Featured angler: The Voice Behind The Trout Wrangler Podcast And Ry’s Flies CLT

The Fly Box LLC
Mar 25, 2025
5 min read

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.

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If you’re into fly fishing and haven’t stumbled across Ry’s Flies CLT or the Trout Wrangler Podcast yet, consider this your invitation to get hooked. What started as a spark in a sixth-grade friendship has turned into one of the most exciting up-and-coming names in the fly tying and storytelling space.

From Bass Boats to Backcasts: Ryan Geraghty’s Path into Fly Fishing

Like many anglers, Ryan Geraghty didn’t start with a fly rod. Growing up, he was obsessed with any kind of fishing, but it was a sixth-grade friendship with Colton Harrell that truly set things in motion. That friendship led to countless days of pond fishing, and eventually to the purchase of a starter fly rod from Bass Pro Shops. One day, after landing over 50 panfish, Geraghty was all in.

Throughout high school and college, he focused heavily on conventional bass tournaments. But every offseason, the fly rod made its way back into his hands. A post-college internship at a lake club in Cashiers, North Carolina, marked a turning point. With guidance from fellow guide Michael Parks, Ryan started spending more and more time on trout streams.

After a move to Florida and with his bass boat out of commission, he bought an 8-weight rod and started chasing redfish and tarpon. Along the way, he connected with John Grasta—who not only helped him dial in his approach to Florida flats, but introduced him to fly tying. Since then, Ryan has been chasing everything from trout to tarpon with a fly in hand.

The Tying Table: A Daily Ritual of Creativity

Ryan Geraghty picked up fly tying in early 2024, and it’s quickly become a cornerstone of his daily routine. “I work a 6-to-3 schedule, so I’m at the vise just about every night,” he says. What began as a way to unwind after a stressful day now doubles as both a creative outlet and a growing side hustle.

He ties custom orders regularly while still experimenting and evolving. Inspired by mentors like Brian Smith (The Fly Smith) and Cheech of Fly Fish Food, Geraghty takes pride in originality—often swapping materials or changing colors to make each fly distinctly his own. He keeps things fresh by throwing his own spin on established patterns, and his discipline and consistency show: “I try to tie at least once a day, sometimes five or six flies, sometimes just one.”

The Trout Wrangler Podcast: Sharing Stories from the Water

If you've ever talked your partner’s ear off about fly fishing, you’ll understand how this all began. “Honestly, it was to keep myself from bugging the hell out of my girlfriend,” Geraghty joked That idea evolved into the Trout Wrangler Podcast, now more than 25 episodes deep.

The podcast highlights conversations with anglers from across the fly fishing world. One standout episode? A nearly two-hour chat with David from Very Good Fly Fishing that packed in insight, laughs, and perspective. Geraghty has since featured rising content creators, expert guides, and friends he met on the water, like the crew from Hatchwater Fly Co. “It’s about creating a space where anglers of all skill levels can come together. If you don’t learn something, at least laugh at something.”

He records and edits all the episodes himself, leaning into his teaching and storytelling instincts. “I don’t try to be perfect or super polished,” he says. “I just want it to feel real.”

Building a Brand: One Cast, One Connection at a Time

Balancing fly tying, podcasting, social content, and a full-time job isn’t easy—but Geraghty keeps a grounded mindset. "Day by day, you do a little to achieve your goals," he says. Whether it’s editing a video, setting up a new episode, or simply casting a line, it all adds up.

Despite the temptation to compare himself with larger creators, Ryan sticks to his own lane. "Rome wasn’t built in a day," he reminds himself. The reward? Authentic connections. From heartfelt DMs to chance encounters on the water, the community he's building keeps him going.

He’s particularly inspired by the ways fly fishing brings people together, both online and in person. That’s part of the reason he’s diving deeper into content creation—from short-form Instagram Reels to YouTube vlogs covering fly shops, breweries, and rivers across the Carolinas.

What’s Next for Ry’s Flies CLT

The road ahead is packed with ambition. Ryan Geraghty has plans to feature Upriver Boatworks and a popular TV personality on the podcast, plus highlight Charlotte-based guides and local businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. He’s also working on a YouTube series to showcase fly shops, rivers, and breweries across Western NC.

Merch is on the horizon, too—from hats and shirts to a Hornets-themed Ry’s Flies CLT sticker. Everything Geraghty is building centers on authenticity, connection, and giving back to the community that shaped him.

And while everything he’s doing is self-taught and fueled by passion, it’s clear the future is bright. “I don’t have it all figured out,” he says, “but I know I love this. I’m going to keep showing up and seeing where it takes me.”

Where to Follow and Support

To keep up with Ryan Geraghty, follow @rys_fliesCLT on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. For fly orders, email rysfliesCLT@gmail.com. A new website is in the works and will be announced soon.

Ryan gives thanks to his family, girlfriend, friends

Ry’s Flies CLT and the Trout Wrangler Podcast aren’t just passion projects—they’re community pillars in the making.

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.