Meet Hall of Fame angler Mike Iaconelli, where it all started - in Philadelphia on his home waters. Discover another side of one of America's most famous competitors (and celebrators) as we fish our way up the Schuylkill River. The story is about a lot more than bass. It's about family, finding your own way, and not giving up… "Ike" became the face of professional Bass fishing as the sport grew fast in the late 90s and the early 2000s. A sport dominated by anglers from below the Mason Dixon line with not much precedent for a kid from New Jersey. A DJ, a break dancer and a kid with so much energy and flare that there were rumors his enthusiasm was not all real. But after day on the water with him, we can assure you it is. This guy loves fishing any water habitat he can get to, and the chance to share it with anyone. Mike also happens to be the only anger to have won Bassmaster Classic (2003), Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, and a B.A.S.S and a Nation Kayak Series Championship.  But resting on your laurels in a sport without a guaranteed future kept him running. And in PART II he shares what it takes for professional angler to survive and the mentality he's trying to share with his son. "Never give up!"

Mike Iaconelli's website: www.mikeiaconelli.com

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All films and podcast episode info at: www.HowardFilms.com

BILLY: BACK ON THE BEACH.

After a glass of bourbon, and a walk-through, the last 50 years in Part I, it was time to hit the beach. The other side of Montauk's lone year-round shore guide, Bill Wetzel, is on the water. Things begin somewhat calmly in the sand and the dunes in the afternoon. By the time we meet again that night in a Fall rain, blasting through potholes and dunes on back roads, and finding dark abandoned coves, he's in his element. The sound may not always be perfect, but enthusiasm is always on point. Hope you enjoy the ride.

Bills website: www.surfratsball.com. An online community of striped bass conversation, research, data and stories 24/7. Heck, Bill even puts his own fishing logs on there.

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PART 1/2: : Part 1/STUDIO + Part 2/SHORE

("Bill Between Casts") When Bill "Billy" Wetzel got his license, he knew exactly where he was going. The point of Montauk. And he has been there ever since. Studying the water. Walking its shores. And ranting into his Instagram live feed in the middle of the night (for any one lucky enough to be awake) to keep himself awake on the ride home another drive home. The only year-round shore guide on the point of Long Island he's found himself one of one. A guide, multi tourney winner, popular saltwater speaker, and founder of his own surf ratsball.com to keep salt water culture alive on the beaches of Long Island and beyond - even as the striped bass population has dropped consistently - since the end of the last moratorium. With the help of a little bourbon, and the benefit of a cold winter break, we had a chance to take a break and share some of his best stories from a kid from Ohio via the inner city (he's got stories) before ultimately making it to Long Island (he's got more stories). If a striped bass can migrate hundreds of miles to Montauk, so can he.

Bill's Website: www.Surfratsball.com

PART. 2: We take the mics out of the studio and onto the beach as we head to the Point of LI. and then into the dunes that night during a storm (of course) to fish with Bill Wetzel.

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www.HowardFilms.com

He's one of the faces of fishing, but do you know him? As a kid in Carolina, Oliver White discovered his life required water. He built a plan around exploring his world as a guide, and eventually a globally active angler. Still, there's a little more to the man behind the beard and the hat, and those well-lit images you'll discover.

We float down the Snake River in Idaho, chatting about a life of exploration, and rising again after adversity, including: a major ski accident as a youth, finding his fishing mentors, trying a big city job with few to any obvious qualifications, or losing his dream lodge in Abaco, Bahamas to a hurricane - only to discover things can actually get worse in the recovery. Today, when not in the waves of Oman or the jungles of Guyana, he's still focused on getting things right on the water, as a lodge partner (South Fork Lodge in Idaho). The ability to come full circle with a new life in the Rockies, also provided the motivation to give back, and sparked the creation of Indie Fly, a nonprofit vehicle to provide economic solutions and protection of natural water resources, through the hands of local citizens. We discuss it all while floating down the South Fork of the Snake River, just steps from the South Fork Lodge. With salmon flies in the air and fly rods in hand, we take another stab at the meaning of life, that'll last at least to the boat ramp.

Links:

www.oliverwhitefishing.com -- www.southforklodge.com

www.HowardFilms.com

What a ride. A candid conversation with Andy Mill: After a life running at full speed with a commitment to testing himself through competition, Mill takes a moment for a philosophical break to look back and ahead. Mill's life as USA's best downhill Olympic downhill skier, and TV producer, were his first chapter before finding his real footing as a fishing ambassador, champion angler (14 total Florida Keys fly tournament wins, see full list below) and co-host of "Mill House Podcast" (with his son Nicky). I first met Andy Mill when I jumped on a flats skiff in the early 2000s to find tarpon with my camera, and bear witness to an angler (Andy Mill) and guide (Tim Hoover) at the top of their game. Andy didn't know me from Adam, but he said to get on board and to do this thing. It was an attitude I appreciated from day one.

After retiring from a successful television career as the producer and host of "Sportsman's Journal with Andy Mill," Mill devoted himself to competing in saltwater fly fishing tournaments in the Florida Keys. His background as a fearless competitor was clear. Mill challenged himself to be the best, but it wasn't all wine and roses on his way to setting a new gold standard in Keys saltwater fishing tourneys. There were challenges and sacrifice.

Full BIO: Mill was a skier in the U.S. downhill from 1974-1981. He skied in two Olympics and four World Championships. For his 1976 Olympic performance in Innsbruck, Austria, Mill placed 6th while skiing on a severely injured leg, and was awarded the “Olympic Skiing Award." In 1993 he was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame.

Mill spent 20 years covering two Olympics Games, two World Championships and "Sportsman's Journal with Andy Mill" won the Teddy Roosevelt Award for excellence in outdoor programming. Mill has won: 5 Gold Cups, the most prestigious tarpon tournament in saltwater fly fishing, 6 Golden Flies, a Don Hawley, Fall Fly Invitational Bonefish and the Del Brown Permit tournament, and was the first of only three anglers ever to win a bonefish, tarpon and permit tournament on fly.

In 2020 he and his son Nicky started the Mill House Podcast, interviewing the great icons of fishing. Their goal is to preserve the rich history of not only fly fishing but all aspects of sport fishing. He is the author of the instant classic, “A Passion for Tarpon” and a respected angling ambassador.

Andy has also worked closely with a number of companies including Hardy, designing saltwater fly rods, and reels.

Honors:

The City of Aspen Hall of Fame

Colorado Ski Hall of Fame

Curt Gowdy Media award from Bone Fish Tarpon Trust

Heritage Award from the American Museum of Fly Fishing

Joe Brooks Award by the International Game Fish Association

Bob Popovics (1948-2024) passed suddenly in 2024, due to injuries sustained from a hit and run accident near his Shady Rest Restaurant in Bayville, NJ. We honor his life and legacy with this podcast. Bob stated that one of his proudest moments in his life, was his famous Tuesday Nights (a fly fishing event built on saltwater fly tying, food and drink - and word of mouth) at his house in Seaside Heights, NJ. from 1986-1992. Outgrowing the space to become the Atlantic Salt Water Fly Rodders.

We assembled Bob's closest friends on a Tuesday night in his honor to share personal stories and add to his memory with candid moments of their friend and fly tying pioneer. Like Lefty Kreh, he was a friend to all he met, from the jump, and his Marine Semper Fi loyalty was real in all aspects of his life from work to friends. He didn't crave the spotlight, just the opportunity to invent and have a shared light shine on all.

Note: The Bob Popovics Memorial Scholarship Foundation was established by Bob's friends in his name. Donations may be sent payable to the foundation at: 414 Barramore Ave, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734. The fund will build capital to support students with an interest in outdoor sports, natural resources and conservation.

Note: the episode will air here Tuesday, January 14, 2025. (recorded December, 2024)

The unexpected loss of friend, outdoor ambassador and fly tying craftsman Bob Popovics prompted this unplanned early episode of Cameras Off. We honor his unprecedented life through the candid stories of his closest friends - sharing laughter and reflection inspired by his memory. Stories include a look back at Bob's Tuesday night gatherings in Seaside, New Jersey, shared road trips and the quiet times of reflection treasured by those that knew, loved and miss their lifelong friend - Bob.

A memorial foundation to support students with an interest in flyfishing, the outdoors and conservation has been established: Donations may be sent payable to The Bob Popovics Memorial Scholarship Foundation, 414 Barramore Ave, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734.

Contact us at [email protected] if we can assist you in finding more information.

Note: Cameras Off is a new podcast from HowardFilms celebrating The Path Less Taken. It continues the film legacy of deep dives into candid, raw and unexpected places to bring unprecedented stories that need to be told, as we celebrate, going your own way. Following people doing what they love, where they love to do it. First season guests will include, NFL players, National Geographic photographers, fishing guides, game, wardens, and adventurers that follow their own inner voice instead of the path of least resistance.

(Bob Popovics is exactly that person.)