Anchored with April Vokey

Pat Kelly is a fly-fishing guide, fly tier, and lifelong angler whose path has taken him from childhood fishing in Ohio to saltwater, carp, smallmouth bass, and eventually a deep obsession with muskie on the fly. After nearly two decades in the fly-fishing industry, he recently launched Warm Water Anglers, where he is now focused on guiding, education, fly tying, and helping anglers better understand the warm-water fisheries he has spent years exploring. In this episode of Anchored, Pat and I talk about his early introduction to fishing, the evolution of his muskie flies using Bob Popovics’ hollow tying techniques, the growth of warm-water fly fishing, conservation concerns in Ohio, some of the major personal challenges that shaped his life, and what led him to finally step out on his own. Looking to go deeper with your learning? Come see what we’ve been working on at AnchoredOutdoors.com. We’ve built a library of 30 in-depth, sequentially organized Masterclasses taught by past guests of this podcast — and we’ve watched over 1,000 members grow their confidence and skills on the water. Want to check it out for free? No money down, no strings attached. Just head to anchoredoutdoors.com/premium-insiders/ Anchored listeners can get 10% off their first order with Skwala by using the code “anchored10” at check out. See for yourself at skwalafishing.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Anchored, I sit down with Michael Rebholz to discuss Bonker Spey, his controversial approach to Spey casting that uses a rod-borne anchor by draping the line over the rod.... and then some. Michael explains how he developed the technique, why he believes it can be especially effective in strong wind and when casting heavy flies, and how the fly-casting community responded when he first introduced it. Our conversation expands well beyond Bonkerspey. We explore Michael’s theory on casting panic, the psychology behind learning to cast, the limitations of traditional instruction, and whether the sport needs to reconsider how casting is taught.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Lyons is a renowned fly fisher, author, and publisher whose influence has shaped the landscape of modern angling literature. A former professor of English at Hunter College, Lyons left academia to pursue his passion for writing and publishing, founding Lyons Press—a company that became one of the most respected publishers of outdoor and sporting books. As the author of numerous beloved titles, including Spring Creek and The Seasonable Angler, Lyons brought poetic introspection and literary quality to the world of fly fishing. His work is celebrated for its wit, humility, and deep reverence for nature, inspiring generations of anglers and writers alike. Looking to go deeper with your learning? Come see what we’ve been working on at AnchoredOutdoors.com. We’ve built a library of 30 in-depth, sequentially organized Masterclasses taught by past guests of this podcast — and we’ve watched over 1,000 members grow their confidence and skills on the water. Want to check it out for free? No money down, no strings attached. Just head to anchoredoutdoors.com/premium-insiders/ Anchored listeners can get 10% off their first order with Skwala by using the code “anchored10” at check out. See for yourself at skwalafishing.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rahm Emanuel is an American diplomat, politician, and former White House Chief of Staff. He served as the United States Ambassador to Japan, appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021. Rahm previously held office as the Mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019 and was a senior advisor to President Bill Clinton before serving as a U.S. Congressman from Illinois. Outside of public service, Rahm is a dedicated fly angler who finds solace and clarity on the water. Fly fishing has long been one of his favorite pastimes—a balance to the intensity of his professional life and a testament to his appreciation for patience, nature, and precision. In this episode of Anchored, we learn more about his story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mikey Wier is a lifelong angler, filmmaker, and conservationist based in California. Raised in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Mikey has spent decades exploring and documenting the wild waters of the American West. A passionate fly fisher and former professional snowboarder, he’s best known for his award-winning fly fishing films, including Soulfish and Fish Eye Films, which helped shape the modern fly-fishing film scene. Mikey currently works with California Trout, where he combines his storytelling skills and on-the-water knowledge to promote coldwater conservation across the state. In this episode of Anchored, we go all the way to the very beginning to hear how he got his start. This episode of Anchored is brought to you by Bear Mattress. Go to bearmattress.com and use promo code ANCHORED at checkout to get 40% off sitewide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices