Winamp Logo
The DrakeCast - A Fly Fishing Podcast Cover
The DrakeCast - A Fly Fishing Podcast Profile

The DrakeCast - A Fly Fishing Podcast

English, Sports, 1 season, 64 episodes, 1 day, 10 hours, 43 minutes
About
For those who fish, this is the DrakeCast, a new flyfishing podcast. We're an audio supplement to the Drake Magazine and a voice for flyfishing around the world. Each Friday, we bring you a story - some funny, some serious. We'll be fishing for steelhead on the Pere Marquette, brook trout on small creeks, high mountain cutthroats, salmon galore, plus a tons of other species and places. Check us out at The Drake Magazine's website http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast.html
Episode Artwork

#63 Bolivian Burnout: Who Torched Angling Frontiers' Lodge?

A year ago today, May 25, 2022, a fire started in the middle of the Bolivian jungle, burning down a lodge in one of the most sought-after fishing destinations in the world. To tell that story, we have Drake magazine founder, Tom Bie. To get more stories like this pick up a copy of The Drake at your local fly shop or subscribe at drakemag.com. This episode was made possible by generous support from The Eleven Experience, Scott Fly Rods, and Grundens. If you like the show, give em some of your money.
5/25/202348 minutes, 53 seconds
Episode Artwork

#62 Catching Less Fish w/ Stephen Sautner

Today we have a story from the Winter 2022/23 issue of The Drake Magazine called “Numbers Game,” that basically asks the question, do I need to catch more fish? The author, Stephen Sautner, does a better job answering that question than I have heard in a long time. To continue this discussion and many others, get your hands on the latest issue of The Drake Magazine either on our website, drakemag.com, or better yet, at your local fly shop. If you like what you heard, make sure to check out Stephen’s new audiobook “Fish on, Fish off.” In it he reads 50 stories about angling and misadventure. Think of it like a six-and-a-half-hour podcast of real-life fishing stories about heartbreak, terror, and triumph. “Fish On, Fish Off” is available on Audible and Audiobooks.com.
5/10/202313 minutes, 35 seconds
Episode Artwork

#61 Fall 2022 Magazine Preview

Today, with the help of Drake magazine editor and founder, Tom Bie, we’ll be walking through what you can find in the Fall 2022 issue of the Drake. If you’re hearing this, it means you should be able to buy it at your local fly shop or on our website, drakemag.com. Many thanks to Scott Fly Rods and The Eleven Experience for making this episode possible, and a big thanks to all of the advertisers in the print magazine as well. A shout out to Hansi Johnson for chatting with us about his photo. You can find him on instagram @hansski43
12/19/202246 minutes, 44 seconds
Episode Artwork

#60 Eleven Eleven on the Mississippi River

This week we have a couple old episodes that we’ve smashed together. They’re both about the Mississippi River, and they’re both about family and fishing on 11/11, Armistice Day, Veterans Day, which is when this episode is being released. If you’re listening on 11/11, I’m currently down on the Mississippi, probably not catching fish. Many thanks to our sponsors The Eleven Experience (https://elevenexperience.com)and Scott Fly Rods (https://www.scottflyrod.com) for helping make this episode possible
11/11/202230 minutes, 11 seconds
Episode Artwork

#59 A Wise Man's Fishing Gear

A few months ago a family friend gave me a taxidermied brown trout that had been mounted in the 80s. When I went to the friend’s house to get the story behind the fish I somehow left with the rod and reel that had caught it, plus a whole lot more. This episode is the story of that fish, the rod, and the anglers that came before us. Music for this episode was written and recorded by Russell Pedersen and appears on his album, Steal from the Rushes. You can see him live with his band Horseshoes and Hand Grenades at a few concerts this summer in Wisconsin. They always put on a heck of a show. (Link to the album: https://russellpedersen.bandcamp.com/album/steal-from-the-rushes) This episode was made possible by generous support from The Eleven Experience, Scott Fly Rods, and Howler Bros. If you like the show, give em some of your money and tell em we sent ya.
6/25/202227 minutes, 53 seconds
Episode Artwork

#58 Fall 2021 Magazine Preview

Today, with the help of Drake magazine editor and founder, Tom Bie, we’ll be walking through what you can expect from the coming Fall 2021 issue of the Drake. If you’re hearing this, it means you should be able to buy it at your local fly shop or on our website, Drakemag.com. Many thanks to Scott Fly Rods, The Eleven Experience, and Howler Brothers for making this episode possible, and a big thanks to all of the advertisers in the print magazine as well. A shout out to our voice actor Bobby Eckert, who is a guide in upstate New York. He plays a mean Alec Baldwin and knows what he’s doing behind the oars. You can find him on instagram @freestoneflytours
11/29/202135 minutes, 25 seconds
Episode Artwork

#57 Oregon's South Coast - Steelhead Ch. 3

As you’ll see in the title, this is a continuation of the Steelhead miniseries that started years ago - Chapter 3 to be exact. And while I recognize that the vast majority of anglers will never set foot in a native steelhead watershed, I’m harping on this issue because I think these fish are a bit of a canary in the coal mine for fisheries, and the world as a whole. I’m worried that their health is a sign of things to come for our rivers and really all of us. And the past 12 months have brought But today, I wanna head to a little corner of Oregon where things haven’t quite gone to shit. Where, despite the efforts of miners, noxious air and a million other villains, that lil yellow bird is still chirping. For now. And there might be something you can do to make sure it stays that way. TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK AT THE OCTOBER 15 ODFW COMMISSION MEETING, FOLLOW THIS LINK: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_2jsvNgcdRiCHUZjgmXUJzg TO FURTHER EDUCATE YOURSELF, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE NATIVE FISH SOCIETY WEBSITE: https://nativefishsociety.org/news-media/stand-up-for-wild-fish-in-southern-oregon
10/10/202117 minutes, 23 seconds
Episode Artwork

#56 The Club

When the idea for this podcast was first tossed around, we knew we wanted it to be an extension of the Drake Magazine - and one of the ways we envisioned doing so was by having magazine contributors read their stories. In this episode Andy Harris reads his essay “The Club,” which appeared in the Spring 2021 Issue of the Drake Magazine. The story is about a young man fishing private water forty years ago, but I found it to be pretty timeless because it’s about why we fish, and the social capital that we place on and gain from our piscatorial pursuits - a question I’ve been asking myself for the past few years. If you want to read other stories of this calibre, make sure to subscribe to the Drake. $40 for the year. Every single one of us could benefit from less time on our phones. Let a print magazine help you do so. Finally, many thanks to The Eleven Experience, Scott Fly Rods, and Howler Bros. for making this show possible. If you like the show, give em somma your money and tell em we sent ya.
8/13/202133 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode Artwork

