In episode #7 of The DrakeCast, we heard about the threatened Menominee River on the border between Michigan's UP and Wisconsin. This river had unfortunately found itself on American River's list of the ten most endangered rivers in the United States.

In this episode, we look at the unfortunate body of water that occupies the number one spot on that list - The Colorado River. Throughout the story, we'll chat with fly shop owners, fishermen, conservationists, and flyfishing industry leaders as we try to figure out how the Colorado gained such an unsightly title.

The Colorado is a huge river, but it also represents the perils that all of the world's rivers face right now. 

Many thanks to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods for their continued support of The DrakeCast.

A big shout out to Fishpond and American Rivers for their help with this episode and their role in keeping our rivers healthy.

For more information on this episode, check out our website: http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1864-the-drakecast-fly-fishing-podcast-18-colorado-river-fishpond-american-rivers.html

#18 The Mighty Colorado River

For those who fish, this is the DrakeCast, a new flyfishing podcast. We're an audio supplement to the Drake Magazine and a voice for flyfishing around the world. Each Friday, we bring you a story - some funny, some serious. We'll be fishing for steelhead on the Pere Marquette, brook trout on small creeks, high mountain cutthroats, salmon galore, plus a tons of other species and places.
Check us out at The Drake Magazine's website http://www.drakemag.com/drakecast.html

Sports

A year ago today, May 25, 2022, a fire started in the middle of the Bolivian jungle, burning down a lodge in one of the most sought-after fishing destinations in the world. To tell that story, we have Drake magazine founder, Tom Bie.

To get more stories like this pick up a copy of The Drake at your local fly shop or subscribe at drakemag.com.

This episode was made possible by generous support from The Eleven Experience, Scott Fly Rods, and Grundens. If you like the show, give em some of your money.

#63 Bolivian Burnout: Who Torched Angling Frontiers' Lodge?

Today we have a story from the Winter 2022/23 issue of The Drake Magazine called “Numbers Game,” that basically asks the question, do I need to catch more fish? The author, Stephen Sautner, does a better job answering that question than I have heard in a long time. 

To continue this discussion and many others, get your hands on the latest issue of The Drake Magazine either on our website, drakemag.com, or better yet, at your local fly shop.

If you like what you heard, make sure to check out Stephen’s new audiobook “Fish on, Fish off.” In it he reads 50 stories about angling and misadventure. Think of it like a six-and-a-half-hour podcast of real-life fishing stories about heartbreak, terror, and triumph. “Fish On, Fish Off” is available on Audible and Audiobooks.com.

#62 Catching Less Fish w/ Stephen Sautner

Today, with the help of Drake magazine editor and founder, Tom Bie, we’ll be walking through what you can find in the Fall 2022 issue of the Drake. If you’re hearing this, it means you should be able to buy it at your local fly shop or on our website, drakemag.com.

Many thanks to Scott Fly Rods and The Eleven Experience for making this episode possible, and a big thanks to all of the advertisers in the print magazine as well.

A shout out to Hansi Johnson for chatting with us about his photo. You can find him on instagram @hansski43

#61 Fall 2022 Magazine Preview

This week we have a couple old episodes that we’ve smashed together. They’re both about the Mississippi River, and they’re both about family and fishing on 11/11, Armistice Day, Veterans Day, which is when this episode is being released. If you’re listening on 11/11, I’m currently down on the Mississippi, probably not catching fish.

Many thanks to our sponsors The Eleven Experience (https://elevenexperience.com)and Scott Fly Rods (https://www.scottflyrod.com) for helping make this episode possible

#60 Eleven Eleven on the Mississippi River

A few months ago a family friend gave me a taxidermied brown trout that had been mounted in the 80s. When I went to the friend’s house to get the story behind the fish I somehow left with the rod and reel that had caught it, plus a whole lot more. This episode is the story of that fish, the rod, and the anglers that came before us.

Music for this episode was written and recorded by Russell Pedersen and appears on his album, Steal from the Rushes. You can see him live with his band Horseshoes and Hand Grenades at a few concerts this summer in Wisconsin. They always put on a heck of a show. (Link to the album: https://russellpedersen.bandcamp.com/album/steal-from-the-rushes)

This episode was made possible by generous support from The Eleven Experience, Scott Fly Rods, and Howler Bros. If you like the show, give em some of your money and tell em we sent ya.

#18 The Mighty Colorado River

Download our free app to listen on your phone