Reading the Water Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Todd Tanner, Brant Oswald, Pat McCabe, and Chris Elbow about improving our fly fishing in general and Todd’s School of Trout in particular. (Presented by Hatch Magazine) (0:00:00) Introduction(0:05:30) School of Trout mission and the meaning of success(0:09:05) Chris’s journey from beginner to enthusiast(0:14:40) Teaching all skill levels(0:24:40) Learning to cast(0:35:25) Tim’s “mind-blowing” casting revelation(0:46:00) Overcoming intimidation and sticking with it(1:17:50) Final thoughtsLearn more about the guestsSchool of TroutTodd TannerBrant OswaldPat McCabeChris Elbow This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com

In this episode, Bob White talks about his life as a guide, artist, writer, and destination travel host. (Presented by Hatch Magazine)(0:00:00) Introduction(0:00:20) The Copper Bob(0:07:20) Muskie vs Musky(0:10:00) Belleville, Illinois to Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota(0:13:00) Bob’s start as a guide(0:18:20) Challenges as a guide(00:29:30) Bob’s career as an artist(00:35:20) The allusion of detail(00:40:30) The role of storytelling in art(00:43:10) John Gierach(00:48:30) Fly sketches(00:52:20) The Classic Sporting Art of Bob White(00:55:30) Hosted trips(01:03:10) Advice for aspiring artists, guides, and hostsLearn more about Bob Whitehttps://www.bobwhitestudio.comThe Classic Sporting Art of Bob White This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com

In this episode, we talk with Dave Karczynski about his new book, Calling After Water, and his life as a writer, angler, and university professor. (Presented by Hatch Magazine)(0:00:00) Introduction(0:05:00) The role of humor in writing(0:12:40) Musky vs muskie(0:15:40) The allure of musky fishing(0:22:30) What makes a good fishing partner?(0:27:20) What makes a good fishing destination?(0:30:30) Dave's evolution as a writer(0:39:10) What does it mean to write one true sentence?(0:43:10) Rhythm and voice in writing(0:47:30) Dave's evolution as an angler (From Lure to Fly)(0:59:20) Smallmouth: Modern Fly-Fishing Methods, Tactics, and Techniques(1:04:10) Rules for writing(1:08:15) Calling After Water(1:13:30) Book reading Learn more about Dave Karczynskihttps://davekarczynski.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com

In this episode, we talk with Bob DeMott about his life as an English professor and a fly angler and the intersection between the two: Anglish. (Presented by Hatch Magazine.)(0:00:00) Introduction(0:02:20) Anglish(0:08:00) Astream: American Writers on Fly Fishing(0:09:20) Michael Keaton — Fly-fishing writer(0:12:20) The allure of fly-fishing writing(0:20:00) What makes an excellent fly-fishing story?(0:24:00) Faculty for a Department of Anglish(0:27:00) Bob’s start in fishing(0:42:30) Bob’s start in writing(0:53:10) Bob’s brothers of different mothers: Nick Lyons and Jim Harrison(1:05:00) The famous thing Thoreau didn’t say(1:15:50) Bob’s reading: Perhaps it has something to do with booksLearn more about Bob DeMottWikipediaBooks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com

In this episode, author, editor, and producer Steve Duda talks about his recent book, River Songs, his time as editor of The FlyFish Journal, his current position with Patagonia, the past, present, and future of fly-fishing literature, his dos and don’ts for writing, and he treats us with a reading from River Songs. (Presented by Hatch Magazine.)The song “Pressure Drop” performed by The Horse Puppets.(0:00:00) Introduction(0:04:00) River Songs(0:15:30) The FlyFish Journal(0:18:00) Favorite writers from Steve’s editing days(0:22:00) Patagonia(0:31:50) Past, present, and future of fly-fishing literature(0:38:25) Have readers changed?(0:40:00) Steve’s rules for writing(0:48:30) Writers on the Fly(0:52:30) Steve’s life in music(0:58:50) Influences(1:06:30) Reading: “Pressure Drop”Learn more about Steve DudaBiographyRiver Songs: Mountaineers | Amazon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com

