The February Room A Fly Fishing Podcast

Little did we know that fly fishing is a thing in downtown Manhattan? Die-hard urbanite and medical student, Brandon Dale, educates us on the target-rich bodies of water in Central Park. Dale, a lifelong outdoors enthusiast and PHD candidate, manages to find the time to work with his local chapters of BHA, TU, and Hunters of Color. "Ambitious" seems to be the best word to describe Brandon, whether solving the riddle of finicky carp or competing in the ultimate fly fishing scavenger hunt.

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At what temperature do pike spawn? Which fly lines should I use throughout the year? Could removing a large pike from a trout fishery have a contradictory effect? These are some of the questions that have been weighing on our minds, and Neil Cote, owner of Bite Me Flies, answered them without us even asking. Cote provides a wealth of insider information on the pursuit of pike, gathered over a lifetime spent exploring waters throughout the Northern Rockies.

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Pandemics, climate change, cancellations and inflation... like all other working professionals, outdoor guides are navigating the roughest waters ever. Fortunately, there are resources for hard-working guides and outfitters struggling to stay afloat. Molly Simpkins, Executive Director of the Guide Relief Program and Outdoor Guide Association, provides a throw bag for gillies from coast-to-coast.

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A 20-year guide career culminated with a gridiron legend awaiting pickup at the local Missoula hotel, bottle of vino in-hand. From there, Chris McAdams figured he'd reached the pinnacle, hung up his lanyard and agreed to a position as a sales representative with NRS-manufacturers of premium inflatable boats and gear for whitewater and fishing enthusiasts. Dream job? You bet, and nobody deserves it more than this hard-working angler and talented photographer.

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The Bitterroot River is one of the country's premiere fisheries and the lifeblood of one of Montana's most picturesque valleys. A rich tradition of agriculture, community, and recreation all rely on clear, clean flows and a healthy riparian area. The Bitter Root Water Forum is dedicated to restoring private and public lands to enhance habitat throughout the watershed and continue the legacy of responsible multi-use.

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Raised by Mainers with a nose for outdoor mishap, Nick Halle managed to survive his hazardous upbringing and find his footing in Montana. Halle now serves as Trout Unlimited's Volunteer Operation's Coordinator and part-time fly fishing guide, a career split that equates to a considerable amount of time on the water and access to the latest fisheries research. As such, Nick is well qualified to opine on the relationship between pike and trout in the rivers of Western Montana.

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We like to think of outdoor recreation as an investment in our own well-being. The guys at Chasing Tides act as sort of account advisors. In order to maximize profits, this crew of watermen advises on products they've found to make access to the outdoors more efficient for professionals and parents. The inspiration for this venture was their own backyard, the diverse fisheries of Virginia that provide salt, streams, and solace from the daily grind.

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June 2022 came down heavy on the Yellowstone Country. A perfect storm of environmental conditions resulted in historic flooding and devastating property loss. The community of Red Lodge, hometown of guide/outfitter Chad Pavlick, was particularly hard hit by the raging torrent. Pavlick shares perspective on his own backyard, a region forever altered by the "500 Year Flood".

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The days in the lives of fly fishing guides tend to bleed together and not until they sit down and ruminate do the juices begin to flow. Take John Herzer, owner of Blackfoot River Outfitters in Missoula, Montana. Herzer swore up and down that he didn't have any interesting stories to tell from his thirty-plus years as a river guide and impassioned backcountry hunter, but once we cornered him, John conjured a treasure trove of adventures from field and stream.

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Nebraska is mostly known for option football and unfettered fanaticism. Beyond the grid iron, the Cornhusker Fly Fishers fanatically explore the diverse angling options available across the Midwest region. As a U of N employee, Eric Einspahr bleeds Husker Red and devotes countless hours to his beloved Lincoln-based fly fishing club. Einspahr pursues the Nebraska Trout Slam and shares a sidesplitting casting mishap that occurred in a U of N gymnasium.

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