Show Notes
We're joined by Captain Jacob Meier, a guide whose fly fishing career has taken him from the flats of Florida to the rivers of Alaska, the marshes of Louisiana, the jungles of South America, and the fisheries of Baja and beyond. Jacob grew up fishing Tampa Bay and neighborhood ponds before serving six years in the U.S. Army. After his military service, he turned his passion into a profession and has since guided across some of the most diverse fisheries in North America and the Caribbean. Along the way, he's built a reputation as an angler who is always eager to explore new water and help others experience incredible fishing destinations. In this episode, we dive into Jacob's journey from Florida kid to world-traveling guide, the lessons he's learned from guiding in wildly different environments, and the adventures that have shaped his career. We also talk about Baja, Alaska, Puerto Rico, jungle fishing in Brazil and Colombia, DIY adventures in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, and why the pursuit of new experiences keeps him moving. Whether you're dreaming about your next fishing trip, curious about life as a professional guide, or simply enjoy hearing stories from anglers who have dedicated their lives to the water, this is an episode you won't want to miss. BOOK JACOB HERE
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More from So Fly Fishing Podcast
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On this episode of So Fly, we’re joined by Nathan Wilbur, President of the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), to talk about one of the most iconic fish on the planet: the wild Atlantic salmon. Based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Nathan has spent more than a decade with the ASF working to conserve and restore wild Atlantic salmon across eastern Canada. His work has ranged from developing conservation programs and building coalitions and Indigenous partnerships to advocating for stronger salmon management at the government level. In July 2025, Nathan stepped into the role of President of the organization. Nathan is also a Professional Engineer with a background in rivers and fluvial geomorphology. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick before completing a Master’s in Civil Engineering, where his research focused on cold-water habitat for Atlantic salmon. But for Nathan, salmon and rivers are more than a career. He’s also a lifelong angler with a deep connection to fish, flowing water and the natural world. We chat with Nathan about the current state of wild Atlantic salmon, the biggest challenges facing populations today, habitat and river restoration, conservation and management, and the work being done to give these incredible fish a better future. Plus, we learn a little about Nathan the angler. Enjoy! Explore the ASF: https://www.asf.ca/ HOW TO HELP SO FLY: Please go leave us a review on APPLE PODCASTS. It really helps our show get out there, which means we get to make MORE episodes.
We sit with Dr. Steven J. Cooke, a professor at Carleton University in Ottawa and one of Canada’s leading researchers in fish ecology, conservation, and recreational fisheries. We chat about what happens to fish when we catch them, and get into just how effective the practices of catch and release actually are. Dr. Cooke has spent his career studying some of the biggest questions facing fish and freshwater ecosystems, from fish migration and habitat restoration to stress physiology and more. Dr. Cooke has published more than 1200 research papers, is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and was inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame - just to name a few of his accomplishments and recognitions, but there are many more. To put it succinctly, he has spent decades working to turn conservation science into something that can actually make a difference on the water.