Anchored with April Vokey

Kevin Feenstra is a long-time Muskegon river fishing guide. He was one of the first people to swing flies for steelhead in the midwest, and his adaptations of the west coast’s swinging tactics are revolutionary. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Kevin to learn more about him and his guiding tricks. This episode is sponsored by Blue Sky Furled Leaders.   Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Dean Butler's recognition extends far beyond the Southern Hemisphere. A famed off-shore captain, Dean has been at the heart of more fly-fishing world records than most. From Australia, Panama, Niugini and the Florida Keys, Dean holds some serious credibility in the saltwater angling community. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Dean at his home in Australia to sit down with him for his first...

Jim Rissling is the field program coordinator for the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society. A retired conservation officer, Jim devotes a great deal of his time training volunteers how to tag sturgeon (which is how I met Jim years ago when I was a sturgeon guide).  In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Jim at his home in Chilliwack, BC for a quick coffee and chat about Fraser River sturge...

You’ve likely seen his Greg Senyo’s name printed on fly-tying packages hanging on fly shop walls around the world—Senyo dubbing, shanks, brushes and streamers... the man seems to be everywhere. Greg is a fishing guide, outfitter, fly tier and author. He recently published his first book, “Fusion Fly Tying”. In this episode of Anchored, Greg and I discuss guiding burn-outs and the dangers of social...

Rick Kustich is a fly-shop owner, guide, instructor, and the author of five fly-fishing books. Over the years, Rick has been instrumental in the midwest fly-fishing scene. In this episode of Anchored we talk about Great Lakes steelhead and what we can expect in his latest book. This episode is sponsored by Farlex Reels.   Buy Rick's Books: Advanced Fly Fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead, Fly Fishin...

In this episode of Anchored, John and I continue our talk about steelhead behaviour. We discuss fish memory, sensitivity to sound, and their behavious underwater.    Buy John's Book: May a River Never Sleep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John McMillan has devoted his entire life to the protection of the West Coast’s wild steelhead stocks. John has lead multiple conservation projects, and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet with John at his quiet home in Port Angeles to discuss steelhead biology, the gene pool and a bunch of other questions that I've been eager to ask him....

Gary Borger has been in the industry since 1971. He’s an accomplished author, instructor, presenter and overall wealth of knowledge. In this episode of Anchored, I sit down with Gary to learn more about his history, the movie “A River Runs Through It” and advanced fly fishing techniques.  This episode is sponsored by Water Master.  Buy Gary’s Books and DVDs: Presentation, Fishing the Film (Fly Fis...

Tyler van der Meulen is an incredibly talented fly-tier. Tyler left me speechless when I heard his story at a trade show in Alberta.  In this episode of Anchored, I sit down with him for an inspirational conversation about overcoming obstacles. This episode is sponsored by Lagartun.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Anchored, Jerry and I continue our conversation about fishing in the Pacific Northwest.  We discuss Skagit lines, Skagit casting and whether anglers should regulate their own fishing. This episode is sponsored by Peak Fishing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jerry French is a co-owner of Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics (OPST). He’s also one of the driving forces behind the popular Skagit line and intruder fly—a steelhead fly that changed freshwater fishing around the world.  In this two-part episode of Anchored, I meet with Jerry at his home on Camano Island to see if I can learn more about one of the most fascinating evolutions fly fishing has ever...

Lori-Ann Murphy started out as a trout guide in the late 1980’s before moving to live and guide in San Pedro, Belize. She founded Reel Women Fly Fishing Adventures in 1994—the first company to offer women-only fly fishing trips all over the world. In this episode of Anchored, Lori-Ann shares her story and the struggles to become situated in a different country. This episode is sponsored by Fish On...

For Pacific Northwest steelheaders, Trey Combs is a household name. Trey is a fly fishing author who's written about steelhead and offshore fly fishing. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Trey at his home in Port Angeles, WA to learn more about the man who preserved the stories of fly fishing's pioneer.   The episode is sponsored by Peak Fishing. Buy Trey's Books: Steelhead Fly Fishing, Blue...

