Fly Guides Podcast

Lost in our vault was a special episode with Captain Johnny Mainero. We talk about chasing fish on the South Carolina coast and what it's like to enjoy this special fishery. We loved our conversation with Johnny and are so thankful that we were able to find this episode that had been lost to technology. If you are interested in finding out more about fishing with Johnny, head to his website: www.fishingblackwater.com or follow him on Instagram: @fishblackwater

The Driftless is an amazing part of the world - in the last few decades, this once sleepy part of Wisconsin has become a fly fishing Mecca. Guide PJ Smith fell in love with it years ago and has made a life of guiding and teaching people about the waters of the Driftless since. It's near and dear to both him and his wife, and they have carved out a space for guiding and fishing in one of America's best fishing spots. Hope you enjoy the show! PJguideservice.com

In this week's episode we talk to Tim Huckaby about his guiding experience in the high Sierras behind Mt. Whitney. This is an incredibly fun discussion about a rare fish and a beautiful part of America. Tim is a great conversationalist and has a fantastic demeanor! He found us through a connection at Palapas Ventana and from the start of this one, we are off to the races. Hope you enjoy this one! timhuckaby.com

The Bow River is an incredible fishery in Alberta, Canada. This week, we talk with Guide Luke Russell about this amazing place. The Bow holds a special place in Aaron's heart because he attended college in Calgary and lived there for 3 years, making it a home away from home. This is a really fun episode about a river that has become a legend in its own right. We hope you love this one as much as we did. @flyOven_inc https://www.davebrownoutfitters.com/alberta/bow-river-fly-fishing-guides/

Today, we speak with Speyco Reel founder and creator, Tim Pantzlaff. We try each season to bring you a manufacturer who is doing great things with their products. Tim started creating his reels to bring an affordable, classic reel to the market. We loved our discussion with Tim about everything from making and manufacturing in the United States to the love of fly fishing itself. We know you are going to love this conversation too! speycoreels.com

When Ian Silver messaged us on Instagram about fly fishing in Arizona, we were super curious. Was there really fly fishing in such a harsh place? As we talked, we learned how precious water is in the West, especially in the desert, and how those limited resources put serious pressure on the river. This is a fascinating conversation about a young guide trying to make his way in the red rock hills of Arizona. https://www.dirtyverdeoutfitters.com

Our Yankee friends can't be left out for a whole season! Today, we talk with Logan Messina about fly fishing in Maine. This is probably the oldest and most legendary fishery in the United States, so hearing about it is incredibly special - especially because Logan Messina is a major advocate for life in the grand state of Maine. We hope you love today's episode! As Logan writes on his website: "I am so thankful that I get to do what I do, and if you are interested in a day of fishing in Maine, I would love to take you out on the water! Over the years, I have grown to know the ins and outs of many rivers and ponds throughout the Rangeley area, as well as the Kennebec River and the West Branch of the Penobscot. These waters have so much to offer, but this area is known for being the last stronghold for native brook trout in the continental U.S., which is a special thing. I am so honored to be able to fish for these amazing, rare creatures, among so many other beautiful species. I hope you will be able to join me sometime!" https://www.troutaboutitflyfishing.com

27 years ago, a group of friends stumbled into a fishing trip that would change the course of their friendship and the rest of their lives. Coming this fall, a documentary about a disappearing element of the American male life: friendship. Scott and Aaron walk you through how a late-night stop on the Tongue River in Wyoming led to a lifetime of friendship and fly fishing all over the American West. Coming this fall

There are always a few conversations each season that leave us pretty speechless - today's episode is one of those. We venture all the way across the Pacific to speak with Harry Crossley of Japanese Fly Fishing Adventures. He is on the island of Hokkaido, and his story is incredible. From a London banking bro to a peaceful life in Japan fishing for beautiful trout, I am certain you will love this conversation! www.japanesefishingadventures.com

It might be the worst kept secret on the Fly Guides, that Scott and I love great food. Today we had the chance to speak with Sébastien from Foodie In The Wild. He is a professional chef and fly fishing guide in Quebec. This is a wonderful episode about his love for cooking, foraging and making a fantastic experience for his clients. Sébastien is based near Mont Treblant and is surrounded by some of the most incredible wilderness in Canada. Enjoy another fantastic episode. https://www.foodieinthewild.com

