Joe Rotter gives a solo recap of a hectic guiding week: packing tips for an upcoming Espiritu Santo Bay trip, events (Reds Rendezvous on May 30 and a saltwater Q&A on May 6), and practical gear advice like lists, Ziplocs for tackle, lens care, and floatant recommendations. He summarizes recent Yakima River fishing—salmon fly and […]
Joe Rotter
Episode 103 – Road-Tested Fishing Plans & Reds Rendezvous Preview
Welcome to the MEND Podcast with Joe Rotter — quick updates, event details, and practical spring fishing advice. Joe covers a May 6th Zoom Q&A, the May 30th Reds Rendezvous, the purchase of a jet sled, and the value of physical scouting. He explains hatch-rod prep for March Brown mayfly hatches, single-nymph New Zealand rigs, […]
Episode 102 – Espiritu Santo Bay Deep Dive: Tail End Lodge, Permit & Tarpon
On this episode of the MEND Podcast Joe Rotter sits down with travel manager Eric Nickum, Steve Joyce and guide Cam Short to break down a trip to Espiritu Santo Bay and the Tail End Lodge. They cover fishing highlights — permit, tarpon, bonefish and grand slams — plus the surprise of sargassum, memorable guide […]
Episode 101 – Muddy Water Blues w/ Shop Manager Bob
The river’s running high after heavy runoff and full reservoirs, forcing guides and anglers to find alternative fisheries. The hosts discuss current river conditions, predictions for an exceptional dry-fly summer, and recent outings to lakes for bass and lahontan trout. They also cover gear prep, fly-tying, youth programs, upcoming events (Reds Rendezvous on May 30 […]
Episode 100 – Adventures You Need to Know About with Jon Covich
On this episode the MEND podcast welcomes world traveler and guide Jon Covich to discuss his 35-year career in the fishing industry, recent gear highlights (including the TNT Contact 3), and the hosted international trips he leads. John outlines the different trip styles, outfitter standards, and what makes each destination unique. The conversation covers a […]
Episode 99 – Backyard Fisheries with Josh Potter // Tuesday’s Tippets
Joe Rotter and longtime pal Josh Potter reenact a classic spring-creek trip, sharing tactics for tightline nymphing, streamer work, and using New Zealand-style yarn indicators in windy, gin‑clear water. The episode mixes technical instruction—leader setups, cider material, long casts and stripping—with storytelling about a 25‑mile roadless backpack-fishing documentary, nostalgic memories, and finding joy in small, […]
Episode 98 – 3 Weeks of Fishing in Christmas Island and a Tough Trout Creek
In this episode, Eric Nickum, Bob Miller, and Joe Rotter sit down after each spending a full week fishing Christmas Island—but on different schedules, with different guides, different tides, and wildly different experiences. The crew compares notes on what worked, what surprised them, what they’d do again, and what they’d recommend for anyone heading to […]
Episode 97 – George Cook. Spey Revolutions, Sage Rod Lore & Alaska Kings
Host Joe Rotter is joined by George Cook, longtime industry pro and guru of all things fly. Roger Shearer of Red’s Fly Shop joins Joe and George and they dive into fishing lore, covering the new Sage ARROW rod, decades of Sage rod development, and the evolution of Spey lines and techniques. They share Alaska […]
Episode 96 – Subway to Super Spey. Deschutes, Carp, & More w/ Jeremiah Houle
Jeremiah Houle joins the MEND podcast to share his 21‑year fly‑fishing journey from shop floor to guide to industry rep, plus event dates and insider gear talk. The episode covers his favorite flies and rods, guiding on the Deschutes and lakes, and a deep dive into carp fishing—tailing behavior, fly choices (crayfish, mussel patterns), presentation […]
Episode 95 – Coached by “The General” Jason Randall // Was I Even Nymphing Before?
On this episode of the MEND Podcast recorded at Red’s Fly Shop, hosts and guests (notably Jason Randall and TFO’s Nick Conklin) share a full day on the river focused on tightline/euro nymphing. The group breaks down practical coaching, leader setups, and when to choose tightline over indicators. They cover key techniques like back-roll (roll-jig) […]











