In this episode of Into the Backing, I sit down with Spencer Greening, Nate Pamplin, and Dave Hansen to dive into the complex issue of pinniped predation and its impact on fisheries. Dr. Spencer Greening, an Indigenous scholar and ecologist, brings cultural and ecological insights into the balance between marine life and traditional fisheries. Nate, a fisheries and wildlife policy expert, sheds light on management strategies and conservation challenges. And Dave Hansen, a seasoned fisherman and advocate, shares firsthand observations from the water.

Are sea lions truly to blame for declining fish stocks, or is the issue far more nuanced? Join us as we explore the science, policy, and lived experiences shaping this debate.

The post Into the Backing Ep. 13: Pinniped Predation on Salmon and Steelhead Stocks appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

A listener named Ben recently sent in a great question about one of the most debated topics in fly fishing: line weights. He shared his own experience of buying a high-end 5-weight rod, only to find out a year later that it performed best with a heavier line—essentially making it a 6-weight setup. His frustration? The industry’s blurred definitions and the confusion it causes for anglers trying to match rods and lines correctly.

To dig into this topic, I invited three experts who know rods and lines better than just about anyone—Tim Rajeff, Jeff Wagner, and Simon Gawesworth. In this episode of Into the Backing, we break down the line weight system and discuss why manufacturers push the boundaries.

The post Into the Backing Ep. 12: Are Rod and Line Ratings Misleading? appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

In this episode of Into the Backing, we discuss the advantages of both the single and double handed rod. From swinging flies for steelhead to using them for something as niche as fly fishing for musky, we cover it all in this month’s session.

Join me to sit down with author and former sales rep Jerry Darkes, guide and instructor Jeff Liskay, and BackPacker’s Fly Shop manager Jake Wright for a friendly jousting on why one method may be preferred over the other.

The post Into the Backing Ep. 11: To Single or Double Hand Cast, That is the Question appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

In this episode of Into the Backing, we tackle a complex and polarizing issue: native fish vs. introduced fish. That phrase has always sounded odd to me, so I figured there must be more to the controversy. As it turns out, much of the online debate stems from miscommunication and assumptions about region-specific fisheries that are close to our hearts. Sometimes, though, it’s a clash of science, philosophy, and policy.

I sit down with Bob Mallard from the Native Fish Coalition, writer Kirk Deeter, fluvial geomorphologist Dr. Doug Thompson, and journalist Tom Bie to explore why this divide exists.

The post Into the Backing Ep. 10: The Native Fish/Introduced Fish Controversy appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

Today, we’re kicking off season two with a relatively light-hearted conversation about Euro Nymphing and its perception in the fly fishing industry. A hot topic around the fly-tying counter, Euro Nymphing is viewed by some as the most effective form of fly fishing, while others argue it’s not fly fishing at all. I thought it would be interesting to invite some of fly fishing’s strongest personalities for a friendly discussion on why this controversy exists.

In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Galloup, George Daniel, and Nick Taransky to hear their thoughts on whether Euro Nymphing is truly fly fishing.

The post Into the Backing Ep. 9: Is Euro Nymphing Really Fly Fishing? appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

• [3:15] Kirk Dieter on Pro pricing
• [9:08] How did Bridget get started in the outdoor industry?
• [12:34] What is the difference between an influencer and a pro?
• [17:06] Why is influencer a bad word?
• [32:32] Why is it that non-industry advertising is the breaking point?
• [37:22] Is one of the issues that people see fishing as a job?
• [41:58] Great influencers can help fisheries
• [47:49] How influencing changed Bridget’s guiding career
• [53:02] Why are influencers almost always women?
• [59:50] Are people offended when others make fishing into a business?

• Anchored Outdoors Masterclasses 

• @Bridget_Fabel on Instagram

• Trout Magazine

• G. Loomis

• AnchoredOutdoors.com
• On Instagram: @Anchored_Outdoors
• On Facebook: @AnchoredOutdoorsOfficial
• On YouTube: Anchored with April Vokey 

Subscribe to Anchored

The post Into the Backing Podcast Ep. 08: Fly Fishing Influencers in the Wild appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

A recent change in government regulations has made fishing for steelhead from a boat illegal in Washington State. The change is the result of poor steelhead returns and an attempt to find compromise between the guides, anglers and fish. A substantial amount of guides and anglers are upset about the new law and how it was implemented, so I asked longtime salmon and steelhead guide and spokesperson Bob Kratzer to sit down with steelhead biologists John McMillan and Bob Hooton to sort through some of the facts and controversy. 

We cover a lot of ground in this episode, so be sure to listen until the end and let us know your thoughts on the Anchored Outdoors Facebook and Instagram pages.

The post Into the Backing Podcast Ep. 07: Washington’s Ban on Boat Fishing appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

It’s hard to ignore the contention that follows any conversation about fishing on redds. In this episode of Into the Backing, I sit down with Dr. Andy Danylchuk, photographer Adam Barker, and Howard Horton from Colorado Parks and Wildlife to see if we could get to the bottom of why it’s frowned upon. We discuss the science behind fishing on redds, why it isn’t illegal in many parts of North America, and why the topic is such a hot one for the fly fishing community.

Be sure to listen until the end and let us know your thoughts on the Anchored Outdoors Facebook and Instagram pages.

The post Into the Backing Podcast Ep. 06: Should We Fish to Fish on Redds? appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

As a relatively new hunter, I was curious to learn more about the grip and grin debate that I often see surface on social media. In this episode of Into the Backing, I sit down with experienced hunters Britt Longoria, Tyler Freel and Mark Hall to hear their thoughts. We discuss how and why our photos matter, if the hunting industry is unnecessarily inflammatory, and if something as simple as a social media post can shift regulations and legislation.

Be sure to listen until the end and let us know your thoughts on the Anchored Outdoors Facebook and Instagram pages.

The post Into the Backing Podcast Ep. 05: The Hunting Grip and Grin Photo Debate appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

This month’s episode has been brewing since the conception of the Anchored podcast in 2014. Over the last six years, we’ve discussed various concerns about the impact of hatchery fish in wild systems. Every time such an episode airs, it stimulates debate between “pro-hatchery” and “anti-hatchery” anglers. For years I’ve been asking hatchery advocates to give me the name of someone they wanted to hear from. The name they gave me was biologist Ian Courter. 

I’d arranged to meet with Ian, as well as the Wild Fish Conservancy’s Dr. Nick Gayeski and past Anchored guest and biologist John McMillan earlier this year. Flights were booked and conference rooms scheduled before Covid inevitably pushed this episode back. While we couldn’t get Nick on the call, John and Ian agreed to sit down for the first time to publicly share their viewpoints. 

Outline of This Episode

• [4:00] What is a hatchery fish?
• [8:50] Why do people take such an extreme stance on this issue?
• [28:14] What would Nick Gayeski say about the issue?
• [30:439] How much money do hatchery fish cost?
• [35:13] Scientists have done a poor job of studying the different ways that hatcheries are managed
• [40:34] Lack of differing life histories affects the hatchery fish population
• [53:45] What about the Montana example?
• [1:04:45] We need big experiments to collect data
• [1:12:30] When hatcheries are used for a few years they can jumpstart a fishery
• [1:24:18] What can be done to solve these problems?

What is a hatchery fish?

A hatchery fish is a fish that spends a portion of its life, usually its juvenile stage, in a captive environment. The role of hatcheries was created to eliminate the environmental factors that cause mortality early on in a fish’s life. It is important to note the reason that hatcheries were created. Hatcheries were created to offset the loss or degradation of natural fish habitats which have been modified by dams and other manmade environmental factors. Hatcheries were designed to offset the habitat loss or degradation caused by man. 

Why do people take such an extreme stance on the issue of fish hatcheries?

Anglers tend to have strong views about fish hatcheries on one side or the other, but scientists generally stand somewhere in the middle. Ian feels that the strong opinions felt by anglers are due to their differing reasons for fishing. Someone who is going fishing to stock their freezer may feel differently about hatcheries than an angler who fishes to experience the solitude that nature provides. He feels that these contrasting values are what drive people’s perspectives on fish hatcheries. He thinks that the science behind the hatcheries themselves doesn’t play a huge role in people’s perspective. 

