Behind the Lens

Ranga Perera is a master of flavor. Whether he is on his home rivers of Montana or incredible destinations around the world, Ranga is known to be catching and cooking incredible meals riverside. Aside from carrying him around the world, His passions for cooking have given him a platform to preach his values: Community, diversity, and advocacy are what Ranga is all about.  In this episode of Emerging we catch up with Ranga after two year hiatus since our first podcast. We dive into his current projects, how cooking and fishing are so similar (or different), and some hot takes at the end!

Val is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern fly fishing. With a camera serving as his vise, he's traveled the world documenting fisheries, anglers, and cultures that have shaped the sport for generations. In this episode, we dive into his adventures in New Zealand, the legendary Fall River, the early Northern California fly fishing scene, and, perhaps most importantly, what it truly means to be a good human.

What does it take to shape the conversations that define modern fly fishing? In this episode of Emerging, we sit down with Kirk Deeter. Writer, editor, author, conservation advocate, and one of the most influential voices in the fly fishing industry. Over the course of his career, Kirk has helped shape how anglers think about fisheries conservation, outdoor media, fly fishing culture, and the future of the sport. Kirk shares insights from decades spent at the intersection of fly fishing, journalism, and conservation. We discuss the evolution of outdoor media, the changing landscape of the fly fishing industry, what makes a compelling fishing story, and why effective communication is more important than ever for the future of our rivers and fisheries. Along the way, Kirk reflects on mentorship, authenticity, and the responsibility anglers have to protect the resources they enjoy.  

How do two American brothers end up running one of the premier permit lodges in the world? Tune in to find out. Founded by Jesse and Danny Colten, The Xflats has become a destination known around the world for shots at the holy grail of fly fishing: permit. From the remote flats of Xcalak, Mexico, the brothers have built a lodge and fishery that has earned a reputation as one of the best permit programs on the planet. In this episode, Jesse and Danny share the story behind The Xflats, what makes the fishery so unique, and some of the lessons they’ve learned chasing permit day after day in one of the most legendary fisheries in the sport.

Blueprint is a film directed and produced by 5 rivers student Finn Hall. The film follows the 2025 TU Costa 5 Rivers Ambassador Summit. During this event, college anglers from across the country come together for a week of conservation, fishing and community on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Hosted annually by Trout Unlimited, Costa Sunglasses, Indifly, and the Wind River Fish and Game Department, the Summit connects 5 Rivers student leaders with meaningful work. Over the course of the week, students engage in conservation projects, teach fly fishing, and build relationships grounded in a shared respect for rivers and the communities that depend on them. Tune in to hear first hand from Finn all the BTS of the film! Blueprint  

Part 2 with Jake Watts & Brandon Fien is here! In this episode, we dive deeper into the making of our upcoming film and the experiences shaping it in real time. From behind-the-scenes stories to honest conversations about the creative process, this episode captures the raw and unfiltered moments that inspired the project. We talk about what drives us, the challenges along the way, and what it means to document these experiences as they’re actually happening instead of looking back on them later. This conversation is authentic, spontaneous, and packed with the kind of energy that only comes from people living the story while telling it. If you want a real look into the passion, uncertainty, excitement, and friendship behind the film, this episode is for you. Tune in, listen along, and get a glimpse into what we’ve been building together.

Emerger and Emerging were destined to connect someday—and we’re glad it finally happened. Emerger Fly Fishing creates some of the world’s premier handcrafted fly fishing bags. Each one is unique, thoughtfully designed, and built with care to last a lifetime. No detail is overlooked, and no customer is left unsatisfied. Tune in to hear about sourcing, engineering, and everything that goes into building a truly exceptional bag.

Jake Watts and Brandon Fien are just two guys in their twenties figuring it out—but they’re driven by a deep passion for getting outside and telling other people’s stories. What started as a shared love for the outdoors has turned into something bigger. In this episode, we dive into how they use cameras and filmmaking to highlight important voices, capture wild places, and play a role in protecting the environment.

David Brotzman has burst onto the fly fishing scene with serious momentum. As the creator behind the alias Very Good Fly Fishing (VGFF), he’s built one of the most down to earth, relatable, and genuinely funny characters in our industry. What sets VGFF apart is the balance! Equal parts skill, storytelling, and not taking it all too seriously. It’s the kind of content that makes you want to grab a rod and just go fish. And it doesn’t stop at short-form. Beyond the reels, Very Good Fly Fishing has carved out a space on YouTube as well, producing longer-form videos that dive into van life, winter camping, and full-on fly fishing adventures!    Check out All the content below:   Instagram Youtube All The Goods!

Joel is living the life. As a Bahamian, growing up fly fishing and exploring the beautiful flats in his backyard was second nature! Those early days on the water turned into something much bigger. Fast forward to today, and he’s worked in and out of fly fishing his entire life, building a deep-rooted connection to the sport and the people behind it. From being a kid fishing purely for the love of it, to guiding the Carnegie Mellon family year after year, Joel has seen the fishery from every angle. Now, he plays a key role in vouching for the guides, lodges, and local operations that make up one of the Bahamas’ most important industries, helping ensure the culture, quality, and authenticity of the experience stay exactly where they should be.