(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
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Episode Chapters with Al Perkinson on Bajio Sunglasses
02:00 – Bajio refers to the shallow regions near land, whether it’s the saltwater marshes in Charleston, the bayous in New Orleans and Louisiana, or the saltwater flats of the Bahamas.
05:35 – Al mentioned that he didn’t come to fly fishing until later in life, possibly in his 40s, even though he had been fishing since he was a kid.
11:40 – We delved into Al’s connection to Costa and his journey toward establishing his own company.
18:16 – Al emphasized the importance of starting with the right lens for optimal fishing performance. During their time at Costa, they created the 580 Lens, the first color-enhancing lens designed to block yellow light.
19:53 – When Al began Bajio, he recognized that there was considerable untapped potential to elevate eyewear, and they identified the most significant opportunity lay in effectively blocking blue light.
22:12 – Al recommends the Silver Mirror for a typical Montana trout trip.
27:00 – Al and Oliver White have been friends for a long time. In fact, Oliver invited Al to the Abaco Lodge the very first week it opened. They’ve gone on many trips together. Now, Oliver is working at the South Fork Lodge of the Snake River, and he’s teamed up with Jimmy Kimmel.
29:52 – We discuss conservation and the efforts being made at Bajio. Al emphasizes his focus on the next generation of anglers.
36:40 – Al introduces us to the Bajio Trails, an interactive app they’re launching for DIY fishing.
50:00 – Al mentioned that another product they’re putting a strong emphasis on is their line of hats.
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
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Episode Chapters with Jeff Wagner on Mayfly Outdoors
(0:00:05) – Fly Fishing and Mayfly Outdoors Growing up in Sydney, Nebraska, Jeff learned to fly fish in cold streams for trout, bass, bluegill, carp, and pike.
(0:08:38) – Iconic Outdoor Brands Jeff worked with Ross Reels’ 50th anniversary, from its 1973 California inception to its current Colorado form.
(0:21:18) – B Corp and Long-Term Success Ross Reels’ success is discussed, exploring B Corp certification, triple bottom line, sustainability, ethics, and new anodizing facility.
(0:25:27) – Ross Reels and Mayfly Outdoors Ross Reels’ sustainability, longevity, innovations, other fly fishing companies, Mayfly Outdoors’ acquisition of Airflo Fly Lines, investments in people, place, and technology, and the triple bottom line of people, profit, and planet are discussed.
(0:38:25) – Branding and Growth of Outdoor Industry Prana, North Face, Patagonia, Sims, Dynaking, and carp fishing discussed to maintain brand identity and explore fishing market opportunities.
(0:44:10) – Carp Fishing in Warm Water Resources Carp fishing’s potential benefits, fly fishing’s responsibility, multi-species angling history, and Ross Reels’ investment are discussed.
(0:50:34) – Fly Fishing Tips and Conversations Casting nuances, instructor advice, and carp fishing’s benefits to cold water fisheries are discussed.
(1:00:00) – Fall Fly Fishing Launches and Collaborations Ross Reels and Abel collaborate to promote conservation, sustainability, and longevity while staying true to their identity.
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
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Episode Chapters with Mark Frondorf on Potomac Riverkeeper Network
(0:00:05) – Drought Conditions and Fly Fishing I’m part of the Potomac River Keeper Network, discussing climate change, drought, fly fishing, and individual responsibility.
(0:06:40) – Waterkeeper Organizations and Clean Water Act The Potomac River Keeper Network works to protect waterways through Clean Water Act litigation and public engagement, distinguishing between waterkeeper and friends groups, and collaborating with the Waterkeeper Alliance.
(0:21:03) – Importance of Chesapeake Bay and Shenandoah River We examine the Shenandoah River, River Keeper Network, and the significance of the Shenandoah Valley to local communities.
(0:34:23) – Water Quality Monitoring and Issues DMRs, pollution permits, patrolling the river for illegal pipes, cattle herds, and algal blooms are discussed for water quality in the Shenandoah Valley.
(0:52:14) – River Pollution Study and Funding Virginia’s rivers and streams are protected by the TMDL process and two million-dollar studies on harmful algal blooms.
(0:55:56) – Riverkeeper Network’s Impact and Challenges The Potomac Riverkeeper Network, karst topography of the Shenandoah Valley, Total Maximum Daily Load process, and Shenandoah River harmful algal bloom study are discussed.
(1:08:11) – Mossy Creek and Smallmouth Bass Fishing Supporting local riverkeeper organizations, attending trout school in Massey Creek, and celebrating a gear giveaway winner are key to preserving the South River in the Shenandoah Valley for future generations.
(1:12:27) – Fishing, River Systems, and Environmental Advocacy The Waterkeeper Alliance’s history, legal work, and water quality tracking in the Shenandoah Valley are discussed.
Matt Lewis of Redeye Bass Fly Fishing shares his insights on redeye bass and their vital conservation efforts in the Native Fish Coalition to preserve its native population. We will also uncover the unique characteristics of redeye bass, their habitat preferences, and the exciting pursuit of the Redeye Slam.
Show Notes with Matt Lewis on Redeye Bass. Hit play below! 👇🏻
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
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Episode Chapters with Matt Lewis on Redeye Bass
1:40 – Matt tells us how he got into fly fishing. Initially, his focus was to become a medical doctor. He spent decades doing cancer research, but his outlet has always been fishing.
3:15 – One of his friends introduced him to redeye bass fly fishing. He grew up in Alabama where the species is abundant. When his interest grew, he got frustrated that there were limited resources for that species at that time.
16:00 – He talks about fishing redeye bass which he says are aggressive top-water eaters very much like brook trout. His favorite bug to use is chartreuse or yellow popper. Any kind of foam attractor like hopper patterns also works well.
18:23 – He mentions East Alabama Fly Fishing which offers guide services in Tallapoosa River for bass fishing.
28:00 – He briefly talks about their spawning.
29:36 – I ask him about how he got connected with Dorsal Outdoors leading them to make a film called “A Slam That Saves”. The film features him and Mary Beth Meeks attempting to catch a “Redeye Slam” in one day.
38:46 – The biggest conservation group that he has worked with was the Native Fish Coalition, a national non-profit organization. He also has worked as an advisory board member for a local riverkeeper organization.
43:35 – He encourages everyone to educate themselves and others on the danger of moving fish around, and to get involved with conservation groups.
45:55 – We give a shout-out to Angler’s Coffee. Matt prefers dark roast coffee with bold flavors like the Muddler’s Blend from Angler’s Coffee. He also gives a shout-out to his go-to fly shop which is the Deep South Outfitters.
48:32 – Aside from redeye bass, the other top species you can fish in Alabama are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, and panfish among others. He’s currently writing a fly fishing guidebook for Alabama.
52:36 – Matt says pursuing redeye bass fishing is growing the sport because it’s the easiest entry to fly fishing.
55:06 – He shares a fun fact about the species.
56:53 – I ask about the smallmouth bass distribution.
We hope you enjoyed our episode with Matt Lewis. Matt shared his expertise, passion, and dedication to the conservation of native redeye bass populations!
In this episode, we’re joined by Colby Trow, the founder of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. Colby takes us on a journey from his early days with a cane pole to running a successful fly shop in Northern Virginia.
We’ll also explore the diverse fishing opportunities Mossy Creek offers, including their unique three-part casting clinic. Plus, stay tuned for a rundown of what the school we’re putting together with Colby is going to be like.
Show Notes with Colby Trow on Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. Hit play below! 👇🏻
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
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Episode Chapters with Colby Trow on Mossy Creek Fly Fishing
01:40 – Colby’s earliest fishing memory was at Wintergreen Resort with his grandfather. They used a simple cane pole, a red and white bobber, a couple of split shots, and a hook.
02:40 – When Colby was about 8 or 9 years old, he received his first fly rod as a gift, while his twin brother, Brian, got a mountain bike. At first, Brian teased Colby about it, but that all changed when he witnessed Colby successfully catching a fish. After that, even Brian got interested in fishing.
03:36 – Colby worked at a fly shop during his college years. Later on, both Colby and Brian relocated to Northern Virginia to explore a potential business venture. While researching this opportunity, they stumbled upon the chance to purchase a local fly shop in town.
06:00 – Tom Sadler is a member of the Mossy Creek team, and we were fortunate to have him as a guest on episode 98.
11:39 – We delved into the details of putting the school together, and he described what the experience would be like.
17:34 – The Rapidan River is well-known in the region. The Jackson Tailwater is one of two tailwater fisheries and is renowned as a fantastic wild trout fishery. Mossy Creek is a blue-ribbon spring creek offering nearly 4 miles of publicly accessible water.
21:35 – Colby shares insights about the significant hatches that occur in their area.
25:00 – Colby mentioned that being in a college town with James Madison University nearby, they have plenty of hotel options available.
36:00 – We get a rundown of the fish species and their sizes that you can catch in the area.
44:50 – Colby tells us about their very regimented three-part casting clinic.
Conclusion with Colby Trow on Mossy Creek Fly Fishing
Thanks for joining us on this episode with Colby Trow of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. Don’t miss out on the exciting upcoming school with Colby, where we’ll get an in-depth look at the invaluable knowledge and skills he has to offer.
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
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Episode Chapters with Shelby Stanger on Wild Ideas Worth Living
(0:00:05) – Podcasting and Partnership With REI Shelby started a podcast, which was bought by REI Co-op in 2020, to continue her passion for interviewing people and telling stories.
(0:10:34) – Lessons From the Podcast I share lessons on facing fear, dealing with imposter syndrome, and staying focused while pursuing a wild idea, as well as my journey to writing my book, Will to Wild.
(0:22:59) – Stories of Adventure and Inspiration Self-love, care, strong choices, wild ideas, stories from 91-year-old psychologist, 70-something with heart transplant, 80-something fisherman, and learning from those who have gone before.
(0:32:36) – Stand-Up Paddleboarding Adventures and Stories From journalist to brand promoter, exploring courage, stand-up paddle boarding in Indonesia and Peru, and getting a paddleboard.
(0:36:49) – Podcasting, Research, and Sponsorship Strategy We discuss researching and preparing for conversations, podcasting skills, engaging listeners with sponsors, pitching sponsorships, and providing value.
(0:49:36) – Outdoor Outreach and Podcasting Awards We discuss podcasting, kids’ outdoor activities, and award-winning podcasts.
(0:54:43) – Telling the Truth and TEDx Talks TEDx experience, storytelling, media landscape, humor, speaker coaching, and slides discussed.
(0:59:19) – The Power of Adventure and Awe Awe, nature, podcasting, storytelling, and media are discussed to explore how they can bring mindfulness and connection.
(1:07:33) – Exploring Outdoor Adventure and Podcast Growth We discuss alcohol, outdoor brands, surfing, and podcast growth, emphasizing nature without substances.
(1:13:23) – Promoting Your Podcast With Apple Podcasts Networking, Apple Podcasts, newsletters, and continuing the conversation are key to promoting a podcast.
(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)
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The Life and Works of Ernest Hemingway Show Notes with Mark Cirino
2:13 – Mark grew up in a household where his parents were readers. Her mother was a writer and his father was a journalist. This is also where he talks about how he stumbled upon Ernest Hemingway’s works.
3:48 – Mark talks about what the war meant to Hemingway.
5:49 – He describes Hemingway’s writing style and the iceberg theory. Ernest’s style may have come from his journalism background and his subject matter. The men of action that he writes about are involved in crises or dangerous situations.
11:30 – We dig into Hemingway’s early life when his love for the outdoors started, particularly fishing. He mentions the places that Ernest wrote about such as Michigan where he wrote Indian Camp and The Doctor and the Doctor’s Wife among others.
13:32 – He differentiates the real Ernest from the myth of him.
20:52 – In Hemingway’s memoir called A Moveable Feast, he talks about how to deal with writer’s block by starting with one true sentence and going on from there.
22:20 – He talks about fishing in relation to Hemingway’s works.
24:05 – I mentioned John Gierach, author of several fly-fishing books, whom we had in the podcast in episodes 047 and 434.
25:36 – In Hemingway’s journey as a fisherman, he bought a fishing boat in 1934 which he called Pilar. Mark has an episode in his podcast with Paul Hendrickson where they talked about the latter’s book called Hemingway’s Boat: Everything He Loved in Life, and Lost.
26:45 – Hemingway’s works inspire Mark to keep his curiosity and continuously produce interesting topics for his podcast.
28:27 – We dig into the predator-prey concept in fishing and hunting in Hemingway’s book called Islands in the Stream.
33:22 – His current favorite Hemingway work is A Farewell to Arms. He also talks about The Old Man and The Sea which he says is the perfect Hemingway theme of “winner take nothing”.
40:56 – Mark talks about Pauline Pfeiffer, Ernest Hemingway’s second wife. He was married four times. He tackles more about her in his episode with Ruth Hawkins.
44:46 – He shares some highlights from The Sun Also Rises.
49:13 – For those who haven’t read any of Hemingway’s works, he recommends starting with The Old Man and the Sea and one of his short stories called Big Two-Hearted River.
53:16 – He asks which I think is more conducive for soldiers returning home from the war between deep fishing and fly fishing.
54:12 – We dig into Hemingway’s evolution of writing. From 1925 to 1929, he wrote four books which made him a literary superstar. His comeback in 1940 was successful because of his book entitled For Whom the Bell Tolls.
56:31 – He describes Hemingway as a pessimist as evident in an excerpt from his book In Death in the Afternoon, in which he says “All stories end in death, and he is no true-story teller who would keep that from you.”
1:02:47 – He started the One True Podcast when he noticed that there were no podcasts focused on Ernest Hemingway. The Hemingway Society sponsors the podcast.
1:04:47 – He likes listening to other podcasts such as the Rico Brogna Podcast with Evan Roberts who is a crazy Met fan. We talk more about the Mets.
1:09:45 – We end the interview with his one true sentence.
Today we go fly fishing for carp with none other than Bill Marts. We explore Bill’s invaluable tips on targeting carp in Banks Lake and discover the story behind the Schmoots Clooper Invitational.
Fly Fishing for Carp with Bill Marts. Hit play below!
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Fly Fishing for Carp Show Notes with Bill Marts
03:00 – Bill’s fishing roots trace back to his younger years in Oklahoma, armed with nothing more than a cane pole, bobber, worms, and a minnow.
06:43 – Bill tells us how he started his own fly shop, Blue Dun, in Wenatchee. He worked at REI for a long time and always dreamed of having his own fly shop.
08:30 – Bill and his brother have put together an award-winning movie in 1976 called Angler’s Autumn.
10:00 – In 2005, he decided to give up his fly shop as he was offered a position in the travel department at The Fly Shop.
Schmoots Clooper
17:30 – Bill got into carp fly fishing during the early ’90s after a float trip down the Winchester Wasteway with his wife. It was during this time that his friend, Darc Knobel, who once worked with him in Wenatchee, also became intrigued by the idea.
Darc now runs his own fly shop, Desert Fly Angler, in Ephrata, Washington. Together, they eventually unlocked the secret to successfully catching carp.
21:00 – In the late ’90s, they kicked off the Schmoots Clooper invitational. The name was inspired by a paragraph in John Gierach’s book.
30:00 – Bill gives valuable tips for successfully targeting carp in Banks Lake and similar waters.
34:00 – Bill’s go-to fly for carp fly fishing is the Bugeye Carp Wooly, a pattern he’s so fond of that he even had it tattooed on his thumb.
49:49 – We discussed the difference between using a cane pole compared to a two-handed spey rod and a single-handed rod for carp fishing.
1:03:00 – Bill tells us about the first steelhead he caught on the fly.
1:06:00 – Bill’s favorite steelhead fly, known as Bill’s Bead Butt Burlap, is also tattooed on his arm.
The Drift Boat has been on my mind for just about as long as I can remember.
As a young kid, I remember how exciting it was to leave town, drive out of our neighborhood, and pull the drift boat behind us.
I felt like we were doing something unique and special every single time.
That same feeling is still with me today as I load up the boat for the next trip and now take my own kids along for a journey.
I think it has something to do with the unknown. What are we going to encounter on this trip? Will there be any new challenges? Will we flip the boat?
I recollect the first time I was really scared in a river as we were confronting my first class 4 rapid.
I was 5 years old at the time.
My dad who was a pioneer on our local river was rowing the drift boat, and my mom and brothers were all along.
I remember not wanting to go and hearing my mom say he can walk around the huge wave train.
My dad would have nothing to do with that idea – “He’s going down so get the life jacket on.”
This was not good news to me and as we set up and dropped into the rapid and side curl which was like the perfect ocean rip-off of an unnatural jetty, I began to think about what swimming through it would feel like.
As we crashed through and past the rapid, it happened as quickly as taking a leak.
I was through my first big rapid in a drift boat.
I would find myself in much more challenging rapids in my life which we’ll touch on today.
But I want this article to serve as the definitive guide to the drift boat so you understand the history of how it all started in Oregon, how to get started on owning a boat and why you’d want to.
Maybe you have an interest in making your own boat. We will touch on that as well. be it whitewater, boat building, or just understanding the history of where we came from and who paved the way to get us here, today we will cover it all.
Let’s jump into the drift boat. I’m excited to join you on your journey with one of the great outdoor tools of the last century and beyond.
Imain kw: drift boats – 8000
Drift Boats Table of Contents
What is a Drift Boat
Drift Boat History
How to row a drift boat
Drift Boat accessories
How to build a drift boat
The Top Tips on finding drift boats for sale (2900)
Drift Boat Podcast Season Episode list
Drift Boat Giveaway
Conclusion
link to different companies
Chapter 1. What is a Drift Boat
When drift boats first came onto the scene in the early part of the 20th century, wood was the only game in town. As we moved into the 20th-century new boat companies started utilizing new materials. Aluminum was one of the first big changes and is still a leader today.
Now we have Wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and polymer boats like Boulder Boat Woks who were on the podcast here.
In its essence, a drift boat is a specially designed boat that helps the rower get down through rivers and whitewater. Much of the time it’s to get to the next fishing location.
But as you can see here in places like the Grand Canyon, these boats were designed for highly functioning whitewater.
I interviewed the filmmaker behind Martin’s Boat which documents the late great Martin Litton who created the wooden dories that currently run the Colorado River.
Here is the definition of a drift boat and a photo showing a typical drift boat.
Boulder Boats breaks down the basic of drift boats in this 2 hour class:
Not only are there different types of materials drift boats are made out of but there are different styles. Skiffs are gaining popularity because of their easy to use but they are not best for whitewater.
Chapter 2. Drift Boat History
I had one of the greatest drift boat historians on the podcast recently and we were able to dig into the entire history going back to before 1920 when guys first started taking wooden boats down the Oregon rivers to find fish with a fly.
Listen to the full podcast with Roger Fletcher below:
Here’s a short summary of how the Drift Boat came to be
The first drift boat style boats came onto the McKenzie River and other Oregon Rivers in 1925 by a man named Milo Thomson.
A little bit later, Veltie Pruitt took that boat and made it much shorter and lighter. This was important because they were now able to portage easier and the boat was lighter and easier to maneuver through some of the fast river sections.
Around 1934, a gentleman name Woody Hindman would create the start of the modern drift boat and the first double-ender.
From here the boats slowly transitioned into the traditional Rogue or Mckenzie style dorie and all dirft boats still have this connection.
Today, drift boats have expanded into the river skiff area as noted in my podcasts with Boulder Boats, and Adipose Boatworks, both of which are leading with great river skiffs.
So, what’s next?
Chapter 3. How to Row a Drift Boat
There is a lot to learn about rowing a drift boat but the best advice is to get on the river with someone who has experience first.
Many of the boat shops around likely have staff that can provide tips to get started and you can always pay a guide to take you down the river and get some fishing along the way.
I won’t break down every step here but give you a few resources to get started. This video from Red’s breaks down the basics to help you understand a little about getting going.
Chapter 4. Drift Boat Accessories
Like anything great you own, you can bling it out as much as you like. Like the dude with the jacked-up pickup that is a little annoying at times, your boat can balance on that edge.
So what are the important items you must have for your drift boat to make sure you’re good to go.
Top Must have Drift Boat Accessories
Trailer – The trailer is essential because you won’t be putting this bad boy on your car too often. I’ve used a baker trailer in the past but there are lots of good ones. I like a trailer with a low profile so the boat slips off into the water easily. Steel trailers are great but if you want one for the long term you should look at an aluminum boat chariot.
2. Drift Boat Oars – We did a full season on choosing drift boat oars with Kevin Young from Sawyer Paddles and Oars. He noted the differences in choosing oars and the difference between wood, composite, and full synthetic.
The image above shows the square tip oars that our counterbalanced. Also, remember that you should always have a spare oar in the boat just in case you break an oar on a trip. Keep it easily accessible when floating down the river.
3. Drift Boat Oar Locks – Another essential is the oar lock. You should also have an extra oar lock like an oar in case you break one. In all of my years of drift boating, I have been in a boat and seen an oar lock broken once.
4. Rod Holders for Drift Boats – With fly fishing rod holders are not as common as with gear fishing where it is common to stick your rod in the holder. Here are a couple of common types of rod holders.
drift boat motor
straps
extras
drift boat cover
Chapter 5. How to Build a Drift Boat
The building process of the drift boat has evolved over the years as new materials came into play from wood to aluminum, fiberglass and plastics. Even for wood, there is the conventional style of wood boat building like Ray’s River dories.
I had the current owners of Rays on here and we talked about what is involved with boat building.
But, there’s also stitch and glue type wood boat building that is a very beautiful and clean way to make a wood boat.
How to Build a wood boat
How to build a fiberglass boat
How to build an aluminum boat
Other boats
Chapter 6. Drift Boats For Sale
To this day I still have not purchase a brand new drift boat and that’s ok. The great thing about most drift boats on the market is that they actually retain their value because they last for years and years.
My aluminum boat has been sitting outside for years and havne’t had a care in the world. Still good to go. Koffler was on here and noted this big bonus of the aluminum boat.
But, if you are in the market for a new boat I wanted to provide a few tips to help you in finding and choosing the right drift boat.
Top tips on finding drift boats for sale and selecting the best one
When you find a boat (if aluminum) take a look at the bottom to make sure it’s not all bent out of shape. This is a sure sign that’s it’s been abused a bit.
Drift Boats Craigslist – Still one of the most popular places to find anything for sale.
Check your local boat company – Not a used car lot but they have some good stuff
Chapter 7. Drift Podcast Season
Episode 1: Pete McBride – Listen here
Episdoe 2: The History of Drift Boats
Episode 3:
Chapter 8. Drift Boat Giveaway
We are in the process of setting up a new series on how to build a drift boat where the culmination, after watching the boat become a boat from scratch, we give it away to one lucky winner.
In this episode, we chat with Sam Carter of The River Radius Podcast to talk about how he started his podcast and how he got an interview with none other than Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia.
The River Radius Podcast with Sam Carter. Hit play below!
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The River Radius Podcast Show Notes with Sam Carter
1:23 – Sam takes us back to how he got into the outdoor space.
4:33 – His idea of starting a podcast started with a radio show. He grew up loving the radio and always listening to baseball news, and then in college, he became a volunteer DJ. He also volunteered in a radio talk show about rivers called River Radio on KJSD.
35:22 – We talk about the different ways of packing your poop like using a WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) bag or the groover and disposing of them. Sam also tells us how he cleans his groover. He tackles more about this in his episode called History of the Groover.
41:20 – We dig into river etiquette. As someone who has been a ranger before, he gives recommendations on what to do when you encounter unruly people in the river to avoid conflict.
46:08 – He describes his tech and studio setup for his podcast. He also mentions the equipment he brings with him when covering a story outside.
53:00 – For the anglers, he recommends several episodes to listen to in his podcast where he talks about specific fish species.
56:50 – He highlights some of his favorite episodes which are as follows:
1:01:49 – He tells this amazing story of how he was able to get an interview with Yvon Chouinard.
1:07:00 – We do the two-minute drill. His absolute go-to music is reggae, particularly Alpha Blondy. He mostly rows and his favorite boat is the Hyside 10.5 Mini-Max.