Fish Untamed

Benny Piekarz is a guide and the General Manager of Colorado Angling Company. Benny and I met at a lodge in Belize and found out we were from the same neck of the woods. He has guided in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, and he also works as a private chef and carpenter. In this episode, we talk about his time in Belize, fishing around the Vail Valley, and some of his memorable experi...

Tim Cammisa is an expert fly tier and angler and is the owner of Trout and Feather. He is also the author of the book Fly Tying for Everyone, as well as an upcoming book about Euro-nymphing flies and techniques. In this episode, Tim covers the tools that every fly tier should have, common materials and how to go about substituting them, mistakes most beginners make, and much more. Website: Trout a...

I have a special guest for today’s episode. My brand new husband, Mike, is on the show to have a beer with me and recap our recent honeymoon trip to Belize. This was our first saltwater experience, and we had a blast chasing bonefish, tarpon, permit, barracuda, and plenty of other fish from a skiff and wading the flats on the Turneffe Atoll. Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...

Paul White is a counselor, angler, and writer. He has a story featured in the new book Tales of the Great Outdoors, which is a compilation of hunting and fishing stories from Newfoundland and Labrador. In his article, he recounts the creation of the Dirty Bomber fly, a variation he created that embraces the idea of excellence over perfection. In this episode, we talk about fishing as a way to impr...

Jeff Lund is the host of the Mediocre Alaskan Podcast and author of A Miserable Paradise: Life in Southeast Alaska. He also has an upcoming book, Beyond the Hunt, which will be released this May. In this episode, we talk about fishing in Alaska, how subsistence regulations work, and some of Jeff’s hunting and fishing adventures around the state.   Website: https://www.themediocrealaskan.com/ Insta...

Matt Podobinski is a guide at Aniak River Lodge and host/guide at Fish Colombia. He is one of the most well-traveled guests I’ve ever had on the show, having fished in Alaska, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, India, Mongolia, Seychelles, Brazil, Honduras, Panama, Argentina, and more. In this episode, he tells me about his adventures fishing around the world, including throwing giant spiders out of camp i...

Tom Rowland has hosted and produced several fishing TV shows including Saltwater Experience, Into the Blue, and Life on the Water. He is also the founder of the Waypoint Podcast Network and Waypoint TV, and host of the Tom Rowland Podcast. Tom has a vast and diverse fishing knowledge, including many years of flats fishing experience. We are taking our first trip to saltwater fly fish this June in...

Matthew Lourdeau runs the Casting Across blog and podcast. I love the topics Matthew covers, which often include finding ways to connect more deeply with the things we enjoy doing. In this episode, we talk about how he got his start in the industry, how he transitioned to running Casting Across, ways to find out more about your local fly fishing history, and how to get “deeper” into the rich cultu...

Patrick Bauman is a fellow backcountry fishing enthusiast and the owner of Colter Backcountry, a company focused on lightweight, backcountry fishing gear. In this episode, we talk about the hurdles of carrying gear on big trips, how he created Colter Backcountry, and his recent attempt at completing the Troutman. He also tells me about his upcoming adventure, the Gila Traverse, which is a 700-mile...

Scott Smith is the managing owner and guide at Grand Teton Fly Fishing. In this episode, we talk about his local trout species, why cutthroats are such special fish, what the fishing is like around Jackson, what makes a good guide, and Scott’s vision for a more sustainable future in fly fishing. Scott’s Instagram: @ssflyfish  Grand Teton Fly Fishing Instagram: @grandtetonflyfishing  Website: grand...

Joe Davies is a guide and the owner of Milwaukee River Fly Fishing. After working as a fashion designer and Olympic and World Cup Freestyle skiing coach, Joe has focused on his passion for fly fishing the waters of southeastern Wisconsin for smallmouths, pike, and carp. In this episode, we talk about all things related to smallmouth bass fishing, including gear, techniques, seasons, and much more....

I recently got to be a guest on the Buffalo Roamer Outdoors Podcast and wanted to release the audio here on Fish Untamed as well. Will Collins, the host of Buffalo Roamer Outdoors, was also recently a guest on my show, covering backcountry canoeing and fishing. Over on his podcast, I got to talk about everything from fishing to hide tanning, and I had a great time chatting with him.  Waypoint TV L...

