Episode 161 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – January 1, 2026.

Our destination is the Rangeley region of Maine — home to three world-famous rivers steeped in history and known for giant brook trout: the Rapid, the Kennebago, and the Magalloway. But how are they actually fishing today? And do they still live up to the hype?

Joining me is fisheries ecologist and lifelong Mainer Greg LaBonte, owner of Maine Fly Guys. Today we talk brook trout and landlocked salmon, muskies and black flies, head nets and Maine culture, and what not to do in moose country. Plus, Greg's five must-have fly patterns and the mind blowing truth about leaders, fly lines, and tippets.

With host Steve Haigh

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Message Greg on Instagram @maineflyguys or visit his website: https://maineflyguys.com/

Destination Angler Podcast:

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Please check out our Sponsors:

TroutRoutes

The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers. Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today. Get 1 Month Free

Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes

High N Dry Fishing

Where science and performance meet. Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com

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Got Fishing

Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.

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Redd's Flies

Premium flies, tied with purpose. Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks. A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.

Facebook @ReddsFlies Instagram @ReddsFlies

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Comments & Suggestions: host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com

Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Recorded Oct 31, 2025

Episode 160 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – Dec 18, 2025

Today Our destination is the Upper Delaware River, a legendary tailwater often called the crown jewel of the East. This tailwater system is known for clear, cold water all year long and highly selective wild brown and rainbow trout – a graduate school for fly anglers where precise presentation and light tippets are the rule.

Joining me is long time guide, fly shop owner, and Upper Delaware expert, Joe Demalderis, Cross Current Outfitters in Hancock, PA. He's been fishing the Delaware since the 1970's, appeared in many national fishing magazines like Field & Stream, Trout, American Angler, and quoted in fly fishing books like, 50 Best Tailwaters to Fly Fish, and Paul Weamer's Fly Fishing Guide to the Upper Delaware River.

We cover important questions like, what are the major hatches and the most effective fly patterns, what's the character of the water from top to bottom, why is a downstream presentation a must along with stories of swimming porcupines, wild trout so selective they even refuse naturals, and some bougie shore lunch ideas.

With host Steve Haigh

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Contact Joe Demaldaris: Cross Current Outfitters

Destination Angler Podcast:

• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram & Facebook @DestinationAnglerPodcast

Please check out our Sponsors:

Redd's Flies

Premium flies, tied with purpose. Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks. A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.

Facebook @ReddsFlies Instagram @ReddsFlies

TroutRoutes

The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers. Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today. Get 1 Month Free

Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes

High N Dry Fishing

Where science and performance meet. Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com

Facebook @highndryfishingproducts Instagram @highndryfishing

Got Fishing

Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.

Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing

Comments & Suggestions: host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com

Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Recorded Oct 22, 2025