WHIN's Podcast

Conservation Starts Before the Fish Hit the Water

In this episode of the WHIN Podcast, host Joel Henderson sits down with Brooke Knott, co-owner of Sunfish Farms, to dive into the surprisingly complex world of fish farming in Southern Nevada and Utah. Brooke explains how his operation raises warm-water sport fish for public waters, private ponds, and large aquarium displays, and why strict health certifications are critical before any fish can be sold or stocked. Brooke breaks down the costly and rigorous testing required to ensure fish are disease-free, how one bad batch can wipe out an entire water system, and why responsible fish stocking is essential to protecting native ecosystems. The conversation also explores invasive species like quagga mussels, how certain fish can help manage aquatic vegetation, and why ancient species like sturgeon have developed remarkable disease resistance over millions of years. From record-breaking bluegill to the role of fishing regulations in conservation, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how science, business, and outdoor recreation all intersect in modern fishery management — and why doing it right matters for future generations of anglers.

Three Bilge Pumps and a Prayer

Out here in the desert, duck boats are either a ticket to wild country or a fast way to learn humility. In this episode, Ron circles up with a bench of salty Nevada waterfowlers—Joel Henderson, Sean Fairbairn, John Hymas, Nick, and Don—to talk hard-earned truths from Lake Mead’s big water to Sunnyside’s skinny mud. We dig into the long-tail vs. surface-drive debate, why an 18-footer beats a 14 once you start stacking dogs and decoys, and how to build a blind that flat-out disappears. There’s the unglamorous stuff that keeps you alive—weight placement, bilge redundancy, cold-weather starts, wader risks—and the unsexy maintenance that keeps you hunting—props, bearings, belts, batteries. We also get into dock and hunting etiquette, wanton-waste realities, and the simple discipline of letting birds work. It’s part shop talk, part cautionary tale, and all in service of doing it right: hunt smart, respect the resource, and make conservation a lifestyle.

Flight Lines & Farm Fields: Inside America’s Dove Capital

In this one, we saddle up with Rashaun Gordon of Gordon’s Gundogs down in the Yuma desert—dove capital of the U.S. and home to one very unique opportunity: an all-year javelina season in Arizona’s Unit 41. We talk through what that actually means (and why farmers want those hog-bodied peccaries off organic fields), then range into the stuff that makes wingshooting addicting: white-wing vs. mourning vs. Eurasian dove ID, why flight paths matter more than fancy camo, and how rotating fields keeps birds using a spot all season. Rashaun lays out his no-nonsense scouting playbook—reading water holes at sunup, tracking zig-zag “pigeon-toed” prints, and letting birds eat so they’ll keep coming back—plus a crash course on Gambel’s quail and how to stitch together a “flying pig” javelina-and-birds weekend. We get deep on gun dogs, too: German shorthaired pointers vs. Brittanys, field-trial rockets vs. versatile close workers, e-collar tone discipline, cactus first aid (yes, carry an afro pick), rattlesnake realities, and why kids always hunt free in Rashaun’s camp. There’s community in this story—restaurants frying up dove tacos, bird-cleaning stations, farmers who welcome respectful hunters—and a reminder that bringing new folks afield is how the tradition survives. If you’re a first-timer, a parent with a tag-along, or a bird nut who likes a heavy game bag and a light billfold, this conversation is your map. Book a hunt with Rashaun at GordonGundogs.com or call 702-857-1714—and as always: make conservation a lifestyle, and support those who support wildlife.

“Preserving More Than Trophies: Conservation Through Taxidermy”

Velvet, Antelope & the Art of Taxidermy On this episode, we’re talking shop with Bradley LeBaron of Coots Taxidermy, a guy who’s been grinding away for close to a decade, turning hides, horns, and capes into lasting pieces of art. We dig into what it takes to keep velvet antlers from rotting off in the heat, why antelope are both the most beautiful and most fragile critters to work on, and why cheap mounts almost always look like a stuffed sock. Bradley walks us through the nuts and bolts: caping an antelope in the field without butchering it, salting hides in the desert, dealing with maggots and stink-fees, and why your taxidermist might just be the first line of defense for conservation. From helping with CWD testing to spotting illegal kills, taxidermists end up seeing a side of wildlife management most folks never think about. We get into competition mounts, grizzly bears, and the fine line between art and science. And, like every good hunting story, there’s some hard-earned advice in here: treat your cape like meat, keep it cool, and respect the animal all the way through the process. If you’ve ever wondered what separates a mount that lasts a lifetime from one that makes you cringe every time you walk past it, this conversation will set you straight.

Trout Don’t Live in Ugly Places: Healing on the Water

Out in the Mojave, in a town better known for neon than trout streams, there’s a small crew of folks who decided to bring a national program called Project Healing Waters to life. On this episode of the WIN Podcast, we sit down with the Las Vegas chapter leaders—Matt, Tyler, Nate, and the rest of the gang—to talk about how fly rods, bug boxes, and the simple act of standing knee-deep in cold water are changing lives. They’ll walk us through the origin story—how a seed planted in the Henderson Vet Center grew into a community where veterans, first responders, and everyday folks can find therapy in tying a fly, building a rod, or watching a trout rise. You’ll hear Tyler’s raw honesty about addiction, service, and giving back, Nate’s journey from the military to finding healing on the water, and Matt’s passion for making sure every vet has a place to belong. This isn’t just about catching fish. It’s about camaraderie, purpose, and what happens when good people decide to serve those who’ve already given so much. Trout don’t live in ugly places, and as you’ll hear, sometimes neither does healing. If you’ve ever wondered whether a fishing rod could be medicine—this is your episode.