The Destination Angler Podcast

Can the Big Hole Recover? With Jim Olsen


Listen Later

Episode 164 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – February 12, 2026

Today our destination is the Big Hole River in southwest Montana — a place trout anglers have revered for generations and home to the last native Arctic grayling in the Lower 48. But is this storied fishery at a crossroads? Trout numbers are lower than they've been in decades, even as anglers still find good fish. So what's really happening out there — and what will it take to turn things around?

Jim Olsen, Fisheries Biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, gives us the facts.

With host Steve Haigh.

Be the first to know about new episodes. Become a subscriber

Contact Jim Olsen: [email protected] | 406-533-8451

Destination Angler Podcast:

  • Website
  • YouTube
  • Instagram & Facebook @DestinationAnglerPodcast

Please check out our Sponsors:

Redd's Flies

Premium flies, tied with purpose. Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks. A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.

Facebook @ReddsFlies Instagram @ReddsFlies

TroutRoutes

The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers. Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today. Get 1 Month Free

Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes

Got Fishing

Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.

Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing

High N Dry Fishing

Where science and performance meet. Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com

Facebook @highndryfishingproducts Instagram @highndryfishing

Comments & Suggestions: host, Steve Haigh, email [email protected]

Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Recorded Dec 11, 2025

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Destination Angler PodcastBy Steve Haigh: Angler and Podcaster

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

131 ratings


More shows like The Destination Angler Podcast

View all
The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast by Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

1,940 Listeners

Ask About Fly Fishing - Podcast by D. Roger Maves

Ask About Fly Fishing - Podcast

161 Listeners

Anchored with April Vokey by April Vokey

Anchored with April Vokey

1,344 Listeners

Fly Fishing Consultant Podcast by Rob Snowhite

Fly Fishing Consultant Podcast

203 Listeners

The DrakeCast - A Flyfishing Podcast by The Drake Magazine

The DrakeCast - A Flyfishing Podcast

409 Listeners

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast by Dave Stewart

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

511 Listeners

The Articulate Fly by The Articulate Fly

The Articulate Fly

102 Listeners

Fly Fishing Insider Podcast by Christian Bacasa

Fly Fishing Insider Podcast

178 Listeners

WAYPOINTS - with Jim Klug by Jim Klug

WAYPOINTS - with Jim Klug

78 Listeners

Mill House Podcast by Mill House

Mill House Podcast

1,060 Listeners

The Wadeoutthere Fly Fishing Podcast by Jason Shemchuk, Wadeoutthere

The Wadeoutthere Fly Fishing Podcast

188 Listeners

Troutbitten by Domenick Swentosky

Troutbitten

910 Listeners

Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co. by Ventures Fly Co.

Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co.

363 Listeners

The MEND Fly Fishing Podcast by Joe Rotter

The MEND Fly Fishing Podcast

29 Listeners

Slide Inn Pod with Kelly Galloup by Kelly Galloup

Slide Inn Pod with Kelly Galloup

121 Listeners