The BackCast Podcast

For episode 56, Richard and John chat with Chris Wood the President and CEO of Trout Unlimited.  Founded on the banks of our very own Au Sable River; Chris now leads this organization in the endless quest to protect and promote cold-water conservation.  We enjoyed this chat and hope that you do, too! Beyond being an avid outdoorsman, Chris is the author of numerous papers and books.  You may read...

John and Richard sit down with Richard Alexander.  Richard is a Salt Lake City native who has spent a good portion of his adult life collecting and fishing with vintage fly rods and fly reels. Over the years he has joined and participated with online fly-fishing forums buying and selling rods and reels. He began photographing each item as it passed through his hands, creating a rich photo library...

For this episode; Richard and I have the pleasure of sitting down with Greg Corace.  Greg is a forestry and wildlife ecologist.  Greg began working at the Alpena-Montmorency Conservation District in 2019. Greg has a Bachelor's of Science (Zoology) and a Master's of Science (Biology) from Northern Michigan University and a Ph. D. (Forest Science) from Michigan Technological University. Greg was als...

This week, Richard & I are joined by Kristin Thomas.  Kristin is an aquatic biologist with Michigan TU.  Among a variety of impressive projects; Kristin has most recently been involved with the placement of large woody debris ( big trees carefully placed in the river by a helicopter ).  This map link shows the project area. 

This week, John and Richard sit down with expert gunsmith and gun fitter Dell Whitman.    Dell is an upland bird hunting enthusiast, focusing mainly on grouse and woodcock, while also pursuing western and southwestern upland birds. He trains his own bird dogs and owns both flushing and pointing dogs, including a French Brittany and a field-bred English Cocker Spaniel. Dell is an Orvis pro staff me...

Our guests this week are Jon Chizmadia and Andy Pokorski.  Jon and Andy are two of the leaders involved with running the Michigan TU Youth Camp.  The camp is an amazing opportunity for young people to be exposed to all aspects of fly fishing and cold water conservation.  Amazingly, there are times when some of these spots go open.   Jon has offered his TU chapter email address so that interested p...

Greetings everyone.  While our museum season has closed for regular Saturday hours; we have about six more guests before The BackCast Podcast goes into hibernation.  We’re not going to show all of our cards, but suffice it to say we’ll be finishing in a very strong way. Our guest, this week, is Ethan Berger.  Ethan is the owner/operator of Wing and Hook .  I’ll let Ethan best describe his perspect...

Our guest this week is Robert Thompson, or RT.  We’ve had the pleasure of knowing RT for many years and we’re very excited to share this conversation with you.  RT is not only an angler, but also an exceptional film maker.  The title that many in the Au Sable watershed are familiar with is a film called The River. The film was shown in Grayling, at the Rialto, the night before Opener.  RT has also...

When working at the museum; the most frequent topic we get questions on is when and where will the Grayling be re-introduced?  To that end; Richard and I are delighted to sit down with Tom and Nicole Watson.  Nicole’s doctorate thesis surrounds the reintroduction efforts in Michigan.  While you won’t get specific current status; you will get a real feel for the logistics behind this important init...

On this episode of the BackCast Podcast, John & Richard sit down for a great conversation with Vic Johnson.  Vic has a number of books to his credit, including Eight Points of Light, Fiberglass Fly Rods the Evolution of the Modern Fly Rod From Bamboo to Graphite, Fenwick: Fenwick's History and Rods, Including the Development of the First Graphite Rod and others.   John Randolph (Editor Emeritus of...

We have a special guest for you this week.  John and Richard sit down for a chat with Cameron Mortenson of The Fiberglass Manifesto.  Cameron, through his website, has become the go to source for modern fiberglass information, reviews and products.  He’s always available for consultation and as you’ll hear; he is a true fiberglass evangelist.  You can learn more about Cameron and discover the buzz...

This week John and Richard sit down with Tom and Alexis Brodhead of 406 Fly Lines in Livingston, MT.  Tom and Alexis give us a little insight as to how the area is recovering from the Spring floods.  We also hit on current fishing conditions along with a couple of their new product offerings.  If you’re looking for a classic fly line for your classic rod – visit their website https://406flylines.c...

We’re back from our summer break and we’ve got some fun lined up for you.  This week John and Richard sit down with David McCool of the North Branch Outing Club for a “trout season halftime report”.  David shares some of his observations and stories from a fun first half of the season while looking ahead to the second half of trout season and maybe even a peek ahead to grouse season.  As always, g...

