The Articulate Fly

In this must-listen fly fishing podcast episode, host Marvin Cash welcomes back Blane Chocklett, the inventor of the revolutionary Game Changer platform, for another installment of The Chocklett Factory series.

Expert Innovation: Blane Chocklett's Latest Breakthroughs

Blane Chocklett, renowned fly designer, guide and author, reveals his most anticipated fly tying materials set to revolutionize the tying bench this fall and winter season.

What You'll Learn: Cutting-Edge Tying Solutions

Discover breakthrough innovations including flexible crustacean eyes that solve traditional mono eye problems, premium foam products for superior terrestrial patterns and specialized brush...

The Articulate Fly podcast delivers essential Southwest Virginia fishing intelligence with guide Matt Reilly, who breaks down the critical decision-making process every angler faces when conditions refuse to cooperate.

Reilly, an expert smallmouth fishing guide with years of regional experience, reveals how flash floods and yo-yo water levels have made this one of the most challenging topwater seasons in recent memory.

Learn his systematic approach to reading stream flow data, water clarity and temperature to make split-second location decisions that save your fishing day.

Discover when to abandon your primary topwater game plan...

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast host Marvin Cash for another East Tennessee Fishing Report with guide Ellis Ward, covering current conditions on the Watauga River and South Holston River.

While dry fly action has been unusually slow for August, Ellis reveals why the streamer fishing has been exceptional, with clients regularly landing impressive fish including a 26.5-inch brown trout.

Learn how post-Helene water stain continues to benefit streamer presentations, current generation schedules affecting both tailwater systems and why water levels remain healthier than typical late-summer conditions.

Ellis shares insights on transitioning tactics...

Join The Butcher Shop podcast host Marvin Cash for an exclusive deep dive into fly line design and manufacturing with Josh Jenkins, R&D Manager at Scientific Anglers.

Guest Expertise: Scientific Anglers R&D Leadership

Josh Jenkins brings mechanical engineering expertise and years of hands-on experience developing fly lines for America's leading manufacturer. As SA's sole engineer, Jenkins oversees product development, manufacturing optimization and quality control for the company's entire line portfolio.

What You'll Learn: Manufacturing Secrets Revealed

Discover the complete fly line manufacturing process from core selection through PVC coating...

The Articulate Fly fishing podcast brings you essential Central Pennsylvania fishing insights with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College.

As summer fishing conditions settle into their seasonal patterns, Costa reports above-average flows throughout Central PA despite recent dry spells, creating excellent opportunities for technical summer fishing.

Listeners discover prime Trico hatch timing on Spring Creek, along with proven terrestrial fishing strategies using Chubby Chernobyls, hoppers, ants and beetles as the terrestrial season peaks.

Costa shares critical water temperature monitoring advice for midday fishing, particularly on waters like the J and...

In this compelling episode of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash teams up with renowned guide and instructor Mac Brown for another insightful Casting Angles segment focused on high water fishing strategies in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Mac, who lives on Deep Creek in Bryson City and has been guiding Appalachian waters since the 1980s, reveals why experienced anglers should flip conventional wisdom during big rain events and head to lower elevations rather than seeking high mountain streams.

Learn how massive brown trout emerge from hiding during flash flood conditions, creating feeding frenzies...

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast host Marvin Cash for an essential East Tennessee Fishing Report with seasoned guide Ellis Ward, who delivers critical summer conditions updates for the Watauga River and the South Holston River.

Ward breaks down how recent afternoon thunderstorms are impacting freestone rivers while highlighting exceptional streamer fishing and mousing opportunities during the current recreation release schedule.

Learn the optimal timing strategies for navigating the Watauga's 1-6pm releases and the South Holston's 11-7 generation patterns, plus discover why low water mousing in clear conditions creates ideal bite windows for trophy...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for another essential Ruch Report with smallmouth bass guide Brendan Ruch, fresh from successful trips to Michigan waters with Schultz Outfitters and western Pennsylvania streams.

Despite challenging mid-Atlantic conditions with high, dirty water disrupting traditional topwater fishing, Brendan shares proven strategies for adapting to stained water conditions using copper flash patterns, tan and olive brown crayfish imitations and downsized presentations on slower flats.

Learn critical hook removal techniques for tongue-hooked smallmouth bass, including the proper hemostat method that significantly reduces bleeding and improves fish survival compared...

Join this special episode of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast as Henry Cowen and Allen Rupp share intimate stories about their friendships with legendary angler, tier and artist Dave Whitlock and his profound impact on their fly fishing careers.

Guest Expertise: Two Perspectives on Dave's Legacy

Henry Cowen, author of "Fly Fishing for Freshwater Striped Bass" and renowned Lake Lanier guide, discusses his deep connection with Dave over their shared passion for freshwater striper fishing. Henry reveals how Dave's insights shaped his understanding of striper behavior and fly design, including their extensive correspondence about tactics...

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast as host Marvin Cash catches up with Southwest Virginia guide Matt Reilly for essential summer fishing insights when conditions get challenging.

Matt shares his expert strategies for adapting to dirty water and high flow conditions that have disrupted typical topwater opportunities across the region. Learn how to modify your smallmouth bass fishing approach using streamer techniques, including Chuck Kraft's Critter Mite patterns and crayfish imitations that produce results when visibility drops.

Matt reveals his go-to color choices for dirty water fishing—emphasizing contrasty dark patterns like black and blue co...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, guide and instructor Mac Brown shares game-changing stillwater fishing techniques that will revolutionize your strike detection.

With summer heat making trout fishing challenging, Mac reveals how fishing farm ponds for bluegill and bass becomes the perfect training ground for serious anglers. Learn his proven floating line method using a hand twist retrieve at 50-60 feet, positioning your rod just 1.5-2 feet off the water to master visual strike detection by watching line sag at the rod tip.

Mac explains why traditional wet flies—the backbone of Am...

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 to the surface, plus his go-to yellow bug selections in sizes 16-22 for consistent dry fly action.

Ellis explains...

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, Whalley has refined these patterns for diverse saltwater conditions.

What You'll Learn

Discover the fascinating history...

In this Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, Marvin Cash connects with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for essential summer fishing intelligence.

With water levels slightly above seasonal norms and afternoon temperatures pushing into the high 60s, Costa emphasizes the critical importance of temperature monitoring and strategic timing. While the cicada emergence is wrapping up, trout continue attacking cicada patterns as they chase the last available protein, and anglers should expect tricos to begin hatching any day for prime early morning dry fly opportunities. Costa reveals that terrestrial patterns...

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 and saltwater fly fishing, Chocklett shares insights from his extensive travel schedule and product development work.

What You'll Learn

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Join Marvin Cash on this episode of Casting Angles featuring expert guide and instructor Mac Brown as they dive deep into mastering drift presentation techniques for summer trout fishing.

Mac Brown, renowned for his comprehensive fly fishing guide schools and technical expertise, shares game-changing strategies for achieving drag-free drifts when targeting rising fish across varying current speeds.

Learn how to position yourself strategically to avoid perpendicular approaches that create immediate drag, discover the "dancing line mend" technique that keeps your rod tip constantly moving to maintain perfect drifts up to 40 feet long or more and...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast as Ellis Ward delivers an outstanding East Tennessee Fishing Report from the boat ramp, showcasing why the Watauga River and South Holston River are firing on all cylinders despite recent hot weather.

Ward, an experienced East Tennessee guide, shares exceptional dry fly fishing success stories including multiple browns over 18 inches and consistent action that's been "unusually good" for both seasoned anglers and first-time dry fly fishers.

Learn how recent rainfall and subtle water clarity changes are actually enhancing fish behavior and reducing spookiness, creating prime conditions...

Join Marvin Cash on this tactical episode featuring smallmouth guide Brendan Ruch for another insightful Ruch Report. With high water keeping anglers off their home waters, Brendan shares his expertise on optimizing Lamson three-pack reel setups for serious smallmouth fishing, breaking down the perfect trio of fly lines for varying conditions. Learn how to match fly lines to your rod's action, discover why intermediate lines require seasonal swapping to avoid sticky summer performance and master the game-changing Titan Sink Tip Type 3 for high water streamer fishing.

Brendan reveals his color selection strategy for smallmouth flies, detailing when...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for another Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College.

George delivers exciting news about the ongoing cicada emergence that's creating once-in-17-years fishing opportunities throughout central Pennsylvania. Despite recent hot weather in the 90s, stream temperatures remain ideal thanks to water levels running 2-3 times above normal seasonal flows, keeping most waters around 63-64 degrees.

The cicada fishing continues to dominate with fish heavily keyed in on cicada patterns, and George expects at least another week of active emergence...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Matt Reilly for the latest Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. As Matt embarks on a tarpon fishing adventure, he shares insights on the current fishing conditions back home, highlighting the transition into early summer patterns. With water temperatures on the rise, Matt discusses the smallmouth's shift in diet, focusing on their increased interest in crayfish during this time of year.

Listeners will learn about the effectiveness of topwater presentations, especially when targeting darker fish that are more likely to bite. Matt emphasizes the importance of...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is joined by casting expert Mac Brown for another insightful installment of Casting Angles. As the summer heat intensifies, Mac shares his strategies for fishing in low and clear water conditions, emphasizing the importance of adjusting techniques and equipment for success.

Listeners will learn about the benefits of using longer leaders with stiffer butt sections to improve accuracy and precision when casting. Mac discusses the pitfalls of adding too much tippet and provides practical tips for effective nymph fishing without spooking fish. He also highlights the significance...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash welcomes back Jake Villwock from Relentless Fly Fishing for an engaging discussion on topwater smallmouth fishing as summer heats up. Jake shares his expert tips and tricks for targeting smallmouth bass, including the best times to fish frogs and the importance of matching the hatch. He also provides an update on his latest book project, which focuses on the top 50 flies for smallmouth bass, featuring contributions from various renowned fly tiers.

Listeners will gain insights into the unique fishing conditions in Pennsylvania, including the effects of recent...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Ellis Ward for the latest East Tennessee Fishing Report. As summer settles in, Ellis shares his experiences navigating the waters of the Watauga and the exciting opportunities that come with the warmer months. With the river generating six days a week, Ellis discusses the resurgence of dry fly activity and the thrill of night fishing, particularly mousing, as he plans to dive deeper into this late night streamer technique.

Listeners will hear about the current water conditions, including the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene and...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Brendan Ruch for the latest Ruch Report. As summer heats up, Brendan shares his insights on adapting smallmouth strategies, particularly focusing on topwater techniques and the importance of scaling down baitfish sizes for summer flows.

Listeners will learn about the effectiveness of using smaller, slim-profile baitfish flies and the benefits of experimenting with larger flies in faster water. Brendan emphasizes that anglers shouldn't shy away from using five-inch flies, especially in high-gradient rivers, while also discussing his preferred methods for fishing topwater, including creating...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Mac Brown for another insightful installment of Casting Angles. The duo discusses the transition from cooler weather to the sweltering heat of summer, highlighting the challenges trout anglers face as the fishing season evolves. With high water conditions and the recent opening of delayed harvest waters, they explore alternative fishing options, including panfish and bass, while emphasizing the importance of skill development even when conditions are less than ideal.

Listeners will gain valuable tips on honing essential fishing skills such as casting, line control and...

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 maintaining a weedless presentation. He discusses the intricate details of the fly's construction, including the importance of...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is joined by Ellis Ward for the latest East Tennessee Fishing Report. Ellis shares his insights on the current fishing conditions, emphasizing the benefits of predictable flows on the Watauga and the exciting opportunities it creates for anglers.

Listeners will learn about the challenges and rewards of streamer fishing, as Ellis discusses the intricacies of catching big brown trout and the techniques that can lead to success. He highlights the importance of adapting your approach based on water conditions and the behavior of the fish.

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In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is joined by George Costa from TCO Fly Shop for the latest Central PA Fishing Report. The duo dives into the recent weather patterns, discussing the significant rainfall that has led to high water conditions in the region. With nearly seven inches of rain recorded in May, George shares insights on the current state of hatches, including the tail end of the drakes and the ongoing sulphur activity.

As the cicada season approaches, George emphasizes the excitement surrounding this unique event, which happens once every 17 years. He...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Brendan Ruch for another engaging Ruch Report. As he navigates the scenic mountains of West Virginia, Brendan shares his recent fishing experiences en route to pick up a new puppy. He discusses the surprising sight of fish on beds and the strategies that have been effective in the current high-water conditions.

Listeners will gain insights into the types of flies that are working well, including olive and black patterns with copper flash, and the importance of adapting to changing water temperatures as summer approaches. Brendan...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Matt Reilly for the latest Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. The duo discusses the recent weather patterns and their impact on fishing, with Matt sharing insights on his recent forays into stillwaters and the excitement of cicada season. As the cicadas emerge, Matt reflects on the abrupt end of the striper run and the thrill of fishing with these iconic insects.

