The Destination Angler Podcast Steve Haigh: Fisherman and Podcaster

Our destination is the world-famous Grey Reef on the North Platte River with Blake Jackson, co-owner of the Ugly Bug Fly Shop, Casper Wyoming.  Grey Reef is one of the great tail waters of the west, offering a 70-mile western fly fishing experience with oversized, football-shaped wild trout, and plenty of solitude where 50 fish days are common. 
Blake grew up in Wyoming doing what Wyoming kids do – hunting, fishing, and playing sports.  After college, he quickly realized a fly-fishing guide could not afford to live in Bozeman and returned to Wyoming, where he now co-owns the fly shop.
Today, we explore the Reef, Miracle Mile, and Fremon Canyon and the conservation story behind the trophy fly fishing here, plus slow-it-down streamer techniques, local fly patterns, stories from Mongolia, Wyoming elk hunting, naked customers, and why you need to cast to the center of the stream.   
With host, Steve Haigh
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Destination Angler on YouTube
Pictures from Grey Reef
@DestinationAnglerPodcast on Facebook and Instagram Contact Blake:
https://uglybugflyshop.crazyrainbow.net/ Instagram @uglybugflyshop Facebook @Theuglybugflyshop YouTube:  @uglybugflyshop Please check out our Sponsors:
Angler’s Coffee
Elevating the coffee experience for the fly-fishing community & anglers everywhere with small-batch coffee delivered to your doorstep. 
Facebook & Instagram @anglerscoffeeco   
Got Fishing
Crafting world Class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.  
Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing
TroutRoutes
The number one fishing app, helping trout anglers avoid the crowds and explore new public water. Download it and receive 20% off using Destination20 promo code in the app store today!
Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes   
Adamsbuilt Fishing
THE trusted source for quality fly fishing gear, built to last at an affordable price. Waders, Nets, Outerwear.
Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt
Destination Angler Podcast: 
Website ·       YouTube
New podcast!  Destination Angler ADVENTURES Podcast    Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com
Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded March 13, 2024.  Episode 119

Our destination is Mongolia, the land of Genghis Khan, in search of the legendary Taimen, the world's largest trout species, with Michael Caranci from Mongolia River Outfitters. Visiting Mongolia feels like stepping back in time.  About the size of Texas, it’s the least densely populated country in the world. Here, Taimen thrive in its pristine rivers growing over 50 inches.
Michael first visited Mongolia in 2015 and fell in love with its people, culture, and fly fishing, and has returned ever since.  A published writer with over 20 years’ experience managing fly fishing lodges, Michael shares insights on Taimen, their diet, habitats, and how to go after them, fly rod in hand. We also delve into Mongolian culture and the unique experiences it offers. If you are looking for an adrenaline-fueled adventure, this episode is for you.
With host, Steve Haigh
Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber
Destination Angler on YouTube
Pictures from Mongolia
@DestinationAnglerPodcast on Facebook and Instagram Contact Michael:
www.mongoliarivers.com www.fishmongolia.com Instagram @fishmongolia Facebook @Fish Mongolia Please check out our Sponsors:
Adamsbuilt Fishing
THE trusted source for quality fly fishing gear, built to last at an affordable price. Waders, Nets, Outerwear.
Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt
Angler’s Coffee
Elevating the coffee experience for the fly-fishing community & anglers everywhere with small-batch coffee delivered to your doorstep. 
Facebook & Instagram @anglerscoffeeco   
Got Fishing
Crafting world Class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.  
Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing
TroutRoutes
The number one fishing app, helping trout anglers avoid the crowds and explore new public water. Download it for free using Destination20 promo code in the app store today!
Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes   
Destination Angler Podcast: 
Website ·       YouTube
New podcast!  Destination Angler ADVENTURES Podcast    Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com
Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded March 8, 2024.  Episode 118
 

Our destination is the revered Youghiogheny River in Southwestern Pennsylvania with expert fly angler, Rob Walters, head guide for Laurel Highlands Guide Service.   Once polluted from abandon mines, the “Yawk” as it’s called, has undergone a remarkable transformation into a world-class tailwater with a reputation for big trout and tremendous hatches.
Rob grew up in Delaware fly fishing on local trout streams and stripers in the surf. In 2005, he moved to Pittsburgh and traded in the salt life for the mountain life of Western PA and has been guiding and fly fishing the Yawk ever since.  
Today Rob dials us in to the quality trout waters in the 11 mile middle section, tips on matching streamers to water types and temperature, pike on the fly in the UK, and some great stories of trout so big they straighten your hook.  
With host, Steve Haigh
Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber
Destination Angler on YouTube
Pictures from the Yawk
@DestinationAnglerPodcast on Facebook and Instagram Contact Rob:
https://laurelhighlandsguideservices.com/    |   412-715-8461  |  rob@laurelhighlandsguideservices.com Instagram & Facebook @laurelhighlandsguideservices Please check out our Sponsors:
TroutRoutes
The number one fishing app, helping trout anglers avoid the crowds and explore new public water. Download it for free in the app store today!
Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes   
Adamsbuilt Fishing
THE trusted source for quality fly fishing gear, built to last at an affordable price. Waders, Nets, Outerwear.
Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt
Angler’s Coffee
Elevating the coffee experience for the fly-fishing community & anglers everywhere with small-batch coffee delivered to your doorstep. 
Facebook & Instagram @anglerscoffeeco   
Got Fishing
Crafting world Class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.  
Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing
Destination Angler Podcast: 
Website ·       YouTube
New podcast!  Destination Angler ADVENTURES Podcast    Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com
Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded Feb 22, 2024.  Episode 117

