The MEND Fly Fishing Podcast

Episode 80 - Tuesday's Tippets - Back to the OG NZ, 6X Bug Testing, and Fat Octobers

Joe Rotter hosts a solo episode unpacking a recent guided day on the low, clear Yakima River and previewing the October caddis hatch. He talks through the morning bite, how fish move deeper during the day, and why timing and stealth matter in fall trout fishing.
Practical takeaways include testing flies on lighter tippet (6X) to check effectiveness, running a New Zealand‑style yarn indicator and the indicator tool, rig setups (leader lengths, Frenchie and tungsten mop flies), rod/tippet choices, and proper catch‑and‑release handling.
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop 
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300 

Episode 79 - Why Do I Tie Flies? w/ Patrick Kilby of RIO

Joe Rotter and Patrick Kilby chat about how and why to tie your own flies. They share some history, stories, and some really good tips for someone dusting off the vice or starting from scratch. 
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop 
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300 

Episode 78 - Deschutes River Skills with Tom Larimer

Joe Rotter interviews guide Tom Larimer about fishing the Deschutes: his background guiding Alaska to the Deschutes, why the river is unique (wade-only access), and detailed, practical tips for trout anglers — observing water, working deep banks, managing micro-drag and mend timing, yarn and foam indicators, rod/line recommendations, and rigs to maximize success.
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop 
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300 

Episode 77 - Bowhunting Meets Fly Fishing with Brian Barney of Eastman's Elevated

Hosted a longtime bowhunter and new friend, Brian Barney of Eastman's Elevated on the Pod today. Brian is well known as a bowhunter, writer, and content creator but he's a die hard fly fisherman as well. He share some great tips on streamer fishing, boating, and general DIY angling.
Joe and Brian chat about the parallels between hunting and fly fishing and share lots of tips and tricks along the way. For more bowhunting content, be sure to subscribe to Brian's Podcast, Eastman's Elevated.
Enjoy the show! 
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop 
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300 

Episode 76 - Trout Scouting with OnX and TroutRoutes // How to Find NEW Water!

Find NEW water! Joe Rotter and Erik Johnsen of TroutRoutes and OnX maps chat about how to use this awesome app to find new water and use your time more efficiently. It's a great tool and it is one of the most important tools in the modern angler's arsenal. 
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop 
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300 

Episode 75 - Tuesday's Tippets with Steve Burns // Golden Trout, Steelhead, and Old Waders

Joe Rotter chats with guide Steve Burns about transitioning to fall fishing: dealing with smoky skies, adjusting tippet and flies for clearer, cooler water, and techniques from yarn indicators to small streamers. They share guiding tips for new anglers, spay-casting advice, and stories from the Sierras to Alaska.
Listeners get practical takeaways on leader and tippet choices, how to read fish behavior through drift and presentation, and when to switch strategies to find fish as the season changes.
 
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop 
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300 

Episode 74 - Tactical Mends and Reading Water: Skyler’s Guide to Catching More Trout

Joe Rotter and guide Skyler Lancaster break down practical, easy-to-use tips for fall trout fishing: managing slack and mends, choosing indicator depth, when to use unweighted nymphs with split shot, and how to set the hook for streamers.
They also cover wading strategy and scouting, tightline nymphing basics, simple fly-tying ideas (like a plain sculpin), and seasonal tactics for October caddis and mop flies to help anglers catch more fish.
 
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop 
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300 

Episode 73 - Tuesday's Tippets - Swing Addiction: Hayden Williams

Joe Rotter sits riverside with Hayden Williams for a wide-ranging Tuesday's Tippets: a salmon trip full of pinks, smoking fish, and a near-Chinook hook-up leads into an in-depth look at swung flies and trout spey. Hayden shares why he loves the swing, his early two-handed rod story, and the inspirations behind his "War Pig" sculpin pattern.
The episode delivers practical, actionable advice — gear picks (rod, reels, heads and sink tips), casting distances, step cadence, fly size and presentation tips for trout, chums, and steelhead — plus on-water tactics for fishing chunks, managing lift on the swing, and how to get reps as a beginner.

Episode 72 - Tuesday's Tippets with Steve Joyce // Skating Cranes and Chuckin' Spey

Joe Rotter and guide Steve Joyce break down practical, easy-to-use fishing tips for the fall transition — from skateable crane-fly techniques and trout spey basics to carp, bass and redfish strategies.
They discuss flip-flop flows on the Yakima, gear and leader choices, where to focus your casts, and how to make the most of tough days to become a better angler.
 
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop 
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300 

Episode 71 - Tuesday's Tippets with Joe Rotter and Leif Kvinsland

Welcome to the MEND podcast! Dive into a sponsor-free, ad-free fishing experience as we continue with our series, Tuesday's Tippets. In this episode, our host explores the world of fly fishing with one of the Pacific Northwest's most renowned guides, Leif Kvinsland from Red's Fly Shop. Discover captivating stories, expert tips on mastering fly fishing techniques, and witness the profound evolution of a fly shop into a fishing haven.
Leif takes you through the transformation of Red's from its humble beginnings to a major fishing destination, sharing humorous anecdotes and the camaraderie of guiding. Learn about the essential skills every angler should develop, the nuances of casting, mending, and boat fishing dynamics, as well as the timeless importance of patience in fishing.
Whether you're wade fishing, navigating drift boats, or just eager to improve, this episode delivers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for both novice and seasoned fly fishing enthusiasts. Tune in for a rich blend of personal stories, practical advice, and the undeniable allure of the river.
 
Connect with Red's :
Website: https://www.redsflyfishing.com
YouTube Channel: Red's Fly Shop - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsflyshop/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsflyshop 
Email: staff@redsflyshop.com
Phone: (509) 933-2300