#55 Untouched Nature - Steelhead Ch. 2

It’s been a while, but as of right now, despite the fact that no one was asking for it, The DrakeCast is back for a little bit. We’ve got six episodes slated for release between now and the end of 2021. The first of these episodes (which also happens to be the second of the Steelhead Miniseries) is a story of the fine line between exploration and exploitation. 70 miles west of Juneau is the minuscule town of Elfin Cove, which you can only access by boat or floatplane. Instead of roads, wooden boardwalks connect the municipal gas station to the bar that’s open when it wants to, to dozens of boats moored in front of fishing lodges. One of these lodges is the aptly named Elfin Cove Resort, which is where this episode takes place. During the main fishing season, Elfin Cove normally froths with meat-haulin gear guys aiming to fill the freezer. But in May of 2018, hardly anyone was in town. We were certainly the only non-commercial fishermen. And we weren’t there for your typical halibut jigging or king trolling. Instead, we would enter the heart of the Tongass National Forest in search of steelhead. This is the story of what we found, and the questions that you have to ask yourself when fishing. In this episode we slide across glacial bays in a jet boat, eat at a greasy spoon diner with Mark Hieronymus (the Sportfish Outreach Coordinator for Trout Unlimited & part-time Simms model), and wade into unnamed Tongass rivers. This reboot of the DrakeCast would not have been possible without generous support from Howler Brothers, Scott Fly Rods, and The Eleven Experience. If you like the show, go buy their stuff and let 'em know we sent ya.
7/12/202137 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode Artwork

#54 The Baiter & The Swinger - Steelhead Ch. 1

In this episode of the DrakeCast we meet two characters with similar pasts who have ended up in very different places. They both love steelhead, but in very different ways. We'll also hear from Trout Unlimited Steelhead Biologist John McMillan as we attempt to understand how we can prevent loving these fish to death.
9/26/201939 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode Artwork

#53 Dorian's Wake

Hurricane Dorian carved a scar through the soul of the Bahamas. Hear about this bonefish paradise before, during, and after the storm. In this episode we profile a lifelong Bahamian guide, talk to a lodge owner about the current state of the island and its inhabitants and learn how you can help either from the comfort of your fly tying station or with a click on the ol' gram. Many thanks to Rob Neher of East End Lodge, Our Spokane, Washington Correspondent Josh Mill, as well as Scott Fly Rods & Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures for making this episode possible. For more information on where to donate, visit www.drakemag.com
9/10/201932 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode Artwork

#52 Mosquitos & Char

Ok folks, welcome back to the drakecast. This week, we have a different sort of episode for ya. Rather than taking a dive into some controversial topic, we're going to feature Dave Zoby reading his essay “Mosquitos & Char” which appeared in the Winter 2019 Issue of the Drake Magazine. You may remember his voice from the bonus episode “Dancing with Death on the Bighorn” which came out in August. To read this story and a whole bunch of other good stuff, grab the latest issue of the Drake. So that’s pretty much it. Additionally, Dave Zoby has a new book out called “Fish Like You Mean It.” Unfortunately the cover features a dead king salmon and a spinning rod, but I promise there are lots of good flyfishing stories in there as well. You can find "Fish Like You Mean It" through the link below or wherever books are sold. https://www.amazon.com/Fish-Like-Mean-David-Zoby/dp/1976886589 Many thanks to Scott Fly Rods and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures for making this episode possible. https://www.scottflyrod.com/ https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/
2/14/201926 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode Artwork

#51 Rally For Dallys on The White

This episode of the DrakeCast takes a deep dive into the seedy underworld of a fishy religion in the Ozarks. Think Deliverance but with john boats instead of canoes. And at the center of this aquatic orthodox are two deities: the almighty streamer and the holy brown trout. But these aren’t your typical streamers or browns. They’re way bigger, and according to the river’s disciples, way better. Today, we’re going to find out how this creed came to be and how these devotees in Northern Arkansas began breaking bread with those coveted monster browns. It’s a story of exploration, teamwork, and the effect that flyfishing can have on a town. but really, it’s an invitation to establish your own fishy religion. You may have caught an earlier version of this episode back in August of 2017, but we're putting it back in the feed for a number of reasons. First of all, it's winter and you folks who aren’t fishing much might need some entertainment. Two, chasing big brown trout with oversized streamers can be super productive this time of year so its timely. But the final and main reason we’re putting this out is because Beca Dally, one of the story's characters, recently spent two weeks in the ICU following a nearly fatal car accident. Beca and Steve Dally are integral to this story and need our help right now. You can find a link to their GoFundMe Page below. https://www.gofundme.com/rally-for-dally-bringing-beca-back
1/23/201934 minutes, 29 seconds
Episode Artwork

#50 Mules, Music & Monkeys: The Howler Bros. History

After a brief hiatus, The DrakeCast is back. This episode aims to answer one question: How did a band of fishing and surfing bums living in Virginia create an iconic Texan brand? To help tell this story we'll be assisted by musician and Howler Brothers cofounder, Andy Stepanian. Along the way, we'll also get to hear some of his music. Stick around.
11/16/201828 minutes, 31 seconds
Episode Artwork

#49 Spawn and On and On

Today, we’re joined by Ben Sittig (IG: @carelessethiopian) to talk about how we interact with fish engaged in pre-coital preparations; if we’re going to interrupt trout as they get ready to get busy; whether or not we f*&# with a fish about to f*&#. And at the end, we have a pretty big announcement regarding the future of this podcast. So stick around. This episode of the DrakeCast is made possible by our longtime sponsors Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods. We couldn't do this without them. We're also supported by Deli Fresh Design, an apparel company that specializes in creating fishing gear out of recycled materials. This week they're doing a special giveaway on their Instagram so make sure to check 'em out @DeliFreshDesign. www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ www.delifreshdesign.com/ www.scottflyrod.com/
10/4/201825 minutes, 33 seconds
Episode Artwork

#48 Beyond the Fish: Fires & Hurricanes

This episode of the DrakeCast tracks the effects of several natural disasters that have struck the Eastern United States in the past few years. After starting with the Sevier Country Fire that ripped through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we move further south to North Carolina where we'll hear how folks are faring after Hurricane Florence left its trail of destruction. Though this is a flyfishing podcast, we thinks its important to take a step back from time to time and hear how our small but tightknit world of anglers is holding up. If you're thinking about taking a trip and would like to do some fly fishing, make sure to get in touch with the Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures before you do so. Once you get the trip on the books, make sure to pick up a new Scott Fly Rod. This episode, and really this podcast as a whole would not be possible without the fine folks at both of these companies. Finally, you better make sure you have all the necessary fishing accouterments for that upcoming adventure. Deli Fresh Designs creates must-have fly fishing apparel out of recycled material that will surely round out your globe-trotting/fishing outfit. www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ www.scottflyrod.com/ www.delifreshdesign.com/
9/19/201829 minutes, 57 seconds
Episode Artwork

#47 A Day in the Life of an Alaskan Fishing Guide

Head up to the wilds of Kodiak Island to follow fishing guide Tyler Steffens as he battles bears, noseeums, and low water in search of the coveted Silver Salmon. This episode of the DrakeCast is made possible by our longtime sponsors Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods. We couldn't do this without them. We're also supported by Deli Fresh Design, an apparel company that specializes in creating fishing gear out of recycled materials. This week they're doing a special giveaway on their Instagram so make sure to check 'em out @DeliFreshDesign. www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ www.delifreshdesign.com/ www.scottflyrod.com/
9/11/201827 minutes, 51 seconds
Episode Artwork

#46 Bonefish Part II

In this episode we head back to the clear blue waters of Grand Bahama in search of the ghost of the flats. If you tuned in last week, you know that we encountered a few bonefish, and many people credit the health of the fishery to the health of the habitat on Grand Bahama. But the ideal that the Bahamas has somehow managed to achieve didn’t happen overnight, and the fishery’s protection is far from over. In this episode, we’re going to look at how the Bahamas became the world’s favorite bonefishing destination and the work being done to ensure that it stays that way. It’s a story in 5 parts. But at the end, we’ll have to confront our role in the future of Bahamian Bonefish This episode of the DrakeCast is made possible by our longtime sponsors Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods. We couldn't do this without them. We're also supported by Deli Fresh Design, an apparel company that specializes in creating fishing gear out of recycled materials. This week they're doing a special giveaway on their Instagram so make sure to check 'em out @DeliFreshDesign. backstagepass.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ www.delifreshdesign.com/ www.scottflyrod.com/
8/27/201839 minutes
Episode Artwork

#45 Bonefish on the Brain

In today's audio story, we scan the flats of Grand Bahama in search of a single species: Bonefish. Listen to veteran East End Lodge guide Cecil Leathan pole experienced angler Bjorn Stromsness (of the Bonefish on the Brain blog) as they tell the tales of their first bonefishes and find many more. Many thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible! Supporting them supports us. https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ http://eastendlodge.com/ https://www.scottflyrod.com/ http://www.delifreshdesign.com/
8/17/201830 minutes, 37 seconds
Episode Artwork

#44 Midwestern Smallmouth Bass

In this episode of the DrakeCast we float down Wisconsin's Chippewa River in search of Midwestern, river-dwelling smallmouth bass. But what do you do if the fish just aren’t biting like they normally do? While searching for answers, we hit the water with Lucky Porter, a guide who makes a living on these fish, learn a few tips, and just thoroughly enjoy our time on the water. This episode of the DrakeCast is made possible by our longtime sponsors Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods. We couldn't do this without them. We're also supported by Deli Fresh Design, an apparel company that specializes in creating fishing gear out of recycled materials. This week they're doing a special giveaway on their Instagram so make sure to check 'em out @DeliFreshDesign. https://backstagepass.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ http://www.delifreshdesign.com/ https://www.scottflyrod.com/
8/9/201833 minutes, 22 seconds
Episode Artwork

#43 America's Fish: Shad on the Potomac

Today, we row our way out into Fletchers Cove on Washington DC's Potomac River in search of the the illusive American Shad. While we’re out there, we’ll hear about the historic importance of this fishery, the odds it has faced over the past 5 centuries, and what this fish, and this place represent in our country and our sport. Now, I know the the shad run is a spring time thing, but this story is about much more than just the fish and at the end, we’ll get a current DC area fishing report from Rich Farino, the owner of the recently opened District Angling Fly Shop. So stick around. If you're thinking about taking a trip and would like to do some fly fishing, make sure to get in touch with the Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures before you do so. Once you get the trip on the books, make sure to pick up a new Scott Fly Rod. This episode, and really this podcast as a whole would not be possible without the fine folks at both of these companies. Finally, you better make sure you have all the necessary fishing accouterments for that upcoming adventure. Deli Fresh Designs creates must-have fly fishing apparel out of recycled material that will surely round out your globe-trotting/fishing outfit. https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ https://www.scottflyrod.com/ http://www.delifreshdesign.com/
7/30/201836 minutes, 13 seconds
Episode Artwork

#42 SoCal Bassin'

This episode is a two-fer. We'll start just south of LA where we meet Captain Vaughn Podmore. Under his knowledgeable direction, we head into Long Beach Harbor in search of celebrities and various types of ocean-dwelling bass. From there, we head further south to San Diego where Captain Alex Cady shows us what the southwestern-most city in the continental United States has to offer. During our time on these two different chunks of the Pacific Ocean, we’ll hear about the local waters, learn a few tips on how to target the species found there, and maybe make you consider what your backyard has to offer. As always, we couldn't do this without generous support from Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures & Scott Fly Rods. They have been with us since the beginning and we can't thank them enough. https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ https://www.scottflyrod.com/ And finally, a big shout out to Deli Fresh Design for making this show happen. Their one-of-a-kind flyfishing apparel made in the heart of Denver, Colorado is sure to round out your fishing arsenal.
7/23/201826 minutes, 48 seconds
Episode Artwork

Bonus Episode: Dancing with Death on The Bighorn

Last week, in Episode #41 of The DrakeCast, we went through the contents of the Summer 2018 Issue of The Drake Magazine. But we ran a little short on time and weren’t able to fit in a reading by one of the contributing authors, Dave Zoby. In addition to teaching composition, Wyoming Literature, Poetry, and Creative Non-fiction at Casper College in Wyoming, Zoby has written for dozens of magazines. Additionally, in April of this Year, Zoby released a collection of essays under the title, Fish Like You Mean It, which you can find here. Above, you can find an audio version of Dave Zoby reading his piece, "Eggs in My Beer," about getting in over his head on Montana’s Bighorn River.
7/18/201829 minutes, 32 seconds
Episode Artwork

#41 Summer 2018: Two Decades of The Drake w/ Tom Bie

Roughly a week ago the Summer 2018 issue of the Drake Magazine hit fly shop shelves and mailboxes across the country. This episode, like others that have come before, is going to take a brief peak into the pages of the magazine (in audio form of course). But seeing as this issue marks the 20th Anniversary of The Drake, we're going to do things a bit differently. Not only do we get to hear Editor & Founder Tom Bie explain the contents, we also get to hear how 20 years ago an underemployed newspaper columnist/fishing guide/ski bum started a magazine that grew to represent a culture. Stick around. Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, Scott Fly Rods, & Deli Fresh Design for making this episode possible. If you like the podcast, support our supporters via the links below. www.delifreshdesign.com/ www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ www.scottflyrod.com/
7/13/201844 minutes, 24 seconds
Episode Artwork

#40 What Makes a Trophy? Wild Trout in North Georgia w/ Zach Matthews

In this episode of The DrakeCast we traverse the mountains of North Georgia in search of the southern-most population of wild, native brook trout in the world. But while we’re at it, we’ll also take a trip to another fishery just down the road that claims a host world class trout. However, there is a big difference between these two places and the fish they hold. By the end of this episode, you’ll have to decide what you consider to be a trophy fish.  Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, Scott Fly Rods, & Deli Fresh Design for making this episode possible. If you like the podcast, support our supporters via the links below. http://www.delifreshdesign.com/ https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ https://www.scottflyrod.com/
6/29/201827 minutes, 39 seconds
Episode Artwork

