Joe Rotter and crew recount a week at Bearclaw Lodge (Bristol Bay): creek hikes, float‑plane flyouts, dry‑fly rainbows, Arctic char, pike fishing, and even surprise boat rescues. The episode covers logistics, guide life, essential gear and practical tips for anglers planning a remote Alaska fishing adventure. The MEND Fly Fishing
Joe Rotter
Episode 115 – Fishing w/ Our Gals, Chaotic Tuber Rescues, and Funny YouTube Comments
A chaotic river day unfolds after a sudden microburst pins floaters against a cliff wall, prompting dramatic rescues by guides and the sheriff; the hosts share survival stories, safety takeaways (life jackets, strapping paddleboards, whistles), talk fishing tips, Alaska plans, hoot owl restrictions, and lighter moments about bird apps, quail, and YouTube comments. The MEND […]
Episode 114 – Q & A LIVE from YouTube // Trout Time
Join Joe from Red’s Fly Shop for a live fast-paced Q&A covering summer trout tactics: youth camp advice, when to start kids in fly fishing, best rods and lines for dry-dropper and euro nymphing, Hopper-dropper setups, streamer strategy, leader and tippet tips, and gear recommendations for travel destinations like Chile. Practical, relatable guidance for DIY […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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. The MEND Fly Fishing