BONUS: Mastering the Beast: A Deep Dive into Bob Popovics' Legendary Fly with Captain Ben Whalley

Join Marvin Cash on this episode of The Butcher Shop as he explores one of saltwater fly fishing's most revolutionary patterns with Captain Ben Whalley, a Maine striped bass guide and a keeper of Bob Popovics' innovative tying methods.

Expert Guest Credentials

Captain Ben Whalley brings unparalleled insight into Bob Popovics' techniques, having developed a close mentorship with the legendary fly designer before his passing. As a professional striped bass guide fishing Maine's challenging waters, Whalley has refined these patterns for diverse saltwater conditions.

What You'll Learn

Discover the fascinating history behind the Beast Fleye's development, from Bob's initial 14-inch prototype that earned its name for being "a beast to cast." Learn essential tying fundamentals including bucktail selection, mono extension techniques and the critical reverse-tying method that creates the fly's distinctive breathing action.

Featured Techniques

Master the art of sparse tying with matchstick-diameter material proportions, understand how to create proper taper through staged construction and learn tackle setups from floating lines for surface feeds to 400-grain fast-sink heads for deep current fishing.

Striped Bass Fishing Insights

Get proven presentation strategies including stop-and-go retrieves that trigger strikes, plus tactical advice for fishing rocky ledges versus open water situations.

Ready to elevate your saltwater fly game with this game-changing pattern?

Sponsors

Thanks to Schultz Outfitters, TroutRoutes and OnX Fish Midwest for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

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S6, Ep 146 - Musky Mysteries: Winter Tactics and Fly Tying Tips with Matt Reilly

S6, Ep 41 - Smallmouth Secrets and Streamer Savvy with Brendan Ruch

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Helpful Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction

06:11 Meeting Bob Popovics

08:14 The Birth of the Beast Fleye

20:30 Triggers and Techniques

33:30 The Role of Synthetics

40:22 Adapting to Different Fisheries

46:54 Common Mistakes to Avoid

51:09 Final Thoughts and Tips

58:01 Fly Drop Information