This week, John and Richard sit down with Glen Blackwood.  Glen is a great guy and has touch points with many things we enjoy.  Aside from his Auction Service and his shop - Great Lakes Fly Fishing Company - Glen serves on the board of the John Voelker Foundation , and is the Regional Director for the  Ruffed Grouse Society  where he directs business development and fundraising programs in Michiga...

This week, John and Richard are joined by Mark Karaba.  Mark has a very interesting background.  He’s a writer, a videographer, a fishing guide and a cold water conservationist.  Mark and his family have been involved with our neck of the woods for over 40 years.  We hope you’ll enjoy this episode.  Richard & I sure did.  Happy 4th of July.  Stay safe and be sure to join us next week for another i...

This week Richard & John put a wrap on the Rod Makers at Grayrock (good pun, eh?) gathering as they sit down for a conversation with Mark McKellip.  Mark is an exceptionally talented rod maker.  He, as most rod makers, is all about the detail.  We cover all kinds of ground in this episode.  Again, you don’t have to be a rod maker to enjoy this episode!  As always, thanks for downloading and listen...

This week, Richard and I are recording from Rod Makers at Grayrock.  This is an annual gathering of extremely talented cane rod makers.  Chris is active not only as a maker, but as a historian.  Chris is very involved with Rod Makers at Grayrock and with the folks at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum.  He runs the Catskills gathering and has endless stories about the craft of bamboo rod mak...

We’re back from an extended Memorial Day break and have a great guest for you.  David Smith is one of our Unsung Heroes of the Au Sable.  Having discovered the Au Sable as a young boy scout, it would be his post retirement years that mark David’s significant contributions to the watershed.    Whether leading the crusade to purge Purple Loosestrife, serving on the Huron Pines board, contributing as...

This week Richard and John are joined by Dave McCool and John Nagel of the North Branch Outing Club.  NBOC has recently changed ownership and we'll get some insight as to what is in store for this historic building. ​ Dave McCool - David is an avid sportsman with over 20 years of experience developing and operating outdoor programs, including private fishing and hunting expeditions. David got his...

This week Richard and John are joined by Mark Mackey and Rod Jenkins of the Bamboo Bend Project.  Last week we heard from Dave Jankowski, this week we get his illustrator!  We'll dig into more of the in's and out's of the Bamboo Bend gang, hear about living by oneself in Alaska and more.  This is a fun episode; we're confident you'll enjoy it! ​ Mark Mackey - Raised in northern Wisconsin, a land r...

This week John & Richard sit down with rod maker, fly tyer, jet pilot and new author – our friend and north branch neighbor Dave Jankowski.  Dave’s new book, The Venerable Fly Tyers is available through his web site  www.davejankowski.com , at the Lovells Historical Society Museums or on Amazon.  As the proceeds from Dave’s book are directed to assist disabled American veterans, please consider bu...

This week Glen, Richard and John sit down with Peter Jones to chat about cane rods, fishing and general north woods fun.  Peter is an excellent fly caster who has won the Rod Makers Demarest Challenge, and participated in the Hardy Cup competition.  Peter is Cane Rod Maker, a long time Rod Makers at Grayrock Board Member, MGTU Board Member, and he instructs at the Bamboo Bend Workshops.     He cle...

Happy weekend!  The BackCast Podcast is back with a new episode!  This week; John & Glen sit down with Howard Johnson.  Howard is responsible for the “Cedars for the Au Sable” program.  For 25 years, Howard has made it his passion to line the banks of the Au Sable & Manistee rivers with white cedar saplings.   “Key to the protection of the rivers as cold water fisheries is a special cedar seedling...

Join us as John & Glen sit down with Robb Smith.  Robb has devoted an enormous amount of time as a leader in cold water conservation.  He’s served as a leader and influencer for TU at the local state and national levels.  His passion is undeniable and if it involves cold water advocacy, fly fishing or perhaps chasing ruffed grouse; Robb is on the scene!   His national TU committee created a powerf...

And the hits just keep coming…  This week, John and Richard sit down with Steve Sendek.    Steve is a retired fisheries biologist.  Hailing from the western UP, Steve now resides in our neck of the woods and has done a fantastic job as a steward of our rivers.  We’ll spend some time talking about the North Branch, so this is one you’ll enjoy.   Stayed tuned as next week we’ll be speaking with Robb...