#39 Father's Day: David, Chuck & Grady Ragan

Before Chuck Ragan was a musician (Hot Water Music) or a father or a fishing guide (crflyfishing.com), he was a son. We’ll hear about the highs and lows of Chuck’s relationship with his father, and how Chuck has managed to achieve his parental, piscatorial, and Pavoratti-esque trifecta. Throughout this episode we’ll be serenaded by music from Chuck’s Album, The Flame in the Flood. So stick around. But first, make sure you call up your old man and wish him a happy Father’s Day. As always, this episode was made possible by the fine folks at Scott Fly Rods and Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures. https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ https://www.scottflyrod.com/
6/17/201830 minutes, 15 seconds
Episode Artwork

#38 Stripers on Lake Hartwell

Head on down to South Carolina with us in search of striped bass. While we were down there we thought about eating a couple of them until we learned a few disturbing facts... This episode is made possible thanks to generous support from Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures, Scott Fly Rods, and the Appalachian Mountain Club's Maine Wilderness Lodges. https://www.outdoors.org/drake/ https://www.scottflyrod.com/ https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/
6/8/201835 minutes, 56 seconds
Episode Artwork

#37: Mosquito Lagoon Redfish Reckoning

Mosquito Lagoon sits on Florida's East Coast and is known as the redfish capitol of the world. We made a visit to these hallowed waters to see what all the hubbub is about. While poling around the brackish waters in search of tails, we found a much more interesting, disturbing tale of neglect, destruction, and a fishery on the edge. By the end, we'll have to ask ourselves about the effectiveness of current conservation projects around the world. This episode of the DrakeCast is sponsored by our friends at Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, Scott Fly Rods, and The Appalachian Mountain Club's Maine Wilderness Lodges. Click the links below for more information: www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ www.scottflyrod.com/ www.outdoors.org/drake
5/30/201831 minutes, 33 seconds
Episode Artwork

#36 Tarpon in the Keys

The idea for this story initially came up about a year ago when I (and 400,000 other people), stumbled across the movie "120 Days." The film follows David Mangum as he spends a third of his year chasing Tarpon. Just a few weeks after seeing the movie, I was on a boat outside of Vero Beach blowing shot after shot at rolling tarpon. This experience frustrated me so much that I had to forget about tarpon for awhile. That worked until I saw this year's F3T feature, "Atlanticus," which tracks a group of anglers around the world in search of the biggest, baddest tarpon. In addition to reopening an old wound, this film brought up quite a few questions: Where do these fish come from? Are the tarpon they were catching in Africa the same fish that I see on instagram in the Keys or the Yucatan? But of course first and foremost, how do I catch one of these fish? In order to find some answers, I decided to get on a plane to the Florida Keys. In the next 43 minutes, we'll find out where these fish come from, but more importantly, we'll find out what we don't know about this majestic species. This episode of the DrakeCast is sponsored by our friends at Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, Scott Fly Rods, and The Appalachian Mountain Club. Click the links below for more information: https://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/ https://www.scottflyrod.com/ https://www.outdoors.org/drake
5/21/201843 minutes, 39 seconds
Episode Artwork

#35: Road Trip 3, Part III: Night Bite on the White & Other Goodies

In the previous episodes of the podcast we introduced the Road Trip Miniseries. In chapter 1 we met the road crew for the 2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour and revisited their stops between Boulder, Colorado and Washington State. Chapter 2 focused on the steelhead of Oregon and Michigan. In this episode we bring you the final chapter: from Green Bay, Wisconsin to Atlanta, Georgia, to Las Angeles, California and then finally back to Boulder, Colorado where we all went our separate ways. A large portion of this episode explores night fishing for big brown trout on Arkansas' White River. Rex and Paul are now preparing for their season of guiding at Newhalen Lodge in Alaska, but we'll hear from them again in the near future. As always, a huge thanks to Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures & Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of The DrakeCast. Many thanks to Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt, Colorado for their contribution to this story as well.
5/11/201853 minutes, 27 seconds
Episode Artwork

#34 The Road Trip, Part II: Steelhead

In the previous episode of the podcast we started a new miniseries that we're calling The Road Trip. In chapter 1 we met the road crew for the 2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour and revisited their stops between Boulder, Colorado and Washington State. In this episode we bring you the next chapter, which is exclusively focused on steelhead. Follow the crew as they fish the rivers of Coastal Oregon is search of the chrome they covet. While they had a great time in the rainforest, they also managed to find a few fish on the other side of the country. As always, a huge thanks to Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures & Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of The DrakeCast.
5/2/201856 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode Artwork

#33 The Road Trip, Part 1

In this episode of The DrakeCast we hear about the first few weeks of the Fly Fishing Film Tour's trip across the country. With the help of Paul Nicoletti and Rex Messing, listeners travel with the crew from Boulder, Colorado to Portland, Oregon. Along the way, we'll revisit our time on the Big Horn River, the Missouri at Craig, a few days on the Madison, and get a taste of steelheading in the PNW. We also take a walk through the hallowed halls of the Simms Fishing Products wader making facility and dig into why Simms chooses to make some, but not all, of their waders in the US. As always, this episode is made possible by the folks at Scott Fly Rods and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. We truly appreciate their support.
4/22/201849 minutes, 52 seconds
Episode Artwork

#32 New Fishing Music & Hurricane Harvey Update

Way back in June of 2017 we released the first episode of The DrakeCast, which featured the musician Sean Carey. He told us about his living room tours across the country that were more or less an excuse for him to fish with his best friends (you can find that episode here: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1774-the-drakecast.html). This episode takes us back into the mind of that same flyfishing musician as we hear about where he's been fishing as well as his new record, More I See. Later on in the episode we chat with Captain Jeff Johnson of Rockport, Texas to check in on how the people and fish of the Texas coast are faring after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey. If you'd like to find out more about the fishery, make sure to visit: https://www.flyfishrockport.com/. Many thanks to Sean and Jeff for speaking with us. We would also like to thank Middle West Management and Secretly Canadian Records for letting us share Sean's music. As always, this episode is made possible by the fine folks at Scott Fly Rods and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures.
4/11/201840 minutes, 12 seconds
Episode Artwork

#31 The Drake Spring 2018 Preview with Tom Bie

Here is what you can expect from the Spring Issue of The Drake: Wisconsin smallies, Montana cutties, Bolivian dorado, Idaho damselflies, Utah tailwaters, Massachusetts Stripers, Alaska Steelhead, defeated pipelines, permit while pregnant, Maine's Androscoggin, Darcy Bacha's photography, Clyde hits the Gulf, Telluride festavarian, dirtbagging in Dublin, grave-hunting in New York, flyfishing with cats, and a portrait of Pete Soverel.
3/27/201854 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode Artwork

#30 Hoppers & Droppers: The Story Behind Hank Patterson

Nearly six years ago a video popped up on Youtube featuring the ramblings of the self-proclaimed expert flyfishing guide, Hank Patterson. The video asserted the existence of “cuttyrainbrowns,” misquoted Norman Maclean, and emphasized the importance of hearing the snap in your cast. As the movie made its rounds on the blogs and social media of the time, a man sat in Boise, Idaho wondering what people thought of the whole thing. This man was Travis Swartz, and with the help of his good friend and fishing buddy, Reece Ferguison, he had created the first fictional flyfishing superstar; he had created Hank Patterson. This episode takes a look at where Hank Patterson came from, but more importantly, we hear about the man behind Hank. Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support.
3/11/201851 minutes, 54 seconds
Episode Artwork

#29 The Bighorn Revisited

This episode of The DrakeCast takes a deeper dive into the topic we covered in the last episode; #28 Big & Horny in Montana. Right after that story hit the interwebs, we received a call from someone who felt that their side of the argument hadn't been given proper intelligence. This person was Ken Grant who belongs to the Friends of Bighorn Lake, which is a group that is fighting for more regular water levels in the reservoir. Grant had quite a few problems not only with our story but with the Bighorn River Alliance video, "A River at Risk" that we continually referenced. Throughout the episode we hear Grant's grievances, but we also hear a rebuttal from Anne Marie Emery, the executive director of the Bighorn River Alliance. Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support.
2/22/201825 minutes, 8 seconds
Episode Artwork

#28 Montana's Bighorn

Montana’s Bighorn River is known throughout the world as a blue-ribbon trout stream. The fishery below Yellowtail Dam holds some of the most robust tour-per-mile numbers in the nation. But in the last decade, the river has changed. There’s more water, skinnier fish, and some say it’s just not the way it used to be. This episode of The DrakeCast takes a float down the Bighorn in search of why this river is experiencing these negative results. While we’re on the water, we’ll hear from ranchers, fisheries biologists, and the happiest fisherman in the world. As with every episode of The DrakeCast, this chapter would not be possible without the generous support of Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods. If your planning a trip, make sure to check in with the folks at Yellow Dog (www.yellowdogflyfishing.com). To make sure you have the correct tools for that trip, take a job down to your local fly shop and try out a handcrafted, made in the USA, Scott fly rod (www.scottflyrod.com). Many thanks to the folks at the Bighorn River Alliance (www.bighornriveralliance.org) for all of the work they have done on that fishery and for allowing us to use the audio from their recently released film, A River at Risk. While recording this episode, we were lucky enough to stay at the Bighorn Angler (www.bighornangler.com). They helped us arrange a shuttle and let us soil one of their cabins. We also need to thank Mike Ruggles with the Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department for sharing his data with us. For more information on this episode and its predecessors, visit www.drakemag.com.
2/5/201839 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

#27 Fish on the Brain + The DrakeCast: A Collaboration

Last week, we had a chance to catch up with Tim Evans. He's a salesman that lives in Casper, Wyoming but you most likely to know him as the man behind the Fish on the Brain podcast. We got out with Tim to throw bobbers at wary trout on a Front Range tailwater. As soon as we realized the fish weren't interested in our flies we put our rods down and got to chatting. We discussed fishing, conservation, storytelling, and podcasting in general. We've spliced in some choice sound clips from both The DrakeCast and Fish on the Brain to give listeners some context as well as potentially expose our audiences to some of the other great flyfishing-related audio that's out there. Listeners will receive a behind the scenes look into the completely unorganized world of sticking microphones in the faces of anglers and what flyfishing means to all of the people we talk to. Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of The DrakeCast. For more information about this episode, visit our website: www.drakemag.com
1/19/201847 minutes, 20 seconds
Episode Artwork

#26 Heavy Metal Flyfishing Through the Ice

A few weeks ago, I found myself in Duluth, Minnesota and the forecast was rather dicey. As you probably know, it’s pretty darn difficult to flyfish when it’s -20 degrees outside. But with the help of veteran guide Lucky Porter and photographer Hansi Johnson, we were able to make a day out on the frozen water with our eight weights and musky flies. In addition to our normal flyfishing gear, we also had several pitchforks, a couple saws, a propane tank, the worlds largest set of tongs, a fish whistle, and a little bit of optimism. This episode explores the hyper-localized world of dark house spear fishing in Northern Minnesota. Throughout this show, we learn the history of the sport, try our hand at stabbing a few fish, and figure out how to better target pike when the ice leaves in the springtime. As always, The DrakeCast is made possible thanks to generous support from Scott Fly Rods and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. For more information on this story and many others, check us out at www.drakemag.com
1/12/201840 minutes, 5 seconds
Episode Artwork

#25 Horseshoes & Carp Grenades

Carp aren't native to the US, but at this point, they're here to stay. This episode follows the meteoric rise of the nation's number one trashfish and how folks with flyrods began targetting them. During this story we'll hear the musical stylings of the carp loving crew that makes up the string band, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of The DrakeCast. "My first introduction to carp was definitely bowfishing with buddies in college. We’d go out, grab a case of beer, load up the boats, grab an old car battery and headlights and we would takeoff out into the backwaters as soon as the ice was out. We would just spend all night out there chasing them around with bows. And it was awesome. I have fond fond memories with good buddies through college doing that. And that kind of taught me where the fish were. I just have realized that flyfishing for carp is even harder than stalking them with a bow and its a lot more gratifying when you actually can land a nice 20 pound carp off the fly and release it back in without a hole through it." -Russell Pedersen, carp enthusiast and banjo player for Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. "I had not heard of anybody else chasing carp with a fly." -Flyshop owner Steve Hilbers talking about flyfishing for carp with cottonwood seed flies on the Verde River as a kid. For more information about this story, please visit our website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1897-the-drakecast-fly-fishing-podcast-25-horseshoes-and-hand-grenades-carp-fishing.html Additionally, The band Horseshoes & Hand Grenades is about to hit the road with The Infamous Stringdusters. For more information please follow this link: http://www.hhgmusic.com/
1/5/201839 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode Artwork

#24 The Drake, Winter 2017 Preview feat. Tom Bie, Dave Karczynski & Michael Graybrook

In this episode of The DrakeCast, we get a quick preview of the Winter 2017 issue of the Drake Magazine. Right off the bat we hear Drake Editor, Tom Bie, tell us about his favorite parts of the recently released issue. Later on, author and frequent Drake contributor Dave Karczynski tells us about two books that he just published, the first of which is titled, "Smallmouth: Modern Fly Fishing Methods, Tactics & Techniques." His second book is a transitional text called, "From Lure to Fly: Fly Fishing for Spinning and Baitcast Anglers." Later on we chat with architect and author Michael Graybrook about his book, "Cutthroat: A Journey Through The American West." And finally, we hear Graybrook read a chapter from this book. Many thanks to Scott Fly Rods and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures for their continued support of The DrakeCast. For more information on the magazine and all of the aforementioned books, visit our website: www.drakemag.com Here's a quick synopsis of what you can expect from the Winter 2017 issue of the Drake Magazine: Illinois carp, Argentine brookies, Texas redfish, New York stripers, Colorado cutthroat, Oregon steelhead, St. Lawrence pike, Honduras permit, speed-guiding in Alaska, those bird-eating GTs, three great books, white flies in Wisconsin, backcountry in the Smokies, winter on the Madison, and the tragic loss of one blue jacket.
12/19/201746 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode Artwork

#23 Musky with a Y

This week we head to the rivers of Northern Wisconsin in search of the illusive River Nazi. While blindly casting for these toothy critters, we talk to a few folks about the history of musky fishing and how anglers began targeting these fish with flies. Many thanks to Steve Wisner of Eau Claire Anglers, Larry Mann of Hayward Flyfishing Company, Tim Simonson with the WI DNR, and Joe Flater of Flater's Resort in Holcombe, Wisconsin for helping us tell this story. And of course, many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of The DrakeCast. For more information, check out our website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1880-the-drakecast-fly-fishing-podcast-23-musky-flyfishing.html
12/8/201731 minutes, 48 seconds
Episode Artwork

#22 A River Runs Near It

In the early 1970s, Don Wisner learned how to flyfish. It was around this time that his life began to parallel a certain flyfishing story. When Don's son, Stephen, came of age, the two spent hours together fishing the brook trout streams of Western Wisconsin. As the men grew in both age and skill, their interests took them in separate directions - Stephen wandered the world while Don embraced religion. But whenever the two were in the same place, they always made sure to spend an afternoon on the water, and this part of their relationship kept them close. These days, Don and Stephen live in the same town and are fortunate enough to share a love of the same river. "I'm at an age right now, I'm 77 years old, and I can't cast all day anymore. But I can still row the boat. And to be able to row for somebody that can really fish it's kind of an intimate thing. You have to know somebody to be able to do that well. To be able to read their mind and we kind of function that way together." -Rev. Don Wisner Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of The DrakeCast. For more information on this episode, as well as Stephen's guide business, Eau Claire Anglers, check out our website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1875-the-drakecast-fly-fishing-podcast-22-a-river-runs-near-it.html
12/1/201737 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode Artwork

#21 Armistice Day

This week, we have a story of tradition and remembrance, and it’s actually connected to an episode that we put out a few months ago called Dresses & Can Cans. If you haven’t heard this story, definitely pause right now, go back in the feed, find episode #12, listen to it. At it’s core, it’s the story of this woman named Patti and how the wilderness saved her life. But episode #12 is also the story of how Patti’s Dad and my grandfather became friends and how fishing helped forge that relationship. Each Veterans Day, the men would load their john boat and drive to the Mississippi river where it separates Wisconsin from Minnesota. They did it to honor the friends that didn’t make it through the war. They did it because the courthouse was closed. They did it because the fishing was good. But there’s another reason that these men came back to this exact stretch of the Mississippi River every year on Veteran's Day. Make sure to listen to the episode to find out. If you missed Episode #12, you can find it here: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1836-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-12-mississippi.html Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of The DrakeCast.
11/24/201727 minutes, 26 seconds
Episode Artwork

#20 The DrakeCast Presents: Dylan Tomine & The Fly Tapes

This week's episode of The DrakeCast features another flyfishing podcast that has recently hit the airwaves. Jason Rolfe is a guide at Emerald Water Anglers in Washington State, but when he's not on the water he's sitting in front of legendary flyfishing writers asking them about their history with the sport. He has coupled these interviews with live readings in his new podcast, The Fly Tapes. We take a few select sound bites from Rolfe's podcast and ask him about how this project started and where it is going. This episode also focuses on the upcoming tour of "Writers on the Fly," which is a traveling show featuring some of the great writers that Rolfe interviews. They'll be making their way up the West Coast starting on November 14 in Bend, Oregon. If you love flyfishing and storytelling and live in the Pacific North West, make sure to check out Writers on the Fly at a venue near you. If you don't live on the West Coast, make sure to find The Fly Tapes wherever you find podcasts. Many thanks to Scott Fly Rods and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures for their continued support of The DrakeCast.
11/10/201725 minutes, 13 seconds
Episode Artwork

#19 Crossroads: Social Media & Flyfishing

A lot of people claim social media has killed flyfishing. But has it? In this episode of The DrakeCast we chat with parties on both sides of the divide as we suss out the positive and negative impacts social media has had on flyfishing. The backbone of this episode traces the experience of an Idaho fishing guide as well as the growth of a flyfishing company. Through these experiences of these separate groups, we are able to see a fuller picture of how social media has impacted flyfishing. We also have a great chat with the great Kelly Galloup, who is always reliable when it comes to giving a good quote or two. Additionally, this is the episode that the ever-flippant Tom Bie makes his inaugural appearance. I couldn't have been happier to shove a fuzzy microphone in my boss's face. Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support. For more information on this episode, check out our website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1866-the-drakecast-fly-fishing-podcast-19-social-media-flyfishing-instagram.html
11/3/201731 minutes, 8 seconds
Episode Artwork

#18 The Mighty Colorado River

In episode #7 of The DrakeCast, we heard about the threatened Menominee River on the border between Michigan's UP and Wisconsin. This river had unfortunately found itself on American River's list of the ten most endangered rivers in the United States. In this episode, we look at the unfortunate body of water that occupies the number one spot on that list - The Colorado River. Throughout the story, we'll chat with fly shop owners, fishermen, conservationists, and flyfishing industry leaders as we try to figure out how the Colorado gained such an unsightly title. The Colorado is a huge river, but it also represents the perils that all of the world's rivers face right now. Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of The DrakeCast. A big shout out to Fishpond and American Rivers for their help with this episode and their role in keeping our rivers healthy. For more information on this episode, check out our website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1864-the-drakecast-fly-fishing-podcast-18-colorado-river-fishpond-american-rivers.html
10/30/201730 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

#17 Jeremy Wade's Disappearing River Monsters

Jeremy Wade, host of Animal Planet's "River Monsters," is one of the more famous fisherfolks in the industry today. I personally always saw the guy as a globe-trotting Brit who believes every fish in the water wants to kill you. Well, it turns out that Jeremy Wade is much more than that. In this episode of The DrakeCast, Wade fully embraces his fear-mongering ways to alert us of the dangers that face the world's rivers. In this speech Wade explains how rivers have changed in his lifetime, and why these changes should scare us more than any of the toothy fish he’s ever caught on camera. Many thanks to our sponsors Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods. A huge thank you to James Thull and MSU's Trout & Salmonid Special Collections Library for allowing us to use the audio from this speech. For a few photos and links to some of the material that Wade mentions in his speech, check out our website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1861-the-drakecast-fly-fishing-podcast-17-jeremy-wade-disappearing-river-monsters.html
10/20/201742 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode Artwork

#16 Denver's Dirty Secret / A Yellowstone River Retrospective

This week we travel back to the United States. In the first part of the episode, we visit a fishy hideout in the suburbs of Denver. It's there that we meet Peter Stitcher, the owner of Ascent Fly Fishing. He shows us his secret stash and reveals a few fishy tips that should help us all catch a few more trouts. We then take Peter's ideas and head into the mountains to try them out. (This story was originally produced in November 2016 for a project that later grew into The DrakeCast). You can find out more information about Peter's operation and Ascent Fly Fishing at www.ascentflyfishing.com The second half of the episode is a look back at last year's massive die-off of whitefish on Montana's Yellowstone River. Bozeman Daily Chronicle reporter Michael Wright originally broke this story in August of 2016. He shares with us the development of the crisis, how it affected the local community, and how the experience has shaped Montana today. To read a written version of this story, visit The Drake's website: http://www.drakemag.com/featured-content/daily-drake/1856-yellowstone-river-montana-fish-kill-revisited.html For more information on this episode, visit The Drake's website:
10/13/201725 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode Artwork