Listeners will learn about the geographical variations in cicada emergence across the Southeast and how this affects fishing opportunities. Matt emphasizes the importance of...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Mac Brown for another insightful installment of Casting Angles. The duo discusses the unexpected weather patterns impacting fishing, with Mac expressing his disappointment over the forecasted rain that never materialized. As they navigate the transition into summer, they explore how cooler temperatures have affected fishing conditions, particularly focusing on the effectiveness of dry dropper setups in the high 50s to low 60s water temperatures.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the timing of fishing trips during the summer months, as Mac emphasizes the importance of...

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 approach to streamer fishing, emphasizing the importance of adapting techniques based on water conditions and fish behavior. He offers...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is joined by Ellis Ward for the latest East Tennessee Fishing Report. Ellis shares his recent experiences on the water, discussing the fluctuating weather patterns and their impact on fishing conditions. With a mix of sunny days and humid, still weather, Ellis highlights the resurgence of insect activity and the excitement of catching a 21-inch brown trout on a dry fly, showcasing the thrill of observing fish rise to the surface.

The conversation shifts to the current state of the Watauga River, where Ellis notes the improved...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Brendan Ruch for another exciting Ruch Report. Brendan shares his latest fishing adventures, recounting a rollercoaster day on the water filled with unpredictable weather and some impressive catches. The duo dives into the intricacies of fishing under changing conditions, discussing the various techniques and strategies that proved successful during Brendan's outing.

As they prepare for an upcoming weather front, Brendan provides insights into how the shifting temperatures and water levels will impact fishing. He also addresses a listener's question about preferred knots for terminal...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with George Costa for the latest Central PA Fishing Report, and it’s a wet one! With rain forecasted to hit the region, George shares insights on how the weather will affect fishing conditions and what anglers can expect in the days ahead. As the waters rise and visibility decreases, he emphasizes the importance of adaptability in your fishing strategy.

The duo dives into the current insect activity, discussing the various hatches, including drakes and sulphurs, that are enticing trout. George highlights the significance of ob...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with the legendary Blane Chocklett for an engaging discussion about recent adventures and upcoming events in the world of fly fishing. Blane shares his experiences since Tie Fest, including a thrilling trip chasing giant redfish in shallow waters, where he landed record-sized fish that will soon grace magazine covers.

The conversation shifts to the premiere of Lefty's documentary, "Lefty Kreh: The Greatest of All Time," highlighting the emotional impact of the film and its portrayal of Lefty's remarkable life journey. Blane reflects on the camaraderie and...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is joined by Mac Brown for another insightful edition of Casting Angles. As they navigate through the recent storms and high water, Mac shares his expertise on how anglers can still find success despite challenging conditions. They discuss the importance of fishing high in the water table, particularly in the Park, where clarity often prevails over the more turbid waters downstream.

Mac emphasizes the value of knowing the water and the behavior of fish during floods, explaining how they often retreat to the edges and structure. The...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with Corey Haselhuhn from Schultz Outfitters for an engaging conversation about the upcoming fishing season and the art of carp fishing on the fly. As the warm weather begins to take hold in Michigan, Corey shares his journey to Schultz Outfitters and reflects on his earliest fishing memories, including the thrill of catching his first northern pike.

The duo dives deep into the world of carp, discussing the technical challenges and the unique behaviors of these resilient fish. Corey emphasizes the importance of observing carp...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash checks in with Ellis Ward for the latest East Tennessee Fishing Report. The conversation kicks off with Ellis sharing his excitement about the upcoming perfect fishing weather, as they discuss the recent low water conditions that have led to overgrown banks and the challenges of targeting wild brown trout with streamers.

Ellis reflects on his recent guiding experiences, highlighting the increased activity of fish and the importance of adapting techniques to navigate the low water challenges. The duo dives into the ongoing effects of sediment from Hurricane...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Brendan Ruch for a new Ruch Report. The duo dives into the recent weather challenges in Pennsylvania, discussing how the heavy rains have impacted fishing but also set the stage for a promising post-spawn bite. Brendan shares his experiences from the past week, where he navigated through a mix of pre-spawn and post-spawn fish, revealing the unique conditions that led to some interesting fishing strategies.

Listeners will gain valuable insights as Brendan explains the nuances of fishing during this transitional time, including the importance...