The Destination Angler Podcast

Episode 163 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – January 29, 2026 Our destination is the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia—steep, green, and loaded with incredible trout water if you know where to look. We're blue-lining small mountain streams with Mark Taylor, Eastern Communications Director for Trout Unlimited and one of the most respected outdoor writers in the country. Virginia might be the most underrated fly-fishing state in the East. Freestone brook trout streams high in the mountains, spring creeks in the valleys, and big rivers loaded with trout, smallmouth and muskies. Stick around—we're breaking it all down.   W...

Episode 162 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – January 15, 2026 Our destination is the Upper Connecticut River—a remote tailwater in far northern New Hampshire that delivers outstanding fly fishing with remarkably light pressure. In this episode, I'm joined by veteran guide Bill Bernhardt, a 20-year Orvis-endorsed guide and co-owner of Points North Outfitters in Pittsburg, NH. Bill explains why this system fishes more like a Western tailwater than classic New England water—and why it remains one of the region's true sleepers. We talk trout and landlocked salmon, seasonal strategies, favorite fly patterns, remote...

Episode 161 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – January 1, 2026. Our destination is the Rangeley region of Maine — home to three world-famous rivers steeped in history and known for giant brook trout: the Rapid, the Kennebago, and the Magalloway.  But how are they actually fishing today? And do they still live up to the hype? Joining me is fisheries ecologist and lifelong Mainer Greg LaBonte, owner of Maine Fly Guys.  Today we talk brook trout and landlocked salmon, muskies and black flies, head nets and Maine culture, and what not to do in moose country. Plus, Greg's...

Episode 160 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – Dec 18, 2025 Today Our destination is the Upper Delaware River, a legendary tailwater often called the crown jewel of the East. This tailwater system is known for clear, cold water all year long and highly selective wild brown and rainbow trout – a graduate school for fly anglers where precise presentation and light tippets are the rule. Joining me is long time guide, fly shop owner, and Upper Delaware expert, Joe Demalderis, Cross Current Outfitters in Hancock, PA. He's been fishing the Delaware since the 1970's, appeared in many nati...

Episode 159 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – Dec 4, 2025 Our destination is Alaska's Brooks Range with fisheries ecologist Kevin Fraley. We explore this wild and remote landscape, Arctic species like Dolly Varden and sheefish, and the conservation fight over the Ambler Road project.  Kevin shares adventures of bear charges, moose encounters, extended solo packrafting trips, and scenery so pristine it even smells that way.   With host Steve Haigh Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Kevin Fraley:     Wildlife Conservation Society Midnight Sun Fly Fishin...

Episode 158 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – Nov 19, 2025 Our destination is the legendary South Island of New Zealand – world famous for trophy trout, technical fly fishing, and friendly people – with 40-year Kiwi guide and conservationist Tony Entwistle.  Tony shares the unvarnished truth about NZ today and offers sage advice on important questions like how selective are NZ trout today?  What's the single most important skill for any fly angler arriving there?  And, what are the odds today of catching a trophy trout NZ over 10 pounds?    We also hear what was it like guiding during the early da...

Our destination is wild Alaska and wondrous Argentina, two of the world's premier fly-fishing frontiers. For most anglers, a trip like this is once in a lifetime—so which do you choose?  To help us decide, we've brought together two men who know these waters well. Bob White is a renowned sporting artist, author, and former guide who for 40 years has led anglers from Alaska to Patagonia. Joining him is his good friend Steve Ramirez—Marine Corps veteran, writer, and author of the acclaimed  Casting Series. Together, Bob and Steve share their experiences and reflections on two...

Our destination is the legendary Penns Creek in central Pennsylvania—Part 2—with Team USA world champion angler and guide Tess Weigand. Tess unleashes a flood of hard-won tips from years of guiding and competing to help you crack the code on one of the most technical trout streams in the East. We dive into the chaos of the Green Drake hatch, Tess's go-to fly patterns, how to handle the crowds, read tricky currents, and stay calm when "everything is hatching at once." It's a masterclass in patience, stealth, and observation—with lessons stretching from Montana to Norway. <p...

Our destination today isn't a river — it's the very ground beneath our wading boots.  Across the West, efforts have resurfaced to sell off or weaken protections for our public lands — the same lands that hold America's greatest trout streams and wild places.     Joining me is Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. Today, we talk about the fight to protect our public lands — what's at stake for anglers, and why these battles keep coming back like cicadas emerging from the ground, and what you can do about it.   Stick around for the end for some fun as...

Our Destination is Part 1 of a 2-part series on the legendary Penns Creek in central Pennsylvania with Team USA world champion competition angler and guide, Tess Weigand. Tucked into the Pennsylvania woods, Penns Creek is hallowed water— it's PA longest limestone-creek, a bug-factory, and home to some of the most educated trout in the East.   Tess is a founding member of the women's Team USA and has represented the United States at world championships in Norway, British Columbia, the Czech Republic, and most recently, Idaho, where they took first place.  Listen in as Tess shares her favorite patte...

Our destination is Canada's Lake Superior Marine Conservation Area for giant coaster brook trout—3,800 square miles of crystal-clear water and steep, rocky drop-offs hiding the biggest brook trout on earth.   Joining me is author, guide, and Great Lakes expert Jerry Darkes, who gives us a whirlwind tour of fly fishing the Great Lakes and a deep dive into where, how, and when to find these genetically supercharged brookies.   Jerry's been fishing the Great Lakes for 50 years and this remote area for 15.  Today he shares his strategies on sinking lines and tag-teaming for big fish, plus top flies and the...

Our destination is Big Pine Creek in the remote "Dark Skies" region of Pennsylvania.  Joining me is expert fly angler, Ethan Albright, a reformed diesel mechanic who traded wrenches for fly rods and is now head guide at Slate Run Tackle Shop. Ethan gives us the low down on the numerous creeks and rivers in the area and shares stories of black bears and rattlesnakes, stargazing and remote living, triple-digit days and 25" brown trout. Bonus:  stick around for a great story from a listener of a close encounter with a bear in Alaska. With host St...

Our destination is the hidden fly fishing paradise of Tasmania— that far-flung island at the bottom of the world with beautiful lakes and trout that can top 20 pounds – with industry icon and fly fishing legend, Jack Dennis.  Jack opened one of the most iconic fly shops in America in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  He's produced best-selling books and videos, helped launch Team USA Fly Fishing, and co-founded the Jackson Hole One Fly. He's fished and filmed all over the world and has guided everyone from President Ford and Harrison Ford, to Denny Crum and John Wooden, and half of Hol...

Our destination is the legendary Missouri River near Craig, Montana, one of the most technically challenging rivers in the West.  Joining me is guide, author, photographer, Marine Corps vet, and adjunct professor, Micah Fields, who unpacks his playbook for dry-fly headhunting, the quirks of Holter dam, and the art of reading a river that fishes like a giant spring creek.   Plus, hear about Montana's highly selective "Guiding for the Future" program and why it matters for the rivers we love, MRE's and chickens in Helmand Province, and an encounter with the great John Geirach.  Stick around to the...

Our destination is the massive Upper Columbia River in southeastern British Columbia, with football-field-sized back eddies, hydraulics that'll flip drift boats, and rainbow trout that'll bend your rod like a bonefish.   Joining me is veteran guide, Kelly Laatsch, general manager of St. Mary's Angler, Cranbrook, BC, who's spent three decades mastering these waters. Today, Kelly opens his playbook, sharing secrets on fly fishing extreme hydraulics, why a single-fly rigs is a good strategy, and pointers on guiding men vs women.  We'll also touch on BC's legendary Elk, St. Mary, and Skookumchuck rivers, plus Argentina's trout paradise. Stick aro...

Our destination are the technical trout waters of the Truckee River with Mike Anderson, head guide at the Reno Fly Shop.  Mike gives us a detailed rundown of the Truckee, along with stories of ornery wild horses, giant browns, and a trout so big it scared the pants off a client.  As a bonus, we dive into the legendary Pyramid Lake—home to monster Lahontan Cutthroat trout and one of the best shots at a 10+ pound trout in the lower 48. With host Steve Haigh Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  <p...

Our destination is the remote backcountry of Bristol Bay, Alaska—where the bears are fat, the rainbows are wild, and the guides row, cook, clean, and occasionally yank a size 8 hook out of their own finger.   Joining me is Zach Nemelka with Hooked on Alaska.  Zach grew up in Utah, but has been coming to Alaska since he was 5.   After a stint in college, he moved for Alaska to specialize in multi-day backcountry float trips for giant rainbow trout.  What's it like to float 60 miles of wilderness chasing trophy rainbows, dodge 1,000-pound Alaskan brown bears, and endure the wild...

Our destination is the legendary South Fork of the Snake River, a world-famous Blue-Ribbon fishery in eastern Idaho.  Joining me is Sage Unsworth, regional fisheries biologist, expert angler, and fifth-gen Idahoan, who gives us the skinny on the South Fork from top to bottom covering the top sections anglers need to know about, selective trout strategies, and the science behind fish counts.  Also, the controversial rainbow trout management program to conserve Yellowstone cutthroat, stories of squirrel-induced starvation, the dos and don'ts of fish handling, and why you can't be a jerk as a fisheries biologist. With host, St...

Our destination is Abell Ranch, a 1,500-acre slice of trout heaven on Colorado's South Platte River with former guide and fifth-generation Coloradan, Clint Packo, who just might have the coolest job around: running Abell, restoring trout streams, and brokering some of the West's most iconic ranches. Abell is known for its three miles of gin-clear water, rare solitude, and some of the best hopper fishing in the state. Along the way, we tackle big questions—like how do you design a trout stream? And who drops $38 million on a ranch…and actually makes it work?  Stick around to th...

Our destination is the fabled Smith River with Evan Youngblood, Livingston, Montana. The Smith is a remote, permit-only float in central Montana that offers fly anglers a truly unforgettable multi-day experience. Winding through a stunning limestone canyon, the river holds healthy populations of eager wild brown and rainbow trout.      Evan unravels the mysteries of fly fishing success on the Smith and explains why anglers covet an opportunity to float this remote 59-mile beauty.   A great storyteller, Evan regales us with tales of stack mends, groover duty, and peregrine falcons as only a seasoned guide could tell...