Fishing for a Reason
Welcome to "Fishing for a Reason," the podcast that dives deep into the heart of fishing and the meaningful connections it brings. Hosted by Jamie Propst, founder of Anglers Unlimited, we explore the impact fishing has on our lives, communities, and environment so that you can become a more effective angler and catch more fish and have more fun every time you go out on the water or hit the hiking trails. Whether you target salmon, halibut, lingcod, crab, shrimp or fresh water species, there is something here for you.
From tales of epic catches and new places to wet a line in the PNW, to discussions on life, love and business, and the latest fishing reports, "Fishing for a Reason" is your go-to source for inspiration and insight. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just casting your first line, join us as we discover the many reasons why fishing is more than just a hobby—it's a way of life.
Episodes
60 episodes
60: Mooching for Puget Sound Salmon: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Charter Captain Justin Wong of Cut Plug Charters in Seattle breaks down the complete mooching system for new anglers — from brining your herring to landing fish. Justin runs one of the very few year-round salmon charter operations in the Puget ...
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Season 1
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Episode 60
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1:01:35
59: Stop Guessing at the Tackle Shop: The 3 Salmon Lures Every Beginner Needs
Standing in the tackle aisle staring at a wall of lures you don't recognize? You're not alone. In this episode, Jamie breaks down the only three salmon lure setups you need to start catching fish while trolling in Washington's saltwater — so yo...
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Season 1
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Episode 59
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11:33
58: Fishing Marine Areas 9 & 10: Gear, Tactics & Passion with Captain Dan Meyers
If you're fishing marine areas 9 and 10 out of Edmonds and wondering why you're not consistently filling the cooler, this episode is for you. Captain Dan Meyers of Hunt Fish PNW joins Jamie & Scott to share decades of Puget Sound salmon kno...
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Season 1
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Episode 58
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54:53
57: Getting Started Salmon Trolling in Washington: The Complete Beginner's Overview
New to salmon fishing in Washington state? Got a boat but feeling overwhelmed by where to even start?This episode breaks down the bare bones basics of trolling for salmon in Puget Sound, the Salish Sea, and the San Juan Islands. Whether ...
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Season 1
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Episode 57
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9:31
56: How Washington Salmon Seasons Get Set (And How to Fight Back)
If you've ever wondered why you can only fish for Chinook a handful of days a year while anglers in Canada are limiting out on fish from your own backyard — this episode is for you. Jamie breaks down the North of Falcon salmon season process fr...
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Season 1
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Episode 56
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27:35
55: Should You Switch to Lithium Batteries on Your Boat? Here's What You Need to Know
If you've been thinking about swapping out your old lead acid batteries for lithium — but you're not sure if it's worth the money or if they're even safe — this episode is for you. Scott walks through his real-world experience after two years r...
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Season 1
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Episode 55
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22:18
54: How to Read Your Fish Finder (Even If You're Totally Confused)
Staring at your fish finder and seeing nothing but squiggly lines? Or worse—a completely blank screen while you're trolling for salmon in Puget Sound?In this episode, Jamie breaks down the four essential fish finder skills that'll help y...
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Season 1
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Episode 54
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7:03
53: How to Buy Used Fishing Gear on a Budget (Without Getting Scammed)
SummaryNew to saltwater fishing in the Pacific Northwest and worried about the cost of gear? You're not alone—quality downriggers can run $600-$1,000+ each at the tackle shop, which feels overwhelming when you're not even sure if...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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21:54
52: The Science of Salmon: Fisheries Experts Reveal the Truth
Opening SummaryChinook fishing seasons in Puget Sound keep shrinking while hatchery production has actually increased over time. This episode pulls back the curtain on fisheries management with a panel of experts representing over 12...
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24:36
51: New to Washington Fishing? Here's How to Find Your Local Crew
If you've relocated to Washington or you're just getting started saltwater fishing in the Puget Sound or San Juan Islands, breaking into the local fishing community can feel impossible. You're watching everyone else post their big catches while...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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17:34
50: Washington Salmon Fishing Rules Made Simple | Marine Areas, Closures & Species Limits
Washington State salmon regulations are some of the most complex in the country—and making one small mistake can lead to hefty fines, confiscated gear, or worse. In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie walks listeners step-by-step throug...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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19:33
49: Why You’re Not Catching Salmon (And the Proven System Elite Anglers Use Instead)
If you’re tired of burning fuel, chasing other boats, and coming home with an empty cooler, this episode is for you.Jamie breaks down why most anglers struggle to catch salmon consistently—and why it has nothing to do with luck, secret s...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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13:56
48: Why Your Off-the-Shelf Salmon Rod is Holding You Back (And What to Use Instead)
If you’re unsure what fishing rod you should be fishing for salmon — or you’ve bought gear in the past that never felt right on the water — this episode will clear the confusion fast.On this week’s Fishing for a Reason, we sit down with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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30:20
47: Squid Fishing in the San Juan Islands & Puget Sound — When, Where, and Why It Fires in Winter
In this episode, Jamie dives deep into the science, migration, and behavior of Pacific Market Squid—Washington’s most accessible winter fishery.Whether you’re jigging from Edmonds Pier at night or hunting massive schools from a boat with...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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18:11
46: How Razor Clams Reproduce, Grow & Survive: Science Every Clammer Should Know
In this deep-dive episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie breaks down the entire Pacific Razor Clam lifecycle — from microscopic larvae drifting in the surf to the full-grown clams you dig up on Washington’s beaches. If you love the sci...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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15:10
45: The Invisible Wall Keeping You Off The Water (And The 180 Free Classes That Break It Down)
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott sit down with George Harris, President & CEO of the Northwest Marine Trade Association — the man behind the iconic Seattle Boat Show and one of the strongest voices advocatin...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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52:44
44: Inside the Ultimate Baja Fishing Trip With John Keizer of Salt Patrol (La Paz, Mexico)
In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Scott and I sit down with experts John Keizer (Salt Patrol) and Eddie Dalmau to talk about a bucket-list fishing opportunity that every Pacific Northwest angler should know about. If you’ve ever...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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1:11:46
43: Best Black Friday Fishing Deals & Opportunities 2025
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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10:04
42: How to Plan Your First Razor Clam Dig: Gear, Tips & Recipes for Beginners
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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40:21
41: Top 3 Winter Ferry Adventures in the San Juan Islands (No Boat Needed!)
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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21:16
40: Year-Round Fishing in Washington with Brianna Bruce
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 in...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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34:58
39: Starlink for Boaters, Hunters & RVers: The Ultimate Off-Grid Internet Guide
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 t...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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29:11
38: Elk Hunting in Idaho: Lessons from the Selway Wilderness (Beginner’s First Hunt)
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,...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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28:33
37: Fishing Bamfield BC: How to Plan the Ultimate Fishing Trip
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 l...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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58:06
36: Sonar Basics for Fishing: Expert Tips from Navy Sonar Tech Steve Chamberlin
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 righ...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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34:04