George Daniel Featured on the “Fly Fisherman Loop to Loop” Podcast

March 27, 2026

DENVER (March 27, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – The recent episode (#24) of the Fly Fisherman Loop to Loop podcast features an inspiring conversation with George Daniel, well-traveled and accomplished competitive fly fisher and full-time instructor at Penn State University’s prestigious Joe Humphreys Fly Fishing Program. Legendary fly fisherman George Harvey established the Penn State program in the 1930s, and it was accredited in 1947, the first of its kind. Fly Fisherman Editor and Publisher Ross Purnell visited the school several weeks back to record the podcast with program head George Daniel and a panel of current Penn State students who shared their experiences with the program and offered up intriguing questions for their beloved instructor. Listen to the Fly Fisherman Loop to Loop podcast, in partnership with Patagonia, G. Loomis, Mayfly Outdoors and Cigars International , on Apple Podcast, YouTube, Spotify, and at FlyFisherman.com.

Born and raised in north-central Pennsylvania, and smitten by the fishing bug early in life, Daniel got serious about fly fishing after reading Joe Humphreys’ Trout Tactics. During a chance meeting with Mr. Humphreys at a Fisherman’s Paradise fly shop, teenage Daniel secured an autograph and a promise that they could fish together sometime. Eventually, the two did get together, and Daniel became a fishing companion and student who learned to flourish under Humphreys’ rigorous and demanding coaching. “Joe’s a fanstastic guy,” said Daniel, “but when you go fishing with him, it’s like a drill. He was just drilling me. He would just critique everything you did. It was like tough love. It was his way of showing he cared. He was relentless on me, on so many aspects. But one of the beautiful things about fishing with Joe under those conditions was he taught me to fish under pressure. Because there’s nothing more intimidating than having Mr. Humphreys looking over your shoulder and critiquing every little thing. But that ability to fish under pressure transferred really great to when I joined the U.S. Fly Fishing Team, and even when I started teaching,” Daniel finished.

When questioned by one of the students about his experience heading up the program and the most fulfilling aspect of it, Daniel replied, “To be honest with you… It’s really getting a student to catch a fish on a fly the first time. That’s one of the cool things. A lot of times when I’ve worked with advanced anglers, which is what I did before coming to Penn State, the margins are very small and people have already caught thousands of fish up to that point and all you’re trying to do is make them one or two percent better, but when you’re actually able to see the face on someone who actually caught their first fish on a fly that they tied, that’s priceless. So, you’re basically there for that wonderful moment, and you get to see that every semester. So for me, that’s the apex of why I teach,” Daniel concluded.

“I’m honored to have had the opportunity to visit with George Daniel at Penn State and to meet some of his outstanding students,” said Fly Fisherman’s Purnell. “George is also a regular contributor to the magazine and it was great to connect with him and get a little more detail on his recent feature, “Highs & Lows,” which ran in our April-May 2026 issue (on sale March 3^rd). I’ve learned quite a bit from George, who is certainly one of the best fishermen when it comes to reading the water and adapting to poor or changing conditions.”

Available on Apple Podcast, YouTube, Spotify, and at FlyFisherman.com the latest episode of Fly Fisherman Loop to Loop podcast is a must-listen for fly fishing enthusiasts of all levels who want to stay informed.

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