Fishing for a Reason

In this Black Friday special of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie and Captain Scott break down the best fishing-friendly deals you can grab this holiday season — from portable power stations to custom rods, killer reel discounts, and even a unique “deal” from WDFW that lets you skip the crowds and go catch jumbo trout instead. Fresh off an epic razor clam dig, they share what’s actually worth spending...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie and Scott dive into one of their favorite winter traditions — razor clam digging on the Washington coast. Whether you’re planning your very first dig or looking to fine-tune your setup for better results, this episode walks you step-by-step through how to plan, gear up, find the clams, and cook them up into delicious meals. From choosing the right ti...

In this week’s episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie shifts gears from the usual fishing talk to share unique winter adventures around Anacortes, Whidbey Island, and the San Juan Islands. Whether you want to stay connected to the water without launching the boat, or you’re craving new places to explore during the off-season, this episode covers three must-try winter ferry day trips—including hidd...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott sit down with the multi-talented guide Brianna Bruce, owner of Livin’ Life Adventures — a year-round guide service covering nearly every fishery in Washington State. Brianna shares her inspiring story of turning her lifelong love for fishing into a full-time guiding career and how she’s helping anglers of all levels build skills and make mem...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie and Scott take you behind the scenes of their elk hunting trip in Idaho — where staying connected meant relying on Starlink internet. They break down how Starlink keeps them online while traveling, fishing, or living off-grid, and why it’s become a total game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts. From setup and power options to speed tests and satellite t...

In this week’s episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie takes us deep into Idaho’s Selway wilderness for her first-ever elk hunt. With Scott out on the mountain and Starlink powering her remote setup, Jamie shares the lessons, surprises, and humbling beauty of stepping into a brand-new challenge. From understanding elk migration patterns and predator behavior to embracing the beginner’s mindset and...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Scott and Jamie sit down with Darrin and Karey Small—better known as the Black Dog Couple in the Pacific Northwest fishing community.  From derby wins to running one of the largest Puget Sound Anglers chapters, this powerhouse couple shares their adventures of fishing together, traveling to Bamfield, BC, and building a lifestyle around both community and a...

Most anglers buy a fish finder, mount the transducer, and hit the water thinking they’re set. But here’s the truth: if you don’t know how to actually read your sonar, you’re probably just looking at the bottom—and missing the fish swimming right beneath you. In this episode, Jamie & Scott sit down with Navy-trained sonar expert Steve Chamberlin, who has over 30 years of experience turning sona...

Squid fishing in Puget Sound isn’t just popular—it’s exploding. But here’s the truth: most beginners show up at the pier unprepared, get tangled, frustrated, and leave empty-handed.  Don’t let that be you. In this episode, Jamie and Scott sit down with squidding expert Joe Kim, the man behind the Edmonds Squid Fishing community (10,000+ members strong) and maker of custom squid jigs. Joe reveals t...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie and Scott take you along for a September day on the water between Salmon Bank and Eagle Point in Marine Area 7. Fresh off the Salmon for Soldiers event in Everett, they share stories of fishing with veterans, tips for targeting coho in September, and tactical advice for managing crowded waters. From choosing the right gear and lures to handling unexp...

In this inspiring episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie sits down with Ambar Ramirez — the driving force behind Anglers Unlimited. While she’s not an angler herself, Ambar’s story is one of courage, adventure, and listening to the inner nudge that pushes us toward growth.  From leaving her small coastal hometown in Venezuela to building a life across Russia, Finland, and Spain, Ambar shares how c...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie dives into the fascinating world of crabbing—from testing out underwater GoPro footage inside a crab pot, to exploring how crabs really behave once your gear hits the bottom. You’ll learn tips on filming your own underwater footage, insights into bait and pot performance, plus important reminders for reporting your summer crab catch cards. Whether yo...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie sits down with Brittany Palm, Director of the Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences Program at Bellingham Technical College (BTC). From her early days fishing on Long Island to leading one of the most unique fisheries and aquaculture programs on the West Coast, Brittany shares her journey, her passion for salmon, and the hands-on training BTC provides for...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie takes a deep dive into the art and science of smoking salmon 🎣🔥  From understanding why pink salmon often gets overlooked compared to Chinook and Coho, to the biology behind fat content, to brining methods, wood choice, and flavor experiments, this episode is packed with knowledge to help you master your smoked fish game. Whether you’re curious abo...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie and Scott take you behind the scenes of the 2025 Resurrection Salmon Derby in Bellingham Bay. From real-time hookups on the water to final weigh-in results, they share the highs, the slow moments, and the incredible sense of community that makes this derby so special. Listeners will hear first-hand fishing updates, gear breakdowns, and derby history—...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Scott and Jamie dive into the excitement of the late summer Coho (Silver Salmon) season. With an extended fishing window from August 1st to September 30th, they break down everything you need to know about targeting Coho and Pink Salmon in the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound. From gear tips and prime locations to fish behavior, species identification, and...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie and Scott dive deep into the Bellingham Bay Fishery — a unique, co-managed terminal fishery designed to support both anglers and the ecosystem. They break down the history, purpose, and future of this fishery, how hatchery Chinook are raised and released, and why it’s a win-win for fishermen, orcas, and conservation. Plus, they preview the upcoming R...

In this info-packed episode, we dive deep into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved seafood treasures — Dungeness crab! From biology and feeding habits to the best bait, pot placement, and why tides and molt cycles matter, you'll walk away with new strategies to fill your pots and your dinner table. Whether you're a seasoned crabber or just getting started, this episode has all th...

In this deep-dive solo episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie explores the age-old angler question: "Why do salmon bite?" Drawing from both scientific research and firsthand experience, she breaks down five major factors that influence Chinook and Coho feeding behavior in the ocean — including tides, barometric pressure, moon phases, scent, and lure presentation. If you're ready to...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie and Scott share their exciting visit to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and Dam along the Columbia River in Oregon. This spontaneous road trip detour turned into a full-day educational experience, featuring massive sturgeon, powerful hydroelectric turbines, and insights into fish conservation and hatchery operations. If you've ever wondered what go...

We’re back from the summit—literally just stepped in the door after climbing Mount Shasta—and diving straight into pink salmon season in the PNW. In this week’s episode of Fishing for a Reason , we cover why 2025 is shaping up to be one of the best pink salmon runs we’ve seen in years, with over 7.6 million fish expected to return. Whether you’re brand new to salmon fishing, planning to take the k...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie and Scott are fired up for their favorite time of year — salmon season! They walk listeners through how to prep like a pro: from rods and reels to flashers, bait, and boat upgrades. Plus, don’t miss insider info on the upcoming Salmon School on July 11th in Anacortes and the Resurrection Salmon Derby on August 16–17. If you're ready to tighten l...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason , Jamie and Scott dive into their top three fishing apps and how they use them to plan successful, safe, and stress-free fishing trips. From checking tides and currents with DeepZoom and Navionics, to tracking wind patterns with Wind Hub and SailFlow, they share actionable tips, personal preferences, and how couples can divide trip planning duties for smooth...

In this action-packed episode, hosts Jamie and Scott are joined by Jake Lint and Hayden Terrell from LFS in Bellingham, WA. These seasoned anglers share stories from their commercial fishing backgrounds, discuss the latest shrimping and lingcod trends in Puget Sound, and offer game-changing advice on shrimp pot gear, bait strategy, and safety. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned fisherm...

In this shrimp-packed episode, host Jamie Propst takes listeners into the heart of Washington shrimping season. From the fascinating biology of spot prawns to smart gear tips and favorite recipes, this episode is full of practical advice for anglers of all levels. Jamie shares firsthand stories from the San Juan Islands, tactical insights on bait prep, and her go-to methods for reading sonar and r...