Our destination is the remote backcountry of Bristol Bay, Alaska—where the bears are fat, the rainbows are wild, and the guides row, cook, clean, and occasionally yank a size 8 hook out of their own finger. Joining me is Zach Nemelka with Hooked on Alaska. Zach grew up in Utah, but has been coming to Alaska since he was 5. After a stint in college, he moved for Alaska to specialize in multi-day backcountry float trips for giant rainbow trout.

What’s it like to float 60 miles of wilderness chasing trophy rainbows, dodge 1,000-pound Alaskan brown bears, and endure the wild weather makes Alaska, Alaska? Stick around for a too close for comfort bear charge, a 60-fish day, and the tale of “Jules”—a 28-inch rainbow with a Dalai Lama stuck in his lip.

With host Steve Haigh

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Contact Zach: https://hookedonalaska.net/

Destination Angler Podcast:

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TroutRoutes

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Comments & Suggestions: host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com

Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Recorded June 17, 2025

Our destination is the legendary South Fork of the Snake River, a world-famous Blue-Ribbon fishery in eastern Idaho. Joining me is Sage Unsworth, regional fisheries biologist, expert angler, and fifth-gen Idahoan, who gives us the skinny on the South Fork from top to bottom covering the top sections anglers need to know about, selective trout strategies, and the science behind fish counts. Also, the controversial rainbow trout management program to conserve Yellowstone cutthroat, stories of squirrel-induced starvation, the dos and don’ts of fish handling, and why you can’t be a jerk as a fisheries biologist.

With host, Steve Haigh

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Contact Sage: Sage.Unsworth@idfg.idaho.gov

Destination Angler Podcast:

• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram & Facebook @DestinationAnglerPodcast

Please check out our Sponsors:

Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes

Adamsbuilt Fishing

THE trusted source for quality fly fishing gear, built to last at an affordable price. Waders, Nets, Outerwear.

Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt

Got Fishing

Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.

Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing

TroutRoutes

Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore your water with TroutRoutes today. Get 1 Month Free

Comments & Suggestions: host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com

Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Recorded May 29, 2025

Our destination is Abell Ranch, a 1,500-acre slice of trout heaven on Colorado’s South Platte River with former guide and fifth-generation Coloradan, Clint Packo, who just might have the coolest job around: running Abell, restoring trout streams, and brokering some of the West’s most iconic ranches.

Abell is known for its three miles of gin-clear water, rare solitude, and some of the best hopper fishing in the state. Along the way, we tackle big questions—like how do you design a trout stream? And who drops $38 million on a ranch…and actually makes it work? Stick around to the end for a wild story involving a tarpon, a blacktip shark, and a few unexpected cartwheels.

With host Steve Haigh

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Contact Clint: Freestone Aquatics | Abell Ranch | Confluence Land Company

Destination Angler Podcast:

• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram & Facebook @DestinationAnglerPodcast

Please check out our Sponsors:

Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes

TroutRoutes

Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore your water with TroutRoutes today. Get 1 Month Free

Adamsbuilt Fishing

THE trusted source for quality fly fishing gear, built to last at an affordable price. Waders, Nets, Outerwear.

Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt

Got Fishing

Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.

Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing

Comments & Suggestions: host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com

Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Recorded May 13, 2025