145. Exploring Virginia Smallmouth with Wes Hodges of Wesley Hodges Fly Fishing

In this episode, we take the time to update everyone on the situation in Western North Carolina as we have all been impacted by Hurricane Helene and the extensive flooding that took place in our region. We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support that you all have given to us as our parents have lost almost everything in the flood. We’re in the midst of serving our local community and helping our neighbors, but wanted to take this opportunity to give a brief update on how we are doing and how you can help the local fly fishing community.  Help support our parents and get a great sticker: https://www.mtyonder.com/product/dads-on-the-fly-relief/31 Donate at Caleb’s church and help local people with flood relief: forhaywood.com Help support some local fly shops and guides:  https://www.mtyonder.com/ https://www.maggievalleyflyshop.com/ https://mountainflyanglers.com/ https://www.tuckflyshop.com/ Want more content? Check out the patreon and help support Dads On The Fly: https://www.patreon.com/dadsonthefly Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support

In this episode, Tom Wetherington joins us for a conversation all about Temple Fork Outfitters and their high quality rods. We hear about Tom's story of getting into fly fishing and how working for TFO has been such an incredible experience as he gets to present great products at price points for people like us. He's also gotten the opportunity to fish with some great anglers and learned a lot along the way. We also talk about his new journey into fatherhood in the last year and the blessings he's experienced along the way. Learn more about TFO: https://tforods.com/ TFO on Instagram Tom on Instagram Make sure to mark your calendar if you're in the Western NC area for September 27th. We'll be at Oskar Blues brewing in Brevard, NC for the Fly Fishing Film Tour. Come enjoy some quality fly fishing films and buy some raffle tickets with great prizes to support the Pisgah chapter of Trout Unlimited. https://oskarblues.com/event/2024-fly-fishing-film-tour-free-screening-2024-09-27/ Want more content? Check out the patreon and help support Dads On The Fly: https://www.patreon.com/dadsonthefly Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support

In this episode we speak with Caleb Snead of Rambler Angler and Blade Company. The Rambler brand began last year as the new fly fishing, blade, and adventure arm of what was formerly Wolf Indiana LLC. They've been making quality tying vises and tools since the 90s and they're taking that expertise to continue to make high quality tools tailored specifically to the fly fisherman. The Rambler mission is to provide hardworking people with top-notch, professional knives, scissors, tools, and American-made fly tying vises that won't break the bank. We dive more into that vision coming to fruition as well as Caleb's recent dive into fly fishing in this episode. We also spend some time talking about getting our kids outside and seeing the outdoors through their eyes. Learn more about Rambler: https://rambler.co/ https://www.instagram.com/rambleranglerandblade/ https://www.youtube.com/@rambleranglerandblade Make sure to mark your calendar if you're in the Western NC area for September 27th. We'll be at Oskar Blues brewing in Brevard, NC for the Fly Fishing Film Tour. Come enjoy some quality fly fishing films and buy some raffle tickets with great prizes to support the Pisgah chapter of Trout Unlimited. https://oskarblues.com/event/2024-fly-fishing-film-tour-free-screening-2024-09-27/ Want more content? Check out the patreon and help support Dads On The Fly: https://www.patreon.com/dadsonthefly Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support

In this episode, Joshua and Caleb take some time to reflect on the summer of 2024. With school starting back we thought it was a good idea to take some time to reflect on this past summer and the time spent with our families. We hope this inspires you to do the same. Want more content? Check out the patreon and help support Dads On The Fly: https://www.patreon.com/dadsonthefly Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support

In this episode, Joshua and Caleb speak with Mike Schultz of Shultz Outfitters in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Mike, or "Schultzy" as he is known to most, has lived in southern Michigan for most of his life where he has logged countless hours on the water. This experience on the water has led him to open and operate the most successful outfitter and guide service in southern Michigan. While Mike has experience chasing many species, his specialty is smallmouth bass. In this conversation we hear all about Mike's story and get tons of tips from Mike on how to fish for smallmouth year round. Find Mike and Schultz Outfitters Online: https://schultzoutfitters.com/ https://www.instagram.com/schultzoutfitters Costa Film: https://www.costadelmar.com/en-us/c/costa-films-meet-mike-schultz-fly-fisherman-business-owner Want more content? In next week's Patreon episode, Mike shares many of his tips and tricks for catching monster smallmouth. Check out the patreon and help support Dads On The Fly: https://www.patreon.com/dadsonthefly Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support

In this episode we recap our recent smallmouth fishing trip on the James river in Virginia. We took a long a great buddy Matthew Carter of Mt. Yonder Fly Fishing to explore a new section of water and try to find the smallmouth we've been chasing for a couple of years now. We discuss finding big smallmouth, catching our PB's, and exploring the beautiful area on the upper reaches of the James River. Check out Mt. Yonder Fly Fishing and book a great guided trip today: https://www.mtyonder.com/ In this episode: https://wesleyhodgesflyfishing.com/ Want more content, and to hear the setups we used and how we found smallmouth success? Check out the patreon and help support Dads On The Fly: https://www.patreon.com/dadsonthefly Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support

In this episode, we come to you on location from Wesley Hodges Fly Fishing lodge in Eagle Rock, VA. This past weekend Joshua and Caleb got to spend two nights at Wes' lodge and glamping tents and spent two days floating and fishing the James River for smallmouth bass. It was an epic weekend. This episode is part 1 where we interview Wes all about his lodge and the outdoor experiences that Virginia has to offer. We also hear more about his experience in falling in love with the outdoors and now bringing his daughter along for the ride as well. Find Wesley Hodges Fly Fishing online: https://wesleyhodgesflyfishing.com/ https://www.instagram.com/wesley_hodges_fly_fishing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Support Dads On the Fly on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84380068 Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support

In this episode we sit down with expert fly designer Blane Chocklett. Blane is well known for the game changer fly as well as many others. In this episode we chronicle his life in fly fishing and the development of the game changer, as well as one of the most game changing moment in his life when his family adopted his son, Tyler. Find Blane online: https://www.blanechocklett.com/ Game Changer Book: https://a.co/d/01AK36fg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blanechocklettfishing “The Ties That Bind” Costa Films: https://youtu.be/Pclr1rE0T_k?si=tvM6o8uddktgq0Tb Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Support Dads On the Fly on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84380068 Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support

In this episode, we sit down with several guests from the Maggie Valley Fly Fishing and Outdoor Festival. We kick the episode off with the family of Scottie Finanger the lead creator at Wild Fly Productions. His dad Dan and uncle Scott discuss with us the joy of watching someone you love succeed. See more from Wild Fly and the film with uncle Scott: https://youtu.be/3WhBqt8iopc?si=gwgrkFIc-07BOn0o Then we have multiple short interviews with the following: Preston Jacobsen of Haywood Waterways Association: https://www.haywoodwaterways.org/ Will Mossbrook from Blue Ridge Flies: https://blueridgeflies.com/ Glen Murray of Saluda Beads: https://saludabeads.com/ Shannon Young of Maggie Valley Fly Shop: https://www.maggievalleyflyshop.com/ Beau Beasley with his new book "Healing Waters:" https://beaubeasley.com/books/ We want to give a big thank you to all of these guests and to everyone who came out and made the Maggie Valley Fly Fishing and Outdoor Festival such a success. It was great meeting everyone who stopped by our booth. You're the reason we keep doing this podcast. Also a special thanks to James Simmons (Caleb's son) and family friend Marleigh Littrell for their special appearance. Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Support Dads On the Fly on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84380068 Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support

In this episode, we chat with Javier Fabrega of Marsh Sessions. Javier is a father of three that escapes to saltwater every chance he gets to chase redfish and other species in Northeast Florida. Growing up in the Republic of Panama, Javier has a deep connection to the ocean, but it wasn't until 2015, in Jacksonville Beach, FL, that he discovered the world of fly fishing. He was drawn to the welcoming and passionate fly fishing community, and has since started Marsh Sessions where he highlights all the great things about fly fishing, but not necessarily the fish. Hear more about Javier's story on this week's episode. Find Javier on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshsessions?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== https://www.instagram.com/javier.fabrega?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Maggie Valley Fly Fishing Festival: https://maggievalleyflyfishingfestival.com/ Find Dads On The Fly online and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.dadsonthefly.com/ Support Dads On the Fly on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=84380068 Check out our sponsors: https://troutinsights.com/ https://catchcamnets.com/ https://turtleboxaudio.com/  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dadsonthefly/support