Dave Stewart is the host of the Wet Fly Swing Podcast and has been fishing for steelhead in the PNW since he was a child. In this episode, we talk about how he built one of the biggest fly fishing podcasts on the market, his recent trip to fish for Great Lakes steelhead, how the Great Lakes population compares to the steelhead of the PNW, steelhead life history, gear and techniques used to target...

George Kaider is an avid pike, musky, and smallmouth angler. He is also the owner of In the Flow Fly Fishing, a guide service in Wisconsin. In this episode, we dive deep into pike fishing on the fly. George walks me through the necessary gear, casting techniques, pike behavior, seasonality, landing tips, and much more. We also talk about the spiritual side of fly fishing and being “in the flow” on...

One of my best pals, Mel Moss, is back on the show for our annual New Year episode where we discuss our fishing goals from the last year, whether we achieved them, and what our goals for the upcoming year are. We cracked a few beers and had a great time catching up! Waypoint TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Collins is the owner of Buffalo Roamer Outdoors, a guiding company focused on wilderness canoe and fishing trips. He also hosts a podcast of the same name. In this episode, we talk about the logistics of backcountry canoeing and fishing, including what you can bring, how to transport a canoe, how fly fishing works from a canoe, some of his favorite species to target, and some fun stories from...

Josh Miller is the owner of Trout Yeah Guide Service and coach for the US Youth Fly Fishing Team, as well as a former member of Team USA. Josh has used his experience competing around the world to hone his fly fishing skills in a variety of settings. In this episode, we discuss how competition fly fishing works, the pros and cons of making fishing competitive, some of the lessons he’s learned over...

Nick Fiorini is a Jackson-based guide with Grand Teton Fly Fishing, Wind River Canyon Whitewater and Fly Fishing, and Big Wind River Fly Fishing. In this episode, we talk about how he got into guiding, some stories from his recent saltwater fishing trips, advice for anyone looking to get into guiding, why we need to protect our local fisheries, and the importance of getting back to fishing for the...

Jess Gantos is a hunter and angler who splits her time between New Mexico and Ohio. She is a Program Assistant Lead with Project Healing Waters, a new member of New Mexico Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Ohio Women on the Fly participant. In this episode, we talk about some of her recent hunts, how she practices ethical harvesting as a way to connect with her food and environment, and her fir...

Colton Wright is a personal trainer by day and an artist by night. As an angler, most of his work centers around trout in various styles, including everything from watercolor to sculpture. In this episode, we talk about his love of getting into the backcountry for high country cutthroats, how he gets inspiration for his pieces, and how different art mediums lend themselves to capturing trout. Inst...

Derek Bird is a Founding Editor of Fly Fusion Magazine, Producer of the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4), and author of a new novel called Last Summer on the Sage. In this episode, Derek and I run the gamut of topics, from how to handle the urge to grab a rod when you’re fishing with someone new to the sport, to seeing colorful characters on the water, and switching from nonfiction to...

I met Jess Suvak this past summer at the Middle Creek Flyathlon and knew right away that we would get along. She does things all-out, and used a new-found obsession with fly fishing to wean herself off her obsession with trailrunning ultra-marathons. In addition to fishing and running, Jess also recently went on her first squirrel hunt and plans to go on a deer hunt this November, too! In this epi...

Martin Gerdin is a professional glassblower and passionate fly fisherman. He has combined his love of each by crafting one-of-a-kind glass trout pieces. Martin is inspired by the beautiful trout he catches and photographs himself, and he especially values native species in their historic range. In this episode, we talk about how he came to fly fishing through his journey of healing from addiction,...

Ryan Estes has decades of fly fishing experience under his belt and has started focusing even more on mastering the craft and fine-tuning his skills. He also views fly fishing as a performance-enhancing tool, taking lessons he has learned on the water and applying them to his career, relationships, and spiritual discipline. In this episode, we talk about some ways fishing can improve other aspects...

Rick Hafele is an entomologist and avid fly fisherman. While Rick worked professionally in entomology for many years, he also enjoys applying his knowledge of bugs to his love of fishing. In this episode, we talk about entomology as it relates to trout, how fishes’ feeding behavior depends on what food sources are available, and some of the major groups of insects that are vital to a trout’s diet....