S6, Ep 91: Predator Flies and Sparkle Boats: Steve Maldonado's Journey

The Articulate Fly

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash chats with Steve Maldonado, also known by his aliases Skeeter or Jonny Lunchmeat. They delve into Steve’s journey from his sparkle boat days to his immersion in fly fishing, with a special focus on tying predator flies. Steve shares his earliest fishing memories, his competitive bass fishing experiences and how a move to Colorado shifted his focus to fly fishing. He also discusses the influential mentors who have shaped his fly tying skills and his passion for chasing tarpon and big browns on the fly.

Steve provides valuable insights into his fly design philosophy, particularly for predator flies, and offers practical tips for aspiring fly designers. He emphasizes the importance of thread pressure, consistent tying techniques and the significance of the retrieve in effectively fishing a fly. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fly fishing, this episode is packed with useful advice and engaging stories from Steve's fishing adventures.

Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

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Helpful Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:17 The Sparkle Boat Days

06:25 The Fly Fishing Itch

09:03 Mentorship in Fly Fishing

13:47 Favorite Rivers in Colorado

16:33 Tying Techniques and Tools

19:47 Predator Fly Design Philosophy

25:35 The Jungle Junkie

31:21 Umpqua Selection Process

33:14 Tips for Aspiring Fly Designers

36:23 Tips for Handling Hair

39:16 Experimenting with New Materials

43:11 Upcoming Travel and Hosted Trips

48:59 Custom Fly Orders