The BackCast Podcast

Greetings from the north and Happy Labor Day weekend!  We’re back from our summer hiatus and ready to continue our conversations with our Unsung Heroes of the Au Sable.   In this episode, John and Richard sit down with Steve Johnson.  Steve is a fantastic gentlemen.  Steve and his family have a long history in the area.  Whether bringing computerization to river mapping and redd surveys or serving...

We’re back with another episode of The BackCast Podcast.  We take a time out from our Unsung Heroes of the AuSable theme.  Glen and John sit down with long time friend of the river and friend of the museum John Dallas.   Since his Michigan migration in 1971; John has completely embraced the northwoods and all of the sporting opportunities it offers.  Full of fun; we think you’ll enjoy our conversa...

In this episode of The BackCast Podcast Glen and John sit down with Tom Baird.  Tom is a past president of the Anglers of the Au Sable and recent appointee to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission.   As soon as he fished the Au Sable Holy Waters and the North Branch he was hooked. Tom introduced himself to Rusty Gates, and they began a 30-year friendship and collaboration which is still bearin...

Hello again everyone.  This week’s podcast features Unsung Hero Dave Cozad.  Richard and John had a great time chatting with Dave not only about his own career, but also about his friendship with Art Neumann.    As always, we appreciate you listening and wish you a safe & great Memorial Day weekend. In-between fun with family and friends; please take a moment to recognize all who have served and d...

After a few small technical issues; we’re back!  This week Glen and John sit down with Gerry Lake.  Gerry is one of featured Unsung Heroes of the Au Sable.  He has a history with the North Branch dating back to the early 50’s.    In this episode; we’ll hear Gerry talk about growing up on the North Branch, his involvement with start Redd Studies and River Mapping.  He’s really been a passionate for...

Happy Earth Day and happy almost Trout Opener!  We’re back with a new season of The BackCast Podcast.  This week John & Richard are joined by Dorothy Schramm and Ann Miller.  These ladies have been very instrumental in bringing the sport of fly fishing and cold water conservation to hundreds of other women through their organization The Fly Girls.  We think you’ll enjoy this look back across 25+ y...

This week John & Richard are joined by Gary Neumann.  Many of us know Gary as our Township Supervisor, as a good neighbor, and/or a great guy.  What some may not know is that Gary served 4 of his Marine years in the Presidential Helicopter Detail.  In fact, during that 4 year stretch he flew presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter.  We think you’ll enjoy this conversation.

This week John & Richard are joined by Gary Lewicki and Ed Lohr of the Lovells Township Volunteer Fire Department.  Spring is here and so far it’s a dry one.  Our Fire Department have already been out on several wildfire calls.  Even though this was recorded just a week or so ago; our weather conditions are still of concern - above average temps, dry air and moderate to high winds.  Be smart and c...

This week Richard and John chat with Pat Bak of the National Weather Service.  Pat is a seasoned meteorologist and shares information and stories about our northern Michigan weather. For folks that are interested; the NWS is hosting a series of virtual storm spotter training.  This is an excellent opportunity to learn a little more about weather and even assist the Weather Service as a Storm Spott...

This week; Richard Perry & John Porteous are joined by neighbor, friend and all around good-guy George Charney.  When George isn’t making a copper fisherman, star gazing or thinking ahead to Trout Season; you might find him in a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.  We were fortunate to catch George and sit down to chat about the COVID-19 vaccine and his experience (coming out of recent retirement as an anest...

In this episode; Richard Perry & John Porteous chat with Bryce Metcalfe.  Bryce is a commercial forester and talks about his career and experiences in forestry, along with interesting insights for northern Michigan property owners.  We hope you’ll find this to be an entertaining and educational episode!

During our long Michigan winters; residents of Lovells gather every other Thursday for a series of talks.  While we await the Trout season Opener, we bring in folks to share stories and presentations.  This episode is the first of this season's Hot Stove talks.   Join John Porteous and Richard Perry as they host this year's "virtual" Hot Stove talks. Our guest for episode one is Jim Renn, an archa...

Trout season ends today and so does our first season of the BackCast Podcast.  Glen and John have had a great time sharing conversations with all of you.  This week’s episode is an engaging chat with Dave Leonhard.   Dave is a master casting instructor for Fly Fishers International, head of fly casting for the Michigan Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing School, a life member of TU, a former director and...

Well, we’re down to the last couple of weeks of the season, but we’re not done yet.  This week; Glen and John are joined by Al Borchers.  Here’s Al’s write up from the Old AuSable fly shop page… Al was born and raised here in Grayling and literally grew up on the river. He has deep roots in the fly fishing community, his Grandfather, Al Borchers, Sr. created the Borchers Special (he was also Georg...

As the leaves and the brook trout start to show their fall colors; Glen and John sit down with Gary and Doug Neumann for a fun chat.  Their father, Art, had a significant hand in the evolution of Trout Unlimited.  Join us as the guys share some stories about their dad.

This week, Glen and John sit down with Josh Greenberg.  While many know Josh as an accomplished angler, a passionate conservationist and generally great guy; this episode centers on the challenges of running a fly shop and lodge during a pandemic.  Josh and his wife, Katy, are the owners of Gates AuSable Lodge.  We hope you’ll find this episode insightful and thought provoking.

We’re back from a brief time out and we have a really fun show for you.  Rex Schlaybaugh joins Glen and John as we throw a little change up on our Guides and Their Stories theme.  This time we hear stories from the ‘sport’s’ seat.  Rex is a member of The Big Creek Lodge, an accomplished angler and a conservationist of note.  We think you’ll enjoy this episode.

While Glen enjoys some family time; John sits down with Tom and Alexis Brodhead.  The Brodheads operate 406 Fly Lines.  Their goal is to use traditional line tapers and grain weights to offer the perfect compliment to classic cane and glass rods.  

This week, Glen & John are joined by Bob Smock Jr.  Bob and his family hold a historical significance in Grayling and Bob has been kind enough to share some of that history along with some truly entertaining stories.  This was a really fun episode to put together - we hope you’ll enjoy it!  

This week, Glen & John are joined by John Walters.  John has served on the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, he's a past Chairman of Michigan Trout Unlimited, was a board member of the Anglers of the AuSable, a past president of the Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and past Chairman of the Pigeon River Country State Forest – Advisory Council.

This week, Glen & John are joined by Josh Nethers.  Josh is a Grayling HS grad and alumni of the Grayling Fly Fishing Club.  He has guided in Alaska and Montana, but is firmly planted back on our water systems as a top notch river guide. He’s a great gentleman with a keen appreciation for our local history and waters.  

We’re back from our mid-summer break!  This week John & Glen are joined by Karen Harrison.  Karen is a very special lady and has given countless hours to ensure that our river systems remain pristine.  If you are interested in volunteering with any of the projects Karen speaks about; you may e-mail The Mason Griffith TU Chapter at info@masongriffithtu.org  

Join Glen and John as they visit with Dave McCool.  Dave guides out of Fuller's and has developed an interesting species hunt over on Grand Traverse Bay.  We think you'll enjoy this conversation!

Glen and John are joined by special guest Ann Miller.  Ann is the co-founder of Fly Girls and is the author of the Hatch Guide for Upper Midwest Streams.  Her book is an indispensable resource for all anglers.  This is one we're sure you'll enjoy!

Join us as we catch up with Ron Rakoczy.  Ron has been guiding for over 30 years and has a couple of stories to share with us.