Conway Bowman | Catching Mako Sharks on Fly! | Ep. 991

TOM ROWLAND PODCAST

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Conway Bowman: Legendary Mako Shark Guide Shares Decades of Ocean Wisdom

Conway Bowman is a legendary San Diego fly-fishing guide and pioneer who transformed sight-fishing for mako sharks from a humble 24-foot bay boat into an art form. A former wetlands manager who grew up in San Diego with summers spent in Idaho, Conway has built his career around one of fishing's most dangerous pursuits: putting anglers eye-to-eye with apex predators and ensuring they return home safely.

In this captivating conversation, Conway pulls back the curtain on decades of hard-earned knowledge about one of the ocean's most formidable predators. He reveals why mako sharks have grown so massive in recent years, the precise conditions he searches for before ever wetting a line, and the iron discipline required to keep clients safe when a 400- to 800-pound shark suddenly kicks into high gear.

From Tin Boat to Mako Authority

Conway's journey from "fly guy in a tin boat" to the West Coast's premier mako authority wasn't handed to him. Salty commercial fishermen served as his mentors, but their wisdom came with a price: he had to meticulously log every detail of every trip. This old-school apprenticeship laid the foundation for the pattern recognition that now makes him legendary.

The San Diego fishing scene transformed dramatically with the arrival of bluefin tuna, and Conway explains how this shift brought big makos closer to shore than ever before. Understanding these ecological changes has been crucial to his success and safety record.

The Safety Playbook

When you're dealing with sharks that can reach speeds of 45 mph, safety isn't just important—it's everything. Conway shares his non-negotiable safety rules, including never setting the hook when a shark is charging the boat, how to properly position and move the vessel, and most critically, what to do if a mako actually jumps aboard. These aren't theoretical scenarios—they're real situations Conway has navigated throughout his career.

The Fly System That Works

Conway's approach to mako fishing isn't just about luck or being in the right place at the right time. He's developed a sophisticated system using tube flies that suspend perfectly in the water column, his famous bird-pattern "sure-fire" topwater fly, and a bait-and-switch technique that triggers the shark's predatory kill switch. Every element has been tested and refined through years of trial and error.

Old School Beats High Tech

In an age of fish finders, GPS plotters, and digital everything, Conway still swears by handwritten logs. He tracks tides, moon phases, bird activity, and water temperatures the old-fashioned way, believing that this hands-on approach builds the kind of instinctual pattern recognition that no electronic device can replace. His logs represent decades of accumulated wisdom about when and where makos hunt.

Listen to the Full Conversation

Conway's insights go far beyond technique and tactics. He shares stories of close calls, discusses the changing dynamics of Southern California's marine ecosystem, and offers wisdom gained from a lifetime spent studying one of nature's most perfect predators.

Whether you're an experienced angler looking to up your game or simply fascinated by the intersection of skill, courage, and respect for nature's apex predators, Conway's perspective offers something valuable. His approach combines scientific understanding with old-school craftsmanship, safety with adventure, and deep respect for the ocean with an unquenchable desire to understand its mysteries.

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