Podcast

John Hazel, longtime owner of Deschutes Angler Fly Shop, joins the podcast to share the story behind the early days of Spey casting on the West Coast and the innovations that helped shape modern steelhead fishing. Drawing from decades of experience on the Deschutes River, John talks about the development of two-handed rods, the evolution of Skagit and Scandi systems, and his work with companies like Sage, Loomis, and Burkheimer during the formative years of modern Spey fishing. We also dig into Deschutes steelhead tactics, skating flies, salmonfly hatch strategies, and the small details that separate successful anglers from the rest. Whether you're interested in Spey casting history, steelhead fishing, or learning from one of the sport's pioneers, this episode is packed with practical advice and stories from a lifetime on the water.

In this episode, Tom Petry and Jorden Susewitz of Film The Hunt share their experience at Togiak River Lodge, where a filmmaking project turned into a deep dive into spey fishing, Alaska wilderness, and the people who make the lodge special. What started as a content trip documenting the Larsen family's journey quickly became something more as both Tom and Jorden picked up spey rods for the first time and discovered the addictive pull of swinging flies. We dig into filmmaking in remote locations, learning to cast a two-handed rod, the challenges of capturing outdoor adventures on camera, and why Alaska has a way of changing your perspective. Whether you're interested in spey fishing, storytelling, photography, or simply experiencing wild places, this episode offers a unique look behind the scenes.

There aren’t many anglers left who were there when modern fly fishing was still being figured out. Jim Teeny and Dick Sagara lived through...

Episode Show Notes In this episode of Hunting with a Fly, Rick Kustich sits down with Vince Tobia of Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters to talk about...

In this episode, our stillwater guru, Phil Rowley, sits down with Chris Callanan from Outcast Sporting Gear to talk about inflatable watercraft for lakes....

What does it really take to film fly fishing at the highest level? In this episode, Todd Moen of Catch Magazine joins us to share the story behind some of the most iconic fly fishing films ever created—from steelhead rivers in the Pacific Northwest to remote destinations across the globe. We dig into Todd’s early production days filming for Fly Fishing the World, surviving a plane crash in the Bahamas, and how he eventually built Catch Magazine into one of the most respected visual storytelling brands in fly fishing. Todd also explains why steelhead may be the hardest species to film, how music shapes his editing process, and what most people never realize about the amount of work required to capture a single unforgettable fish on camera.

Today, we’re digging into dries and dry dropper fishing beyond the basics with Jason Randall. We talk about better drifts, longer leaders, strike detection,...

What happens when a family helps shape the history of drift boats for nearly a century? In this episode, Jeff Helfrich joins us to share stories from the early days of McKenzie River drift boats, how his grandfather Prince Helfrich helped evolve whitewater boat design, and what it’s really like navigating technical rivers like the Middle Fork Salmon and Rogue River in wooden boats. We dig into the transition from plank boats to plywood, the origins of the McKenzie-style drift boat, and why certain whitewater rapids still give experienced guides butterflies. Jeff also shares incredible stories from the Frank Church Wilderness, including flash floods that created entirely new rapids overnight, how drift boats handle technical water, and why these wilderness river trips remain some of the most unique fly fishing experiences in the country.

Today, we take a look back at 50 years of Henry’s Fork Anglers with Mike Lawson and hear about some great stories from the...

Some of the best water you’ll ever fish is the water most people never reach. In this episode, Christiaan Pretorius joins us to share stories from a life spent guiding and traveling across some of the wildest fisheries on the planet—from Seychelles GTs and Kamchatka rainbows to giant Golden Dorado deep in the Bolivian jungle. We dig into what makes remote fisheries so special, the tradeoffs between helicopter access and earning it on foot, and why the journey itself often matters just as much as the fish. Christian also shares lessons from decades of global travel, how pressure changes world-class fisheries over time, and why the best trips are ultimately about people, culture, and connection—not just catching fish.