Mill House Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 54: Capt. Carl Ball - AWOL Fishing Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

As I stated in the intro to this podcast, Carl Ball has been a true brother for many years. I first got connected with Carl from a fellow guide, John Glorieux, as I was looking for a camera boat operator for my fishing TV show at the time, “Sportsman’s Journal.” Carl and I instantly hit it off, and he was the first to show me how exhilarating tarpon fishing with mullet can be. We would light up a cigar, catch bait in back finger canals, and troll under the metropolitan bridges for the massive silver demons lurking below. The bites were like underwater fireworks that gave me a direct adrenaline rush down my spine. For the next number of years, our friendship tightened and we began poling each other around in the Everglades and the Lower Keys.

Carl Ball was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His passion for fishing came from his grandfather, who was an offshore charter boat captain based out of the Boca Raton/ Fort Lauderdale area in the 1950’s. At the tender age of ten, Carl had an aluminum Jon Boat with a four horse power motor and would explore the canals and waterways in his backyard. He and his buddies would transport their boats on land via shopping carts.

As his fishing prowess inevitably grew, he started mating on offshore boats and eventually got his captains license. For the last twenty years, Carl has been one of the top guides in Fort Lauderdale and Biscayne Bay. I don’t know of anyone who loves to fish more than this guy. Raining, blowing 30mph, cold as Nantucket - Carl is fishing. He lives, sleeps, and breaths fishing. He doesn’t care if it’s a redfish, black tip shark, or permit, his desire just to be out on the water inspires me. He is the epitome of the phrase, “you don’t know unless you go!” We hope you enjoy his story!

Episode 53: Capt. Dan Malzone - Life of "Guido" Jan 31, 2022

Show notes

Dan Malzone experienced first hand the halcyon of Homosassa's tarpon fishery when all the big guns were there chasing the holy grail of Tarpon, a 200 pound behemoth. All the players were there: Evans, Apte, Pate, Huff, Dopirak, Delph, Robinson, Chittum, and everyone else who wanted a shot at catching the biggest tarpon on the world.

I showed up in the late 80's when the fish had already been rapidly thinning out. I just wanted to see what all the buzz was about, and hopefully catch some fat fish. Soon, I became friendly with many of the big names I was awestruck by, and one of them was Dan Malzone.

Malzone, like most others was extremely nice. With a big presence and a deep voice, he was respected greatly by all his peers. I soon realized why. He was not only generous but had world class skills on both ends of the boat. With Dr. Pete McGary poling, he caught a 167 pound tarpon on 12 lb test for a new world record. He later guided Dr. Balch to a 179 pound tarpon on 12 lb test pushing that tippet class to a whole new level unimaginable, until Tom Evans shattered it with a 194 pound tarpon.

The world of record chasing back then had such an audience, Sports Illustrated devoted an in-depth article to it. And right in the middle of this historical time, Dan Malzone not only partook, but helped push the boundaries and evolve the sport of fly fishing for tarpon.

Episode 52: Capt. Andrew Bostick - The Gladesmen Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

Andrew’s relationship with the Everglades began before his first screams as a baby were heard. Back when the land was free with the long lost term of homesteading, Bostick’s ancestors staked their claim in the Marco Island area in the late 1800’s. Their rugged life simulated the labyrinth waterways of the nearby 10,000 islands, which would eventually become Andrew’s sanctuary and office. Andrew’s dad, Curtis, was a fisherman and introduced his young son to that tug at the end of the string which eventually inspired Andrew to greatness on the ESPN Redfish Tour. He and his two different teammates, Mark Miller and Mark Sepe, were an ominous threat for ten years, winning the overall title once and team of the year three times. They always finished in the top five, ultimately pocketing close to $750,000.

Bostick's demeanor is humble and kind, unlike the inner fire it took to push as hard and fast as he did to win on tour. When I first fished with Andrew I was blown away. Now at 58 years old, I see a man who has refined his craft to an art form.

I’ve fished with guides around the world for 40 years, and I can count on one hand the guides that are comparable to this subtle giant. He’s not only a fishing genius, but his friendship is just as large.

I love this man and I hope you do too...

Episode 51: Harry Spear - The Perfectionist Jan 03, 2022

Show notes

When I first met Harry Spear I instantly knew I was in the presence of an unusual man. He was affable, wired, and intimidating. His aura exuded a high level of confidence. His legacy had already been established as one of the most successful skiffs guides in the Keys.

Little did I know how deeply he’d impact my life. Our introduction was like most others, a call was made with a little chit chat, ending with a time to meet.

Harry would not only fish me for the next seven years, but push, groom and demand me to evolve to where I couldn’t sleep because of my pursuit to be better. I connected with his way of thinking.

But I was not the only one he inspired to win the big ones as he has a total of 43 wins, including 5 Gold Cup tarpon tournaments, the granddaddy of them all. He won that four times in row with angler Glenn Flutie. He was a tour de force in everything he entered, eventually winning 43 tournaments!

Harry Spear will go down in history as one of the most prominent fishing guides the Keys has ever seen. Anyone who ever stepped onto his boat knew they were with a super power.

I fished three events with him with a win, a second and a fourth. And then he was gone... Was he burned out or what - I wondered? Huff left the Keys too, well before Harry. Then we all heard he was reinventing himself up in the Panhandle of Florida.

Harry is an exceptional adventurer. Never one for complacencies or boredom, he has laser sharp focus with his life’s numerous chapters. On today's podcast we cover this spectrum and his desire for perfection. Enjoy!

Episode 50: Capt. Jeff Legutki - Beach Breaks to Backwater Bays Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

At the spry age of fifty, Jeff Legutki is in the prime of his life. Born and raised in Naples, he’s had a prolific life with the water. Prior to his grandfather introducing him to his first fly rod, Jeff was a typical adventurous, Florida kid who surfed the best shore breaks and chased snook and redfish on topwater plugs. His aspirations for both filled his heart. As a young man he followed his dreams aggressively and at one time professional surfing was his goal...

Once he realized that wasn’t realistic he started pushing his skiff deeper into the 10,000 Islands of the surrounding Everglades. The challenge of finding the variety of fish that swam in its shallow water became his true calling. He loved being alone with the elements of hide and seek, surrounded by birds, alligators, mangroves, and when the season was right the large tarpon lying in skinny water.

He excelled at it and became popular with his clients that sang his praises. When the word got out, he became a target for others to see where and how he was fishing. With the growing popularity of the sport and number of new boats on the water the vastness of his domain started to close in on him. So he pushed his limitations harder, diving deeper into the labyrinth of islands and became even better.

Jeff is an inspiration for living life fully. His family is full of love with a beautiful wife and five kids.

At some point we will spend more time with this free spirited surfer who is a superstar fisherman. We can’t wait!

Episode 49: Gordy Hill (part 2) - Fishing's Unsung Hero Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Gordy Hill is one of the most remarkable men I’ve ever met! He was literally a pioneer in both the medical and fly fishing world. He was the 6th surgeon to perform hip replacements and at one time had done more hip replacement surgeries than anyone. He was nominated for a Nobel prize in medicine when he and Dr. Roger Haugen figured out how to successfully process a patients own blood for an infusion. This was monumental at the time because of the aids crisis.

Gordy was not one of the first, but the first person to run his skiff behind Big Pine. His life in fishing was as large as his medical career. He was a global fisherman who captured a variety of great fish including large swordfish and marlin, and still holds a 15 pound world record bonefish caught in the Bahamas.

Joe Brooks and his father, Pop Hill, were his mentors. His early tackle consisted of silk fly lines and gut leaders. He loved fishing alone and stood on the engine cowling to pole his skiff.

Yes, Dr. Gordy Hill is one of our sports living legends, and at 91, he still has a memory bank sharper than a steak knife! We hope you all enjoy this one!

Episode 48: Fitz Coker - Southern Gentleman Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

The venerable Fitz Coker is known as one of Key West’s fondest people. This southern gentleman from South Carolina has always been a keen outdoorsman. As a young man he was always found in the back water creeks catching everything he could out of his skiing water canoe. His curiosity for the flora and fauna during those formative years has evolved as vibrantly as his passion to fish. He was an athlete at heart and wrestled at Princeton University where he studied engineering.

His family’s business had him traveling the world extensively for decades. Reading too, became close to his heart during his boundless journeys. But it was 40 plus years ago when he found himself on the bow of a flats skiff in Key West. Even though Fitz had and enormous life already, this southern point Island and its abundance of fish was an awakening. So much so that Fitz would spent the vast majority of his life down there. He fished often and grew extremely fond of tarpon and his guides that eventually became extremely close family members.

But his finest hour would be with his wife Dotty Ballantyne, who would eventually pursue record fishing. Fitz would be her greatest inspiration. He’d tie the tippets and organize the tackle. He'd be her quarterback as they chased down the incredible numbers.

With always a smile and a sense of humor, here is Fitz Coker.

Episode 47: Scott Hamilton - Offshore Fly Fishing Nov 08, 2021

Show notes

When you think of offshore fly fishing in the Palm Beach/Jupiter, Florida area there is one name that stands out - Scott Hamilton. Scott is a true visionary and fishing genius in how he innovated the south east ocean fishery as an exclusive fly fishing captain. He designed his own flies that successfully caught a plethora of blue water fish, and when he got blown out offshore he could move inside and target jacks, tarpon, and snook which he knew well.

Many were amazed how well his spectrum developed. Often he’d out fish the bait captains. I heard of Scott well before I met him and when I did, I couldn’t wait to fish with him. Offshore fishing is something that very much intrigues me, yet have little experience at (maybe because I get sea sick when the conditions are ideal for catching). He mastered his craft quickly and it became a regular occurrence for his anglers to come home with big cobia, kingfish, tuna, and dolphin on the fly.

Scott is a guy who says it how it is. He doesn’t exaggerate and will work extremely hard to make sure his clients have a great experience on the water. In the last couple of years, Scott has been experiencing, like many other guides, the frustration of a declining fishery. We all have to appreciate what we still have, try to save it, and cherish the great moments that are still coming. Thanks so much for coming on and telling your story, Scott….

Episode 46: Mark Sosin - The Professor Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

Mark Sosin has experienced a life of giving, determined to teach his viewer how to catch more fish. His avenues were vast and their depths fathomless. He wrote thirty three books, three thousand plus articles, and produced an award winning television show, Mark Sosin’s Saltwater Journal, that spanned 27 years. Offshore, inshore, fly, bait, spin, you name it - he taught it. But was he a great fisherman? Who cares, he was a determined guy that had great intentions and succeeded with his quests.

Mark is the director emeritus of the Billfish foundation and a past president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Sosin received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Outdoor Writers Association and has been inducted into four Hall of Fames including the Freshwater Hall of Fame and the International Game Fish Hall of Fame.

Flip Pallot said his contribution to fishing was “of epic proportion!” The rest of the fishing world couldn't agree more, amen!

Episode 45: Capt. Michael Guerin - Cornell to Conch Republic Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

Over the last 34 years Capt. Michael Guerin has been one of the top guides in the Lower Florida Keys. At a young age he knew his heart was connected to fishing and he pursued his passion to the fullest with a bachelors degree in fisheries science from Cornell University. After his last exam, his future wife, Bridgette, picked him up outside the school building and they headed south.

He started guiding in 1987 where he shared the empty flats with our sports greatest guides like Steve Huff, Harry Speer, and Nat Ragland. Tournaments have always been important to the Keys guides and their top anglers. Guerin was in the mix too. He and his angler won The Del Brown Permit Tournament and finished second twice. He also won the Islamorada All Tackle Tournament twice and finished second three times. Pretty heavy stuff considering these were wins against the best guides and anglers in the world.

At 57, he's still as hungry and determined as anyone. I’ve never fished with Mike but have always relished being in his company and hearing about his day on the water, which is usually remarkable.

Today, we relive some of the great memories of the early years in the Keys and the great Keys bonefish of yesteryear....

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