The MEND Fly Fishing Podcast

Episode 113 - Best Fly Fishing Country on Earth, Danny's D Day, Backyard Summer Fisheries

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.

Episode 112 - Roosterfish, Drift Boat Pirates, Alaska Pre-Funk, and Our Pet Turkeys

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.

Episode 111 - Smallmouth Mayhem: Popper Blows, Streamer Secrets & Hyperspeed Reels

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.

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.