Every angler knows the feeling—those days when the river goes quiet, the fish disappear, and nothing you do seems to change it. Slow days on the water can mess with your head if you let them, but they don’t have to break you.

In this episode, Ross dives into the art of getting through the tough days: how to interpret what the river is telling you, how to manage the mental side of a slow bite, and how to stay productive even when the fishing isn’t. From reading conditions with clarity to shifting your expectations, using the time to sharpen other skills, or simply learning to appreciate the day for what it is, this episode is about finding gratitude and purpose when the fishing tests you most.

Because in the backcountry, not every day is lights-out—and that’s exactly what makes the good ones matter.

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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.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com

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Fly fishing gives us more than fish. It gives us quiet. It gives us space. It gives us a way to breathe in a world that never stops moving. And in this Thanksgiving episode, Ross reflects on the gratitude we owe to the waters that keep us steady, the wild places that make us feel alive, and the moments of peace that only a river can provide.

This isn’t a gear episode or a tactics breakdown. It’s a meditation on what this sport means.

Ross also explores the responsibility that comes with gratitude—how caring for the places we love is part of loving them, and why stewardship isn’t an obligation but an expression of thanks.

Whether you’re spending Thanksgiving with family, friends, or knee-deep in cold water, this episode is a reminder of what fly fishing gives us… and what we owe in return.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com

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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 tools you actually need, when to start, and how to learn (and create) patterns that consistently catch fish.

This isn’t about perfection or pretty Instagram flies. It’s about building skill, sharpening observation, and closing the loop between your hands, your imagination, and the trout you chase. Whether you’re brand new to tying or decades deep at the vise, this episode will remind you that tying isn’t just another part of fly fishing—it’s the craft that holds the whole thing together.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

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It might not be glamorous, but it sure as hell catches fish.

In this episode, Ross takes a deep dive into indicator nymphing—the most misunderstood, underrated, and effective technique in all of fly fishing. From foam to yarn to Air Locks and beyond, he breaks down the pros and cons of different indicator types, how to rig them, and when (and when not) to use them.

This episode is packed with practical insights to make you more effective on the water—and maybe help you see “bobber fishing” in a whole new light.

Because in the end, it’s not about what’s on your line. It’s about what’s willing to eat it.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

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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 backcountry fly fishing (although there will be plenty of that), but how the pursuit connects us to the fragile balance between wilderness and human ambition.

Season 5 begins with a call to remember that the outdoors isn't just our sanctuary—it's our responsibility. And sometimes, stewardship isn't just about protecting what we have. It’s about deciding what we’re not willing to lose.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com

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Season 4 of The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast comes to a close, but the conversation doesn’t stop here. In this final episode, Ross reflects on the BCFF Podcast journey so far—and turns to one of the most important conservation issues facing our public lands today: the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule.

The Roadless Rule protects more than 58 million acres of America’s wildest country, safeguarding fish habitat, clean water, and the kind of backcountry that makes this podcast possible. Its repeal would open the door to development, fragmentation, and the loss of places that define our outdoor heritage.

Ross breaks down what the rule means, why it matters to anglers and anyone who loves wild country, and how you can get involved in defending it. If you’ve ever shouldered a pack, followed a faint trail, or fished water that can only be reached on foot, this is your fight too.

Thank you for being part of Season 4. Stay tuned—there’s much more to come in Season 5.

You can send in a public comment on the Repeal of the Roadless Rule here. Comments are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 19, 2025.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

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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 need in your box, and how spawning cycles begin to come into play.

The goal of this episode is to provide a roadmap for anglers who want to keep catching fish when peak-season approaches no longer hold. Because really, none of us wants to stop fishing as summer comes to an end.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

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