PODCAST INTERVIEW: Predator Flies and Sparkle Boats: Steve Maldonado's Journey
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
0:00 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