Show Notes
John Abplanalp has lived an extraordinary life centered around fishing, including being one of the pioneers on the flats of Montauk, where he was among the first to sight-cast for striped bass from his skiff. His family was fortunate to pursue big dreams, thanks to his father, who designed and invented the aerosol valve used in spray cans. Fast forward a few years, and after his father purchased the small island of Walker's Cay in the Bahamas, John found himself chasing his newfound passion for bonefish. Walker's Cay became the jumping off point for Flip Pallot’s iconic show, Walker's Cay Chronicles, which captivated audiences and drew them in heart and soul. John and a group of like-minded friends often used the island's freighter, the Sea Lion V, as their base for fishing, sleeping, and partying—all without a care in the world. Years later, many of these individuals, including legends like Kreh, Pallot, Cardenas, Popovics, and Dixon, have become household names, representing some of the luckiest and most influential figures in the fishing world. In today’s podcast, John takes us on a nostalgic journey back to those unforgettable days, sharing his passion for both the sport and his ongoing efforts to support Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) in their mission to preserve these incredible species for future generations.
More from Mill House Podcast
Mike Dawes has spent more than three decades chasing fish across the globe, building a life around the places, people, and experiences that make fly fishing far more than a sport. Raised in a family steeped in the tradition, Mike caught his first trout on a fly at just five years old. His grandfather helped establish the legendary Deep Water Cay Bonefishing Club in the Bahamas, introducing Mike early to the world of saltwater fly fishing and planting the seeds for a lifetime of exploration.
Mike Lawson is a legend of the Henry’s Fork—and one of the men who helped shape modern fly fishing in the American West. A fourth-generation Idahoan, Lawson grew up fishing the Henry’s Fork and began his professional fly-fishing career in the early 1970s while working as a schoolteacher and tying flies commercially with his wife, Sheralee. He later guided in West Yellowstone before the two founded Henry’s Fork Anglers in 1976, building what would become one of the most respected fly-fishing operations in the country.
Boots Allen is a third-generation fly-fishing guide, tournament angler, writer, fly designer, and one of the longtime stewards of the rivers around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born and raised in the valley, Boots grew up immersed in a family whose name is woven into the history of fly fishing in the region. His grandfather, Leonard “Boots” Allen, was one of the early guides and outfitters in Jackson Hole, securing permits to guide the waters of the Greater Yellowstone area in the 1940s. His father, Joe Allen, continued that tradition and became known for his innovative fly patterns, including the famous Double Humpy.
Baker Bishop is an avid fly fisherman, surfer, husband, father, and mentor whose life has been shaped by a lifelong connection to the water. He picked up a fly rod at just ten years old, taught by his mother, who passed down the skills, traditions, and passion she had learned from her grandfather—a bamboo-rod builder and lifelong angler.
Rudy Babikian is an accomplished fly fisherman, adventurer, and co-founder of Los Locos, a premier fly-fishing destination in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. Originally from Maine, Rudy cut his teeth in the Northeast chasing giant striped bass from shore—often putting himself in precarious situations in pursuit of the biggest fish. Those early experiences helped shape the adventurous, risk-taking approach that would define his fishing life.