Musky Episodes

Episode Overview In this episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash sits down with Josh Trammell, Head Guide at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio, for a candid look at what it takes to build and sustain a full-time, four-season guide career. Josh covers the Ohio multi-species fishing calendar — smallmouth bass, northern pike, steelhead and carp — along with seasonal guiding in Alaska and destination schools targeting musky and trophy trout. Josh traces his path from...

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 This fly fishing podcast episode delivers a timely late-winter transition report from Southwest Virginia, covering the critical window when musky season winds down and pre-spawn smallmouth bass fishing kicks into gear. Host Marvin Cash reconnects with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing — a USCG-licensed captain and specialist in smallmouth, musky and other predatory game fish in the New River system — for a frank assessment of where conditions stand and what anglers sh...

Episode Overview In this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly podcast, guide Matt Reilly discusses late January/early February winter conditions on the New River and tactical considerations for musky anglers navigating frozen water and seasonal transitions. Reilly details how 6 to 9 inches of snowfall combined with sub-freezing temperatures have kept the New River frozen for nearly two weeks, creating challenging access conditions while fish hold in predictable winter lies. ...

Episode Overview East Tennessee guide Ellis Ward delivers his first fishing report of 2026 on The Articulate Fly podcast, covering winter tactics for both post-spawn trout and low-water musky fishing. Ward breaks down strategic adaptations required for fishing extremely low and clear water conditions that have dominated the region through early January, affecting both tailwater trout fisheries and musky rivers like the French Broad. The episode emphasizes post-spawn trout streamer fishing opport...

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...

Episode Overview The Articulate Fly kicks off 2026 with the first Southwest Virginia Fishing Report featuring guide Matt Reilly, who breaks down winter musky strategies for navigating January's unpredictable conditions in Southwest Virginia's river systems. Matt explains how musky concentrate in specific locations during cold water periods (upper 30s to low 40s) and why cloudy, warm days create ideal winter fishing opportunities. The conversation covers tactical approaches for fishing through te...

The Articulate Fly wraps up 2025 with the final Southwest Virginia Fishing Report featuring New River musky guide Matt Reilly, who shares essential winter musky fishing strategies and cold weather survival tactics in this fly fishing podcast. As water temperatures drop to the critical 42-43°F threshold post-Thanksgiving, Reilly explains how musky transition into the deepest, slowest-moving winter holes on Southwest Virginia rivers. Learn a proven technique for locating winter musky by observing ...

In this East Tennessee Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash connects with guide Ellis Ward to discuss the seasonal transition from brown trout to prime musky fishing on the French Broad River. Ellis breaks down why December is a great time to chase musky in East Tennessee, explaining how low water conditions create unique presentation opportunities and how recent rain is settling the river into its winter patterns. With baby number three arriving this week, Ellis shares his s...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing, where he breaks down late fall musky fishing tactics on the New River during challenging low water conditions. Matt shares essential techniques for clear water musky fishing, including stealth approaches with long casts, downsizing presentations and speed retrieval strategies that trigger strikes even when fish are boat-shy. The episode also deliver...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly for this timely Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with guide Matt Reilly, covering the challenging transition period as fall conditions settle in. With water temperatures dropping into the low to mid-60s on the New River, Reilly shares honest insights about targeting large smallmouth bass during October's unpredictable conditions. Learn why big fish abandon their predictable summer spots this time of year and how effective strategies shift as the bug bite b...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash sits down with Dave Huff, the driving force behind Whuff Rod Co. and founder of the Kentucky River Musky Classic tournament. Guest Expertise: From Custom Rod Builder to Industry Innovator Dave Huff brings a unique perspective to fly rod design through his background in industrial design and mentorship under legendary rod builder Mike Arnold from the Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers . What started as custom rod building in 2016 ...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with Drew Price, the outfitter behind Master Class Angling , to explore the unique fly fishing opportunities on Lake Champlain. Drew shares his journey from a young angler fishing with his grandfather to becoming a passionate guide chasing exotic species like bowfin and gar. He recounts the challenges and rewards of fly fishing for these lesser-known species, emphasizing the thrill of sight fishing and the intelligence of bowfin. ...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash teams up with Ellis Ward for an insightful East Tennessee Fishing Report. Fresh off the Kentucky River Musky Classic, Ellis shares tales from the tournament, including unexpected challenges and the thrill of fishing in less-than-ideal conditions. Despite the tough bite, he reflects on the camaraderie of the event and the potential for growth in future tournaments. The conversation shifts to the current state of fishing on the South Holston ...

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 Matt Reilly for an insightful Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. As the weather begins to shift, Matt shares his experiences battling the windy conditions and high-pressure systems that have characterized recent fishing trips. Despite the challenges, he reveals that anglers have still managed to land some impressive catches, although the musky bite has been a mental game of patience and strategy. The conversation shifts as M...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Ellis Ward for an intriguing East Tennessee Fishing Report. As Ellis prepares for the Kentucky River Musky Classic, he shares insights on the current fishing conditions, including the impact of recent weather patterns and barometric pressure on angling success. The conversation dives deep into the nuances of streamer fishing, with Ellis explaining how factors such as cloud cover and water clarity can significantly influence ...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Matt Reilly for another informative Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. As they navigate the unpredictable weather patterns of the region, Matt shares insights on the fluctuating water temperatures and the impact this has on fish behavior, particularly musky. With recent conditions ranging from frozen rivers to highs in the 60s, the duo discusses how these changes affect fishing strategies and the importance of adapting to tight...

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 checks in with Matt Reilly for the latest Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. Matt shares his recent experiences on the water, navigating the challenges of a significant cold front that brought gusting winds and snow. Despite the harsh conditions, Matt remains focused on musky fishing, discussing the impact of fluctuating temperatures on fish behavior and offering insights into how anglers can adapt to these changes. Matt delves into the nua...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Ellis Ward for an engaging East Tennessee Fishing Report. As the holiday season approaches, the duo discusses the excitement of musky fishing in the cold, with Ellis sharing recent experiences on the water. Despite the chilly weather, Ellis recounts the thrill of introducing a first-time musky angler to the excitement of the chase, even if no muskies were landed. He emphasizes the importance of getting out there, reminding l...

In this captivating episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash welcomes Austin Conrad, co-owner of Virginia Trophy Guides , to explore the vibrant world of Virginia smallmouth and musky fishing. Austin shares his journey into fly fishing, recounting early memories with his grandfather and the pivotal moments that led him to the "dark side" of fly fishing as an adult. Listeners are treated to the legendary tale of Skippy Britches and Austin's insights into the rich fishing culture of the Mid...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Matt Reilly for the latest Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. As conditions normalize post-hurricane, Matt shares the excitement of musky fishing on the New River, with most boat ramps now accessible and water clarity improving. The duo discusses the benefits of the current water conditions, highlighting the productive fishing opportunities even in clear water. Listeners gain valuable insights into fly and line choices for fall...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash wraps up the final Ruch Report of the year with Brendan Ruch of Ruch Angling. Reflecting on a successful first season, Brendan shares his thoughts on the current fishing conditions and his plans for the off-season. As the conversation shifts, Brendan discusses his excitement for the upcoming musky season. Marvin and Brendan also announce the winner of the Ruch Angling swag pack, Frank Landis, and assure listeners that the contest was fair a...