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.
The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast
Finding New Water: A Conversation with TroutRoutes
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Finding fishable water has never been the hard part. Finding the right water—and knowing how to access it—is where things get complicated.
In this episode, Ross sits down with Erik Johnsen of TroutRoutes to talk about the evolution of digital mapping for fly anglers, the challenges of building a trout-specific navigation tool, and how better information can open the door to more exploration and more confidence on the water.
The conversation covers everything from the unique trout culture of Wisconsin’s Driftless region to the broader challenge of helping anglers understand public access, stream classifications, species data, river miles, and backcountry navigation. Ross and Erik also dive into one of fly fishing’s most divisive topics: spot burning, gatekeeping, and the balance between protecting special places and helping anglers discover the incredible public water available across the country.
This is a conversation about maps—but it’s really about opportunity, access, and the work it still takes to earn fish, even when the information is right in front of you.
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Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com
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