The Storied Outdoors

By Bryan Gill & Brad HillSports Wilderness

The Storied Outdoors episodes

July 12, 2023 Ep 87: Second Chances & The One That Got Away an Essay by Chase Bowers
In this guest essay, entitled “Second Chances & the One that got Away,” Chase Bowers recalls a fishing trip he took as a young boy with his grandfather and father. This fishing trip proved to be the catalyst that drove a wedge between he and his dad. But, like many complicated relationships, the worst doesn’t have to be the end. And in this story, the best was yet to come, even with the one that got away. This second chance essay is a beautiful story of grace and family. We hope you enjoy it.
Music written and recorded by Brad Hill
26 min
May 17, 2023 Ep 86: Season 6 Wrap Up and Recap Conversation
Ep 86: Season 6 Wrap Up and Recap Conversation

In this episode, Brad and Bryan recap the incredible 6th season of the podcast. Incredible, of course, because of the amazing guests who shared their stories on the show. They discuss the high points of each episode and some of their favorite moments from the season. Also, they reveal some exciting news for the podcast. Be sure to listen to the whole episode to get the scoop on what’s happening this coming Friday. You won’t want to miss it.

52 min
May 10, 2023 Ep 85: Rick Burgess: Nationally Syndicated Radio Host And Andy Blanks: Publisher Iron Hill Press
Nationally syndicated radio host of the Rick and Bubba Show and best selling author, Rick Burgess and author/publisher with Iron Hill Press, Andy Blanks are returning guests to the show. These men have been on the cutting edge of men’s ministry over the last decade by providing practical resources for men through devotional books and small group curriculum. Recently, Rick wrote a 31-day devotional entitled, Transformed through Iron Hill Press, that has been changing lives all over the country. In this episode, we talk about mens ministry, writing, and get an update on some of the great things happening at Rick’s farm including a hilarious fishing story of Rick and his dad.
Visit The Man Church website Here
The Myth of Quality Time Read More
If you have any questions, comments, recommendations, perhaps a sonnet, or you would just like to say hi, email us at [email protected]
Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill
1 hr 11 min
May 03, 2023 Ep 84: Jimbo Meador: A naturalist, Sailor, Storyteller, and Fly Fisherman
Jimbo Meador: A naturalist, Sailor, Storyteller, and Fly Fisherman

Jimbo Meador is one of the most iconic figures in the sport of fly fishing. As a lifelong Alabamian, living along the gulf coast, Jimbo has arguably influenced the sport of fly fishing as much as anyone else in the last century. From kayak fishing, paddleboard fishing, retail Orvis stores, and a host of other areas, Jimbo’s hand is evident in the history and future of the sport. Not to mention that his life heavily influenced the character of Forrest Gump, written by his good friend and author Winston Groom. We hope you will enjoy this episode where we sat down with Jimbo in his home office and soaked up all the stories and wisdom he shared with us.

For comments and questions or perhaps a poem or two email us at [email protected]
Music Written and Recorded by Brad Hill
1 hr 41 min
April 26, 2023 Ep 83: A Free Boat And a Magical Experience an Essay by Brad Hill
“ Whenever I find myself growing grim...I quietly take to the ship. Almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.”— Herman Melville

“A Free Boat And A Magical Experience” explores what riding a bike, a drift boat, and a flats skiff all have in common. From Monroeville, Ala. to two iron man triathlons, Brad has spent many miles on this magical machine called the bicycle, and from the Tallapoosa with Craig Godwin of East Alabama Fly Fishing to the Flathead in Montana, he’s experienced the enchanting feeling of fishing from a drift boat. But on one magical night in December and from the kindness of a group of Christian men, he received the thrill of owning his own skiff boat. A magical experience indeed.
Brad reflects on each of these experiences and how they connect him to place. However, the ultimate goal for Brad was to do his best to communicate the incredible experience and feelings of being given the most unforeseen gift he could have imagined and the gratitude he feels for those who went in together to give this unreal gift. We hope you enjoy this essay from Brad.
In this episode you hear about East Alabama Fly Fishing visit their website today and book a trip with these guys. Click Here
If you have any questions, comments, recommendations, perhaps a haiku, or you would just like to say hi, email us at [email protected]
Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill
29 min
April 19, 2023 Ep 82 :Brandon Bailes: Panther branch Bugs
Born and raised in North Alabama, just minutes away from the foothills of Tennessee, Brandon Bailes can still call this beautiful rural setting home alongside his wife, two sons, and two adventurous dogs. Growing up he spent countless hours hunting, fishing, trapping, and exploring the woods and streams around his house and he hasn’t stopped even to this day.... He says, “I’m convinced that the woods and water make you a student for life.”
Brandon works full-time for NASA but on the side he is a pure artist when it comes to tying flies. He is a commercial fly designer for Fulling Mills, he sits on tyer boards for several companies like Ahrex hooks, HMH Vises, and Dr Slick tools to name a few. His flies have been featured in several books “Smallmouth Flies- Top to Bottom” by Jake Villwock and Aaron Reed’s “Flyfishing Austin and Central Texas”
We talked on a previous episode about our time catching our first smallmouth bass on the fly with our pal Wade Blevins; on that same trip we had the pleasure of meeting Brandon and he gave us a couple of his incredible flies. We are honored for him to join us on the podcast. We hope you will enjoy this episode.

