The Destination Angler Podcast

Steve Haigh: Angler and Podcaster
  • 4.9 (134)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

The Destination Angler podcast is THE podcast for anglers who travel. We go to the source, the local guides & experts, to build your knowledge of top fly fishing locations around North America.

  1. APR 23

    Into the Driftless Region with John van Vliet and Catherine Smith

    Episode 169 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – April 23, 2026 Our destination is the legendary spring creeks of the Driftless Area—where miles and miles clear cold water, aggressive trout, and an open to the public culture make this truly a one-of-a-kind destination.  Author and expert fly anglers, John van Vliet and Catherine Smith break it all down—where to look, what to throw, when to go, and one unforgettable story from the Mount St. Helens eruption.   With host Steve Haigh. Key Topics: Why the Driftless feels like a secret mountain fishery hiding in the Midwest Crystal-clear spring creeks—and trout that see everything you do The art (and agony) of fooling ultra-picky fish on dry flies Stalking rising trout like a bowhunter, not a caster Hopper eats, ant falls, and those explosive summer takes A wild detour—the Mount St. Helens eruption story you didn't see coming How 20-inch trout disappear into water you can step across Timing it right—when the river suddenly turns "on" Outsmarting crowds and finding your own water Easy access, endless creeks, and the ultimate DIY road trip A comeback story—how these streams were brought back to life Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact John and Catherine:  https://www.troutrunpress.com/    |  john@troutrunpress.com | Instagram @TroutRunPress    Destination Angler Podcast:   Website  |  YouTube  |  Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    Got Fishing  Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.    Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing  High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies   Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Mar 19, 2026

    1h 24m

  2. APR 9

    Yellowstone Country Fly Fishing with Craig Mathews, Part 2

    Episode 168 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – April 9, 2026 In Part 2 of our two-part episode, our destination is Yellowstone Country with angling legend Craig Mathews. We dive into his new book, Pheasant Tail Simplicity, and why fewer flies might make you a better angler. Plus, winter tactics, the story behind the Sparkle Dun, and stories involving Keith Richards, Tom Broaw, Yvon Chouinard, and the origins of 1% for the Planet. This one just might just change the way you think about fly fishing.  With host Steve Haigh. Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Craig:  https://www.craigmathewsyellowstone.com/   Instagram:  @CraigMatthewsYellowstone Craig's latest book:  Pheasant Tail Simplicity  | Instagram  @patagoniabooks | @patagonia_flyfish Destination Angler Podcast:   Website  |  YouTube  |  Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Use discount Code DESTINATION for a good deal on your next order  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    Got Fishing  Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.    Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing  High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing   Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Mar 5, 2026

    49 min

  3. MAR 26

    The World's Strangest Trout Stream: Fly Fishing Yellowstone's Firehole River with Craig Mathews, Part 1

    Episode 167 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – March 26, 2026  In Part 1 of a two-part episode, our destination is Yellowstone National Park's Firehole River—a strange world of geysers and fumaroles, grizzlies and bison, and trout, along with the Gibbon and the Upper Madison.  With angler, fly designer, author, and 1% for the Planet Co-Founder, Craig Matthews who shares expert fly fishing techniques, along with stories of grizzly bear charges, his life as West Yellowstone Police Chief, and the surprising origins of his iconic fly shop, Blue Ribbon Flies.  Stick around to the end for great story of a trout that took 19 days to catch. With host Steve Haigh. Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Craig:  https://www.craigmathewsyellowstone.com/   Instagram:  @CraigMatthewsYellowstone Craig's latest book :  Pheasant Tail Simplicity @patagoniabooks | @patagonia_flyfish Destination Angler Podcast:   Website  |  YouTube  |  Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    Got Fishing  Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.    Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing    Comments & Suggestions:  shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Mar 5, 2026

    54 min

  4. MAR 12

    Wolves, Bears, and Bush Planes: DIY Alaska with Oliver Ancans

    Episode 166 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – March 12, 2026 How do you pull off a DIY fly fishing trip to Alaska?   Our destination is the Alaskan backcountry with author, expert fly angler, and adventurer, Oliver Ancans, who for the last 10 years has been fly fishing  the state on a budget.  Oliver shares his tips on how to discover those lesser-known watersheds, going light to save money, and investing in the right gear, along with epic stories of 30-pound King Salmon, bears so close you could poke them in the eye, and hungry wolves that watch you fish.    Fire up the bush plane and hang on for a wild ride with Oliver.  With host Steve Haigh. Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Oliver Ancans:  Instagram @olleyeh Destination Angler Podcast:   Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  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  High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes      Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Jan 13, 2026

    1h 26m

  5. FEB 26

    Dry Fly Nomads Across the American West | John & Karen Kreft

    Episode 165 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – February 26, 2026 Imagine a summer where the camper van becomes home, and the hatch chart dictates where you sleep?  Our destination is the American West with John and Karen Kreft, of Riverkeeper Flies, who share their hatch-driven philosophy, their top-producing dry fly patterns, and what they've learned from life on the road — designing flies and chasing trout throughout the American West from the Green River to the Madison, the Upper Columbia, and beyond.  With host Steve Haigh. Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact John and Karen Kreft:  https://www.johnkreft.com/ |  riverkeeperflies@gmail.com Instagram @riverkeeperflies  Destination Angler Podcast:   Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    Got Fishing  Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.    Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing  High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies   Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Dec 18, 2025

    1h 30m

  6. FEB 12

    Can the Big Hole Recover? With Jim Olsen

    Episode 164 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – February 12, 2026 Today our destination is the Big Hole River in southwest Montana — a place trout anglers have revered for generations and home to the last native Arctic grayling in the Lower 48. But is this storied fishery at a crossroads? Trout numbers are lower than they've been in decades, even as anglers still find good fish. So what's really happening out there — and what will it take to turn things around? Jim Olsen, Fisheries Biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, gives us the facts. With host Steve Haigh. Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Jim Olsen:  JimOlsen@mt.gov |  406-533-8451 Destination Angler Podcast:   Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    Got Fishing  Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.    Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing  High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing   Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Dec 11, 2025

    1h 11m

  7. JAN 29

    Blue lining Virginia's Blue Ridge with Mark Taylor

    Episode 163 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – January 29, 2026 Our destination is the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia—steep, green, and loaded with incredible trout water if you know where to look. We're blue-lining small mountain streams with Mark Taylor, Eastern Communications Director for Trout Unlimited and one of the most respected outdoor writers in the country. Virginia might be the most underrated fly-fishing state in the East. Freestone brook trout streams high in the mountains, spring creeks in the valleys, and big rivers loaded with trout, smallmouth and muskies. Stick around—we're breaking it all down.   With host Steve Haigh Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Mark Taylor:   Destination Angler Podcast:   Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    Got Fishing  Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.    Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing    Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Dec 4, 2025

    1h 31m

  8. JAN 15

    New England's Best Kept Fly Fishing Secret? The Upper Connecticut River

    Episode 162 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – January 15, 2026 Our destination is the Upper Connecticut River—a remote tailwater in far northern New Hampshire that delivers outstanding fly fishing with remarkably light pressure. In this episode, I'm joined by veteran guide Bill Bernhardt, a 20-year Orvis-endorsed guide and co-owner of Points North Outfitters in Pittsburg, NH. Bill explains why this system fishes more like a Western tailwater than classic New England water—and why it remains one of the region's true sleepers. We talk trout and landlocked salmon, seasonal strategies, favorite fly patterns, remote ponds, and the miles of public access that make solitude easy to find for anglers willing to explore.  Plus, tales of huge Atlantic Salmon, landlocks pushing 30", guiding a blind man, and mistakenly trespassing on Ted Turner's Patagonia paradise.     🎣 Is the Upper Connecticut River New England's best-kept fly fishing secret? You decide. With host Steve Haigh Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Bill Bernhardt:  ·        Points North Outfitters  ·        Facebook | Instagram  @pointsnorthnh ·        YouTube Destination Angler Podcast:   Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  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  High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes      Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Nov 13, 2025

    1h 22m
See All (170)

4.9
out of 5
134 Ratings

About

The Destination Angler podcast is THE podcast for anglers who travel. We go to the source, the local guides & experts, to build your knowledge of top fly fishing locations around North America.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Haigh: Angler and Podcaster
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    170
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © GuideShareAngler, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Destination Angler Podcast

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