Our destination is the Thorofare Region of Yellowstone National Park, considered the most remote spot in the lower 48, with expert fly angler, guide, and author, Paul Weamer, Coordinator of the Yellowstone Fly Fishing Volunteer Program.  Paul and a group of 14 researchers ventured deep into the Thorofare to discover if the efforts to reduce the lake trout population in Yellowstone Lake are positively impacting cutthroat populations.  The answer may surprise you.     
Paul is a contributing writer for Fly Fisherman Magazine and has written seven books on fly fishing including Favorite Flies for Yellowstone National Park: 50 Essential Patterns from Local Experts. Today he shares his epic adventure in the Thorofare through quicksand and mudholes, blown downs and swamps, not to mention the challenges of traveling over 140 miles on horseback.  Would he do it again?  Let’s find out!
With host, Steve Haigh
Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber
Destination Angler on YouTube
Pictures from the Thorofare
@DestinationAnglerPodcast on Facebook and Instagram Contact Paul:
https://www.weamerflyfishing.com/ | weamerflyfishing@gmail.com Facebook   ·        Yellowstone Volunteer Fly Fishing Program |  Volunteerflyfishing@yellowstone.org
Please check out our Sponsors:
Got Fishing
Crafting world Class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.  
Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing
TroutRoutes
The number one fishing app, helping trout anglers avoid the crowds and explore new public water. Download it for free in the app store today!
Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes   
Adamsbuilt Fishing
THE trusted source for quality fly fishing gear, built to last at an affordable price. Waders, Nets, Outerwear.
Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt
Angler’s Coffee
Elevating the coffee experience for the fly-fishing community & anglers everywhere with small-batch coffee delivered to your doorstep. 
Facebook & Instagram @anglerscoffeeco   
Destination Angler Podcast: 
Website ·       YouTube
New podcast!  Destination Angler ADVENTURES Podcast    Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com
Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded April 4, 2024.  Episode 116

Our destination is the Clark Fork of the Columbia River with expert fly-fishing guide, Andy Simon, Grizzley Hackle Fly Shop, Missoula, Montana.  Once known as the world’s largest superfund site, the Clark Fork now is one of the greatest conversation recovery stories in fly fishing, offering some of the best dry fly fishing in the West.  
 Andy gives a great overview of the best sections of the Clark Fork, the prime time of year to fish, and how to break down this big river into fishable chunks, plus top hatches including Skwalas, BWOs, Golden Stones, and hoppers.  We also touch on Rock Creek, steelhead fishing, and some remarkable client moments ranging from stressed-out bankers, arguing couples, and a client nicknamed “tail gunner”.  Bonus:  how to predict a big fish day on the drive to the river.
With host, Steve Haigh
Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber
Destination Angler on YouTube
Pictures from the Clark Fork
@DestinationAnglerPodcast on Facebook and Instagram Contact Andy:
Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop  |  406) 721-8996 | info@grizzlyhackle.com Instagram @grizzly_hackle Facebook @grizzlyhacklefly Please check out our Sponsors:
Angler’s Coffee
Elevating the coffee experience for the fly-fishing community & anglers everywhere with small-batch coffee delivered to your doorstep. 
Facebook & Instagram @anglerscoffeeco   
Got Fishing
Crafting world Class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.  
Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing
TroutRoutes
The number one fishing app, helping trout anglers avoid the crowds and explore new public water. Download it for free in the app store today!
Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes   
Adamsbuilt Fishing
THE trusted source for quality fly fishing gear, built to last at an affordable price. Waders, Nets, Outerwear.
Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt
Destination Angler Podcast: 
Website ·       YouTube
New podcast!  Destination Angler ADVENTURES Podcast    Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com
Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded Jan 18, 2024.  Episode 114

Our destination is the unspoiled Spatsizi Wilderness Park in northern British Columbia with Jake Daly, seasoned fly-fishing expert and manager of Spatsizi River Outfitters.  Roadless and uninhabited, Spatsizi is two million acres of wild, rugged and remote wilderness unchanged by man, offering some of the best fly fishing on the planet.  
A native BC-er, Jake shares his adventures of double-digit bull trout, bears wrestling in boats, the largest manhunt in BC history, and how the Collingwood brothers founded the operation after landing 126 trout on 126 casts.  Stick around to the end for a shore lunch tip like no other—how to cook trout in a frying pan made from an artic birch tree.  No joke! 
With host, Steve Haigh
Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber
Destination Angler on YouTube
Pictures and fly patterns from the Spatsizi
@DestinationAnglerPodcast on Facebook and Instagram Contact Jake:
Spatsizi River Outfitters | (866) 847-9692  info@spatsizi.com Instagram @spatsizilodge and @spatsizi_river_outfitters Please check out our Sponsors:
Adamsbuilt Fishing
THE trusted source for quality fly fishing gear, built to last at an affordable price. Waders, Nets, Outerwear.
Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt
Angler’s Coffee
Elevating the coffee experience for the fly-fishing community & anglers everywhere with small-batch coffee delivered to your doorstep. 
Facebook & Instagram @anglerscoffeeco   
Got Fishing
Crafting world Class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.  
Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing
TroutRoutes
The number one fishing app, helping trout anglers avoid the crowds and explore new public water. Download it for free in the app store today!
Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes   
Destination Angler Podcast: 
Website YouTube Check out our totally new podcast!  Destination Angler ADVENTURES Podcast    Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com
Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded Jan 18, 2024.  Episode 114