The MEND Fly Fishing Podcast
Hosted by Joe Rotter and we talk all things fly fishing and some hunting. Discussions include nymphing, streamer fishing, fly fishing, bad ass casting, saltwater, and too much technical crap to list here.
Hosted by Joe Rotter and we talk all things fly fishing and some hunting. Discussions include nymphing, streamer fishing, fly fishing, bad ass casting, saltwater, and too much technical crap to list here.
Listen on:
Episodes
3 hours ago
3 hours ago
1hr 24 min
Joe Rotter and crew recount a week at Bearclaw Lodge (Bristol Bay): creek hikes, float‑plane flyouts, dry‑fly rainbows, Arctic char, pike fishing, and even surprise boat rescues.
The episode covers logistics, guide life, essential gear and practical tips for anglers planning a remote Alaska fishing adventure.
Jul 29, 2026
Jul 29, 2026
1hr 28 min
A chaotic river day unfolds after a sudden microburst pins floaters against a cliff wall, prompting dramatic rescues by guides and the sheriff; the hosts share survival stories, safety takeaways (life jackets, strapping paddleboards, whistles), talk fishing tips, Alaska plans, hoot owl restrictions, and lighter moments about bird apps, quail, and YouTube comments.
Jul 23, 2026
Jul 23, 2026
1hr 26 min
Join Joe from Red's Fly Shop for a live fast-paced Q&A covering summer trout tactics: youth camp advice, when to start kids in fly fishing, best rods and lines for dry-dropper and euro nymphing, Hopper-dropper setups, streamer strategy, leader and tippet tips, and gear recommendations for travel destinations like Chile. Practical, relatable guidance for DIY anglers and those wanting to improve casting, presentations, and on-river decision-making.
Jul 7, 2026
Jul 7, 2026
1hr 21 min
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 public access. Practical scouting, safety, and family‑friendly fishing ideas round out the conversation.
Jun 29, 2026
Jun 29, 2026
1hr 29 min
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 upcoming Alaska fishing trip and shares travel details and booking information.
Short, practical gear talk and vivid on-the-water stories make this episode part travel briefing, part fishing clinic, and all entertainment.
Jun 9, 2026
Jun 9, 2026
1hr 17 min
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, the Baja sardine situation and its impact on roosterfish, river safety and drone scouting, rattlesnake education, and stories of lost-and-found gear around the rivers.
Jun 5, 2026
Jun 5, 2026
1hr 10 min
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 fly suggestions (Carp Maul, Moll Hybrid, Trouser Worm), tips for scouting water, and encouragement to get out and practice sight fishing for carp.
May 26, 2026
May 26, 2026
1hr 6 sec
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.
May 21, 2026
May 21, 2026
25 min
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 Routes app, and organizational tools to stay effective on the water.
May 13, 2026
May 13, 2026
25 min
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.

About Joe Rotter
Joe is a partner at Red's, a riverside fly shop in the Yakima River Canyon. While their .com business is worldwide, the river keeps him locally engaged.He has been fortunate to travel the world to Russia, Chile, Argentina, BC, Belize, Christmas Island, Mexico, Costa Rica, Alaska, Cuba, Florida Keys, and the Everglades. His knowledge of worldwide angling keeps things interesting. He's happy to chat about many different fisheries.

