The BackCast Podcast

Surviving the Ice Storm: Nature's Resilience and Challenges John and Richard are joined by Dr. Greg Corace to discuss the aftermath of the impactful ice storm that hit the northern lower Peninsula at the end of March. Greg shares his insights on how this natural event affected the woods around us. Greg is a professional Forest and Wildlife Ecologist and is a contact for the Forestry Assistance Pro...

In this episode, Richard and John sit down with rod maker Chris Sparkman.  Chris is a retired math teacher and a talented rod maker.  We held this recording back a few weeks to coincide with the 2024 edition of the Rod Makers at Grayrock conclave.  We have a couple of other rod makers lined up; so be sure to check back for some more great listening!

In this episode of the Backcast Podcast, John and Richard are joined by John Walters.  John has been deeply involved in conservation for well over 20 years.  Whether leading TU at the local and state levels, serving as a director for the Anglers of the Au Sable or serving on the state’s Nature Resource Commission; John is at the conservation forefront of our rivers and woods and of the wildlife th...

In this episode of the Backcast Podcast we delve into the complexity of the legal system, the world of fishing and more with our special guest, George Mertz, a circuit court judge and passionate outdoor enthusiast. George takes us on an enlightening journey through his unique experiences both from the bench and riverside, offering insights into technology’s impact on court transparency, the joys a...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the BackCast Podcast!  We're excited to offer you a special off cycle episode with our film making friend Robert Thompson.   Our regular listeners may recognize RT’s name from his film The River.  We’re especially pleased to be one of the first stops on his “film tour” celebrating the release of a new streaming offering called Night of the Hex II. "As June a...

We're back with an out of cycle treat for you.  Our guest for this episode is Amy Trotter who serves as the CEO for MUCC, the nation’s largest, most effective state-based conservation organization. Having served in this role since December 2018, Amy has been serving as Deputy Director since 2015 and on MUCC staff since 2007. She is responsible for carrying out the strategic objectives of the organ...

After an unplanned absence; we’re back!  Richard & I are joined this week by Craig Porter. Aside from being a neighbor and friend; Craig was the Director of Photography and Video for the Detroit Free Press.  As you may imagine, Craig has seen a lot in the course of his photo journalist career!  We hope you’ll enjoy hearing Craig’s stories.  You may also check out some of his video shorts about...

This week Richard and I chat with Ken Szabo.  Ken is the editor and publisher of Grouse Tales. Grouse Tales is the “official” newsletter of the Loyal Order of Dedicated Grouse Hunters.  The newsletter is a work of passion that Ken has been producing for 47 years.  Listeners interested in information or joining may email Ken at grousetales1@gmail.com  

This week, Richard and I are joined by veterinary doctor Paul Mesack.  Paul is an avid outdoorsman and ran a very successful veterinary practice for many years in Grayling.  Paul sits down with us to talk about getting your dog ready for bird season and other items that are relevant to owning a dog in the Northwoods.  Paul is a fantastic gentleman and we hope you’ll enjoy this episode.

Richard and I are joined this week by Glen Blackwood.  Glen is our Regional Director of Development for the Ruffed Grouse Society .  He also sits on the Board of the Voelker Foundation .  When he is not tending to those duties, Glen also operates The Great Lakes Fly Fishing Company a wonderful fly shop and bookstore out of Rockford Michigan.  On top of that; Glen was recently named as the Fly Fish...

Our guest, this week, is a gentleman named David Boerema.  David started the Voyager Canoe Trip program.  The Voyager Canoe Trips offer young men an opportunity to get away from the everyday world they live in.  This opportunity to learn about tools of the trade, include identifying stars such as the North Star, direction (orienteering), learning survival skills, methods on how to make camp or pre...

This week, Richard and I are joined by Hunter Eurich and Logan Clark.  These young men are spending their summer working with Richard at the North Branch Outing Club.  More importantly, they are doing some great river work.  Logan is assisting with the trout telemetry study in conjunction with Mark Luttenton and Hunter is working with Steve Sendek to restore and create river habitat on our beloved...

As we head into our brief summer break (we’ll be back in early August) we’re joined by Brett Baer.  Brett is a Michigan native who now divides his time between Texas and California.  His primary business is construction, property management, and staging high properties to optimize marketability and revenue.  He is also the new owner of the North Branch Outing Club and joins us on the Podcast to ta...