John offers a different viewpoint. He feels that the people who are opposed to hatcheries are reflecting the scientific findings that back their case. While those same people probably cannot point to a specific study, nor have they read all of the scientific articles about hatcheries, they feel that there is a scientific body of evidence that points to the negative impact of hatcheries. 

Hatchery fish survive at lower rates than wild fish

There is the viewpoint that if you exterminate hatchery fish then the wild fish population will suddenly come back. However, that is not scientifically accurate. Rather, it is a message that some advocacy groups have promoted. One argument against hatcheries is that the hatchery fish survive at lower rates than wild fish. While this may be true, scientists have done a poor job of differentiating the effects of the hatcheries themselves. 

The way the hatcheries are managed has an impact on the survival of the fish and also on the fisheries. Rather than just looking at the effects of the hatcheries scientists should be measuring the magnitude of the effects so that industries can make informed, value-based decisions. Ian and John have slightly differing opinions on this. Listen in to hear what they have to say. 

Large scale experiments are needed

No one can argue that the issue of fish hatcheries is a complex one. Although the hatchery fish do not survive as well, it doesn’t mean that they don’t survive at all. There have been several examples that show that sometimes introducing hatchery fish into a fishery has actually jumpstarted that fishery’s population. To further understand how hatcheries affect wild populations there needs to be large scale studies done. John and Ian provide a fascinating discussion as well as ideas on what people can do to become more informed about fish hatcheries.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Patagonia’s Artifishal
• Shane Anderson’s Wild Reverence 
• Dylan Tomine
• Ray Hillborn
• Dr. Neil Thompson

Connect with Ian Courter and John McMillan

• Ian Courter
• John McMillan

Connect With Anchored

• AnchoredOutdoors.com
• On Instagram: @Anchored_Outdoors
• On Facebook: @AnchoredOutdoorsOfficial
• On YouTube: Anchored with April Vokey 

The post Into The Backing Podcast Ep. 04: Are Hatchery Fish Really That Bad? appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

The big question of today’s round table discussion is: Is catch and release fishing selfish? On this episode of Into the Backing, I have invited big game specialist and Sportfishing captain Vic Levett, Australian fishing guide Justin Duggan, and steelhead guide and photographer Adrienne Comeau (who also happens to be a life-long vegetarian) to debate this topic. We dive in and consider factors like can fish feel pain? What kind of impact do catch and release anglers have on a fishery? Is this question the result of cancel culture? And why torture animals for fun? You’ll want to hear the differing points of view before forming your own opinion so make sure to press play.

Outline of this episode

• [4:35] Is catch and release fishing selfish?
• [10:05] Catch and release fishers are often advocating for a better fishery
• [13:03] Do catch and release fishers have a greater impact on a fishery?
• [15:30] Why torture an animal for fun?
• [28:23] We anthropomorphize animals
• [34:40] Catch and release numbers can’t compare with commercial fishing
• [41:04] Can fish really feel pain?
• [44:53] There are reasons to let fish go
• [51:246] If you take the anglers out of the picture you will kill the fisheries

Why catch and release?

People fish for a variety of reasons. Different types of fishing include sport fishing, game fishing, fishing for food, and commercial fishing. The fishing we are talking about is sport fishing since sport fishing is the type of fishing that most often utilizes catch and release. People catch and release for a variety of different reasons which include: inadequate size, wrong species, protected species, and inferior eating. There aren’t unlimited numbers of fish in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Catch and release fishing is one way to protect them. 

What kind of impact do catch and release anglers have on a fishery?

You can find examples of well-managed fisheries and destroyed fisheries all over the world. Wealthier countries tend to have more well-managed fisheries than poorer countries. And these are exactly the places where people fish for sport and catch and release their fish. Most catch and release fishers understand the value of a healthy ecosystem and advocate for a better fishery. If you remove anglers from the fishery that leaves very few people who care for it. Although there is some mortality that happens as a result of catch and release, overall the impact on the fishery is positive. 

Is catch and release fishing torture on the fish?

People often argue against catch and release by asking why one would voluntarily torture an animal for fun. This is a complex question with many variables. When people use words like torture they anthropomorphize the fish. Fish don’t feel the same way that mammals do which is evidenced by the fact that fish continue to eat immediately after being hooked. People that ask this kind of question often don’t have much experience with the natural world. The reality is that fish live a brutal existence. 

Is catch and release fishing selfish?

Although catch and release fishing may be a bit selfish of the angler the end result is that catch is a benefit to the ecosystem. There are few people that care more for the preservation of fisheries than catch and release anglers. Fishing license fees pay for fisheries management. Lakes, rivers, and streams can either be managed or destroyed, and catch and release fishing helps to manage these valuable ecosystems. Listen to this round table conversation to hear us discuss the benefits and drawbacks of catch and release fishing

Connect With Into the Backing

• On Instagram: @Anchored_Outdoors
• On Facebook: @AnchoredOutdoorsOfficial
• On YouTube: Anchored with April Vokey 

The post Into The Backing Podcast Ep. 03: Is Catch and Release Fishing Selfish? appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.

Today our round table guests include Master caster Peter Morse, professional photographer and avid angler David Anderson, and guide and entrepreneur Josh Hutchins. On this episode, we explore whether there is such a thing as too easy when it comes to fishing. We also consider the definition of fly fishing and discuss our opinions on whether fishing is a sport. Join us for this stimulating conversation between friends and fishing experts.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:15] Is there such a thing as too easy in fishing?
• [9:15] It all comes down to individual preference
• [13:55] Are you fishing to eat or fishing for sport
• [19:48] Nowadays there is a faster progression
• [26:06] Why is there a controversy?
• [34:02] Is fly fishing a sport? 
• [43:22] We all like easy
• [45:55] Does easy equal boring?

What is fly fishing?

How can we define fly fishing? Peter Morse states that it is defined by the casting. There are 2 things that are not done in fly fishing; harling or trolling flies and putting bait on the hook. As long as you cast the fly and bring your line in it is fly fishing. The species that you are fishing for doesn’t matter. How do you define fly fishing? Do you have anything else to add to this definition?

Is there such a thing as too easy in fishing?

Is there such a thing as too many fish? Does it matter how you fish? Where do you draw the line? Fly fishing great, Mel Krieger, once said that the response to every question asked about fly fishing begins with – it depends. Everyone has their own rules as to what defines a legitimate catch. Dave considers fishing to be more about the place where he is rather than the fish that he catches. April thinks it depends on whether you are fishing to eat or if you are fishing for sport.  What are your thoughts? Do you follow strict, self-imposed rules when you fish? Where do you draw the line? 

The changing roles of fly fishing over time

There is no question that fly fishing has evolved over time. 20 or 30 years ago you fished where you lived and that was it. But nowadays people travel all over the world to fish. They see posts on social media that inspire them to catch fish in different places or use different kinds of gear. Does it matter whether you catch a fish with a fiberglass rod, carbon fiber, or bamboo? Do you care whether you used a nymph or dry fly? Often these arguments are really about ego or personal pride over a person’s battle with the fish. 

Is fly fishing a sport?

There are different opinions on this question. Some say it’s a sport, some say it’s an art, and others liken it to hunting. April compares fly fishing to hunting, but there is definitely an artsy side to it. Tying flies and fishing photography are 2 ways in which people can show their artistic side. But some people enjoy competing for a bigger fish. Perhaps it really depends on your reason for fishing in the first place. To answer the question you need to consider why you are out there. What do you think? Is fly fishing a sport?

Connect with Dave Anderson

• Twigwater.com
• Twigwater on Instagram @twigwater

Connect with Josh Hutchins

• Aussie Fly Fisher
• Aussie Fly Fisher on Instagram @aussieflyfisher

Connect with Peter Morse

Wildfish with Peter Morse

Connect With Into the Backing

• On Instagram: @Anchored_Outdoors
• On Facebook: @AnchoredOutdoorsOfficial
• On YouTube: Anchored with April Vokey 

The post Into the Backing Podcast Ep. 02: Can Fishing Be Too Easy? appeared first on Anchored Outdoors.