Episode 159: Capt. Nick LaBadie - Tailing Water Expeditions

Episode 159: Capt. Nick LaBadie - Tailing Water Expeditions

Author: Mill House February 25, 2026 Duration: 1:21:23
Capt. Nick LaBadie is a Florida native through and through. Raised on the Gulf Coast just minutes from Boca Grande, he grew up fishing one of the most renowned tarpon fisheries in the world. From the time he could hold a rod, he was hooked—spending his childhood on the water and developing a deep-rooted passion for life on the water. After moving to the Florida Keys, Nick quickly became captivated by the technical challenges and endless opportunities of the flats. He poured himself into the art of sight fishing in shallow water, targeting a variety of species with both fly and spinning gear. The precision, patience, and strategy required to consistently succeed on the flats soon became his specialty. Deep down, though, Nick is a permit junkie—and a highly accomplished one at that. His passion for chasing these notoriously challenging fish has translated into tournament success, including winning the IGFA Permit Tournament in 2020 alongside guide Brandon Cyr, the March Merkin in 2024 with angler Rob Dougherty, and the Del Brown Permit Tournament in 2025 with angler Kat Vallilee. These victories reflect not only his dedication to the species, but also his ability to perform at the highest level under pressure. Since 2012, Nick has guided anglers throughout the flats and backcountry waters of Key West and the Lower Keys. From Big Pine Key to the Marquesas Keys, he has spent countless hours exploring and refining techniques that consistently put clients in position for success.

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: 100

Mill House Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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: 1:16:40
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…
Episode 164: Capt. Brian Dopirak - DOPE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:57
Brian Dopirak grew up in a household driven by success. His father, Al Dopirak, was one of the most accomplished tarpon guides of his time. As a young boy, Brian spent countless May days in his father’s boat, watching an…
Episode 163: Capt. Rick Murphy - Master Angler, Relentless Survivor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:22
Rick Murphy’s impact on the world of fishing runs deep. Many know him from his television shows—Sportsman’s Adventures, Florida Insider Fishing Report, and Texas Insider Fishing Report—popular across the Southeast. But h…
Episode 162: Anthony Hsieh - Bad Company Fishing Adventures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:50
Anthony Hsieh’s success in the mortgage industry is nothing short of extraordinary. What began as a simple application for a loan officer position turned into ownership of the very company he once hoped to join. From the…
Episode 161: Jack Nicklaus - The Untold Outdoor Life of Jack Nicklaus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:35
Jack Nicklaus is widely regarded as an American hero—though it’s hard to measure a life defined by excellence, integrity, and generosity. He is far more than one of the greatest golfers in history; his impact reaches wel…
Episode 160: Capt. Jonathan "Stump" Hamilton - Homosassa Fishing Co. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:24
Capt. Jonathan “Stump” Hamilton is a respected fishing guide based in Homosassa, known for his deep roots in Florida’s outdoor heritage and his expertise on the shallow flats of the state’s Nature Coast. A 7th-generation…
Episode 158: Andy & Nicky - Fishing Q&A #2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:17
On today’s podcast, we answer a variety of listener-submitted questions, including: our favorite hooks for adult and baby tarpon, the moon phases we prefer for migrating tarpon, our most memorable stories from Alaska, wh…
Episode 157: RJ Boyle - South Florida Swordfishing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:21
RJ Boyle is a legendary figure in the South Florida sportfishing world, based in Boca Raton, Florida. Born and raised in the area, Boyle grew up on the water, developing a deep connection to the ocean that would shape hi…
Episode 156: Capt. Shawn McKay - For the Love of Permit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:49
Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Shawn McKay has been fishing ever since he could hold a rod. At just 10 years old, he picked up a fly rod and hasn’t put it down since. Shawn honed his skills on his home waters o…