Episode 138: Capt. Pauly Ross - New Generation of Guiding

Episode 138: Capt. Pauly Ross - New Generation of Guiding

Author: Mill House May 7, 2025 Duration: 1:27:43
Capt. Pauly Ross is quickly becoming one of the most respected young guides in the Florida Keys, and for good reason. At just 24 years old, he’s already earning a reputation that many seasoned captains spend a lifetime building. Born and raised in Islamorada, Pauly grew up on the deck of the Relentless, the legendary offshore fishing vessel captained by his father, Paul Ross—an icon in the sportfishing world with seven Gold Cup Sailfish Series titles to his name. The Ross family name carries serious weight on the water, and Pauly is honoring that legacy while forging his own path in the backcountry and tarpon arenas. With a quiet confidence and humble nature, Pauly operates with the precision, calm, and instincts of someone twice his age. He’s a natural guide—sharp-eyed, tactical, and relentlessly focused on giving his anglers the best possible shot. Pauly’s list of accolades is already impressive. He’s a multi-time winner of the Poor Boys Tarpon Tournament and a champion of the Herman Lucerne Backcountry Tournament. His name is consistently in the mix during tarpon season, where he's recognized as a serious threat across all the major tournaments. Although, the most amazing accomplishment, I believe, is that he recently caught a super slam (Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Snook, & Redfish) solo on fly in one day! I am not sure anyone has done that to date - but could be wrong. But accolades only tell part of the story. What sets Pauly apart is his work ethic and presence on the water. Whether poling through skinny flats or chasing rolling tarpon at dawn, he brings the same level of preparation, quiet intensity, and deep respect for the sport every day. His guests quickly realize they’re fishing with someone special—a guide with both heart and heritage. Capt. Pauly Ross represents the next generation of elite Florida Keys fishing. And if his early success is any indication, he’s just getting started.

The Mill House Podcast digs into the rich, often overlooked narratives that flow through the world of fishing and the wider outdoors. While the cast of a line provides the starting point, these conversations quickly travel into deeper waters, exploring the lives, philosophies, and pivotal moments of the people who shape these pursuits. Each episode is built on a foundation of genuine curiosity, offering long-form discussions with innovators, legends, and quiet pioneers you might not have heard of before. The result is a collection of untold stories that are as much about human character, dedication, and connection to the natural world as they are about any specific sport or technique. Listening to this podcast feels like pulling up a chair in a weathered lodge after a long day outside, where the tales exchanged are compelling, authentic, and far from finished. You’ll hear the nuances behind industry shifts, personal epiphanies born on remote rivers, and the hard-earned wisdom that comes from a life spent looking to the horizon. It’s an audio experience for anyone who finds education in leisure and sees the wilderness as a source of endless story. Mill House weaves these threads together into a consistently engaging listen that redefines what an outdoor show can be.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Mill House Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 174: Boots Allen - Teton Valley Trout Fishing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:19
Boots Allen is a third-generation fly-fishing guide, tournament angler, writer, fly designer, and one of the longtime stewards of the rivers around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born and raised in the valley, Boots grew up imme…
Episode 173: Baker Bishop - Tarpon, Triumph, & Second Chances [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:12
Baker Bishop is an avid fly fisherman, surfer, husband, father, and mentor whose life has been shaped by a lifelong connection to the water. He picked up a fly rod at just ten years old, taught by his mother, who passed…
Episode 172: Rudy Babikian - Born to Fish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:01
Rudy Babikian is an accomplished fly fisherman, adventurer, and co-founder of Los Locos, a premier fly-fishing destination in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. Originally from Maine, Rudy cut his teeth in the Northeast chasing gian…
Episode 171: Landon Mayer - Trout Hunting Wisdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:44
Landon Mayer is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, fly designer, author, and educator known for his expertise in hunting and sight-fishing large, selective trout. Based on the South Platte River, Landon has spent decades stud…
Episode 170: Andy & Nicky - Fishing Q&A #4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:45
On today’s podcast, we answer a wide range of listener-submitted questions, including whether top-of-the-line rods are really worth it, how far you actually need to cast, advice for aspiring fishing guides, and how our t…
Episode 169: Paul Puckett - Artist, Angler, & Musician [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:22
Paul Puckett is an acclaimed sporting artist, illustrator, and lifelong angler whose work captures the beauty, adventure, and emotion of life on the water. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Puckett developed an early pas…
Episode 168: Capt. Tommy Robinson - Key West to Apalachicola [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:05
I first heard the name Tommy Robinson nearly 38 years ago while fishing in Key West. Time and again, anglers spoke about Tommy and his brother, Chris—their reputation as exceptional fishermen extending far beyond Key Wes…
Episode 167: Los Locos - Rudy Babikian & George VanDercook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:18
I believe the driving force behind all great human triumphs is an insatiable desire to win. Some people are propelled by an internal storm—a relentless urge to push farther, dream bigger, and pursue the extraordinary. Ge…
Episode 166: Nathaniel Linville - Tarpon & Permit in the Florida Keys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:54
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.…
Episode 165: Andy & Nicky - Fishing Q&A #3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:10
On today’s podcast, we answer a variety of listener-submitted questions, including our favorite ocean tarpon flies, different bonefish flies and when to use them, the most underrated saltwater game fish, and our favorite…