The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast

Ross Izard
  • 4.9 (45)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

Tired of overcrowded water? In love with catching wild fish in wild places? Addicted to exploration? Awed by the rugged beauty of nature? Then this is the podcast for you.We aim to build a library that covers everything related to fly fishing in the backcountry--tactics, flies, gear, survival skills, hiking, weather, outdoor hazards, navigation, camping, ecology, and much more.Whether you're a hardcore backcountry fly fisher or a newbie interested in getting out there, we've got something for you. Come join us in the pursuit of trout and solitude.

  1. 1d ago

    Complaint Corner - Big Fish Bros

    This season’s installment of Complaint Corner takes aim at one of the most persistent—and annoying—mentalities in fly fishing: the obsession with big fish at the expense of everything else. Ross dives into the culture of the “Big Fish Bro,” the angler who treats fly fishing as a scoreboard, measures success exclusively in inches, and seems more interested in trophies, comparisons, and social media validation than the places, fish, and experiences that make the sport meaningful in the first place. The conversation explores the difference between wild fish and managed fisheries, the role of artificiality in modern trout fishing, and why some of the most rewarding experiences in fly fishing have absolutely nothing to do with the size of the fish at the end of your line. Fair warning: this one is spicy. If you think the point of fly fishing is simply catching the biggest trout possible, you may not enjoy this episode. If you think the point is something deeper, pull up a chair. Because sometimes an eight-inch trout in a wild place is worth more than a twenty-inch trout anywhere else. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

    22 min

  2. May 22

    Beauty, Confrontation, and Judgment: The Honesty of Consequence in the Backcountry

    After a close encounter with a rattlesnake in a remote canyon, Ross reflects on something bigger than fishing: why we’re really drawn to wild places in the first place. This episode explores the difference between beauty and consequence—between simply enjoying nature and willingly stepping into environments that demand competence, awareness, preparation, and respect. From wilderness, risk, and mortality to self-reliance, personal growth, and the honesty that exists in places indifferent to human comfort, this is a deeper conversation about what the backcountry gives us that modern life often cannot. This isn’t an episode about catching fish. It’s about confrontation, judgment, growth, and the search for something real in a world increasingly designed to soften every edge. Because sometimes the wilderness isn’t asking whether you can catch trout. It’s asking who you are when nothing else is there to protect you from consequence. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

    32 min

  3. May 15

    When Does a Trip Become an Overnighter?

    At some point, every serious backcountry angler runs into the same question: when does a fishing trip stop being a day trip and become an overnighter? In this episode, Ross breaks down the thought process behind deciding when it’s time to camp, backpack, or prepare to spend the night outside. From mileage, elevation gain, and fishing time to weather, navigation problems, physical limits, and unforeseen emergencies, this is a practical look at the factors that can turn a simple outing into something much bigger. This episode is also about more than logistics. It’s about what happens when you fully immerse yourself in wild places instead of just visiting them for a few hours. Camping and backpacking force a different kind of self-reliance, awareness, and connection to the outdoors—and in many cases, they’re the gateway to truly remote water and experiences that can’t be reached any other way. Ross also discusses preparedness, risk management, and why every backcountry angler should carry at least basic overnight gear, even on a “simple” day trip. Because the outdoors doesn’t care what your plans were. Sometimes the best trips become overnights by choice. Sometimes they become overnights because nature made the decision for you. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

    37 min

  4. May 8

    Get to the Hoppa - The Art of Fishing Terrestrials

    Summer means one thing: it’s time to throw big bugs. In this episode, Ross dives deep into the world of terrestrial fly fishing—grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and the explosive eats that make them one of the most addictive ways to catch trout. From favorite patterns and simple fly design to rigging hopper-droppers and understanding where these insects actually fit into the ecosystem, this is a full breakdown of how and why terrestrials work. Ross explains why trout treat these bugs like high-calorie “steak dinners,” why the strikes are so violent, and why some of the biggest fish in the river will move for a hopper when they won’t move for anything else. The episode also covers presentation, storytelling, and the importance of putting these flies where they naturally make sense—because trout may not be rocket scientists, but they know when something feels right. Whether you tie your own foam bugs or just want an excuse to throw giant dry flies all summer, this one’s all about one of the most fun and effective ways to fish. Tie on a hopper. Things are about to get violent. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

