645 | From Spey Fishing to Bow Hunting: George Cook's Guide to Spey Rods, Chinook Fishing, and Hunting

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/645

Presented By: Togiak River Lodge, Waters West, Skwala, TroutRoutes

Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of spey fishing and bow hunting with George Cook, the man who brought spey fishing and spey rods to the United States. Renowned for his expertise, George travels the globe, collaborating with some of the biggest brands in the fishing industry. Having graced our podcast three times, he has shared invaluable insights on spey fishing, Chinook fishing, stillwaters, and more.

George will update us on the current state of spey fishing, discuss the latest trends in Chinook fishing, and share his optimism about the future of steelhead fishing. But that’s not all—his passion extends beyond the water to the fields, where he is also an accomplished hunter. He’ll be offering tips and tricks for archery and hunting this season, including how to successfully stock a buck and the three most important factors in casting a spey rod.

Episode Chapters with George Cook on Bow Hunting

2:20 - George gives us an update since we had him on the podcast. He had a bow season in North America last fall and killed his all-time biggest meal in the winter.

6:20 - We talk about updates on Sage rods, particularly focusing on the latest models which were released last winter. George explains that the new series includes a variety of models ranging from five to ten weights in spey and seven to eight weights in switch rods, which he refers to as "baby spey."

12:52 - George advises on how to improve your spey game. He suggests that it depends on the person's location, particularly highlighting that there are many skilled instructors on the West Coast. He names notable instructors like Travis Johnson in Oregon, John Hazlett in Medford, and Charles St. Pierre in Tacoma, as well as De Hogan who offers traveling seminars. George emphasizes the importance of getting professional instruction, comparing it to other precision activities like golf and archery.

16:00 - We shift the conversation from spey fishing to hunting. George recounts his extensive experience in both fields. He started fly fishing at age 11 but only began hunting in college at Washington State University, which he describes as a prime location for pheasant hunting. His deer hunting career began slowly, with his first successful hunt occurring in his senior year.

19:28 - George describes a typical summer fishing, using the Deschutes River as an example. He explains that fishing usually starts early in the morning, from dawn until about 10:30 to 11:30 AM, when temperatures are cooler. During this time, anglers can use floating lines or intermediate leaders with traditional flies like the green butt skunk or streetwalker.

26:32 - He shares his transition from rifle hunting for 30 years to bow hunting in 2014. He explains that rifle hunting had become less challenging and more about the pursuit of larger game. Bow hunting, on the other hand, provided a fresh start and presented new challenges, such as needing to get much closer to the prey, which requires significant skill and patience.

32:37 - George highlights the accessibility and convenience of bow hunting, contrasting it with rifle hunting, which often requires more time and logistical planning. He appreciates the simplicity of stepping outside his home and being able to practice archery almost immediately.

He also provides an overview of the different types of bows available for those new to the sport, such as traditional longbows, recurves, compound, and self bows. He mentions that most bow hunters in the U.S. use compound bows and endorses Bowtech, a company known for its high-quality bows.

36:50 - We delve into introducing children to hunting, particularly focusing on the appropriate type of bow for young kids. George explains that there are entry-level bows designed for very young children, similar to toy bows with rubber stopper arrows. He then mentions more advanced options from Bowtech, which has a wide range of adjustable pull weights from 30 to 60 pounds, making it suitable as kids grow and gain strength.

43:00 - George recounts successful hunts in various states, including Oregon, Montana, South Dakota, and Mexico. He emphasizes the versatility required for hunting different types of deer, such as whitetails and Coues deer, using methods like tree stands and ground blinds.

44:06 - He highlights the numerous hunting opportunities available throughout the year, with early and late seasons in states like Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, and Alabama.

48:18 - We talk about the intricacies of archery elk hunting. George explains that September is the prime time for hunting elk because it coincides with the rutting season when elk are very vocal and can be located by their calls. This period offers archers a better opportunity to get close and take a quality shot. Although challenging, bow hunting for elk and deer provides unique experiences and opportunities that are less available during rifle hunting seasons. He also gives some key tips for successful elk hunting.

1:01:57 - He describes how bow hunters practice for longer shots with antelope but aim to get as close as possible to deer. This involves meticulous planning and movement, often requiring stealth and environmental factors like wind and noise to avoid spooking the animal. He emphasizes the importance of knowing the deer's location and anticipating its movements, including understanding the deer's bedding habits and adjusting strategies accordingly.

1:06:26 - I ask George about his gear preferences. He emphasizes the importance of tools like OnX for identifying different types of land and the necessity of investing in quality optics such as binoculars and rangefinders, which he considers as critical as the hunting bow itself. He mentions some brands like Vortex and Leupold.

1:10:27 - Between hunting for mule deer and white-tailed deer, he prefers the former but mentions that he hunts more white-tailed deer due to availability. George then shares an impressive achievement: he is the only person to have hunted mule deer in all 17 states where they are native, completing the feat in 2019 in Oklahoma.

1:13:49 - We talk about his cats. One is a 22-pound main coon named Buddy Kitty and another small female named Wittle.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/645