#15 EuroTrip Ch. 3 - Iceland

Sorry for the delay folks, but The DrakeCast is back! In this episode we continue our EuroTrip to yet another island with great fishing - Iceland. Once again, we'd be targeting Atlantic salmon, but we'd also spend some time chasing wild native browns and sea run arctic char. After my time in the Faroe Islands, I hopped on a ferry to Eastern Iceland. It was there that I met Kristjan Rafnsson, one of the owners of Fish Partner, a flyfishing outfitter that controls access to quite a few rivers across Iceland. During our time together, we found quite a few fish. But we also discussed the history of fishing and fishing management in Iceland. It's much different than what we found in Ireland, The Faroes, and almost the complete opposite of what we're used to in the US. Make sure to check out our sponsors, Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods and thank them for their continued support of both the Drake Magazine and The DrakeCast. Also, a huge thanks to Kristjan and Fish Partner for the hospitality.
10/6/201736 minutes, 46 seconds
Episode Artwork

#14 EuroTrip Ch. 2 - The Faroe Islands

This week's episode of The DrakeCast takes us to The Faroe Islands, which is a small archipelago in the North Atlantic, about halfway between Norway and Iceland. I was there to experience the culture and see if I could find a couple fish. But during my stay, what I found was an isolated country and fishery that is at an inflection point. As more tourists make their way to the Faroes, the sleepy chain of islands is waking to a growing problem. The culture, the scenery, and the fishing are being loved to death. And it begs the question, is this growth sustainable? During my time in the Faroe Islands, I hung out with Kasper Jaegergaard. He's a Danish contractor who fell in love with the Faroe Islands a doxen years ago. He keeps coming back to fish, even though the sea trout in Denmark are bigger, because the natural beauty and the culture are unrivaled. We made our way around the islands with our fishing rods in tow. We sampled locally harvested whale and drank local beer and spirits. For more information on this episode and pictures from my time in the Faroe Islands, visit the Drake Magazine's website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1838-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-14-the-faroe-islands.html
9/16/201732 minutes, 32 seconds
Episode Artwork

#13 EuroTrip Ch. 1 - Ireland

"I've been fly fishing since I was a wee little grasshopper. Hell of a long time with the fly. To me, the only way to catch a fish really is on the fly. Spinner? Not that exciting. One salmon on the fly is better than ten on the spinner." -Connie Corcoran, the fishing manager and ghillie for Ballyduff Bridge Salmon Fishery on the River Blackwater in the south of Ireland. This week marks the beginning of our EuroTrip Miniseries. For the first chapter, we head to the Emerald Isle. I was in Ireland for a cousin's wedding but made sure to book a couple days on the River Blackwater while I was in the area. It was there that I met Connie and Jason Corcoran who are the fishing managers for the Ballyduff Bridge Salmon Fishery. They were kind enough to share their home river with me. While I was there, we targeted salmon, brown trout, and good times. We found all three. This episode profiles the River Blackwater and dives into what makes it great but also confronts the troubles that the river faces. We also take a closer look at some of the people who are trying to preserve the river for future generations. For more information, check out The Drake Magazine's website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1837-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-13-blackwater-river-ireland.html Many thanks to our sponsors Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support.
9/8/201737 minutes, 40 seconds
Episode Artwork

#12 Dresses & Can Cans

"My sister and my mother were not interested in fishing. So it was my dad and your dad and the boys. And we’d have brandy when we’d catch a fish. My dad would open the big green tackle box and bring out this silver flask and we’d all have to have a snort of brandy. Bill would light up a cigar, my dad would be lighting up a pipe. And my dad would be cold out here and we’d be fishing anyways and he’d reach into the tackle box and bring out this bottle of camphorated oil, and we’d all be rubbing our hands with camphorated oil because that’s supposed to help make our hands warm." - Patti Kulig reflecting on fishing with her father. This week, we head into the sloughs and backchannels of the Mississippi River near Fountain City, Wisconsin. I joined an old family friend, Patti Kulig for a day of bass fishing. My grandfather, Bill, and Patti's dad, Ed met through the local bar association after World War II and quickly became fishing friends. And every Veteran's Day, they'd load up their fishing poles into their john boat and make the trek down to the Mississippi where it separates Wisconsin from Minnesota. They did it to honor the friends they lost during the war. They did it because the court house was closed. They did it because the fishing was good. The date I met Patti on the river was November 11, Veterans Day. And every 11/11 for the past 70 years, an Adler and a Kulig have fished this stretch of the Mississippi. Ed and Bill have since passed so it was up to Patti and me to keep the tradition alive. Many thanks to our sponsors, Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support. To read more about this trip, visit our website:http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1836-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-12-mississippi.html
9/1/201713 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode Artwork

#11 Big Streamers, Bigger Fish

"We’re chasing trophy fish and it’s hard. It shouldn’t be easy. It will kick your ass. It’s physical. Big flies hurt more when they go into you and its covering miles and miles of water. But you know, none of us got into this game because flyfishing was easy. We got into it because it was a challenge." -Steve Dally of Dally's Ozark Flyfisher talking about chasing big fish on Arkansas's White River. Dally went on to explain his almost cult-like devotion to the White River. Think deliverance but with john boats instead of canoes. And at the center of the aquatic orthodox are two deities: the almighty streamer and the holy brown trout. But these aren’t your typical streamers or browns. They’re way bigger, and according to the river’s disciples, way better. Today, we’re going to find out how this creed came to be and how these devotees in Northern Arkansas began breaking bread with those coveted monster browns. It’s a story of exploration, failure, and teamwork, but really, it’s an invitation to establish your own fishy religion. Thanks to our sponsors Scott Fly Rods and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures for their continued support. To see photos of some gnarly White River browns, be sure to check out the Drake's website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1835-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-11-white-river.html
8/25/201726 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

#10 Stream Implants

"I really think it's important to show the public how these streams can come back so well if we just give them a chance and make them stable and design them correctly. If you build it right, the wildlife will come back." Sometimes, a stream just needs a little plastic surgery to help it get back on track. But what are the costs of these limnological face lifts? What do we have to give up in order to get those nice racks of lunker bunkers and soft riffles?? A couple months ago we heard a story about Kentucky’s Wolf Creek Dam and the Cumberland River. If you haven’t heard that whole story yet, I encourage you to do so. It’s called Death of a Tailwater and you can find it on our website or podcast feed. And this week, we’re heading back in the heart of Appalachia, once again just below the Wolf Creek Dam. In addition to the Cumberland river, there’s another smaller stream in the area. It starts at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, and flows into the Cumberland. Naturally, it's called Hatchery Creek. Hatchery Creek is a completely artificial stream that was built to give the trout in the Cumberland River spawning grounds, provide anglers with a recreational catch and release fishery, and help offset negative impacts caused by construction and coal companies on nearby streams. So far, Hatchery Creek has accomplished all of these goals. But like so many things in life, it's not that simple. Many thanks to our sponsors Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods. To check out photos and drone footage taken on Hatchery Creek, follow the link: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1832-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-10.html
8/18/201721 minutes, 43 seconds
Episode Artwork

