Shane Anderson, film-maker, on his trip snorkeling the Elwha River

Five Reasons We Love Steelhead

In this episode Nick and John truly take a deep wade into the five reasons they are their favorite fish.  They love steelhead because of their diversity and their behavioral tendences. For instance, an angler may catch a steelhead ranging from half-pounders to thirty-pounders, from dry flies to nymphs. Further, one doesn't fish for steelhead like salmon. Salmon tend to school in pools. Steelhead live more solitary lives, mostly in moving water -- resulting in the rhythmic movements of step - cast - step - cast.  No stripping. No sitting in the same place for two hours. Whether you fish a 5 wt or a 9 wt, the interior or the coast, this episode offers something for every angler.  Tune in for a highly informed discussion about about why steelhead are such a cool animal.    Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390050/support]

Why one Mykiss goes to sea and the other does not

Host John McMillan interviews Matt Sloat to discuss one of the most interesting questions about steelhead and rainbow trout: Why does one fish go to sea while the other does not? It's more complicated than you think, but also simpler than you would surmise.  They explain why there are so many big rainbow trout in Alaska, while there are so many steelhead in places like the Olympic Peninsula. Tune in for your steelhead fix and to learn more about their cool biology. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390050/support]

Shane Anderson, film-maker, on his trip snorkeling the Elwha River

In this episode I interview filmmaker Shane Anderson as we discuss our snorkel survey in the upper Elwha River in the summer of 2020. The trip required a 16-mile hike, then more hiking to access the upper canyon, snorkeling 6-miles in the rain and cold, and Shane somehow following everyone down the canyon while carrying his camera equipment. We also discuss how I nearly lost my teeth and the pure exhilaration once we found the holy grail -- a school of wild summer steelhead. Tune in for all of this and more, as Shane and I reflect on one of the greatest experiences in our life.   Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390050/support]

Interview with Navajo Flyfisher Ruth Simms

Another interview from the original Barbless OP Flyfishing Podcast. In this episode John interviews Ruth Simms, an angler and engineer from the PNW who is also a Native American that loves to fly fish.  Ruth has been fishing since a young age, and fly fishing for the past decade. We take a deep dive into her background, education, why she loves fly fishing, and how her interest in engineering has helped her become a better angler. Join us to learn more about Ruth and her passion for angling and why she spends so much time on the river (and lakes and the ocean, or wherever the fishing takes her).  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390050/support]

Interview with Dr. Jack Stanford Professor of Everything Rivers and Fish

In this episode from the original Barbless Podcast John interviews Dr. Jack Stanford, one of the world's preeminent river geomorphologists and fishery biologists. Jack has studied rivers and fish across the North Pacific Rim from Kamchatka (Russia) to Montana. Our wide-ranging conversation includes Jack’s origins as an angler and scientist, his major research findings, and why he believes good habitat and wild salmon are the key to sustainable fisheries. The episode includes amazing stories, such as thousands of stoneflies pouring through water faucets in a Montana town. That’s right, stoneflies.  Tune in for this, and more, if you want to learn more about rivers and fish. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390050/support]