The Field And Stream Podcast

Episode 16 - Catfish Noodling, Conservation Battles, and the Dog of a Lifetime

A broken finger, a conservation fight, and a hunting dog you'll never forget. Field & Stream's Will Brantley kicks things off with one of the most unique fishing traditions in America: catfish noodling. From wrestling giant flathead catfish by hand to the injuries, close calls, and camaraderie that keep him coming back every summer, Brantley shares what makes this high-risk fishing adventure so addictive. Then conservation columnist Hal Herring and associate editor Travis Hall sit down for an honest conversation about the state of conservation in America. They break down the biggest public lands, clean water, and wildlife management issues facing hunters and anglers today, discuss why grassroots engagement matters more than ever, and explain what gives them hope for the future of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The episode closes with a powerful Campfire reading of Hal Herring’s beloved story, Seasons with Bear. More than a gun dog story, it’s a reflection on loyalty, loss, bird hunting, and the unforgettable bond between hunters and their dogs. Whether you spend your fall chasing ducks, upland birds, whitetails, or trout, this story will stay with you long after the final words. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns [https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns]              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ [https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/]  Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: * FIREBurn_Campfire.Close.Long.Crackling.Flame roar.Squeack.Hiss.Artificial 1_EM by newlocknew -- https://freesound.org/s/730704/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 * Peaceful Autumn field OCTOBER 6 2022.WAV by kvgarlic -- https://freesound.org/s/652652/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 * shotgun shoot by MrGungus -- https://freesound.org/s/773873/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 * Shotguns_racking_and_handling_sounds_part2 by Artninja -- https://freesound.org/s/741111/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 * Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: * Editing and sound design by Trout Stream Studios * Marc Anderson of Wild Ambience * Paul Driver of Pennsylvania * Dog_panting_20090425T1417.wav by gurkboll -- https://freesound.org/s/95934/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 * Dog Panting in Woods.WAV by hargissssound -- https://freesound.org/s/321127/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 15 - The Musky Episode: Spring Muskie Tactics and Essential Lures with Steven Paul

Unlock shallow-water muskie patterns and figure-eight secrets from a seasoned guide chasing giant predators. Muskie fishing has a way of turning casual anglers into full-blown obsessives, and this conversation with muskie guide and Field & Stream contributor Steven Paul explains exactly why. From shallow spring patterns to the psychology of apex predators, Stephen breaks down what makes muskellunge one of freshwater fishing’s most addictive pursuits. You’ll learn how warming water temperatures trigger spring muskie movement, why post-spawn fish stack in shallow bays, and how changing weather conditions impact feeding windows. Steven also dives deep into figure-eight techniques, boat-side strikes, trolling adjustments during cold fronts, and the subtle details that separate follows from eats. If you’ve ever wondered why muskies seem lazy one moment and violent the next, this episode gets into the biological and behavioral reasons behind it. The second half of the show focuses on practical muskie fishing tactics and the five essential lures Stephen keeps tied on during the spring season. From giant killers and spinnerbaits to glide baits, crankbaits, and fly fishing streamers, the conversation covers versatile presentations for shallow weeds, timber, river systems, and cold-front conditions. Whether you’re a hardcore muskie angler or a bass fisherman looking to level up into predator fishing, there’s a pile of useful insight packed into this one. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns [https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns]              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ [https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/]  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 14 - Traditions, Duck Camps, and Legendary Striper Lures at Field & Stream

Duck camps, giant striped bass, and fading hunting traditions collide in this unforgettable outdoor storytelling conversation. The latest edition of the Field & Stream Journal centers on one theme that every hunter and angler understands instinctively: tradition. Host Colin Kearns sits down with editors Dave Hurteau and Ryan Chelius to unpack the stories behind the new issue, from vanishing duck camps and Adirondack deer traditions to nighttime trout fishing with mouse flies on the Upper Delaware. The conversation dives deep into waterfowl hunting culture, fly fishing history, turkey hunting, striped bass surfcasting, and the traditions that keep hunters and anglers connected across generations. Listeners will hear the backstory behind standout features like “The Schoolhouse Boys,” a legendary Michigan deer camp story by Bill Heavey, and “A Bit of Heaven,” Ryan Chelius’s look inside Long Island’s disappearing bay house duck camps. Later in the episode, master plug builder Gary Soldati explains how he crafts some of the most sought-after striped bass lures on the East Coast, including giant surf plugs designed for trophy stripers in rough water. From surfcasting tactics and plug design to the obsession behind chasing 50-pound bass, this conversation captures the craftsmanship and culture surrounding saltwater fishing traditions. If you care about hunting camps, trout fishing, duck hunting stories, or the future of outdoor traditions, this one belongs around the campfire. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns [https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns]              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ [https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/]  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 13 - Open Country Gobblers, River Conservation, and Classic Turkey Stories

