The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast

What if the most “normal” way of fishing isn’t actually the best way? In this episode, Ross makes the case for ditching waders and embracing wet wading as the default approach for backcountry fly fishing. From the simple definition—getting in the water without a barrier between you and it—to the deeper philosophy behind it, this is a full breakdown of why wet wading changes the way you move, fish, and experience the outdoors. Waders are hot, restrictive, heavy, and clunky—especially when you’...

Season 6 of the BCFF Podcast begins with a reminder: you don’t have to go far to find something wild. In this episode, Ross explores the idea of frontier water—those overlooked stretches of river and hidden pockets of backcountry that exist just beyond the edges of well-known fisheries, and sometimes even just outside of town. These are places that don’t give themselves up easily. They require effort, curiosity, and a willingness to step off the path—but for those who do, the reward is solitu...

When disaster hits, the damage doesn’t stop at roads and homes—it tears through rivers, streams, and the communities that depend on them. In this episode, Ross sits down with Jared Dubin and Miguel Huerta of The Beacon Network, a small, community-based nonprofit doing critical recovery work along the South Toe River in North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The conversation explores what recovery actually looks like on the ground—navigating a complicated political envir...

In this episode, Ross sits down with Allen Law of Western Rivers Conservancy to talk about one of the most effective—and often overlooked—approaches to protecting wild rivers in the American West. Western Rivers Conservancy works to permanently protect rivers by acquiring them and then handing them back to the public in various ways. Allen explains how this model works, why it’s so powerful, and how it differs from traditional conservation strategies that rely solely on regulation or advocacy...

Fly fishing doesn’t need a dozen different knots to be effective. In fact, most anglers can do everything they need on the water with just a small handful—if they actually know how and when to use them. In this episode, Ross breaks down the core knots every fly angler should have dialed, why these knots work, and where they fit into real-world backcountry fishing scenarios. This isn’t about memorizing an encyclopedia of knots—it’s about simplicity, confidence, and efficiency when it matters m...

The cold isn’t just a condition—it’s a mindset. When the temps drop and the rivers turn steel-gray, most anglers call it quits. But if you know how to prepare yourself mentally, winter becomes one of the most rewarding seasons of the year. This episode dives into the mental game behind fishing through the harshest months—how to stay focused, stay sharp, and stay out there when everyone else goes home. Available now on all major podcast platforms. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forge...

There’s a moment every angler reaches when the flies in the shop just don’t cut it anymore. Maybe it’s a pattern that never quite works the way it should. Maybe it’s that tiny backcountry creek where trout eat everything except what’s commercially tied. Or maybe it’s just the urge to create something that’s yours. In this episode, Ross delivers a full fly-tying sermon—part philosophy, part instruction, and part hard-earned truth—on why you should be tying your own flies, what materials and to...

The wild doesn’t stay wild on its own. In this opening episode of Season 5, Ross returns from Mongolia—where he chased the legendary taimen on some of the most remote water on Earth—and reflects on what he found there. Among endless stretches of untouched country, a massive new highway project is cutting its way through the steppe, a reminder that even the most isolated landscapes are not beyond the reach of civilization. This episode sets the stage for the season ahead, exploring not just ba...

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 The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast, Ross unpacks how to approach this narrow edge season. He explains how (and where) to plan your trips, the extra gear you need in your backpack, what to expect from insect behavior as hatches taper off, which pattern you nee...

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, Ross sits down with brothers Patrick and Daniel Bauman of Colter Backcountry, where two brothers with a passion for the outdoors are designing fly fishing gear built specifically for anglers who venture deep into the wild. If you’re a fly angler who hikes fart...

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 of Complaint Corner, Ross takes on the problem of spot burning—how it harms pristine places, ruins the fishing experience, and robs anglers of one of the best parts of the sport: discovering it for themselves. ------ If you're enjoying the show, don't forget...

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, “Not today, friend.” Whether you're off physically, stuck in your own head, riding out an emotional storm, or just feeling that deep-down pull to turn back, learning to listen to that voice matters. Because the wilderness doesn’t just test you—it talks to you. And ...

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. In this episode, Ross breaks down how to plan and time your next hike to a high-alpine lake, sharing practical tools, tips, and advice to help you stay safe and find success at the top of the world. Here are some resources for you to check out: Copern...