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/

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TroutRoutes

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Adamsbuilt Fishing

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

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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:

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Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes

Adamsbuilt Fishing

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

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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.

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

Destination Angler Podcast:

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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

Our destination is the fabled Smith River with Evan Youngblood, Livingston, Montana. The Smith is a remote, permit-only float in central Montana that offers fly anglers a truly unforgettable multi-day experience. Winding through a stunning limestone canyon, the river holds healthy populations of eager wild brown and rainbow trout.

Evan unravels the mysteries of fly fishing success on the Smith and explains why anglers covet an opportunity to float this remote 59-mile beauty. A great storyteller, Evan regales us with tales of stack mends, groover duty, and peregrine falcons as only a seasoned guide could tell.

First published in May 2020.

With host Steve Haigh.

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Destination Angler Podcast:

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Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes

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

Adamsbuilt Fishing

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

Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt

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

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

Recorded May 12, 2020

Episode 143 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – May 8, 2025

Our destination is SW Montana and Yellowstone country veteran outfitter and dry fly aficionado, Walter Wiese, Yellowstone Country Fly Fishing, Livingston, Montana. We explore the aftermath of the massive 2022 flood and how it’s changed—or not—some of the most iconic rivers in the West, like the Yellowstone, Lamar, and Slough Creek, the Madison, Gallatin, and more. Which ones bounced back? Which ones are still healing? And what can you expect if you go? Along the way, he shares dry fly wisdom, his own go-to patterns, and hot tips on indicator fishing. Plus, stories of salmon fly eating grizzlies, swimming buffalos, and a client you can’t believe.

With host, Steve Haigh

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Contact Walter: https://flyfishmontana.biz/ |Facebook @ycflyfishing Instagram @yellowstonecountryflyfishing | YouTube @YellowstoneCountryFlyFishing

Destination Angler Podcast:

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• 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 March 27, 2025

Our destination is a whirlwind tour of the world’s top fly-fishing adventures with seasoned traveler, expert fly angler, and founder of Got Fishing, a hosted travel company that connects anglers with unforgettable destinations.

We’ll explore legendary spots including Jurassic Lake in Argentina, Alaska, the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Christmas Island, and Ascension Bay in Mexico. Along the way, Brian shares insider tips on choosing the right booking agency, what to watch for when booking a lodge yourself, plus tips on gear and travel, great stories, and how to pick the best dates for your trip. And be sure to stick around for the powerful story of Brian’s recovery journey.

With host, Steve Haigh

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Contact Brian: https://gotfishing.com/ Instagram @brian_oakland208_406

Destination Angler Podcast:

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TroutRoutes

The number one fishing app, helping trout anglers avoid the crowds and explore new public water. Download it and receive 20% off using Destination20 promo code in the app store today!

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

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

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

Recorded March 13, 2025

Our destination is Part 2 with legendary Colorado guide, author, and trout teacher Pat Dorsey—owner of the Blue Quill Angler and perhaps the foremost expert on the South Platte. Pat dials it up a notch or two in this episode, sharing his go-to fly patterns, fly design insights, and strategies for fly fishing new water. We dig into questions like: How fast should you fish? Why does Pat love indicators? And what makes a fly truly innovative?

You'll also hear stories of drift boat weddings, the origin of the Mercury Midge, and Pat’s first-ever guide trip. Stick around for a quick chat with one of Pat’s longtime clients—and a surprise about what’s next for him.

Let’s rig up the indicator rod and jump in with Pat!

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Contact Pat: https://bluequillangler.com/ | patd@bluequillangler.com | Instagram @patdorseyflyfishing & Facebook

Destination Angler Podcast:

• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram & Facebook @DestinationAnglerPodcast

Please check out our Sponsors:

Got Fishing

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

Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing

TroutRoutes

The number one fishing app, helping trout anglers avoid the crowds and explore new public water. Download it and receive 20% off using Destination20 promo code in the app store today!

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

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

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

Recorded February 9, 2025

Our Destination is Part 1 of our deep dive into top tailwaters in Colorado with 30-year veteran guide and author, Pat Dorsey, Blue Quill Angler, Evergreen, Colorado. With 30 years on the water, Pat knows these rivers inside and out—including the South Platte, Blue, Yampa, Williams Fork, Taylor, Frying Pan, and Gunnison Gorge.

Pat breaks down the technical side of tailwater fishing, answering big questions like: Why are deep pools so tricky? What separates a good angler from a great one? What exactly is a “guide fly”? He also shares expert tips on winter fishing, sight fishing, and the age-old debate—freestones vs. tailwaters.

Stick around ‘til the end for Pat’s out-of-the-box strategies to turn tough days into great ones!

With host, Steve Haigh

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Contact Pat: https://bluequillangler.com/ | patd@bluequillangler.com | Instagram @patdorseyflyfishing & Facebook

Destination Angler Podcast:

• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram & Facebook @DestinationAnglerPodcast

Please check out our Sponsors:

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

The number one fishing app, helping trout anglers avoid the crowds and explore new public water. Download it and receive 20% off using Destination20 promo code in the app store today!

Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes

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

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

Recorded February 9, 2025