Behind the walls of fame and glory live the men and women who are the true heroes of our natural world.  In my eyes, Bruce Hill is very much one of those heroes.  An activist, silent leader, respected conservationist and the father of two children who are just as active as he is, the Hills have long kept the Skeena country safe from corporations looking to assault it.   An honest man, Bruce unders...

Steve Rajeff is the lead rod designer at G. Loomis rods. He is also one of the best fly casters in the world. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Steve to see if he’ll open up a little about his life and how he became one of the most known names in fly fishing. This episode is sponsored by Blue Sky Furled Leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Shewey is the author of “Spey Flies and Dee Flies” and “Classic Steelhead Flies”.  John has dedicated his life to the pursuit of steelhead and their history. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with John in Oregon to learn more about the history of steelhead flies and the true definition of a Spey fly. This episode is sponsored by Peak Fishing.   Buy John's Books: Spey Flies and Dee Flies, Cl...

Jerry has been immersed in the fly fishing industry for most of his life.  Jerry is the author of the only book written about fly-fishing the Great Lakes themselves. In this episode of Anchored, Jerry explains his favourite species and methodologies for each of the Great Lakes, plus he helps to break down the confusion that goes hand in hand with fishing such an enormous system. Buy Jerry's Books:...

John Hazel has played an important role in the development of Spey fishing in the Pacific Northwest. John began guiding thirty-seven years ago and has been a key player on the Deschutes river where he and his wife, Amy, live, guide and run a fly shop. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with John to see if he’ll publicly share some of his opinions and insight.   This episode is sponsored by Hatch...

Kerry Burkheimer might have the most contagious laugh I’ve ever heard. If his laugh doesn’t win you over, his custom fly rods certainly will. It’s undeniable that Kerry makes some of the most beautiful casting rods in the world.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet up with Kerry at his factory in Washougal, WA to see if he’ll open up about his aspirations, company and past. Learn more about your a...

Ken Morrish is the man behind the highly successful booking agency, Fly Water Travel. He’s also a photographer, writer, angler and designer of countless mainstream flies. You’ve likely seen his photos or fished his flies without knowing he’s the artist behind them. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Ken to learn how he got his start in the industry, his take on today's booking agents and his...

Ninety-two year old Frank Moore is a fly-fishing legend. World War II veteran, long-time North Umpqua fishing guide, lodge owner, conservationist, devoted husband, father, friend… there are few people who meet Frank without leaving as a better person.  In this episode of Anchored we discuss Frank's incredible life story.   This episode is sponsored by Thump Coffee.   Learn more about your ad choic...

Amy Hazel is someone you won't forget. Guide, instructor, fly shop owner and an all-round force to be reckoned with, she's the sort of woman who works hard and fishes even harder. Amy is a committed business owner, a woman who fights for her beliefs, and a comedian in her own right. I've loved her since the very first day we met seven years ago at a trade show in California.  I met with Amy in Mau...

Greg Osburn is the founder and executive director of the Three Rivers Sportsman’s Alliance. The TRSA is an all-volunteer political action committee whose sole purpose is to support and promote their “more fish for all” policy by way of hatcheries.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Greg at his office in Oregon to try and learn more about his viewpoint and operation.   This episode is sponso...

Jim Teeny knows his way around the fishing industry. From his famous Teeny lines and nymphs, to his books and DVD’s, Jim has branded himself in a way that very few people have successfully done in the fly fishing industry. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Jim at his home in Gresham, Oregon to get the low-down on his industry struggles, his experiences abroad and his plans to bring his bran...

George Cook is one of the most well-known steelhead and salmon anglers in the Pacific northwest—he’s also a sales rep for Sage and RIO, as well as the inventor of the Alaskabou fly series. In this episode of Anchored I meet up with George at his home in Auburn, Washington, to talk about fishing in Alaska, the origin of the Popsicle fly and George’s definition of fly fishing. This episode is sponso...