The February Room A Fly Fishing Podcast

The family that plays together stays together. Just ask the The Nordquists. Three generations of this fishy outfit congregate annually on rivers and streams to reconnect and after 20-plus years, the Nordquists have collected a treasure chest of memories, good and well…? Erick and John Nordquist are the clan safe keepers and open up the vault to our host, recalling broken legs, rattlesnakes, and th...

As owner of a consulting firm and the mother of a 4-year old, life comes at Miree Lee from all angles. She deflects these stressors by retreating to the river or flat, often by herself, and immersing her entire being in the fly fishing experience. This Florida angler has traveled extensively throughout her 40-year obsession, competing in multiple tarpon tournaments, and plucking monstrous bonefish...

The nation’s largest national forest, Alaska’s Tongass is an ecological wonderland fed by nutrients from the Pacific. The transporters for this bounty of forest fertilizer are the annual runs of nearly 50 million salmon which spawn in the region, earning the Tongass the affectionate nickname, “The Salmon Forest”. In order to fully understand the relationship between fish and forest, accurate data...

A $49 fly rod combo opened the door to a whole new world for Texas bass angler, Jon Morris. Upon return from active duty, Morris was somewhat adrift, and stumbled upon fly fishing at this pivotal point in his life. Within a year, Jon would be consumed by the sport, tying flies commercially, attaining his guide license, launching a fishing podcast, and pursuing the state gar on-the-fly record. Lear...

You never know who is going to end up in your guide boat? When we had the pleasure of fishing with Tim Quinton, we invited him to join us on the podcast. To say Quinton has led a rather adventurous life would be a monumental understatement. A former “Coastie”, Tim was aboard several vessels featured on “Deadliest Catch” while stationed in the salmon fishing hub of Kodiak, Alaska. He’s sailed with...

There are an estimated 84,000 dams across the country that serve a variety of purposes, from hydropower to flood control. Dams also serve as barriers to passage for native fish species, while creating habitat for illegally introduced and invasive fish. Our indigenous fish populations need our help. Enter Whooshh Innovations, a Seattle-based company with a high-tech solution to the fish passage pro...

Curious about gar? We were, so we tapped one of the leading authorities on this prehistoric apex predator. Aggressively hunted by bow fishers and mistreated by some anglers, the gar can’t seem to get any respect, but Dr. Ryan King serves as an advocate for this misunderstood group of species. A Professor of Biology and Director of Aquatic Ecology at Baylor University, King’s career path began foll...

Who hasn’t left a fly box in a buddy’s boat or forgotten where we stashed our sink tips? But what if you spontaneously forgot where, and with whom, you were just fishing? Chris Hanson experienced such an event, clinically known as ‘transient global amnesia’. A passionate fly angler, Hanson shares his bizarre experience and the aftermath, which inspired him to produce the acclaimed documentary, “Th...

If your dream of fishing for rainbows in Russia has taken you down a Google-rabbit hole, you’ve likely encountered the name, “Will Blair”. Blair is an American pioneer of Kamchatka trout fishing, operating remote outfitting businesses in Russia since the 1990’s. If explorations of uncharted trout streams via Russian military helicopters weren’t enough, Will’s penchant for fly fishing solitude has...

Adventure is all around us. Just ask Chris Taylor. Once Taylor decided to really explore the waters surrounding his hometown, he discovered a treasure trove of flyfishing opportunities right under his nose; carp, pike, shad, goliath trout, to name a few. Colorado Springs offers up all the menu options this fly fishing version of a localvore can chew. Chris inspires us to take a closer look at the...

Steelhead returns in the Columbia Basin are the lowest ever recorded resulting in unprecedented fishing closures on some of the most hallowed waters in fly fishing. The fate of a bellwether species of incalculable cultural, financial, and environmental importance hangs in the balance. Now more than ever, these fish need advocates, like Josh Mills. As a Board Member of the Wild Steelhead Coalition...

Pennsylvania makes the short list of the country's best fishing states. From legendary trout streams like the Delaware, Letort Run, and Spring Creek, to fabled smallmouth fisheries such as the Susquehanna, PA offers something for everyone. For a full-frontal assessment of angling opportunities in the Keystone State, we tap into the experience and expertise of Rick Nyles, owner of Skyblue Outfitter...

