The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast
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.
Episodes
50 episodes
More Politics and Closing Out Season 4
Season 4 of The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast comes to a close, but the conversation doesn’t stop here. In this final episode, Ross reflects on the BCFF Podcast journey so far—and turns to one of the most important conservation issues facing ...
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14:35
Fishing the Flip - Figuring Out Turnover Season
As summer gives way to fall, backcountry anglers face one of the trickiest transitions of the year: turnover season. Weather gets funky, waters cool, insect activity changes, and spawning begins to influence behavior.In this episode of <...
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43:16
Into the Muskwa-Kechika with Northern Rockies Adventures
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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48:09
Designing Innovative Backcountry Fly Fishing Gear with Colter Backcountry
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, R...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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52:25
The Power of Intuition and Training with James Hamilton
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
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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50:22
Complaint Corner - Spot Burning
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...
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Season 7
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Episode 8
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27:20
Stupid Games, Stupid Prizes - Stories from the Wall of Shame
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 pull...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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39:28
When the Mountain Says No
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,
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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47:08
A Guide to High-Alpine Lake Fishing - Gear, Flies, and Tactics
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,...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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51:53
Timing Your Trips to High-Alpine Lakes
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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38:23
Packing for Self-Reliance - Staying Safe and Prepared in the Backcountry
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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51:31
Why We Go - Ghosts, Growth, and Grace
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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29:37
SPECIAL - Don't Let Congress Sell Our Public Lands
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 GO...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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22:29
Closing Out Season 3
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 y...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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10:03
Planning a Fly Fishing Adventure with Hatch Adventure Travel
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 s...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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49:29
All About Backcountry Safety Technology with Garmin
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 ou...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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51:24
Three(ish) Ways to Keep Fishing through Runoff
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 thr...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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29:09
The Science of Runoff with USGS
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 in...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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58:29
Complaint Corner - High-Holing and Why It Sucks
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 fir...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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32:39
Spring Dry Flies - Bugs, Patterns, and Tying Tips
We all love geeking out about bugs. We started talking a bit about insects and hatches last week. This week, we're taking a deep dive into filling up your dry box for spring fly fishing--patterns, tying tips, bug nerdery, and more. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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48:52
Return to the Freestones - Backcountry Fly Fishing in April
After the weird 'tweener season of March, winter is FINALLY over. April brings warmer weather, warmer water, a whole bunch of bugs, and a return to the promised land for fly anglers--especially fly anglers who have been itching to get back into...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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55:01
Wading Spring Water - Gear Recommendations and Tips
Alright, we've covered hiking in tough spring conditions and how to fly fish through the early weeks of spring. But what do you need to have a safe, comfortable, successful day on the water when you get there? In this episode, Ross ...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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52:46
Dealing with Tough Spring Trail Conditions
If you think spring makes fly fishing challenging, you should see what it does to your favorite hiking trails.In this episode, Ross walks you through what you should expect on those early spring trails and how you can make sure that toug...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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47:04
Backcountry Fly Fishing in March
March is the tweener season. It's kind of winter, kind of spring, and all complications all the time. In this episode, Ross walks you through how he fly fishes through the most complicated month of the year--finding water, bringing ...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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1:02:58
Season 3 Intro - Welcome to Spring
We're back, baby! This is the official kickoff of Season 3 of The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast, which is all about fly fishing through the spring months and working our way back into the serious wilderness we all love so much.In this ...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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24:32