Episode 166: Nathaniel Linville - Tarpon & Permit in the Florida Keys

Nathaniel Linville joins us for Round 2 to share what he's been up to since his last appearance on the show. Two years ago, Nathaniel and his guide, Ian Slater, captured the prestigious Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament title. They followed that achievement by winning the 2026 March Merkin Permit Tournament, staging what many consider one of the greatest comebacks in fly-fishing tournament history with an incredible seven-fish final day. Nathaniel continues to accomplish remarkable feats in the fly-fishing world, driven by an unmatched work ethic, relentless determination, and exceptional talent. Angling excellence runs in the family—his wife, Kat, has built an impressive résumé of her own, winning the 2023 March Merkin alongside Doug Kilpatrick and the 2025 Del Brown Permit Tournament with Nick Labadie. She also holds the 4-pound, 6-pound, and 8-pound permit world records, further cementing her place among the sport's elite anglers. In this episode, Nathaniel dives into misconceptions about casting, shares valuable advice for both new anglers and aspiring guides, discusses the current state of the fishery, and answers listener questions. He also reveals details about his upcoming online casting school, the Linville Casting Academy (LCA), which is scheduled to launch later this fall. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.