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Ep. 476: Fishing with Jedi Master Fly Tyer Son Tao

Published: 2023-09-11 09:00:00
Description Show ▼

Steven Rinella talks with Son Tao, Ryan Callaghan, Brody Henderson, Chester Floyd, Phil Taylor, and Corinne Schneider.

Topics discussed: The "master" label; when you're a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Military; fish names abbreviated down to initials; guide flies; tying flies that actually catch fish; fleeing Vietnam in a banana boat; Steve's friend's mobile bar; announcing the launch of MeatEater Season 12; get our Dirty Dozen 2024 calendar; Phelp's mind-bending and devastating Unleashed V2 bugle tube; sifting through what's actually a population-level effect; the Weird Al of fishing; getting started on the fishing rod your neighbor couldn't sell at his garage sale; no wasting food at the dinner table;  crispy skin; if you're not a doctor or lawyer, you're not my kid; how we withdrew from Afghanistan; when your fish on a fly rod is a trophy-sized bonefish; Healing Waters - Fly Fishing; God talking to you through your car radio; arts & crafts; tying to perfection; commercial ties from overseas sweat shops; the bonds you form when you endure together; CALL 9-8-8 now if you need to talk to someone; find a hobby you love; and more. 

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Referenced Books

Silent Spring
by Rachel Carson
Discussed in the context of DDT's impact on birds and wildlife. The speaker mentions that Rachel Carson wrote this book about the devastating effects of DDT on birds, explaining how it caused bird egg shells to become thin. The book's impact led to DDT being banned, and the Rachel Carson refuge was also mentioned earlier in the conversation about lead ammunition regulations.
Referenced at 00:29:37
The Founding Flies
by Mike Valaf
The guest (Son) discusses this book as foundational to his fly tying education. He mentions that he tied every fly pattern in this book when he was learning to tie flies. The book features forty-three master fly tiers from the 1900s to the 1960s showing their famous patterns. The guest later met the author, Mike Valaf from New York, years after learning from his book.
Referenced at 01:49:28