In this Black Friday special of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Captain Scott break down the best fishing-friendly deals you can grab this holiday season — from portable power stations to custom rods, killer reel discounts, and even a unique “deal” from WDFW that lets you skip the crowds and go catch jumbo trout instead. Fresh off an epic razor clam dig, they share what’s actually worth spending your money on, what gear they personally use on the water, and how to turn Black Friday into a day...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott dive into one of their favorite winter traditions — razor clam digging on the Washington coast. Whether you’re planning your very first dig or looking to fine-tune your setup for better results, this episode walks you step-by-step through how to plan, gear up, find the clams, and cook them up into delicious meals. From choosing the right tides and beaches to avoiding rookie mistakes and making the experience family-friendly, Jamie and S...
In this week’s episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie shifts gears from the usual fishing talk to share unique winter adventures around Anacortes, Whidbey Island, and the San Juan Islands. Whether you want to stay connected to the water without launching the boat, or you’re craving new places to explore during the off-season, this episode covers three must-try winter ferry day trips—including hidden gems, coffee shops, hikes, island tips, and creative ways to boost your mood and productivity ...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott sit down with the multi-talented guide Brianna Bruce, owner of Livin’ Life Adventures — a year-round guide service covering nearly every fishery in Washington State. Brianna shares her inspiring story of turning her lifelong love for fishing into a full-time guiding career and how she’s helping anglers of all levels build skills and make memories on the water. From salmon and steelhead to walleye and crappie — and yes, squid fishing — B...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott take you behind the scenes of their elk hunting trip in Idaho — where staying connected meant relying on Starlink internet. They break down how Starlink keeps them online while traveling, fishing, or living off-grid, and why it’s become a total game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts. From setup and power options to speed tests and satellite tracking, this episode gives you everything you need to know to stay connected anywhere your advent...
In this week’s episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie takes us deep into Idaho’s Selway wilderness for her first-ever elk hunt. With Scott out on the mountain and Starlink powering her remote setup, Jamie shares the lessons, surprises, and humbling beauty of stepping into a brand-new challenge. From understanding elk migration patterns and predator behavior to embracing the beginner’s mindset and the power of disconnecting, this episode is packed with field-tested wisdom that applies to hunti...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Scott and Jamie sit down with Darrin and Karey Small—better known as the Black Dog Couple in the Pacific Northwest fishing community. From derby wins to running one of the largest Puget Sound Anglers chapters, this powerhouse couple shares their adventures of fishing together, traveling to Bamfield, BC, and building a lifestyle around both community and adventure. They dive into how to plan a cross-border fishing trip, tackle Canadian regul...
Most anglers buy a fish finder, mount the transducer, and hit the water thinking they’re set. But here’s the truth: if you don’t know how to actually read your sonar, you’re probably just looking at the bottom—and missing the fish swimming right beneath you. In this episode, Jamie & Scott sit down with Navy-trained sonar expert Steve Chamberlin, who has over 30 years of experience turning sonar from “complicated electronics” into a powerful tool any angler can use. Steve explains the mist...
Squid fishing in Puget Sound isn’t just popular—it’s exploding. But here’s the truth: most beginners show up at the pier unprepared, get tangled, frustrated, and leave empty-handed. Don’t let that be you. In this episode, Jamie and Scott sit down with squidding expert Joe Kim, the man behind the Edmonds Squid Fishing community (10,000+ members strong) and maker of custom squid jigs. Joe reveals the exact setup you need, the jigging mistakes that cost you bites, and the unwritten rules o...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott take you along for a September day on the water between Salmon Bank and Eagle Point in Marine Area 7. Fresh off the Salmon for Soldiers event in Everett, they share stories of fishing with veterans, tips for targeting coho in September, and tactical advice for managing crowded waters. From choosing the right gear and lures to handling unexpected whale encounters, this episode is packed with knowledge, community spirit, and plenty of coh...
In this inspiring episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie sits down with Ambar Ramirez — the driving force behind Anglers Unlimited. While she’s not an angler herself, Ambar’s story is one of courage, adventure, and listening to the inner nudge that pushes us toward growth. From leaving her small coastal hometown in Venezuela to building a life across Russia, Finland, and Spain, Ambar shares how curiosity and bold choices shaped her journey. Together, Jamie and Ambar dive into lessons on...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie dives into the fascinating world of crabbing—from testing out underwater GoPro footage inside a crab pot, to exploring how crabs really behave once your gear hits the bottom. You’ll learn tips on filming your own underwater footage, insights into bait and pot performance, plus important reminders for reporting your summer crab catch cards. Whether you’re wrapping up the season or still fishing in Marine Area 7, this episode is full of practical t...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie sits down with Brittany Palm, Director of the Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences Program at Bellingham Technical College (BTC). From her early days fishing on Long Island to leading one of the most unique fisheries and aquaculture programs on the West Coast, Brittany shares her journey, her passion for salmon, and the hands-on training BTC provides for the next generation of fishery scientists, hatchery managers, and aquaculture experts. This episo...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie takes a deep dive into the art and science of smoking salmon 🎣🔥 From understanding why pink salmon often gets overlooked compared to Chinook and Coho, to the biology behind fat content, to brining methods, wood choice, and flavor experiments, this episode is packed with knowledge to help you master your smoked fish game. Whether you’re curious about hot vs. cold smoking or want to know how to make your salmon last in the freezer all year lo...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott take you behind the scenes of the 2025 Resurrection Salmon Derby in Bellingham Bay. From real-time hookups on the water to final weigh-in results, they share the highs, the slow moments, and the incredible sense of community that makes this derby so special. Listeners will hear first-hand fishing updates, gear breakdowns, and derby history—including how this legendary event was brought back after years away. Whether you’re curious about...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Scott and Jamie dive into the excitement of the late summer Coho (Silver Salmon) season. With an extended fishing window from August 1st to September 30th, they break down everything you need to know about targeting Coho and Pink Salmon in the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound. From gear tips and prime locations to fish behavior, species identification, and a hands-on rigging tutorial, this episode is packed with actionable insights for both beginner an...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott dive deep into the Bellingham Bay Fishery — a unique, co-managed terminal fishery designed to support both anglers and the ecosystem. They break down the history, purpose, and future of this fishery, how hatchery Chinook are raised and released, and why it’s a win-win for fishermen, orcas, and conservation. Plus, they preview the upcoming Resurrection Derby, an exciting event that raises funds for fish enhancement projects and scholarsh...
In this info-packed episode, we dive deep into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved seafood treasures — Dungeness crab! From biology and feeding habits to the best bait, pot placement, and why tides and molt cycles matter, you'll walk away with new strategies to fill your pots and your dinner table. Whether you're a seasoned crabber or just getting started, this episode has all the nerdy insights and practical tips to help you get more dungies in the San Juan Islands and beyond. 🎯What ...
In this deep-dive solo episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie explores the age-old angler question: "Why do salmon bite?" Drawing from both scientific research and firsthand experience, she breaks down five major factors that influence Chinook and Coho feeding behavior in the ocean — including tides, barometric pressure, moon phases, scent, and lure presentation. If you're ready to make smarter, more strategic decisions on the water, this episode is your new must-listen. What You’ll Learn The...
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott share their exciting visit to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and Dam along the Columbia River in Oregon. This spontaneous road trip detour turned into a full-day educational experience, featuring massive sturgeon, powerful hydroelectric turbines, and insights into fish conservation and hatchery operations. If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a hatchery — from spawning techniques to how millions of salmon and steelhea...