#9 Kaleidoscope Of LSD: Sudan

"When I was a kid, I dreamed about what it really meant to push the envelope of flyfishing. For me it was muskies. That’s what I experienced that busted up tackle and caused me to rethink how I did things and taught me a lot of hard lessons. But going to Sudan was like that to the nth degree. It’s like putting the whole musky thing through a kaleidoscope of LSD." -Russ Schnitzer Thanks to our sponsors Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support. A few months ago, I sat down with Russ Schnitzer for a couple beers. Schnitzer is an adventure photographer and conservationist based in Denver, Colorado but he travels a lot with his camera. I had seen a couple of shots from a recent trip of his to Dubai and Sudan and was pretty stunned by what I saw - rods doubled over with a collection of the world's tallest buildings in the background, gigantic bonefish, triggerfish that could could consume a small child. While we enjoyed PBR silos, Schnitzer told me the story behind these mind-boggling photos. Make sure you check out the link below to see some of Schnitzer's photos. Alternatively, check out the Summer 2017 issue of The Drake magazine. He has a two page spread on pages 16 and 17 and he also took the shot for the Patagonia ad on the back cover. Visit drakemag.com or your local fly shop to get the latest issue of the magazine. http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1828-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-9.html
8/11/201717 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode Artwork

#8 All Things Salmonid

I met James Thull in a stuffy room on the second floor of Montana State University’s library. Shaved head, goatee, Gandhi glasses--he looks as though he just stepped off the set of a white-washed kung-fu flick from the 70s. He would have been cast as the gatekeeper of a secret-holding shrine in some mythical land. Depending on whether or not you’re into fishing, his real job might be more interesting than that of his B-movie character. James Thull oversees Montana State University's Trout & Salmonid Special Collections library. Anything that relates back to trout and salmonids, James probably has it somewhere in the stacks. Old casting VHSs, books on angling from the 1600s, even the first issue of The Drake. In this episode, we hear about the Trout & Salmnid Special Collection and why it matters. We also hear from some of the biggest names in flyfishing when we play selected clips from the collection's Angling Oral Histories. This episode of The DrakeCast is sponsored by our good friends at Scott Fly Rods and Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. To find out more information, visit our website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1824-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-8.html
7/28/201721 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode Artwork

#7 The Garden Of Eden

The DrakeCast is a flyfishing podcast put together by the folks behind The Drake magazine. Many thanks to our friends at Yellow Dog Flyfishing Advenutres and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support. This week, we go into the story behind a killer smallmouth fishery in the northern Midwest. But this great fishing might not be around for that much longer. Disagreements between competing interests have put the The Menominee River, which creates part of the border between Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Penninsula, on American River’s Most Endangered Rivers list. The proposed Back 40 Mine would sit just 150 feet away from the Menominee River and many people think that’s too close for comfort. We chat with jovial locals, intense environmentalists, native stakeholders, and the mining company about the future of this area and the fishery downstream. For more information and photos from our time in the Upper Peninsula, check out our website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1809-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-7.html
7/21/201722 minutes, 23 seconds
Episode Artwork

#6 Fishin' In The Dark

Episode #6 of The Drake Magazine's new flyfishing podcast follows a pack of good dudes through the mosquito-laden farm fields of the upper midwest as they search for fun times and fishes. Along the way, the group of friends find bugs, beers, and big browns. But they also run into a voice from the past who warns them about the future. We also hear from fisheries biologist Dr. James Diana on why brown trout tend to eat at night. Many thanks to our friends at Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of all things fishy. Go to the Drake's website for more info and pictures from the adventure. http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1808-flyfishing-podcast-drakecast-6.html
7/14/201721 minutes, 19 seconds
Episode Artwork

#5 Death Of A Tailwater

The DrakeCast is a flyfishing podcast produced by the folks at The Drake Magazine. This episode takes us to the great state of Kentucky where we look at our nation's aging infrastructure. We talk to fisheries biologists, guides, and locals as we discover just how difficult it is to keep a river alive when everything seems to be going wrong. This is the story of one dam and one river, but it makes us wonder about the future of fishing in America. Many thanks to our friends at Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued Support. Check out The Drake's website for photos and even more info: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1807-cumberland-river-flyfishing-5.html
7/7/201719 minutes, 41 seconds
Episode Artwork

#4 Ride with Clyde/The Big Year

The DrakeCast is a flyfishing podcast brought to you by the folks behind The Drake Magazine. This episode of the podcast introduces our listeners to the legendary Clyde - The Drake Magazine's official pimpmobile. We ride with Clyde on a journey from the ice fields of Northern Wisconsin, to downtown Chicago where we hang out with the guys at Chicago Fly, and then continue up to the Pere Marquette River. Along the way, we meet a cop who likes all of Clyde's flyfishing stickers, some unique motel owners, and a crusty tow truck driver. We fish for steelhead and toast Clyde's longevity and his status as a flyfishing icon. This episode is sponsored by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, Scott Fly Rods, and The Drake Magazine's Big Year Contest.
6/30/201715 minutes, 2 seconds
Episode Artwork

#3 Heads On Sticks

The DrakeCast is a flyfishing podcast produced by the folks at The Drake Magazine. Episode #3 introduces us to Donnie Richards as he takes us down Michigan's Pere Marquette River in search of the illusive Great Lakes Steelhead. Along the way, we run into brown trout, legendary bridges, and premature hooksets. Click the link below to see some pictures from our day on the river. http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1801-the-drakecast-episode-3-heads-on-sticks.html
6/23/201719 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode Artwork

#2 Fire On The Mountain

From the folks who bring you The Drake Magazine, here's a new flyfishing podcast for your listening pleasure. Episode #2 of The DrakeCast tracks the effects of the Sevier Country Fire that ripped through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We learn about how the park, the fish, and the nearby towns are faring today. Along the way, we talk to fisheries biologists, fly shop owners, and a dedicated fisherwoman who lost everything except for her fly fishing gear. Follow the link below to see pictures from the Appalachian Adventure. http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1798-the-drakecast-episode-2-fire-on-the-mountain.html
6/16/201717 minutes, 32 seconds
Episode Artwork

#1 S. Carey

Introducing The DrakeCast, a new flyfishing podcast produced by the folks at The Drake Magazine. Episode #1 of The DrakeCast follows the band S. Carey through the streams and backwoods bars of Northern Wisconsin. Their melancholy music fills the background as we cast to illusive Wisconsin trout and uncover the band’s rise to fame and subsequent quest for solitude. Check out The Drake Magazine's website for pictures from our time on the water with Sean Carey and Ben Lester. http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1774-the-drakecast.html
6/14/201719 minutes, 7 seconds