Mill House Podcast

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.
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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!
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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.
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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 his true legacy is built on the water—as a Florida fishing guide and a relentless tournament competitor.

Murphy is widely regarded as a tarpon fishing wizard, having won all four major tarpon tournaments. Yet what sets him apart isn’t just mastery of one species—it’s his rare versatility. He’s just as formidable offshore, with multiple sailfish tournament victories to his name. By his own count, he’s claimed around 150 combined inshore and offshore wins.

Still, his most remarkable achievement isn’t a trophy-- It's survival.

In 2022, Murphy was involved in a twin-engine charter plane crash while en route to the Bahamas when they ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean. He suffered severe injuries, including multiple fractures to his face and back. Against the odds, he stayed alive by clinging to a cushion until a passing boat rescued them.

That moment revealed something deeper than skill or success—it showed an unbreakable will. We’ve been pursuing his story for years, and now we’ve finally captured the most compelling chapters of Rick Murphy’s life.
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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 there, he built Loans Direct, selling it to E*TRADE in 2001. He followed that with HomeLoanCenter.com, which he sold to LendingTree in 2004. Then came his biggest venture—LoanDepot, founded in 2010—where he served as CEO and Chairman until 2022, before returning last year to once again lead the company as Permanent CEO and Chairman.

But long before the boardrooms and billion-dollar deals, Hsieh’s focus was already undeniable. At just eight years old, he was helping his family work toward owning their own business. At the same time, he was a young fisherman with big dreams.

Growing up in Newport Beach, California, Catalina Island wasn’t just a destination—it was a challenge waiting across open water. He cut his teeth on the Venice Pier catching thresher sharks, sold bait, worked as a deckhand on day boats, and ran down the Baja Peninsula towing a Boston Whaler, fishing all the way to Cabo. Alongside friends, he chased finning swordfish with harpoons. There was nothing he wouldn’t do in pursuit of fishing.

That relentless drive carried over into big-game sportfishing, where he has become one of the most influential figures in the marlin world. Few—if any—have pursued giant marlin with the same intensity of body, spirit, and resources. His obsession with catching “grander” marlin is unmatched. Just as impressive is his commitment to conservation.

Now four years into their global “World Tour,” which began in June 2022, Hsieh and his team operate two mothership programs in different regions, maximizing their ability to stay on the fish. The results are staggering: 445 blue and black marlin caught, including 185 over 500 pounds and 32 over 900 pounds (estimating). They’ve also deployed 50 satellite tags as part of their commitment to helping the IGFA study and protect billfish populations.

Their tournament success is just as remarkable, including over $8 million in winnings at Cabo’s legendary Black & Blue Marlin Tournament.

But as Hsieh himself might tell you—tournaments can sometimes get in the way of chasing thousand-pound fish.

On today’s podcast, we dive into the mindset of one of the most driven and dedicated marlin fishermen to ever troll the open ocean.
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