Wide open prairie gobblers, tight roosts, and the fight to protect rivers. Will Brantley breaks down hunting open country turkeys across Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, and beyond, contrasting Rio Grande and Merriam’s birds with Eastern timber gobblers. From early season Texas leases to late-spring prairie hunts, he explains how vast terrain changes everything from glassing strategy to calling distance. Open country birds cover ground fast, often forcing hunters to read roost patterns, use optics, and cut distance quickly instead of easing through timber. He details setup fundamentals in wide landscapes: prioritizing creek bottoms, cottonwood drainages, and scattered shade trees where birds roost and regroup. Calling shifts heavily toward louder friction calls like box calls and pot calls that can cut wind and carry across long distances. While decoys and even controversial tactics like fanning or reaping can be effective, success often comes down to positioning on travel routes and anticipating daily movement between feed and roost. The episode also shifts into conservation reporting on Montana’s Blackfoot River, where a proposed gold mine and AI data center raise concerns about water use, energy demand, and long-term river health. The show closes with a Campfire reading of “The Norwegian Mafia,” a classic turkey hunting family story that captures the humor, grit, and connection that defines time in the field. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns [https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns]              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ [https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/]  Sound effects and sound design for Campfire provided by: * Editing and sound design by Trout Stream Studios * FIREBurn_Campfire.Close.Long.Crackling.Flame roar.Squeack.Hiss.Artificial 1_EM by newlocknew -- https://freesound.org/s/730704/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 * Campfire 02 by HECKFRICKER -- https://freesound.org/s/729396/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 * Campfire 01 by HECKFRICKER -- https://freesound.org/s/729396/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 * chickens_scratching_turkey_gobbling.wav by wil_j_wil -- https://freesound.org/s/571660/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 * Hiking by Beethovenboy -- https://freesound.org/s/678650/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 * hiking Forest.wav by mastermind76 -- https://freesound.org/s/671320/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 12 - Calling Gobblers in the Timber: Eastern Turkey Hunting Tactics That Kill

Slip into hardwood ridges and learn how to call pressured gobblers into gun range. Few pursuits in the hunting world rival the intensity of chasing Eastern wild turkeys through big timber. This conversation digs into the craft behind successful turkey hunting in hardwoods, where terrain, patience, and decision-making matter more than anything in your vest. From locating gobblers on ridges to understanding how turkeys use strut zones, you’ll hear practical turkey hunting tips that translate directly to more opportunities in the spring woods. The discussion breaks down how to move quietly through rolling terrain, when to call and when to stay silent, and how to set up in a way that keeps birds from slipping in unseen. There’s a strong focus on woodsman skills like reading topography, predicting movement, and making the right call at the right time. You’ll also pick up insight on realistic turkey calling, including why soft yelps and restraint often outperform aggressive tactics on pressured birds. Gear stays simple, but strategy stays sharp, with a minimalist approach that prioritizes mobility and awareness. The episode closes with a story that captures the heart of the outdoors—catfishing, family, and the kind of memories that stick with you long after the season ends. Follow the show for more weekly hunting and fishing conversations. Get more from Field & Stream: https://www.fieldandstream.com/ Get to know your host, Colin Kearns: https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns [https://www.fieldandstream.com/authors/colin-kearns]              Join the F&S 1871 Club and experience a membership dedicated to the outdoor culture of sporting traditions, storytelling, and the conservation of our lands: https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/ [https://www.fieldandstream.com/1871-club/]  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]