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Matt Dunn has "worked as a fishing and/or brewing professional" for most of his adult life. When not engaged in those activities, he writes about them, and has been doing so for about 20 years. In the heyday of the blog age, he published his work under the moniker "FishBeer," which he still employs today on a Substack of the same name. It's worth a visit, as is his YouTube channel, "FishBeerBBQ," where you can find unique takes on flyfishing that could only come from the brain of Matt Dunn. Matt's recent work for The Flyfish Journal includes "Oddly Rhomboid Fine-grit Sandpaper," and "Everybody Loves Jay," a profile of Jay Johnson. In this episode, we talk with Matt about the differences between flyfishing in the East and West and the surprises and joys of the early blogosphere of the late aughts and early teens, and we try to figure out what the hell scrapple actually is. Thanks to our sponsor, Patagonia Fly Fishing, for making Sidechannels possible. If you're enjoying the show, consider becoming a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal, and get it straight to your mailbox four times each year.

In this episode we chat with writer and longtime contributor to The Flyfish Journal Aimee Eaton. Aimee's interest in outdoor adventuring and belief in the importance of wild spaces has led to her work appearing in a number of outlets and publications, including The New York Times, Patagonia, Trailrunner, NatGeo online, High Country News and the Dirtbag Diaries podcast. In 2015, Aimee and her husband set off on a year-long, cross-country trip with their 6-month-old son, George, documenting the trip along the way under the moniker "Raising Gus." In this episode we chat about exposing kids to the outdoors, Aimee's (sadistic) combination of ultra-running and flyfishing, and her work this past spring reporting on the Pacific Salmon Treaty, which culminated in Aimee's contribution to The Flyfish Journal issue 17.4, "Yours, Mine and Ours: The Pacific Salmon Treaty's Ticking Clock."  Thanks to Patagonia Fly Fishing for supporting Sidechannels. Learn more about their new River Salt Wading Boots II.  Support independent print media! Become a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal.

Dave McCoy is a professional photographer, fly shop owner, guide, international travel host and tireless advocate for wild fish and wild places. Through his shop and guide service in Seattle, Emerald Water Anglers, Dave has redefined what a flyfishing community space can be, while through his photography he offers an ever-evolving and fresh look at what flyfishing is. Dave is an ambassador for The Conservation Angler and an advisor to Indifly, as well as an ambassador for Thomas and Thomas Fly Rods, Nautilus Reels and Scientific Anglers. In this episode, we chat about his guiding beginnings in Colorado, his transition to hosted travel and shop ownership in Seattle, and why he thinks Autumn is the absolute worst season for flyfishing.  Follow along on Dave's adventures on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/davemccoyewa/ Thanks to Patagonia Fly Fishing for their support. Check out their new River Salt Wading Boots II, and take your wading game to the next level.  If you are enjoying Sidechannels, we hope you'll consider becoming a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal.

Eric Jackson—aka EJack—is a professional snowboarder, filmmaker, steelhead obsessive and hunter known for his creative backcountry riding style and a sincere dedication to chasing steelhead with the swung fly. His film credits include The Fourth Phase, Brothers on the Run and Alignment, the latter of which documented a winter spent snowboarding and flyfishing in British Columbia's Skeena River country. In this episode, we talk with Jackson about the yin and yang of snowboarding/flyfishing, his newfound love of hunting, some of his theories on steelhead fly selection, and how he finds balance and confidence in his daily life. Sidechannels is sponsored by Patagonia Fly Fishing. Check out Patagonia's new River Salt Wading Boot II. Support independent print media: become a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal at https://www.theflyfishjournal.com/subscribe.

Riverhorse Nakadate is a writer, Patagonia Fly Fish Ambassador, filmmaker and author of "Water Lines: A Life on Marshes, Rivers, Seas, and in the Rain," published in June 2026 by Patagonia Books. A longtime contributor to The Flyfish Journal, Nakadate's work spans the full-range of human emotion, from the comedic and absurd to deeply felt reflections on meaning and human connection. In this episode we talk with Nakadate about the release of his new book, his growing awareness of the importance of film in telling stories about wild places—and his favorite flavor of ice cream. Thanks to Patagonia Fly Fishing for making Sidechannels Possible. Learn more about Patagonia's new River Salt Wading Boot II.  Support independent print media by becoming a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal.

