawson has devoted much of his life to conservation. He was a founding member of the Henry’s Fork Foundation and has been deeply involved in protecting the river and its surrounding lands. He has also been a longtime member and supporter of Trout Unlimited, the Federation of Fly Fishers, and other conservation organizations. Lawson’s legacy ultimately extends beyond the fish he has caught or the flies he has tied. For generations of anglers, he has been a teacher, steward, and ambassador for the Henry’s Fork—a river that has become synonymous with his name.

Boots Allen is a third-generation fly-fishing guide, tournament angler, writer, fly designer, and one of the longtime stewards of the rivers around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born and raised in the valley, Boots grew up immersed in a family whose name is woven into the history of fly fishing in the region. His grandfather, Leonard “Boots” Allen, was one of the early guides and outfitters in Jackson Hole, securing permits to guide the waters of the Greater Yellowstone area in the 1940s. His father, Joe Allen, continued that tradition and became known for his innovative fly patterns, including the famous Double Humpy. Boots began guiding alongside his father and uncle while still in high school. More than three decades later, he has spent hundreds of days each year on the water, guiding throughout Wyoming and Idaho while pursuing trout and other species around the world. His travels have taken him from the Snake River to Argentina, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, British Columbia, Belize, the Bahamas, and beyond. His accomplishments on the water are equally impressive. Boots is a three-time high-scoring guide in the Jackson Hole One-Fly Contest and received the prestigious Carmichael-Cohen Memorial Guide Award in 2007. He has also become a respected fly designer, developing patterns for Umpqua Feather Merchants and Orvis, while writing extensively about the sport. He is the author of four books, including Snake River Fly Fishing, Modern Trout Fishing, Snake River Flies, and Finding Trout in All Conditions. Perhaps most interestingly, Boots once appeared headed toward a career in academia, earning advanced degrees and pursuing work in community development and tourism. Instead, he ultimately chose the river. Today, he continues the Allen family legacy while writing, teaching, guiding, creating flies, and sharing the knowledge accumulated through a lifetime on the water. For Boots Allen, fishing isn't simply a profession passed down through three generations. It is a family history, a craft, and a way of life.

Baker Bishop is an avid fly fisherman, surfer, husband, father, and mentor whose life has been shaped by a lifelong connection to the water. He picked up a fly rod at just ten years old, taught by his mother, who passed down the skills, traditions, and passion she had learned from her grandfather—a bamboo-rod builder and lifelong angler. What began as a childhood passion has grown into a way of life. In the mid-2000s, Baker began fishing some of the biggest tarpon tournaments in the Florida Keys alongside renowned guides Kris Suplee, Brian Helms, Robert Klein, and eventually Craig Brewer & Alonzo Sotillo. In 2009 and 2010, Baker and guide Brian Helms won the Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament, establishing him as a formidable competitor among the country’s top tarpon anglers. Baker also served as chairman of the Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament for six years before stepping down in 2024. Baker’s journey, however, extends far beyond the water. After overcoming addiction, he developed a deep appreciation for health, happiness, and living with purpose. Today, that perspective shapes the way he approaches life, family, fishing, and the people he mentors. For Baker, time on the water is about more than the pursuit of fish—it is about connection, gratitude, challenge, and being fully present. Whether chasing tarpon across the flats, spending time with his family, or helping another person find their way, Baker brings a perspective forged through both triumph and adversity. His story is ultimately one of passion, resilience, and the pursuit of a life well lived.

Rudy Babikian is an accomplished fly fisherman, adventurer, and co-founder of Los Locos, a premier fly-fishing destination in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. Originally from Maine, Rudy cut his teeth in the Northeast chasing giant striped bass from shore—often putting himself in precarious situations in pursuit of the biggest fish. Those early experiences helped shape the adventurous, risk-taking approach that would define his fishing life. In 2013, Rudy moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he became an obsessive trophy-trout hunter. It was there that he met George VanDercook, and the two quickly bonded over their shared desire to push beyond conventional fishing and pursue bigger fish in more challenging ways. That shared obsession eventually took them to Mexico, where they began exploring Magdalena Bay in a small Boston Whaler. Their willingness to venture miles offshore in pursuit of striped marlin earned them the nickname “Los Locos”—the crazy ones—from local fishermen. What began as an adventurous fishing trip ultimately grew into one of the world's most unique fly-fishing destinations. Rudy's fishing life is filled with stories of risk, persistence, and occasionally questionable judgment. He recounts many of those wild adventures—including his near-death experiences pursuing striped bass. These stories offer a glimpse into the mindset that made Los Locos possible: an unrelenting desire to find bigger fish, go farther, and see what lies beyond the edge of the map.

Landon Mayer is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, fly designer, author, and educator known for his expertise in hunting and sight-fishing large, selective trout. Based on the South Platte River, Landon has spent decades studying trout behavior, water dynamics, and the subtle details that separate a good presentation from a great one. He has built a reputation for pursuing difficult fish in technical water, particularly large trout that demand precision, patience, and a deep understanding of their environment. His approach combines careful observation with highly refined tactics, from reading water and spotting fish to choosing the right fly and making the perfect presentation. Landon is also the author of five books and has contributed countless articles to fly-fishing magazines and publications. Through his writing, guiding, fly design, and teaching, he has helped anglers around the world become more effective and thoughtful on the water. But among all of his accomplishments, what Landon is most proud of may be Clean the Dream, an annual community cleanup along the Dream Stream stretch of the South Platte River. The event brings anglers and members of the community together to care for and protect one of Colorado's most treasured fisheries. For Landon, it’s a chance to give back to the waters that have given so much to all of us. Whether he's behind the vise, teaching on the river, writing, or chasing a trophy trout, Landon's passion goes beyond simply catching fish. It's about understanding the river, sharing that knowledge with others, and leaving the places he loves better than he found them.

On today’s podcast, we answer a wide range of listener-submitted questions, including whether top-of-the-line rods are really worth it, how far you actually need to cast, advice for aspiring fishing guides, and how our tarpon season has gone so far. Along the way, we cover plenty of other topics and share stories, insights, and practical tips from the water. These Q&A episodes are always fun for us to record, so if you enjoy them, let us know and we’ll definitely keep doing more! Have a question you’d like us to answer in a future episode? Email us at [email protected] or send us a DM on social. Hope you enjoy!

Paul Puckett is an acclaimed sporting artist, illustrator, and lifelong angler whose work captures the beauty, adventure, and emotion of life on the water. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Puckett developed an early passion for fishing, art and music, spending countless summers on the bass lakes of East Texas with his father and grandfathers—experiences that continue to inspire his work today. He earned a degree in advertising design from the University of North Texas before embarking on a career that blended his artistic talents with his love of fly fishing. After working in fly shops in Dallas, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Atlanta, Puckett relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, where he committed himself full-time to creating fine sporting art. His paintings are recognized for their expressive brushwork, vibrant color, and remarkable ability to capture not only the likeness of fish and wildlife but also the memories and stories behind every catch. Puckett's signature "Catch and Release" paintings have become especially sought after by anglers. These highly personalized works often incorporate the fish, the fly used, the location, and handwritten notes that commemorate a memorable day on the water. In addition to fine art, he is widely known for his humorous fishing illustrations, editorial artwork, and graphic design, bringing personality and authenticity to the outdoor lifestyle. His artwork has appeared in leading angling publications, galleries, conservation organizations, and sporting events throughout the United States. One of his original works is part of the permanent collection of the American Museum of Fly Fishing, a testament to his enduring contribution to the sport and its artistic heritage. In 2025, Puckett was also the subject of the acclaimed short film Time Will Tell, directed by Hilton Graham. The film chronicles his journey as an artist and fly fisherman and, in 2025, Paul and Hilton Graham's Time Will Tell received an Emmy Award, further recognizing the impact of Puckett's story and creative legacy. An avid traveler and dedicated fly fisherman, Puckett has pursued fish across North and South America, the Caribbean, the Seychelles, and beyond, drawing inspiration from each destination and translating those experiences into paintings that resonate with anglers and art collectors alike. Today, Paul Puckett continues to paint from his studio in Charleston, creating original oils, watercolors, illustrations, and commissioned works that celebrate the enduring connection between anglers, wildlife, and the waters they cherish. His art reflects a simple philosophy: the greatest fishing stories are about far more than the fish—they are about the places, the people, and the memories that last a lifetime.

I first heard the name Tommy Robinson nearly 38 years ago while fishing in Key West. Time and again, anglers spoke about Tommy and his brother, Chris—their reputation as exceptional fishermen extending far beyond Key West to the waters around Apalachicola on Florida's Forgotten Coast. Tommy was born in Richmond, VA but soon moved to Key West where the ocean shaped everyday life. His father, an OB-GYN, famously delivered renowned flats angler Will Benson, but it was the Robinson family's shared passions—diving and fishing—that truly defined Tommy's upbringing. Tommy and Chris began poling the flats at an early age, developing skills that would eventually become second nature. Tommy always knew he wanted to be a fishing guide, earning his captain's license at just 18 years old. He has never looked back. Many of his earliest clients came as referrals from the legendary guide Bob Montgomery, one of the true pioneers of flats fishing in Key West. Before long, Tommy had become captivated by tarpon and permit, dedicating himself to mastering two of the sport's most challenging gamefish. Eventually, another opportunity beckoned. Tommy learned to fly and went to work for Jimmy Buffett, transporting anglers throughout the Bahamas in search of vast schools of bonefish. It was a fitting chapter for someone whose life had always revolved around shallow water and adventure. When that chapter closed, Tommy moved into real estate in northern Florida. Yet fishing remained at the center of his life. He spent years guiding and exploring the waters around Apalachicola long before the area became widely recognized as one of Florida's premier fisheries. Today, he may be every bit as well known there as he is in Key West. More than 45 years after earning his captain's license, Tommy Robinson has never strayed far from the bow of a skiff. Guiding, fishing, and the sea remain woven into the fabric of his life—a lifetime spent chasing tides, reading water, and sharing some of the finest fisheries in the world with those fortunate enough to step aboard.