The MEND Fly Fishing Podcast

Episode 110 - Freshwater Giants. Carp on the Fly Guy Ryan Mock

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.

Episode 109 - Guide Bologna, Gear, Smallmouth & Golden Stone Hatches

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.

Episode 108 - When Storms Shuffle the Deck: How Dark Skies Move Trophy Trout

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.

Episode 107 - Stormy Guiding & Smallmouth Bonanza: Tips from the MEND Podcast

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.

Episode 106 - Caddis Chatter and Texas Redfish.

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 flies and gear, guiding stories, and a bit of lodge life and morel-hunting fun.

Episode 105 - 13 Permit, Grand Slams & Shark Mayhem: A Week at Tail Inn Lodge

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 30 rendezvous event.

Episode 104 - Packing Light, Fishing Heavy: Joe’s Gear Hacks & Saltwater Plans

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 Zealand rigs, hopper-droppers, deeper double-nymph approaches), coaching notes for improving angling skills, and teases a post-trip update after Mexico.

Episode 103 - Road-Tested Fishing Plans & Reds Rendezvous Preview

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 previews upcoming warm-water fishing, bass season timing, and encourages local scouting and YouTube subscription for more content.

Episode 102 - Espiritu Santo Bay Deep Dive: Tail End Lodge, Permit & Tarpon

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 logistics (flights to Tulum, a long beach drive), rod and leader setups, lodge life and hospitality, and practical advice for anglers planning their own trip to this increasingly popular and exclusive fishery.

Episode 101 - Muddy Water Blues w/ Shop Manager Bob

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), and distant trips to Mexico—plus practical tips for fishing local ponds and planning future trips while the water settles.