Chris Hill is the CEO of Conservation Lands Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to defending public lands from "sell-off, extraction, and short-term profit-driven destruction." Prior to taking her role with CLF, she was the first Black woman to serve as Chief Conservation Officer at the Sierra Club. In this episode, we talk with Chris about her wealth of experience in environmental law, community organizing, and public policy advocacy. To learn more about Chris' background in environmental advocacy, check out "Where I Belong," which won best short film at the American Conservation Film Festival in 2021.  Sidechannels is sponsored by Patagonia Fly Fishing. If you're digging the podcast, consider becoming a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal.

Over the course of their nearly 40-year friendship, Yvon Chouinard and Craig Mathews have had a significant influence on both the culture and activity of flyfishing. Their most recent collaboration is Pheasant Tail Simplicity, a new book coauthored with their friend Mauro Mazzo. The book is part technical treatise, part fly tying manual and part philosophy. Either way, it's well worth a read for anyone interested in flyfishing with a slightly more minimalist point of view.  For this conversation I met up with Yvon and Craig in Dillon, MT, a day after their book release event at Montana State University in Bozeman, which took place in a standing room only amphitheater on campus. We chatted about the book, of course, but I also had the opportunity to learn a bit more about their background, including how they met and what they feel they've learned from each other in nearly 40 years of friendship.  Sidechannels is sponsored by Decked and Patagonia Fly Fishing. If you're enjoying the podcast, consider becoming a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal.

Chase and Aimee Bartee began making films together when they lived in New England, publishing them under the moniker Tight Loops Fly (or simply Tight Loops, depending on where you're looking). Their full length film Big Landwon best adventure at the fly fishing film awards in 2019, and for the past several years they've been working on a series called For Wild's Sake, which offers in-depth looks at various wild trout species from all corners of the United States. On top of their various film projects, Aimee is a dedicated editorial photographer, and Chase is a writer and fine artist known for his exquisitely detailed watercolors of various fish species. Several years ago, the Bartees moved into their Vanagon full-time, and a few years ago made the switch to tricked out expedition rig. After a spring and summer of whirlwind travels that brought them to Greenland, Japan and Mongolia, we were fortunate to catch them at the Bozeman Public Library, of all places. In this episode, we talk about their travels, the challenges of creating art on the road, bear problems in Japan, and what was the final straw in their decision to sell their Vanagon. Become a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal for more flyfishing culture, adventure and art. Sidechannels is sponsored by: Decked: Get Decked and Get After It Patagonia Fly Fishing: Dependable Gear Built to Connect with Wild Fish

Will Rice is a freelance writer and podcaster who began his career with the Denver Post in 2003, under the mentorship of acclaimed hook-and-bullet writer Charlie Meyers. His early, travel-focused writing brought him face-to-face with what would become a long-term project: the disappearance of Bahamian flyfishing guide Stanley Bain. In 2018, Rice began hosting Down the Path, a podcast that investigated the disappearance of an angler in Mexico. A second season soon followed, looking into the tragic death of a flyfishing guide and his client in Belize, and Rice eventually returned to the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Bain for the third season of the podcast in 2023.  In this episode we chat with Will about his beginnings in journalism, and his decision to start pursuing certain stories in podcast form. Will also shares some thoughts on the frustrations of permit angling, and tells us about the "tequila stuntman." Thanks to our sponsors: Decked—Get Decked and Get After It Patagonia Fly Fishing—Built to Connect with Wild Fish Visit The Flyfish Journal to become a subscriber today.

This is Part Two of our conversation with filmmaker, Navy veteran, youth advocate and conservationist Chad Brown. As the founder of a couple of non-profits—Soul River Inc. and Love is King—Brown has helped provide a pathway for youth, veterans and others to build a connection to what, in some ways, is one of the last frontiers in North America, the Arctic and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. His work over the past couple of years with Love is King has focused specifically on that area, and on providing an opportunity for creatives and other BIPOC leaders to experience the refuge and the issues facing it through a kind of immersive experience with the Gwich'in Nation. In this second half of our conversation, we talk about Chad's beginnings in design, as well as his work as a photographer and filmmaker. After getting into the Pratt Institute with an application letter written on the back of a fast food bag, Chad went on to work for clients including Phat Farm. More recently, his film "Inward" about Atlanta artist Michi Meko was selected for a number of festivals. To learn more about Chad Brown's conservation work and his documentary filmmaking and photography, visit loveisking.org and chadocreative.com. Thanks to our sponsors: Decked and Patagonia Fly Fishing.