This week, Scott talked to Emily Keener and Sophia Smith from Taos Women Fly Fishing. They are an organization in New Mexico who are helping introduce women to the amazing sport of Fly Fishing. This is a great conversation about why their work is so important, and how the growth of this sport, in a demographic that has traditionally been excluded, is so positive and helpful. Have a listen and give them a follow on Instagram! @ taoswomenflyfish

Cotter, Arkansas guide, Brennon Garret, takes us on a journey down the world-famous White River. We had a wide-ranging discussion about how unique the Ozarks are and why the White River has gained the notoriety it has. Brennon is a fantastic conversationalist, and is currently working on expanding his guide services into Texas and fishing for Reds - we hope you enjoyed this one as much as we did. www.wanderingflyoutfitters.com @papacatfish (Instagram)

Of course we love to talk Fly Fishing and guiding on the podcast, but when a guest comes along who discusses how meaningful the sport is to him, it's time to take a pause an have a listen. Chris Hanson suffered from Transient Global Amnesia, and our discussion is a powerful one about how fly fishing brought him back. It's a stunning discussion and his story is powerful. We also venture into his bourbon enterprise. This is an incredible story and we were fortunate to have the chance to help tell it with Chris. Hope you enjoy! butterybrownspirits.com https://youtu.be/5DPeZm4IwHM?si=hgfHtg9SbGaJqARO

Some of these episodes are too hard to believe! This week we speak with Matt Thornton of The Wilderness Calling, who is RF tracking salmon and Steelhead in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to find out where it is these incredible species migrate too. It's a wide ranging conversation about Matt's background in music and flyfishing and how guiding

On this week's episode, we talk with New Mexico guide, Aaron Bjuarros, about his guiding life in Taos. We talk art, fly fishing, and the beauty of the New Mexican landscape. We had a great discussion, and as always, it made Scott and me want to pack up the truck and head down to the land of enchantment. We hope you love this one as much as we did! www.ziafly.com

Today we speak with Michael Stack, owner and guide for Fishtales Outfitting. Michael lives in Sheridan, Montana in the heart of flyfishing in the west. In this episode we talk about his journey to guiding and creating Fishtales Outfitters. We talk about the Big Hole, the Jefferson and the Beaverhead among just a few. Michael has an incredible story, and how he pivoted from injury to outfitter is really special. Have a listen and we hope you ejoy this episode as much as we did! If you want to know more about Fishtales check out their website: https://mtfishtales.com

We are back in the Smoky Mountains again this week with Maggie Valley Fly Fishing's head guide, Taylory Farfour. We talk about her love of the region, the amazing fishing, and what it is like to be a guide as a woman in what is often a man's world. We loved this conversation! Taylor was fun and thoughtful and would be a blast to fish with. We hope you enjoy today's episode!

Today, we talk about the good that fly fishing can accomplish for the world! We talk with Heather Harkavy of Fish For Change; An organization that exists to "empower young people to become global citizens through experiential learning . Our one-week international fly fishing camps for high school and college-aged students blend cultural exchange and environmental stewardship . Our goal is to use fishing as a platform to build empathetic, curious, passionate, and confident young adults. 40% of our students join us on financial need-based scholarships thanks to our donor community. We also partner with local communities, inviting at least one local student each week to join as a guide apprentice - creating authentic connections, mentorship, and friendships that span cultures." It is an awesome conversation about how a sport we all love so much is helping change the youth of the world. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. https://www.fishforchange.org

We take a midseason saltwater journey to the Baja with John Ashley from Palapas Ventana. We talk about the amazing Sea of Cortez and the aquarium of the Pacific. John's journey from school teacher to fly fishing guide is also a highlight of this episode. If you want to learn more about John and Palapas Ventana, take a look at the link below! We found John's description of Baja as a California from fifty years ago incredibly compelling. If there were ever an episode that made you want to pack up what you're doing and become a guide, this is the one. https://www.palapasventana.com

Today, we talk with Rob Aitken about the North Carolina mountains and his journey to guiding! We also touch on the Maggie Valley Fly Fishing festival that happens over Memorial Day weekend. This is a great conversation about what fly fishing means to a community and how a young person discovers their passion for the sport. We hope you enjoy the episode as much as we did! Here are a few links if you want to check out the event or go fishing with any of their amazing team of guides! https://www.maggievalleyflyshop.com