EPISODES

Nebraska is mostly known for option football and unfettered fanaticism. Beyond the grid iron, the Cornhusker Fly Fishers fanatically explore the diverse angling options available across the Midwest region. As a U of N employee, Eric Einspahr bleeds Husker Red and devotes countless hours to his beloved Lincoln-based fly fishing club. Einspahr pursues the Nebraska Trout Slam and shares a sidesplitting casting mishap that occurred in a U of N gymnasium.

Children in the foster program cope with innumerable challenges and difficult upbringings. The Mayfly Project is dedicated to providing these kids respite from the stressors of their daily lives by introducing them to fly fishing. Executive Director Jess Westbrook and Lead Mentor Rebecca Granillo have been instrumental in growing the Mayfly Project into a nationwide organization aimed at developing lifelong fly enthusiasts.

When Mike Beagle and friends realized that the old-growth headwaters of Southern Oregon's Elk River were not under full federal protection, they enlisted the services of a local coalition of foresters and fisher-people. The end-game was the designation of the Copper Salmon Wilderness and the protection of critical spawning grounds for the river's wild salmon and steelhead. As if this feat of conservation-strength weren't enough, Mike was one of the founding members of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers...just don't ask him to take a photo of your catch.

This bachelor party took place a long way from Sin City, but the riverbank lit up like the Strip as Brandon Dwyer and friends approached the boat ramp with trepidation....unpredictability is inherent in adventures in wild places but Dwyer will assume the risk for the "opportunity for a singular focus". When he's not focused on family and career, the Montana native devotes his remaining time to the Westslope Chapter of TU, a legion of volunteers at work enhancing and protecting Southwest Montana's precious coldwater fisheries.

Throughout Texas, inconspicuous fisheries attract a growing legion of flyrodders. Recognizing this trend, school teacher William Stewart, owner/operator of Brazos on the Fly, decided to dip his toe into the guiding waters. From his first full year in business, Stewart attracted local clientele and introduced them to the joys of casting flies to the river's bass, carp, and panfish. Will introduces us to the Brazos and a local narrative that became an engrossing book and flew equally under the radar.

Throughout Texas, inconspicuous fisheries attract a growing legion of flyrodders. Recognizing this trend, school teacher William Stewart, owner/operator of Brazos on the Fly, decided to dip his toe into the guiding waters. From his first full year in business, Stewart attracted local clientele and introduced them to the joys of casting flies to the river's bass, carp, and panfish. Will introduces us to the Brazos and a local narrative that became an engrossing book and flew equally under the radar.

We're fans of budget boats around here and found a kindred soul in Clint Whitley from the Western Hunting Hub podcast. Whitley is no stranger to the rain and shares some valuable insight into old boat and motor maintenance and repair. Despite his best efforts, his maiden voyage wasn't without its hiccups. Fortunately, no boat needed to pursue an ancient fish near his South Dakota home prized for its flesh and eggs.

Does your fish taste "fishy"? Well, it should, its fish after all, but Kirk Marks knows just how to accentuate that delicious natural flavor. As Author of "Flavor on the Fly" for Flylords Mag, Kirk shares his culinary expertise and cooks up some grand angling adventures. If you've never had a properly-prepared red drum throat, then you're missing out one of the best crab substitutes at a time when the market price for shellfish is at a record high.

The Hollywood A-listers declined, so for our 100th episode, we looked across the studio and began reminiscing on the glory days of our respective careers in outdoor television. Lauren's duties included midnight dungeon logging, while Justin strapped a device resembling a medieval torture device to his chest in the name of crystal-clear audio. We saw plenty of the good, bad, and ugly in our years as editors/producers, but worked with plenty of talented people that have remained lifelong friends...wouldn't change a thing!

Sierra-based angler, Abe Blair has carved out a pretty nice little niche for himself. His vast river guiding experience, coupled with his renowned ability to capture landscape and wildlife, has taken him around the globe toting rod, reel, and camera. Blair is a partner in a gallery in Lake Tahoe, where his eye for color, light, and nature is on full display. And oh yeah, he's the co-host of a fly fishing TV show as well.

As anglers, most of us would do anything for the chance to catch a fish of a lifetime, even if that means going to a country by ourselves and following a guide into an isolated jungle. Our ambition to catch that "notorious" fish can make us blind to the potential dangers around us. Steelhead guide, Dax Messett is no exception to that. Although Dax has aspirations to catch fish around the world, his true passion is to swing the fly for steelhead in his hometown of Medford, Oregon.

There's a fella' in Helena who once lassoed a fish in Alaska. He followed this feat with an improbable stunt involving a bull trout in Montana. His name is John Smigaj and no, he's not the fly fishing version of Evil Kneivel, but the CEO and Co-Founder of Trxstle, a designer and manufacturer of innovative outdoor gear and apparel for fly anglers and mountain bikers.

Imagine working your way up in a highly competitive field, only to be handed your walking papers after becoming a parent? As a new mother, this was reality for fishing guide Katie Fiedler Anderson. Rather than lament this rejection, she turned obstacle into opportunity and launched her own business alongside her husband, Cooper. Katie's approach to the everyday challenges of working mom's serves as inspiration and her story is showcased in a highly-acclaimed documentary making the rounds on the Fly Fishing Film Tour.

Tim Landwehr describes fly fishing as "a lifelong sport with an incredible community". Through his 21 years as owner of Tight Lines Fly Fishing CO in De Pere, Wisconsin, Tim has learned many facets of this endless pursuit and weathered storms alongside his loyal clientele with whom he has shared his home waters and hosted many adventures in the Amazonian jungle. After 21 years in the industry, Tim is finally of age and ready to party-Cheers!

To some, the Mountain Whitefish may fall shy as a coveted individual species to hold in the annals of fishing record books but consider the number of whitefish that have been caught by fly anglers and this title resides in rarified air. On December 19th, 2021, Alex Dietz of Bend, Oregon, was fishing on the Deschutes River when he hooked a 5-pound, 12-ounce, 24-inch long mountain whitefish with a 14-inch girth that broke the state record.

Never underestimate the person rowing your boat. In the case of Kynslee Scott, this idiom rings particularly true. This 6th generation-Montanan has more on her plate than an ultra-marathon competitor at the Golden Corral. In addition to her hard-earned position as one of Western Montana’s most sought-after fishing guides, Kynslee works for two Montana-based water resource groups and co-founded the Guide Relief Program in 2020.

We take a detour from our fishing story-centric format and invite Michael Reid back on the podcast (Episode 48) to discuss his new book, "The Painting". Michael's book chronicles the life of Roberto Ramos, a fisherman, athlete, and art aficionado who sought freedom from Cuba and the oppression of the Castro regime in the late 20th century.

Drop and give me 10,000! That’s exactly what our guest, Tom Rowland, is asking us to do. Tom’s 10,000 Pushup Challenge exists to raise awareness of the water issues plaguing Florida and the Everglades. While we had the ear of the host of the Saltwater Experience, we gathered some insight on snook fishing, distance casting, and how to handle a thirteen foot hammerhead shark.

Where does a high school teacher from Jackson Hole go to spend spring break? Cancun? Havasu? Palm Springs? Not Jess Tuchscherer, he layers up, sleeps in the truck, and casts all day hoping to tie into a legendary Lahontan cutthroat in Nevada's Pyramid Lake. This bonafide trout bum and whitetwater guide has been a fishing buddy for many years-he's one of those guys that will share his tent and warm Labrador with you when you under-packed for a river trip.

In a region near-and-dear to our hearts, sits a fly shop and guide service. Here, memories are made for anglers the world-over. The Hayward Fly Fishing Company has been at the forefront of techniques and tackle for pursuit of the ultimate freshwater gamefish, musky, since 2004. Longtime guide and new proprietor, Stu Neville, shares some of his most memorable musky moments and reveals his affinity for another resident widely considered to be the hardest-fighting freshwater quarry.

Fed by innumerous tributaries from the surrounding Cabinet, Flathead, Rocky and Selkirk mountains, the mighty Kootenai River bores its way through mountainous terrain in Northwest Montana. For nearly 30 years, Tim and Joanne Linehan have been exploring this massive watershed and providing premium fly fishing and hunting excursions to their clientele. This country teems with adventure and Tim shares some memorable experiences as one of Montana’s most renowned guide/outfitters.

In this version of the classic, holiday movie, "Home Alone", our protagonist is forgotten at a remote Canadian Lake, sleeps in an outhouse, and manages to survive on fish. They say that "attitude is the difference between ordeal and adventure", and for Matt Nonnenmann, coping with adversity was just part of the adventure on his childhood excursions to the Great White North.

On May 17, 1985, Les Anderson of Soldotna, AK landed a 97-pound king salmon from the Kenai River, cementing the all-tackle world record. At the time, it came as no surprise that this prolific fishery produced such a behemoth. However, returns of king salmon have been on the decline for many years, causing guides and anglers to rethink their approach. Mark Wackler of AK Fishology has been at the forefront of king salmon conservation and was one of the first guides to embrace a catch-and-release ethos for king salmon on his home river.

Rachel Andras has spent the better part of two decades in various facets of the fly fishing industry. Andras’ skills with a fly rod notwithstanding, this FFF certified casting instructor’s greatest impact on the sport has come via her infectious personality. Rachel has touched many lives through guiding, international outfitting, and life coaching. Her business, Andras Wellness, helps others create lasting healthy habits and empowers them to become a dominant force in their lives. She also has a flat named after her in French Polynesia, and we can’t wait to hear this story!

Adventure is all around us. Just ask Chris Taylor. Once Taylor decided to really explore the waters surrounding his hometown, he discovered a treasure trove of flyfishing opportunities right under his nose; carp, pike, shad, goliath trout, to name a few. Colorado Springs offers up all the menu options this fly fishing version of a localvore can chew. Chris inspires us to take a closer look at the back forty and shares the most memorable experiences drawn from exploring his home waters, like the time he knocked a very surprised animal out of the air with a streamer pattern.

Steelhead returns in the Columbia Basin are the lowest ever recorded resulting in unprecedented fishing closures on some of the most hallowed waters in fly fishing. The fate of a bellwether species of incalculable cultural, financial, and environmental importance hangs in the balance. Now more than ever, these fish need advocates, like Josh Mills. As a Board Member of the Wild Steelhead Coalition and Development Coordinator for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Josh is deeply engaged in the fight to save these enigmatic fish. After all, steelhead are responsible for cherished memories with his mega-fishy dad. Mills dives deep into the steelhead life cycle and shares a behavior that we've never heard before.

Pennsylvania makes the short list of the country's best fishing states. From legendary trout streams like the Delaware, Letort Run, and Spring Creek, to fabled smallmouth fisheries such as the Susquehanna, PA offers something for everyone. For a full-frontal assessment of angling opportunities in the Keystone State, we tap into the experience and expertise of Rick Nyles, owner of Skyblue Outfitters. Since 1999, Rick and his staff of elite guides have provided services across the state...so you can bet your bippy he has some fishing stories to share. Music 

What is a V Lam and a Shoal Cut? We've always wondered what these terms actually mean in association with our favorite oars and Derek Young is the guy to ask. As Northern US Territory Manager for Sawyer Oars, Derek answers these questions and shares his many years of experience working with this Oregon-based oar and paddle manufacturing company. A lifelong river enthusiast, Derek relates the time that the Young family arrived at the takeout to discover a mystery couple walking the banks naked, but that wasn't the biggest surprise...

You can't swing a dead cat in the Murray Bar in Livingston, Montana without hitting a fly fishing guide or an artist. The odds of even taking out two proverbial birds with one feline are pretty good, as many local ghillies row by day and paint by night. Don Rogers, a former "knot-untangler" himself, saw the obvious need for a retail venue featuring unique wares created by local craftsmen and opened up a pop-up shop in downtown Livingston. On the heels of a drought-stricken fishing season in Montana, Don relates a trip to the Yucatan with an unbelievable outcome.

On a seemingly doomed trip to the Yucatan, Ed Anderson experienced his own version of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles", culminating in a sudden storm that capsized the panga fleet. The past couple of years in this country have been a similar dumpster fire, inspiring this McCall, Idaho-based contemporary fine artist to create his own version of "Americanism". There is nary a dull moment in the life of a mountain trout guide and avid saltwater fly angler, and Ed shares many of his adventures/mis-adventures from behind the oars and atop the poling platform.

The Upper Clark Fork watershed has been on the receiving end of mining activities in Butte for a generation and a huge effort has been underway to return this river to the pristine trout stream that it once was, and could be again. Casey Hackathorn is the Upper Clark Fork Program Manager for Trout Unlimited, and he and many others are dedicated to the restoration of coldwater habitat within one of the country’s largest Superfund sites.

With his world spinning out of control, Max Kelsey channeled his emotions into a fly box he dubbed, "The Box of Pain". The flies, created during his darkest days of separation and alcohol use, were born of loneliness, depression, and despair, but blossomed into a feathery collection of hope. These flies helped Max to "Be the Bug" and this mantra became his rallying cry in the march towards a better life. Through fly fishing and fatherhood, Max, a craftsman and bluegill fanatic from Bemidji, MN, now embraces a sober lifestyle and bravely shares his arduous journey.

Learning to cast cack-handed is pretty easy, you simply start out that way. Just ask Tom Johanson. This Kiwi adventure-angler suffered a shoulder injury prior to his initial introduction to river fly fishing and did what any teenage "fisho" would do, learned to throw southpaw. Now many years removed from that pitfall, Tom is all healed up and hard at it, designing, testing, and re-testing gear for the family business, Composite Developments. Tom spits some serious local knowledge on the endless fishing opportunities available in his homeland, the genesis of a rod brand that revolutionized fishing travel, and the time he took advantage of his buddy's hangovers to catch a mega gamefish.

The dream of many fly fishing guides, hell, of, is to winter in the Caribbean and summer in Rockies. Vail, Colorado-based guide, Jesse Colten, came to the village of Xcalak, Mexico for the permit fishing, but stayed for the hospitality. Jesse now the owner of The Xflats, a lodge and guide service specializing in flats fishing adventures.

In terms of allure, steelhead and permit rank atop the list for many of the most hopelessly-addicted fishing bums; these two species have ruined many a promising career. The trick is, to mold a job and lifestyle around the pursuit, and Damien Nurre has excelled at this! Following a long stint as a guide/outfitter on Oregon's legendary Deschutes, Nurre's foray into the realm of saltwater fly fishing got off to an auspicious start, when he landed a two permit-Grand Slam before lunch. Now firmly rooted as the manager of the legendary Blue Horizon Lodge, Damien has set his sights on a new and lofty goal-to spend an entire year in his flip flops. 

Western Montana is steeped in fly fishing history and at the epicenter lies the Maclean family, of “A River Runs Through It Fame”. John Maclean, son of Norman, is an accomplished author in his own right and relates the inspiration for this latest book. What began as a recount of a tangle with a monumental rainbow trout morphed into a book, and “Home Waters” was born. John shares his own insight into a childhood spent at a cherished family cabin and the Blackfoot River that is forever linked to his family’s history.

On the heels of a fishing excursion to Mexico, Michael Reid received an invite that no self-respecting guy with an angling problem could refuse. His very understanding wife obliged, and Michael hustled to the Outer Banks in pursuit of a bluefin tuna blitz, led by a captain known simply as "Creature". What transpired would reset the record book for tuna on the fly and heave an otherwise taciturn fisherman into the spotlight. 

 Spearfish, South Dakota was the site of a fly fishing kidnapping-mystery. On an idyllic afternoon in the nearby Black Hills, philanthropic fly angler, Marcus Bevier, found himself in the crosshairs of what turned out to be a case of mistaken stocking foot identity. Marcus was just out trying to hassle a few trout in his home waters when the day turned into the fly fishing equivalent of the Shawshank Redemption. Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration….

Fly fishing on wild, free-flowing rivers is full of risk, peril, and unpredictable outcomes, and it's only a matter of time until a guide has a close call. For 20 years, outfitter Brooks Jessen, has been navigating the rivers of western Montana and has experienced his fair share of white- knucklers...like the time he sunk his drift boat on a guide trip

He's strolled down the street with the Fonz, kicked it with Jimmy Buffett, and represented many of the top brands in the fly fishing industry, but for Travis Morris, nothing beats the time he hooked and landed a 29-pound carp! Despite the fact that he is surrounded by hallowed trout water in his hometown of Bozeman, Montana, Travis belongs to the growing legion of anglers that consider  carp as freshwater fly fishing's premiere quarry

Renowned captain, Paul Dixon, has divided his distinguished, 30-year guide career between the striper flats of Montauk and the bonefish, permit, and tarpon waters of the Florida Keys. Paul is one of the most sought-after guides in these hallowed waters and is being recognized for his innovations and conservation work as the recipient of this year's Isaac Walton Award from the American Museum of Fly Fishing. Paul has acquired a long list of clients who have become lifelong friends, and the shenanigans that have occurred are the stuff of legend. We are lucky enough to have Paul sit in with us and share past exploits, like the time a client named "2 Dogs" jumped ship in his birthday suit, and the one when a famous musician invited them to his dock for a shore lunch.

Whether you're a fly angler or not, you've likely seen the work of Chris Santella in bookstores, gift shops, or in the waiting room.  As the author of the "Fifty Places Before You Die" series, Chris found a niche in the highly competitive and extremely difficult world of freelance writing, providing Chris with the means to pen countless fly fishing stories and pursue his passion for music along with his band, "Catch and Release". Most importantly, there is time for family and fishing. Thoughts of steelhead are never far from Santella's mind, and the imperiled state of anadromous fish in his home waters of the Pacific Northwest weigh heavily.

Tom Brady is praised for his longevity and legacy, but what about Jeff Perin? With three decades as a fly shop owner, guide, and globe-trekking angler, Jeff has stood the test of time as the proprietor of The Fly Fisher's Place, an institution in the charming mountain town of Sisters, Oregon. Sure, he may not have all of the championship rings, but he has more special use outfitting permits than the GOAT, and he once ran the length of a river road in his waders while trying to catch a runaway boat. Could Tom do that?

When it's too damn cold and windy for the camp stove to work, who settles for a dinner of raw fish? A musky angler, that's who. The hardy souls who pursue the "Fish of 10,000 Casts" are certainly cut from a different cloth, and author, instructor, and photographer, Rick Kustich, is no exception. Rick shares insight and experiences from his 40-plus years of pursuing musky and Great Lakes steelhead.

The allure of a feeding frenzy can be too much for an angler to take, and many of us have done it...aimed a reach-cast at the forbidden fruit. For Henry Cowen, the decision to bend the rules drew a prompt response from authorities in a menacing gunboat who had little sense of humor...or they weren't anglers. Guide, fly tyer and author of the recently released "Flyfishing for Freshwater Striped Bass", Henry shares this and other exploits accrued from a lifetime of fly fishing shenanigans.

Meet Hogan Brown, the fly fishing equivalent of MacGyver who simply must never sleep. Despite a stack of irons in the fire centered around teaching, creative fly tying, guiding and music, this kind-hearted, hard working father is one of the founders of Cast Hope, a non-profit organization devoted to providing the gift of fly fishing and the outdoors to kids and their mentors.

Does this sound like a blurb on a paperback? "Promising Wall Street broker, Eddie O', shirks the champagne and caviar lifestyle and moves to Montana to pursue his dream of becoming a ski bum and fishing guide." This is the real-life story of Eddie Olwell, owner of Fishs Eddy O Outfitters, who, to the chagrin of his parents, found the allure of dry fly fishing and deep powder more magnetic than the glitz and glamour of The Big Apple

Between an ordeal and an adventure, there's a positive attitude and a fella/ by the handle of McCoy. Dave has a fly shop in Seattle and an outfitting crew, collectively called, Emerald Water Anglers. An ex-ski racer, McCoy still has a knit or two unwoven and we're very grateful that a talented photographer and complete class-act took the time to share his stories with us

Simply put, custom rod builder, Tom Ralston, is a good egg! On a teacher's salary, Tom provides hand-built fishing rods to kids, neighbors, cancer survivors and military veterans, often for free or for a fraction of what his fine craftsmanship is worth. Fueled by old school work ethic, Tom's company, Americatown Custom Rods, is dedicated to putting something unique and truly "custom" in the hands of anglers...all for the love of fishing!

http://americatowncustomrods.com/

These are trying times for Oregon's mighty Deschutes River. Multiple environmental factors threaten the river's native redband rainbows, steelhead, and salmon. Now more than ever, this watershed needs warriors to stand up and fight for her. Meet Elke Kirk, a First Nation's fly fishing guide who uses his platform to educate anglers on the importance of protecting and enhancing the river that has sustained his people since time immemorial.

At just 7 years old, Jessica Haydahl trekked off into her backyard, disposable camera in hand, determined to capture the natural world around her. Many years later, her interest in photography would mesh with her intimate knowledge of ice hockey and launch a career as an NHL photographer. Born the daughter of a Norwegian fisherman, Jessica's love of angling spurred a highly successful transition into the highly competitive, and mostly male-dominated, world of fishing photography.

We've all been there. Rendezvoused well before dawn, assessed the situation, reconfigured at the jumping-off-point....but here's where the story diverges from the norm...the Law arrives and suddenly, you're party to a crime scene-enlisted to play the role of superhero. This is the story of Drake Perry, an angler who would prefer to mind his own business and explore the unusual waters of the Ohio River valley.

"How do we get these rods in angler's hands?" That was the question Marty asked, when, circa 1980, one of his fishing buddies began building rods out of a clandestine material designed for incognito aircraft. Not only was the SR-71 born, but the fishing world changed forever with the introduction of carbon fiber, aka, graphite, as the fundamental material in rod blanks. For our 20th episode, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Marty Johanson, founder of Composite Developments

If you ever find yourself swimming at night in the shark-infested waters of South Africa, you might just bump into Juan Coetzee, returning from one of his solo missions for the elusive garrick. Known amongst the tight-knit fly fishing community surrounding Cape Town as "The Oracle", Juan possesses an unnatural "fishyness" and may just be hiding gills beneath that Irish beard. 

On May 17th, 2020, Matt Churchman was breaking down a riverside camp with friends and family. Big brown trout were on his brain when he walked down by the river and encountered a different kind of big brown. The next few seconds would change the life of everyone involved. This is a story of survival, bravery, friendship, and inspiration that you don't want to miss!

While on a DIY foray to Mexico for permit, via bicycle, George Hill stumbled into the right bar and found the right guy pouring drinks...a bartender with a boat and an eye for the whereabouts of these elusive fish. George Hill has an eye too, for seeing the intricacies of the natural world and the fish he loves to pursue, then expressing this with oil on canvas.

Austin, Texas is home to many talented, eclectic individuals and Alvin Dedeaux is no exception! Alvin wears many hats-husband, father, former frontman, fly fishing guide, brand ambassador, and innovative fly tyer who created a highly effective bass popper from a discarded flip flop. Enjoy the ride as Alvin guides us across his home state of Texas, throughout the West, and to the Seychelles...lets just hope he doesn't miss another boat ramp.

How did you celebrate your last birthday? Did you try to catch an Alaskan salmon for each year that you've been on this earth? That's what Greg Munther did. If you live in the Northern Rockies and hunt and fish, you've likely heard of Munther, and we are very fortunate to have this revered traditional outdoorsman and conservationist in The February Room!

There are two kinds of fishing guides in this world-those who have lost their boat, and those who will. Meet a card-carrying member of the former club, Jon (Bon) Hazlett, a steelhead angler and world-renowned spey caster/instructor from Medford, Oregon. Jon has seen some ridiculous events transpire over his long career as a steelhead guide...the tug is the drug!

Perhaps this guy has spent too much time mountaineering in the thin air? We hear life on Antartica can mess with your head? Maybe double-digit trout in New Zealand still haunt him? Join us as we peel back the onion that is Brooks Montgomery, a name that is synonymous with the fly fishing industry, adventure-angling, and a relatively un-fishy town in Idaho that still considers him an outsider.