Dave Stewart is the host of the Wet Fly Swing podcast, a fly fishing show he launched in December 2017 after a career in online marketing and Amazon FBA. In this conversation with Tom Rowland, Dave reveals the surprising lessons he's learned running a fishing podcast for over three years, the unexpected ways listeners have transformed his show, and why he walked away from a business model that was working. Dave also shares his unconventional approach to building a podcast audience, the specific strategies he used to turn immediate listener feedback into weekly episodes, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped Wet Fly Swing into what it is today.
What is the Wet Fly Swing podcast about?
The Wet Fly Swing podcast focuses on fly fishing, specifically techniques and strategies for swinging flies. Dave Stewart launched the show in December 2017 and has published weekly episodes ever since, building it into a popular resource for fly fishing enthusiasts who want to learn advanced techniques and hear from experienced anglers in the sport.
Who is Dave Stewart?
Dave Stewart is a podcaster and fly fishing enthusiast who hosts the Wet Fly Swing podcast. Before launching his show in December 2017, Dave worked in online marketing and ran an Amazon FBA business. He committed to podcasting full-time after receiving immediate positive feedback from listeners and has maintained a weekly publishing schedule since the show's inception.
This episode is brought to you by Star brite, the marine care products that keep fishing gear and boats performing at their best. Whether you're maintaining a flats skiff or fly fishing equipment, Star brite delivers the protection anglers like Dave and Tom trust. Shop Star brite products here.
From Amazon FBA to Full-Time Podcasting
Before Dave Stewart became a podcaster, he was running an Amazon FBA business and working in online marketing. The transition to podcasting wasn't planned as a career move—it started as a passion project that took an unexpected turn. Dave talks about the specific moment when he realized the podcast could become something bigger, the immediate response he got from listeners that convinced him to go all-in, and why he made the decision to publish weekly episodes from day one. The story of how a side project became his main focus reveals a lot about what it takes to build momentum in podcasting. Dave explains his transition from Amazon FBA to podcasting and the early listener response that changed everything.
The Power of Listener Feedback in Shaping Content
One of the most interesting aspects of Dave's approach is how he lets his audience influence the direction of the show. He shares specific examples of how listener questions and feedback have shaped episode topics, guest selections, and even the overall focus of Wet Fly Swing. Tom and Dave dig into the balance between having a vision for your content and staying responsive to what your audience actually wants to hear. Dave reveals the systems he's built to track listener interests and how he decides which feedback to act on versus which to set aside. This isn't about chasing every comment—it's about strategic listening. The conversation about audience-driven content and Dave's specific strategies starts around the middle of the episode.
Hear Dave break down his podcasting journey and the decisions that shaped his show
Building a Weekly Publishing Rhythm
Since December 2017, Dave has maintained a weekly publishing schedule for Wet Fly Swing without missing an episode. Tom and Dave discuss the practical realities of that commitment—the systems, the production workflow, and the mindset required to show up every single week. Dave shares the behind-the-scenes process of how he plans episodes, schedules guests, and manages the production timeline to ensure he never falls behind. He also talks about the times when maintaining that schedule felt impossible and how he pushed through. For anyone considering a podcast or struggling with consistency, this part of the conversation offers real tactical insights. Dave's detailed breakdown of his weekly production system and scheduling philosophy is worth hearing in full.
Get the Best Fishing & Outdoor Content
Weekly insights on fishing strategy, conservation, and the disciplines that transfer across pursuits.
SubscribeThe Podcasting Industry and Content Creation Business
Tom and Dave dive deep into the business side of podcasting and content creation—the part most people don't see or talk about. They discuss monetization strategies, the challenges of building a sustainable business around a podcast, and the reality check that comes with turning a passion project into a primary income source. Dave shares his perspective on the fishing industry specifically, how it intersects with content creation, and where he sees opportunities and challenges for podcasters in the outdoor space. This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and gets into the hard truths about what it takes to make podcasting work financially. The full discussion about the podcasting business model and industry insights is essential listening for anyone serious about content creation.
Don't miss this conversation about building a podcast in the fishing industry.
Real talk about content creation, audience building, and the business of podcasting.
Key Takeaways
- Dave Stewart launched the Wet Fly Swing podcast in December 2017 and committed to weekly episodes after receiving immediate positive feedback from his first listeners.
- The transition from Amazon FBA and online marketing to full-time podcasting wasn't planned but happened because of strong early audience response and engagement.
- Dave built specific systems to track listener feedback and let audience interests shape the direction of his show while maintaining his overall vision.
- Maintaining a weekly publishing schedule since 2017 requires systems, workflow discipline, and a commitment to showing up even when it feels impossible.
- The business side of podcasting in the fishing and outdoor industry presents unique challenges and opportunities that most content creators don't discuss publicly.
- Dave's approach to monetization and building a sustainable business around his podcast offers insights for anyone trying to turn content creation into a primary income source.
- The conversation reveals the reality check that comes with building a podcast audience and the strategic decisions required to grow and maintain momentum.
Final Thoughts from Tom
This conversation with Dave Stewart hit differently for me because we're talking about the same challenges from different angles. Dave's working in fly fishing, I'm in saltwater, but the podcasting questions are identical—how do you keep showing up week after week, how do you build something sustainable, and how do you balance what you want to create with what your audience needs to hear.
What I appreciate about Dave is his honesty about the business side. He's not selling a dream or pretending it's easy. He's sharing the real systems and decisions that have kept Wet Fly Swing going strong since 2017. The part about how listener feedback shaped his show really resonated with me because we've experienced the same thing with this podcast—sometimes the audience sees something you don't, and if you're smart, you listen.
If you're thinking about starting a podcast, or you're in the middle of building one and wondering if it's worth it, this episode is for you. Dave's journey from Amazon FBA to full-time podcasting offers real insights you won't find in some guru's course. Listen to the whole thing—it's worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Dave Stewart start the Wet Fly Swing podcast?
Dave Stewart launched the Wet Fly Swing podcast in December 2017. He committed to a weekly publishing schedule from the beginning and has maintained that consistency since the show's launch, never missing an episode.
What did Dave Stewart do before podcasting?
Before launching his podcast, Dave Stewart worked in online marketing and ran an Amazon FBA business. He transitioned to full-time podcasting after receiving strong positive feedback from listeners in the early days of the Wet Fly Swing podcast.
What is the Wet Fly Swing podcast about?
The Wet Fly Swing podcast focuses on fly fishing, specifically techniques for swinging flies. Dave Stewart hosts the show and publishes weekly episodes featuring conversations with experienced anglers, tactical discussions, and insights into the fly fishing world.
How does Dave Stewart use listener feedback for his podcast?
Dave Stewart actively incorporates listener feedback into his content strategy, using audience questions and interests to shape episode topics and guest selections. He has built specific systems to track what his listeners want to hear while maintaining his overall vision for the show.
How often does Dave Stewart publish podcast episodes?
Dave Stewart publishes weekly episodes of the Wet Fly Swing podcast. He has maintained this weekly schedule consistently since launching the show in December 2017, building systems and workflows to ensure he never misses a publishing deadline.
Related Episodes
More insights on growing a fishing podcast and maintaining consistency in content creation.
How creators are building businesses around fishing content and outdoor media.
A deep dive into monetization strategies and building sustainable podcast businesses.
Sponsors
The marine care products trusted by anglers to keep their gear and boats performing at the highest level.
Shop Star britePremium marine hardware and equipment that stands up to the toughest fishing conditions.
Shop DancoPremium supplements for athletes and anglers who demand performance nutrition.
Shop 1st PhormDave Stewart — Host of Wet Fly Swing podcast
Download the Tom Rowland Podcast Knot Guide for essential fishing knots every angler should know.
Dave Stewart
Dave Stewart is the host of the Wet Fly Swing podcast, which he launched in December 2017. Before podcasting, Dave worked in online marketing and ran an Amazon FBA business. After receiving immediate positive feedback from his first listeners, Dave went all-in on podcasting and has maintained a weekly publishing schedule ever since. His show focuses on fly fishing techniques, specifically swinging flies, and features conversations with experienced anglers in the sport. Dave's approach to audience engagement and content creation has made Wet Fly Swing a popular resource in the fly fishing community.
Listen or watch on your favorite platform:
