I sit down with Ryan Johnston, a fly fishing guide with 22 years of experience and the founder of Cast Hope. In this episode, Ryan shares his journey of guiding across Northern California, Idaho, and Montana while discussing the evolution of his career and the impact of the 'A River Runs through it' movie on the fly fishing industry. 

We explore Ryan's inspiring work with Cast Hope, a nonprofit organization that uses fly fishing to empower underserved youth. Ryan also recounts heartwarming and transformational stories from his guiding experiences, including mentoring a young guide who now works in Idaho. 

This episode is packed with engaging tales and invaluable insights into the world of guiding and giving back through the sport we love. Tune in to hear how Ryan's personal experiences and passion for fly fishing have made a difference both on and off the water!

00:00 Introduction and Quick Turnaround

00:43 Guiding in Montana and Idaho

01:43 Memories of the South Fork

06:04 First Guided Trip Experiences

09:23 Becoming a Fly Fishing Guide

15:47 The Reality of Guiding

33:10 Hosted Trips and Exotic Destinations

39:55 The Legendary Guide Tim Babbage

40:29 Fishing in the Sey Shells

40:58 Unique Fishing Experiences

41:52 Eye-Opening Fishing Trips

42:57 Guiding Techniques and Challenges

46:28 The Journey of Writing Books

58:09 The Birth of Cast Hope

01:00:14 Impact and Growth of Cast Hope

01:12:58 Inspiring Stories and Future Plans

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