As a 21 year old Vietnam veteran, Bob Popovics gravitated to fly fishing for striped bass and the people who chased them from shore. These guys became his family and the collective passion became a maelstrom for the north east striper fishermen. The power behind this fish was real and in 1965 a fishing club called the Salt Water Fly Rodders of America was formed. They exchanged information, established the criteria for world record catches (which would be handed over to the IGFA in 1978) and had chapters throughout the country extending to California and Australia. The chapters ran out of steam in 1977, but was revitalized in 1987. It was then that Popovics started weekly meetings and fly tying sessions at his house. Upstairs in a small room 50 fly fishermen would crowd over Bob’s fly tying vise and the creativity exploded. Lefty Kreh called Popovics the greatest fly tier of all time! Bob’s imagination was vibrant, and his designs became the flies of choice for the variety of fish caught in the North East surf.
His two books, Pop Fleyes and Fleye Design are a confirmation that Lefty’s statement was spot on and many felt the same. Above all, it's Bob’s heart, personality, and love for his fellow anglers will stand the test of time!! He is beloved by all…. And one more thing, Lefty’s last wish to Bob was, “Help preserve the history of salt water fly fishing!” With this interview and what Popovics has saved, I know Lefty would be very proud of his brother, “Bobby."
Episode 56: Rufus Wakeman - Big Business, Billfish, & Bullsh*t
Episode 55: Capt. Dave Denkert - Snook, Redfish, Splash-less Casts
Episode 54: Capt. Carl Ball - AWOL Fishing
Episode 53: Capt. Dan Malzone - Life of "Guido"
Episode 52: Capt. Andrew Bostick - The Gladesmen
Episode 51: Harry Spear - The Perfectionist
Episode 50: Capt. Jeff Legutki - Beach Breaks to Backwater Bays
Episode 49: Gordy Hill (part 2) - Fishing's Unsung Hero
Episode 48: Fitz Coker - Southern Gentleman
Episode 47: Scott Hamilton - Offshore Fly Fishing
Episode 46: Mark Sosin - The Professor
Episode 45: Capt. Michael Guerin - Cornell to Conch Republic
Episode 44: Gordy Hill - Fishing's Unsung Hero
Episode 43: Capt. John Donnell - Life of "Dozer"
Episode 42: Capt. Justin Rea - Permit Madness
Episode 41: Brad Waitman - Bush Pilot, Fishing Lodge Owner, & Big Game Guide
Episode 40: Capt. Rob Fordyce - Voodoo Daddy
Episode 39: Hal Chittum - Skiff Mastermind
Episode 38: Tom Greene - Snook Guru
Episode 37: Tim Borski - Artist, Angler, Visionary
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