Rob met a disciple of Wooly Bugged on the Salmon River of New York in 2022. He did some research online and invited the founder of Woolly Bugged onto the podcast to learn more. Michael Evanko has been documenting his life in fly fishing for the past decade on blogs, YouTube, and social media. In this episode Michael and Rob discuss the learning curve for fishing great lakes migratory salmonids. They transition from lake run behemoths to blue lined brook trout. The story of Pennsylvania’s lanternflies is introduced, and the conversation turns to road trip sandwiches. 

Produced by Jason Reif 

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In this episode Rob tells stories about the various boat’s he has owned over the years and the evolution of personal watercraft for fly fishing. This is Rob’s life with boats from what he has owned, been given, found, bought, upgraded, and destroyed. The podcast is interrupted by a caller and they discuss the tough fishing conditions from this summer. Rob introduces us to his newest boat and talks about his plans to fish local spots. What is your favorite type of boat to cast from?

Video from this adventure.

Produced by Jason Reif

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Rob returns to a very private quarry somewhere outside Washington D.C in search of stillwater smallmouth. The deep, cold water is full of fish, submerged trees, and abandoned mining equipment. Listen as Rob packs gear that he didn’t have the last time he visited this unique body of water. He tries a variety of flies and talks about hooking into some truly amazing fish. There’s a quick visit to the upper Potomac River, impromptu fly tying, and a reminder to wear your life jacket. 

Produced by Jason Reif

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RJ Hosking is the chief executive officer of RareWaters. He is an industry leader that has worked formerly within the outdoor and experiential industries with Patagonia, Zamp Solar, Dometic Outdoor, and Airbnb. Rob catches up with RJ near the shore in Ventura, California. RJ starts off the conversation with his life and career in the outdoors and then transitions to RareWaters. 

RJ discusses the three types of properties available for booking and explains how these are private properties with unfished waters. The company is not buying up properties and making the waters private. The land is already privately owned, and the owners can make some side money while anglers camp and fish or stay at an existing building. You can call their customer service to help you decide which property fits your plans. The local fly shops have a heads up to expect you so don’t be shy. 

Produced by Jason Reif

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Rob discusses common mistakes made by novices at the vise - specifically those at a fly tying classes. Some of the most common mistakes are not holding the bobbin correctly, purchasing the wrong materials, and tying feathers in backwards. You will learn something new whether you are a life long fly tyer or someone thinking about taking up the hobby. We hope you enjoy this episode full of tips and suggestions from someone that teaches fly tying in a dimly lit bar.

Produced by Jason Reif

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Rob interviews Josh Caldwell, the director of Mending The Line from Blue Fox Entertainment. The movie is a story about finding something to make living worthwhile. A wounded veteran returns to the States carrying the demons of war. In Montana, he meets a surly, headstrong fly-fisherman more than twice his age, and Lucy, a talented photographer turned librarian. Both damaged in their own way. While getting treatment for his wounds, Colter wants only to re-enlist, to have something to die for. But the real challenge is finding something to live for.

Rob and Josh discuss the making of the movie from the directors’ perspective. Josh is a dedicated trout angler, and he describes the lengths he took to ensure the fishing scenes in the movie were accurate. Actors met with veterans to understand the trauma they went through while serving. Josh explains some movie magic and life behind the scenes and off camera. You will learn about the actors in the film and the precautions required to film during Covid. Is this a fly fishing movies with veterans or a veteran movie with fly fishing? 

Warriors & Quiet Waters

Project

Healing Waters

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This episode is about fixing rivers as fast as we can in the face of climate change. Rob invited author and angler Steve Hawley to discuss his latest book - Cracked: The Future of Dams in a Hot, Chaotic World. This is another beautiful production from Patagonia Books. Steve Hawley is an environmental journalist who writes about rivers, dams, and the ecological impacts they have on salmonids in the American West. His latest book was released in May 2023. He is the writer and co-producer of an award-winning documentary, Dammed to Extinction, and the author of Recovering a Lost River. We learn about Steve’s life along the inland Columbia River of Oregon, his fishing habits, how this book came to be, and the damages dams cause to our fragile planet. 

Produced by Jason Reif

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Rob had no idea what it took to maintain a boat and trailer when he purchased his first drift boat. He's learned a lot. Rob breaks down the ins and outs of maintaining a boat trailer. His first drift boat and trailer were destroyed by a drunk driver. His new trailer has had some wild adventures too. These are the tools and gear Rob carries with him when trailering his Stealthcraft drift boat. Listen to this consolidated list of potential issues and their remedies. You’ll get covered in grease just from listening to this episode.

Produced by Jason Reif

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Phil Rowley is known as one of the two stillwater guys from Canada. That means he’s an expert at fly fishing for trout in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Rob and Phil are not going to talk about stillwater fishing. Every podcast Phil goes on talks about Stillwater fishing. These guys will talk about something else. Phil will tell us how he offers tips regarding strategies and tactics, fly tying advice, entomology photography, and how he creates videos, authors books and articles along with public speaking events, guiding, and trip hosting. What they do talk about is Phil’s childhood in British Columbia, the benefits of having an aquarium and current trends in flies with regards to balanced flies,  jig flies, and attractors. We learn about electric static and where Phil fishes on his travels. 

If it swims and eats Phil is interested in catching it and that’s what they talk about in this episode. 

Produced by Jason Reif

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The 8th Annual Project Healing Waters Fly Tying Marathon was held at The National Museum of the Marine Corps Museum in Triangle, Va. 

Rob interviews museum employees and attendees. Fly tiers from Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders, District Angling, Northern Virginia Chapter Trout Unlimited, and the National Capital Chapter of Trout Unlimited were in attendance.  

You can donate flies to your local chapter of Project Healing Waters. 

Produced by Jason Reif

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