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The Butcher Shop

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by The Articulate Fly

5.0(15 reviews)
30 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview

Raw conversations with master angler tiers who craft and fish the deadliest streamers in the game. Each episode dissects signature patterns and complete systems for hunting trophy brown trout, musky, pike and bass. No recipes - just proven tactics from predator specialists who consistently deliver the goods.

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Publishing Since

1/24/2025

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for BONUS: Tying Tradition: Jason Taylor's Journey Through the Art of Fly Tying

May 15, 2026

BONUS: Tying Tradition: Jason Taylor's Journey Through the Art of Fly Tying

This episode we speak with fly tier Jason Taylor about his fishing background and how he came to fly fishing later in life. He shares early memories of fishing with his father at a farm pond in Virginia and spending time on his uncle’s party boat near the Chesapeake Bay before getting into fly fishing after planning a trip to Belize. We discuss how local fly shops and online forums helped shape his development. Jason talks about early guidance from people at TCO, especially Steve Spurgeon, and about meeting and learning from tyers such as Bob Popovics and David Nelson through forums and at shows. He describes those communities as important places for sharing ideas and techniques. Jason also explains his tying philosophy. He emphasizes purpose, efficiency, and using the least material needed to make a fly work. He says he approaches patterns by thinking about the final result first and working backward, and he prefers natural materials because they slow him down and fit his style. A major part of the conversation focuses on hollow flies and related streamers. Jason talks about why the hollow-fly platform is adaptable, how he has modified patterns with materials such as ostrich, and how he uses brushes in some designs to save time. He also discusses his ideas about fly movement, buoyancy, and the role of profile in getting effective patterns for different species. We finish with practical tying advice and material selection. Jason shares tips on using Crazy Glue on thread, cutting bucktail before tying it in, and choosing soft, kinky bucktail and finer ostrich. He also mentions tools he keeps at the bench, materials he is experimenting with, and shows where he appears, including Edison and occasional regional events.

Episode thumbnail for S2, Ep 3: Swine Design Secrets: Eli Berant Discusses the Optimus Swine

April 24, 2026

S2, Ep 3: Swine Design Secrets: Eli Berant Discusses the Optimus Swine

<h2>Episode Overview</h2><p>The Butcher Shop goes deep on one of the Great Lakes predator fly world's most distinctive patterns in this conversation with Eli Berant, the Michigan-based fly designer and founder of <a href="http://greatlakesfly.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Great Lakes Fly</a>. Eli is the creator of the Optimus Swine — a reverse foam head-embedded, side-kicking musky streamer that has been turning heads and producing fish since around 2009. In this episode, host <a href="www.linkedin.com/in/marvinscash" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marvin Cash</a> walks Eli through the full arc of the pattern: the lake musky problem it was designed to solve, the unconventional decision to reverse a foam popper head to create a slower fall and a pronounced glide-bait wiggle, the material choices that define the fly's profile and movement and the step-by-step construction logic from spinner bait hook to laser dub head.</p><p>The conversation covers the full Swine family — the original 8–9 inch version on a 6/0 Mustad, the scaled-down Swine Junior for river smallmouth and stripers, the fettuccine-foam Pot Belly Swine for subsurface river applications, and the articulated Maximus Swine and Maximus Swine Junior, which remain something of a "secret menu" offering. Eli also addresses color selection by region — from olive-and-pink for fired-up Tennessee muskies to the Wisconsin-proven Willen's Villain black-white-yellow combo and his own favorite Mardi Gras pattern — and breaks down his preferred line and leader systems for lake musky versus river smallmouth applications. Throughout, the discussion grounds fly design theory in direct, tactical fishing application.</p><h2>Key Takeaways</h2><ul><li>How reversing a foam popper head toward the rear of the hook creates a slower fall rate and induces the Optimus Swine's distinctive side-to-side glide-bait action.</li><li>Why proportionality in bucktail application — specifically how much material per section and how many sections — is the most common failure point for tiers attempting the Swine for the first time.</li><li>How to tune the Pot Belly Swine's fettuccine foam piece by removing individual strips to achieve neutral balance and proper swim orientation before fishing.</li><li>Why a jerk-strip retrieve with a sinking line (350–450 grain tip) is the preferred delivery system for lake musky, allowing the sink tip to hold depth while the fly kicks side to side on each pull.</li><li>When to dial back retrieve aggression and employ a stutter-strip or extended pause with the Swine Junior, particularly during cold-water conditions when bass are holding and waiting.</li><li>Why sharing newly discovered synthetic fly tying materials openly — rather than hoarding them — is essential to keeping those materials in production and available to the broader tying community.</li></ul><br/><h2>Techniques &amp; Gear Covered</h2><p>The Optimus Swine is designed around a jerk-strip retrieve that drives its foam-induced side-to-side action, and Eli breaks down exactly how to execute it — stripping two feet with the line hand in alternating pulls, roughly like ripping a bag open. For lake musky, he runs a 10-weight with a 350–450 grain sinking tip, paired with a short 3–4 foot leader from loop to fly — a butt section of 40-pound to wire, finished with cross-lock snaps for fast fly changes. River smallmouth and striper applications drop to a 7- or 8-weight with a 200–350 grain tip depending on conditions. Construction-specific details are substantial: Mustad 32608 spinner bait hook (6/0 for the original), Rainy's Mini Me medium foam popper head reversed and goop-set with silicone adhesive, synthetic yak hair blended with flash for the tail, grizzly saddle feathers as flanks, Magnum Flashabou, everyday bucktail applied in top-and-bottom sections, laser dub for the head, and 1/2-inch eyes pressed and held in a two-touch goop cure process. <a href="https://www.aflyco.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anadromous Fly Company</a> tungsten carbide scissors get a specific callout as Eli's go-to cutting tool for heavy production tying.</p><h2>Locations &amp; Species</h2><p>The Optimus Swine was developed specifically for lake musky, with Lake Saint Clair in Michigan serving as the primary proving ground — a relatively snag-free fishery that allows anglers to fish sinking lines freely across the water column. The pattern's documented multi-species versatility extends to Great Lakes migratory species, pike, lake trout, stripers on the East Coast and river smallmouth, including Eli's personal use of the Swine Junior on Lake Saint Clair for targeting large smallmouth by eliminating the smaller fish. Color selection is explicitly regional in the episode: olive-and-pink for fired-up Tennessee fish, pink-and-chartreuse or the Willen's Villain black-white-yellow for Wisconsin tannic water, and Mardi Gras (pink, chartreuse, black head) as a broadly effective pattern.</p><h2>FAQ / Key Questions Answered</h2><h3>How does the reversed foam popper head make the Optimus Swine swim differently than other musky flies?</h3><p>Positioning the foam head toward the rear of the hook — rather than at the front — reduces the fly's sink rate compared to a traditional epoxy-head pattern and shifts the center of buoyancy rearward. This causes the fly to kick side to side with a pronounced glide-bait cadence on a jerk-strip retrieve, rather than simply pushing water or diving. The effect is amplified when fishing a sinking tip, which holds the running line low and forces the rear of the fly to tip upward and roll on each strip.</p><h3>What are the most common mistakes tiers make when tying the Optimus Swine?</h3><p>Eli identifies two primary failure points: applying bucktail in clumps that are too large, which destroys proportionality, and using too much laser dub in the head, which throws the silhouette out of balance. The fix for bucktail is learning to feel the correct bundle size — roughly the width of a toothpick at the pinch, the width of a popsicle stick at the ends — and building five top-and-bottom sections before reaching the laser dub head on the original Swine. Managing the laser dub means stacking it, pulling off loose fibers and removing material rather than adding more.</p><h3>How do you tune the Pot Belly Swine to swim correctly for river applications?</h3><p>Because the Pot Belly Swine uses fettuccine foam strips in place of the reversed popper head, Eli ties in more foam strips than needed — six to eight — and tells buyers they may need to remove one to four strips to get the fly to balance and swim true. The goal is first to eliminate any spin or tilt, then to dial in the side-to-side action. This is the same principle as Barry Reynolds's flash philosophy applied to buoyancy: put in more than you need because you can always remove it, but you can't add it once the fly is finished.</p><h3>What line and leader setup does Eli prefer for lake musky with the Optimus Swine?</h3><p>For open lake musky fishing on snag-light water, Eli runs a 10-weight with a Scientific Anglers sinking tip in the 350–450 grain range, specifically preferring striper-style lines with a long 26–28 foot tip section. Leaders are intentionally short — 3–4 feet total from loop to fly — built with a 2-foot 40-pound butt section going straight to wire, then a cross-lock snap at the fly. The short leader keeps the fly in the sink tip's depth zone and maximizes the kicking action on the jerk-strip retrieve.</p><h3>How should retrieve style change when downsizing to the Swine Junior for smallmouth or stripers?</h3><p>Moving to the smaller patterns calls for a less aggressive retrieve cadence overall, but Eli emphasizes breaking out of monotonous repetition — consciously varying the retrieve is as important as the base technique. Key adjustments include a stutter-strip (half-length pulls done twice in quick succession) and extended pauses, which become particularly effective in cold water when bass are holding and watching the fly. The foam piece in all Swine variants allows the fly to hang suspended during a pause without sinking, which is the primary trigger for following fish.</p><h2>Sponsors</h2><p>Thanks to <u><a href="https://maps.troutroutes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TroutRoutes</a></u> for sponsoring this episode. Use ARTFLY20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.</p><h2>Related Content</h2><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/s1-ep-2-the-t-bone-a-deep-dive-with-blane-chocklett-the-butcher-shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">S1, Ep 2: The T-Bone: A Deep Dive with Blane Chocklett - The Butcher Shop</a></p><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/bonus-shack-nasties-and-the-drunk-disorderly-a-winter-chat-with-tommy-lynch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BONUS: Shack Nasties and the Drunk &amp; Disorderly: A Winter Chat with Tommy Lynch</a></p><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/bonus-crafting-the-nut-job-a-deep-dive-with-brendan-ruch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BONUS: Crafting The Nut Job: A Deep Dive with Brendan Ruch</a></p><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/bonus-a-deep-dive-into-the-swingin-d-techniques-and-tips-with-mike-schultz-the-butcher-shop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BONUS: A Deep Dive into the Swingin' D: Techniques and Tips with Mike Schultz</a></p><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/s6-ep-124-chase-smith-spiral-spook/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">S6, Ep 124: Fly Tying with Chase Smith</a></p><h2><strong>Connect with Our Guest</strong></h2><p>Follow <a href="http://greatlakesfly.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eli</a> on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/greatlakesfly/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</p><h2>Follow the...

Episode thumbnail for BONUS: Crafting Connections: Blane Chocklett on Fly Design and Conservation at Tie Fest

March 4, 2026

BONUS: Crafting Connections: Blane Chocklett on Fly Design and Conservation at Tie Fest

<h2>Episode Overview</h2><p>In this Chocklett Factory episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash sits down with legendary fly designer and guide Blane Chocklett for a wide-ranging conversation covering two central topics: the mechanics and design philosophy behind Chocklett's <a href="https://blanechocklett.shop/products/standard-support-disc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">support disc and spreader dam system</a>, and the upcoming <a href="https://www.saltwaterguidesassociation.com/tiefest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest</a> conservation event in Vero Beach, Florida. Blane explains how his support discs — available in round and oval profiles ranging from 6mm to over 20mm — create the water diversion that drives the serpentine, side-to-side swimming action that defines Game Changer articulated flies. Rather than relying solely on fiber tips to generate movement, the supports actively redirect water flow around the body of the fly, producing a realistic fish-like swimming motion that passive designs cannot replicate. Blane also walks through the practical tying advantages: faster construction, easier material distribution, built-in profile tapering and greater fly longevity. The second half of the conversation turns to Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest, a conservation-focused event benefiting the <a href="https://www.saltwaterguidesassociation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA)</a>, set for March 21 in Vero Beach at Carter Andrews's property. Blane shares the vision behind the event — honoring legends like Lefty Kreh and Bob Popovics while cultivating the next generation of anglers — and previews an intimate lineup that includes Andy Mill, Rob Fordyce, Hillary Hutcheson, Carter Andrews, Chase Smith and Fletcher Sams, among others.</p><h2>Key Takeaways</h2><ol><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>How water diversion around the body of an articulated fly — not just fiber-tip movement — produces a true serpentine swimming action that triggers more strikes.</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Why <a href="https://blanechocklett.shop/products/standard-support-disc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chocklett support discs</a> in graduated sizes (6mm through 20mm+) allow tiers to build precise, tapered profiles for different baitfish silhouettes without excess material.</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>How to choose between round disc supports (cylindrical/sucker profiles) and oval supports (taller, narrower bunker or shad profiles) to match specific forage.</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>Why the <a href="https://www.saltwaterguidesassociation.com/tiefest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest</a> model — small, intimate, conservation-focused — delivers meaningful angler access to fly fishing legends that larger industry shows cannot replicate.</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span>How supporting ASGA through events like Tie Fest funds the fisheries science that policymakers need to protect saltwater species populations long term.</li></ol><br/><h2>Techniques &amp; Gear Covered</h2><p>The core technical discussion centers on <a href="https://blanechocklett.shop/products/standard-support-disc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chocklett's support disc and spreader dam system</a> as a mechanism for achieving active water diversion and realistic swimming action in articulated flies. Blane explains that while Bobby Popovics' reverse-tie bucktail approach relied on fiber tips for passive movement, inserting support discs into the body of a Beast-style or Game Changer fly forces water to divert around the structure, initiating true left-to-right serpentine motion. The system uses two disc geometries — round supports for cylindrical profiles (suckers) and oval supports for taller, narrower silhouettes (bunker, shad) — in graduated sizes from 6mm to over 20mm, allowing tiers to stair-step profile width from tail to shoulder for a natural taper. Practically, the supports eliminate the need to reverse-tie bucktail and guess fiber length, dramatically simplifying the tying process while also extending fly longevity by preventing bucktail collapsing and thinning out over time. Materials referenced include bucktail, synthetic fibers and <a href="https://tforods.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TFO rods</a> (Blane is a TFO brand ambassador).</p><h2>Locations &amp; Species</h2><p>The episode's fishing-specific travel content focuses on the Alabama Gulf Coast, which Blane describes as a highly underrated saltwater destination where clear Florida-influenced water meets the nutrient influence of the Mississippi Delta. He fished this area out of <a href="https://flywaycharters.com/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FlyWay Charters</a> with guide Sam (based near the <a href="https://www.communityflysupply.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Community Fly Supply shop</a>), targeting redfish, black drum, tripletail, jack crevalle and sheepshead. The Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest event at Vero Beach, Florida, adds another saltwater context — the Indian River Lagoon and Treasure Coast area known for tarpon, snook and permit, ecosystems that ASGA's conservation work is specifically designed to protect. The episode's conservation framing extends to the broader health of saltwater species populations across coastal fisheries, with Blane connecting healthy fisheries to the long-term viability of saltwater fly fishing as both a sport and a guiding profession.</p><h2>FAQ / Key Questions Answered</h2><h3>How do Chocklett support discs create a serpentine swimming action in articulated flies?</h3><p>When a support disc is placed inside the body of an articulated fly, it forces water to divert around the structure rather than flowing straight through the fibers. That diversion initiates a side-to-side, serpentine movement that mimics the natural swimming motion of a baitfish — something fiber-tip movement alone cannot produce. The key mechanism is active water redirection, not passive fiber flutter.</p><h3>What is the difference between round and oval Chocklett support discs?</h3><p>Round supports create a cylindrical cross-section ideal for sucker or cigar-shaped baitfish profiles. Oval supports produce a taller, narrower shape suited to bunker, shad or other laterally-flattened forage. By selecting the appropriate geometry and stepping up through graduated sizes from tail to shoulder, tiers can build a precise taper that matches the specific baitfish they are trying to imitate.</p><h3>How do support discs improve fly durability and ease of tying?</h3><p>Traditional reverse-tie bucktail construction tends to collapse and thin out over time, degrading fly performance. Support discs maintain the shape and fiber position for the life of the fly. They also eliminate the need to reverse-tie and guess at fiber length, making even distribution around the hook much easier and faster — a meaningful benefit for tiers who don't spend hours at the bench every week.</p><h3>What is Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest and why does it matter for fly fishing conservation?</h3><p><a href="https://www.saltwaterguidesassociation.com/tiefest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lefty Kreh's Tie Fest</a> is an annual event — revived after Lefty Kreh's passing — held at Carter Andrews's property in Vero Beach, Florida, that combines a day-long outdoor festival with a benefit dinner. Proceeds support the American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA), which funds fisheries science and advocacy needed to influence policy protecting saltwater species. Blane frames it as both a celebration of the sport's legends and an investment in its future.</p><h3>What makes the Alabama Gulf Coast a worthwhile saltwater fly fishing destination?</h3><p>The Alabama coastline sits at a confluence of clear, Florida-influenced water and the productive, nutrient-rich influence of the Mississippi Delta, producing diverse species opportunities in a relatively uncrowded setting. Target species include redfish, black drum, tripletail, jack crevalle and sheepshead across multiple seasons. Blane characterizes it as highly overlooked and a strong destination for anglers seeking variety outside of better-known Gulf and Atlantic coastal fisheries.</p><h2>Related Content</h2><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/s7e42" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">S7, Ep 42 – Celebrating Legacy and Conservation with The Chocklett Factory</a></p><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/s7-ep-61-the-chocklett-factory/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">S7, Ep 61 – The Chocklett Factory Unleashed: New Flies and Other Goodies with Blane Chocklett</a></p><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/s7-ep-73-chocklett-factory/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">S7, Ep 73 – The Chocklett Factory: Sneak Peek at New Products</a></p><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/s6-ep-144-the-chocklett-factory/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">S6, Ep 144 – The Chocklett Factory: Conservation, New Products and a Legacy Remembered</a></p><p><a href="https://fly-fishing-podcast.thearticulatefly.com/s2-ep-114-all-things-game-changer-with-blane-chocklett/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">S2, Ep 114 – All Things Game Changer with Blane Chocklett</a></p><h2><strong>Connect with Our Guest</strong></h2><p>Follow <u><a href="https://www.blanechocklett.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blane</a></u> on <u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlaneChocklettFishing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></u>...

30 total episodes available

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What is The Butcher Shop?

Raw conversations with master angler tiers who craft and fish the deadliest streamers in the game. Each episode dissects signature patterns and complete systems for hunting trophy brown trout, musky, pike and bass. No recipes - just proven tactics from predator specialists who consistently deliver the goods.

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 6 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.

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