WAYPOINTS Fly Fishing Podcast - with Jim Klug

Latest Episodes:

Episode 98 - DARREN CALHOUN - On The Side of the Fish Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Few people are as deeply connected to a river, a landscape, and a community as Darren Calhoun. A lifelong resident of Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation, Darren is an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, a descendant of the Eastern Shoshone, and someone whose family roots in the region stretch back generations. For more than three decades, he has worked as a guide, outfitter, business owner, conservationist, and advocate for the Wind River and the people who call it home. In this episode of Waypoints, we sit down with Darren to talk about growing up on the reservation, building Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing with his father, Pete, and the unlikely path that also led him to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

But at its heart, this conversation is about something bigger than fishing. Darren has built his life and business around a remarkably simple philosophy: protect the resource first. We talk about his decision to intentionally limit guided fishing in the Wind River Canyon, the responsibilities outfitters have to the waters that sustain their livelihoods, and what the broader flyfishing world can learn from the conservation traditions and resource management of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes. Darren also talks about the evolution of the Wind River Canyon Lodge, his new fly shop in Thermopolis, and what more than 30 years on the same river have taught him about stewardship, restraint, and leaving special places better than we found them. It’s a thoughtful conversation with someone who has spent a lifetime proving that sometimes the best way to build something is knowing when not to grow.

Waypoints is brought to you by Patagonia
To bring their gear to life, Patagonia is motivated by relentless curiosity and a passion for the wild. They evaluate hundreds of materials, build dozens of prototypes and spend seasons punishing them in the world’s most extreme conditions. The work is the guide, and Patagonia never tires of exploring, learning and improving.
For the past two years, the Yellow Dog Flyfishing travel team has worked closely with Patagonia to test and refine the all-new Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots II in destinations ranging from New Zealand to the Seychelles. Featured throughout the Yellow Dog Field Reports series, these boots have become the go to choice for our team thanks to their Vibram® Megagrip soles, durable quick drying construction, speed to get on and off, and support built for both freshwater and saltwater environments.
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Facebook
- Check out our YouTube Page
- View the official Yellow Dog w...

Episode 97 - CHRIS PATTERSON - Through the Lens: How Film Changed Flyfishing Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Ask Us A Question!

Over the past two decades, film has fundamentally changed the world of flyfishing. It has introduced anglers to far-off destinations, inspired countless adventures, elevated conservation issues, created new fishing heroes, and transformed the way we see and experience the sport. From 1992's A River Runs Through It, to the early days of The Drake Video Awards and the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and now to YouTube, social media, and an endless stream of digital content, moving images have become one of the most powerful forces shaping modern flyfishing. Few people have had a better front-row seat to that evolution than filmmaker Chris Patterson.

In this episode of Waypoints, Jim sits down with his longtime friend, traveling partner, and Confluence Films co-founder to explore the stories behind the stories — and the incredible career that shaped Chris as a filmmaker. From three decades shooting Warren Miller ski films and working on Hollywood productions like Inception, to creating the flyfishing classics Drift, Rise, Connect, Waypoints, and Providence, Chris has spent his career capturing people, places, and moments that make us want to explore. Together, Jim and Chris look back at the rise of flyfishing film, the adventures and personalities that defined an era, and the profound impact film has had on the sport — for better and for worse. It’s a conversation about adventure, creativity, conservation, changing technology, and ultimately the power of a great story to make us see flyfishing — and the world around us — a little differently.

Episode 96 — NATHANIEL LINVILLE - Part Two: What Great Anglers Do Differently Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Ask Us A Question!

In Part Two of our conversation with Nathaniel Linville, we move beyond casting and individual species to explore a much bigger question: Why do some anglers consistently perform better than others? After a career spent fishing alongside some of the best guides and anglers in the world, Nathaniel has developed strong opinions about what actually matters — and much of it has less to do with natural talent than preparation, discipline, confidence, attention to detail, and learning how to control the variables that can actually be controlled.

We talk about the upcoming launch of the Linville Casting Academy, habits elite anglers share, the difference between interest and obsession, the remarkable partnership Nathaniel has developed with Keys guide Ian Slater, and how saltwater and destination flyfishing have changed over the past decade. We also explore whether traveling anglers have become too focused on results and not focused enough on becoming better anglers. Finally, Nathaniel reflects on his own journey, what flyfishing has given him, how his definition of success has changed, and why — despite the tournaments, records, and accomplishments — he remains committed to getting better. It’s a thoughtful conclusion to a two-part conversation about mastery, preparation, and the lifelong pursuit of improvement.

Episode 95 — NATHANIEL LINVILLE - Part One: What Great Anglers Do Differently Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Ask Us A Question!

Nathaniel Linville has become one of the most respected technical minds in flyfishing — a tournament champion, Master Certified Casting Instructor, IGFA Trustee, world-record holder, and owner of The Angling Company in Key West. But what makes Nathaniel especially interesting isn’t simply what he has accomplished. It’s the way he approaches the sport: relentlessly analyzing casting, presentation, fish behavior, equipment, preparation, and all of the small details that ultimately determine whether an angler converts an opportunity or watches it disappear.

In Part One of this two-part conversation, we dive into Nathaniel’s remarkable 2026 March Merkin victory, including an incredible seven-permit final day, before exploring what years of tournament fishing have taught him about permit, tarpon, and success on the flats. Nathaniel breaks down what anglers misunderstand about these species, why supposed “refusals” often begin with mistakes made seconds earlier, and what traveling anglers can do before a trip to dramatically improve their odds. We also dig into the science of fly casting and the skills anglers should actually be practicing. This is a fascinating conversation about preparation, precision, and the small differences that separate good anglers from consistently great ones.
NOTE OF CORRECTION: In the introduction to this episode, host Jim Klug incorrectly identified Nathaniel Linville as an MCI (Master Casting Instructor) certified through Fly Fishers International. While we know Nathaniel to be one of the finest casting instructors in the industry, he does not hold the MCI certification and did not want our mistake to be interpreted as a claim on his part that he does. Nathaniel appropriately pointed out that, out of respect for those who have put in the work to earn the MCI certification, the distinction is an important one. We appreciate him bringing it to our attention, apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused, and want to be clear: this one is entirely on us.

Episode 94 - TOM McGUANE - Part Two: Writing Water Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Ask Us A Question!

The conversation continues.

In Part Two of this special Waypoints interview, Jim Klug and acclaimed author Tom McGuane move beyond stories from the past and into a thoughtful discussion about the future of fly fishing, storytelling, conservation, and the outdoor world itself. Drawing on more than fifty years as a writer, angler, traveler, rancher, and conservationist, McGuane reflects on what has changed, what has been lost, and what still gives him hope.

The discussion ranges from public lands and access to the rise of social media, artificial intelligence, modern fly-fishing culture, and whether today’s endless stream of content has strengthened - or diluted - the stories that once defined the sport. Along the way, Tom shares personal reflections on the rivers that shaped his life, the people who influenced him most, and the enduring lessons that fishing continues to teach.

Rarely does a conversation with a literary giant feel this personal, relaxed, and wide-ranging. Whether you’re a longtime admirer of Tom McGuane’s work or discovering his writing for the first time, Part Two offers an unforgettable look at one of fly fishing’s most influential voices and one of America’s finest storytellers.

Episode 93 - TOM McGUANE - Part One: Writing Water Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Ask Us A Question!

Few writers have shaped modern fly fishing as profoundly as Tom McGuane.

For more than five decades, his novels, essays, and sporting literature have influenced generations of anglers - not by teaching them how to catch fish, but by changing the way they think about rivers, travel, adventure, and the people they meet along the way. His books have become classics because they’re ultimately about far more than fishing. They’re about curiosity, obsession, place, friendship, humor, failure, and the lifelong search for meaning, with fishing simply serving as the thread that ties those stories together.

Recorded at McGuane’s ranch just south of Big Timber, Montana, this first episode of a special two-part conversation explores the origins of one of America’s most celebrated literary voices. Jim and Tom discuss the enduring power of fishing literature, why stories matter, what makes destination travel unforgettable, and how a lifetime spent chasing fish around the world shaped McGuane’s writing. They also dive into the remarkable culture of Key West during the late 1960s and early 1970s, the people who helped define that era, and the experiences that inspired 92 in the Shade and countless other works.

Thoughtful, funny, and refreshingly honest, this conversation offers a rare opportunity to hear one of the greatest writers of his generation reflect on the ideas that have influenced anglers for more than half a century.

This is Part One of a special two-part episode of Waypoints with Tom McGuane.

Episode 92 - JEFF CURRIER - An Impossible List: Travel, Obsession, and the Quest for Number 500 Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Ask Us A Question!

For more than four decades, Jeff Currier has built one of the most extraordinary careers in flyfishing. From tiny mountain streams to some of the most remote rivers, flats, and coastlines on Earth, he has traveled to more than 60 countries, pursued fish on six continents, and inspired generations of anglers with an unmatched passion for exploration. Along the way, one remarkable goal has quietly driven nearly every journey: the pursuit of 500 different and unique species caught and documented on a fly rod. If successful, Jeff will likely become the first angler in history to reach that unprecedented milestone.

Recorded on location in the Burgundy region of eastern France, this special episode of Waypoints follows Jeff as he stands on the doorstep of history in pursuit of one final species to reach his goal of 500 — a giant Wels catfish unlike anything most fly anglers will ever encounter. But this conversation is about far more than a number on a list. Waypoints host Jim Klug and Jeff discuss the decades of travel, relentless curiosity, meticulous planning, friendships, setbacks, and unforgettable adventures that transformed a simple idea into a lifelong pursuit. Whether you’ve followed Jeff’s career for years or are hearing his story for the first time, this is a fascinating look at what happens when passion becomes purpose — and why the greatest accomplishments in flyfishing are often measured not by the fish themselves, but by the places they take us and the lives they shape along the way.

Episode 91 - NICK LYONS (joined by CRAIG MATHEWS) - The Voice Behind Modern Flyfishing Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

Ask Us A Question!

Recorded on the banks of O’Dell Creek just outside of Yellowstone Country, this episode of Waypoints is unlike any we’ve ever done. Host Jim Klug sits down outdoors with two of the most important and influential figures in the history of modern flyfishing: legendary writer, editor, and publisher Nick Lyons and renowned Yellowstone guide, author, and conservationist Craig Mathews. Against the backdrop of one of Montana’s most iconic spring creeks, the conversation explores the roots of flyfishing storytelling, the evolution of the writing in the world of flyfishing, and the friendships and connections that helped shape an entire generation of anglers.
More than just a podcast interview, this episode feels like a rare and intimate conversation between two men whose lives have become deeply woven into the fabric of flyfishing history. From the early days of outdoor writing and the founding of Lyons Press, to discussions about great flyfishing writers, the changing landscape of media, and the meaning of the sport itself, Nick and Craig share stories, wisdom, and perspective that only come from a lifetime spent on the water. Honest and deeply nostalgic at times, this is a special episode for anyone who cares about flyfishing —not just as a sport, but as a culture, a tradition, and a way of life.

Episode 90 - GUIDO RAHR - Strongholds, Saving Wild Rivers, and the Future of Salmon Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Ask Us A Question!

For decades, Guido Rahr has traveled some of the wildest and most remote corners of the planet in pursuit of one mission: protecting the last great salmon and steelhead rivers on Earth. As President and CEO of the Wild Salmon Center, Guido has helped safeguard more than 35 million acres of critical habitat across the Pacific Rim — from Alaska and British Columbia to Kamchatka, Japan, and beyond. Along the way, he has witnessed both the astonishing resilience of wild salmon and the sobering reality that many historic runs have disappeared within a single human lifetime.
In this episode of Waypoints, host Jim Klug sits down with Guido for a wide-ranging conversation that spans conservation, travel, adventure, and the future of wild fish. They discuss the concept of salmon strongholds, the ongoing battle to protect places like Bristol Bay, the challenges facing rivers in Russia and the Pacific Northwest, and what anglers can do to make a meaningful difference. From helicopter flights into remote wilderness rivers to lessons learned across decades of conservation work, Guido shares stories, insights, and reasons for optimism that every angler should hear. This is a fascinating conversation about wild places, global exploration, and one of the most important conservation stories of our time.

Episode 89 - WIL FLACK - Permit Tactics, Flies & Philosophy Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Ask Us A Question!

In this episode of Waypoints, host Jim Klug reconnects with one of the most respected names in the world of permit fishing: legendary guide, angler, and Belize Permit Club founder Wil Flack. More than seven years after Wil first appeared on Waypoints as one of the podcast’s earliest guests, the two sit down once again to revisit the obsession, frustration, evolution, and undeniable allure of chasing permit. From changing tactics and evolving gear to smarter fish, increased pressure on the flats, and the influence of social media, this conversation explores how permit fishing has changed — and what still matters just as much today as it did a decade ago.
Throughout the episode, Wil shares hard-earned insight from decades spent guiding and fishing the waters of Belize and beyond, offering listeners a deep dive into permit behavior, fly design, presentation strategies, tides, leaders, modern gear, and the mental side of permit fishing. The conversation also explores Wil’s new live-aboard mothership operation, Palometa Belize, and how new approaches to accessing remote water are shaping the future of the sport. Honest, technical, thoughtful, and humorous, this episode is packed with the kind of nuanced knowledge that only comes from thousands of days spent on the flats chasing one of flyfishing’s most difficult and addictive species.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

WAYPOINTS Fly Fishing Podcast – with Jim Klug

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected