Flooded timber duck hunts, hard-won conservation victories, and one trout river that carried a man through grief.
Flooded timber duck hunting has long been considered one of waterfowling’s most spiritual traditions and comes fully alive as Host Colin Kearns sits down with legendary outdoor writer T. Edward Nickens to talk about green tree reservoirs, the culture and history behind timber duck hunts, and why standing waist-deep among ancient oaks feels more like a rite of winter than a morning hunt.
From Arkansas bottomlands to Mississippi backwaters, Nickens explains what makes a great timber day, how ducks work the woods, and why proper management is critical to preserving these places for future generations.
Next, Field & Stream News Editor Travis Hall joins the show to break down the best conservation good news stories of 2025. From major public land sell-offs being stopped, to landmark corner-crossing victories, to salmon returning to long-blocked waters, this segment is a reminder that hunters and anglers still have real power when they speak up.
The episode closes with a deeply personal Campfire reading. Colin shares his essay My Home Waters, a year-long trout fishing journey that becomes a story of grief, healing, and why certain rivers stay with us forever.
This is Field & Stream storytelling at its finest; grounded in wild places, conservation wins, and the quiet power of water.
Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/
Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns
Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/
Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by:
WATRMvmt_Outdoor, Small River, Wading Through water Though a Tunnel, Tascam DR-05X, Mono, 48Khs, 24 bit_JW Audio by JW_Audio -- https://freesound.org/s/803664/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Wading in Shallow Water.wav by ryansitz -- https://freesound.org/s/342932/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Wading through water.flac by guyburns -- https://freesound.org/s/320430/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Askeleet vedessä / Footsteps, wading, walking in the water, puddle, slush by YleArkisto -- https://freesound.org/s/368673/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
waterfront river spring 05 200418_0154.wav by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/555975/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Fish Release.mp3 by caitlynbananas -- https://freesound.org/s/563592/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Trout splashing after being caught by TheFlyFishingFilmmaker -- https://freesound.org/s/592784/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Fly fishing Stripping line out by TheFlyFishingFilmmaker -- https://freesound.org/s/641702/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Fly Fishing Reel Running_1.wav by paulprit -- https://freesound.org/s/507098/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
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