Fishing for a Reason

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Scott and Jamie sit down with Darrin and Karey Small—better known as the Black Dog Couple in the Pacific Northwest fishing community. 

From derby wins to running one of the largest Puget Sound Anglers chapters, this powerhouse couple shares their adventures of fishing together, traveling to Bamfield, BC, and building a lifestyle around both community and adventure. 

They dive into how to plan a cross-border fishing trip, tackle Canadian regulations, deal with ferries, gear up for big salmon in a remote location, and still make time for whale watching and bear spotting. 

Whether you’re planning your first Canadian fishing adventure or just looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insider knowledge and great stories.

What Listeners Will Learn

• How to plan a fishing trip to Bamfield, BC (ferries, road conditions, parking, and lodging).
• Canadian fishing regulations, licenses, and possession limits you need to know.
• Best times of year for kings, coho, and sockeye, plus insider derby details.
• Tips on gear, hot baits, and setups that produced limits.
• Travel hacks for ferries, parking, and fuel.
• Adventure extras: wildlife watching, local pubs, and amenities for your trip.
• Processing and transporting your fish across the border safely and legally.
  
  

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• BC Ferries  
• Poet Nook Marina & Campground (note: privatized, limited sites available) 
• Gone Fishin’ Tackle Store – Port Alberni
• Canadian Fishing Licenses (online purchase)
• Floras Restaurant in Bamfield – local favorite for dining after fishing
• Fishing BC App (free)
  • Google Play Store
  • Apple Store

Most anglers buy a fish finder, mount the transducer, and hit the water thinking they’re set. But here’s the truth: if you don’t know how to actually read your sonar, you’re probably just looking at the bottom—and missing the fish swimming right beneath you.

In this episode, Jamie & Scott sit down with Navy-trained sonar expert Steve Chamberlin, who has over 30 years of experience turning sonar from “complicated electronics” into a powerful tool any angler can use. Steve explains the mistakes that keep anglers blind to fish, why cone angles and frequencies matter more than you realize, and how a few simple adjustments can instantly make your sonar clearer and more reliable.

If you’re tired of guessing at arches, running your unit on auto, or wondering whether you can really trust what’s on your screen, this episode will give you the confidence to finally put your sonar to work—and catch more fish because of it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why most anglers underutilize their sonar and how to change that
• How cone angle, frequency, and swim bladders affect what you see on your screen
• The #1 setup mistake people make with their transducers (and how to fix it)
• Simple tips to dial in your sonar so you can spot fish consistently
• Why auto mode isn’t your friend when fishing—and how to adjust settings the right way
• How to gain confidence in your electronics so you can focus on your lines and catching fish

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Puget Sound Anglers Association
• Garmin Sonar & Transducers 
• Interested in joining our inner circle community? Click here to join the waitlist!

Squid fishing in Puget Sound isn’t just popular—it’s exploding. But here’s the truth: most beginners show up at the pier unprepared, get tangled, frustrated, and leave empty-handed. 

Don’t let that be you.

In this episode, Jamie and Scott sit down with squidding expert Joe Kim, the man behind the Edmonds Squid Fishing community (10,000+ members strong) and maker of custom squid jigs. Joe reveals the exact setup you need, the jigging mistakes that cost you bites, and the unwritten rules of pier etiquette that can make or break your night. He also shares how to clean, cook, and even use squid as secret bait for other species.

If you’re serious about hitting the pier this season—or just want to know why thousands of anglers can’t get enough of squid—this episode will save you time, gear headaches, and frustration.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The exact rod, reel, and line setup Joe recommends.
• The jigging rhythm that triggers squid strikes.
• How to tell a squid bite from a fish hit.
• The #1 mistake new squid fishers make (and how to avoid it).
• Etiquette rules to follow when fishing shoulder-to-shoulder.
• The best ways to store, clean, and cook your catch.
• Why squid is unbeatable bait for crabbing, halibut, and lingcod.

Resources & Links

• Join the Edmonds Squid Fishing Facebook group: [Join Joe’s Group]
• Get Joe’s squid jigs on Amazon
• Bonus videos inside Joe’s community (jigging + cleaning demos).
  • Joe’s Gear List
• Join the Anglers Unlimited Circle Community→ email [email protected]  with the subject line “Catch More Fish” for more information. 

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott take you along for a September day on the water between Salmon Bank and Eagle Point in Marine Area 7. Fresh off the Salmon for Soldiers event in Everett, they share stories of fishing with veterans, tips for targeting coho in September, and tactical advice for managing crowded waters. From choosing the right gear and lures to handling unexpected whale encounters, this episode is packed with knowledge, community spirit, and plenty of coho action.

