Rob reflects on the year spent fishing and enjoying lunch, concluding with a gift guide. The year began with excessive rainfall and wrapped up with a lack of it. There were multiple road trips and his first flight since 2019. Rob takes a look at the sandwiches that powered his adventures. He also provides a concise list of items that have demonstrated their value for inclusion in a gift guide.

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It’s time for Rob’s yearly journey up north to the Salmon River in New York. The fish he’s aiming to catch are lake-run steelhead and brown trout. For weeks, Rob has been monitoring the low water levels while he meticulously crafted flies to complement his already stocked fly boxes, all with the hope of landing a steelhead for Producer Jason. However, this trip didn’t unfold as anticipated. Overwhelmed by sorrow, Rob finds himself unable to fish. While he was in New York, two people dear to him passed away. What was meant to be a few days of relaxing casting of flies amidst the snow has turned into just a few hours of swinging in the rain. The episode is divided between the trip preparations and the drive northward. Rob and Jason conclude the episode after Rob shares what went awry and reflects on the loss of his friends. Hence, the episode is named 'Short Stories.'

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Recently, Rob dedicated a fall weekend to traveling to the Catskills to fish and conduct an in-person interview with Nick Lyons. Nick’s works in writing and publishing have played a crucial role in shaping Rob’s lifelong passion for fishing. When Rob launched this podcast in 2010, he was significantly inspired by the writings of both Nick Lyons and John Geirach. Rob has emulated Lyons' authenticity alongside Geirach's "trout bum" way of life as he seeks to educate others about fly fishing and share captivating tales. This moment provides Rob with the opportunity to connect with Nick in his sunroom in Woodstock, NY, exchanging stories about his fishing experiences, from his very first catch to his last catch and those he shared the water with along the way. Nick recants tales involving notable figures like Ed Van Put, Lefty Kreh, Mark Sosin, Tom Rosenbauer, Sparse Grey Hackle, Charles Ritz, Lee Wulff, Art Flick, Vince Marinaro, William Humphrey, Craig Matthews, Yvon Chouinard, Tom McGuane, and Al Troth. Some of these anecdotes have yet to be shared publicly.

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Rob made a stop in the Catskills to do some fishing on his journey to Woodstock, NY, where he was set to interview Nick Lyons. He left Virginia on a Sunday evening as a Nor’easter began to develop in the Atlantic and reached New York after nightfall, just before the rain started. Finding a place to camp in his car, he started fishing in the rain by mid-morning on Monday. He cast his line from Deposit NY down to Hancock, making a visit to the West Branch Angler along the way. Rob took a quick trip to Livingston Manor, NY, and dropped by the Dette Fly Shop. He interviewed Nick early Tuesday morning and then headed back home after their conversation. This is Rob’s travel travelogue.

Produced by Jason Reif.

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Rob first encountered Miriam Leino when he dialed the Orvis Outfitter Team number a few weeks back. He was in search of the hooks needed to tie his bacon fly, as his supply was dwindling. Rob enjoys inquiring about the locations of individuals on help lines, so he was taken aback to discover that Miriam resides in eastern Washington state. He found her location somewhat surprising for an Orvis outfitter answering the phone, as most would not be taken aback by this detail, but it piqued Rob's interest. He discovered that Miriam not only works at Orvis but also guides for trout and steelhead in eastern Washington. By the end of their conversation, the two had arranged a podcast episode for Miriam to share her story. This is Rob’s chance to find out if he has been fishing for ‘Temu Steelhead’ in the Great Lakes and we try to understand where fish go at night. 

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Rob and Dan embarked on an expedition to Mossy Creek, Virginia. This location is recognized as Virginia’s top spring creek fishing destination, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley just south of Harrisburg, VA. Since Rob has covered this fishery in two prior episodes, the history of the stream is not elaborated upon. On their journey, Rob and Dan stop by the Mossy Creek Fly Shop to chat with Colby. His insights prove to be extremely helpful. Colby shares details about the restoration work that has been carried out on the stream since Rob's last trip. A tropical storm off the coast brings strong winds and rain. The duo intends to fish using terrestrials, with streamers and nymphs as alternative options. We also discover some amusing anecdotes about cow tipping, fishing without shoes, and learn more about Dan. It's essential to wear waders at the stream, no matter the weather conditions. This is a lesson that Rob took away from this road trip.

Previous Episode: Fly Fishing Mossy Creek Virginia

Produced By Jason Reif

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Rob encountered Chris on a beach in Maine during low tide in August of this year. After a short conversation on the shore, Chris decided it would be worthwhile to record an entire episode focusing on his fishery. Originally from Massachusetts, Chris now calls southern Maine home. He spent his childhood fishing for stripers the Commonwealth and had to make slight adjustments to fish in the Pine Tree State. Chris discusses his equipment and strategies for catching stripers, the seasonal changes, and the fish's diet. He also shares tales about salmon, shad, and non-native ferox trout. Chris feels fortunate to live in such close proximity to a world-class fishery, which Rob missed out on experiencing due to the late season and lack of rain. 

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Fishing buddies part two. Rob recounts stories about those he has fished alongside throughout the years. From Lenny in Florida to Dan at Mossy Creek, this episode is lengthy, yet it doesn't cover all of his fishing partners and their remarkable narratives. Regrettably, there simply isn't enough time to share every tale. Since childhood, Rob has taken friends on exciting adventures across Reston and Frederiksberg, Virginia, to the Florida Keys, and even to Crested Butte, Colorado. His friends have encountered snakes, poison ivy, jellyfish, caterpillars, feisty sea lions, and pinching crabs. They have braved temperatures from freezing to scorching hot. Greasy burgers and Slurpees have been part of their journey. Rob wishes to convey his appreciation to all his friends who have accompanied him in his endeavor to challenge boundaries in pursuit of fish.

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Episode 1 of Rob's podcast featuring his fishing companions. In this installment, Rob talks about the importance of having a fishing buddy, defines what a fishing buddy is, and shares tips on how and where to find one. You'll listen to anecdotes explaining why Rob has stopped organizing trips, what constitutes a poor fishing buddy, and the qualities you should look for in a fishing buddies. The second part will highlight the individuals and stories about those Rob has fished with over the years and why Tom should always carry Benadryl.

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You might recognize Jerry’s name. He’s an icon in the world of fly rod crafting, particularly known for his five-sided bamboo rods. Jerry dedicated many years as a skilled artisan working with bamboo while he was in Montana, where he crafted rods during in between hatches. Alongside his brother, he has gained fame as an author. Rob anticipated that Jerry would be a typical trout enthusiast in Montana, but to his surprise, Jerry resides less than two hours north of him in Maryland and specializes in warm water species from his kayak. This is Jerry’s opportunity to share his journey in fly fishing on this program. You will quickly discover that Jerry pursued his passions in life concerning fishing and adventure. Even though he is semi-retired, Jerry continues to create rods in his garage. The latter part of the episode delves into the mortality of the aging pioneers in fly fishing. If you have an interest in catching memories, this episode is perfect for you.

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