The Wadeoutthere Fly Fishing Podcast

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Mike Wilson, from Florence, Montana. Mike was born and raised in Indiana. Unable to afford college tuition during the Vietnam War, Mike dropped out. He was drafted into the Army, and served three years, including one combat tour as a rescue helicopter pilot. When he came home, he and his new bride left Indiana, determined to find a new home and make a life. They moved from spot to spot… searching. Canada, Montana, California, Las Vegas. Eventually, they landed in Boulder, Colorado where Mike bought his first fly rod and learned to cast in a mud puddle in front of their apartment. The streams and lakes of Colorado became Mike’s fly fishing classroom, until he decided to try his luck at college again. They moved back to Montana, where Mike studied forestry, and worked for the forest service. He built a life surrounded by nature and continued to enjoy the therapeutic and challenging nature of fly fishing over the decades he has since lived in the Bitterroot Valley. We discuss the pros and cons of complicating fly fishing versus keeping it simple, lake fishing in southwestern Montana, and the crossroads between pressure, restrictions, blame, and empathy when it comes to protecting our natural resources. Learn More: READ: How two exploratory mining projects could shape the headwaters of iconic Montana rivers Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode, we WadeOutThere with Christopher Teas from Bal Harbor, Florida. Christopher was born in Wisconsin, where he was introduced to fly fishing, before moving to Colorado at an early age. He eventually began guiding as a teenager to make money before attending college in Oregon, where he continued guiding for steelhead as well. Christopher went on to build a career in business and investments, but his passion for fly fishing never left. He continues to travel and fish all over the world. We discuss Christopher’s perspective on the evolution of the fly fishing industry, why he believes water and fly fishing can be the ultimate equalizer, and some of the tactics and lessons he’s developed over a lifetime on the water. Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Tanner and Morgan Barbeau from Buena Vista, Colorado. Tanner learned to fly fish from his father at an early age on the famed tailwaters of the San Juan river. Morgan graduated school and took a nine to five job in corporate America having never fly fished before. The pair met in Buena Vista and fell in love with each other, while Morgan was falling in love with fly fishing. Tanner had been guiding for several years when Morgan lost her job. Together they made fly fishing their priority, growing together as anglers and eventually turning their passion for videography and storytelling into their own production company and YouTube channel, Mopfly Productions. We discuss how Morgan and Tanner have managed to stay connected to each other, fly fishing and the art of story telling through patience and passion. Learn More: MopflyProductions.com Instagram: @mopflyproductions YouTube: Mopfly Productions Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Ben Wilcox, from Essex, Vermont. Ben was introduced to fly fishing after college when he and his friends traveled to Maine to support a friend going through hard times. Although he struggled to catch any fish for the first couple years, something about the process of learning kept Ben coming back. Book by book and tactic by tactic, Ben worked his way from novice angler to competitor for team USA. Now, Ben has a guide service called Maple Country Anglers. We discuss dry dropper tactics Ben has developed to target trout in his home waters of Vermont, the value of exploring trout waters, and how confidence plays a key role in a fly fishers progress early on. Learn More: MapleCountryAnglers.com Instagram: @benwilcox_maplecountryanglers AmberRidgeMaple.com Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Jesse Alberi, from Dillon, Montana. Jesse grew up dunking grasshoppers for trout in his homewaters around Dillon, and on his family’s ranch in Red Lodge. After attending school in North Dakota, he took a job in Alaska, where he fell in love with fly fishing and his wife. They moved back to Jesse’s hometown of Dillon, to raise their young daughter amongst friends and family. In October of 2008, Jesse rolled his truck on an icy road, and suffered a spinal injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Recovery was a long road, but eventually, with the help of friends and family, Jesse moved forward and began his path to not only break through the limitations that his disability presented, but help bring others hope… through fly fishing. We discuss Jesse’s journey back to fly fishing after his accident, how friendship and adventure gave birth to his organization Access Unlimited, who with the help of the High Fives Foundation, is bringing the healing power of fly fishing to motivate and encourage those with disabilities to overcome limitations. Learn More: High Fives Foundation.org / Access Unlimited Instagram: @Accessunltd Mend Documentary Film (Jesse's Story) Instagram: @mend.film Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Taylor Todd, from Helena, Montana. Taylor began fly fishing almost immediately upon beginning college at Oregon State. He was a volunteer firefighter and paramedic there, and his roommates at college and Lieutenant at the firehouse left him nowhere to go where fly fishing wasn’t a source of learning, camaraderie, and fun on the river. After school he moved to Wisconsin where he continued to pursue a career as a paramedic until one summer he decided to head west to the Rocky Mountains and immerse himself in his love for fly fishing. He landed a spot at a guide school on the Bighorn and a job at a fly shop in Montana. He and his wife made the move and have been living happily in Helena Montana ever since. Taylor became a guide and eventually started his own outfitter, Mountain Prairie Guide Service, where he fishes the Blackfoot and Missouri Rivers, among others, and also guides bird hunting and dog training in the fall. In this conversation we talk matching the hatch, and no rabbit hole goes unexplored. We cover how (and why) matching the hatch sometimes plays second fiddle to presentation, when presentation just doesn’t cut it, and of course, we take a deep, DEEP dive into the tactics and techniques Taylor uses to pick the right dry flies on his home water. We also share thoughts on why fishing with friends is a special part of fly fishing for both of us. Learn More: Email: Taylor@MountainPrarieOutfitters.com Mountain Prairie Outfitters.com Instagram: @realtodd Instagram: @mountainprairieoutfitters Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Riverhorse Nakadate, from Houston Texas. Riverhorse was born in Austin, Texas to a single mother and joyful days playing in the Colorado River and at the public library. His adopted father was a professor of literature and steelheader, which cemented his love of books and fishing at an early age. The family spent summers along the Oregon coast, where Riverhorse immersed himself in the ocean… fishing and surfing. After traveling the world surfing, playing music, and writing articles for surf and fly fishing magazines, Riverhorse returned to Texas, and fly fishing… in the local salt marshes and lakes around Houston. Riverhorse is a musician, conservationist, fisherman, surfer, and thoughtful author, whose first book, Waterlines, shares his most treasured stories. The beautiful and painful ones. We discuss Texas fly fishing from a canoe for redfish and large mouth bass, Riverhorse’s love of writing and books, and how searching for our own “child’s heart,” can bring meaning and joy to life. Learn More: Instagram: @Riverhorse_Nakadate Waterlines: A Life on Marshes, Rivers, Seas, and in the Rain. By Riverhorse Nakadate YouTube: It’s All Home Water | A Northern Light YouTube: Love & Water: Fly Fishing for Redfish and Bass and Redfish with Riverhorse Nakadate Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with John Duncan, from Telluride, CO. John grew up learning to fly fish in Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, hiking and backpacking to access fishing in small streams and remote lakes. His love for the mountains drew him to attend college in Colorado Springs, CO, where he fell in love with the weather, the skiing, and the fishing. Telluride, became the perfect place for him to grow a life around the fly fishing industry. John has been a guide, a marketing and sales rep for Scott Fly Rods in the early days of their relocation to Colorado, and been helping people enjoy the fly fishing of his beloved Telluride for years through the fly shop and guide service Telluride Angler. We discuss tactics for fishing small freestone streams and high country backpacking in both Southwest Colorado and the Olympic Penninsula. Learn More: TellurideOutside.com TellurideAngler.com READ: WADEOUTTHERE | We All Have Home Water READ: WADEOUTTHERE | Six Techniques for Fishing Small Streams READ: WADEOUTTHERE | Seven Reasons to Fish Small Streams Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Mark Raisler, from Craig, Montana. Mark grew up in Washington State’s Skagit Valley, in an outdoors family where fishing was a distant third priority, behind skiing and hunting. He first came to Montana for something to do when he wasn’t skiing, but quickly found the Missouri River and fly fishing. When he realized summers were nowhere near enough time to try to catch all the wild trout in the river, he moved to the banks of the Missouri full time. That was 1997, and he’s been working on figuring out those fish ever since. Now, Mark is a co-owner of Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig Montana where he has guided for years. We discuss dry fly techniques, casting accuracy, and why “good drifts, near fish” are the keys to success when fishing to the surface on the Mighty Mo. Mark and I also wax a little philosophy on how contextual memory is a special part of fly fishing, and life. Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Dax Messett, from Medford, Oregon. Dax moved to the Lake Tahoe area after college to pursue his love for the outdoors, and immediately found fly fishing as another way to explore. He started his fly fishing journey on the Truckee River, and later began guiding in the surrounding Northern California streams and lakes. Next, came year round guiding, winters in New Zealand, and a relationship with adventure that felt more normal with than without. For Dax, fly fishing became his vehicle for exploring the world. His vehicle for traveling to exotic and remote places. Visiting whatever mountains, lakes, rivers, and oceans that captured his attention and excitement. Always with a fly rod in hand. We discuss Dax’s perfect fly fishing year, covering where he would fish every month of the year and why, while Dax also shares stories and lessons learned that he takes from each fishery. Twelve months. Twelve fisheries. One passionate angler. Here comes the Year of the Nomad Angler. Learn More: Daxfly.com Namproducts-usa.com Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Noah Dahlke, from Bozeman, Montana. Noah grew up in an Air Force family, with roots in Wisconsin. While his father was stationed everywhere from Minot, North Dakota to Oklahoma, to Great Falls, Noah always looked for chances to fish, and tie. He also looked forward to the summers, when he could return to his home state and fly fish with his grandfathers. He often would send them flies he tied to test before his visits, and made the trips home even more special. One of those flies became the Legacy Leach, which was picked up by Umpqua Feather Merchants as one of their signature flies. When his father retired, the family ended up in Bozeman, and Montana State became the obvious choice for a young man who wanted to attend school for engineering, and continue to hunt and fish. Now, Noah has found a job, and a new life, in Helena, where his dream of working and fishing in Montana has come true. We discuss streamer fishing in Yellowstone National Park, as well as Noah’s thoughts on the importance of fishing with the ones you love with the time you have. LEARN MORE: Noah's "Legacy Leech" at Umpqua Feather Merchants Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Andrew Kangas from Cameron, Montana. Andrew grew up in Michigan, learning to fish with conventional gear and dabbling in fly fishing with a fly rod he picked up at a neighborhood garage sale. When a family friend living in Montana invited his family to stay with her for a trip to Yellowstone Park, Andrew saw it as an opportunity to dive deeper into fly fishing. The trip turned into a wildly fun and productive fly fishing adventure. So when that family friend offered her basement to Andrew to come and spend summers fishing, he jumped at it. He also jumped at the opportunity to begin his guiding career at Kelly Galloup's Slide Inn fly shop, on the Madison River. Now Andrew splits his time between Montana and Michigan. Guiding, hunting, and fishing for himself, all while continuing to challenge himself with new waters and new species. We discuss streamer tactics on the Madison River, how different streamers can lend themselves to different styles of retrieves, and how Andrew looks forward to continuing to challenge himself as he grows as a fishing guide. Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Jeremy Nolan from Durango, Colorado. Jeremy moved to Colorado over twenty five years ago to pursue his passion for skiing and mountain biking while attending college. One of the texts he picked up was an Orvis book on fly fishing. Soon he and his friends were fishing the San Juan River and learning as they went, but Jeremy knew his future career would be on the water. After graduation he began guiding and eventually started his own outfitter, Headsup Fly Fishing and later a guide service in Honduras, where he has been fishing for nearly twenty years without missing. We discuss the solitude that can be found fishing in southwestern Colorado, as well as his multi-day adventure trips that explore mountain lakes and streams, often on horseback. Jermey also shares his techniques for streamer fishing on freestone rivers and his experience growing his skills and his business in Utila Honduras, teaching new guides while remaining open to growth. Learn More: HeadsUpFlyFishing.com Flyfishutila.com Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Tyler Mills from St.Paul, Minnesota. Tyler grew up gear fishing with his friends and family in upstate New York, spending nearly every day of the summer on the St. Lawrence River. It didn’t take long for Tyler to find fly fishing, which he took with him to Seattle where he worked in the snowboard industry. When he lost his job during COVID, Tyler ended up finding himself learning a new fishery every three months while he visited his then girlfriend, and current wife, who was a traveling nurse. When they landed in Wyoming, Tyler left his life in Seattle and turned to fly fishing for the presence and peace that it brought him and others, while he supported his wife’s nursing career. Tyler’s passion for fly fishing also brought him a new career in Minnesota, where he is a fly fishing guide and jet boat captain on the Upper Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers, targeting smallmouth. We discuss how fly fishing helps us all be more present, how COVID gave Tyler the opportunity to grow as an angler by learning new fisheries, and Tyler’s two favorite presentation techniques for hooking up with smallmouth on top of and below the water. LEARN MORE: Thornebros.com DavidHolmesGuiding.com Instagram: @cuffsfullofdustandfeathers Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Tim Nation, from Kammas Utah. Tim grew up in Illinois in a family where hunting and fishing was a way of life. He found himself uniquely drawn to the fly rod, and it soon became his favorite way to catch fish. It has been his passion ever since. Tim spent much of his time as a teenager honing his fly fishing skills and searching for trout in the Ozarks. Looking for a spot he could call home, Tim tried his luck out West. After multiple western states didn’t seem like the right fit, a last minute stroke of providence, in a Utah trout stream parking lot, solidified his future in fly fishing. Tim feels a deep personal connection to the Provo River, and has been fishing and guiding on it for over a decade. We discuss what I consider “the big five” fly fishing tactics: fly selection, reading water, presentation, casting, and fighting fish, all on the Provo River. Learn More: Email: Timnation6622@live.com READ: WADEOUTTHERE | All the Trout Are Bigger Across the River READ: WADEOUTTHERE | Small Flies, Light Takes, and Lost Fish. It’s Good for You. READ: WADEOUTTHERE | The Orange Scud Theory Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Caleb Andrews, from Charleston, South Carolina. Caleb fell in love with fly fishing early in life and continued to fly fishing during college in Tennessee while pursuing a degree in material science and engineering. Although Caleb had always envisioned using his degree to land a job in the outdoor industry, he eventually took an engineering job in South Carolina. Soon, Caleb discovered and embraced his new fishery, pursuing red fish along the low country coastal waters. Before long, Caleb had bought a flats boat, moved to Charleston, and decided to “go for it,” helping others catch red fish as owner and head guide of his fishing charter Tails of the Tide. We discuss ways for maximizing efficiency while fishing and tying flies for red fish, how Caleb’s engineer mindset helps him weigh possibilities and probabilities while fishing Charleston’s huge tidal swings, and presentation techniques for red fish. Learn More: Tailsofthetide.com Phone: 434-981-6473 READ: WADEOUTTHERE | How to Get the Most From Your Time on the Water Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Jon Lee from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jon grew up in southwest Michigan, just outside of Kalamazoo. He was introduced to fly fishing on the Pere Marquette River as a teenager, spending time with his great uncle, and slowly embracing the value of learning over catching. As a child, Jon would search through magazines depicting distant and exotic outdoor adventures that seemed out of reach, until he combined his