Fishing and Food—From Gourmet to Dirtbag, with Kirk Deeter and Matt Supinski

In this week's podcast, my guest John Arway [31:42] discusses the impact of stocking hatchery fish over wild trout populations, exploring scientific research, historical context, and management strategies to promote wild trout conservation. John was both a fish biologist and director of the PA Fish and Boat Commission so he has seen the issue from all angles. In the Fly Box this week, we have an assortment of interesting questions, including: What do you do with discarded pieces of tippet material? What do you do with your rod when changing flies? Is an intermediate line a good fly line for streamer fishing in Colorado? How can I practice the roll cast without water? Can I substitute another material for calf tail on my Crazy Charlie flies? Are really short rods, around four feet long, any good? They used to be popular. My black pheasant tail is so fragile, it's unusable for tying flies. Is that common? My other dyed pheasant tails are fine. When hunting big brown trout in the fall, when would you choose a nymph and when would you choose a streamer? I have a furled leader with no visible way to attach a tippet. What should I do? Can I use my bonefish flies for carp?

In this week's podcast, Captain Roger Gendron [28:45] shares expert tips on fishing Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Coast, covering seasonal patterns, target species like tarpon, redfish, and snook, and effective fly fishing techniques for each. Discover how to adapt your approach to different conditions and maximize your success in this prime fishing area. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions, including: The hooks on my size 24 Trico patterns keeping bending. Can I tie these flies on stronger hooks with heavier wire? I fished mouse flies and the fish went crazy over them but I couldn't keep them hooked. What am I doing wrong? What do you suggest for a first fly rod to catch bass, carp, and panfish? How would you approach finding trout on a remote river? If we are just catching shad and suckers but not trout, are we fishing in the wrong places or not using the right flies? In a small stream, how far upstream should I go to prevent "high holing" someone else? I love small stream fishing and want to get a 7 ½ foot Superfine rod. Do you recommend the fiberglass or graphite version? I lost a lot of big fish using size 22 nymphs. Do you have any advice on keeping them on the hook? Does it matter if the wing cases on my jig nymphs are on the upper side or lower side of the fly? I could see a bunch of fish in clear water and could not get them to take any kind of fly. What would you do in this situation?

This episode was originally published on October 15th, 2023. Hal Herring [50:31] has been reporting on conservation issues in the American West for over 30 years for Field & Stream magazine as well as other publications. In this week's podcast, he explores the many complexities of trying to keep enough water in our rivers for both agriculture and trout populations, which has become an increasingly difficult juggling act. Hal also gently berates today's hunters and anglers about educating themselves on the science and the politics behind these issues. It's not enough to just complain about the lack of water—it's important to understand the issue before you can have a credible opinion.

Chris Burkard [32:00], renowned action photographer, joins us to share his journey and insights into the world of fly fishing and extreme sports. His unique perspective on connecting with nature through photography and fishing offers a refreshing take on outdoor adventure. And along the way he offers some great tips on bikepacking with a fly rod.

In this episode, fisheries biologist Shawn Good [24:00] shares insights into the diverse and rewarding world of fish biology, including how fish populations are sampled, the impact of environmental factors, and the importance of habitat conservation. In this episode, Shawn discusses stream habitat connectivity, culvert design, fish migration, and the success of Lake Champlain's lake trout restoration program. He emphasizes the importance of habitat management and collaboration among agencies to protect aquatic ecosystems.