    49 min

  5. May 1

    I Hate Waders (and So Should You) - Wet Wading the Backcountry

    What if the most “normal” way of fishing isn’t actually the best way? In this episode, Ross makes the case for ditching waders and embracing wet wading as the default approach for backcountry fly fishing. From the simple definition—getting in the water without a barrier between you and it—to the deeper philosophy behind it, this is a full breakdown of why wet wading changes the way you move, fish, and experience the outdoors. Waders are hot, restrictive, heavy, and clunky—especially when you’re hiking miles into the backcountry. But more than that, they create distance between you and the environment. Wet wading strips that away. It’s lighter, simpler, and far more connected. Ross walks through when it makes sense to wet wade (and when it doesn’t), how to do it safely, and the full system that makes it work—from pants and socks to boots, pack setup, and how to transition in and out of the water without turning your day into a mess. Because getting wet is the point, but staying comfortable and efficient still matters. This isn’t about being hardcore. It’s about being practical. And in the backcountry, simplicity almost always wins. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

    50 min

  6. Apr 24

    Systems and Efficiencies - The Power of Routine

    The best days on the water don’t start at the river—they start at home. In this episode, Ross breaks down the power of building systems and routines that make your fishing simpler, more efficient, and far less prone to failure. From preseason prep to dialing in your gear, pack, and process, this is about removing friction before it ever has a chance to show up on the water. Because missed opportunities, wasted time, and avoidable mistakes usually aren’t bad luck—they’re the result of weak systems. This episode is a practical look at how to streamline your approach, reduce decision fatigue, and maximize the time that actually matters: your time on the water. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency—and the kind of preparation that lets you fish with confidence when it counts. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

    31 min

  7. Apr 17

    Frontier Water: The Wild Still Close to Home

    Season 6 of the BCFF Podcast begins with a reminder: you don’t have to go far to find something wild. In this episode, Ross explores the idea of frontier water—those overlooked stretches of river and hidden pockets of backcountry that exist just beyond the edges of well-known fisheries, and sometimes even just outside of town. These are places that don’t give themselves up easily. They require effort, curiosity, and a willingness to step off the path—but for those who do, the reward is solitude, beauty, and fish that feel earned. This episode also reflects on what makes The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast different. It’s not just about tactics or numbers. It’s about connection to nature. About real experiences in real places. About the kind of time outside that strips things down and gives something back. Frontier water isn’t a location. It’s a mindset. And it’s closer than you think. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

    47 min

  8. Feb 9

    Season 5 Finale: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

    Season 5 of The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast comes to a close with a look at how far the show has come—and where it’s headed next. In this final episode of the season, Ross reflects on the growth of the podcast, the wide range of topics covered throughout Season 5, and the community that’s formed around thoughtful conversations about fly fishing, wilderness, stewardship, and outdoor life. It’s also a candid discussion about what’s changing behind the scenes, including potential shifts in season structure, the addition of video content, and how the show can continue to evolve without losing what makes it grounded and authentic. Looking forward, Ross lays out a roadmap for the future: a deeper focus on outdoor skills beyond fishing—like backpacking, camping, and time spent living well in wild places—along with the possibility of ethical, transparent partnerships with gear brands he personally uses and trusts. There’s also a discussion of potential hosted trips and other ways to bring the community together off the screen and out into the field. Season 5 may be ending, but this is very much a beginning. We’ll be back in early April with Season 6. Thank you for listening—and for being part of what this has become. ----- If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

    18 min
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4.9
out of 5
45 Ratings

About

Tired of overcrowded water? In love with catching wild fish in wild places? Addicted to exploration? Awed by the rugged beauty of nature? Then this is the podcast for you.We aim to build a library that covers everything related to fly fishing in the backcountry--tactics, flies, gear, survival skills, hiking, weather, outdoor hazards, navigation, camping, ecology, and much more.Whether you're a hardcore backcountry fly fisher or a newbie interested in getting out there, we've got something for you. Come join us in the pursuit of trout and solitude.

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