Fly Fishing for Striped Bass with Ben Whalley | New England | Local Legends | Brad Leone

I’ve always wanted to catch a fish on a lure that I made myself. Come with us on a trip up to Portland, Maine to meet Local Legend Capt. Ben Whalley. Ben is an elite fly designer and fly fishing guide. He’s gonna teach me how to tie a proper fly and then we’re going fly fishing for Striped Bass to put my lure and skills to the test.
Thanks to our friends at Yeti for sponsoring this episode and thanks to Ben and his family for being the best hosts ever.
To book a guided fly fishing trip with Ben or to sign up for his monthly fly releases check out his website: www.benwhalleyfishing.com/
And be sure to give him a follow on the ol Instagram app just like those fish be following his flies to the boat!
/ benwhalleyfishing
Another HUGE thank you goes out to Bri Dostie for sharing her amazing artwork with us from the Stripers in our Hands campaign. Bri and Sascha Clark Danylchuk from Keepfishwet.org are working to share science-based best practices in fish handling to help save Striped Bass. Stripers have been an icon of the East Coast for Millenia and they’re in decline. The future of the fishery is in our hands!
Check out more of Bri’s art here: www.bridostie.com/
And here’s a great list of resources to learn more about what you can do to protect striped bass!
- www.keepfishwet.org/stripers-...
- www.saltwaterguidesassociatio...
- www.confluencecollective.org/
Last but not least, thanks to the Saltwater Edge in Middletown, Rhode Island for connecting us with Ben. If you’re in the market for any new fishing gear or tips, they’re your guys!
saltwateredge.com/
_________
Shot by: Ian Deveau & Torsten Brinkema
Edited by: Tyler Fischer
Produced by: Brad Leone, Carolyn Gagnon, Ian Deveau
_________
Don't forget to subscribe, ya turkeys 🦃
/ @bradleone
/ brad_leone
/ brad_leone
Makin' It Intro Sequence & GFX | Hobson Feltus
Local Legends and Makin' It Theme Music | Harrison Menzel
Logo Design | Dylan Schmitz

[@sauceokay]

Watching Ian do a backflip into the water made my day

[@fuhlavaflave]

You are one of the leading edges of conservation in the USA, Brad. Like it or not. Knowledge is power, and those who exude knowledge get to steer the ship. You are doing good work.

[@codem0de]

That smile while Brad is reeling in that fish is exactly what we chase

[@YFleiter]

Can we get the building part as an extra video maybe? That seems kinda interesting.

[@michaelsponseller5337]

it’s probably trade secret like rodney’s bbq rub

[@hannahcollins1816]

I've been following shetiesflies (with underscores in the front and the back of that name, but KZbin won't let me add them) on Instagram - so calming and mesmerizing to watch her tie flies!

[@bradleone]

Love the idea.

[@Lexi_333]

@@michaelsponseller5337ugh I miss Rodney. They should go back

[@Smiththebat]

I second this.

[@bradleone]

Love this video ! Ben you legend you. You guys got any local legends by you I should know about ?

[@BestTransportation]

Lowell's Boat Shop in Massachusetts might be up your alley. Oldest boat shop in the US and a great little community of folks trying to preserve the art of wooden boatbuilding and teach kids about history, nature, and of course woodworking.

[@northeasttroller]

@Bradleone - Come up to central Maine. I know the coolest apple tree grafter, a great local pottery shop ( they are literal legends), we have some of the best Goose hunting on the east coast, also the Nations largest Organic Fair, and then there's the ocean that has y'know like lobsters and stuff. Touch base, Ill get you set up!

[@roenaboat1]

Brad, you ever caught a Muskie?!? Come to Minnesota and fish with the Northern MN legend Luke Ronnestrand! He’s a Muskie fishing guide, mostly on Lake Vermillion, and he’s the real deal. You can find his guide info online.

[@evandacruz9669]

Mako 2 charters in Rhode Island he’s been fishing for over forty years and unfortunately he got his hand taken off in the engine room of the boat but came back and still runs charters to this day.

[@DarkKnightCap]

my mom.

[@Broncksea]

Brad having that much energy at 4:13am is absolutely what I expected.

[@jomicheleseidl2033]

I love it! We have fun, we learn, we appreciate another good human, we see Uncle Ian come out from behind the camera. What a joy this is.

[@dakotakingston2923]

Man Brad you saved my life dude legit, you taught me the fun in cooking and the love and respect for food god bless you man

[@michaelsponseller5337]

working w the leone crew seems like a BLAST

[@andrewcolton19]

Ben Whalley, humble, kind, and most definitely a legend...no matter what he says

[@shaneclark207]

"Utah, get me two"!! Ha!!!! Nice Point Break ref. 👊🏼👍🏼🤙🏼

[@smiththewright]

I’m having a blast watching these Local Legends episodes. Best series on KZbin 💯🍽

[@lifeofbryan121]

You know who’s a legend Brad? You my friend, you! 😂

[@TheLpsAwesomeTV]

i love brad and his videos - always so moving ! local legends is such an elegant way to show the many ways in which humans are human. gotta love it. from a fellow north easterner - i thank you for what you do. fun to see ian jump in the water too, camaraderie!

[@714spoon]

I love fly fishing and fly tying, Bob is a true legend and if this guy is following in his footsteps then hes an absolute local legend. Thanks for spreading the love of the sport and showing how to do it ethically! Nice catch brad!

[@KRayxKodessA]

Let's be real... every episode is a bonus.

[@xMERCx]

First step grabbing the bobbin and Brad already went "oh god" lmao

[@smileybob29]

From the test kitchen which entertained me through Covid to doing the same fishing I do on home waters, been a trip watching you tear up New England. Thanks for highlighting CT-ME coast.

[@Danifran20122]

Another banger of a video. Every single episode of local legends leaves me a smile from ear to ear. Brad and the team are incredible. The editing is always on point. The legends in the videos deserve all the praise the can get, making the world better place step by step is truly admirable :D

[@SUPERSTUDIO17]

IM CRYING

[@krollgrend1888]

Hey Brad, I just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed the fishing legends you've been featuring on your channel. I hope to see more fishing and cooking! The KZbin fishing channels have reignited my love for fishing. I hadn't done much since I was a kid, but now I'm eager to pick it up again as an adult. It would be crazy to see "Mav" on your channel. Watching you cook with his truck camping setup, or maybe even ice fishing together in the winter, would be amazing. He's truly a legend!

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

There's something inherently meditative and therapeutic about tying flies and fly fishing. It's most definitely a functional art form. Hope you had a good time, bud.

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

Really appreciate the conservation efforts and mindfulness about handling the fish too.

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

Also, can we talk about those photos/stills at the end there? Some gorgeous black and white shots in there 😮

[@CottageOnTheCreek]

Monday just got so much better. ❤

[@n.r.6833]

Brad is the man! Such good content and it keeps getting better!

[@roberthuffman3298]

Brad absolutely loving the fishing content!

[@stephenmcdonald1800]

Different types of Fly fishing! it's not all about trout! HA fascinating.

[@darcyska]

Yay buddy! Nothin' better than some good fishing

[@fatxcap]

You love to see it! Thanks Ben for all you do for the fishery, and Brad for showcasing our Local Legends of maine.

[@Ohno722]

this episode is so well shot. its like watching a scorsese movie.

[@bradleone]

Definitely Ian’s burner account! 😂

[@Jettonx]

I grew up fly fishing with my grandad, he was a games keeper at a trout lake here in the UK, and man this was something real special. Keep em coming brad!!

[@firstplacelast2]

“Not too what?” 5:46 😂😂😂

[@F0XD1E]

Like those shots of fueling that bonfire with some 2 stroke Vitamin G.

[@BruinsPastaSauce]

love this man. what hes doing for the stripe bass is beyond needed.

[@Verlisify]

Stripers on the fly is an S-tier fishing experience

[@JaySay]

I'm really loving the production on these Local Legends vid's more and more each time! I dig the in-between sections with the music going, and a bit of the audio from the vid peeking in the background at like 20%. Great work all around, guys!

[@elhitman5635]

Nice video Brad.

[@andrewshinkim1736]

the photos at the end of the video.. truly beautiful storytelling guys

[@mayganwong]

I frl love this series. God bless

[@chefcamsey1375]

Love your work mate

[@devynlapatina]

absolutely amazing

[@FitzMurda508]

Seriously sick video. Great production quality too. Love to see the fly action for stripers in New England! 🔥

[@odonnb]

What an ep!

[@nathanzaslow5614]

The most wholesome scallywag on YT - thanks brad ❤

[@Shovelman220]

Wish you all the good things that are coming your way homie! Keep it awesome.

[@jaredknapp8886]

Thanks for the video dudes! Nice fish.

[@langdonowen1324]

Great video! Great message! I love fly fishing, mostly in the West and in streams, but I'd sure like to try what you did.

[@ryanlangston3193]

It’s actually crazy to look at this video and know exactly where you are based on the islands and mainland! Yay Portland!

[@dalefirebirdd]

Cant wait to see you crabbing in Maryland ik its coming!

[@johnmeredith9185]

The immediate "oh God" from Brad when he's getting instruction is so fucking funny.

[@MarkSc1]

Break it out! The fish whistle!!! Love the catch and cook brutha!!

[@kylemargot3352]

Great content with a great message!

