Mill House Podcast

Episode 168: Capt. Tommy Robinson - Key West to Apalachicola

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 West to the waters around Apalachicola on Florida's Forgotten Coast. Tommy was born in Richmond, VA but soon moved to Key West where the ocean shaped everyday life. His father, an OB-GYN, famously delivered renowned flats angler Will Benson, but it was the Robinson family's shared passions—diving and fishing—that truly defined Tommy's upbringing. Tommy and Chris began poling the flats at an early age, developing skills that would eventually become second nature. Tommy always knew he wanted to be a fishing guide, earning his captain's license at just 18 years old. He has never looked back. Many of his earliest clients came as referrals from the legendary guide Bob Montgomery, one of the true pioneers of flats fishing in Key West. Before long, Tommy had become captivated by tarpon and permit, dedicating himself to mastering two of the sport's most challenging gamefish. Eventually, another opportunity beckoned. Tommy learned to fly and went to work for Jimmy Buffett, transporting anglers throughout the Bahamas in search of vast schools of bonefish. It was a fitting chapter for someone whose life had always revolved around shallow water and adventure. When that chapter closed, Tommy moved into real estate in northern Florida. Yet fishing remained at the center of his life. He spent years guiding and exploring the waters around Apalachicola long before the area became widely recognized as one of Florida's premier fisheries. Today, he may be every bit as well known there as he is in Key West. More than 45 years after earning his captain's license, Tommy Robinson has never strayed far from the bow of a skiff. Guiding, fishing, and the sea remain woven into the fabric of his life—a lifetime spent chasing tides, reading water, and sharing some of the finest fisheries in the world with those fortunate enough to step aboard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 167: Los Locos - Rudy Babikian & George VanDercook

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. George VanDercook and Rudy Babikian are two young men who embody that spirit. They continue to show the rest of us that chasing fish in faraway places can be more than a passion—it can be a life worth pursuing. Both cut their teeth in the Northeast, targeting striped bass that eagerly ate flies in shallow water. Something about those early experiences struck a deep chord. Fishing wasn't just a pastime; it moved them. Years later, their paths crossed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they became obsessed with hunting big trout throughout the West. Eventually, they hitched an 18-foot Boston Whaler to a truck and hauled it from the East Coast to Jackson, then across the American West and south to San Carlos, Mexico. There, the waters of Magdalena Bay and the Pacific Ocean became both their home and their new frontier. Striped marlin, roosterfish, golden trevally, permit, snook—the sheer diversity of species they encountered expanded their horizons and changed the course of their lives. Their long runs offshore in a small center-console boat quickly became the subject of local conversation. People wondered what these crazy Americans were doing 30 miles offshore, chasing striped marlin alongside 80-foot Viking sportfishing yachts. The locals gave them a fitting nickname: Los Locos. And the name stuck. Today, Rudy and George have built a highly successful operation that caters to fly anglers pursuing some of the world's most prized game fish. The experience they offer is unlike anything else in the sport—one of the most extraordinary fishing adventures imaginable. I know because I've experienced it myself. On this podcast, you'll hear stories of relentless ambition, hard-earned lessons, danger, risk, and the pursuit of a dream that many would consider impossible. It's a story about finding the promised land—and having the courage to chase it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 165: Andy & Nicky - Fishing Q&A #3

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 fishing movies and documentaries — plus plenty more along the way. These Q&A episodes are always fun for us to record, so if you enjoy them, let us know and we’ll definitely keep doing more! Have a question you’d like us to answer in a future episode? Email us at Nicky@millhousepodcast.com or send us a DM on social. Hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 164: Capt. Brian Dopirak - DOPE

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 anglers pursue giant tarpon across the flats. Al, alongside Tom Evans, landed two record-setting fish that may stand forever—a 191-pound tarpon on 16-pound tippet and an incredible 194.5-pounder on 12-pound test. Brian witnessed the glory days of Homosassa’s flats firsthand. While learning the sport, he occasionally got the chance to fight fish that his father’s clients had already hooked, giving him an early taste of the challenge and excitement. Despite his upbringing on the water, Brian had no intention of becoming a guide. His passion was baseball. As he grew bigger and stronger, his power at the plate earned him the nickname “Light Tower Power,” a nod to the towering home runs he launched. In 2002, Brian was selected in the second round of the MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. At 22, during his first full fall season, he hit 39 home runs—just three shy of a Midwest League record. Over a 10-year professional career that lasted through 2011, he played in the organizations of the Cubs, Blue Jays, and Astros. Brian finished his minor league career with 162 home runs. However, persistent foot injuries ultimately prevented him from reaching the major leagues. After his baseball career came to a close, Brian traded the diamond for the poling platform. Returning to the waters that shaped his childhood, he began building a name for himself as a fishing guide in Homosassa—following in the footsteps of his father. Carrying on the Doparik legacy, Brian now shares his deep knowledge of the fishery with anglers, blending a lifetime of experience on the water with the same drive and determination that once defined his career in baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices