The February Room A Fly Fishing Podcast

Curious about gar? We were, so we tapped one of the leading authorities on this prehistoric apex predator. Aggressively hunted by bow fishers and mistreated by some anglers, the gar can’t seem to get any respect, but Dr. Ryan King serves as an advocate for this misunderstood group of species. A Professor of Biology and Director of Aquatic Ecology at Baylor University, King’s career path began following his first fly fishing experience on Oregon’s Deschutes River. King holds the Texas catch and release flyrod records for longnose (59", length only) and alligator (40.7 lbs) gars.

Who hasn’t left a fly box in a buddy’s boat or forgotten where we stashed our sink tips? But what if you spontaneously forgot where, and with whom, you were just fishing? Chris Hanson experienced such an event, clinically known as ‘transient global amnesia’. A passionate fly angler, Hanson shares his bizarre experience and the aftermath, which inspired him to produce the acclaimed documentary, “The Day I Disremembered”.

If your dream of fishing for rainbows in Russia has taken you down a Google-rabbit hole, you’ve likely encountered the name, “Will Blair”. Blair is an American pioneer of Kamchatka trout fishing, operating remote outfitting businesses in Russia since the 1990’s. If explorations of uncharted trout streams via Russian military helicopters weren’t enough, Will’s penchant for fly fishing solitude has led him to the remote reaches of the Bahamian islands with his latest venture.

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.

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.

What would you do if you went in above your waders on a swift creek? How about if someone fell out of your boat in the tailout above a Class IV rapid? What is a Class IV rapid? We ask all of these questions of Jason Shreder, owner of Missoula-based whitewater business, Zootown Surfers. Shreder has boated many of the country's more dangerous and exciting rivers, and traveled the globe seeking watery adventure. Jason also happens to be a fly angler who "flogged" his way into 24 steelhead on a trip to Alaska! 

Steelhead guide and international booking agent, Brad Staples, shares his global adventures and perspective on guiding over his four decade-career in the fishing industry. When not operating his jet boat guide service on the Lower Deschutes during the summer steelhead season, Brad spends his "off-season" hosting expeditions for peacock bass in the Amazon jungle, golden dorado in Argentina, GT's/bonefish in Christmas Island, and tarpon in the Yucatan as a booking agent for Fishing with Larry. Talk about a wealth of knowledge!

Karlie Roland landed FOUR of the notoriously difficult "Black-Tailed Devils", aka permit, on a recent trip to the Yucatan. Prior to that, on a foray to Christmas Island, her return flight never showed, extending the fishing adventure a full week and resulting in her first GT. Karlie makes her living on the very stream where she first learned to fly fish, and maybe the Fish Gods respect that? She has certainly swung the pendulum in her favor by paying her dues in the fly fishing industry, working in several fly shops en route to becoming the first female guide for TroutHunter Lodge on Idaho's famed Henry's Fork. 

You've seen them on dashboards, visors, in boat trays and shadow boxes...those significant flies responsible for an angler's most memorable fish. But a torso? That's how Rachel Schmidt rolls, with 12 fly patterns (and counting) tattooed on her back. That's just the kind of mentality you like to see in a champion for public lands and waters. Rachel has held many positions in the outdoor industry and as BHA's Director of Innovative Alliances, she continues to work for the values that her Grandfather bestowed on her in the Montana backcountry.

Meateater Fishing Editor, Sam Lungren, was reared in the watery wonderland of Puget Sound. A childhood spent pursuing salmon, steelhead, and ling cod blossomed into a lifestyle centered around the outdoors and a career in outdoor media. Now a Montana resident, Sam still has salt in his veins and shares some of his recent adventures pursuing bonefish, tarpon, and those pesky permit in Belize. As an outdoor journalist, Sam has intimate knowledge of many issues concerning sportsmen, including the latest proposal to remove the dams on Idaho's Snake River before runs of native anadromous fish disappear. 

As the only female angler at a legendary permit lodge in the Yucatan, Peg Miskin showed the fellas "how it was done" by landing not one, but two, permit on her first attempt at this notoriously difficult species. Perhaps her instant success was simply a matter of karma? If anyone has built up a reservoir of positive energy, its Peg. As the Event Manager of Cast One for Hope, Miskin devotes her time to organizing the flagship fundraising event for Casting for Recovery. CFR's mission is to enhance the lives of women with breast cancer by connecting them to each other and nature through the therapeutic sport of fly fishing.

Brady, Jordan, Woods...Lieverst? While the latter may not have a shoe deal, in the world of competitive fly fishing, Jason Lieverst has reached the apex of his game, serving as captain of two international teams during his prestigious career. Jason shares insight into the realm of "Czech" nymphing (which, we'll find out, may have originated in a different European nation.) As the co-proprietor of Master Nymph (rods), Nymphmaster (fly tying materials) and Master Nymph Academy, Lieverst is dedicated to fine-tuning the art of Euro-nymphing and sharing his deep knowledge with fellow anglers.

Tucked away in a sleepy town near Glacier National Park is one of the industry's leading distributors of commercially tied fly patterns, Montana Fly Company. Fly shops and anglers the world over have come to rely on MFC's ingenuity, creativity, consistency, and quality. National Sales Manager, Jake Chutz, is an integral part of the operation and like most MFC employees, got his start as a fishing guide. Jake shares his trials and tribulations from Montana to Tierra Del Fuego, like the time he nearly knocked himself unconscious with an errant cast.

Though it is often referred to as the "Quiet Sport", flyfishing tends to attract athletes and competitors. Canadian guide, Paula Shearer, is a former hockey player and skeleton racer who has dedicated herself to angling, and become one of the most sought-after guides in Alberta and a member of Team Rio. Paula shares her close calls with the apex predators of the Northern Rockies, both terrestrial and aquatic, and the time she received frightening news from the real world while on a saltwater fishing adventure in Cuba.

On a busman's holiday, Montana Outfitter and Avalanche Specialist, Travis Craft, ventured to the Arctic Circle in pursuit of the "Tarpon of the North". Relying on what little river beta he and his cronies could dig up, the crew navigated unfamiliar waters and lived to tell the tales of monster sheefish, mouse-eating grayling, and a bush pilot who wouldn't say boo.

What do Kenny G, Motley Crue, Devo, and a 1000 days of angling have in common? Answer....Ron Kaye! The dirt on this former music agent is a newfound infatuation with life-on-the-fly. Ron's adventures took him from Argentina to Tasmania in his quest to fish for a thousand days, a goal that was nearly cut short when "Mr. K" had a close shave with a lighting bolt on a Central Oregon lake.

"To fish or not to fish? That is the question weighing heavily on the mind of Zack Williams, magazine editor of Backcountry Journal and Swing the Fly. With so few fish in the river systems of the Pacific Northwest, Zack ponders the personal decision to step away from the steelhead he loves and recounts the wanderings of a fly fishing vagabond from Patagonia to the Olympic Peninsula."

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, of TroutZoola Outfitters, 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.

https://rickkustich.com

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.

We are fortunate to have our base of operations in Missoula, where authors, fly fishing guides, poets, and professors are as common as evening caddis events, or, in the case of Chris Dombrowski, all of these vocations rolled into one personality. Despite publishing several books and countless magazine articles, Chris still retains a few stories yet-untold from a life spent exploring watery realms throughout Michigan, Montana, and the Bahamas.

He's starred on the both the big and little screens in many fly fishing productions, but what would Frank Smethurst do when his fishing problem led to a near-death experience aboard a decrepit boat? He decided to make some major changes to his life, toning back his travel significantly and spending more time at home with his wife and daughter. Then, in a twist of irony,  he was enlisted to work on another production. The premise? Traveling around the country in a decrepit boat with the crew from Meateater.

At a fishing lodge, many factors are in Mother Nature's hands. Weather and water conditions are subject to fluctuations, and there's certainly no guarantee that the fish will cooperate, so a successful lodge focuses on that which it can control, namely, the food! Montana Chef PJ Burgess has made a career out of catering to hungry anglers and shares some of her adventures and creative recipes just in time for the biggest meals of the season. 

"A fisherman in a monkey suit walks into a bar"... This isn't the lead-up to a punch line, but an actual retelling of events from our guest, Michael Gibson. A former fly fishing guide and outdoor television producer, Michael is the Idaho Field Coordinator for Trout Unlimited and a champion for coldwater fisheries and public access. Plus, he's a helluva' good story teller, but may need to find some new fishing buddies....

In the spirit of the spooky season, we track down an eccentric angler who shares hair-raising encounters from the woods and waters of the Wolverine State. Hang onto your ciders as James Lady waxes on his freaky experiences, including recordings of unexplainable vocalizations and video/photo evidence of strange beings...including another Michigan native, Kid Rock!

In baseball, a "5 Tool Athlete" can hit, field, run, throw, and hit for power. Brian O'Keefe is the fly fishing version of a 5 Tool Athlete, he can fish, cast, run a boat, take amazing photos, and tell great fishing stories. Brian has made fly fishing his life's work, and used his skills with a rod and camera to traverse the globe and fill fly fishing magazines, books, and short films with his imagery and persona. We are thrilled to have him in the February Room and since laughter is the best medicine, prepare for a heavy dose from a true 5 Tool Athlete!

If fly fishing is his mistress, Andrew Weiner's true love is books. This California-based angler makes his living selling books and saw a niche for a children's fable centered around fly fishing. Weiner paired with highly talented illustrator, April Chu, and the end result was "Down by the River", a charming story that follows three generations of a family out on a fly fishing adventure.  Andrew has a few of his own family fishing stories to share, including the time he and his dad encountered some beastly redfish! 

Mental health is one of the biggest issues facing our country, and as another pandemic grabs headlines, the suicide rate continues to climb. Men are particularly at risk for mental health issues and this week's guest, Jennings Hester, has made it his mission to offer support. A former SEC football player turned fly angler and tyer, Jennings and his organization, Fighting the Good Fight, are taking a unique approach to contributing to men's well-being...and the guy also has some pretty fantastic fishing stories.  https://www.fishingthegoodfight.com/

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273–TALK (8255) if a loved one expresses suicidal thoughts.