Anchored with April Vokey

Jani Himanko is a seasoned Finnish angler, guide, and writer with over 20 years in fishing tourism and the tackle industry. As the owner of Kellankoski Lodge in Finland’s Troutland region, he specializes in fly fishing for large trout and grayling. Jani’s expertise has been featured in top Finnish fishing magazines, TV shows, and podcasts, and in 2023, he was inducted into the Finnish Fishing Hall...

Omeko "Meko" Glinton is a renowned Bahamian fly-fishing guide with over two decades of experience. Beginning his professional journey at the age of eighteen, Meko has established himself as one of the premier bonefish guides in the world. In 2024, Meko was featured in the film Meko, which highlights the impacts of climate change on the livelihoods of Grand Bahama's original fly-fishing guide famil...

Rick Hinderer is a world-renowned knife maker celebrated for his innovative designs and precision craftsmanship. Starting as a firefighter and EMT, Rick combined his firsthand knowledge of tactical needs with his passion for design to create high-quality knives built for real-world functionality. Founder of Hinderer Knives, his knives are a favorite among first responders, military personnel, and...

Ted Upton is the founder and CEO of Cheeky Fishing, a brand known for its high-performance fly reels and commitment to innovation in the angling industry. An avid fly fisher and entrepreneur, Ted combines his passion for the sport with a dedication to creating durable, functional gear designed to elevate the fishing experience. Ted's mission extends beyond products, fostering a sense of community...

Eeland Stribling is an avid angler, conservationist, and stand-up comedian based in Colorado. As a biologist, he works to promote environmental stewardship and inspire the next generation to explore and protect nature. In this episode of Anchored, we discuss his inspiring story and roll up our sleeves to discuss the controversy of the Drake, Nocta and Nike fly fishing campaign. Learn more about yo...

Pete Tyjas is a passionate fly fisher, writer, and editor based in Devon, England. Founder of Fly Culture Magazine, Pete has built a reputation for his engaging storytelling and dedication to celebrating the art and community of fly fishing. With a deep respect for wild waters and their ecosystems, he focuses on sustainable angling practices and sharing knowledge to inspire others. Pete's work ble...

Kathy Ruddick is a world-renowned angler with decades of experience spanning fishing, teaching, retail, and media. Even before global travel was popular, Kathy fished in destinations such as British Columbia, Cuba, Belize, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and more. A trailblazer in competitive fly fishing, Kathy was the first woman selected for an international team, competing at the highest levels...

Tom Rosenbauer is a renowned figure in the fly fishing world, celebrated for his extensive knowledge and passion for the sport. With over 40 years of experience, he has authored numerous best-selling books, including The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide and The Orvis Guide to Prospecting for Trout. As the Marketing Director for Orvis, Tom has been instrumental in educating anglers through his popular podca...

Dave Hansen grew up immersed in the world of sport fishing at San Clemente Sport Fishing, where his father launched a 70-year career in the industry. From an early age, instead of the typical childhood of riding bikes with friends, he spent his time chasing bait. Now, over thirty years later, after captaining many sport boats along the West Coast, as well as private yachts and deliveries to Mexico...

Steve Duda is a renowned writer and editor with a deep passion for fly fishing and outdoor adventure. His work has appeared in some of the most prestigious angling publications, including his latest book, River Songs, where his storytelling captures the heart and soul of the sport. In this episode of Anchored, we discuss optics in outdoor marketing, how fly fishing connects us, gate-keeping, fishi...

Rebecca McCarthy is a seasoned author and journalist with a passion for bringing historical figures and their legacies to life through storytelling. Her latest work, Norman Maclean: A Life of Letters and Rivers, offers an intimate portrait of the man behind A River Runs Through It. Drawing on her long friendship with Maclean, Rebecca intertwines personal anecdotes with broader historical insights...

Rick Passek is a passionate fly fisher with decades of experience on the water. Known for his dedication to the craft, Rick has become a respected figure in the fly fishing community, sharing his knowledge and expertise with anglers of all levels. He is an accomplished author, having written several books on fly fishing techniques, entomology, and the art of tying flies. In this episode of Anchore...

Fred Campbell is the innovative founder of Hooke, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the outdoor industry. Apart from his jaw-dropping work in film-making, his work with Hooke focuses on developing gear that enhances the outdoor experience. In this episode of Anchored, we discuss some of Quebec’s salmon history, the story of Hooke, launching a clothing company, embracing change, our future, pa...

Andrea Larko is a celebrated fish artist known for her vibrant and dynamic depictions of aquatic life. Blending realism with imaginative color palettes, her work captures the essence and beauty of fish. An avid fly fisher, Andrea draws inspiration from her fishing experiences, creating pieces that resonate with collectors and fishing enthusiasts alike. Her art has been featured in galleries and pu...

For over 40 years, Dayle Mazzarella has excelled as an award-winning coach and teacher, holding a B.A. and an M.A. in Education. He spends summers in Wyoming as a fly fishing guide. Dayle has fished globally, gaining extensive knowledge of various gamefish. As one of the world's few International Federation of Fly Fishers’ Master Casting Instructors, he teaches and mentors all skill levels.  In th...

Dave Stewart grew up fishing the Deschutes River in central Oregon, discovering his passion for fly fishing at an early age. Raised in a fly shop, a fly rod was a constant companion throughout his life. In 2017, Dave launched The Wet Fly Swing Podcast, which is driven by Dave's consistency, engaging guests, and his passion for both podcasting and fly fishing. In this episode of Anchored, we discus...

Rick Matney grew up fly fishing in Northeastern Washington with his Dad and Grandfather. In 2000, he moved to Bozeman Montana for college where he earned a degree in Cell Biology. Working his way through school as a trout guide, he has now turned his passion into a career. Rick guides in Montana and Alaska, with some occasional saltwater flats guiding in Hawaii. Rick is a strong advocate for the c...

Chris Wood is the CEO of Trout Unlimited. Before joining TU in 2001, he served as a senior policy advisor to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, protecting 58 million acres of public land. Chris began his career with the Forest Service in Idaho and later worked with the Fish and Wildlife program of the Bureau of Land Management. In this two-part episode of Anchored, we discuss the issue of aband...

Chris Wood is the CEO of Trout Unlimited. Before joining TU in 2001, he served as a senior policy advisor to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, protecting 58 million acres of public land. Chris began his career with the Forest Service in Idaho and later worked with the Fish and Wildlife program of the Bureau of Land Management. In the second part of this two-part episode, we pick up where we le...

Millie Paini grew up mountain biking and rock climbing, taking up fly fishing in her mid-twenties. A sought-after casting instructor, Millie co-owns TroutHunter on the Henry’s Fork. She resides near Last Chance, Idaho, enjoying both freshwater and saltwater fishing.  In this episode of Anchored, we share personal updates and reminisce about past careers and experiences in the fly fishing industry....

Mac Brown is the owner of Mac Brown Fly Fish and Fly Fishing Guide School in Western NC. Mac pioneered the first full-time fly fishing guide service in the region and was instrumental in establishing the Upper Nantahala River's Delayed Harvest. As an educator, Mac served as an Associate Professor at Western Carolina University, shaping the next generation of anglers and fostering the area's compet...

Ryan Brod is a seasoned writer whose essays have graced the pages of numerous prestigious publications. Recently, he achieved another milestone with the publication of his first book, "Tributaries." However, Ryan's connection to the outdoors runs deep. Growing up surrounded by the hunting and fishing culture of the Belgrade Lakes region, he learned about fishing from his father, a generational gui...

Mike Schultz, affectionately known as “Schultzy,” is the Owner of Schultz Outfitters Fly Shop & Guide Service, a hub for Southern Michigan angling, instruction, and destination travel. Growing up in Michigan, he developed a connection with the outdoors, which ultimately led him to pursue a career in the fly-fishing industry. Spending countless hours on the water each year, Schultzy has honed his e...

Aaron Goodis's journey with fly fishing began at the tender age of six, igniting a lifelong passion for the sport. While he possesses a comprehensive understanding of various facets of fly fishing, his primary focus lies in chasing Steelhead across the remote and local rivers of British Columbia. From the renowned Dean River to the formidable Thompson, Aaron's quest for these elusive fish is unwav...

This week’s episode is a bit of a departure from the norm, but I’m happy to stand behind it nonetheless. When friend and past podcast guest, Louis Cahill, reached out and suggested we sit down together with Andrew Grillos, I knew it was going to be a special conversation. So, in this episode of Anchored, the three of us gathered to discuss a topic that's close to our hearts: men’s mental health in...