Ep. 62: Frank Vargas of Frank’s Fly Shack on Surf Fly Fishing & Calico on the Fly

Guest: Frank Vargas (Frank’s Fly Shack)

Hosts: Daniel Dahlin ([FISH]rx), El Charly, Luke Dean (Bait Slingers / Artemis Charters)

Episode 62, recorded live on October 22, 2024, brings fly fishing into the conversation. Frank Vargas of Frank’s Fly Shack breaks down calico bass on the fly, surf fly fishing along the California coast, and why learning to cast properly improves every type of fishing — not just fly fishing.

In This Episode

• Frank’s Fly Shack — LA-based fly shop and guiding service focused on surf and local water
• Calico bass on the fly — targeting structure-oriented fish with precision casting and weedless presentations
• Surf fly fishing — reading waves, troughs, and current to position the fly correctly in the wash
• Casting fundamentals — line control, angle, and presentation as the foundation of effective fishing
• Urban fly fishing — adapting fly techniques to ponds, lakes, and limited-access water in LA
• Community connection — learning through shops, groups, and shared water access

Why Casting Matters

The core idea in this episode is that presentation starts with delivery. In fly fishing, casting is not just a way to get the bait out — it determines how the bait moves, where it sits in the water, and how fish respond to it.

That same principle applies to every type of fishing. Whether you’re throwing a swimbait, a jig, or a fly, the outcome depends on where the bait lands and how it moves through the water. Fly fishing just makes that more visible.

This connects directly to surf and structure fishing in SoCal. Reading water, understanding current, and placing the bait correctly are what separate consistent results from random ones. The structure fishing guide reinforces the same idea from a bait perspective.

What Fly Fishing Reveals

Fly fishing forces you to slow down and pay attention to details that are easy to ignore with conventional gear. Line control, current direction, and presentation angle all become more obvious when you’re working with a fly.

That awareness carries over. Anglers who understand how water moves and how fish position themselves tend to perform better regardless of the gear they’re using.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode matters because it introduces a different discipline that reinforces the same core fishing principles. It shows that technique and presentation matter more than the specific gear being used.

For SoCal anglers, the takeaway is simple: learn to control your presentation. Whether you’re fishing the surf, the harbor, or structure, where and how your bait moves is what drives results.

Watch the full episode on the Time On The Water YouTube channel. New episodes every Tuesday at 6 PM.