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PODCAST

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast

Tired of overcrowded water? In love with catching wild fish in wild places? Addicted to exploration? Awed by the rugged beauty of nature? Then this is the podcast for you.We aim to build a library that covers everything related to fly fishing in the backcountry--tactics, flies, gear, survival skills, hiking, weather, outdoor hazards, navigation, camping, ecology, and much more.Whether you"re a hardcore backcountry fly fisher or a newbie interested in getting out there, we"ve got something for you

sports wilderness

All Episodes

49:59

Let's Fight About Nymphs

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/10/05

Fly fishing has a nymphing problem. In this episode, Ross takes on one of the most persistent pieces of conventional wisdom in fly fishing: because trout eat most of their food underwater, anglers should spend most of their time nymphing. It sounds logical. It also misses a much bigger part of how trout actually behave—and can keep anglers locked into one style of fishing when plenty of other options are available. From water temperature and insect activity to dry-dropper rigs and the d...

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24:44

No More Summers

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/09/25

Eventually, there are no more summers. In this episode, Ross reflects on impermanence, mortality, and the uncomfortable reality that none of us knows how many seasons we have left to fish, explore, hike mountains, or spend time in the wild places we love. After losing much of this summer to the demands of life, he began thinking about something even harder: you don't get that time back, and eventually, every one of us will catch our last fish, explore our last blue line, and experience our la...

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39:49

One More Alpine Trip: Late-Season Fishing Above Treeline

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/09/18

The high alpine season is short. And sometimes we're just not ready for it to end. In this episode, Ross breaks down the unique challenges of chasing trout above treeline as summer gives way to fall. From rapidly changing weather and the possibility of early snow to shorter days, colder nights, and increasingly narrow margins for error, late-season alpine trips require a different level of planning, preparation, and judgment than the same trip might demand only a few weeks earlier. But ...

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35:08

Don't Be Stupid: Wisdom and Judgment in the Backcountry

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/09/11

You can carry all the right gear and still make a catastrophically bad decision. In this episode, Ross tells the story of encountering a father and his two adult sons lost deep in a Colorado wilderness area, miles from where they thought they were, without navigation, adequate water, filters, or much of anything else they would need if something went wrong. It raises a bigger question: what does it actually mean to be prepared for the backcountry? The answer isn't just gear or technica...

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36:31

Getting Lost Inside - Finding Your Way Back to the Water

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/09/04

Sometimes life just decides you don't get to go fishing. Season 7 begins with a conversation about what happens when work, family, moving, injuries, emergencies, and everything else life throws at us keep us away from the places we need most. After spending nearly six weeks off the water, Ross reflects on what it feels like to become disconnected from something that isn't merely recreation, but an important source of peace, perspective, and connection with ourselves. This episode explores why...

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11:01

Closing Out Season 6 and Looking Ahead

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/07/09

Season 6 Finale: More Than Fly Fishing As Season 6 comes to a close, Ross reflects on the incredible growth of the Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast and the community that has formed around it. From hopper fishing and backpacking to wilderness philosophy and personal growth, this season has been about far more than simply catching trout. The episode looks back at the lessons, stories, and listener experiences that defined the season—including first alpine lake trips, first solo camps, and...

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48:01

Finding New Water: A Conversation with TroutRoutes

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/07/03

Finding fishable water has never been the hard part. Finding the right water—and knowing how to access it—is where things get complicated. In this episode, Ross sits down with Erik Johnsen of TroutRoutes to talk about the evolution of digital mapping for fly anglers, the challenges of building a trout-specific navigation tool, and how better information can open the door to more exploration and more confidence on the water. The conversation covers everything from the unique trout cultur...

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51:26

Built for the Backcountry - A Conversation with Eric...

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/06/21

What makes outdoor gear actually good? And what happens when the people designing it are the same people out there beating it up in wild places? In this episode, Ross sits down with Eric Bender, lead equipment designer at Kifaru International, to talk about what goes into building gear for serious backcountry use and why so much of the fly fishing world still misses the mark. From packs, shelters, and load systems to chest rigs, sidearm carry, and the importance of durability over gimmicks, t...

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14:58

Field Notes - Building Relationships with Wild Places

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/06/12

Recorded from a tent somewhere in the Colorado backcountry, this first installment of Field Notes is an experiment in bringing the podcast out of the studio and into the places that inspire it. After a day spent exploring a rugged mountain creek full of small brook trout, deadfall, steep canyon walls, and hard-earned water, Ross reflects on why we return to wild places in the first place. This episode explores the idea that backcountry fly fishing is about more than checking boxes, coll...

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48:29

What I Carry: Backpacking Essentials for Backcountry...

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/06/05

Backpacking opens the door to some of the most rewarding experiences in fly fishing, but it also requires a different level of preparation, self-reliance, and planning than a simple day trip. In this episode, Ross breaks down the backpacking system he uses for overnight and multi-day backcountry fly fishing trips. From shelters, sleep systems, food, water, and camp gear to safety equipment, fishing tackle, and wildlife considerations, this is a practical look at how to pack efficiently while ...

