Brian Muegge, a conservationist with Salmon-Safe, joins host Christian Bacasa to talk about protecting salmon and why healthy salmon runs matter for broader ecology.

Brian walks through practical ways to support salmon conservation and explains why witnessing a salmon migration is such a powerful experience for understanding the stakes. Learn more about his work at salmonsafe.org or connect with him on LinkedIn.

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Lance Kittel of Pesca Vida joins host Christian Bacasa to talk about custom rod building and his approach to illustrating fly patterns.

Lance shares how he documents fly patterns with a distinctive illustrated style on Instagram, along with the reasoning behind how and when to use them. He also walks through his true passion, custom rod building, and offers guidance for anyone looking to get started in the trade. Follow Lance on Instagram at @pesca_vida.

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Corbin Rinehart, who studied fly fishing with Joe Humphrey through the Penn State Master Class, joins host Christian Bacasa to talk about applying those techniques beyond trout.

Corbin explains how his training with Joe Humphrey shaped his approach to the sport and how he has since adapted those same principles to expand from trout-only fishing into multiple species. Follow Corbin on Instagram at @psuwoodnerds.

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Kaitlen and Jess Westbrook of the Mayfly Project join host Christian Bacasa to share what the organization has been working on.

They discuss the Mayfly Project's recent initiatives alongside a broader conversation about fishing, covering everything from bull trout to Alaska guiding scenarios.

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Stratton Hunter, now a musky specialist, joins host Christian Bacasa to talk about fitting serious fly fishing into trips where travel — not fishing — was the main goal. Stratton has circled the globe twice with fishing as a secondary priority both times, and breaks down how he still built real fishing time into vacation-first itineraries without derailing the trip for everyone else. Practical advice for any angler traveling with non-fishing companions.

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Rob Kirsch, whose career in radiology has shaped a distinct perspective on fly fishing, joins host Christian Bacasa to talk about why people fly fish in the first place.

Rob draws on his long history with the sport to share his own perspective, and other anglers', on what draws people to fly fishing. He also walks through his slow-down technique, a mindset shift he uses to get more out of a day on the water.

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Emma Brown, a guide at Budge's Lodge, joins host Christian Bacasa to talk small mountain stream fly fishing and the conservation work that keeps these fragile fisheries healthy. Emma's love for small streams started young, fishing alongside her father, and she shares how that early connection shaped her approach to both guiding and protecting the water she fishes today. A great episode for anglers who prefer quiet, technical small-water fishing over big rivers.

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Garrett Lesko, a fly tier known for his deer hair work and an active competitive angler, joins host Christian Bacasa to break down sea-run cutthroat trout fishing in Oregon.

Garrett covers the fish's migration patterns, size, diet, and the decline of Oregon's sea-run cutthroat fishery tied to changes in stocking programs. He details ideal conditions, including rain and overcast skies that trigger migration, and recommends fishing early morning from a float tube in deep, slow-moving water. For gear, Garrett suggests a 5-weight, medium-fast action rod with an intermediate line and sinking leader, paired with buoyant flies like deer hair patterns to entice strikes.

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Lucas Largel, a rare guide with access to both the east and west coasts of Florida, joins host Christian Bacasa to talk about targeting redfish across both sides of the state.

Lucas explains how fishing two distinct coastal ecosystems gives him a broader, more dynamic learning curve than guides limited to a single coast, and shares what anglers gain from that kind of cross-coast experience. Follow Lucas on Instagram at @lucas_largel.

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Curtis Fleming joins host Christian Bacasa to talk about landing fish in West Virginia's fast-water rivers, sharing hands-on techniques from his fly fishing experience.

Curtis explains how to avoid boulders and find slow-water pockets when fighting fish in fast currents, and stresses the importance of understanding each species' behavior and strength before setting the hook. He also covers matching tippet strength to conditions, encouraging anglers to push the limits of lighter tippets, and shares his preference for getting line onto the reel quickly to avoid tangles during the fight.

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Tight lines, everyone!