Claim OwnershipThe Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast
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Description
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. Come join us in the pursuit of trout and solitude.
53 Episodes
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Backcountry fly fishing is about mastery—learning the water, the fish, and the environment. It’s about exploration, achievement, and growth. It’s about earning your fish and your spots, not having them handed to you. In the second edition of Complaint Corner, Ross takes on the problem of spot burning—how it harms pristine places, ruins the fishing experience, and robs anglers of one of the best parts of the sport: discovering it for themselves. ------ If you're enjoying the show, don't forget...
There’s a moment every angler reaches when the flies in the shop just don’t cut it anymore. Maybe it’s a pattern that never quite works the way it should. Maybe it’s that tiny backcountry creek where trout eat everything except what’s commercially tied. Or maybe it’s just the urge to create something that’s yours. In this episode, Ross delivers a full fly-tying sermon—part philosophy, part instruction, and part hard-earned truth—on why you should be tying your own flies, what materials and to...
It might not be glamorous, but it sure as hell catches fish. In this episode, Ross takes a deep dive into indicator nymphing—the most misunderstood, underrated, and effective technique in all of fly fishing. From foam to yarn to Air Locks and beyond, he breaks down the pros and cons of different indicator types, how to rig them, and when (and when not) to use them. This episode is packed with practical insights to make you more effective on the water—and maybe help you see “bobber fishing” in...
The wild doesn’t stay wild on its own. In this opening episode of Season 5, Ross returns from Mongolia—where he chased the legendary taimen on some of the most remote water on Earth—and reflects on what he found there. Among endless stretches of untouched country, a massive new highway project is cutting its way through the steppe, a reminder that even the most isolated landscapes are not beyond the reach of civilization. This episode sets the stage for the season ahead, exploring not just ba...
Some places are so wild and remote they feel almost untouched. In northern British Columbia, just outside the vast Muskwa-Kechika Management Area, that kind of wilderness still exists. And it’s here that Urs and Daniel Schildnecht built Northern Rockies Adventures—a lodge and outfitting business that brings anglers and adventurers into some of the most rugged and spectacular country on the continent. In this episode, Ross sits down with Urs and Daniel after spending days flying by float plane...
The backcountry demands more from both anglers and their equipment. When every ounce matters and every mile is earned, the right gear can make the difference between a long, grueling slog and a trip you’ll never forget. In this episode, Ross sits down with brothers Patrick and Daniel Bauman of Colter Backcountry, where two brothers with a passion for the outdoors are designing fly fishing gear built specifically for anglers who venture deep into the wild. If you’re a fly angler who hikes fart...
There’s a voice inside you that knows when something isn’t right. Sometimes it whispers. Sometimes it roars. The key is learning to listen. In this episode, Ross sits down with security expert and former FBI agent James Hamilton from Hamilton Security Group for a deep dive into the nature of intuition—what it is, where it comes from, and why it might be the most important tool you have in the backcountry and beyond. They explore how intuition works under pressure, how to sharpen your situatio...
There’s no better way to learn what not to do than by pointing and laughing at someone else’s mistakes. Lucky for you, Ross has a whole wall full of them—and he’s not shy about handing out free lessons. In this episode, Ross pulls three stories straight from his personal Wall of Shame: times he ignored his own advice, made dumb choices in the backcountry, and came this close to earning a Darwin Award. The takeaway? Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Or just listen to this episode and avoid...
We all love to get out there as often as we can. But some days, you’re just not supposed to be in the wild. Some days, the mountain says No. This episode is all about those moments—the ones where something inside you whispers, “Not today, friend.” Whether you're off physically, stuck in your own head, riding out an emotional storm, or just feeling that deep-down pull to turn back, learning to listen to that voice matters. Because the wilderness doesn’t just test you—it talks to you. And ...
Alright, you've picked the perfect high-alpine lake, found the perfect weather window, nailed your timing, and made the hike. What the hell do you do now? In this episode, Ross walks you through how to make it happen on high-alpine lakes, which can be among the toughest places in the world to fly fish if you're not prepared. If you're not sure what gear you need, wonder which patterns you ought to have in your box, or are looking for some tactics that might just save your day, this one's for ...
If you love backcountry fly fishing, chances are you love hiking to high-alpine lakes. But as stunning as these remote waters are—tucked away in rugged mountain ranges—they can be unpredictable and frustrating if you don’t time your trips right. In this episode, Ross breaks down how to plan and time your next hike to a high-alpine lake, sharing practical tools, tips, and advice to help you stay safe and find success at the top of the world. Here are some resources for you to check out: Copern...
The wild is unpredictable. That's why we love it. But when you're catching fish out in the sticks by yourself, you have to make peace with the fact that no one is coming to bail you out. That means you have to practice self-reliance, and that starts with having the stuff you need (or might need) if things go sideways. In this episode, Ross talks about the importance of being prepared for your backcountry trips and what he carries in his day pack to ensure he's as safe as he can be in th...
Welcome back, friends. It's officially time for Season 4 of the BCFF Podcast. In this episode, published right on the cusp of prime backcountry fly fishing season, Ross breaks out his tweed jacket to talk about the philosophy of why we go to hard places to catch fish. Spoiler alert: It ain't really about the fish at all. ------ If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have quest...
Well, it happened. DC politics have collided with our time in the woods, and that means we've gotta talk about it (even if we'd rather not). In this special--and urgent--episode, Ross talks about a provision in the U.S. Senate GOP's budget reconciliation bill that would mandate the sale of millions of acres of federal land--the same land we use to hike, camp, and fly fish. You can read more about the proposal and find a map of the lands potentially up for sale from The Wilderness Societ...
Alright, friends, we've come to the end of Season 3. We hope you've enjoyed this season and come away with a bunch of helpful information. It's been incredible to watch the growth of the BCFF Podcast and to speak to so many of you about your own fly fishing stories. THANK YOU for listening, for taking the time to send your thoughts, and for being part of this crazy backcountry fly fishing thing we all love so very much. We'll be back in a few weeks with the start of Season 4. Until then, stay...
If you're like Ross, you could probably spend your entire life exploring the waters in your home state and still never come close to seeing them all. But we live on a big planet full of interesting fish that will eat a fly in wild places, and sometimes you want to get out and see something radically different--think float plane trips in the Northern Rockies, stalking GTs off the coast of Africa, or throwing flies at monstrous taimen in the Mongolian Steppe. In this episode, we are joine...
We are fortunate to live in an age where technology can help support our backcountry adventures and keep us safe and connected while we're in the wild. This week we take a deep dive into safety technology with Rehan Nana, who for outdoor tech giant Garmin. Rehan walks us through Garmin's history, technological solutions, and how electronics can help keep you safe in the wilderness. If you'd like learn more about Garmin or check out their products for yourself, you can find more informat...
Runoff has arrived, and while we have talked about the science and safety of high-water season, we have yet to talk about the other important thing: How to keep fishing during this tough season. In this episode, Ross walks you through three ways (with some extras for good measure) to keep your rod bent while you wait for the streams to settle down and the high-alpine lakes to ice off. No need to sit inside counting the days! ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us a...
Higher flows, stained water, warmer weather... We all know what that means: Runoff cometh. In this episode, Brandon Forbes from the United States Geological Survey joins us to talk about the science of streamflow and runoff. USGS is an incredibly important agency that handles everything from earthquakes to volcanoes to flood prediction. And because of the thousands of stream-monitoring stations they operate around the country, their work is particularly important for backcountry anglers who n...
It's time for a brief intermission in Season 3 of The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast. And what better way could there be to use that intermission than to complain a little about the stuff that annoys us about fly fishing? This is our first Complaint Corner episode--and likely the first of many. This week's topic? The infamous, the dastardly, the downright rude, the incorrigible high-holer. If that's you, STOP IT. If it's not you, well, enjoy listening to a full, detailed explanation of why t...
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I meant to post this comment on your podcast: "When the mountain says no."
Great stories. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for covering this topic. It's a very important topic that I have never heard talked about on any other podcast. Keep up the good work.