Smart To Fish Wild

I sat down with Ben Fickett, Executive Director of Fishing the Good Fight, for a candid and vital conversation about confronting the quiet epidemic of isolation and mental health struggles among men.

Ben walked us through his journey from an outdoor education career with Outward Bound to leading an organization built on a simple yet transformative three-pillar model: fly fishing, community, and professional therapy. We dove into the alarming realities men face today—including the fact that nearly 8 out of 10 suicides in the U.S. are men—and explored why standing waist-deep in a cold current breaks down emotional barriers that traditional settings cannot.

Men don't have to navigate life's heaviest transitions alone—and Ben’s story is a compelling call to check in on your friends and find strength in community.

I sat down with Bill Bullock, Vice President of Development for the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), for an eye-opening conversation on what it really takes to protect one of the world's most resilient indicator species. Bill walked us through his transition from banking and product development at Orvis to leading major conservation campaigns for an iconic fish currently facing a critical tipping point. We dove into the massive ecological challenges facing wild Atlantic salmon—from the genetic pollution caused by open-net pen aquaculture to historic river restoration projects like the Kennebec dam removals—and why preserving cold-water watersheds requires thinking far beyond traditional angling circles.

I sat down with outdoor industry veteran and lifelong angler Jason Dyer for an energetic conversation about turning a love for the outdoors into everyday conservation action. Jason shared the story of co-founding Fish for Garbage on Utah’s Provo River—an initiative that started with 35 friends and grew into community cleanups drawing over 600 volunteers to pull dumpsters full of trash out of high-traffic waterways. We dug into the ongoing fights over Western stream access and public land easements, the critical role of hands-on youth programs like Trout in the Classroom, and why conservation has to be a daily habit rather than an Earth Day check-box.

Whether you are looking for simple ways to clean up your home water or want to stay engaged on public access issues across the West, Jason’s hands-on approach is pure inspiration.

Listen to the full conversation here.

Some conversations just stick with you — and this is one of them.

I sat down with Nick Roberts of Bonefish and Tarpon Trust — an organization that's been fighting for the flats since 1997 and is closing in on 30 years of science-driven conservation work spanning Florida, the Bahamas, Belize, and Mexico.

Nick is the rare blend of storyteller and scientist: a Duke grad with an MFA in creative writing, a former fly fishing guide, and a writer for Field & Stream, Gray's Sporting Journal, Garden & Gun, and Patagonia. He shared an incredible story about hooking his biggest-ever permit on a fly rod, in that perfect golden-hour light on the flats of Grand Bahama — the kind of moment you half expect didn't really happen.

We dug into how a small group of concerned Florida Keys anglers grew into a movement to protect these "umbrella species," and how BTT is doing things like tracking permits to secret spawning sites and pulling old logging roads out of the Bahamas to bring dead tidal creeks back to life.

Whether you live for sight-casting on the flats or care deeply about coastal conservation, this conversation is an inspiring look at how science, storytelling, and community action protect our wild waters.

What happens when you take active-duty service members out of the daily grind, put them on a river, and give them room to breathe?

In this episode, I sit down with Rick Wolf and Randy Garcia of Soul Survivor Outdoor to talk about how outdoor adventure can open the door to resilience, connection, and purpose. From fly fishing Colorado’s Arkansas River to horseback riding, climbing, rafting, and more, their work gives service members a chance to step away from constant pressure, unplug, and engage in real conversations.

A few takeaways that stayed with me:

🎣 Fly fishing is not about catching the biggest fish—it is about being present, learning something new, and getting out of your own head.

🎣 A guide, volunteer, or fellow service member can become a trusted connection simply by sharing time on the water.

🎣 Building resilience sometimes starts with the courage to ask someone, “What’s really going on?”

Soul Survivor Outdoor focuses on helping service members become healthier, more connected, and better prepared for life both on and off the battlefield.

As Rick said, the goal is to get “left of boom”—to help people build strength and support before a crisis hits. This is a meaningful conversation about the power of nature, community, hope, and a purpose larger than ourselves.

Fly fishing has a way of bringing people together—whether you’re brand new to the sport, chasing your first trout, or simply looking for someone to share a day on the river with.

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Gordon, president of Colorado Women’s Fly Fishers, to talk about her journey from offshore fishing and blue marlin tournaments in South Florida to building a life, community, and purpose around fly fishing in the West. We explore why mentorship matters, how the river teaches confidence and adaptability, and why the best moments often have little to do with the fish.

Stephanie puts it perfectly: “It’s not about the fish… it’s about the time that we’re spending together.” We also discuss the power of creating welcoming spaces, responsible angling, conservation, and the shared experiences that turn fishing partners into lifelong friends.

Listen to the full conversation now available on YouTube or Spotify.

Fly fishing can be far more than a day on the river—it can become a way to rebuild purpose, reconnect with people, and learn how to move through life one small decision at a time.

In this conversation, I speak with Christian Bacasa about the life-changing role fly fishing played after a Stage IV Hodgkin’s disease diagnosis forced him to step away from the athletic pursuits that had shaped his identity. We talk about the community he found on the water, the value of teaching and mentoring others, and why approaching both fishing and life with curiosity can make all the difference.

Christian shares a powerful lesson that applies on the river, in business, and during life’s hardest seasons: don’t get consumed by the summit. Focus on the next step, the next cast, or the next problem 10 feet in front of you. We also get into the importance of conservation, river access, water stewardship, and organizations such as Real Recovery that use fly fishing to support men navigating cancer.

Listen to the full conversation here.

Fishing has shaped Steve Tagami’s life from the very beginning—from family trips up and down the California coast to more than 35 years spent serving anglers, developing tackle, and helping build iconic fishing brands.

In this conversation, Steve shares what it means to listen to customers, create gear that helps fish “swim another day,” and protect the places that make our sport possible. We also explore the remarkable fishing of Iceland, including his experience chasing giant brown trout on a six-weight fly rod.

One message stood out: when habitat disappears, so do the fish, wildlife, traditions, and communities connected to it. Steve explains why organizations such as Vanishing Paradise are vital in restoring wetlands and protecting the future of fishing and waterfowling.

Listen to the full conversation here.

I've always believed that the best ideas come from solving problems you're passionate about. In this conversation with Pieter "Peter Perch" Frank De Jong—a Dutch-born artist, fly angler, entrepreneur, and self-described "serial community builder", we explore how a lifelong love of fishing and art evolved into building communities, launching an innovative marketplace, and rethinking what sustainability can look like in the fishing industry.

We also dive into building fly fishing communities across Europe, preserving incredible fisheries in southern Spain, why secondhand gear deserves a second life, and how conservation starts with participation. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, fly fishing, or finding new ways to make a positive impact, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation.

I sat down with one of the true legends of the fly fishing world, John Way, owner of the iconic Tackle Shop in Ennis, Montana—the oldest fly shop in the state and the current Orvis Shop of the Year! Joined by my co-host John Langcuster, we had an incredible conversation about what it really takes to build a thriving, relationship-first business in the heart of the Madison Valley.

John shared his journey from growing up in the Catskills to packing up his truck for Montana, how he bought the Tackle Shop 16 years ago, and why defining clear core values completely transformed his business and team culture. We also talked about the rhythms of the Madison River's famous hatches—from giant salmon flies to fall caddis—and the timeless life lessons learned over 25+ years on the water.

If you love great storytelling, deep roots in the outdoors, and proof that doing business the right way still wins, you won't want to miss this conversation with John.