With Grayrock just concluding; it seemed appropriate to sit down with one of the rod makers.  This week, we’re joined by Ron Barch.  Ron is the former editor/publisher of  The Planing Form , an international newsletter for split bamboo rod enthusiasts. Ron also  conducts rod making schools and seminars and has successfully  instructed dozens of anglers and craftsmen in the art of split cane rod ma...

We have a special guest this week.  Vanessa Perry (Richard’s daughter) is a glowing example of a successful woman in fly fishing and conservation.  She has a plethora of experience with both the Ohio and Minnesota DNR, the EPA, the National Park Service, the Peace Corps and a slew of others.  As icing on the cake, she is also a classically trained concert cellist.  Vanessa is a fantastic ypoung wo...

After an unplanned week off; Richard and I are back and have a neat guest for you.  Our fellow board member and unsung hero of the Au Sable, Steve Johnson, sits down with us this week.  Steve’s family has been in the Lovells area for a very long time.  Steve shares insights into his childhood and formative years as well as his adult experiences.  Steve has seen a lot and done a lot.  We hope you e...

This week, Richard and I are joined by special guest Dr. Ben Jones.  Ben is President and CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society. RGS & AWS unites conservationists to improve wildlife habitat and forest health for ALL forest wildlife. We promote forest stewardship for our forests, our wildlife and our future. We envision landscapes of diverse, functioning forest ecosystems th...

This week, Richard & I sit down with Tim Scott.  Tim and Terry Wittorp are the co-founders of the Tie-a-thon program which has gently nudged fly tyers from all over the world to donate over 200,000 flies, and counting, to various good causes over the past 16 years.   They have a very simple mission: “To provide quality flies tied by volunteers to non-profit groups and organizations that use fly fi...

Welcome back.  With Rodmakers at Grayrock in the not too distance future Richard and I are joined this week by rod maker Jeff Wagner.  Rod Maker is applied to a wide swath of craftsmen; Jeff is definitely in the elite portion of this distinction.  His work is magnificent and can be viewed on his website .  We had a very enjoyable chat with Jeff and hope you enjoy listening to him.

This week John & Richard are joined by Mitch Salhaney and Don Boyd of the Grayling Fish Hatchery.  There are a lot of very cool things happening at the Hatchery, including some breaking news.  We definitely feel you’ll want to hear what is going on.  Mitch and Don have a strong passion for this project and we’re happy to share that with you.   If you’re in the area; please consider including a vis...

Our guest this week is Jim Schottenham.  Jim is the curator of the American Museum of Fly Fishing.  Jim also has a passion for early American reels.  He can often be found hosting his own podcast ( Reel Talk ) through the American Museum of Fly Fishing.  As past president of the Old Reel Collectors Association and former reel expert for Lang’s Tackle Auction, Jim has spent decades collecting, stud...

We’re posting this episode a few days before the start of Michigan’s Trout Season (or Opener, as we like to call it).  Richard and I have the pleasure of sharing a conversation with Joan Wulff.  Almost everyone has heard her name and she is widely accepted as The First Lady of Fly Fishing.  At 96 years young, she is still super sharp and engaging.   As the American Museum of Fly Fishing notes; “Th...

Welcome to our first episode of 2023.  Trout Season is fast approaching and we’re ready for you.  For this episode Richard and John are joined by Glen Eberly, Dave Cozad and Tom Baird to recognize and remember Jim Schramm.  Jim is our newest inductee to the Unsung Heroes of the Au Sable.  Jim’s legal work on behalf of cold-water conservation is significant and we think you’ll enjoy learning more a...

Richard and John are joined by author Joe Heywood.  Joseph Heywood is the author of The Snowfly, Covered Waters, The Berkut, Taxi Dancer, The Domino Conspiracy, the ten previous Woods Cop Mysteries, Hard Ground: Woods Cop Stories, Harder Ground, and the Lute Bapcat Mysteries Red Jacket and Mountains of the Misbegotten. Featuring Grady Service, a contemporary detective in the Upper Peninsula for Mi...

Richard and John are joined by Joe Hemming, President of Anglers of the Au Sable .  Joe practiced law in the Detroit area for 35 years, specializing in family law and mediation/arbitration in the area of business law. He received his J.D. degree from Wayne State University and his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He currently is pursuing a master’s degree in history.   Joe picked...