[@toorealworld]

Love these videos brad keep it up brother!!

[@brandonelms4288]

The GOOD STUFF!! TY BRAD

[@yotagerlie]

Maine is an amazing and large state! I live about 7 hours north of there in a town called Eagle Lake near to Fort Kent and Canada :)

[@SMOKIN-STICK]

Those flys are amazing!😵

[@Sebadeos]

Ben is the greatest tyer I know. He's a big time Legend

[@jacksoncunningham5378]

Love the monologue at the end

[@heathergreylive]

"Yeti cold, bud!" Brad the marketing genius at work.

[@ericlindell3777]

Great vid!

[@63ah1275]

Dammit! This just reminded me my son broke another fly rod today. I need to take care of it before a week at the cabin for 7/4.

[@morecroutonsplz8053]

Yall were definitely using fish whistles on this trip 😂 ❤

[@Showza83]

I started tying last year and caught my first trout (using my own files) a couple weeks ago. The feeling is unmatched.

[@user-pp3wg8jk6r]

Excellent.

[@OHohioIO]

Uncle Ian=Legend

[@tonymorrison5023]

awesome.

[@notnownico7178]

This is the good stuff bub

[@aliciamessina2923]

I love the theme song to local legends! It’s awesome! I’d love to know who sings it and if there’s a full length song out there

[@DarkKnightCap]

Lord of the Flys

[@joeysanchez7318]

Brad come over to Michigan and walleye fish this spring or sturgeon fish this fall! Have a great guide I can hook you up with and we can cook some fish or deer at my place

[@grantskidmore6921]

Brads the legend

[@Phoenix-nl2ut]

Exactly. Fishermen are not late. 430am means 415am and leaving the ramp at 430am.

[@countjulu]

One of my dreams in life is Brad calling me bud

[@comfortroosterrecords]

nice one

[@hazbutler]

Brad is Brad, even at 4:13am

[@brianboisjoli5400]

Killer content brother

[@GreenWitch1]

Nice 😊

[@drain_001]

12:47 a little cham-pag-ne to celebrate!

[@DiaboloMaster95]

Hey Brad take me fishing with you!

[@texasdpl9668]

W Brad!

[@gchomuk]

Great episode. Jealous. I went fly fishing once. Paid a small fortune for a guy to give me a quick lesson, then a guided tour on the Bow River in Canada. Caught nothing, but neither did he. Scenery wascnice tho7gh (sigh).

[@joanneganon7157]

Excellent 🎉 JO JO IN VT 💞

[@whiterabit]

❤❤❤

[@jamisonallen8710]

$10 combo will catch the same if not more as a $100 fly!

[@studio.deveau]

Camaraderie!!

[@yoomb]

yo sweet vid! Just put up my newest vid fly fishing shad on the umpqua, big inspo 🙏

[@chefcamsey1375]

😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤

[@pantera3336]

It's a hybrid I go to beaver lake Arkansas and get 20lbsers

[@brosand00]

What are the croc-like shoes beads wearing by the fire? Must have.

[@Isipeasylemonsqueezy]

Pretty sure in the last makin it Episode with emanuel they mention them! (He accidentally spills pork fat and doesn’t slip in them 😂) I think the link is in the description box

[@MisterTingles]

We out here fishin, bud?

[@kristinchong629]

The yeti gang. He gets it. he really really gets it. Like I think KZbin should have realized that is the was better to do the out development of Americana than like weird ass competition which was never complete. Like what’s actually going to keep people on to do the next iteration. Let me know. I know and there’s a whole thing to have a grooming brand which is helpful I mean I don’t know I’m not white so like let’s not depend on gq and like what do the Europeans do.

[@peytondahmen1735]

Fish whistle

[@usefulidiot227]

Stinks the entire fly tying section was edited out. I know it takes awhile to tie them but even just a little montage with talking overtop would have been nice. Seems like this one left some meat on the bone. But I wasn't there. Maybe it needed cut out haha

[@patrickjdarrow]

Brad you NEED to get a collab going with @KeyWestWaterman (kzbin.info)!

[@lilmc4055]

Cool. Where’s Claire?

[@bradleone]

What ?

[@dillon8188]

🔫 Hand over the other 20 minutes of this video

[@doorbluff]

Dude. Brad has better coffee than me at 4:13 AM is all I’m saying.

[@CaptainCrunchyBits]

Never got why you'd hunt the fish for fun and then not eat them. I reckon it's a little cruel.

[@planetsoccer99]

1st

[@zaahatchetmangaming]

This isn’t americas test kitchen you guys gotta show us some more stuff. Get Brad goofing around making that fly show us more of the fishing keep it longer keep that retention rates high lol

[@bradleone]

Next time!