#124 Arno Matthee: Pioneering Fisheries, Piracy, and a Life of Adventure

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

In this episode, Hunter Leavine sits down with legendary guide Steve Huff — a man widely regarded as one of the most respected figures in saltwater fly fishing. From Everglades City to the Florida Keys, Huff has spent a lifetime chasing fish, freedom, and purpose while quietly shaping the standard for what it means to be a professional guide. In this podcast, Steve opens up about what it means to own your life, how he defines success, and why respect matters more than recognition. He shares lessons on craftsmanship, humility, and the value of showing up every day to learn something new. This isn’t just a conversation about fishing — it’s about freedom, legacy, and the simple joy of doing what you love, year after year. Brought to you by Skinny Water Culture, YETI, Turtlebox Audio, Purpose Built Optics, and MyCaptain. To learn more about Hunter’s travel fishing community, visit drifterfishclub.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Hunter sits down with Louisiana guide Ty Hibbs to talk about life in the marsh — raising kids in Cajun country, fighting for local fisheries, and what it means to stay rooted in the place you love. From shrimp boils and haunted car washes to the Jack Project and the next generation of conservation, Ty shares his heart for family, community, and the Louisiana coast. This conversation is full of humor, honesty, and perspective — a reminder that sometimes the best measure of success isn’t the size of the fish, but the legacy you leave behind. Brought to you by Skinny Water Culture, YETI, Turtlebox Audio, Purpose Built Optics, My Captain, and The Drifter Fish Club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of the Captains Collective, I share what eight years and over 200 interviews with some of the world’s best captains, guides, artists, and storytellers have taught me. From the power of curiosity and community to time on the water and the importance of asking “why,” we unpack the lessons that connect great anglers—and great people. Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter HERE. Check out Field Notes: How to Hunt and Fish More Learn about our hosted travel through the Drifter Fish Club HERE. Brought to you by Skinny Water Culture, Purpose Built Optics, YETI Coolers, and MyCaptain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Captains Collective, we sit down with veteran Florida guide Jeff Legutki for a deep dive into what it really means to fish “the old school way.” From the wide-open waters of the 80s and 90s to today’s crowded flats, Jeff reflects on how culture, technology, and pressure have reshaped the sport—and what lessons from the past are still worth carrying forward. We talk about the value of slowing down, learning from the water itself, and embracing the hunt without shortcuts. Jeff shares raw thoughts on the tension between tradition and technology, the influence of social media, and why respect and patience remain cornerstones of the craft. Whether you’re a new angler looking for guidance or a seasoned fisherman nostalgic for the way things used to be, this conversation offers timeless wisdom on how to approach fishing, guiding, and life on the water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, we share some stories and insights from an incredibly loaded panel around the life and legacy of Lefty Kreh. Special thanks to the ASGA for putting on this event and allowing us to recorded this conversation from some of the leading voices in fishing today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary tarpon guide Steve Kilpatrick is best known for the 202½-lb world record on fly, but there’s more to his story. In this episode, we dive into his childhood, leaving corporate America for guiding, the culture of Homosassa, and what it really takes to build great anglers—and a long career on the water. Monte Burke's book Lord's of the Fly: HERE Millhouse Podcast Episode: HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices