Into the Backing

Latest Episodes:

Into the Backing Ep. 13: Pinniped Predation on Salmon and Steelhead Stocks Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, 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.

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Into the Backing Ep. 12: Are Rod and Line Ratings Misleading? Feb 11, 2025

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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, we break down the line weight system and discuss why manufacturers push the boundaries.

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Into the Backing Ep. 11: To Single or Double Hand Cast, That is the Question Nov 14, 2024

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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.

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Into the Backing Ep. 10: The Native Fish/Introduced Fish Controversy Oct 14, 2024

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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.

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Into the Backing Ep. 9: Is Euro Nymphing Really Fly Fishing? Sep 15, 2024

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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.

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Into the Backing Ep. 8: Fly Fishing Influencers in the Wild Jun 20, 2021

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It can be a tricky task trying to balance fly fishing and ethical marketing. And while it’s nothing new, the conversation has never been quite as polarising as it is when it involves influencers. Right, wrong, or otherwise, there’s a stigma around this new-age marketing tactic that pops up in comment sections and tackle shops around the world.

In this episode of Into the Backing, I sit down with Kirk Deeter, Tom Larimer and Bridget Fabel to weigh out why there’s so much contention around the topic.

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Into the Backing Ep. 7: Washington’s Ban on Steelhead Fishing From a Boat Feb 02, 2021

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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 a 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.

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Into The Backing Ep. 6: Should We Fish to Fish on Redds? Dec 13, 2020

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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.

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Into the Backing Ep. 5: Do Hunting Grip and Grin Photos Do More Harm Than Good? Nov 05, 2020

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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.

Into the backing is an Anchored Outdoors production.

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Into The Backing Ep. 4: Are Hatchery Fish Really That Bad? Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

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. So, 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

[2:55] What is a hatchery fish?
[7:11] Why do people take such an extreme stance on this issue?
[26:44] What would Nick Gayeski say about the issue?
[28:49] How much money do hatchery fish cost?
[33:23] Scientists have done a poor job of studying the different ways that hatcheries are managed
[38:44] Lack of differing life histories affects the hatchery fish population
[52:03] What about the Montana example?
[1:03:02] We need big experiments to collect data
[1:10:43] When hatcheries are used for a few years they can jumpstart a fishery
[1:22:28] What can be done to solve these problems?

If you haven’t already, check out my new website www.anchoredoutdoors.com There you’ll find all of your favourite Anchored guests and free exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else.

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