The February Room A Fly Fishing Podcast

We're back! Has it only been a year since our mysterious absence? The rumors have abounded that we were kidnapped by bottom trawlers or became a pickleball power couple, but truth is, we've just been busy with life...and a little fishing. While Lauren was working and holding down the fort, Justin used the respite to search for an Oregon dinosaur. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there is a "Cult of the Outdoors" in Western Montana, then John Perry is one of the ring leaders. The longtime guide, outfitter, lodge operator and fly creator is responsible for a generation of young, educated Missoulians pursuing river-life. Because, John knows how to make the most of the river miles. Perry's clients become kids again and excerpts from his riverfront camps seem like fantasy...but most of it is true! https://www.johnperryflyfishing.com/ https://clarkforkriverlodgemt.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To WATCH the whole story unfold, head to our YouTube Channel, @thefebruaryroom and enjoy our adventures with Mark Wackler of AK Fishology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In preparation for this interview, we clicked the link to "Mending the Line" on the laptop. A captivating series of events unfolded in the opening scene. Then we were transported to a fly shop in Montana. Instantly, the hook was buried and it required the patience of a spring creek angler to hit "pause"...this was one of those cinematic events better experienced on the silver screen! We are honored to be joined by Director Joshua Caldwell and Writer Stephen Camelio for a behind the scenes look at the filmmaking process from brainstorming to the box office. Starring Sinqua Walls, Brian Cox, Perry Mattfeld and Wes Studi, "Mending the Line" hits theaters June 9th and takes viewers on the tumultuous journey of a marine wounded in Afghanistan, his ensuing struggles with the traumatic aftermath and the discovery of fly fishing's therapeutic virtues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know the risk of picking up hitchhikers, but we may be transporting nefarious passengers without even knowing it. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are non-native plants and animals that have the potential to due lasting harm to our watersheds. Fisheries across the country have been permanently damaged by these critters, several of which have been traced back to maritime mishaps in the Great Lakes region. Across Montana and the Upper Midwest, fisheries and recreational managers are aligned with concerned citizens to prevent further spread of these noxious invaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Battered, bruised, and begging for more, Lauren returns from her first roosterfishing adventure in Baja! The stoke level is atmospheric as she shares insight into the pre-trip preparations that made all the difference in organizing and executing a successful saltwater adventure with her friends. No Lauren story is complete without a bad accent and we have one of those for you too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know the old adage "If you want to get to know a guy, sit down over a Kinky Muddler"...we did just that with Tom Latourelle of Bespoke Bugs. A former custom furniture maker, Latourelle's background as a craftsman is evident in the design, shape, and movement of the flies that he creates for his clients. Tom was kind enough to invite us over to his house for a one-on-one glue sniffing session as he spins a technical baitfish patterns for Baja. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the premier of the TFR Video Series, we drop the kids at school, skip work, shirk household chores and set course for a local trout stream in hopes of extending the summer hopper season just one more day! Watch this on thefebruaryroom.com or subscribe to our YOUTUBE channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our first "vessel of freedom" was a used aluminum Willie boat dad bought off a guy in 1984. She served our family, friends, and clients for 30 years on adventures throughout the PNW. Between the gunnels, we tallied a catalog of euphoric experiences that spawned into lasting memories. However, the story of our old drift boat would've never been told had things gone just a little more sideways on her early voyages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brace yourself for inspiration!!! Meet Lydia and Lil D from Fly Girl Global, a worldwide network of young ladies united by their love of fly fishing. These angler-advocates advance the sport via international zoom meetings to tie flies, swap fishing stories, and organize efforts to clean up waterways across the globe. Thanks to Fly Girl Global, flyfishing's future is so bright, we gotta' wear shades! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come March, a gathering of Missoula-based fishing guides resembles a scene from "Night of the Living Dead". Montana winters can grind a guide down, but Jason Brininstool has managed to keep a smile on his face. Jason flees for the tropics to work as a PADI Scuba Instructor or hosts trip to far flung destinations like Cuba and Columbia. Jason's positive attitude has attracted a cadre of loyal clients who trust him with adventures far beyond the rivers of Western Montana. This has made his off-season all the more interesting and one particular foray to Xcalak, Mexico formed a forever-memory and serves as a reminder to never judge a guide by their boat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The problem with this podcast, like working at Baskin Robbins, is that we're constantly being introduced to new flavors of fly fishing that we yearn to sample. When we first heard of "The Crash", our smallmouth senses began to tingle and we went straight to the source for insight into a remarkable feeding frenzy that occurs on Wisconsin's namesake river. Kyle Zempel of Black Earth Angling Co. abides and explains "The Crash" and other fishing opportunities that we now have to go add to our North Woods itinerary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many would-be female fly anglers, the pathway to the river is barricaded by dollar signs. The perception alone, that entry into fly fishing costs thousands in gear, inhibits many working moms, their children, and students from dipping into the budget to splurge on a new hobby. Enter Julia Mitchell and Temma Roby. These big-hearted friends founded "Rising to the Fly" in an effort to break this perception and remove the financial barrier to the sport. Whether in need of waders, rod, or a float tube, Rising to the Fly is a resource for all women who aspire to fly fish but can't justify the costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the big show! Host, Lauren Karnopp sits with the Fly Fishing Film Tour crew, Cooper Nash and John Zynda, at the historical Wilma Theatre. The three discuss life on the road, fishing adventures, why you shouldn't put out a campfire with diesel, and the inspirational films that will most likely hit a theatre near you. Grab your popcorn, sit back, relax and enjoy the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We grab a paddle and dig into the language and circumstances surrounding Senate Bill 497, which caused a bit of a riffle among the angling and public access crowd here in Montana. Co-captained by Jason Brininstool, fly fishing guide, David Brooks, Executive Director of Montana TU and Land Tawney, President of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, we're led down a rocky run on a Class 5 case of modern Montana politics.  https://montanatu.org/legislature/ https://www.backcountryhunters.org/montana Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're not being facetious when we say that sargassum is a serious threat to our shallow seas and could factor into your spring break plans. So what is it? Sargassum is a naturally occurring algae, a seaweed, that serves valuable ecological functions. But, over a decade ago, it began to show up in unnatural ways and the problem is getting worse. This year sargassum showed up early and often along the beaches of the Riviera Maya from Cancun to Belize, and in Florida and the Bahamas. This January, 2023, has already set a record for all previous January months. Worse, the amount of sargassum waiting offshore at this time of year is four times that of normal. We take a deep dive into this growing environmental concern by interviewing citizens and scientists to determine how and why sargassum blooms are occurring, how this is affecting anglers and wildlife, and what the future might hold? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who among us hasn't lost a spectacular fish they wish they could have back? I can recall every vivid detail of every brief encounter, from the final leap of the steelhead that spat my fly from across the river to the largemouth that suspended in air, then hocked the diving frog like a loogie. As a young man exploring one of Central Oregon's notoriously challenging streams, the unexpected took me on a downstream sprint only to leave me defeated, out of breathe and pining for another crack at the fish of a lifetime. Will this be a story of redemption or another melancholy chapter in the ageless tale of the one that got away? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you count yourself among the rank and file of weekend warriors? Are you more interested in how your fly or lure appears to the eyes of the fish than how your appearance is perceived by other anglers? Is fishing still a youthful enterprise that recalls the carefree days of bobbers, earthworms, and quality time with family and friends? If you answered "yes" to any or all of these questions, then lend an ear to the Working Class Fishing Podcast. We turn the tables on show hosts Jon Morris and Brian Keechle on a deep dive into an insightful and entertaining podcast based on the premise that fishing should be available to anyone and everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On August 21st, 2022, Nick Rinn was fishing for clues in California's Prosser Reservoir when his sonar device detected an anomaly. Rinn's macabre discovery would bring closure to the family of missing teenager Kiely Rodni...and change his life forever. It's been a wild ride for Nick, who in the span of a few days, went from anonymous electrician to national hero. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While we're pretty sure that Houston won't be hosting the Fly Fishing World Championships anytime soon, you'd be surprised how many fishing opportunities there are in the "Bayou City." Author Robert McConnell explores the possibilities and provides the beta in his new guide book, Fly Fishing Houston and Southeastern Texas. Turns out, theres a bounty of fly rod challenge hiding in plain sight in the city's canals, backwaters, and streams...you just need to think outside the trout box. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Judging from the advertisements, alcohol and fly fishing go hand in hand. What's a proper lodge brochure or gear catalog without an image of the crew blowing the froth off a few at day's end? But here in the real world the party can lead to lifelong problems. Rather than acting as the catalyst, Reeling in Recovery maintains that flyfishing can be the inhibitor to drug and alcohol abuse. Board President Andy Weiner introduces this organization as a safe space for those struggling with dependency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a rare interlude from globe-trotting, we tracked down filmmaker Natalie Rhea. This director, writer, producer, cinematographer, photographer and brand strategist captures the outdoor and western lifestyle for brands such as Swarovski, Tecovas, Traeger and Yeti, to name a few. But the creativity and work ethic doesn't end there as we discover the lighter side of Rhea through her comedic and musical exploits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My love for wildness, via adventures that have tested my mental and physical faculties, has blossomed throughout my life. Like a ponderosa pine, it begin as a seed, planted by my father, along the banks of one of the most challenging fisheries I have ever known. Though I somewhat resented it then, I've come to admire my dad's approach. He never made the outdoors easy. I think he was trying to teach some life lessons and instill a philosophy. If fishing and hunting are a challenge, we'll keep coming back for more and learn to appreciate all the aspects. Is there a better gift a parent can bestow to their children? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Edstrom and his buddies arrived at the landing to discover an unusually high concentration of out-of-state plates. Turns out, this entourage was lead by a prominent figure in the world of social media. Downriver, Edstrom bore witness to a poor display of fish handling in favor of potential "likes". Though there was no law prohibiting their methods, the court of public opinion would likely have ruled against them. Rather than act as judge, jury, or executioner, Brett and friends extended an olive branch when the crew came under duress but walked away with a bad taste in their mouths. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing "Tributaries", a series of snippets from our most memorable outdoor adventures, narrated by our hosts. Every so often, the universe abides and bestows anglers who wade forth with a transcendent experience. When the morning began with a Don Williams lick on a Homer radio station, our spidey senses began to tingle. What followed was a day on an Alaskan River that we certainly didn't expect and that can never be duplicated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Montana attracts her fair share of midwesterners. Those adventurous souls who crave a little more wildness and ruggedness than the flatlands have to offer in the long term. IN his early twenties, Dan Crockett left Kansas for the rivers of Colorado, eventually carving out a niche for himself as a conservation-based writer in Missoula. 33 years later, Crockett is retiring from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and his position as editor of Bugle. Before, after, and during those three decades, Dan skirted peril on multiple hunts, excursions and fronts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A parent's worst nightmare nearly came true for Scott Carver, inspiring him to reevaluate river safety. Specifically, the resources available to river users relative to location, weather, and stream flows. The end result from this aha moment was the On Water App, a comprehensive platform of all river data of interest to anglers, boaters, paddlers, and river users. With the launch of this app, the days of drawing directions to secluded boat ramps on bar napkin may well be over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trumpeter-turned fly fishing guide-turned golf professional, Mike Barber, dives deep into the abyss to recover a few pearls for this long-overdue discussion. The stories flow like grog in a steelhead camp as Barber recants adventures in guiding on the rivers of Oregon and touring with a fly rod and a funk band. Mike graciously lends his services as a facts-checker to our podcast, to set the record straight on a few past discrepancies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Chris Dombrowski is at it again, sharing the firsthand perspective of a seasoned river guide in his unique, poetic style. Dombrowski's latest release, "The River You Touch", has been described as "a love song to the rivers of Montana." We're such big fans of this love song that we invited Chris back on to discuss his new book and reflect on the challenges and rewards of fatherhood and life in Montana. As Jim Harrison said, "in a life properly lived, you're a river", and Dombrowski seems intent on heeding this suggestion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Can you learn fundamental leadership principles through fly fishing”? Authors John Childress and Christian Bacasa tapped notable figureheads in the fly fishing industry to answer this question, and discovered a resounding, “YES”! The end result, “Fly Fishing for Leadership”, is a book that interweaves lessons learned on the water with business, government, and everyday life. Childress explains the motivation for this volume and highlights the importance of choosing great partners in life and in fishing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are currently in a renaissance period in terms of fly design. Fly tyers are advancing the balance between fly movement and castability. This is particularly true for streamer patterns, resulting in a higher percentage of hookups on those really hard to come by fish like big browns and muskies. Dan Soltau is one such fly innovator and the name of his shop, the Dirty Water Fly Company, smells like the pursuit of big fish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guide Brett Wedeking was staring at the familiar problem of “how to check off my fly fishing life-list”. So, he formulated a solution that began on his home waters of Puget Sound, establishing a loyal client base. Then he formed relationships with some of the world's premier lodges and outfitters. Now Brett's business, Tailout Anglers, hosts adventures across the globe. It' not as easy as it sounds but all things are possible at the intersection of hard work and luck…just pray there's not an elk standing there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An unconventional upbringing, including stints in Argentina and Venezuela, set Ray Penny on the path to a life of adventure and service. Following a career in the fly fishing industry, Penny joined the Marines, and returned to civilian life looking for his next mission. That turned out to be the resurrection of G&H Decoys, the last of the American-made manufacturers. A father of six, family comes first, and with kin in Puerto Rico, Ray is able to visit relatives and pursue his passion for tarpon via kayak and fly rod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Little did we know that fly fishing is a thing in downtown Manhattan? Die-hard urbanite and medical student, Brandon Dale, educates us on the target-rich bodies of water in Central Park. Dale, a lifelong outdoors enthusiast and PHD candidate, manages to find the time to work with his local chapters of BHA, TU, and Hunters of Color. "Ambitious" seems to be the best word to describe Brandon, whether solving the riddle of finicky carp or competing in the ultimate fly fishing scavenger hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At what temperature do pike spawn? Which fly lines should I use throughout the year? Could removing a large pike from a trout fishery have a contradictory effect? These are some of the questions that have been weighing on our minds, and Neil Cote, owner of Bite Me Flies, answered them without us even asking. Cote provides a wealth of insider information on the pursuit of pike, gathered over a lifetime spent exploring waters throughout the Northern Rockies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pandemics, climate change, cancellations and inflation... like all other working professionals, outdoor guides are navigating the roughest waters ever. Fortunately, there are resources for hard-working guides and outfitters struggling to stay afloat. Molly Simpkins, Executive Director of the Guide Relief Program and Outdoor Guide Association, provides a throw bag for gillies from coast-to-coast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 20-year guide career culminated with a gridiron legend awaiting pickup at the local Missoula hotel, bottle of vino in-hand. From there, Chris McAdams figured he'd reached the pinnacle, hung up his lanyard and agreed to a position as a sales representative with NRS-manufacturers of premium inflatable boats and gear for whitewater and fishing enthusiasts. Dream job? You bet, and nobody deserves it more than this hard-working angler and talented photographer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bitterroot River is one of the country's premiere fisheries and the lifeblood of one of Montana's most picturesque valleys. A rich tradition of agriculture, community, and recreation all rely on clear, clean flows and a healthy riparian area. The Bitter Root Water Forum is dedicated to restoring private and public lands to enhance habitat throughout the watershed and continue the legacy of responsible multi-use. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raised by Mainers with a nose for outdoor mishap, Nick Halle managed to survive his hazardous upbringing and find his footing in Montana. Halle now serves as Trout Unlimited's Volunteer Operation's Coordinator and part-time fly fishing guide, a career split that equates to a considerable amount of time on the water and access to the latest fisheries research. As such, Nick is well qualified to opine on the relationship between pike and trout in the rivers of Western Montana. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We like to think of outdoor recreation as an investment in our own well-being. The guys at Chasing Tides act as sort of account advisors. In order to maximize profits, this crew of watermen advises on products they've found to make access to the outdoors more efficient for professionals and parents. The inspiration for this venture was their own backyard, the diverse fisheries of Virginia that provide salt, streams, and solace from the daily grind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 2022 came down heavy on the Yellowstone Country. A perfect storm of environmental conditions resulted in historic flooding and devastating property loss. The community of Red Lodge, hometown of guide/outfitter Chad Pavlick, was particularly hard hit by the raging torrent. Pavlick shares perspective on his own backyard, a region forever altered by the "500 Year Flood". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The days in the lives of fly fishing guides tend to bleed together and not until they sit down and ruminate do the juices begin to flow. Take John Herzer, owner of Blackfoot River Outfitters in Missoula, Montana. Herzer swore up and down that he didn't have any interesting stories to tell from his thirty-plus years as a river guide and impassioned backcountry hunter, but once we cornered him, John conjured a treasure trove of adventures from field and stream. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nebraska is mostly known for option football and unfettered fanaticism. Beyond the grid iron, the Cornhusker Fly Fishers fanatically explore the diverse angling options available across the Midwest region. As a U of N employee, Eric Einspahr bleeds Husker Red and devotes countless hours to his beloved Lincoln-based fly fishing club. Einspahr pursues the Nebraska Trout Slam and shares a sidesplitting casting mishap that occurred in a U of N gymnasium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Children in the foster program cope with innumerable challenges and difficult upbringings. The Mayfly Project is dedicated to providing these kids respite from the stressors of their daily lives by introducing them to fly fishing. Executive Director Jess Westbrook and Lead Mentor Rebecca Granillo have been instrumental in growing the Mayfly Project into a nationwide organization aimed at developing lifelong fly enthusiasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Mike Beagle and friends realized that the old-growth headwaters of Southern Oregon's Elk River were not under full federal protection, they enlisted the services of a local coalition of foresters and fisher-people. The end-game was the designation of the Copper Salmon Wilderness and the protection of critical spawning grounds for the river's wild salmon and steelhead. As if this feat of conservation-strength weren't enough, Mike was one of the founding members of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers...just don't ask him to take a photo of your catch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This bachelor party took place a long way from Sin City, but the riverbank lit up like the Strip as Brandon Dwyer and friends approached the boat ramp with trepidation....unpredictability is inherent in adventures in wild places but Dwyer will assume the risk for the "opportunity for a singular focus". When he's not focused on family and career, the Montana native devotes his remaining time to the Westslope Chapter of TU, a legion of volunteers at work enhancing and protecting Southwest Montana's precious coldwater fisheries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout Texas, inconspicuous fisheries attract a growing legion of flyrodders. Recognizing this trend, school teacher William Stewart, owner/operator of Brazos on the Fly, decided to dip his toe into the guiding waters. From his first full year in business, Stewart attracted local clientele and introduced them to the joys of casting flies to the river's bass, carp, and panfish. Will introduces us to the Brazos and a local narrative that became an engrossing book and flew equally under the radar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're fans of budget boats around here and found a kindred soul in Clint Whitley from the Western Hunting Hub podcast. Whitley is no stranger to the rain and shares some valuable insight into old boat and motor maintenance and repair. Despite his best efforts, his maiden voyage wasn't without its hiccups. Fortunately, no boat needed to pursue an ancient fish near his South Dakota home prized for its flesh and eggs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does your fish taste "fishy"? Well, it should, its fish after all, but Kirk Marks knows just how to accentuate that delicious natural flavor. As Author of "Flavor on the Fly" for Flylords Mag, Kirk shares his culinary knowledge and cooks up some grand angling adventures. If you've never had a properly-prepared red drum throat, then you're missing out one of the best crab substitutes at a time when the market price for shellfish is at a record high. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hollywood A-listers declined, so for our 100th episode, we looked across the studio and began reminiscing on the glory days of our respective careers in outdoor television. Lauren's duties included midnight dungeon logging, while Justin strapped a device resembling a medieval torture device to his chest in the name of crystal-clear audio. We saw plenty of the good, bad, and ugly in our years as editors/producers, but worked with plenty of talented people that have remained lifelong friends...wouldn't change a thing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sierra-based angler, Abe Blair has carved out a pretty nice little niche for himself. His vast river guiding experience, coupled with his renowned ability to capture landscape and wildlife, has taken him around the globe toting rod, reel, and camera. Blair is a partner in a gallery in Lake Tahoe, where his eye for color, light, and nature is on full display. And oh yeah, he's the co-host of a fly fishing TV show as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices