For some fly fishers, simply finding open, fishable winter water is the toughest part of cold-weather angling. 

In this episode, Ross walks you through the kinds of streams that make for good winter fishing and how to find, research, and prepare for them so you can keep fishing happily until spring rolls around again.

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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Your feet are important. Treat them right, and there's no limit to where they can take you. Treat them wrong, and you could have a bad time on both the trail and on the water.

In this episode, Ross walks through four critical concepts related to backcountry fly fishing in the winter: warmth, mobility, traction, and safety. From the parking lot to the bottom of the canyon and back again, this episode will help you make sure you're ready to keep those sexy toes in the game all day. 

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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Very few things will ruin a day of fishing like frozen, achy fingers that won't work when you need them to. 

In this episode, Ross walks you through how to keep your hands as warm as possible on the winter water without limiting your ability to manage the line, tie the knots, and do the other stuff you've got to do to fly fish effectively. 

Disclaimer: It's the winter, and there's no way around the fact that your fingers are going to get cold if you're crazy enough to fly fish through the frigid depths of winter. They just are. But with the right gear and a few simple tricks, you can manage the cold in a way that will let you stay on the water long after others have headed back to hold their frozen hands in front of their car vents. 

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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Before we can even start talking about fishing, we have to talk about staying warm and safe on the water during the coldest months of the year. After all, if you can't stay comfortable out there, you're not going to be catching fish. 

In this episode, Ross walks you through how to dress for cold-weather fly fishing from your head to your toes so you can stay as warm and as toasty as possible while you're out there ripping lips in a snowstorm. 

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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You could do a lot of things in the colder months. You could hang up your waders and opt for a soft couch, a warm blanket, and a hot cup of coffee. Fly fishing can wait, right?

Well, not for everyone. If you're among the hardy souls who just have to be on the river regardless of the season, you're going to have to deal with the unique challenges of fly fishing in frigid water and below-freezing air temperatures. It's tough out there in the winter!

In this episode, Ross sets the stage for Season 2 by walking through the challenges of winter fly fishing--and talking about the reasons those challenges make it worth your while to get outside and make some tracks in the snow. 

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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Happy Halloween! If you think ghosts and goblins are creepy, you should see what the backcountry can serve up. Anyone who has spent any time in the wilderness has creepy stories to share, and Ross is no exception.

In this episode, Ross recounts one scary encounter he had in a remote canyon far from home. 

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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In the final episode of The BFF Podcast's first season, Ross walks you through what backcountry fly fishing looks like in October--the last solid month before deep fall and winter set in for real. He covers fishing tips, setups, and the basic gear you'll need to stay on the water and keep putting fish in the net as the weather gets colder. 

This is the last episode of Season 1. Thanks to everyone for listening! It's been quite a learning experience. In a few weeks, we'll be back with Season 2, which will focus on surviving the winter (and planning for the spring and summer) as a backcountry angler. 

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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Every time you head into the backcountry, there's a chance things could go wrong. No matter how experienced you are, how much training you have, or how long you've been fly fishing in the wilderness, you could find yourself in trouble out there. If that day ever comes, you'll be incredibly grateful for the amazing folks on your local search and rescue team.

One of those wonderful folks, Dave Arnett from Douglas County Search and Rescue in Colorado, joins Ross on this episode to give you an inside look at a search and rescue team. Dave also provides tips and information that could save your life if you ever do find yourself in a bad situation.

We are immensely grateful for Dave's work and the work of all wilderness search and rescue teams. THANK YOU for all you do to keep us safe as we chase beautiful fish in wild places. 

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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There's a lot of stuff you don't know about backcountry fly fishing (or fly fishing in general), and in many cases, you may not even know you don't know it. That's true for every fly angler, no matter how many years you have under your belt. Perhaps the greatest thing about this sport is that it's all about constant learning.

In this episode, Ross provides ten tips that you probably didn't know you needed, but that could help you have a better, more successful day on the water the next time you decide to hit the trail or hop in the stream. 

Don't forget your meat thermometer!

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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Everybody needs good gear, and that means everybody needs a good fly shop. Plus, it's always fun to have someplace to talk with other fly fishers, get some helpful advice, and maybe spend a little too much money on this crazy hobby we all love.

In this episode, Patrick Srebniak from AvidMax, a national online fly shop based in Denver, talks to us about how to find your shop and get geared up for a great time on the water. Whether you're hitting the backcountry, driving to your local stream for the first time, or looking for some obscure feathers for your latest fly pattern, this episode will help you think through where to get the stuff you need for the sport you love.

If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected]

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