When John Gierach mentioned Bill Fitzsimmons in “Trout Bum,” he wrote about Bill’s professionalism, skill, and deliberate efforts to avoid the camera. So, naturally, I was delighted when Bill agreed to share more of his story here on Anchored. From Christmas Island in the early 1980s, the early days of fly fishing for tarpon, and owning a fly shop in Basalt, Colorado, Bill knows the fishing industry as much as anyone. Bill and his brother Mark are regulars around my campfire in BC and this fall I was finally able to record him. In this episode, we discuss the early days of saltwater destinations, fly size, and if catch-and-release fishing is selfish.

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