love of fly fishing with an unapologetic work ethic and made his dreams of seeing the world a reality as a fly fishing guide. After exploring many distant outdoor experiences, Jon moved home, to Michigan, to guide the waters of his youth, on the Kalamazoo River. We discuss smallmouth bass fishing on the Kalamazoo River, the value of perspective while pursuing fly fishing, and Jon’s book, A Guide’s Day Off, about the moments in fly fishing that make it special. Learn More: IG: @kalamazoo_river_guide Jon's book: A Guide's Day Off READ: WADEOUTTHERE | The Fish Are Always Biting - Mindset READ: WADEOUTTHERE | Small Flies, Light Takes, and Lost Fish. It's Good For You Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Mickey Anderson, from Salt Lake City, Utah. Mickey grew up in Utah, and was introduced to fly fishing on a trip into the Uinta Mountains with his wrestling team in high school. He went on to work in the fly fishing industry as an early fly shop owner with Anglers Den and later Fish Tech. He has been teaching and instructing fly fishing, fly tying, and fly casting in one way or another for nearly fifty years, and he still finds the time to get out over a hundred times a year, these days spending much of that time exploring the mountains via hiking, backpacking and in his side by side. He also has been an avid designer for companies such as William Joseph, and later Rising, where he has won awards for his products and helped introduce the world to things such as the chest pack and net holsters. If you have been a member of a fly fishing club, committee, class, or expo in the Wasatch area of Utah… you’ve probably met Mickey. We discuss explorations of Utah’s Uinta mountain lakes and tactics for fishing them, including the importance of depth control and fly retrieve. We also talk about the gear that will make your job easier. Mickey shares his take on what makes a good fly fishing gear storage system (whether it's a vest, a hip pack, a sling, or just where you put your net) and how to find what works for you. Learn More: Risingfishing.com Wasatchexpo.com Utah Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council Fishtechoutfitters.com Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Piper Nunn from Fort Collins, CO. Piper grew up in Colorado, spending time alone on the river even before she found fishing. It was after she began working in a local bagel shop in Fort Collins, that her co-workers talked her into giving fly fishing a shot. She loved it from day one, and from then on, much of her spare time in school was spent on the Poudre River, fishing and finding inspiration for her art. She loved fly fishing so much actually, that it inspired her to change her college major to fisheries. It also inspired her to paint more; using the details of her studies to help inform her art, while simultaneously allowing her art to help her move through school. Piper began sharing her paintings with the world and soon was receiving numerous commission requests and making a full time living from her art. But eventually the grind of production, forced her to take a step back from art and realign her passion with the inspiration that started it all. We discuss tactics for the Poudre River and how sometimes taking a step back can move you forward in art and fishing. Learn More: Saint Pete’s Fly Shop in Fort Collins, CO READ: WADEOUTTHERE | Small Flies, Light Takes, and Lost Fish. It’s Good for You READ: WADEOUTTHERE | The Gift READ: WADEOUTTHERE | The Art of the Missed Hookset Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Eric Naguski from Boiling Springs Pennsylvania. Eric’s earliest memories all involve fishing. He fell in love with the idea of problem solving from the beginning, catching fish from the dock of his father’s sailboat in Maryland. A cousin gave him a fly rod and thus began his lifelong love of fly fishing. After childhood, Eric ended up back in his birth state of Pennsylvania, where he fished for nearly twenty-five years before deciding it was time to start guiding. His guide service is called Rise Forms Fly Fishing. Eric is also a voracious fly tyer, and is the author of the book Favorite Flies for Pennsylvania: 50 Essential Patterns from Local Experts. We discuss Erics’s love of topwater fly fishing in Pennsylvania, situations and techniques for imparting movement on dry flies, and tips for organization and efficiency in fly tying. Learn More: Favorite Flies for Pennsylvania: 50 Essential Patterns form Local Experts RiseFormsFlyFishing.com Instagram: @Riseformsff Sign up for Jason's free email newsletter (WadeOutThere Wednesday) at WadeOutThere.com/Wednesday