Chad Brown is a filmmaker, a veteran, and an advocate for youth and for wild spaces; he's also the founder of a couple of non-profits—Soul River Inc. and Love is King—which have provided a pathway for youth, veterans and others to build a connection to what, in some ways, is  one of the last frontiers in North America, the Arctic and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. His work over the past couple of years with Love is King has focused specifically on that area, and on providing an opportunity for creatives and other BIPOC leaders to experience the refuge and the issues facing it through a kind of immersive experience with the Gwich'in Nation.  We met Chad at his home near Portland, OR, and ended up having a long chat. Having just returned from the Arctic, Chad was getting ready to head back up there soon. In this first part of our conversation with Chad, we chat about his various projects in Alaska, as well as his introduction to flyfishing—something that happened, in some ways, just in the nick of time for him and which helped him overcome some significant personal struggles. To learn more about Chad Brown's conservation work and his documentary filmmaking and photography, visit loveisking.org and chadocreative.com.  Visit www.theflyfishjournal.com to become a subscriber and gain access to our expanding digital archive and web store deals.  Thanks to Decked and Patagonia Fly Fishing for making this episode possible.

A few years back, Kristen Bufe realized that there might be a better way to teach people how to cast a fly rod. As the instructor tossed around odd metaphors ("Imagine throwing a dart." "Imagine flicking paint off a brush.") Bufe could see the disconnect on students' faces. So she decided to do something about it. Fast forward a few years, and you can find her dispensing casting and fishing wisdom through Instagram (@troutpsychology) and guiding clients from her home base in central Washington state through Streamside Coven Co., her "unconventional, irreverent, revolutionary, woman-owned" guide company. Drawing on her background in behavior analysis and a deep and abiding love for doing things her own way, Bufe offers an alternative to traditional casting and flyfishing instruction, along with lots of little parties celebrating flyfishing's small victories along the way. In this episode we chat with Kristen Bufe about her childhood and background outside Detroit, her chance introduction to behavior analysis at a college party, and where she gets her sense of humor. Thanks to our sponsors: Decked and Patagonia Fly Fishing.

When author Peter Heller was a kid, playgrounds weren't really his thing. Instead, it was the bushes and trees around the playground that he found himself drawn to time and again. For anyone who has read his books, this tracks. In Heller's writing, the natural world looms just as large as any of his carefully wrought characters—whether that's Hig in The Dog Stars, or Jess in his most recent novel, Burn.  In this episode, Part Two of our conversation with Peter, we talk about his move to fiction at the age of 50, his introduction to flyfishing, and how the natural world informs his work. You can find Part One of our conversation with Peter Heller here.   Thanks to our sponsors: Decked and Patagonia Fly Fishing.

When author Peter Heller was a kid, playgrounds weren't really his thing. Instead, it was the bushes and trees around the playground that he found himself drawn to time and again. For anyone who has read his books, this tracks. In Heller's writing, the natural world looms just as large as any of his carefully wrought characters—whether that's Hig in The Dog Stars, or Jess in his most recent novel, Burn.  We joined Heller at his home in Denver, overlooking Colorado's Front Range, for what turned out to be a long, invigorating conversation. In this first part of our conversation, we talk about his beginnings as a writer, his early work for Outdoor and other publications, and what made him finally decide to sit down and write a novel at the age of 50. Stay tuned for Part Two of our conversation with Peter Heller, coming soon. Thanks to our sponsors: Decked and Patagonia Fly Fishing

Travis Rummel started Felt Soul Media in 2005 with Ben Knight, a decision they described as a "pretty scary plunge into self-employment," but one which they never questioned. Their first film, "The Hatch," established them as a ground-breaking voice in outdoor media and, in some ways, marked the beginning of a new genre of flyfishing film. More films—and plenty of accolades—followed. Rummel's partnership with Knight brought us such seminal films as "Damnation," "Red Gold," "120 Days," "Running Down the Man" and "A Thousand Casts." Their work for Patagonia, Yeti and other brands has defined flyfishing culture. These days, Rummel continues to forge ahead with his creative vision, producing character focused stories filled with heart, technical know-how and arresting imagery. We sat down with Rummel this spring at his home in Colorado for a chat about his filmmaking beginnings, the challenges of filming flyfishing, and how he keeps up with his mountain-biking wife (spoiler alert: it's an e-bike). Thanks to our sponsors: Decked and Patagonia Fly Fishing.