Fishing & Conservation Podcasts

Description: This week I interview biologist Nicle Watson [interview starts at 46:56], who has a fascinating job. She is working on developing strains of artic grayling that will hopefully be able to repopulate some of Michigan's rivers. It's not widely known that prior to the arrival of Europeans to rivers such as the Ausable and Manistee, the dominant salmonid in rivers in that entire area was not the brook trout, but a unique strain of artic grayling. Learn about how the population was decimated, what is being done to restore them, and how soon we'll be able to fish for wild grayling in Michigan.

Description: In this week’s podcast my guest is Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation and our major partner in this important conservation effort. For the past few years Orvis has taken a leading role in the effort to get the word out to the fly-fishing community about this critical issue, which affects Florida Bay, both coasts of Florida, and of course the Everglades, which as a National Park is owned by all citizens of the United States. It’s an update on where we are for a solution to the issue, and you’ll be happy to know we are guardedly optimistic about the future. Also in the Fly Box week we have these question: Why do I keep losing small brook trout? How can I take the coils out of old leaders? Will my old Clearwater Reel be OK in salt water? Why don’t fly shops stop selling feathers from endangered birds? Do women wear sling bags? Does the pigtail at the end of a broken knot always indicate a poorly tied knot? Why don’t people use the oval or Belgian cast more often? Why do I keep losing big trout and steelhead when they get downstream of me? What do I do for a leader if I encounter both striped bass and bluefish?

Description: This week we take a break from our typical how-to podcasts (don’t worry The Fly Box is in there this week, with tips on tippet material, keeping hands warm, and a what to pay most attention to in a fly-fishing class) and look at the passions of two very interesting people. One is Scott Hed, from the Alaska Sportsman’s Alliance, with some really good news on the Bristol Bay issue and what you can do to finally put this to rest. The other is an interview with the guitarist from a heavy metal rock band, what he gets out of fly fishing, and how he compares it to composing music.

Description: Orvis Product Developer Tim Daughton with the three rules of stopping the spread of invasive species: Inspect, Clean and Dry.

Description: Chris Wood, TU’s President and CEO, chats with Colorado Volunteer, Sharon Lance, about conservation issues in Colorado, why it’s important to get kids involved in fly fishing and why its never a good idea to have your spouse teach you how to fish.

Description: This week I give you a 10-step plan for getting a kid into fly fishing. These are proven methods based on my experience and that of others I've talked to in the course of researching a book called Family Friendly Fly Fishing that I'm working on. I've also added three additional tips for getting teenagers into fly fishing. In the fly box items this week we talk about the old 10 o'clock to-1 o'clock casting technique, casting into the wind with big poppers and other bass flies, attaching a new fly line to backing that's already on a reel using a loop, and the correct size sink tip fly line to buy. and "new school" vs. "old school" fly fishing.

Description: American Rivers released its annual Orvis-sponsored Ten Most Endangered Rivers Report this week. In this episode, Phil Monahan interviews David Moryc, Senior Director of River Protection at American Rivers about the list.

Description: We now have the best chance ever of stoppiing Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska. BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP First: listen to this podcast Then: Go to http://www.orvisnews.com/protectbristolbay.aspx and click the TAKE ACTION link.

Description: Chris Wood, TU’s President and CEO, talks with Massachussetts TU volunteer Warren Winders about sea-run brook trout and why a small stream in the midst of a cranberry bog in Massachusetts is key to this population of sea-run brook trout.

Description: Jack Williams Chris Wood, TU’s President and CEO, talks with TU’s senior scientist, Jack Williams, about the looming possibility that the Federal Drug Administration will give approval to genetically modify salmon for human consumption. Could trout be the next animal to be genetically modified for food?

Description: Chris Wood, TU’s President and CEO, talks with Steve Moyer, TU’s Vice President of Government Affairs, about upcoming legislation that is important to sportsmen. Steve gives an insider’s look into lobbying in Washington, D.C.—how it works and how people who care about trout and salmon can make their voices heard.

Description: Phil Monahan of OrvisNews.com has called the development of gas resources in the Marcellus Shale the "Pebble Mine of the East." Hear Chris Wood, CEO of Trout Unlimited, and his guest, TU's Elizabeth Maclin, VP for Eastern Conservation discuss what the Marcellus Shale project entails, what "hydro-fracking" is and the potential impact on coldwater resources of Northern Appalachia.

Description: This summer, Trout Unlimited partnered with Field & Stream to showcase the Best Wild Places in America. The tour highlights six spots out West where people can experience some of the best hunting and fishing and most spectacular wilderness in the country. By fishing and hunting in these places, the goal is to inspire people to visit these places--all of which are located on public land. Also, we hope to raise awareness about how special these places are so that they may receive the protection they deserve. Each one of the places on the tour faces some threat--development, energy disputes, or other threats that has the potential to rob future generations from the chance to experience the landscapes and wildlife. In this podcast, TU's President and CEO, Chris Wood, talks with Chris Hunt, of TU's Sportsmen's Conservation Project, about the tour.

Description: The Trout Unlimited Podcast - Trout in the Classroom It's back to school--and TU's program, Trout in the Classroom, is part of the curriculum in hundreds of schools around the country. The program helps children learn about trout and conservation by raising trout in aquariums. In this podcast, TU President and CEO Chris Wood talks with two TU volunteers in New York state about their experience teaching children about the wonders of trout and their life cycles. Stacey Weirl is a physical education teacher who teaches kindergarten through fifth grade at the Fox Meadow Elementary School in Scarsdale, New York. Also joining Chris is a longtime TU volunteer, John Genovesi. John is the past president of the Croton Watershed TU chapter and directs the Trout in the Classroom program in Westchester County, New York. For more information about Trout in the Classroom, go to http://www.troutintheclassroom.org.

Description: We are adding a new feature to the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast by partnering with Trout Unlimited to bring you updates on their conservation programs. Tom is a huge fan of Trout Unlimited and Orvis has been a long-time partner in their efforts to restore and protect coldwater fisheries. In this episode TU president CEO Chris Wood interviews Jeff Reardon about restoring the Penobscot River. Involving miles and miles of river and multiple dam removals, this is the largest project of its kind in history. We hope you enjoy this new feature of The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast. Let us know what you think on our Facebook wall at facebook.com/orvisflyfishing or by dropping us a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..