What matters more in fly fishing: the pattern, or the presentation?

In this episode, we sit down with Maine guide and highly regarded fly tyer Capt. Ben Whalley to talk about the small details that make a huge difference when targeting striped bass and other saltwater species.

Ben discusses the influence of legendary fly tyer Bob Popovics, his approach to designing large-profile flies that remain castable, and how observation and experimentation lead to better fly design.

The conversation also previews the upcoming Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Expo, where Ben will join a panel focused on one of the most important parts of fly fishing: the final 40 feet of presentation.

From neutrally buoyant shrimp flies to triggering strikes from fish that are locked in on bait, this episode dives deep into the real decision-making that happens when fish get a long look at your fly.

Topics include:

• Why large flies don't have to be hard to cast

• Lessons from Bob Popovics and hollow fly design

• Matching movement instead of just matching size

• When to change flies and when to change presentation

• Why observation is the most important skill in fly fishing

• Techniques for triggering bites from pressured fish

If you enjoy problem solving on the water and learning how great anglers think through a fishing situation, you'll enjoy this conversation.

In this episode, we sit down with John L. Field, author, conservationist, and FFI Master Casting Instructor, ahead of the Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Expo on March 14th.

This year's Expo shifts from tactics to skill building, breaking down the habits and mechanics that consistently lead to success. John dives deep into:

• Why too much false casting costs you fish

• The mechanics behind tight loops and clean tracking

• How rod loading really works

• The difference between leverage and momentum in your stroke

• The building blocks every fly caster needs

• Knot logic and leader design fundamentals

If you want more distance, more accuracy, and more opportunity on the water, this episode is a must listen.

Join us on March 14th for the Saltwater Edge Fly Fishing Expo, with hands-on casting and rigging clinics the following day.

In this episode, we sit down with analytical angler Dan Wells for one of the most detailed breakdowns of nighttime striper fly fishing you'll ever hear. Dan combines military-grade strategic thinking with years of obsessive local scouting to build a system for understanding tides, bait cycles, estuaries, and nighttime feeding behavior.

We cover everything from silver-side patterns to herring runs, eel and squid behavior, two-hand casting for big flies, and how to build a 30-minute fishing radius that consistently produces. If you love the craft of surfcasting or fly fishing — especially in Northeast estuaries — this is a masterclass.

Roy Leyva joins The Saltwater Edge to unpack a lifetime of fishing across fresh and salt. We talk Boston roots, 500-plus species, world-record catches from Jamaica Pond, and the universal toolkit of soft plastics and jigs. Roy explains cadence, structure, and why asking "why" beats chasing spots. We finish with the fish he would pick for one last day on Earth. Highlights include the world-record koi and landlocked salmon story in Boston and a practical breakdown of lures that work anywhere.

The Saltwater Edge crew sits down to recap the 2025 season — from surfcasting for bass and flipping kayaks chasing albies, to tuna trips and tropical fish in Rhode Island waters. Hear their go-to lures, biggest surprises, and plans for the rest of the fall run.

Topics include:

• The comeback of albies and bonito

• Shark encounters on jigs

• Fly vs spin debates

• Favorite plugs, colors, and techniques for late fall

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we sit down with Captain Cody Rubner—guide, conservationist, and one of the most dynamic voices in saltwater fishing. Based in Stuart, Florida, Cody runs High Roller Guide Service and brings a unique blend of marine science, media savvy, and grassroots advocacy to the water every day.

We explore Cody's early years fishing Cape Cod jetties, how a childhood obsession with fish evolved into a career in marine biology and guiding, and why his work with the American Saltwater Guides Association and Captains for Clean Water matters now more than ever.

Cody also walks us through the incredible variety of Florida's year-round fishery—snook, tarpon, jack crevalle, sailfish, permit, albies, and more—and shares what fuels his passion for teaching others and protecting the resources we all rely on.

Topics Covered:

• Stuart, FL fishery breakdown by season

• Why curiosity is his North Star

• Balancing content creation and conservation

• His work with ASGA and Captains for Clean Water

• Tips for visiting anglers (and why small flies matter)

• The joys and challenges of guiding full-time

If you care about fishing, clean water, and what the future of saltwater angling looks like, this is one you won't want to miss.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ben Meadows—fisheries economist, conservationist, and passionate redfish angler—for a fascinating dive into the real value of recreational fishing.

From the dockside price of a fillet to the unspoken joy of watching fish swirl in the surf, Dr. Meadows breaks down how economic tools can (and can't) capture what fishing means to us. We explore how traditional models fall short in valuing catch-and-release, why property rights matter in fishery policy, and how anglers—from fly fishers to surfcasters—can use economic insight to advocate for the resource we all share.

Whether you're a policy nerd, weekend warrior, or just wondering what your striper trip is "worth," this one's for you.

• 00:00 – Meet Dr. Ben Meadows: economist, angler, and former SEC kicker

• 04:00 – Redfish, cheap thrills, and the roots of a fishing obsession

• 06:30 – What does it really mean to maximize fishing value?

• 10:30 – Commercial fisheries: economics, incentives, and extinction

• 15:00 – Why monopolies might (strangely) be the best for fish stocks

• 19:00 – Property rights: the key to sustainable commercial fishing

• 23:00 – The real value of catch-and-release

• 30:00 – Non-market valuation tools explained

• 38:00 – Even a bluefish and bad day can have economic value

• 42:00 – Why stock abundance matters as much as harvest

• 45:00 – Building a bigger tent for recreational anglers

In this episode, Pete Utschig returns to the Saltwater Edge Podcast to talk surfcasting strategy, big fish mindset, and the lifelong pursuit of "alpha" predators. From his days in the firehouse to chasing tarpon in Florida and roosterfish in Baja, Pete shares what it takes to consistently find success from the surf.

We cover the power of preparation, why confidence trumps plug color, and how moon tides, weather patterns, and current windows dictate your shot at a true trophy. If you're serious about stripers—or just love hearing how passion and persistence play out on the water—this one's a must.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro and welcome back Pete
01:08 – Surfcasting passion and conservation roots
02:45 – "Spend time to make time": Planning and tide prep
04:00 – How firefighting shaped Pete's approach to fishing
07:10 – Guide life in Northeast Florida: species and seasons
09:30 – Baja roosterfish and fishing the Pacific surf
11:30 – DIY tuna in Portugal: heartbreak and redemption
15:00 – The FG knot failure that changed everything
17:00 – Always be ready: preparing for the alpha
22:00 – Plan A, B, and C: Adapting to conditions
24:30 – Using logs and patterns to predict big fish windows
27:00 – Pete's minimalist 5x5x5 plug strategy
31:00 – Current finders, cheat codes, and why confidence matters
34:00 – How to fish smarter, not just harder
42:00 – Storm tactics: Before, during, and after
45:00 – Moon tides and reading short windows
48:00 – Finding big fish after a blow
51:30 – Final takeaways and Florida guide updates

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