What You’ll Learn

• The mission and impact of Salmon for Soldiers and how you can get involved.
• September coho fishing strategies in Everett, San Juan Islands, and beyond.
• Gear tips: hoochies, spoons, and leader lengths that consistently produced fish.
• Boat ramp hacks and crowd navigation during busy fishing weekends.
• Whale safety rules every angler needs to know when orcas and transients appear.
• Pro tips: why checking your gear often makes or breaks a good day.

Resources Mentioned

• Salmon for Soldiers organization → https://salmonforsoldiers.org 
• Harbor Marine, Everett, WA (event host site) → https://www.harbormarine.net 
• Join the Anglers Unlimited Circle Community→ email [email protected]  with the subject line “Catch More Fish” for more information.

In this inspiring episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie sits down with Ambar Ramirez — the driving force behind Anglers Unlimited. While she’s not an angler herself, Ambar’s story is one of courage, adventure, and listening to the inner nudge that pushes us toward growth. 

From leaving her small coastal hometown in Venezuela to building a life across Russia, Finland, and Spain, Ambar shares how curiosity and bold choices shaped her journey. Together, Jamie and Ambar dive into lessons on resilience, authenticity, and even how AI can become a surprising tool for anglers.

What Listeners Will Learn:

- How to recognize and follow the “nudge” toward growth, even when it feels scary.
- The role of water, community, and curiosity in shaping a fulfilling life.
- Why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- How to balance authenticity with efficiency in a digital world.
- Practical ways anglers can use AI to accelerate learning, from fish ID to trip planning.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

- Ambar in Real Life podcast: Subscribe to her YouTube channel!
- Ambar’s blog “Ambar Virtual”: ambarramirez.substack.com
- The Sh!t Show led by Ambar: How to Stay Authentic in the AI Era (Business & Life Tips)
- Join the Anglers Unlimited Circle Community→ email [email protected]  with the subject line “Catch More Fish” for more information.

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie dives into the fascinating world of crabbing—from testing out underwater GoPro footage inside a crab pot, to exploring how crabs really behave once your gear hits the bottom. You’ll learn tips on filming your own underwater footage, insights into bait and pot performance, plus important reminders for reporting your summer crab catch cards. Whether you’re wrapping up the season or still fishing in Marine Area 7, this episode is full of practical tips and cool discoveries.

What Listeners Will Learn

• How crab actually enter and interact with your pots underwater.
• The difference between “fast fish” pots and other designs.
• Why bait container color might influence your catch.
• How to safely set up a GoPro to film underwater pot footage.
• The step-by-step process for submitting your WDFW summer catch record card.
• Where crabbing remains open after Labor Day in Puget Sound.

Resources & Links

• McKay Shrimp & Crab Gear
• LFS, Bellingham
• Essential Shipyard Industries (ESI), Anacortes
• WDFW Crab Reporting Portal: WDFW Catch Reporting – Report your catch record card online.
• SoonSun Filters for GoPro: Amazon Affiliate Link – Affordable underwater red/magenta filters.

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie sits down with Brittany Palm, Director of the Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences Program at Bellingham Technical College (BTC). From her early days fishing on Long Island to leading one of the most unique fisheries and aquaculture programs on the West Coast, Brittany shares her journey, her passion for salmon, and the hands-on training BTC provides for the next generation of fishery scientists, hatchery managers, and aquaculture experts.

This episode is packed with stories, science, and strategies on how we can all play a role in sustaining healthy fish populations while supporting local communities. 💙

What You’ll Learn:

- Brittany’s journey into marine biology and fisheries science.
- The difference between fisheries, aquaculture, and aquaponics.
- How BTC prepares students for hands-on careers in salmon hatcheries, shellfish farming, and seaweed cultivation.
- Why farmed seafood is often misunderstood — and how it supports sustainability.
- The biggest challenges facing Puget Sound fisheries and what we can do to help.
- How hatchery fish are cultured and tracked (yes, even by reading their “ear stones”!).

Resources & Links:

• Seaweed Farming, NOAA and Green Wave
• Aquaponics, United Nations and Aquaponics Source
• Cleaner Water
  • Dog Poop, Whatcom County and WA Dept of Ecology
  • Fertilizer and Algae, WA Dept of Ecology and Nutrient Pollution (NOAA) 
• Management styles, Uni of Pitt and Interreg Europe
• Aging salmon with scales (ADFG) and otoliths (NOAA)
• Otolith thermal marking, NPAFC and WDFW
• PIT tracking, FishBio and Pacific Salmon Foundation
• Otolith microchemistry (ocean mapping), Pacific Salmon Foundation and SSRN
• Bellingham's Technical training program: BTC Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences
• Interested in donating? BTC Foundation 
• Follow their program: Facebook and Instagram
• BTC’s next public outreach event, Friday Sept 

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie takes a deep dive into the art and science of smoking salmon 🎣🔥 

From understanding why pink salmon often gets overlooked compared to Chinook and Coho, to the biology behind fat content, to brining methods, wood choice, and flavor experiments, this episode is packed with knowledge to help you master your smoked fish game. Whether you’re curious about hot vs. cold smoking or want to know how to make your salmon last in the freezer all year long, you’ll walk away with new techniques and plenty of inspiration.

What You’ll Learn

• Why pink salmon are less popular to eat fresh — and why they’re perfect for smoking.
• Fat content differences between Chinook, Coho, and Pink salmon and how that impacts flavor.
• Step-by-step breakdown of the smoking process (brining, curing, drying, pellicle formation, and smoking).
• The science behind salt and sugar brines and how they preserve fish.
• Flavoring ideas: herbs, spices, maple syrup, citrus, honey, and more.
• The difference between hot smoking vs. cold smoking (and why you might choose one over the other).
• Wood choices for unique flavor profiles: alder, apple, maple, or even combinations.
• How to turn your smoked salmon into the ultimate gift or backpacking snack.

Resources Mentioned

• Join the Anglers Unlimited Circle Community→ email [email protected] with the subject line “Catch More Fish” for more information.
• Maplewood Sweets (natural maple syrup) → https://www.maplewoodsweets.com  
• Watch full video episodes → YouTube Channel 

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott take you behind the scenes of the 2025 Resurrection Salmon Derby in Bellingham Bay. From real-time hookups on the water to final weigh-in results, they share the highs, the slow moments, and the incredible sense of community that makes this derby so special.

Listeners will hear first-hand fishing updates, gear breakdowns, and derby history—including how this legendary event was brought back after years away. Whether you’re curious about salmon fishing strategies, interested in derby culture, or just love a good fish story, this episode has you covered.

What Listeners Will Learn:

• Derby Highlights: Daily fishing conditions, top weights, and this year’s winning fish (17.14 lbs).
  Fishing Updates: Real-time hookups, pink salmon action, and reports.
• Gear & Techniques: Bait-on-deck trick for herring, short vs. long leaders, favorite spoons, hoochies, and bait rigs.
• Weigh-In Results: Top three fish, secret weight prize, and category winners for women, youth, and veterans.
• Derby Culture: The history of the Resurrection Derby, why it matters to PNW anglers, and how it supports fish enhancement and scholarships.
• Community & Prizes: Taco feed, raffles, and thousands in prize giveaways—from rods to downriggers.
• What’s Next: Forecast for late-season salmon in Bellingham Bay and how to stay in the loop for next year’s derby.

Resources & Links Referenced:

• Resurrection Derby Info & Past Results
• Anglers Unlimited Email List – stay updated on events & community news
• Contact: [email protected] (Subject line: Catch More Fish) to join our inner circle community

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Scott and Jamie dive into the excitement of the late summer Coho (Silver Salmon) season. With an extended fishing window from August 1st to September 30th, they break down everything you need to know about targeting Coho and Pink Salmon in the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound. From gear tips and prime locations to fish behavior, species identification, and a hands-on rigging tutorial, this episode is packed with actionable insights for both beginner and seasoned anglers.

What Listeners Will Learn:

• How to identify Coho (Silvers) and distinguish them from other salmon species.
• Seasonal movements and peak times for Coho fishing in the San Juan Islands.
• Techniques and gear setups for targeting Coho and Pink Salmon.
• Rigging tutorial for tying a two-hook hoochie rig with Mylar inserts.
• Understanding current fish return forecasts for Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
• Shore fishing strategies
• Fishing hotspots like Deception Pass.
• How to interpret sonar and target different depths effectively.
• Best practices for landing acrobatic Coho and gear adjustments to increase landing success.
• Updates on the Resurrection Derby and how to get involved.

Resources & Links Referenced:

- SalmonScape Interactive Map
- Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Salmon ID Guide
- Resurrection Derby Tickets
- DeepZoom Marine Charts
- Anglers Unlimited Inner Circle Community: Email [email protected] with subject line “CATCH MORE FISH”