The Struggle Is Reel

Ep.51In this episode, the group gives Adrian Cortez a shoutout as a listener who genuinely loves the show and treats it like therapy.Eric goes off on an internet personality, Andrew Wilson, arguing that smugness matters more than the actual takes because it makes the guy unbearable to watch.Zach tells a steelhead story about a client who got knucklebased on a huge fish and broke off 12-pound line when the fish finally lit up.Zach also shares a rare “same fly, same fish” moment when he landed a steelhead with his own fly still stuck in the fish’s mouth from two days earlier.The crew argues river etiquette around who gets first shot at a run, especially when multiple guides show up to the same spot on the same day.Eric recounts a situation where another guide floated in, anchored too close, and tried to fish directly through water Eric was already working with clients.A listener question leads into the ethics line between swinging a fly with a bead versus bead fishing, and where each of the guys draws that boundary.The back half becomes a technical spey-casting discussion about anchor placement, D loop shape, downstream angles, and why people often “cut the corner” too early.Matt and Zach compare different ways to cue anglers, including where to set the anchor, when to begin elevation, and how shorter modern heads changed the timing of the cast.Eric sums up his teaching philosophy: slow down, keep the rod moving, and if the cast works and you’re not blowing the anchor, do that.

Ep. 50In this motherfucking economy Matt Thornton, Eric, and Zach cover a wide-ranging shop-and-river conversation that jumps from steelhead fishing updates to guide-life logistics, gear etiquette, podcasting, and a few deeply questionable side quests. It’s mostly a three-way hang, but the fishing talk is real: winter steelhead conditions, skater presentation, boat choices, and the weird politics of shared water all make the cut.​

Ep. 48This episode is a loose, funny catch-up with Eric, Zach, and Matt centered on recent steelhead trips, a knuckle injury, and the kind of river stories that only happen when a camera crew shows up. It mixes practical guide talk, trip logistics, and a few real-deal moments about resilience, community, and keeping a season moving.We discuss the chaos of filming with a home-studio setup, Zach’s knife injury and ER visit, and a string of river stories that include missed fish, a first steelhead on the swing, and a baby deer rescue. The crew also covers upcoming fundraising work, new merch ideas, and the reality of trying to guide and podcast during a very long, very tired season.

Ep: 47

Ep. 46