The Storied Outdoors

By Bryan Gill & Brad HillSports Wilderness

The Storied Outdoors episodes

April 17, 2024 Ep 117: Robin Taylor: Photographer And Painter
In this episode, we had the opportunity to sit on the tranquil front porch of Robin Taylor. Robin is a staple in the outdoor community of Alabama and creates some of the most striking photography and paintings. Birds were chirping and woodpeckers were rattling as we rocked in our rocking chairs overlooking a quiet pond in front of Robin's house. It was a fantastic conversation and we covered a variety of topics.

We discussed everything from milky way photography to landscape and wildlife painting, exotic travel, his award-winning fishing lure collection, and synchronized fireflies. Robin's love for the outdoors and his quiet faith is so evident in how he treats people as well as how he cares for God's creation. We hope this episode encourages you to get outside and find your own adventures and write your own stories in the Storied Outdoors.
Follow Robin on Instagram Here
Use Promo Code TSO For 20% off of your next purchase from www.redbeardsoutfitter.com or in Store
We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions, comments, poems, and or recommendations for us, email us [email protected] Music written and recorded by Brad Hill.
1 hr 3 min
April 10, 2024 Ep 116: Matt McPherson: Founder and Owner of Mathews Archery & McPherson Guitars
In this episode, we are so excited to share our conversation with Matt McPherson founder of Mathews Archery and McPherson Guitars. Both of these are industry leaders in their respective fields. Matt shares about his drive for excellence in everything he puts his hands to as a way of honoring God. His faith has driven him to do some amazing things as a businessman, but also as someone who strives to share the love of Jesus with everyone, he comes in contact with.
Matt McPherson along with his Father began the journey of building McPherson Guitars where they merged art, skill, and innovation to create a truly exceptional and inspiring acoustic guitar. Today, McPherson guitars are known for having exceptional resonance, high quality craftsmanship, and its signature McPherson sound hole. The McPherson name has come to stand for excellence, integrity, and artistry.
One of Matt’s other passions and pursuits since a young age has been bowhunting and with the engineering mindset that built guitars, Matt set himself on a course of building bows. Having built his first compound by the time he was 13 yrs old, he went on to invent the Solocam technology in 1992, and there began Mathews Archery.
Matt states, “At Mathews, we are a family of bow hunters, inventors, producers and storytellers. We work hard and with enduring passion, to deliver the ultimate archery experience for our customers.”
We hope you will enjoy these stories and interview with Matt McPherson.
#thestoriedoutdoors #mathewsarchery #archery #bowhunting #guitar #mcphersonguitar #faith #podcast
54 min
April 03, 2024 Ep 115: Why We Do What We Can’t – Flies and Fingerlings by Andre Davis
In this episode, Brad Hill reads an essay written by previous guest, friend of the show, and staple member of the Alabama flyfishing community, Andre Davis. This essay is a look into the passion that so many of us share in this world of flyfishing in the state of Alabama and beyond. We hope you will enjoy this essay, but more than that, we hope it encourages you to find your own adventures and write your own stories in the Storied Outdoors.
13 min
March 27, 2024 Ep: 114 Andre Davis: Fly Fishermen & Founder of Skills & Gillz
In this episode we talk to Andre Davis. Andre is an avid outdoorsman who finds peace and restoration in the demonstrative power of God's nature. He is a proud big brother, uncle, son and husband. Andre' has spent a lifetime outdoors hunting, fishing, hiking, building, playing music and teaching. Married to a sixth grade teacher, his household is full of the desire to teach and lead our youth well, with the joyful expectation of watching them become better than ourselves. Andre' has a non-profit called Skillz and Gills where kids are taught the basics of fly fishing, how to set up a rig, fly casting, all about waterways, ecosystems, conservation, and fish handling. He’s a staple in the Alabama fly fishing community, a mentor of the Mayfly Project, an avid fly tier, and friend of the show.
Many of you may be surprised to know that Andre is also an excellent writer and storyteller. We’ve had the privilege of reading several of his personal essays and we talk about those on the show. We had Andre on once before at the international fly fishing film festival at Cahaba Brewery last year, but we wanted to extend our conversation with him this year. We know you will enjoy hearing from our friend, Andre Davis.
Follow Skillz and Gillz on Instagram @skillz_and_gillz
Support the Mayfly project in Birmingham here
Use Promo Code TSO For 20% off of your next purchase from www.redbeardsoutfitter.com or in Store
We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions, comments, poems, and or recommendations for us, email us [email protected] Music written and recorded by Brad Hill.
1 hr 15 min
March 20, 2024 Ep 113: Cpt Robin Simms: Fly fishing guide and Boat Captain

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Captain Robin Simms, who just received her certification to operate 150 foot vessels. Robin is a longtime friend of the show and vital member of the Alabama flyfishing community. We previously had Robin on the show in a mini episode at the international fly fishing film festival at Cahaba brewery last year. We go into more depth with Robin in this episode and discuss Alabama women on the fly, her guide services, and a host of other topics centered around a life lived on the water… Including a harrowing story from her time in Alaska involving a very little boat on very big waves. We absolutely love what Robin brings to this episode, as well as what she brings to the outdoor community with her innovative approach to getting new people on the water. We hope you enjoy!

Follow Robin on instagram @robinsimms
Find out more about Mayfly project Click Here and Auburn Mayfly
Find more about Alabama Women on the Fly Click Here
Find out more about Riverbird Outdoors Here
Support The Coosa River Keeper Click Here

Use Promo Code TSO For 20% off of your next purchase from www.redbeardsoutfitter.com or in Store
We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions, comments, poems, and or recommendations for us, email us [email protected] Music written and recorded by Brad Hill.
1 hr 17 min
March 13, 2024 Ep: 112 Jacob Holsonback: Surfer & Surf Shop Manager
Jacob Holsonback, a native of Pace, Florida, is a manager at Innerlight Surf Shop in Pensacola, Florida, overseeing its four locations, including two in Pensacola, one in Gulf Breeze, and one in Destin. In the summer months, Jacob shares his passion for surfing with folks who take part in a surf camp sponsored by the shop.
In this episode, we dive into the world of surfing with Jacob Holsonback, a true enthusiast and self-proclaimed surf junky; he is one of the managers at Innerlight Surf Shop on the Gulf Coast. Unlike our previous outdoor topics, this conversation paddles into the uncharted waters of the thrilling sport of surfing. Jacob shares his personal journey, from how he first discovered surfing to managing a surf shop and teaching beginner surf camps during the summer. We explore the challenges and growth opportunities he's experienced through surfing, along with some of his most memorable adventures. Jacob also provides valuable advice for novice surfers and sheds light on the dangers that the sport of surfing may encounter. If you're curious about surfing or looking to enhance your surfing skills, this episode is a must-listen!

Visit the Surf Shop Click Here
Follow Jacob on Instagram Click Here
Interested in joining Jacob for surf camp Click Here
Photography and drone footage done by Shane Dye see his work here
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Email us [email protected] if you have any questions, poems, stories, or comments, we would love to hear from you.

1 hr 19 min
March 06, 2024 Ep 111: David Parham, Huntsville Adventurer & Wild places in Alabama
In this episode, we talk to David Parham about all of the amazing places in Alabama to find adventure. David grew up in Birmingham, attended college in Tuscaloosa, and currently lives in Huntsville working as an engineer. He grew up climbing and was driven outdoors by finding anywhere he could go climb. Climbing quickly turned him into a camper and as he would go climbing for a weekend and would need a place to sleep. Through camping and climbing he then turned into a waterfall hunter. Waterfalls served as a spectacular place to cool down while camping and climbing during summer. Waterfall hunting led to hiking and thus the process of finding waterfalls. When he’s not at home, at work, or at Jiu Jitsu, he loves exploring the outdoors with his 2 daughters and wife. They love spending time exploring North Alabama and seeing all the different views, caves, and waterfalls that it has to offer. David is an advocate for wild places and backyard adventures in the state of Alabama. We discuss being intentional about getting our children in the outdoors at an early age. As well as how sometimes the most beautiful places are the most unexpected places. Be sure to tune in to this episode with David, a.k.a. The Huntsville Adventurer.
We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions, comments, poems, and or recommendations for us, email us [email protected] Music written and recorded by Brad Hill.
1 hr 5 min
February 28, 2024 Ep 110: Sam Bailey: Advertising Director Southern Culture On The Fly
In this episode, we talk with Sam Bailey about all things fly fishing, and those who helped us to get into the sport along the way. Sam tells us some great stories about working in fly shops with Mr. Craig Haney, and how that led to a love of the sport. He also talks about Southern Culture on the Fly, and the great things that they are doing to contribute to storytelling, flyfishing, and conservation in the South. We hope you will enjoy this episode of the Storied Outdoors with Alabama fly fishing friend and advocate, Sam Bailey.

We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions, comments, poems, and or recommendations for us, email us [email protected] Music written and recorded by Brad Hill.

1 hr 2 min
February 21, 2024 Ep 109: Charles Martin & Sons: Alaska Stories And a Conversation About Manhood
Ep 109: Charles Martin & Sons: Alaska Storied And a Conversation About Manhood
In this episode, we sit down with former guest and New York Times best selling author, Charles Martin. However, this time we were joined by two of his three sons, Rives and Charlie. Charles, Rives and Charlie all spent some time in Alaska this past year, and we were not short on stories for them to tell. We talked about bear encounters, fishing for salmon, and what it means to be a man. Charles gets the opportunity to talk about each of his sons unique giftedness, and how he specifically prays for each of them. This was such a fun conversation to be a part of on many levels. We hope that you will enjoy hearing more from our friend, Charles Martin and his sons. Be sure to get Charles’ latest books: a novel entitled The Last Exchange, and a 40 Day Journey to the cross, entitled It is Finished wherever books are sold.
Keep up with Charles Martin on his website Here
Purchase his newest book “It is Finished” Here
Go fish with Charlie at the beautiful Rainbow River Lodge: Book Here
Follow Charles Martin on Instagram @storiedcareer
Follow Charlie Martin on Instagram @captcharliemartin
Follow Rives Martin on Instagram @rives_martin
We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions, comments, poems, and or recommendations for us, email us [email protected] Music written and recorded by Brad Hill
1 hr 21 min
February 14, 2024 Ep 108: Dorsal Outdoors: Film Making, Story Telling, and Authenticity
Ben Meadows and George Constantine from Dorsal Outdoors, a crew of lifelong buddies from Alabama who just couldn't put a good story down. These guys are insanely talented at crafting films about the outdoor experience. The people, The places, and The pursuits . From the time that Ben and George got stranded on an uninhabited island while trying to catch bonefish, Or the time Dan dropped into 400 feeding tuna, and left with only a headache. Or especially the time (every time) where they took what they had, made the best out of it, and ventured as far as they could., They have published tales from Colombia, Alabama, Mexico, Louisiana… anywhere adventure is found. Ever since we met these fellas we have felt like they are our tribe, the kind of folks we hoped to have conversations with on this show. It's been a long time coming but we hope you enjoy our conversation with Ben Meadows and George Constantine.
Follow Dorsal Outdoors on instagram @dorsaloutdoors
Subscribe to their YouTube channel click here
We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions, comments, poems, and or recommendations for us, email us [email protected] Music written and recorded by Brad Hill

1 hr 28 min