Episode 17: Capt. RT Trosset - The Dean of Key West

08/26/20 • 68 min

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/

Previous Episode

Episode 16: Ryan Smalls - Ski Racer, Addicted Angler, Traditional Archer

At the tender age of 4, after watching Franz Klammer win Olympic gold on TV, Ryan Smalls knew he wanted to be a ski racer. Growing up in the greatest of all ski towns, Aspen, Colorado, it all made sense. He trained hard and eventually made the U.S. Ski Teams talent squad, raced in Europe, and was fulfilling his dreams. He, the only child of his parents Ray and Karen, was their pride and joy.
Ski racing is hard and fast and dangerous. His racing longevity succumbed to the odds with a terrible injury. Along the way, Ray showed Ryan the outdoors like few people knew it. After graduating from college, Ryan came home to the rivers and animals of his fathers tutelage. As a plane circles for the weather to clear, so did Ryan's identity. But that didn't take long - he became a guide..... He guided fishing, hunting, and skiing.
As a big hearted, passionate man, I know Ryan Smalls to be a perfectionist, world class in everything he cares for.
In this episode, we chat about being caught in an avalanche, getting addicted to fly fishing for Tarpon, and being successful in the elk woods.

Next Episode

Episode 18: Lonny Vanatta - Backcountry Bulldog

Being slighted by the US Ski Team in 1978, Lonny Vanatta spent the rest of his career trying to prove something and that he did. Turning pro he became the top American on the world pro ski racing tour for many years. He won 20 races and won the slalom title in 1980 - finishing 3rd overall in the season title.

Even though he was smaller in stature and weight than most of his competition, he had the heart of a lion that many people feared. His success was profound and was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 2018. Throughout his career, his passion for hunting was paramount, as intense as it was for smashing his competitors on a race hill.

His archery stone sheep in 1989 was the largest Pope and Young sheep ever killed at the time. He completed the grand slam of North American sheep - only the 54th bowhunter at the time to do so. He has 34 Pope and Young animals to his name. Lonny recently sold his successful outfitting business of 31 years.

Vanatta is a cancer survivor but continues to attack life the only way he knows, head on - a true inspiration to all.