Tom Rowland Podcast

Jameson Reeder is a shark attack survivor who was bitten while snorkeling in waist-deep water at a sandbar in the Florida Keys. After five years of living in the Florida Keys with his wife, a perfect day on the water turned into a life-threatening emergency when a shark grabbed his leg. In this powerful episode, Jameson reveals the immediate moments of the attack, the extensive emergency medical treatment and multiple surgeries that followed, and the long road to physical and mental recovery. What's most remarkable is his perspective: despite the trauma, he maintains deep respect for sharks and has become an advocate for ocean safety awareness and marine conservation.

Episode 1012 of the Tom Rowland Podcast is a catch-up conversation with kayak fishing tournament angler Dustin Nichols that turned into something I did not see coming — a 192 BPM heart rate at 51, the energy drinks that put him in the back of an ambulance, the BMX comeback that has taken 50 pounds off him at 54, and his honest take on where kayak fishing is headed. Five years ago Dustin came on the podcast for the first time. I had him back this week to find out what had happened since. What he told me ended up being one of the more honest comeback stories I have heard on this show in a while, and I wanted to share why.

Calder Allen caught a 13-and-a-half-pound bass on fly at night in Lake Austin, dropped out of college to pursue music, and routes his tours around fishing destinations across the country. In this conversation, he shares stories from playing Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits, why he almost became a fly fishing guide under JT Van Zandt, and the philosophical question that haunts him: what is wild anymore? ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro: Star brite title sponsor 2:15 - Weather and bass spawn timing in Austin 4:30 - The 13.5-pound bass Calder caught on fly at night 8:45 - Six-pound bass in downtown Austin 12:20 - Fly fishing techniques for big Austin bass 18:30 - Ranch pond fishing in Texas 22:15 - Jerry Jeff Walker private party story 26:40 - Music career since Bonnaroo 32:10 - Touring with Cody Jinks and Red Clay Strays 38:20 - Co-writing with Jack Ingram 45:30 - Almost guiding under JT Van Zandt 52:15 - Nashville vs Austin music scenes 58:40 - Playing Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits 64:20 - Planning tours around fishing destinations 70:15 - 18-show acoustic tour through Spain and Italy 76:30 - American public lands perspective 82:45 - What is wild anymore? Philosophy and conservation 90:20 - Stocked trout vs native fish 96:15 - California steelhead and damming 102:30 - Conservation in Florida Keys 108:45 - Natural cycles vs man-made problems 115:20 - Cold fronts and fish kills 122:30 - Texas coast conservation 128:15 - Captains for Clean Water 134:40 - The wildness question in songwriting 140:20 - Running Steel song lyrics 145:30 - Social media and catch and release culture 150:15 - Upcoming tour dates and new album 🎣 DEALS AND DISCOUNTS: ⭐ Star brite - Keep your boat in pristine condition with Star brite premium marine cleaning and maintenance products. Title Sponsor of the Tom Rowland Podcast. → https://bit.ly/4o80cws 🔧 Danco - Quality fishing pliers, knives, and accessories built to last. → https://bit.ly/tomrowlandpodcast2 💪 1st Phorm - Premium supplements to fuel your body. → https://bit.ly/4liX1Rz ⛰️ MTN OPS - Nutrition for outdoor athletes. Use code TOMFREESHIP for free shipping. → https://bit.ly/40niijr 📖 Tom Rowland Podcast Knot Guide - The essential knot guide for every angler — free download. → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎒 GORUCK - Built to last gear for rucking and training. Use code VEST20 for 20% off. → https://bit.ly/3NsHVwj 🔴 Nuvio Recovery - Red light therapy recovery mat for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Use code TOM50 for $50 off. → https://bit.ly/NuvioTRP 🎧 LISTEN ON: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4bqZip9 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3N9j4O9 Spotify: https://bit.ly/4drkga6 🎸 GUEST: Calder Allen - Austin-based singer-songwriter 📲 TOM ROWLAND: Website: https://tomrowlandpodcast.com Instagram: @tomrowland YouTube: https://bit.ly/44OXmoz 📧 SUBSCRIBE to the Tom Rowland Podcast newsletter: https://bit.ly/trp-subscribe #CalderAlden #FlyFishing #AustinTexas #TomRowlandPodcast #Conservation #BassFishing #Songwriting

What happens when you give an oceanographer a pile of ROFFS® fishing reports, decades of ocean data, and access to Simrad® electronics? You get FishCast® — an AI-powered offshore fishing forecast that can highlight high-probability zones days before you ever leave the dock. In this conversation, Dr. Taylor Shropshire from Fathom Science and I break down how FishCast works on Simrad MFDs, how 3-day, 3-hour forecasts help you plan offshore trips, and why AI should be a tool that makes fishing more fun rather than a shortcut that replaces hard-earned experience. We also talk about ocean models, hurricane prediction, safety, and what better forecasting might mean for anyone who lives and fishes on the coast. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend, rate the show, and stay tuned for more unfiltered conversations.

