#125 Vaughn Cochran: From Lodges to Life Design

After a week fishing the backcountry around Everglades City, we sat down with the guide team for a laid-back roundtable conversation about the place, the people, and the stories that make the Everglades special. Joining the conversation are guides Eric Herstedt, Brian Esposito, and Junior Popfinger, who share decades of experience fishing and exploring one of the wildest fisheries left in the United States. We talk about: • What makes the Everglades such a unique place to fish• The lessons learned from decades of exploring the Everglades• Why the ride out each morning feels like stepping into another world• Camp life, wild stories, and the unpredictable nature of fishing trips• The balance between growing the sport and protecting the places we love More than anything, this episode captures the feeling of sitting around camp at the end of a long day on the water — swapping stories, laughing about the week, and reflecting on why wild places like the Everglades matter. This conversation pairs with our full episode with Eric Herstedt and offers a deeper look into the guides, culture, and philosophy behind fishing the Glades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everglades guide Eric Herstedt joins the podcast during a Drifter Fish Club trip to talk about the small details that make great anglers—from sight fishing strategy and casting mechanics to the mindset guides use to keep learning on the water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Something good is happening in Charleston on May 16th at the Refinery. The idea is pretty simple. Bring people together around the things that make this community special. Music.Art.Conservation.Good food and good drinks.And a bunch of people who care about water and want to have a good time. Learn more at www.soulflyco.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk about crossroads — the moments when something that once felt right starts to shift. We talk about burnout, family, and the importance of paying attention when your priorities begin to change. Woody shares what it was like to build a band from nothing, win a Grammy, tour for more than two decades — and then step away at the right time. Not because things fell apart, but because he wanted something different. At its core, this conversation is about timing, perspective, and what it really means to build a life you love — and have the courage to adjust it when it no longer fits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Prince has spent years touring the world as a professional musician, but some of his most meaningful lessons have come far from the stage. In this conversation, Andy and I talk about what it means to be new at something as an adult—about ego, imposter syndrome, mentorship, jealousy, and the courage it takes to learn in public. We explore the overlap between music, fly fishing, skating, and craft—and why none of them reward bravado for very long. This episode isn’t about becoming the best.It’s about becoming honest—and learning to love the process along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Captains Collective Podcast, I sit down with artist and lodge owner Vaughn Cochran for a thoughtful conversation that moves from destination fishing to life design. We talk about building lodges, creating art, navigating failure, and the small decisions that shape a meaningful life. Vaughn shares perspective from decades of blending creativity, business, and time on the water—and why paying attention matters more than forcing outcomes. This episode isn’t a how-to guide. It’s a reflection on playing the long game and designing a life you actually want to live. To learn more about the show, and to sign up for weekly our weekly newsletter, head to www.captainscollective.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every few months, I’ll share where I’m headed, what I’m working on, and where our paths might cross—at festivals, events, and boat ramps. This Spring 2026 edition covers upcoming events and Drifter Fish Club trips, a look at what I’m building behind the scenes, and a short story at the end of "A Fish That Saved A Friendship." If you enjoy this episode, you can read the full written version—along with photo essays, short stories, and other caffeine-induced musings—over on my Substack. Thanks for listening. I’ll see you out there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded during a Drifter Trip to Los Locos, this episode features a late-night conversation with legendary guide Arno Matthee. We talk about milkfish, giant trevally, pirate encounters, mothership expeditions, and the lessons learned from exploring fisheries with no roadmap. It’s a conversation about curiosity, patience, and why a successful day on the water isn’t about numbers—but about the feeling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with George and Rudy, founders of Los Locos in Magdalena Bay, to hear the story behind their operation and what it takes to chase striped marlin on fly in one of the wildest fisheries on the planet. Recorded after a fresh seafood dinner at Los Locos HQ, this conversation offers an honest look behind the scenes—how the operation began, the challenges they’ve faced, and how they continue to invest in their community both on and off the water. To see the full photo essay and trip recap video, visit drifterfishclub.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year, we decided to do things a little differently. Instead of scrolling through another massive online retailer, we teamed up with our friends at Strike Zone Fishing in Jacksonville, Florida — one of the best local tackle shops in the South — to put together a holiday guide built around real-life use, local connection, and good gear that lasts. In this podcast, Chase Hancock and Hunter Leavine break down some of our favorite products of the year — everything from stocking stuffers and fly kits to gear we’ve tested on Drifter trips across the world. We’ve spent a lot of time in the field (and on the water) putting this stuff through the wringer, and these are the things that actually made the cut. Watch the full video, check out our full product list at captains collective.com, and remember: the best gifts can’t be wrapped — they’re the memories you make with the people you love on the water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices