Steelhead

Experience doesn't end the learning; it just changes the questions you ask on the water. Today I'm joined by Jim Sens of Deadman's Guide...

In this episode of In the Bucket, Brian Niska welcomes Dec Hogan, Jonathan Farmer, and Marty Howard for a thoughtful discussion about steelhead fly...

Few people have moved between the worlds of literature, fly fishing, film, and Western culture with a front-row seat to all of them. In this...

In this episode, Connor shares the history of Thomas & Thomas, explains what gives a fly rod its "soul," and offers practical tips for...

Drew Evans of House of Fly returns to the podcast to share why carp may be one of the most underrated gamefish in fly fishing—and why they offer some of the best preparation for chasing bonefish, redfish, and other saltwater species. Drawing from years of experience fishing Idaho's rivers and traveling to the flats, Drew explains how sight fishing for carp builds the casting, presentation, and fish-spotting skills that translate almost anywhere in the world. The conversation also explores choosing the right fly line, matching rods to your casting style, improving the double haul, and planning bucket-list steelhead trips into Idaho's remote Sheep Ranch. Along the way, Drew shares practical tips for reading carp behavior, building confidence on the flats, and discovering new fisheries when trout season slows down.

Episode Show Notes Matt Thornton is a guide, conservation advocate, and founder of The Wilderness Calling. His nonprofit is using satellite telemetry technology to track...

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.

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 Mia Sheppard has spent decades guiding and outfitting across the Pacific Northwest through Little Creek Outfitters. From steelhead rivers like the Deschutes...

In today’s episode of In the Bucket podcast, Brian Niska is joined by Adrienne Comeau and Eric Leininger for a candid conversation on what really drives success in steelhead fishing. What starts with fly choice and presentation quickly shifts into a bigger discussion around uncertainty, experience, and how much control anglers actually have on the water. Eric shares a perspective shaped by years of guiding—that in certain conditions, especially when water temperatures are right, many of the details anglers focus on may not be as critical as they seem. Adrienne adds her experience from the river, highlighting the role of confidence, instinct, and pattern recognition, while also recognizing the randomness that shows up time and time again. Together, they unpack the balance between what we think we know and what remains unpredictable—and why that tension is part of what keeps steelhead fishing so compelling.