Advertise on podcast: The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast

There's a difference between visiting a wild place and actually knowing it. In this episode, Ross explores one of his favorite approaches to backcountry fly fishing: incremental exploration. Rather than constantly chasing new destinations, incremental exploration is about returning to the same rivers, canyons, and wilderness areas over months or even years, gradually pushing farther, discovering new water, and developing a deeper understanding of the places we love. Drawing on nearly a decade spent exploring one remote Colorado canyon, Ross discusses how individual trips build on one another, how familiarity opens the door to new adventures, and why some of the most rewarding discoveries happen in places you've already visited dozens of times. He also breaks down his four-step approach to exploration: planning, scouting, pushing, and logging, including how he uses tools like TroutRoutes and onX to identify access points, evaluate terrain, and uncover new opportunities. But incremental exploration is about more than finding untouched water or catching more fish. It's about building relationships with wild places, developing the competence and confidence to explore them more deeply, and discovering that familiarity doesn't have to diminish adventure. Sometimes it makes the experience even more meaningful. Because the goal isn't always to find somewhere new. Sometimes it's to discover how much you still don't know about a place you thought you knew. ----- Want to try a free month of TroutRoutes Pro? Use this link: https://qrco.de/bh36IJ ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

Fly fishing has a nymphing problem. In this episode, Ross takes on one of the most persistent pieces of conventional wisdom in fly fishing: because trout eat most of their food underwater, anglers should spend most of their time nymphing. It sounds logical. It also misses a much bigger part of how trout actually behave—and can keep anglers locked into one style of fishing when plenty of other options are available.  From water temperature and insect activity to dry-dropper rigs and the different parts of the water column trout are paying attention to, this episode is about learning to read conditions instead of blindly following rules. Ross also breaks down his approach to nymph selection, why he thinks anglers dramatically overcomplicate their fly boxes, and why size, color, and weight often matter more than finding the perfect pattern.   Nymphs absolutely have a place in fly fishing. You just don't have to spend your entire life staring at an indicator because somebody told you that's where 90% of the fish are eating. Pay attention to the water. Pay attention to the conditions. Fish however the hell you want. And remember: you don't have to nymph if you don't want to nymph. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

Eventually, there are no more summers. In this episode, Ross reflects on impermanence, mortality, and the uncomfortable reality that none of us knows how many seasons we have left to fish, explore, hike mountains, or spend time in the wild places we love. After losing much of this summer to the demands of life, he began thinking about something even harder: you don't get that time back, and eventually, every one of us will catch our last fish, explore our last blue line, and experience our last season.  But this isn't an episode about being afraid of the end. It's about allowing the reality of impermanence to change the way we experience the present. The places we fish aren't suddenly valuable because we know we may never return. The value was always there. Sometimes we simply need to remember that there isn't necessarily another trip, another year, or another summer waiting for us.  So climb the mountain. Explore the blue line. Learn to tie the flies. Take your kids fishing. Fish with your dad. Backpack with your partner. Go see the lake you've been staring at on a map for the last ten years. And when you get there, slow down long enough to understand how lucky you are to be there at all.  Because one day, there are no more summers. Make this one count. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

The high alpine season is short. And sometimes we're just not ready for it to end. In this episode, Ross breaks down the unique challenges of chasing trout above treeline as summer gives way to fall. From rapidly changing weather and the possibility of early snow to shorter days, colder nights, and increasingly narrow margins for error, late-season alpine trips require a different level of planning, preparation, and judgment than the same trip might demand only a few weeks earlier.  But the changing season affects more than the hike. Ross also digs into how falling temperatures change alpine lakes and trout behavior, why fish become harder to find as the water cools, and how to identify the parts of a lake most likely to remain productive. That means paying attention to sunlight, drop-offs, wind, moving water, and the structure of the lake rather than simply cycling through flies and hoping something works.  Most importantly, this episode is about recognizing when the opportunity you're chasing is no longer worth the risk. There will always be another stream, another lake, another season—and eventually, part of being a competent backcountry angler is knowing when it's time to come down from the mountains.  Because nature doesn't care how badly you wanted one more alpine trip. Sometimes you just have to know when the season is over. ----- Want to try a free month of TroutRoutes Pro? Use this link: https://qrco.de/bh36IJ ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

You can carry all the right gear and still make a catastrophically bad decision. In this episode, Ross tells the story of encountering a father and his two adult sons lost deep in a Colorado wilderness area, miles from where they thought they were, without navigation, adequate water, filters, or much of anything else they would need if something went wrong. It raises a bigger question: what does it actually mean to be prepared for the backcountry?   The answer isn't just gear or technical skill. It's judgment. It's understanding your abilities, knowing the environment you're entering, listening when something tells you a decision might be wrong, and having the humility to turn around when necessary. Because you can have the best equipment and all the training in the world and still get yourself into serious trouble by making one stupid decision.  Ross also turns the lesson on himself, reflecting on a recent trip where he ignored his own intuition and pushed harder than he should have after weeks away from the backcountry. That experience ultimately led him to abandon his biggest planned trip of the year, not because he couldn't do it, but because wisdom meant recognizing that this wasn't the year to try.  The wilderness rewards preparation, experience, and confidence. But sometimes the most important outdoor skill is knowing when to say no. Don't be stupid. Stay wise. And make sure you come home. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

Sometimes life just decides you don't get to go fishing. Season 7 begins with a conversation about what happens when work, family, moving, injuries, emergencies, and everything else life throws at us keep us away from the places we need most. After spending nearly six weeks off the water, Ross reflects on what it feels like to become disconnected from something that isn't merely recreation, but an important source of peace, perspective, and connection with ourselves. This episode explores why time outside matters, why we have to be relentlessly intentional about protecting it, and how to stay connected to fly fishing and the outdoors during seasons when getting out simply isn't possible. From tying flies and dialing in gear to planning future trips and simply finding ways to get outside, there are still ways to keep that connection alive. Most importantly, it's about gratitude. Our ability to hike, fish, explore, and disappear into wild places isn't guaranteed forever. Sometimes being forced away from them is exactly what reminds us how much they matter. Because when you spend too long moving from one confined space to another, it's surprisingly easy to get lost inside. ----- Want to try a free month of TroutRoutes Pro? Use this link: https://qrco.de/bh36IJ ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

Season 6 Finale: More Than Fly Fishing As Season 6 comes to a close, Ross reflects on the incredible growth of the Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast and the community that has formed around it. From hopper fishing and backpacking to wilderness philosophy and personal growth, this season has been about far more than simply catching trout.  The episode looks back at the lessons, stories, and listener experiences that defined the season—including first alpine lake trips, first solo camps, and first steps into the backcountry. More than anything, it's a reminder that backcountry fly fishing isn't just about becoming a better angler. It's about becoming a more resilient, self-reliant, and confident person.  Ross also shares what's next for the podcast, including upcoming adventures, Season 7, and the possibility of carefully chosen partnerships with companies that genuinely support the values of the show. Through it all, one thing remains unchanged: the commitment to authenticity, stewardship, and helping people build meaningful relationships with wild places.  Thank you for another incredible season. We'll see you back on the trail—and back here soon for Season 7. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

Finding fishable water has never been the hard part. Finding the right water—and knowing how to access it—is where things get complicated. In this episode, Ross sits down with Erik Johnsen of TroutRoutes to talk about the evolution of digital mapping for fly anglers, the challenges of building a trout-specific navigation tool, and how better information can open the door to more exploration and more confidence on the water.  The conversation covers everything from the unique trout culture of Wisconsin’s Driftless region to the broader challenge of helping anglers understand public access, stream classifications, species data, river miles, and backcountry navigation. Ross and Erik also dive into one of fly fishing’s most divisive topics: spot burning, gatekeeping, and the balance between protecting special places and helping anglers discover the incredible public water available across the country.  This is a conversation about maps—but it’s really about opportunity, access, and the work it still takes to earn fish, even when the information is right in front of you. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

What makes outdoor gear actually good? And what happens when the people designing it are the same people out there beating it up in wild places? In this episode, Ross sits down with Eric Bender, lead equipment designer at Kifaru International, to talk about what goes into building gear for serious backcountry use and why so much of the fly fishing world still misses the mark. From packs, shelters, and load systems to chest rigs, sidearm carry, and the importance of durability over gimmicks, this is a deep dive into the intersection of design, function, and wilderness use.  Eric shares the story behind Kifaru, how his own life in the outdoors shaped his approach to product design, and why truly good gear should disappear into the background and simply do its job when things get hard. The conversation also explores the growing overlap between hunting, backpacking, and backcountry fly fishing and why more companies are beginning to recognize that serious anglers need equipment built for more than just standing next to the road.  If you’ve ever cursed a zipper, broken a pack, or wondered why outdoor gear so often feels like it was designed by people who don’t actually use it, this one’s for you. Because in the backcountry, gear isn’t just gear. It’s part of whether the whole thing works. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

Recorded from a tent somewhere in the Colorado backcountry, this first installment of Field Notes is an experiment in bringing the podcast out of the studio and into the places that inspire it. After a day spent exploring a rugged mountain creek full of small brook trout, deadfall, steep canyon walls, and hard-earned water, Ross reflects on why we return to wild places in the first place.  This episode explores the idea that backcountry fly fishing is about more than checking boxes, collecting destinations, or adding new waters to a list. Instead, it's about building relationships with landscapes—learning their character, understanding their challenges, and allowing them to become part of our personal stories.  From memory and meaning to connection and place, this is a quieter, more reflective conversation about why some streams stay with us long after we've left them behind. Because we're not just collecting places. We're building relationships with them. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

Backpacking opens the door to some of the most rewarding experiences in fly fishing, but it also requires a different level of preparation, self-reliance, and planning than a simple day trip. In this episode, Ross breaks down the backpacking system he uses for overnight and multi-day backcountry fly fishing trips. From shelters, sleep systems, food, water, and camp gear to safety equipment, fishing tackle, and wildlife considerations, this is a practical look at how to pack efficiently while still remaining comfortable, prepared, and safe in remote environments.  The conversation also explores why backpacking is about more than simply reaching remote water. Whether you're accessing places that can't be reached in a day or choosing to spend the night for the deeper connection that comes with living in a landscape rather than merely visiting it, backpacking changes the way you experience wild places.  This episode isn't about ultralight gear lists or shaving ounces. It's about building a system that works, understanding the tradeoffs between weight and preparedness, and carrying what you need to move confidently through the backcountry. Because when you're miles from the trailhead, everything you need is on your back—and that's part of what makes it meaningful.  ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

This season’s installment of Complaint Corner takes aim at one of the most persistent—and annoying—mentalities in fly fishing: the obsession with big fish at the expense of everything else. Ross dives into the culture of the “Big Fish Bro,” the angler who treats fly fishing as a scoreboard, measures success exclusively in inches, and seems more interested in trophies, comparisons, and social media validation than the places, fish, and experiences that make the sport meaningful in the first place. The conversation explores the difference between wild fish and managed fisheries, the role of artificiality in modern trout fishing, and why some of the most rewarding experiences in fly fishing have absolutely nothing to do with the size of the fish at the end of your line. Fair warning: this one is spicy. If you think the point of fly fishing is simply catching the biggest trout possible, you may not enjoy this episode. If you think the point is something deeper, pull up a chair. Because sometimes an eight-inch trout in a wild place is worth more than a twenty-inch trout anywhere else. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

After a close encounter with a rattlesnake in a remote canyon, Ross reflects on something bigger than fishing: why we’re really drawn to wild places in the first place. This episode explores the difference between beauty and consequence—between simply enjoying nature and willingly stepping into environments that demand competence, awareness, preparation, and respect. From wilderness, risk, and mortality to self-reliance, personal growth, and the honesty that exists in places indifferent to human comfort, this is a deeper conversation about what the backcountry gives us that modern life often cannot. This isn’t an episode about catching fish. It’s about confrontation, judgment, growth, and the search for something real in a world increasingly designed to soften every edge. Because sometimes the wilderness isn’t asking whether you can catch trout. It’s asking who you are when nothing else is there to protect you from consequence. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

At some point, every serious backcountry angler runs into the same question: when does a fishing trip stop being a day trip and become an overnighter? In this episode, Ross breaks down the thought process behind deciding when it’s time to camp, backpack, or prepare to spend the night outside. From mileage, elevation gain, and fishing time to weather, navigation problems, physical limits, and unforeseen emergencies, this is a practical look at the factors that can turn a simple outing into something much bigger. This episode is also about more than logistics. It’s about what happens when you fully immerse yourself in wild places instead of just visiting them for a few hours. Camping and backpacking force a different kind of self-reliance, awareness, and connection to the outdoors—and in many cases, they’re the gateway to truly remote water and experiences that can’t be reached any other way. Ross also discusses preparedness, risk management, and why every backcountry angler should carry at least basic overnight gear, even on a “simple” day trip. Because the outdoors doesn’t care what your plans were. Sometimes the best trips become overnights by choice. Sometimes they become overnights because nature made the decision for you. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

Summer means one thing: it’s time to throw big bugs. In this episode, Ross dives deep into the world of terrestrial fly fishing—grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and the explosive eats that make them one of the most addictive ways to catch trout. From favorite patterns and simple fly design to rigging hopper-droppers and understanding where these insects actually fit into the ecosystem, this is a full breakdown of how and why terrestrials work. Ross explains why trout treat these bugs like high-calorie “steak dinners,” why the strikes are so violent, and why some of the biggest fish in the river will move for a hopper when they won’t move for anything else. The episode also covers presentation, storytelling, and the importance of putting these flies where they naturally make sense—because trout may not be rocket scientists, but they know when something feels right. Whether you tie your own foam bugs or just want an excuse to throw giant dry flies all summer, this one’s all about one of the most fun and effective ways to fish. Tie on a hopper. Things are about to get violent. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/