Podcast

This episode of Traveled comes straight from the floor of the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, where anglers gathered to share patterns, techniques, and the kind of conversations that only happen when tiers and fishermen slow down and talk shop. Scott Sanchez joins us to break down one of the most important — and misunderstood — feeding windows in fly fishing: the emerger stage. We dig into how trout feed in the surface film, how to read rise forms correctly, and why classic wet flies and soft hackles remain so effective when fish aren’t fully committing to dries. It’s a thoughtful, observation-driven discussion inspired by time spent at the vise and on the water, and a reminder that good fishing starts with paying attention.

Today’s story bridges two very different worlds: the tight banks and icy tributaries of the Great Lakes, and the raw, tidal power of Western...

Last month on the Madison, I watched a perfect example of why Trout Spey exists. Wind ripping. Skinny water. A high bank behind us....

Stillwater trout don’t always eat because they’re hungry — and that’s where many anglers get stuck. In this solo episode of the Littoral Zone Podcast, Phil Rowley breaks down the power of attraction and explains why trout often strike flies for reasons that have nothing to do with feeding. When matching the hatch fails, attractor patterns can trigger responses rooted in curiosity, aggression, and territorial instinct. Drawing from decades of stillwater experience, Phil explores when and why attractor flies work, how to fish them responsibly, and which patterns consistently provoke strikes from otherwise inactive trout. From blobs and boobies to FABs, worms, and exaggerated chironomids, this episode reframes how anglers should think about fly choice, presentation, and trout behavior in lakes.

If you’re trying to figure out where you can find giant stoneflies in July, chase technical midge eaters in March, and explore private spring...

There’s a certain kind of fly fishing knowledge you don’t get from a quick scroll or a gear review. You get it from someone...

Grant Wooldridge carries one of the most influential river-boating legacies in the West. As the great-grandson of Glen Wooldridge, who grew up on the Rogue River and helped pioneer early river boat innovation, Grant brings a family perspective shaped by generations of river travel and experimentation. While Grant was raised in Washington, the Rogue River stories and lessons passed down through his family remain central to the Wooldridge Boats legacy. We dig into early wooden boats, the evolution of jet technology, and why Wooldridge Boats continues to balance innovation with durability and safety. From historic Rogue River runs to modern materials testing and restoration work, this conversation is about respecting river history while building boats designed for the future.

Today, I sat down with Marcus Bohlin of Nam Products to talk through the things Scandinavian anglers think about differently. Rod length. True line...

Tellis Katsogiannos has spent decades at the highest level of fly casting, earning world champion titles while helping shape how modern anglers think about efficiency, control, and simplicity. In this episode, Tellis shares how competitive casting sharpened his understanding of techniques, and how those lessons translate directly to real fishing situations. We also head to Sweden and Atlantic salmon water, where Scandi systems and Spey-style thinking demand precision over power. From line design at Guideline to teaching anglers how to improve without overthinking, this conversation connects elite casting, salmon culture, and innovation into one clear framework for better fly fishing.

Fly fishing has a way of pulling you back when you need it most. And for Mike O’Brien, those quiet hours on the water...