Outdoors Podcast

Craig Stephens - Fly Shop General Manager

Craig Stephens has been the single most impactful character in my fly fishing career.  We all know the greats, the Kelly Gallops, The Flip Pallots, The Lefty Krehs…but in St. Louis, I associate two names with fly fishing, Tom Hargrove, the namesake of the store, and it’s manager Craig Stephens.

Craig is just about the nicest guy I know and one of the most welcoming humans I’ve ever had the chance to get to call my friend.  Craig has been at T Hargrove Fly Shop on Manchester Road for the better part of 15 years and running the store as it’s General Manager for a decade.

He teaches the fly casting lessons and serves as the main connector of experienced anglers with newer fishermen.  Craig also has a big part in running the fly tying class, offered at the shop, where I learned most of what I know about fly fishing from other anglers each Tuesday night.

Craig and I talked about his move from banking into the fly fishing industry, his favorite places to fish, how he hires guides and more.

You’ll love this episode if you like fishing, customer service, and being a good human.

Purist On The Fly

Instagram's PuristOnTheFly and I sit down for a conversation on Fly Fishing, Outdoor Ehtics, Conservation and the effect of the micro influencer world on our outdoor spaces.

I learned a ton from our talk about Tailing Gloves, and their acceptable applications, why not to Fish Redds or spawning fish in general and what it means to be a "Steward of the land" as we talk about so much on this channel.

Campsite Conversations - Casey Heeter

In the first episode of a new series, Campsite Conversations, my buddy and return guest, Casey Heeter and I talk all things outdoors live from our campsite in the Red River Gorge area of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Casey is a backpacking expert, having spent hundreds of nights in the woods, some of them being under -30 degrees for fucks sake.

Casey, my fiance Sara and I along with Casey’s dog Odin and Our dog Yose recently went on a backpacking trip in the Red River Gorge and Casey and I decided we should do a podcast from our back country campsite and I’m glad we did.

We talked about Tents, Hammocks, Camping Ethics and Conservations.  We talk about some of our favorite outdoors retailers like T. Hargrove Fly Fishing Shop and Quest in Louisville where Casey is from.

We talk at some length about how much we love Cottage Vendors and small producers. And we finish up with a short conversation about the future of the Red River Gorge, and what a new resort that’s being proposed might bring, both good and bad to the area.

Oar Stories - Augy Knickmeyer

In the next installment of Oar Stories, my series of interviews with professional fly fishing guides...Augy Knickmeyer joins the show.

Augy is the owner and principal guide for Missouri Fly Life Guide Co on rivers just outside the St. Louis area in Missouri.

Jack Donze and returning guies Ed Kimmill join the show to ask questions and provide a hell of a lot of entertainment.

We talk to Augy about how he got into fishing, what made him want to be a guide, his boat, gear, client expectations and more.  

James Garrettson - Professional Fly Fishing Guide

James Garrettson, owner of About Trout Fly Fishing guide service in Chama New Mexico joins the podcast to talk about his life and experience as a guide.

James makes recommendations on how to find a great fly fishing guide no matter where you are going, how to be a great fly fishing client, what makes New Mexico special and emphasizes the importance of fishing where you are.

For more information on James and his guiding service, check out www.abouttrout.com

Aptitude Outdoors Is The Podcast of My Dreams

Paul from Aptitude Outdoors is an AT alumni, a kayaker, a hunter and a fellow lover of all things outdoors.

We had an incredible talk about how we got our starts on the trail, some in depth convo on hammocks and the ethics of hunting, and how more people could get involved.

I think Paul and I are going to do a lot more episodes in the future together and I’m super pumped to meet him in person this fall when backpacking season kicks back up.

Enjoy.

Ed Kimmill

Ed Kimmill is a backpacker, a hammock camper, a fly fisherman, a kayaker, and a father.  Ed and I talk about our obsessions with gear, hammocks, making stuff, quality fishing gear and more on a great conversation between two enthusiasts.

Casey Steele Heeter

Casey and I talk all things backpacking, hammock camping, kayaking, camping with your dog and more.

I met Casey through the Hammock Forums facebook group and we've been chatting through messenger ever since.

He's got a ton of knowledge on the Red River Gorge area of Kentucky in the Daniel Boone Wildernerss and he's super into the cottage vendor hammock scene.

Katie N. Gets A Helicopter Ride Off The JMT

Katie N. (KTSue22 IG) and I chat all things John Muir Trail.  Katie is an absolute badass and attempted to tackle one of the most challenging hikes in the United States, 200 miles and 38,000 feet of elevation in only 14 days.

JMT Prep with Triple Nickel Outdoors

Nick with Triple Nickel Outdoors Joined me on the podcast to talk about his upcoming journey on the John Muir Trail (JMT).  Nick is a former member of the United States Air Force, and currently works as a firefighter in the state of New York.  We had a great conversation about the JMT and how Nick is preparing for the trip.  

Nick and I met through hammock forums online and soon followed each other on social media channels.  We've stayed in touch over the last year or so and I was elated to hear he'd gotten a permit for a hike that many of us backpackers consider a bucket list trip.  We chat about expectations, gear, food prep and a ton more.

This was easily one of my favorite interviews so far.