1 hr 16 min
April 12, 2023 Ep 81: Alabama Trout And The Deeper Magic an Essay by Dr. Bryan Gill
You don’t fully understand fatherhood until you’re a father. And even then, you’re just doing the best you can with what you have. In this essay, Dr. Gill reflects on lessons his dad taught him about fishing, fatherhood, and sacrifice. He also laments his failure to having yet landed an Alabama trout—a feat his two young children have both accomplished. Bryan has understood varying levels of sacrifice over the years, but two nights in Arkansas, a Great Lion, and a fishing trip helped him to truly grasp this peculiar concept. We hope you’ll enjoy this essay entitled, “Alabama Trout and the Deeper Magic,” written by Dr. Bryan Gill and read by Brad Hill.
27 min
April 05, 2023 Ep 80: Stephen Rockarts: Fly Fishing Alabama
Ep Stephen Rockarts: Fly Fishing Alabama
Stephen Rockarts is the owner and lead guide with Fly Fishing Alabama guide service. With his unceasing passion for fly fishing, he primarily targets several native species of fish such as Alabama Bass and the Storied Redeye Bass. Pound for pound these fish are some of the strongest fighting fish you will encounter. They live in the most beautiful untouched waters that Alabama has to offer. His trips lead people on an adventure to encounter these tremendous native species. Not only is he a gifted guide but he is also passionate about hospitality, offering an incredible creekside burger that turns the best days fishing and some of the worst days fishing into a good time on the water. Funny how a good burger will do that. Although I have never had the pleasure of enjoying one of those burgers, I salivate everytime one pops up on my instagram feed. One day we will have to remedy that.
Stephen serves as a Cahaba River ambassador, and as a Calico fly rods Pro guide. We cover in the episode how much of an impact our pal Wade Blevins has had on Stephen as he serves as a Sam’s one bug pro angler. Fun fact it is because of Stephen that I learned about the Sam’s one bug. He is also the Vice Chair on the board of Native fish coalition. He is a newly inducted member of the River rat rafts pro guide team and also a Cortland line pro angler. The thing I love about Stephen is his love for his family and desire to be present with them. He takes being a Dad seriously.
We cover so much in this episode and we laughed a great deal. If anyone has spent anytime around Stephen he will make you feel good about yourself and have a good time. I have no doubt that translates to his guide service. We discuss his gifting in hospitality and what role that plays in guiding along with his philosophy of what are components of a great trip. Obviously we had to spend some time in discussion about the shore burger and Stephen gives out some secret tips on what makes it so special. I promise you won’t want to miss this episode.
Follow Stephen and his Fly fishing adventures on Instagram @flyfishingalabama
To book a trip with Stephen (and you really should) visit www.flyfishingalabama.com
If you have any questions, comments, or request we would love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]
Music written and recorded by Brad Hill

1 hr 6 min
March 29, 2023 Ep 79: Live At The International Fly Fishing Film Festival Birmingham, AL
This week’s episode is the combination of four conversations we had at the International Fly Fishing Film Festival in Birmingham, Ala. We were joined by local members of the fly fishing community: Andre Davis, Ande Whitten, Paul Terry, and Robin Simms. Each of them had a great story to tell and we were honored to get to share it with you. We hope you will enjoy this episode that was recorded live from Cahaba Brewery in Birmingham. Below are the links to their Instagram accounts and the incredible organizations they are a part of.
Andre Davis- @skillz_and_gills
Ande Whitten- @Andewhitten
Paul Terry- @epicboogieman
Robin Simms- @robinsimms
Auburn Mayfly Project- @auburn.mayflyproject
Alabama Women on the Fly- @awonthefly
Project Healing Waters- @phwff_auburn
The Oars Foundation- @theoarsfoundation
If you have any questions, comments, or request we would love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]
Music written and recorded by Brad Hill
1 hr 9 min
March 22, 2023 Ep 78: Pete Peterson Author & Playwright
Pete is the author of the Revolutionary War adventure The Fiddler’s Gun and its sequel Fiddler’s Green as well as a variety of short stories. As a playwright he has published The Battle of Franklin, a stage adaptation of Frankenstein, and The Hiding Place, which received its world premier production from A. D. Players in Houston, Texas in 2019. Among the many strange things he’s been in life are the following: U. S. Marine air traffic controller, television editor, art teacher and boatwright at the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch, and not too long ago spent several weeks on pilgrimage traveling the Camino de Santiago. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Nashville where he is the Executive Director of the Rabbit Room and Managing Editor of Rabbit Room Press.
In November of 2022 at Hutchmoot, Brad had the pleasure of hearing Pete present along with a three others about Pilgrimage and his time on The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James). He could tell there was a great deal left on the bone in that discussion and here we are now as Pete dives deeper into that life-changing journey. We hope you enjoy this rich conversation with one of the leading creatives in America, Pete Peterson.
Visit the fine folks of the Rabbit Room at rabbitroom.com
Purchase Pete’s books in the Rabbit Room Store
Leaving us a rating on Spotify or a written review on iTunes, would be a huge blessing to us and a great help in growing this podcast.
If you have questions or comments for us we would be overjoyed to hear from you! Email us [email protected]
Music Written and Recorded by Brad Hill
1 hr 22 min