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21:53

Complaint Corner - Big Fish Bros

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/05/29

This season’s installment of Complaint Corner takes aim at one of the most persistent—and annoying—mentalities in fly fishing: the obsession with big fish at the expense of everything else. Ross dives into the culture of the “Big Fish Bro,” the angler who treats fly fishing as a scoreboard, measures success exclusively in inches, and seems more interested in trophies, comparisons, and social media validation than the places, fish, and experiences that make the sport meaningful in the fir...

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31:34

Beauty, Confrontation, and Judgment: The Honesty of...

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/05/22

After a close encounter with a rattlesnake in a remote canyon, Ross reflects on something bigger than fishing: why we’re really drawn to wild places in the first place. This episode explores the difference between beauty and consequence—between simply enjoying nature and willingly stepping into environments that demand competence, awareness, preparation, and respect. From wilderness, risk, and mortality to self-reliance, personal growth, and the honesty that exists in places indifferent to hu...

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37:07

When Does a Trip Become an Overnighter?

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/05/15

At some point, every serious backcountry angler runs into the same question: when does a fishing trip stop being a day trip and become an overnighter? In this episode, Ross breaks down the thought process behind deciding when it’s time to camp, backpack, or prepare to spend the night outside. From mileage, elevation gain, and fishing time to weather, navigation problems, physical limits, and unforeseen emergencies, this is a practical look at the factors that can turn a simple outing into som...

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48:54

Get to the Hoppa - The Art of Fishing Terrestrials

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/05/08

Summer means one thing: it’s time to throw big bugs. In this episode, Ross dives deep into the world of terrestrial fly fishing—grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and the explosive eats that make them one of the most addictive ways to catch trout. From favorite patterns and simple fly design to rigging hopper-droppers and understanding where these insects actually fit into the ecosystem, this is a full breakdown of how and why terrestrials work. Ross explains why trout treat these bugs like high-ca...

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50:13

I Hate Waders (and So Should You) - Wet Wading the...

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/05/01

What if the most “normal” way of fishing isn’t actually the best way? In this episode, Ross makes the case for ditching waders and embracing wet wading as the default approach for backcountry fly fishing. From the simple definition—getting in the water without a barrier between you and it—to the deeper philosophy behind it, this is a full breakdown of why wet wading changes the way you move, fish, and experience the outdoors. Waders are hot, restrictive, heavy, and clunky—especially when you’...

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30:55

Systems and Efficiencies - The Power of Routine

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/04/24

The best days on the water don’t start at the river—they start at home. In this episode, Ross breaks down the power of building systems and routines that make your fishing simpler, more efficient, and far less prone to failure. From preseason prep to dialing in your gear, pack, and process, this is about removing friction before it ever has a chance to show up on the water. Because missed opportunities, wasted time, and avoidable mistakes usually aren’t bad luck—they’re the result of weak sys...

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46:50

Frontier Water: The Wild Still Close to Home

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/04/17

Season 6 of the BCFF Podcast begins with a reminder: you don’t have to go far to find something wild. In this episode, Ross explores the idea of frontier water—those overlooked stretches of river and hidden pockets of backcountry that exist just beyond the edges of well-known fisheries, and sometimes even just outside of town. These are places that don’t give themselves up easily. They require effort, curiosity, and a willingness to step off the path—but for those who do, the reward is solitu...

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18:01

Season 5 Finale: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/02/09

Season 5 of The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast comes to a close with a look at how far the show has come—and where it’s headed next. In this final episode of the season, Ross reflects on the growth of the podcast, the wide range of topics covered throughout Season 5, and the community that’s formed around thoughtful conversations about fly fishing, wilderness, stewardship, and outdoor life. It’s also a candid discussion about what’s changing behind the scenes, including potential shifts in s...

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48:33

Rebuilding After the Storm: A Conversation with The...

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/02/01

When disaster hits, the damage doesn’t stop at roads and homes—it tears through rivers, streams, and the communities that depend on them. In this episode, Ross sits down with Jared Dubin and Miguel Huerta of The Beacon Network, a small, community-based nonprofit doing critical recovery work along the South Toe River in North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The conversation explores what recovery actually looks like on the ground—navigating a complicated political envir...

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58:03

At the Edge of the Steppe: A Conversation with Peter...

The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast ·

2026/01/25

Some places change you—not because they’re comfortable or accessible, but because they demand something from you. Deep in Mongolia’s backcountry, far from roads, towns, and certainty, those places still exist. In this episode, Ross sits down with Peter Fong, head guide with Mongolia River Outfitters, the team that made Ross's life-altering expedition into one of the wildest landscapes on Earth possible. Driving deep into the steppe and living on the land in one of the most remote (and cold) p...

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