Traveled #33 | Mike Komara on Competitive Fly Fishing – Team USA, Euro Nymphing, Innovative Angling

#833 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/833     Presented by: Smitty's Fly Box, Mountain Waters Resort, Patagonia Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors   Fresh off hosting our Steelhead School at the Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness & Lodge, Jeff walks us through what makes the Skeena River such a magnetic place for traveling anglers. We dig into the small details that make the biggest difference, like how shorter sink tips can unlock big water, why swing speed and fly angle matter more than you think, and how Great Lakes techniques translate perfectly to the wild rivers of BC. Whether you’re new to two-handed casting or have been chasing chrome for years, you’ll find plenty of tips and stories to level up your next swing. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/833      

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/832 Presented By: Visit Idaho  Mike Komara walks us through the mindset of a competitor — and how that mindset makes you a better everyday angler. From hand-me-down rods in Pittsburgh to medals with Team USA, Mike explains why simplicity wins: a single-fly approach, smart microleader setups, and a handful of adaptable rods. We talk translating spring-creek precision to big western rivers, reading water and bugs the moment you step out of the car, and the small technical moves (tuck casts, inverted drifts, matching bottom speed) that turn drifts into fish. It’s part practical how-to, part origin story, and a reminder that good fishing usually comes from thinking less about gear and more about the water. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/832

831B Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/831B Presented by:  Moccasin Fly Club   John Hunt of Moccasin Fly Club is back, and this time he'll walk us through two upcoming saltwater programs: the Double Haul Tournament in Xcalak, Mexico, and the Baja Blast in El Sargento, Baja California Sur.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/831B

#831 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/831    Presented by: Mountain Waters Resort, Togiak River Lodge, Fish The Fly Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors  We're diving into Newfoundland fly fishing with Kastine Coleman, a professional fly fishing guide, certified casting instructor, and leader of the Salmon Preservation Association for the Waters of Newfoundland and Labrador (SPAWN). She’s also a board member with the Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon (FCAS) and has spent years balancing life on the water with hands-on conservation. In this episode, Kastine shares how she’s helping protect salmon runs through fish ladders, counters, and habitat restoration projects. We also dig into what it’s like to guide across more than twenty salmon rivers in Newfoundland, her approach to teaching fly casting, and why late June is her favorite time to chase Atlantic salmon. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/831     

Show Notes:https://wetflyswing.com/830 Presented By: Mountain Waters Resort Sponsors:https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Few fishing experiences compare to the thrill of pursuing Atlantic salmon on a fly rod. In this episode, Calvin Tull shares his passion for Atlantic salmon fly fishing and the art of Spey casting, offering a glimpse into the patience, precision, and technique that define this timeless pursuit. From scenic rivers to unforgettable encounters on the water, Calvin reflects on the lessons learned through years of fishing adventures and the subtle details that turn a good cast into a great one. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just beginning your fly fishing journey, you’ll find inspiration and practical insights in this conversation. 02:47 – He talks about how he transitioned from conventional gear to using fly rods and why that change completely reshaped his fishing journey. 05:28 – He recalls the moment he realized the power of the swing while learning to chase shad, describing how it sparked his obsession with fly fishing. Fly fishing Photo Provided by - Calvin Tull 07:54 – He shares memories of his early mentors and how their patience and instruction helped him refine his casting and reading-the-water skills. Watch How to Read The Water here.  10:36 – He discusses the excitement of planning his first major salmon trip and the nerves that came with trying something entirely new. 13:12 – He explains how preparation—fly selection, line setup, and practice—can make or break a trip before you ever step into the river. Rifle Hitch Atlantic Salmon Tubes Photo Provided by Calvin Tull 15:47 – He tells a story about catching his first Atlantic salmon and the pure adrenaline that came with landing that unforgettable fish. Atlantic Salmon photo Provided by Calvin Tull 18:34 – He laughs about the challenges of learning Spey casting and how it took dozens of tangled lines before things finally started to click. Watch a 7-minute Spey Fishing Lesson for you! Click it here 21:05 – He opens up about the mistakes most new anglers make and how trial and error taught him lessons no book could ever explain. 24:02 – He shares his favorite types of flies, explaining why he prefers simple, durable patterns that hold up against powerful fish. An assortment of expertly tied streamer flies, perfect for targeting Atlantic salmon in fly fishing 26:48 – He reflects on fishing local Pennsylvania waters, explaining how each season brings new species and fresh challenges to chase. 29:37 – He talks about how patience and rhythm matter more than technique when you’re learning to feel the water’s flow. 32:10 – He recalls one of his toughest fishing days when nothing went right—and how those experiences often teach more than perfect ones. Fly fishing in a pristine river surrounded by scenic wilderness — an unforgettable outdoor experience. 38:09 – He opens up about the community aspect of fishing and the importance of sharing stories, tips, and time on the water with others. 41:03 – He explains the subtle connection between casting and mindfulness, saying both require focus, timing, and presence. Tips on How to Focus and See More Fish - Click here! 43:57 – He shares his love for exploring new rivers and the excitement of not knowing what each cast might bring. 46:44 – He gives practical advice to beginners—keep your gear simple, watch the water, and don’t rush the process. 49:22 – He tells a story about mentoring a young angler and how seeing others grow reignited his own passion for teaching. 52:15 – He reflects on how fishing has evolved for him—from catching fish to appreciating the journey, nature, and the friendships built along the way. stunning Coho salmon freshly landed during a fly fishing adventure 52:15 – He reflects on how fishing has evolved for him—from catching fish to appreciating the journey, nature, and the friendships built along the way. 55:03 – He wraps up by sharing what keeps him returning to the water year after year: the peace, the challenge, and the endless lessons the river offers. 57:36 – He ends on an inspiring note, encouraging listeners to find their own rhythm, stay curious, and never stop learning from the water.  

#829 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/829   Presented by: Togiak River Lodge, TroutRoutes, Visit Idaho, FishHound Expeditions Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors         In this episode, host Jeff Liskay and Dave Whitey Evans takes us into Bulkley River Fly Fishing. They dive into stories from the Bulkley River system, talk about what makes this water so special for steelhead, and share what life is like running a world-class fishing lodge in British Columbia. With Dave’s humor and deep experience, this episode is a mix of laughs, wisdom, and a genuine love for fishing and community. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/829      

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/828 Presented By: Smitty's Fly Box, Four Wheel Campers, Mountain Waters Resort, Patagonia Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Evan Griggs, founder of Fishing For All, walks us through Minnesota’s surprising, varied fisheries — from tight spring-fed trout creeks to the big, free-flowing Saint Croix and the Mississippi in the Twin Cities. He explains why smallmouth migrate up to 80–100 miles each season, how guide days look (drift boats, 8-wts, mice and popper windows), and why locals are seeing epic multi-species opportunities — muskie, pike, carp, native sunfish, and big smallmouth. Evan mixes practical trip planning, conservation wins (catch-and-release protections), and stories about teaching new anglers and building a guiding business that shows people how close great fishing can be. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/828

827 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/827 Presented by:   Visit Idaho, Fish The Fly, Jackson Hole Fly Company, Patagonia Ever wonder why some anglers swear by tube flies or why that little hitch on the surface can make a salmon go wild? Today, we’re hanging out with Jesper Fohrmann, the creative mind behind Fishmadman and one of the most passionate salmon anglers out there. Jesper’s spent decades chasing Atlantic salmon and sea trout across Denmark, Norway, and the UK, perfecting flies and techniques that have earned a cult following from Scandinavia to Newfoundland. We dig into why tube flies can outfish hooks, what makes the riffle hitch so deadly in cold water, and how Jesper approaches leaders, rods, and presentation. Plus, we talk about his favorite patterns, the Scandinavian underhand style, and how all of it connects to steelhead fishing around the world.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/827

#826 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/826   Presented By: Mountain Waters Resort, On DeMark Lodge, San Juan Rodworks, Patagonia Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Texas Hill Country is its own little ecosystem — limestone banks, spring-fed creeks, and a species list that reads like a road map of surprises. Chris Johnson of Living Waters Fly Fishing walks us through why central Texas fishes year-round: the state-endemic Guadalupe bass, the only U.S. native Rio Grande cichlid, water that fishes like trout one month and bass the next, and a shop-led conservation program (Fly Fish the Republic) that’s funding real science. We get practical rigging and fly choices (sink-tips and diving hair bugs for big bass, tiny jigs for picky cichlids), how to read fall windows for multi-species trips, and the backstory on a Texas-built fly line — the Texas Taper — developed with Scientific Anglers and sold through the shop. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/826

825 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/825 This episode of CJ’s Reel Southern Podcast brings together two seasoned Arkansas guides, Morgan Guss of Diamond State Fly Co. and Matt Millner of Rising River Guides. They'll walk us through the White River’s changing seasons and the strategies that keep anglers successful year-round.   Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/825