WAYPOINTS - with Jim Klug

In this episode of Waypoints, the focus is on technical gear and packing solutions for the traveling angler, with special guest Ben Kurtz, co-owner and President of Fishpond USA. Fishpond is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, packs, sustainable fly fishing travel solutions, and accessories designed for anglers who thrive on adventure, exploration, and the next great destination. The conversation delves into the evolution of luggage and gear construction, the most important features to consider when designing travel gear, how the company works hard to cater to the needs of traveling fly fishers, how new products are actually tested, and at what point a product is ready to bring to market.

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In this episode of Waypoints, we sit down with Peter Knox, the lead fly rod designer at Sage, a company renowned for its high-performance fly rods and innovation in rod technologies. Founded in 1980 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, Sage was the first to introduce fast-action, powerful graphite fly rods, and today, the company has grown into one of the most respected brands in the fishing industry. The discussion centers around Sage’s history, commitment to quality, and its evolution into a top-tier rod manufacturer using cutting-edge materials and engineering. A key figure in flyfishing rod design, Knox has played a significant role in creating Sage’s advanced products, including the R8 Core and SALT R8 series. Throughout the episode, he delves into the complexities of rod engineering, focusing on performance, user experience, and pushing the boundaries of what fly rods can achieve.

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Slovenia is renowned for its crystal-clear rivers, stunning alpine scenery, and diverse fish species – including the iconic marble trout and the hucho hucho taimen. With so much diversity and an incredible number of rivers, Slovenia offers fly anglers what may be the best freshwater fishing in all of Europe – in an area that without question delivers some of the most beautiful natural landscapes on the continent. Slovenia’s strong conservation efforts and the protection of native species like the marble trout, taimen, and European grayling – have helped maintain and support thriving fish populations and a legitimate angling infrastructure for years. In this episode of Waypoints, host Jim Klug sits down down with Slovenian angler and outfitter Rok Lustrik – a renowned fly fishing guide and founder of Slovenia’s “Lustrik Fly Fishing.” Passionate about fishing since the age of 12, Rok turned his hobby into a profession in 2000, establishing himself as one of the first guides in Slovenia. His expertise and experience with the rivers and waters of this amazing European country are unmatched, and with his deep knowledge of the region, a well-known commitment to conservation, and a lifetime of experience fishing for trout, taimen, and grayling, there is no one more qualified to talk about the unique fishing opportunities found throughout Slovenia.

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In this episode of Waypoints, we sit down with Chris Walker, the Lead Product Designer and R&D Manager at RIO Products – a brand recognized for its innovation and leadership in fly lines, leaders, and tippet. Chris addresses critical topics related to leaders and tippet set-ups, which are arguably the most significant elements directly connecting an angler to fish. He discusses common questions surrounding material options, performance metrics, and the confusion anglers often face when selecting leaders and tippet for specific scenarios. Chris also dives into key considerations like strength-to-diameter ratios, knot strength, fluorocarbon versus nylon materials, and how to match tippet and leader choices to different fishing conditions to ensure the best performance on the water.

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Tom Kiernan is the President and CEO of American Rivers – the non-profit environmental advocacy group that has been a leader in protecting and restoring rivers throughout the United States for the past 50 years. There is no doubt that the rivers of our nation are currently facing severe threats and challenges due to climate change, unnecessary dams, pollution, floods, and outdated government policies – which is why American Rivers’ work and mission is more important than ever. Host Jim Klug talks with Tom about current the biggest challenges and threats facing our rivers (and our sport), recent wins and developments that provide hope for the future, the issue of dam removal, ho to reconnect rivers to ensure healthy fisheries, the current status of the Pebble Mine fight in Bristol Bay, and how American Rivers has been successful at working across party lines at a time when Washington D.C. seems to be more divided than ever. If you’re an angler that cares about conservation and fighting for the resources that our sport depends on, this is one episode that you definitely want to download!

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In this episode of WAYPOINTS, Yellow Dog's Jim Klug is joined by Cosmoledo Atoll fly fishing guide Gary de Klerk and Yellow Dog's Alec Gerbec to discuss the art of fly fishing and hunting for giant trevally. Gary, a dedicated full-time guide in one of the premier locations in the world for giant trevally, is also an avid GT enthusiast. Together, they explore where anglers can find giant trevally around the world, their primary food sources, the best spots to find them on flats, the impact of tides on their behavior, effective fly presentation techniques, and much more. Even if you've fished to giant trevally in the past, you'll want to tune into this podcast for some incredible material on fishing to one of the most exhilarating fish on the planet!

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On this episode of WAYPOINTS, Alec is joined by host Jim Klug to explore the intricacies of fly fishing at St. Brandon's Atoll, one of the most remote trips Yellow Dog offers. In May 2024, Yellow Dog's Alec Gerbec had the opportunity to visit St. Brandon’s Atoll, located 268 nautical miles north of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. The trip spanned from May 7 to 17, 2024, featuring seven full days of flats fishing, with additional days allocated for travel between Mauritius and the Atoll. The week was a tremendous success, with the group landing a total of 272 bonefish and 5 permit. The average bonefish weighed around 7 pounds, and they even caught three 13-pounders.

- Click here to read Alec's trip report
- Click here to view St. Brandon's Atoll lodge page

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In part two of two of the “Bhutan Chronicles”, Waypoints host Jim Klug follows up his part one conversation with outfitter Bryant Dunn by sitting down with legendary angler and world traveler, Jeff Currier to talk about the fishing in Bhutan, the draw of mahseer as a species, and Jeff’s take-aways from a recent river expedition in the Kingdom. Recorded live from the field – on the banks of Bhutan’s Punatsang Chu river, Jim and Jeff break down the trip and discuss the draw of the Himalayan region for anglers and adventurers. With over forty years of experience fly fishing the world, Jeff Currier has quite possibly fished more countries and caught more species on a fly rod than any person alive. He’s an active lecturer, published author, a well-known artist, and the subject of numerous films, articles and media projects. Jeff is constantly traveling and developing new techniques for catching the most exotic fish imaginable in places where even the most avid adventurers are hesitant to go. An IGFA World Record holder, Jeff has fished in over 55 countries and caught over 450 species of fish on a fly.

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Jim Klug is joined by Bryant Dunn, the international director and co-owner of Himalayan Fly Fishing Adventures, an outfitting operation that has been exploring the Kingdom of Bhutan for nearly two decades. Dunn's ventures include multi-day river excursions for golden and chocolate mahseer, shorter trips for brown trout and snow trout, a new lodge project set to open in 2025, and Bhutan's only fly shop located in the capital city of Thimphu. In addition to the Bhutan operation, Bryant also owns Dunn Outfitting International, with offerings in the Himalayas, Christmas Island, and North America. Bryant has been guiding and outfitting anglers for over thirty years in some of the world's most remote and distant fisheries.

- Watch the Yellow Dog Field Report: "Expedition Bhutan"   
- Click here to view our Bhutan Fly Fishing Operations
- Click here to shop our golden mahseer equipment list
- WAYPOINTS is brought to you by our friends at Fishpond. Visit the Fishpond website to look at some of the gear we never leave home without. As a special offer for WAYPOINTS listeners, enter the code “WAYPOINTS,” all upper case, at checkout when you spend 40 dollars or more, and receive a free River Rat koozie while supplies last. When you take the road less traveled, make sure you travel with Fishpond.

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In the second episode of this Belize podcast series, Waypoints host Jim Klug is joined once again by Yellow Dog’s Belize program director Matt Kelsic and industry veteran Bryan Gregson to discuss fly fishing throughout Belize. This episode focuses on the differences and offerings of specific fisheries and locations throughout the country, providing a tour of options and destinations from north to south. If you’re considering a first trip (or a return trip) to Belize, this two-part series is a “must-listen.”

- Visit our Belize fly fishing lodges page
- View all podcast episodes by going to the WAYPOINTS podcast page
- WAYPOINTS is brought to you by our friends at Fishpond. Visit the Fishpond website to look at some of the gear we never leave home without. As a special offer for WAYPOINTS listeners, enter the code “WAYPOINTS,” all upper case, at checkout when you spend 40 dollars or more, and receive a free River Rat koozie while supplies last. When you take the road less traveled, make sure you travel with Fishpond.

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- View the official Yellow Dog website