Sidechannels

Matt Dunn has "worked as a fishing and/or brewing professional" for most of his adult life. When not engaged in those activities, he writes about them, and has been doing so for about 20 years. In the heyday of the blog age, he published his work under the moniker "FishBeer," which he still employs today on a Substack of the same name. It's worth a visit, as is his YouTube channel, "FishBeerBBQ," where you can find unique takes on flyfishing that could only come from the brain of Matt Dunn. Matt's recent work for The Flyfish Journal includes "Oddly Rhomboid Fine-grit Sandpaper," and "Everybody Loves Jay," a profile of Jay Johnson. In this episode, we talk with Matt about the differences between flyfishing in the East and West and the surprises and joys of the early blogosphere of the late aughts and early teens, and we try to figure out what the hell scrapple actually is. Thanks to our sponsor, Patagonia Fly Fishing, for making Sidechannels possible. If you're enjoying the show, consider becoming a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal, and get it straight to your mailbox four times each year.  

In this episode we chat with writer and longtime contributor to The Flyfish Journal Aimee Eaton. Aimee's interest in outdoor adventuring and belief in the importance of wild spaces has led to her work appearing in a number of outlets and publications, including The New York Times, Patagonia, Trailrunner, NatGeo online, High Country News and the Dirtbag Diaries podcast. In 2015, Aimee and her husband set off on a year-long, cross-country trip with their 6-month-old son, George, documenting the trip along the way under the moniker "Raising Gus." In this episode we chat about exposing kids to the outdoors, Aimee's (sadistic) combination of ultra-running and flyfishing, and her work this past spring reporting on the Pacific Salmon Treaty, which culminated in Aimee's contribution to The Flyfish Journal issue 17.4, "Yours, Mine and Ours: The Pacific Salmon Treaty's Ticking Clock."  Thanks to Patagonia Fly Fishing for supporting Sidechannels. Learn more about their new River Salt Wading Boots II.  Support independent print media! Become a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal. 

Dave McCoy is a professional photographer, fly shop owner, guide, international travel host and tireless advocate for wild fish and wild places. Through his shop and guide service in Seattle, Emerald Water Anglers, Dave has redefined what a flyfishing community space can be, while through his photography he offers an ever-evolving and fresh look at what flyfishing is. Dave is an ambassador for The Conservation Angler and an advisor to Indifly, as well as an ambassador for Thomas and Thomas Fly Rods, Nautilus Reels and Scientific Anglers. In this episode, we chat about his guiding beginnings in Colorado, his transition to hosted travel and shop ownership in Seattle, and why he thinks Autumn is the absolute worst season for flyfishing.  Follow along on Dave's adventures on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/davemccoyewa/ Thanks to Patagonia Fly Fishing for their support. Check out their new River Salt Wading Boots II, and take your wading game to the next level.  If you are enjoying Sidechannels, we hope you'll consider becoming a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal.  

Eric Jackson—aka EJack—is a professional snowboarder, filmmaker, steelhead obsessive and hunter known for his creative backcountry riding style and a sincere dedication to chasing steelhead with the swung fly. His film credits include The Fourth Phase, Brothers on the Run and Alignment, the latter of which documented a winter spent snowboarding and flyfishing in British Columbia's Skeena River country. In this episode, we talk with Jackson about the yin and yang of snowboarding/flyfishing, his newfound love of hunting, some of his theories on steelhead fly selection, and how he finds balance and confidence in his daily life. Sidechannels is sponsored by Patagonia Fly Fishing. Check out Patagonia's new River Salt Wading Boot II. Support independent print media: become a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal at https://www.theflyfishjournal.com/subscribe.

Riverhorse Nakadate is a writer, Patagonia Fly Fish Ambassador, filmmaker and author of "Water Lines: A Life on Marshes, Rivers, Seas, and in the Rain," published in June 2026 by Patagonia Books. A longtime contributor to The Flyfish Journal, Nakadate's work spans the full-range of human emotion, from the comedic and absurd to deeply felt reflections on meaning and human connection. In this episode we talk with Nakadate about the release of his new book, his growing awareness of the importance of film in telling stories about wild places—and his favorite flavor of ice cream. Thanks to Patagonia Fly Fishing for making Sidechannels Possible. Learn more about Patagonia's new River Salt Wading Boot II.  Support independent print media by becoming a subscriber to The Flyfish Journal.