Advertise on podcast: The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast

When disaster hits, the damage doesn’t stop at roads and homes—it tears through rivers, streams, and the communities that depend on them. In this episode, Ross sits down with Jared Dubin and Miguel Huerta of The Beacon Network, a small, community-based nonprofit doing critical recovery work along the South Toe River in North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The conversation explores what recovery actually looks like on the ground—navigating a complicated political environment, coordinating volunteers and resources, and staying focused on long-term watershed health rather than quick fixes. Jared and Miguel share why restoring damaged streams matters, not just for fish and ecosystems, but for the people who live alongside them. This episode is also a call to service. It’s about how anglers and outdoor communities can show up when the waters they love are damaged—and why stewardship doesn’t end when the storm passes. If you care about rivers, resilience, and being useful when it matters most, this is an episode worth listening to. ----- 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/

Some places change you—not because they’re comfortable or accessible, but because they demand something from you. Deep in Mongolia’s backcountry, far from roads, towns, and certainty, those places still exist. In this episode, Ross sits down with Peter Fong, head guide with Mongolia River Outfitters, the team that made Ross's life-altering expedition into one of the wildest landscapes on Earth possible. Driving deep into the steppe and living on the land in one of the most remote (and cold) places on the planet, this was a trip that reshaped how Ross thinks about wilderness, risk, and what it means to truly earn an experience. Peter shares what it takes to guide in this incredible place, the history and spirituality of Mongolia's ancient taimen rivers, and the importance of protecting places like these for coming generations. The conversation explores humility, preparation, cultural respect, and the responsibility that comes with bringing anglers into landscapes that are still largely untouched. This episode isn’t just about fishing—it’s about transformation, perspective, and the rare privilege of stepping into places that still play by their own rules. If you'd like to learn more about going to Mongolia, email Peter at [email protected]. ----- 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/

In this episode, Ross sits down with Allen Law of Western Rivers Conservancy to talk about one of the most effective—and often overlooked—approaches to protecting wild rivers in the American West. Western Rivers Conservancy works to permanently protect rivers by acquiring them and then handing them back to the public in various ways. Allen explains how this model works, why it’s so powerful, and how it differs from traditional conservation strategies that rely solely on regulation or advocacy. The conversation dives into what it really takes to keep rivers wild in the face of development pressure, fragmentation, and changing land use. From success stories to ongoing challenges, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at conservation that produces real, lasting results. If you care about wild water, public access, and the future of fly fishing in the West, this is an episode worth your time. ----- 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/

Not every guide deserves the title. In this season’s installment of Complaint Corner, Ross takes aim at a growing problem in fly fishing: guides who don’t really know the craft, don’t respect the resource, and treat the river like an amusement park ride instead of a living place that deserves care and humility. This episode isn’t about ego or gatekeeping—it’s about standards. About the difference between guiding and simply putting people on fish. About what happens when profit comes before stewardship, and when wild places are reduced to content, numbers, and tips. It’s a frank conversation about responsibility, competence, and respect—both for the sport and for the landscapes that make it possible. Fair warning: this one’s spicy. ----- 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 doesn’t need a dozen different knots to be effective. In fact, most anglers can do everything they need on the water with just a small handful—if they actually know how and when to use them. In this episode, Ross breaks down the core knots every fly angler should have dialed, why these knots work, and where they fit into real-world backcountry fishing scenarios. This isn’t about memorizing an encyclopedia of knots—it’s about simplicity, confidence, and efficiency when it matters most. Whether you’re new to fly fishing or just tired of overthinking your rig, this episode strips things back to the essentials and helps you spend less time fumbling with line and more time fishing. Because on the river, it’s really not that complicated. Links to Knot Tutorials: Davy Knot: https://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/davy-knot Uni Knot: https://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/uni-knot Perfection Loop:https://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/perfection-loop  Jam Knot (Reynolds): See Mastering Pike on the Fly, by Barry Reynolds ----- 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/

Every angler knows the feeling—those days when the river goes quiet, the fish disappear, and nothing you do seems to change it. Slow days on the water can mess with your head if you let them, but they don’t have to break you. In this episode, Ross dives into the art of getting through the tough days: how to interpret what the river is telling you, how to manage the mental side of a slow bite, and how to stay productive even when the fishing isn’t. From reading conditions with clarity to shifting your expectations, using the time to sharpen other skills, or simply learning to appreciate the day for what it is, this episode is about finding gratitude and purpose when the fishing tests you most. Because in the backcountry, not every day is lights-out—and that’s exactly what makes the good ones matter. ----- 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 cold isn’t just a condition—it’s a mindset. When the temps drop and the rivers turn steel-gray, most anglers call it quits. But if you know how to prepare yourself mentally, winter becomes one of the most rewarding seasons of the year. This episode dives into the mental game behind fishing through the harshest months—how to stay focused, stay sharp, and stay out there when everyone else goes home. Available now on all major podcast platforms. ----- 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 gives us more than fish. It gives us quiet. It gives us space. It gives us a way to breathe in a world that never stops moving. And in this Thanksgiving episode, Ross reflects on the gratitude we owe to the waters that keep us steady, the wild places that make us feel alive, and the moments of peace that only a river can provide. This isn’t a gear episode or a tactics breakdown. It’s a meditation on what this sport means. Ross also explores the responsibility that comes with gratitude—how caring for the places we love is part of loving them, and why stewardship isn’t an obligation but an expression of thanks. Whether you’re spending Thanksgiving with family, friends, or knee-deep in cold water, this episode is a reminder of what fly fishing gives us… and what we owe in return. ----- 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/

There’s a moment every angler reaches when the flies in the shop just don’t cut it anymore. Maybe it’s a pattern that never quite works the way it should. Maybe it’s that tiny backcountry creek where trout eat everything except what’s commercially tied. Or maybe it’s just the urge to create something that’s yours. In this episode, Ross delivers a full fly-tying sermon—part philosophy, part instruction, and part hard-earned truth—on why you should be tying your own flies, what materials and tools you actually need, when to start, and how to learn (and create) patterns that consistently catch fish. This isn’t about perfection or pretty Instagram flies. It’s about building skill, sharpening observation, and closing the loop between your hands, your imagination, and the trout you chase. Whether you’re brand new to tying or decades deep at the vise, this episode will remind you that tying isn’t just another part of fly fishing—it’s the craft that holds the whole thing together. ----- 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/

It might not be glamorous, but it sure as hell catches fish. In this episode, Ross takes a deep dive into indicator nymphing—the most misunderstood, underrated, and effective technique in all of fly fishing. From foam to yarn to Air Locks and beyond, he breaks down the pros and cons of different indicator types, how to rig them, and when (and when not) to use them. This episode is packed with practical insights to make you more effective on the water—and maybe help you see “bobber fishing” in a whole new light. Because in the end, it’s not about what’s on your line. It’s about what’s willing to eat it. ----- 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 wild doesn’t stay wild on its own. In this opening episode of Season 5, Ross returns from Mongolia—where he chased the legendary taimen on some of the most remote water on Earth—and reflects on what he found there. Among endless stretches of untouched country, a massive new highway project is cutting its way through the steppe, a reminder that even the most isolated landscapes are not beyond the reach of civilization. This episode sets the stage for the season ahead, exploring not just backcountry fly fishing (although there will be plenty of that), but how the pursuit connects us to the fragile balance between wilderness and human ambition.  Season 5 begins with a call to remember that the outdoors isn't just our sanctuary—it's our responsibility. And sometimes, stewardship isn't just about protecting what we have. It’s about deciding what we’re not willing to lose. ----- 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 4 of The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast comes to a close, but the conversation doesn’t stop here. In this final episode, Ross reflects on the BCFF Podcast journey so far—and turns to one of the most important conservation issues facing our public lands today: the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule. The Roadless Rule protects more than 58 million acres of America’s wildest country, safeguarding fish habitat, clean water, and the kind of backcountry that makes this podcast possible. Its repeal would open the door to development, fragmentation, and the loss of places that define our outdoor heritage. Ross breaks down what the rule means, why it matters to anglers and anyone who loves wild country, and how you can get involved in defending it. If you’ve ever shouldered a pack, followed a faint trail, or fished water that can only be reached on foot, this is your fight too. Thank you for being part of Season 4. Stay tuned—there’s much more to come in Season 5. You can send in a public comment on the Repeal of the Roadless Rule here. Comments are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2025. ------ 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/ Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568210175639

As summer gives way to fall, backcountry anglers face one of the trickiest transitions of the year: turnover season. Weather gets funky, waters cool, insect activity changes, and spawning begins to influence behavior. In this episode of The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast, Ross unpacks how to approach this narrow edge season. He explains how (and where) to plan your trips, the extra gear you need in your backpack, what to expect from insect behavior as hatches taper off, which pattern you need in your box, and how spawning cycles begin to come into play.  The goal of this episode is to provide a roadmap for anglers who want to keep catching fish when peak-season approaches no longer hold. Because really, none of us wants to stop fishing as summer comes to an end. ------ 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/ Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568210175639

Some places are so wild and remote they feel almost untouched. In northern British Columbia, just outside the vast Muskwa-Kechika Management Area, that kind of wilderness still exists. And it’s here that Urs and Daniel Schildnecht built Northern Rockies Adventures—a lodge and outfitting business that brings anglers and adventurers into some of the most rugged and spectacular country on the continent. In this episode, Ross sits down with Urs and Daniel after spending days flying by float plane, fishing lakes and rivers that few will ever see. They talk about the origins of their lodge, the challenges of building a life and business so far north, and the stories that come from guiding in a place where the road ends. Along the way, they share their perspective on the Muskwa-Kechika itself—its unique landscape, its wildlife, and the deep solitude it offers to those willing to venture into it. This is more than a fishing story—it’s a window into the people who call the wild north home, and the waters and mountains that define their lives. ------ 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/ Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568210175639

The backcountry demands more from both anglers and their equipment. When every ounce matters and every mile is earned, the right gear can make the difference between a long, grueling slog and a trip you’ll never forget. In this episode, Ross sits down with brothers Patrick and Daniel Bauman of Colter Backcountry, where two brothers with a passion for the outdoors are designing fly fishing gear built specifically for anglers who venture deep into the wild. If you’re a fly angler who hikes farther, camps deeper, and thrives on the adventure as much as the fishing, this episode will give you a look behind the curtain at the gear being built with you in mind. ------ 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/ Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568210175639