Advertise on podcast: Emerging

Emerger and Emerging were destined to connect someday—and we’re glad it finally happened. Emerger Fly Fishing creates some of the world’s premier handcrafted fly fishing bags. Each one is unique, thoughtfully designed, and built with care to last a lifetime. No detail is overlooked, and no customer is left unsatisfied. Tune in to hear about sourcing, engineering, and everything that goes into building a truly exceptional bag.

Jake Watts and Brandon Fien are just two guys in their twenties figuring it out—but they’re driven by a deep passion for getting outside and telling other people’s stories. What started as a shared love for the outdoors has turned into something bigger. In this episode, we dive into how they use cameras and filmmaking to highlight important voices, capture wild places, and play a role in protecting the environment.

David Brotzman has burst onto the fly fishing scene with serious momentum. As the creator behind the alias Very Good Fly Fishing (VGFF), he’s built one of the most down to earth, relatable, and genuinely funny characters in our industry. What sets VGFF apart is the balance! Equal parts skill, storytelling, and not taking it all too seriously. It’s the kind of content that makes you want to grab a rod and just go fish. And it doesn’t stop at short-form. Beyond the reels, Very Good Fly Fishing has carved out a space on YouTube as well, producing longer-form videos that dive into van life, winter camping, and full-on fly fishing adventures!    Check out All the content below:   Instagram Youtube All The Goods!

Joel is living the life. As a Bahamian, growing up fly fishing and exploring the beautiful flats in his backyard was second nature! Those early days on the water turned into something much bigger. Fast forward to today, and he’s worked in and out of fly fishing his entire life, building a deep-rooted connection to the sport and the people behind it. From being a kid fishing purely for the love of it, to guiding the Carnegie Mellon family year after year, Joel has seen the fishery from every angle. Now, he plays a key role in vouching for the guides, lodges, and local operations that make up one of the Bahamas’ most important industries, helping ensure the culture, quality, and authenticity of the experience stay exactly where they should be.      

Connor Murphy is the Founder of the CSU 5 Rivers club, and an all around fishy dude. Connor spends his time with Fly Water Inc, Emerger Fly Fishing, and St.Peters Fly Shop doing a little bit of everything!   In this episode we talk all things fishing, euro, social norms, food, and phish? Tune in and share the show!   Enjoy

Kevin Arculeo is the inventor behind one of the most unique series of flies we’ve seen. His signature technique involves cutting hollow cylinders of foam to create articulated appendages on crab, shrimp, and other flats flies, giving them a look and movement you don’t see every day on the flats. It’s a simple idea, but the execution is dialed, and the result is patterns that feel different in the water. What really caught our eye was the Bonefish Tickler. It’s creative, a little outside the box, and clearly built with intention for how fish actually react. Aside from tying flies, Kevin is a UGA alum and an all around fun, good dude who clearly loves the craft. Check out some of his stuff here: kevinarculeofishing.com Rainys Flies

Jake Thornburg, better known as “Jakey Two Tips,” is a true Gunnison River aficionado and an all-around Colorado Western Slope fishing bum. Though he didn’t grow up fishing, Jake found his way to the river later in life—and once he did, it took hold. What started as curiosity turned into obsession, and eventually into a career built around the very waters he now calls home. In this episode, we talk about how Jake carved out his place on the Western Slope, what makes the Gunnison such a special fishery, and how he has found a love for fishing the bobber.

Lael Paul Johnson is one of the best steelhead guides out there. Period. Known for his passion, determination, and relentless dedication to the sport. If you see Lael on the water, watch and learn. If you see Lael on land, it’s probably not steelhead season.   Tune in to this episode to pick up some of Lael’s best steelheading tricks—but more than that, hear how he traded a career as a brain surgeon for life as a fly-fishing guide. Which one is more technical? We’ll let Lael tell you.   Check out some of Lael's work below!   flygyde.com @laelpauljohnson laelpjohnson.com

In this Episode we are joined by Jon Coudriet, a self proclaimed brand aficionado who specializes in fly fishing photography. In this episode we talk about Jon's passion for being in the right place at the right time. How he has made a career out of photography, and how the best camera is the one that you know how to use!    Find some of Jon's work at joncoudriet.com     Fly Fishing photography Cameras Surfing Striped Marlin Photo Editing Adventure Travel Los Locos

A lot of young anglers dream about heading to New Zealand. Big trout, epic rivers, and pure adventure. Online it looks like a fly fishing paradise, but what’s it really like to live there and figure it all out on your own? In this episode, we talk with 5 Rivers alum Joe Fitzgerald. Joe took the leap and moved down under to chase his dream. He shares stories from the rivers, what it’s really like to DIY your life and fishing in a new country, and tips for anyone thinking about packing up and doing it all themselves. If you’ve ever thought about heading to New Zealand to fish, this episode gives you the real, behind-the-scenes experience.

Nelson Oxley is a TU Costa 5 Rivers alumnus from St. Lawrence University who has continued to make a meaningful impact in the fishing industry well beyond his time as a club member. In this episode, we sit down with Nelson to unpack his journey as an angler, from his early days on the water to how the 5 Rivers program helped shape his path and open doors within the industry. This conversation explores personal growth, industry insight, and what it really takes to turn a love for fishing into a lasting career. Mayfly Outdoors 5 Rivers Musky Fishing 25 on the Fly Carp Fishing Fly Lords Fly Fishing Colorado  

Brian O'Keefe recounts his five-decade journey as a fly fisherman, photographer, and writer — from early film cameras to modern iPhone photography, and from local rivers to remote saltwater destinations. The episode mixes some of Brians best stories, from guiding Ted Williams in Alaska, to exploring deep in the jungle looking for bass, we go over it all!

Thomas is a good friend of Emerging and the OT manager of the infamous St. Peter’s Fly Shop in Fort Collins, Colorado. In this episode, we talk about shop life and what it’s like being part of a fly shop that plays a major role in its local fishing community. We dig into the day to day rhythm of working in a shop, connecting with anglers of all experience levels, and how a shop becomes more than just a place to buy gear. We also cover Thomas’s 5 Rivers journey and his involvement with the CSU Fly Fishing Club, touching on how both experiences helped shape his path in fly fishing. Destination travel is another key part of the conversation, focusing on fishing new places and how travel influences perspective on the water. From local shop conversations to bigger-picture ideas about fly fishing, this episode keeps things grounded and experience-driven. Tune in to learn more.

Hunter Levine is the host of the highly respected Captains Collective podcast, where he’s spent years sharing stories, lessons, and wisdom from captains and outdoorsmen across the country. Known for his thoughtful interview style and time spent on the road chasing conversations, Hunter has built a show that goes far beyond fishing, focusing on craftsmanship, curiosity, and the people behind the passions. In this episode, we hop on the mics together to talk about our podcasting experiences, swap stories from the road, and highlight some of Hunter’s favorite past guests. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes podcast talk, great storytelling, and conversations that feel genuine and unscripted, this episode is definitely worth a listen.

The Braker Bros are favorite filmmakers in the fly fishing world. Based out of Fort Collins, Colorado, brothers Andrew and Eric Braker have taken the initiative to create films that conserve. Their motto says it all: “Using outdoor storytelling to spark sustainable change.” Every Braker Bros film centers around a compelling story, and many of those stories support causes far bigger than the screen. From AI-powered trout identification to mountain lion conservation, these guys are always pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas. Tune in to hear about their film projects, fishing adventures, film tour experiences, why brown trout are trash, and a whole lot more!