Fly Tying Episodes

Episode Overview The Articulate Fly host Marvin Cash sits down with fly tying guru Allen Rupp, founder of Fly on the Water and Dave Whitlock's hand-selected legacy tier, for a deep dive into the classic fly patterns that built modern fly fishing. Rupp traces his fly tying education back to childhood phone calls with Bob Clouser, in-person mentorship from Lefty Kreh and George Harvey, and decades spent learning directly from Dave Whitlock, explaining why patterns like the Clouser Minnow, the Half...

Episode Overview In this episode of The Articulate Fly , host Marvin Cash sits down with Jason Taylor — a Philadelphia-area fly tier, Tiers Row fixture at the Edison show and regular contributor to Masters of the Fly — for a wide-ranging conversation about fly tying philosophy, natural materials and the tradition of innovation rooted in Bob Popovics' work. On this fly fishing podcast episode, Taylor traces his journey from a 2008 Belize honeymoon that ignited his passion for the sport, to the ea...

Episode Overview The Butcher Shop goes deep on one of the Great Lakes predator fly world's most distinctive patterns in this conversation with Eli Berant, the Michigan-based fly designer and founder of Great Lakes Fly . Eli is the creator of the Optimus Swine — a reverse foam head-embedded, side-kicking musky streamer that has been turning heads and producing fish since around 2009. In this episode, host Marvin Cash walks Eli through the full arc of the pattern: the lake musky problem it was des...

Episode Overview Drew Price of Master Class Angling returns to The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast to deliver a season debrief from Lake Champlain and discuss the release of his debut book, Favorite Flies for Vermont: 50 Essential Patterns from Local Experts (Stackpole Books). For anglers curious about multi-species fly fishing in the Northeast or the fly patterns that actually produce on Vermont's diverse waters, this episode covers both with depth and specificity. The 2025 season on Champla...

Episode Overview Mike Schultz joins The Butcher Shop to deliver a comprehensive deep dive into the Swingin' D, one of predator fly fishing's most effective swim patterns for targeting smallmouth bass in Michigan rivers. This detailed conversation traces the pattern's evolution from its early 2000s origins through modern 2.0 variations, exploring the critical role of Larry Dahlberg's diver head design in creating the fly's signature side-to-side action. Mike shares the problem he was solving—crea...

Episode Overview In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with Tim Flagler to explore his lesser-known culinary journey and preview his extensive 2026 hosted travel schedule . While most fly fishers recognize Tim from his renowned tying videos and work at Tightline Productions , this conversation reveals his parallel passion for cooking and food that parallels his fly tying expertise. The discussion traces Tim's evolution from childhood family meals at the Jersey Shore t...

Episode Overview In this episode of The Butcher Shop fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash sits down with Brendan Ruch, the innovative tier behind the Nut Job, to explore every dimension of this game-changing swim fly pattern. From its accidental birth on Logjam Live to its current status as a go-to predator pattern for serious smallmouth and trout anglers, Brendan walks through the complete evolution of the fly. The conversation covers Central Pennsylvania waters where the pattern has proven de...

Discover the Spiral Spook: Innovation in Topwater Fly Fishing Join Marvin Cash on The Butcher Shop fly fishing podcast as he interviews Chase Smith, inventor of the innovative Spiral Spook fly pattern. Chase bridges conventional and fly fishing by adapting the classic walk-the-dog action into a deadly topwater fly for bass and other predator species. Expert Design Insights from Chase Smith Chase shares his journey from conventional fishing to creating one of fly fishing's most unique topwater pa...

The Home Invader: A 30-Year Fly Fishing Legacy In this episode of The Butcher Shop, host Marvin Cash dives deep into one of fly fishing's most versatile streamer patterns with its creator, Doug McKnight. Calling in from Blacksmith Lodge in Punta Herrero, Mexico, Doug shares the complete story behind the Home Invader—from its origins on Pennsylvania spring creeks to its evolution into a deadly pattern for everything from Yellowstone brown trout to backcountry tarpon. Doug McKnight's Streamer Expe...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly podcast as he explores the intricate world of Atlantic salmon fly tying with Pennsylvania-based expert Tom Herr , who has spent over 35 years mastering both classic Victorian patterns and innovative freestyle artistic designs. Expert Fly Tying Mastery Tom Herr shares his remarkable journey from a self-taught 10-year-old tying yarn flies with his mother's sewing thread to becoming a recognized authority in Atlantic salmon fly tying. Discover how he transitio...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly for an East Tennessee Fishing Report with Ellis Ward, seasoned guide and custom predator fly tyer, covering prime summer conditions on the Watauga and French Broad Rivers. Ellis breaks down how recent thunderstorms are creating explosive bite windows for brown trout, with fish hitting streamers aggressively and rising to dry flies during these barometric pressure changes. Learn his proven streamer techniques using Drunks and swim bug patterns fished closer ...

Join Marvin Cash on this episode of The Butcher Shop as he explores one of saltwater fly fishing's most revolutionary patterns with Captain Ben Whalley , a Maine striped bass guide and a keeper of Bob Popovics' innovative tying methods. Expert Guest Credentials Captain Ben Whalley brings unparalleled insight into Bob Popovics' techniques, having developed a close mentorship with the legendary fly designer before his passing. As a professional striped bass guide fishing Maine's challenging waters...

The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast returns with another Chocklett Factory update featuring legendary fly designer Blane Chocklett, creator of the revolutionary Game Changer platform and founder of The Chocklett Factory fly company. Expert Fly Designer and Product Innovator Blane Chocklett brings decades of guiding experience and fly tying expertise to this comprehensive update on his latest innovations. As the mastermind behind Game Changer flies that have transformed cold water, warm water ...

In this episode of The Butcher Shop, host Marvin Cash is joined by Fletcher Sams, the innovative mind behind the Tweaker. Fletcher shares his journey into the world of visual eats and swim bugs, delving deep into the creation of the Tweaker, the fishing problem it addresses and the unique design features that make it effective. Listeners will discover the inspiration behind the name and the challenges Fletcher faced in developing a fly that could navigate tight, brush-filled creeks while maintai...

In this episode of The Butcher Shop, host Marvin Cash sits down with Russ Maddin at the vise for a lively discussion about the iconic Circus Peanut. As Russ ties this innovative pattern, he shares the fascinating backstory behind its creation in the early 2000s, highlighting the guiding challenges that inspired its design. Listeners will learn about the unique two-hook construction that helps keep fish hooked longer, a game-changer for streamer fishing enthusiasts. Russ dives deep into his appro...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reunites with Brendan Ruch for the latest Ruch Report, filled with fishing tales and a touch of humor. Brendan shares his recent adventures on the river, including a successful day of fishing despite some unpredictable weather. The duo lightheartedly discusses everything from imaginary convenience store chimichangas to Easter treats, setting the stage for a fun and engaging conversation. As they dive deeper, Brendan reflects on the current ...

In this episode of The Butcher Shop, host Marvin Cash sits down with Tommy Lynch on a frigid winter evening in Michigan, where they dive deep into the world of fly tying and fishing. Despite the brutal cold and a case of the "shack nasties," Tommy shares his insights on the creation of his popular fly pattern, the Drunk & Disorderly. With a few Monsters and some Kodiak to keep the spirits high, the duo explores the intricacies of fly design, discussing the importance of movement and bite trigger...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Brendan Ruch for the latest Ruch Report. Despite sitting in a damp truck and facing some chilly weather, Brendan reflects on an exciting three weeks of fishing. He discusses the recent high water conditions and how they impact fish behavior, as well as the anticipated smallmouth spawn in the coming week or so. The duo dives into Brendan's successful outings with clients from Schultz Outfitters, where they enjoyed some fantas...

In this inaugural episode of The Butcher Shop, host Marvin Cash sits down with renowned angler Blane Chocklett for an in-depth discussion on the art of crafting and fishing the T-Bone. Blane shares his journey from early musky fishing experiences to the creation of the T-Bone, detailing the materials and techniques that went into its design. He dives into the intricacies of hook and shank configurations, the importance of profile and silhouette and how to effectively fish this innovative pattern...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Ellis Ward for an insightful East Tennessee Fishing Report. As spring teases the region with fluctuating temperatures, Ellis shares his observations on the current fishing conditions in Johnson City. With the Watauga River clearing up and promising flows ahead, he discusses the impact of recent weather patterns on fishing and the anticipated hatches, particularly the blue wing olives. Ellis dives into the post-spawn fishing ...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash welcomes back fly angler, tier, author and educator Tim Cammisa. They dive into Tim's 2025 hosted travel calendar and explore his latest book, "Tying Euro Nymphs and Other Competition Favorites." Tim shares insights from his interviews with top anglers, discussing the evolution of Euro nymphing techniques and the importance of understanding the "why" behind fly design. The conversation covers Tim's fishing adventures in 2024, including succ...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash welcomes Mike Schultz and Greg Senyo to discuss the highly anticipated Bobbin the Hood 2025. Set to take place on February 1st and 2nd at Schultz Outfitters in Ypsilanti, this angler-first tying event promises a weekend filled with creativity and camaraderie. Mike and Greg share insights into the evolution of Bobbin, highlighting the intimate setting that allows attendees to learn directly from top tiers and industry innovators. As they rem...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash wraps up the year with Ellis Ward, delivering the final East Tennessee Fishing Report of the season. As they discuss the current fishing conditions, Ellis shares his recent experiences on the water, including musky fishing on the French Broad and the challenges posed by sediment in Watauga Lake. Despite the obstacles, Ellis notes the excellent musky fishing and the resilience of musky habitat post-Hurricane Helene. The conversation shifts t...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with John Leraas, the owner of Tailwaters Fly Company , the newest fly shop in East Tennessee. Tailwaters caters to the serious fly angler and fly tier, and John shares his fly fishing journey, the allure of East Tennessee as a fishing destination and his vision for the shop. John recounts his earliest fishing memories from the Pacific Northwest and his eventual transition to fly fishing, influenced by mentors from the Puget Sound...