What is a V Lam and a Shoal Cut? We've always wondered what these terms actually mean in association with our favorite oars and Derek Young is the guy to ask. As Northern US Territory Manager for Sawyer Oars, Derek answers these questions and shares his many years of experience working with this Oregon-based oar and paddle manufacturing company. A lifelong river enthusiast, Derek relates the time...

You can't swing a dead cat in the Murray Bar in Livingston, Montana without hitting a fly fishing guide or an artist. The odds of even taking out two proverbial birds with one feline are pretty good, as many local ghillies row by day and paint by night. Don Rogers, a former "knot-untangler" himself, saw the obvious need for a retail venue featuring unique wares created by local craftsmen and opene...

On a seemingly doomed trip to the Yucatan, Ed Anderson experienced his own version of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles", culminating in a sudden storm that capsized the panga fleet. The past couple of years in this country have been a similar dumpster fire, inspiring this McCall, Idaho-based contemporary fine artist to create his own version of "Americanism". There is nary a dull moment in the lif...

The Upper Clark Fork watershed has been on the receiving end of mining activities in Butte for a generation and a huge effort has been underway to return this river to the pristine trout stream that it once was, and could be again. Casey Hackathorn is the Upper Clark Fork Program Manager for Trout Unlimited, and he and many others are dedicated to the restoration of coldwater habitat within one of...

With his world spinning out of control, Max Kelsey channeled his emotions into a fly box he dubbed, "The Box of Pain". The flies, created during his darkest days of separation and alcohol use, were born of loneliness, depression, and despair, but blossomed into a feathery collection of hope. These flies helped Max to "Be the Bug" and this mantra became his rallying cry in the march towards a bette...

Learning to cast cack-handed is pretty easy, you simply start out that way. Just ask Tom Johanson. This Kiwi adventure-angler suffered a shoulder injury prior to his initial introduction to river fly fishing and did what any teenage "fisho" would do, learned to throw southpaw. Now many years removed from that pitfall, Tom is all healed up and hard at it, designing, testing, and re-testing gear for...

The dream of many fly fishing guides, hell, of, is to winter in the Caribbean and summer in Rockies. Vail, Colorado-based guide, Jesse Colten, came to the village of Xcalak, Mexico for the permit fishing, but stayed for the hospitality. Jesse now the owner of The Xflats, a lodge and guide service specializing in flats fishing adventures. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/lauren-karnopp3/...

In terms of allure, steelhead and permit rank atop the list for many of the most hopelessly-addicted fishing bums; these two species have ruined many a promising career. The trick is, to mold a job and lifestyle around the pursuit, and Damien Nurre has excelled at this! Following a long stint as a guide/outfitter on Oregon's legendary Deschutes, Nurre's foray into the realm of saltwater fly fishin...

Western Montana is steeped in fly fishing history and at the epicenter lies the Maclean family, of “A River Runs Through It Fame”. John Maclean, son of Norman, is an accomplished author in his own right and relates the inspiration for this latest book. What began as a recount of a tangle with a monumental rainbow trout morphed into a book, and “Home Waters” was born. John shares his own insight in...

What would you do if you went in above your waders on a swift creek? How about if someone fell out of your boat in the tailout above a Class IV rapid? What is a Class IV rapid? We ask all of these questions of Jason Shreder, owner of Missoula-based whitewater business, Zootown Surfers. Shreder has boated many of the country's more dangerous and exciting rivers, and traveled the globe seeking water...

Steelhead guide and international booking agent, Brad Staples, shares his global adventures and perspective on guiding over his four decade-career in the fishing industry. When not operating his jet boat guide service on the Lower Deschutes during the summer steelhead season, Brad spends his "off-season" hosting expeditions for peacock bass in the Amazon jungle, golden dorado in Argentina, GT's/bo...

Karlie Roland landed FOUR of the notoriously difficult "Black-Tailed Devils", aka permit, on a recent trip to the Yucatan. Prior to that, on a foray to Christmas Island, her return flight never showed, extending the fishing adventure a full week and resulting in her first GT. Karlie makes her living on the very stream where she first learned to fly fish, and maybe the Fish Gods respect that? She h...

You've seen them on dashboards, visors, in boat trays and shadow boxes...those significant flies responsible for an angler's most memorable fish. But a torso? That's how Rachel Schmidt rolls, with 12 fly patterns (and counting) tattooed on her back. That's just the kind of mentality you like to see in a champion for public lands and waters. Rachel has held many positions in the outdoor industry an...