Mill House Podcast

Richard Stanczyk has had a large life as a captain, angler, and business owner. His impact is nothing shy of remarkable. His relationship with Swordfish was a game changer. At one time everyone thought these denizens of the deep could only be targeted in the dead of night. Richard helped evolve this quarry so they could be successfully caught while the sun is high in the sky. Today Richard’s son, Nick, aboard his boat “Broad Minded” is arguably the best sword-fisherman on the planet.

As much as Richard loved to drop lines into the deep for these monsters, his passion for big bonefish is just as rich. Stanczyk had great foresight as well - after purchasing the Famed Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in 1978 and grew it to where it docks over 50 boats today. Legendary in every way, Richard shares his enormous life from Bills to Bones, his family, and his iconic marina. Hope you all enjoy his story...

Brad Waitman is the owner and operator of the Igiugig Lodge that sits on the bank of Lake Iliamna, located in the Bristol Bay Area of Alaska. In my mind, it’s the greatest fishing lodge i’ve ever visited. It is world class not only because of its access to some of the world’s extensive, legendary fishing, but because of Brad’s work ethics and the quality of his prideful lodge. Here’s the beauty, he hosts only 6 guests a week and serves food that’ll challenge any restaurant in the lower 48, a dream come true for anyone looking for perfection on and off the water!

Waitman was raised in San Mateo, California. As a young teen a local fishing club, Anglers Emporium, took him under their wing and helped him with the skills needed to become a great angler. At 15 he was hired to row rivers and set up camps for outfitter, Galand Haas, who eventually persuaded Waitman to chase his dreams in Alaska.

At the tender age of 20, just out of the Marines, Brad flew to Anchorage and became what he was destined to become, an Alaskan bush pilot/guide. Ron Hayes, the legendary hunting and fishing outfitter, immediately became his mentor. He pushed Waitman hard demanding the impossible and the young magic man responded beautifully. The fish were in his blood but soon to follow were monster Moose, Caribou, and 57 Brown Bears! Hayes was a perfect councilor for the young man who was new to Alaska. Now, 37 years later with a successful lodge, the time to hunt has been depleted.

I first met Brad when he was guiding for Kirk Gay at his lodge, Valhalla. Kirk would eventually become his father in-law. I was there filming for my TV show at the time, “Sportsman's Journal.” The two of us had a blast! Flying everywhere and catching all the great fish Alaska was offering at the time, monster rainbows, silver salmon, and grayling.

Alaska is unique, raw and wild, and to experience it with someone you connect with is a dream come true.

The long and short of it, 21 years later we’re still hanging and fishing together.

We all love a good story and Brad Waitman’s is compelling.

We hope you enjoy it!

During the late 80’s, Capt. Ed Walker was one of my first guides in the fabled tarpon grounds of Homosassa where some of the largest megalops in the world were being caught on flies. Eddie, as I called him then, was much younger than I and possessed an innate ability to find and catch fish that many others couldn’t. He was a joy to fish with and we caught some fatties. He was good, very good and his peers recognized his incredible, young talent. Walker would eventually win some of the largest tournaments in Boca Grande, totaling over a half a million dollars in prize money. He was a great innovator and later in his life became very good at catching big grouper and snapper’s on flies. He was thinking differently and his curiosity was not limited to that from the surface of a boat. He started chasing fish underwater with spear guns and became so good at it he won the free diving state championship. Today, we’ll cover his fascinating life in fishing and his desire to give back through conservation and fish management. We hope you enjoy...

Kyle Holt is Taylor Creek Fly Shop’s head guide, whose favorite saying is "Fish Hard and Die Rich.” Having been raised in Springfield, Illinois, Kyle became heavily involved in fishing, hunting, and trapping the "flatlands" surrounding his home. As fortune would have it, Kyle's family decided to take regular vacations to Rocky Mountain National Park where he hooked his first browns, rainbows, and brookies - subsequently becoming hooked himself. In 1983 Kyle packed up all of his worldly possessions (which he relates were few) and moved from the cornfields to the Rockies in pursuit of any trout that would take a fly. Holt has been fishing in the Roaring Fork Valley & Frying Pan River for over 29 years, and is now considered a sub-god by many of his clientele because of his skill and knowledge of the area waters. Many years back, after taking a trip to the Bahamas with a group of clients, Kyle returned to Colorado in a sorry state. He realized his addiction for salt water fly fishing is an itch he can’t get rid of. Fast forward many moons, Kyle has been to Mexico, Belize, the Seychelles, Christmas Island, the Amazon, Costa Rica, Louisiana, and of course the Florida Keys targeting his dream catches on fly.

On today’s podcast, we speak about the state of the fishery in the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan River, the challenges they face, etiquette on the river, and the Guide Alliance that Kyle helped start in 2014. We hope you enjoy.

Capt. RT Trosset is one of the greatest fisherman of all time... period.
When you think of the words Key West and light-tackle offshore fishing, Ralph Delph, Jose Wejebe, and certainly RT Trosset are the first people that come to mind. He has been guiding anglers in Key West and making their dreams come true for over 40 years. He is a machine and is more passionate about fishing now than ever before.
In 2004, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and in 2019 the IGFA honored RT with the Tommy Gifford Legendary Captains Award, the most prestigious honor a captain can receive.

I’ve fished with RT, produced TV shows with him, and have fished next to him. There’s no kinder, more giving fishing legend I know. It seems like his smile and warm heart are infectious. People love him, but under his sun worn skin is a lion to be reckoned with. If you are seeking a world record, few will fight as hard or have the ability as RT.

Having amassed 239 world records, he’s as cagy as they come. In this episode, we chat about the early years of Key West, the origin of shrimp boat tuna fishing, and the shark problem that's taking place on many wrecks.
This episode of the podcast is proudly presented by AFTCO - The American Fishing Tackle Company innovating fishing tackle and clothing since 1958. Use discount code "MILLHOUSE10" to receive 10% off all products on https://aftco.com/