Into the Backing

Into The Backing Ep. 4: Are Hatchery Fish Really That Bad?


Listen Later

This month’s episode has been brewing since the conception of the Anchored podcast in 2014. Over the last six years, we’ve discussed various concerns about the impact of hatchery fish in wild systems. Every time such an episode airs, it stimulates debate between "pro-hatchery" and "anti-hatchery" anglers. So, for years I've been asking hatchery advocates to give me the name of someone they wanted to hear from. The name they gave me was biologist Ian Courter. 

I'd arranged to meet with Ian, as well as the Wild Fish Conservancy’s Dr. Nick Gayeski and past Anchored guest and biologist John McMillan earlier this year. Flights were booked and conference rooms scheduled before Covid inevitably pushed this episode back. While we couldn’t get Nick on the call, John and Ian agreed to sit down for the first time to publicly share their viewpoints. 

Outline of this Episode 

  • [2:55] What is a hatchery fish?
  • [7:11] Why do people take such an extreme stance on this issue?
  • [26:44] What would Nick Gayeski say about the issue?
  • [28:49] How much money do hatchery fish cost?
  • [33:23] Scientists have done a poor job of studying the different ways that hatcheries are managed
  • [38:44] Lack of differing life histories affects the hatchery fish population
  • [52:03] What about the Montana example?
  • [1:03:02] We need big experiments to collect data
  • [1:10:43] When hatcheries are used for a few years they can jumpstart a fishery
  • [1:22:28] What can be done to solve these problems?
  • If you haven’t already, check out my new website www.anchoredoutdoors.com There you’ll find all of your favourite Anchored guests and free exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Into the BackingBy Anchored Outdoors

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    55 ratings


    More shows like Into the Backing

    View all
    Ask About Fly Fishing - Podcast by D. Roger Maves

    Ask About Fly Fishing - Podcast

    152 Listeners

    The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast by Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company

    The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

    1,921 Listeners

    Anchored with April Vokey by April Vokey

    Anchored with April Vokey

    1,341 Listeners

    The Hunt Backcountry Podcast by by Exo Mtn Gear

    The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

    2,845 Listeners

    Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast by Dave Stewart

    Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

    449 Listeners

    Fly Fish Food Shop Talk Podcast by Fly Fish Food

    Fly Fish Food Shop Talk Podcast

    183 Listeners

    The River Rambler by The River Rambler

    The River Rambler

    83 Listeners

    Mill House Podcast by Mill House

    Mill House Podcast

    995 Listeners

    The Destination Angler Podcast by Steve Haigh:  Fisherman and Podcaster

    The Destination Angler Podcast

    122 Listeners

    The Wadeoutthere Fly Fishing Podcast by Jason Shemchuk, Wadeoutthere

    The Wadeoutthere Fly Fishing Podcast

    174 Listeners

    Troutbitten by Domenick Swentosky

    Troutbitten

    868 Listeners

    Cut & Retie by Cut & Retie

    Cut & Retie

    599 Listeners

    Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co. by Ventures Fly Co.

    Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co.

    194 Listeners

    The Deep Wade Podcast by John R. McMillan and Nick Chambers

    The Deep Wade Podcast

    25 Listeners

    Slide Inn Pod with Kelly Galloup by Kelly Galloup

    Slide Inn Pod with Kelly Galloup

    20 Listeners