In this episode, the incomparable Nick Lyons talks about his life as an angler, writer, editor, and publisher, and we cover topics ranging from the stages of fly angling to how writers find “gold” in a fishing story. (Presented by Hatch Magazine.)(0:00:00) Introduction(0:03:15) Nick’s favorite fly rods(0:04:15) Nick’s favorite waters(0:05:45) Nick’s Academy Awards for angling(0:09:10) The stages of fly angling(0:16:10) Nick’s writing voice(0:22:50) Mt. Rushmore for fly-fishing writers(0:31:00) Technique books(0:37:45) Why so much good writing about fly fishing?(0:43:00) Finding the “gold” in a fishing story(0:49:20) Spring Creek(0:55:30) Learning to love fishingLearn more about Nick LyonsWikipediaBooks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com

In this episode, we talk with Monte Burke about his path to becoming a writer, his past, present, and future projects, the outlook for tarpon, and the role of obsession in fishing and sports. (Presented by Hatch Magazine.)(0:00:00) Introduction(0:02:20) Why so much writing about fishing?(0:05:50) Bad Hemingway(0:10:00) Monte's path to writing(0:18:00) Lords of the Fly(0:26:30) The outlook for tarpon(0:43:20) Nick Saban(0:52:40) On writing and publishing(0:56:10) Mt. Rushmore for fishing writing(1:01:40) New projects(1:05:40) George H. W. BushLearn more about Monte Burkehttps://monteburke.com/Lords of the FlySaban This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com

In this episode, we talk with writer, poet, teacher, and fly angler Michael Garrigan about his introduction to fishing, his development as an angler and writer, his time as the resident artist in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and we'll even talk about his favorite road candy. As a special treat, Michael will read his terrific poem, 'Liturgy of Carp Becoming a God.' (Presented by Hatch Magazine. )(0:00:00) Introduction(0:02:00) Introduction to fishing(0:04:30) Introduction to fly fishing (The River Why)(0:07:00) Education as a writer(0:08:25) Beginnings as a poet(0:09:40) Beginnings as a teacher(0:22:20) Poetry reading: Liturgy of Carp Becoming a God(0:29:20) Why so much great writing about fly fishing?(0:33:20) Musical inspirations(0:37:10) Artist in residence at Bob Marshall Wilderness(0:56:00) Future projects, favorite candy, road food, flies, and fishLearn more about Michael Garrigan:https://www.mgarrigan.comFive Pounds of Sour Patch Kids in the Montana Wilderness This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com

In this episode, we talk with writer, conservationist, and world-class angler Craig Mathews about his journey from Michigan to Montana, his early career as West Yellowstone's sheriff, the beginning of Blue Ribbon Flies, and the founding of One Percent for the Planet. (Presented by Hatch Magazine.)(0:00:00) Introduction(0:01:45) Craig's start in Michigan(0:03:36) The move to Montana(0:05:39) Chief of police(0:10:40) Blue Ribbon Flies(0:15:50) John Voelker(0:17:20) Tying flies(0:21:50) Biggest mistake most anglers make(0:30:20) Sparkle duns and X-caddis(0:31:30) New book on pheasant-tail flies(0:32:30) Start in conservation(0:36:40) 1% for the planet(0:43:50) Craig's books(0:49:20) Starting a fly shop today?(0:53:50) Favorites: hatch, fly pattern to tie, river to fish, rod material, vestLearn more about Craig Mathewshttps://www.craigmathewsyellowstone.comCraig’s BooksOne Percent for the Planet This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com

Presented by Hatch MagazineIn this episode, we talk with aquatic biologist and writer Ann Miller about her introduction to fly angling, her education in biology, and all the work and creativity that went into writing her authoritative guides to Midwest hatches.(0:00:00) Introduction(0:01:25) Growing up in Michigan(0:05:20) Hex!(0:07:00) Transition to fly-fishing(0:09:50) Biology education at the University of Michigan(0:13:30) Flygirls of Michigan(0:19:50) Hatch Guide for Upper Midwest Streams(0:24:40) Building streams in the basement and garage(0:29:30) Pocketguide to Upper Midwest Hatches(0:32:20) Fly tyers(0:37:30) Urban legends?(0:42:30) How to predict a brown drake spinner fall(0:52:10) What size flies are the toughest to match?(0:56:10) Comparing Midwest flies to the Eastern and the Western(1:01:30) Environmental issues(1:10:00) Favorite fly, music, Gates LodgeLearn more about Ann Millerhttps://www.midwesthatches.com/Pocketguide to Upper Midwest HatchesHatch Guide for Upper Midwest StreamsFlygirls of Michigan This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthewater.substack.com