In today's episode, we're hanging out with someone who's deep in the world of youth fly fishing

and giving back in a big way. From mentoring foster kids to helping lead one of the most

dominant youth teams in fly fishing. This conversation is full of inspiration and tactical tips. By the end of this episode, you'll understand why a little slack in your nymph drift can be a game changer, and you're going to get a fresh take on your nymphing myths and techniques, so you have more success this year. Hey, I'm Dave, host of the traveled podcast. I'm in fly fishing since I was a little

kid. grew up around a little fly shop and created one of the largest fly fishing podcasts out there.

Jess Westbrook, one of the key players behind Team USA's youth fly fishing domination in recent years

is here to break down what it takes to succeed on the water, especially when you're showing up

somewhere brand new stream. You're going to find out

how to research a lake, what to look for before you wet a line, and how the best anglers adjust

when things are shifting. Plus, you're going to get his three factors for success in stillwater

competitions, why lakes are considered the great equalizer, and what kind of leader setup and tactics can give you

the edge. This episode of Travel is presented by Yellowstone Teton Territory where you can explore

great fishing, hunting, and world championships this year. All right, let's get into it. Here he is

Jess Westbrook from the Mayflyproject.org. How you doing, Jess? Hey, I'm doing great, Dave. Thank you so much for having me back. Yeah, this is going to be good to catch up with you. I don't have it in front of me. I'll get a link out there in the show notes to the episode we did the first time. We heard about the Mayfly Project, this amazing program that you created for. we'll talk more about that for the youth and how that's going. I'm sure it's going great. And then also Team USA, you're part of the youth team USA. And I didn't realize that at the time. And so it's going to be cool to catch up. We've been, we just had Josh Miller on, which was amazing. And we've, I think we've got Drew Bone is going to be our first actual youth. Yeah, he's going to be our first youth member who's going to be on the pot unless he has a guide trip. He said if he has a guy drip this, you know, this week you have to cancel. But I'm like, hey, I'm good with that. But yeah, what's been going on with you since the last, it's probably been a couple years since we chat last, what's been new with you in the Mayfly. Yeah, I mean, you know, honestly, Dave, like Mayfly project's amazing.

You know, we just continue to grow.

We've got a few new employees that have kind of come on in the last 12 months or so, and Emily and Joanna, and they've been amazing, right?

Like, we've got a lot more help.

Man, I mean, honestly, like, you know, just trying to get a whole bunch of foster kids out

and create those awesome river experiences and connect them with nature, you know?

So it's just super busy, and we're blowing and going.

You're going for it.

What is for maybe people that

hadn't didn't hear the first episode maybe just describe what it is what you guys do with the may

...