Dan Dillon is the founder behind Aquaphobix, a heat-applied, non-ablative marine coating that started in swimming pools and is now being tested on fiberglass boats. In this conversation, we dig into the torch-on application, why copper-based bottom paint is still everywhere, and how certifications like Marine Life Safe and Drinking Water Safe translate from pools to marinas and beyond. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: How a pool coating ended up on boats — and why the blowtorch is part of the magic The honest breakdown of copper paints, “ablative” flakes, and microplastics in our water and fish Certifications that actually matter (not greenwashing): marine life and drinking-water safe Real-world cases: SeaWorld exhibits, a 102-year-old public pool, and what marinas care about (hint: sanding revenue) The ROI angle for anglers: fewer haul-outs, better performance, less mess — and where this could go (buoys to cruise ships) Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Dan’s background (pool contractor → Aquaphobix) 03:45 What Aquaphobix is (pneumatic thermal plastic) 06:20 Torch-on application: epoxy, powder, and bond strength 09:55 Why traditional bottom paint leaches (ablative vs. hard) 13:10 Microplastics, copper, and environmental impacts 16:05 Certifications: Marine Life Safe & Drinking Water Safe 20:00 SeaWorld & “Venetian Pool” case — draining into aquifer 24:35 Greenwashing claims vs. what’s actually in the can 28:40 Marina economics: sanding, haul-outs, fees, and ROI 32:30 Performance, fuel burn, and efficiency tradeoffs 36:15 Big-boat use cases (buoys, cruise ships testing & fines) 40:05 Family-owned company, exclusive rights, patent-pending 43:10 The viral video effect and dealing with comments 46:00 What’s next & how to get in touch 🔗 Visit Dan Dillon / Aquaphobix – https://aquaphobix.com 🔗 Connect with Aquas / Aquaphobix: Instagram → @aquasofficial Website → https://aquaphobix.com 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #BoatLife #SaltwaterLegends #BottomPaint #Aquaphobix #Conservation

Carey Chen is a world-traveled marine artist and lifelong fisherman who turned a passion for blue water into a career—painting billfish from memory and chasing giants with some of the best crews on earth. Born in Los Angeles to Jamaican parents, raised in Jamaica, and later based in Miami, Carey went from motorcycles and video stores to fishing tournaments across the Caribbean, licensing deals, and live painting at world-class events. In this conversation, we get into how a first sailfish on a kite lit the fuse, why sonar is changing offshore fishing (and why he thinks it’ll soon be on every boat), what it’s like to fish with the Bad Company program, and how a lifetime of travel turned into 3,000+ paintings “stuck in his head.” Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The first sailfish on a kite off Miami—and how one fish can change your life From fisherman to painter: leaving retail, painting live, and getting “discovered” at boat shows Fishing the world with Bad Company: Mag Bay marlin numbers that sound impossible until you see them The sonar debate: why new tech doesn’t replace skill—but rewards crews who master it Big-fish mindset: chasing granders, tagging programs, and letting the big breeders go Seychelles, Cape Verde, Madeira: what “no-pressure” fisheries really feel like Growing up around legends—boxing promoters, Bob Marley, and the value of giving back through art Timestamps 00:00 Intro & who is Carey Chen 01:35 Jamaica → Miami → first sailfish on a kite 05:10 From fisherman to artist: the boat show breakthrough 10:42 Touring the Caribbean tournaments & live painting 15:28 Bad Company stories: Mag Bay marlin madness 21:40 Sonar, strategy, and the “is it cheating?” debate 28:05 Chasing granders: Africa, Cape Verde, Madeira 34:20 Seychelles & the magic of low-pressure fisheries 40:55 Flats talk: triggers, bumpheads, bonefish, Andros 47:10 Art from memory: anatomy, light, and getting it right 52:25 Business today: licensing, dropship, 3,000+ pieces 57:30 Growing up around champions & giving back 1:02:10 Final thoughts on passion → profession 🔗 Visit Carey Chen’s Website – [custom link] 🔗 Connect With Carey: Instagram → @[guest_handle] Website → [guest_website] 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #MarineArt #Billfish #BigGameFishing #Fishing #SaltwaterLegends

At 16, Jordan Thomas lost both legs in a Keys boating accident—and turned it into purpose. He launched the Jordan Thomas Foundation to help kids get the prosthetics and community they need through age 18, and he’s now a top adaptive golfer competing at the US Adaptive Open in Pinehurst. We get into mindset and trauma, why running blades aren’t covered, real talk on water safety, community beats hardware, and pushing policy so access is affordable and durable. Big heart, big mission—tons of practical takeaways. Connect with Jordan Instagram — @jordanthomasfoundation Website — https://www.jordanthomasfoundation.org Free Resources Saltwater Knot Guide — https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP Tom Rowland Podcast — https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversationshttps://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 Follow the Show Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/tvswe

Captain Jimmy Armel is an Army Ranger veteran, founder of Knot Lucky Veteran Fishing, and a man on a mission to heal others through the ocean. After 11 years in the military—including brutal combat deployments—Jimmy faced the battles of PTSD, brain injuries, and addiction. Through fishing, plant medicine, and service, he found a path back to purpose. In this conversation, we go deep on combat, trauma, forgiveness, psychedelic therapy, shark tagging, and how fishing changes lives. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: How fishing gave Jimmy purpose when everything else was falling apart. The raw truth about combat, concussions, and what veterans really experience. Jimmy’s near-death experience — and how it changed his outlook forever. The power of psychedelic therapy (Ibogaine & Ayahuasca) in healing trauma. Why helping veterans isn’t about pity — it’s about purpose, community, and action. 🔗 Visit Not Lucky Veteran Fishing – https://notlucky.org 🔗 Connect with Jimmy: Instagram → @jimmyleearmell 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe