WFS 339 – The Hippie Stomper Fly with Andrew Grillos – Fly Tying, Passion

Show Notes: wetflyswing.com/339

Presented By: Angler’s Coffee, Bearvault, FishHound Expeditions, Togens Fly Shop

Sponsors: wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Andrew Grillos is known for a number of his commercially tied flies at Umpqua Feather Merchants including the Hippie Stomper fly. We find out how that pattern came about as well as some of his funny patterns like the Pizza fly which never made it commercially but works awesome.

Andrew also shares a powerful story of how he survived a devastating stroke at the age of 37. He talks about how he finished a 100-mile ultramarathon in 32 hours, 2 months prior to his stroke.

What kept Andrew going and what does it feel like to be an inch close to death? Listen to his story.

Show Notes with Andrew Grillos

04:55 – Andrew chose his undergraduate degree based around fishing and snowboarding in Gunnison Colorado. He studied at Western State College. He snowboarded 100 days a year and fished in between. Then he became a guide for High Mountain Drifters.

07:30 – He then guided in Alaska and Southern Chile

09:30 – We talk about how the Hippie Stomper came about

12:50 – Around June 20th is one of the best times to fish the Gunnison River

15:30 – Matt and Jerry owns the Driftless Angler in Wisconsin

16:45 – The Heavy-metal Worm pattern

17:45 – Andrew has 15 flies in Umpqua. He was also active in their blog.

18:30 – Andrew wanted to do more commercially produced flies than Brian Silvey and he eventually did. Brian had 15, Andrew did 22. Brian Silvey was on the podcast at WFS 148.

20:00 – Russ Miller told the story of how Umpqua Feather Merchants began at WFS 303 – Andrew tells the story of how he met Russ at a trade show

23:11 – Andrew shares what it’s like relearning his patterns after having a stroke in November 2020

27:10 – Andrew used to guide in the Olympic Peninsula, Skagit River

29:10 – Steelhead tip: Read the water – imagine what your fly is doing at the end of your line. Don’t mend it left and right, make your cast good, and fish your fly.

30:20 – A sparkly big fly is what Andrew prefers for steelhead

31:40 – Andrew went to New Zealand for 6 months with his wife. He got so obsessed with fishing there.

36:25 – One of his favorite flies to tie is a steelhead hairwing

38:20 – The Steelhead Coachman was a pattern by John Hazel

44:10 – Andrew gives a shoutout to the healthcare providers that helped him recover. Their hard work is truly appreciated. Now Andrew can trail run and fish again.

46:45 – Andrew guided Louis Cahill in Alaska, 2010. Louis was on the podcast at WFS 206.

56:00 – Big foam dry flies work great in the Gunnison river or even like sofa pillow and huge stimulators.

1:00:40 – Andrew describes the Gunnison Canyon

1:05:30 – Andrew’s been feeding trout his Pizza fly since 2005. It’s been denied for years though for commercial tying.

1:08:15 – Andrew talks about how he did the ultra-marathon. He finishes 100 miles in 32 hours and tells us how and why.

1:12:50 – His favorite fish that he caught was the steelhead from the Skagit river

1:14:20 – Fish Hunter that has the best marabou feathers and colors

1:17:40 – Andrew will be working with Tom Morgan Rodsmith. Matt Barber and Joel Doub from TMR were on the podcast at WFS 161.

Conclusion with Andrew Grillos

So there you go..

What a story from Andrew.. that truly is awakening. That reminds us that things can happen even when you’re in your best shape. So it’s best to not take things for granted and appreciate all the little things we can do because sooner or later we won’t be able to do them as easily.

I’m happy that Andrew survived that big one.. and thankful for the people that helped him get back to the life that he enjoys.

I hope you get even better Andrew. Stroke can’t kill your passion! We are deeply inspired by your testimony and hope that as we remember your story, we change for the better.. the way we think, act, and speak.

Thank you, Andrew. Cheers!

Show Notes: wetflyswing.com/339