In this episode, Zach and journalism intern Charlie Gearing focus on the glory of Oregon's kokanee salmon.

The landlocked sockeye salmon have become increasingly popular for anglers for a number of reasons — mainly that they're delicious and easier to catch.

Zach and Charlie talk with two expert kokanee anglers about the fish's backstory — how these salmon became landlocked — and how to best catch them in places like Green Peter Reservoir and Detroit Lake.

They also get into what the fish eat, how they naturally spawn — and turn bright red in the process — and how best to eat them.

Lookout Point Reservoir at extreme low water levels

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach and outdoors intern Charlie Gearing talk about the glories of the Crooked River.

They talk about why it's one of the state's best fly-fishing streams while also highlighting the area's hiking, camping, boating and even bungee jumping.

On the subject of fly-fishing, Charlie interviews Jeff Perin of the Fly Fisher's Place in Sisters for a full breakdown on the best flies, what to target and where to fish.

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks with Smith Rock State Park manger Matt Davey about big changes coming to one of the state's most iconic places.

The park's master plan is being developed that will bring changes to parking, hiking, camping and drone use a place increasingly popular for rock climbing and hiking.

Davey outlines plans for a new visitor's center at the park and how the new parking areas will reshape the experience for rock climbers, hikers and anyone else who travels to the park.

In this episode, Zach talks about the latest developments in Oregon's Labor Day Fires. He details a mega trial that began this week that pits victims of the fires against Pacificorp — the utility whose power lines are blamed for igniting some of the fires and bringing widespread destruction.

Zach also updates access to areas burned areas in the fires — including the Opal Creek and Mount Jefferson areas — before talking about good places to hike and observe the scars left behind by the fires.

Finally, Zach reposts a podcast recorded in the wake of the Labor Day Fires that talks about the week before the fires, what happening when the fires exploded and some of the aftermath.

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks with noted guidebook author Matt Reeder about the best spring hikes in every corner of the state and his latest book, "Extraordinary Oregon! 125 Fantastic Hikes Across the State of Oregon."

Zach and Matt talk about 10 of the best but over overlooked spring-specific hikes in the state. They travel to a coastal hike below massive sea walls, into the rugged Badger Creek Wilderness and journey into a narrow crack in a vertical wall of Steens Mountain.

Matt also talks about his motivation for the book and what makes it stand out compared to other guidebooks that showcases Oregon. You can buy "Extraordinary Oregon!" in plenty fo places online, but the best is at his website, The Ruddy Hill Press.

In this episode, Zach talks with two raft guides about one of Oregon's most famous stretches of whitewater — Hell's Corner Canyon on the Upper Klamath River.

This summer will be the last chance to raft the segment of whitewater during summer before dam removal makes future trips different, and perhaps impossible, during the year's hottest months.

Pete Wallstrom, owner of Momentum River Expeditions, and Bart Baldwin, owner of Noah's River Adventures, both in Ashland, talk about what makes the river special in its current state, how dam removal will change it and what the future holds for recreation on the Klamath River.

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks to Oregon State Climatologist Larry O'Neill about the incoming El Niño pattern and what it means for the state, in addition to an overarching discussion about Oregon's climate future.

O'Neill touches on the differences between the La Nina pattern Oregon has been under, and the El Niño one that is expected to arrive next winter and could bring extremely warm conditions. He also gets into how increasingly warm Oregon have impacted the state so far and what we're expected to see in the future.

In this edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks about why it's so important to enjoy Oregon's robust snowpack and long ski season before rounding up a few good spring break travel ideas and highlighting some recent outdoors news.

Zach details how Oregon's ski areas are staying open through April and even May this year due to a good snowpack and mentions some spring deals that make getting on the lifts a bit cheaper. He then highlights a snowshoe and ski route to a snow shelter at the base of the Three Sisters.

Because of a potential El Nino pattern next year, this spring might be the best snow conditions for a while, according to Oregon State Climatologist Larry O'Neill, who makes a brief appearance on the podcast.

Finally, Zach highlights two outdoor-themed museums worth visiting during spring break, whale watching advance and then a handful of news reported recently including:

The revival of the western snowy plover on the Oregon Coast

Two fatal accidents in the backcountry, and another death at Oregon’s deadliest spot

More struggles for Oregon’s iconic trees — this time of the Douglas firs of the Klamath-Siskiyou

In this edition, Zach heads to the ancient forest of the Salmon River hiking trails between Portland and Mount Hood.

Zach talks about the easy, medium and difficult way to explore one of Oregon's most spectacular old-growth temperate rainforests.

The podcast highlights Wildwood Recreation Site and Salmon River hiking trails heading into the Salmon Huckleberry Wilderness, breaking down how to backpack, day-hike and explore the area.

He also highlights some extreme whitewater kayaking to visit the area's hidden waterfalls and a trip to an abandon fire lookout at the top of a nearby mountain.