Podcast Episode
Ep. 237 - Ryan Walker - The 10% Rule: How to Find Smallmouth in Late Summer on Any Ozark Stream
About this episode
The best smallmouth guide in the Ozarks (voted on by YOU) just gave away his entire summer playbook (recorded from a raft on the river).
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Ryan Walker joins the guys mid-float on the James River for one of the most practical fishing episodes the show has ever done.
From how to read braided water and find that magic 10% of the river that holds fish in August heat, to the counterintuitive topwater tip that changes everything, Ryan hands you a summer smallmouth framework you can use the very next time you hit the creek.
Whether you're floating with a kid, learning fly fishing for the first time, or a seasoned angler who can't crack the late-summer code, this one's worth bookmarking before your next trip.
Together with...
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Poncho Outdoors - Outfitting the modern outdoorsman (claim $10 off)
Ember Shoals Outdoor Resort - Just steps from World-Class Trout Waters
0:00 – The Ozarks' Best Smallmouth Guide
3:00 – What's Changed in the last 2 seasons
7:00 – Summer Water Conditions
10:00 – How to Find the 10%
15:30 – Early Morning Top Water
20:00 – The Afternoon Popper Surprise
23:00 – Top Water Mistakes
32:00 – Braided Water Is Your Best Friend in Summer
36:00 – Book a trip with Ryan
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett, and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
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PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com