Spooled

This spring, anglers watched Northern Michigan rivers rise to historic levels. Roads washed out, bridges sustained major damage, and the rivers we know so well changed drastically. Many anglers were left wondering what this meant for our rivers and fisheries — and whether things will ever be the same. In this episode of Spooled , Brian and Matt discuss the 2026 flooding and its ramifications for o...

Matt and Brian discuss what makes fall steelhead in Michigan special, remember one of Brian's mentors, and give five tips for anglers chasing great lakes steelhead.

Hop in the boat for a day with Joe and Matt as they work to pattern bass in dropping temps. Select episodes are also available to ⁠⁠⁠watch on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ 📸 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 📖 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ ✉️ Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠email list⁠⁠⁠ Spooled is the podcast of The Northern Angler Fly Shop in Traverse City, Michigan. It is recorded and edited by Matt Hartman. The Northern Angler is...

Join Brian, Joe, and Matt as they catch up after a busy summer and start anticipating the opportunities of autumn. Select episodes (including this one) are also available to ⁠⁠⁠watch on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ 📸 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 📖 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ ✉️ Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠email list⁠⁠⁠ Spooled is the podcast of The Northern Angler Fly Shop in Traverse City, Michigan. It is recorded and ed...

Brian and Matt spend a day on the water discussing kids in fly fishing. Ride along in the boat as they have some fun, catch some fish, and wonder if we're giving kids enough free time outdoors.

Brian takes the reins in this episode and welcomes his friend Jeff Topp to talk about what keeps him going back to Alaska after 29 years. Jeff Topp works at Angler's Alibi on the Alagnak River as well as Mangled Fly in North West Michigan Select episodes are also available to ⁠⁠⁠watch on YouTube⁠⁠⁠ 📸 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 📖 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ ✉️ Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠email list⁠⁠⁠ S...

Matt and Marco spend a day on the water swinging flies for Great Lakes Steelhead. They break down the gear, the flies, and the presentations they use to chase these large, aggressive fish. In listener questions they tackle click & paw reels and in hot takes we find out how each feels about using night vision goggles on the river. Select episodes are also available to ⁠⁠watch on YouTube⁠⁠ 📸 Fo...

Matt and Joe explore some of things that have improved their fishing over the years. In listener questions they discuss when it's time to replace a fly line and each has a hot take on whether welded loops are better than nail knots. Select episodes are also available to ⁠watch on YouTube⁠ 📸 Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ 📖 Follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠ ✉️ Sign up for our ⁠email list⁠ Spooled is the podcast...

Matt and Joe remember their trip south chasing carp with dry flies during the 2024 "Cicadapocalypse." As billions of these insects emerged in the Midwest, they loaded up their gear and headed towards the madness. Looking back they remember all the fun and goofy things that happened on an extremely unique fishing trip. Select episodes are also available to ⁠watch on YouTube⁠ 📸 Follow us on ⁠Instag...

Matt and Casey discuss mousing as the summer winds down in Northern Michigan. Mousing is a unique after dark experience that can produce aggressive strikes from predatory trout. The guys walk through the what, when, why, and how so you can get out there and try it yourself. Select episodes are also available to watch on YouTube 📸 Follow us on Instagram 📖 Follow us on Facebook ✉️ Sign up for our...

Brian and Matt sit down with Alex Ontkoss, an inland fisheries biologist with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians to discuss the future of Grayling in Michigan. The guys talk briefly through some history before expanding on the current initiative that seeks to reintroduce the Arctic Grayling back into Michigan watersheds. Check out the Project Website: https://www.migrayling.org/ Select epsiod...

In this episode of spooled, Brian, Joe, and Matt hop into the drift boat time machine and take a look back at some of the more memorable (and laughable) trends our sport has endured. The guys also answer some listener questions and have fun with a lightning round at the end. Select epsiodes are also available to watch on ⁠YouTube⁠ . Spooled is the podcast of The Northern Angler Fly Shop in Travers...

In this episode of Spooled, Brian, Matt, and Joe answer listener questions about no-hackle dry flies before giving you five tips for using your time wisely on the water during the winter months. Select epsiodes are also available to watch on YouTube . Spooled is the podcast of The Northern Angler Fly Shop in Traverse City Michigan. It is recorded and edited by Matt Hartman. 📸 Follow us on Instagr...

Matt shares five things he's learned from his recent saltwater trips including a bonus tip at the end. 📸 Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thenorthernangler 📖 Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thenorthernangler ✉️ Sign up for our email list: http://eepurl.com/gsaFYr The Northern Angler is here to help you get confident on the water and at the vise! Located in Trav...

In this episode, Brian and Matt recap their 2023 highlights, talk travel, and share a few tips on storing your gear for the winter months.

This short episode from Matt focuses on the best way to improve your game. 📸 Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thenorthernangler 📖 Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thenorthernangler ✉️ Sign up for our email list: http://eepurl.com/gsaFYr The Northern Angler is here to help you get confident on the water and at the vise! Located in Traverse City, Michigan, we have a p...

Finding new water to fish is one of our favorite parts of the sport. In this episode, Matt & Joe discuss the tools that have helped them explore over the years. This podcast comes to you from The Northern Angler in Traverse City, MI. Learn more about our shop at https://www.thenorthernangler.com

"We all want to be better casters so the choice we need to make is if we’re going to invest the time upfront with practice or slowly improve overtime on the water. Now I know that practice is not something many of us are able to find time for but I’m here to tell you that carving ten minutes out a few times each week can immensely change your game." Today Matt & Joe have 5 tips that...

Brian and Matt welcome Rich Hohne from Skwala for a conversation about this new company and their exciting new products.

Matt & Brian discuss The Northern Angler's largest event of the year, The Cheese Cup. This warm water fly fishing tournament raises money for suicide prevention in Northern Michigan. The guys talk about how it all started, how it has evolved, and how you can participate or support this great cause. Learn more at https://thenorthernangler.com/pages/the-cheese-cup All proceeds from these eve...

On this episode of spooled, the crew answers some listener questions, explores the differences between nymphs and wet flies, and discusses the barriers that are facing women who are trying to get into the sport of fly fishing. 

Matt & Joe debate early spring fishing and recap the Midwest Fly Fishing Show. Learn more about the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo here: https://midwestflyfishingexpo.com/ The podcast of The Northern Angler fly shop. We talk about everything fly fishing in Michigan, the Mid-West and beyond. You'll hear some funny stories and great tips from the crew and meet some our fishiest friends from around...

In this episode, Matt and Brian welcome Ed and Jon of Mangled Fly to the studio for a serious discussion regarding Didymo. Didymo, also known as rock snot, has been found in both the Manistee and Boardman and will likely continue to spread to other Northern Michigan rivers. You can see more from Jon & Ed at Mangledfly.com including several extremely well written articles on Didymo.

Matt and Joe talk short fly rods, belly boats, and layering for winter fishing.

Matt & Joe answer listener questions and talk about getting your tying & fishing gear organized.