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...

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 guide and spokesperson, Bob Kratzer to sit down with steelhead biologists John McMillan and Bob Hooton to sort through some of the facts...

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.

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.

This month’s episode has been brewing since the conception of Anchored in 2014. Over the last six years, we’ve discussed various concerns about hatchery fish in wild systems. Every time such an episode airs, it stimulates debate between pro and anti-hatchery anglers. I asked hatchery advocates to give me the name of someone they wanted to hear from. The name they gave me was biologist Ian Courter.  So I arranged to meet with Ian and past guest and biologist John McMillan to weigh out the...

My guests today include big game specialist and Sportfishing captain Vic Levett, Australian fishing guide Justin Duggan, and steelhead guide and photographer Adrienne Comeau, who also just happens to be a life-long vegetarian. In this episode of Into the Backing we tackle the argument of whether catch and release fly fishing is truly beneficial to fish, or if it’s unnecessary torture for our own fun. 

My guests today are renowned angler and Master caster Peter Morse, professional photographer and avid angler David Anderson, and guide and entrepreneur Josh Hutchins. We start off this series with some light-hearted discussion about whether or not there’s such a thing as too easy when it comes to fishing. 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.

We’ve got all sorts of discussion coming your way in this monthly series. Between pro-hatchery and anti-hatchery biologists, social media influencers and old-school industry types, catch and release anglers and meat hunters… We’re putting some hot topics on the table for you to form your own opinions. Be sure to subscribe here so you don’t miss out on episode one, where we keep it light with a friendly debate about if there’s such a thing as too easy in fishing.