The Podcast of Adventure Angling with Host Jim Klug

On the first episode of the new season of WAYPOINTS, host Jim Klug is joined by Cameron Davenport of Eleven Experience and Kimberly Franke of Kanna Travel to discuss what the road ahead looks like for destination angling – both domestic and international. Has the world of fishing returned to normal, and what has changed for the traveling angler? We discuss current rules and regulations, availability, travel trends, and new opportunities, and we break down how traveling anglers can plan ahead and prepare for fishing travel in a changing world. We also roll through a list of the world’s top angling destinations and countries, discussing current accessibility, open-versus-closed, new regulations, and travel protocols. Which countries are wide open, which countries remain closed for the time being, and what we’re hearing about possible openings for the near future. And finally, we discuss ways that you can protect your trip investments and travels from disruptions, cancellations, and shut-downs moving forward. If you have any plans to travel in late 2021 or 2022, then you will absolutely want to tune in to the new season of WAYPOINTS!

Episode 28 – TRAVIS SMITH AND RANCE RATHIE: The Ins and Outs of Fly Fishing in Patagonia (Part 2)

In part two of our extended episode on fishing in Patagonia, we’re continuing our conversations with Travis Smith and Rance Rathie, the founders and owners of Patagonia Rivers Guides in Argentina. This episode focuses on the “how, what, when, and where” aspects of fishing throughout Patagonia – a vast, remote, and largely uninhabited region that encompasses over 300,000 square miles of pristine mountains, rivers, grasslands, and prairies. Stretching more than a thousand miles through southern Argentina and spilling across the border into Chile, Patagonia is larger than the state of Texas – an area that is isolated, unspoiled, and magnificent.

Episode 27 – TRAVIS SMITH AND RANCE RATHIE: The Ins and Outs of Fly Fishing in Patagonia (Part 1)

Patagonia is a vast, remote, and largely uninhabited region that encompasses over 300,000 square miles of pristine mountains, rivers, grasslands, and prairies. Stretching more than a thousand miles through southern Argentina and spilling across the border into Chile, Patagonia is larger than the state of Texas – an area that is isolated, unspoiled, and magnificent. Home to an amazing number of rivers, spring creeks, and lakes – and healthy populations of rainbows, browns, and brook trout – it is a destination that has for decades drawn anglers from all over the world. In this first episode of a two-part series on fishing in Patagonia, we’re sitting down with Travis Smith and Rance Rathie to talk about the amazing fishing that can be found throughout Patagonia.

Episode 26 – STEEP CANYON RANGERS: A Life of Fly Fishing and Bluegrass Fame with Woody Platt of the Grammy-Winning Steep Canyon Ranger

The Grammy-winning bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers began playing together as students at the University of North Carolina. Since their formation in 2000, the band has been an integral part of the Asheville, North Carolina music scene, and an absolute FORCE in the national bluegrass scene. The band won a 2012 Grammy for “Best Bluegrass Album,” and their recordings have routinely topped the Billboard bluegrass charts for more than a decade. They are also known for their work with comedian-actor and musician Steve Martin, with whom they routinely tour.

Episode 25 – C.J. BOX: #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author

In this episode of Waypoints, Jim sits down with C. J. Box, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, an avid angler, and a world traveler. C.J. is the author of 27 novels including the hugely popular Joe Pickett series that tell the ongoing story of a Wyoming game warden who throughout the series has taken on environmental terrorists, rogue federal land managers, animal mutilators, crazed cowboy hitmen, corrupt bureaucrats, homicidal animal rights advocates, and violent dysfunctional families.

Episode 24 – ANDY MILL: Ski Racing, Tarpon Fishing, and the Quest for the Ultimate Sporting Life

Andy Mill is a name that is well-known in numerous outdoor circles – from the slopes of the world’s great downhill courses to the tarpon flats of the Florida Keys. Since first hitting the scene as a young downhill ski racer on the US national team in the 1970s, Andy’s life has been full of non-stop adventures and travels. His occupations have included Olympic athlete, broadcaster, author, television host and – of course, professional angler and tournament legend. In this episode of WAYPOINTS, Andy talks about what it takes to be a successful tarpon angler, his love of travel, how a competitive background in ski racing helped with his saltwater fishing tournament success, the what he sees as the most rewarding aspects of fishing.

Episode 23 – JIM KLUG, BEN BULIS, BRYAN GREGSON: The Impact of Coronavirus on Destination Angling and the Fly Fishing Industry as a Whole

In this April 2020 episode of WAYPOINTS, host Jim Klug and his two guests discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 virus and the world-wide shutdown on fly fishing travel, the international network of lodges, guides and outfitters, and on the fly fishing industry as a whole. Jim is joined on the show by Ben Bulis (president of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association) and Bryan Gregson (legendary fishing photographer and world traveler) for a very open discussion about how this situation has and will change the world of destination angling. D

Episode 22 – GARY LEINEN AND KIMBERLEY FRANKE: The Realities of COVID-19 for the Traveling Angler

Since COVID-19 first appeared in Wuhan, China in December of 2019, the effects on this new coronavirus on global economies and the travel industry have been dramatic. Many of those that travel the world to fish want to know how this event is actually impacting travel logistics, our ability to fish, and the destinations we love so much. To address this situation, we’ve sat down with Gary Leinen and Kimberly Franke – two people who are experts in their fields.

Episode 21 – JEFF CURRIER: A Lifetime of Fly Fishing the World

With over forty years of fly fishing the world, Jeff Currier has quite possibly fished more countries (60 and counting) and caught more species (over 400 and counting) with a fly rod than any person alive. Jeff is constantly traveling and developing new techniques for catching the most exotic fish imaginable in places where even the most avid adventurers are at times hesitant to go! As an active lecturer, published author, accomplished artist, IGFA World Record holder, and the subject of numerous films, articles, and media projects, Jeff is a fly fishing personality that is as entertaining and educational as he is legitimate.

Episode 20 – WILL BLAIR: Fly Fishing the Legendary Waters of Kamchatka

Will Blair is one of the godfathers of fly fishing in Kamchatka. Since 1997, Will has helped pioneer some of the top fisheries on the Kamchatka Peninsula, developing and offering what is arguably one of the best rainbow trout fishing experiences found anywhere on the planet…Read More

Episode 19 – JIM BARTSCHI: An Industry Icon Talks Fly Rod Design, Travel and the State of Destination Angling

Jim Bartschi is the President and head rod designer at Scott Fly Rods in Montrose, Colorado. With close to 30 years at Scott, Jim has devoted his entire career to the fly fishing industry – building and testing some of the finest rods in the world…Read More

Episode 18 – CHARLIE CONN: Taimen Fishing and the Draw of Mongolia

This episode of Waypoints features Charlie Conn, an accomplished international angler, explorer, guide and conservationist. After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, Minnesota (1994) with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Charlie moved to Livingston, Montana to work for Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop…Read More

Episode 17 – MARCELO PÉREZ: Bolivian Golden Dorado and a Life of Adventure

Writer, architect, explorer, and founder of Untamed Angling are only a few of the titles held by Argentinian dorado aficionado, Marcelo Pérez…Read More

Episode 16 – TOM BIE: Travel Writing and the State of Fly Fishing Media

Tom Bie is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of The Drake Magazine, fly fishing’s grassroots journal that over the past 22 years has become a powerhouse in the industry…Read More

Episode 15 – NICK BOWLES: Fly Fishing the Desert – Queenfishing in the UAE

Acrobatic queenfish, manmade reefs, massive skyscrapers, and indoor ski areas are only a few of the things that make Dubai one of the most unusual destinations in the world of fly fishing…Read More

Episode 14 – KEITH CLOVER AND ROB SCOTT: Pioneering African Waters

Since 2004, South Africans Rob Scott and Keith Clover have been pioneering some of the most exciting fishing opportunities in Africa, opening and establishing fisheries in Tanzania, Cameroon, Gabon, Lesotho, Sudan and of course South Africa…Read More

Episode 13 – TUCKER LADD: Gear and Equipment for the Traveling Angler

Tucker Ladd is the owner of Trouts Fly Fishing, a Denver, Colorado-based fly shop and outfitting service. Tucker has spent his entire professional career in the fly fishing industry, where he has worked as a fishing guide, fly shop employee, and now a shop owner with two locations…Read More

Episode 12 – ALEC GERBEC: Understanding and Explaining Tides for the Saltwater Angler

Alec Gerbec has guided for years in some of the world’s finest fresh and saltwater destinations. He spent eight years working in Bristol Bay, Alaska at Enchanted Lake Lodge and four years guiding in the Seychelles – one of the most tide-dependent fisheries in all of fly fishing…Read More

Episode 11 – ARNO MATTHEE: South African Angling Legend

Arno Matthee is an absolute legend in the world of adventure angling and exploratory travel. He grew up in South Africa, where he cut his teeth on yellowfish before heading to the outer atolls of the Seychelles when that fishery was still very much in its infancy…Read More

Episode 10 – Checking in on Abaco and Grand Bahama – October 2019 Updates Post Hurricane Dorian

On the first two days of September 2019, Hurricane Dorian – a Category 5 storm – hit the Bahamian islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. For two days, the islands were pummeled by sustained winds of 185 miles per hour, with maximum gusts in excess of 220…Read More

Episode 9 – KIMBERLY FRANKE: Trip Insurance and Evac Coverage for the Traveling Angler – Deciphering the Ins-and-Outs

Kimberly Franke is the founder and principal for Kanna Travel Services, a Montana-based, full-service travel agency that specializes in trip logistics, flight ticketing, and insurance solutions for adventure and sporting travel…Read More

Episode 8 – WIL FLACK: Feeding Permit–Tips and Techniques for Chasing the Black-Tailed Devil

Permit and steelhead addict Wil Flack have been living, guiding, and working in Belize for close to 20 years. Wil owns Tres Pescados Fly Shop on Ambergris Caye as well as the Belize Permit Club further to the south in Hopkins, Belize…Read More

Episode 7 – SHAUN LAWSON: The Realities of Fly Fishing in Mexico

Shaun Lawson is Yellow Dog’s program manager and director for our Yucatán, Baja, and Canadian programs. Shaun grew up on the Henry’s Fork River – literally…Read More

Episode 6 – DEVAN VAN DER MERWE: Fly Fishing Throughout the Seychelles

Devan Van Der Merwe is the general manager for Alphonse Fishing Company in the Seychelles. With more than a decade of guiding and working in the Seychelles, he knows the region and the out-island fisheries as well as anyone alive…Read More

Episode 5 – JAKE WELLS: Planning the Perfect Trip to Montana

Based in Bozeman, Montana, Jake Wells is Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures’ program director for all U.S. West programs, including the largest of those offerings – Montana…Read More

Episode 4 – BRYAN GREGSON: Photography Tips and Tricks For the Traveling Angler

Professional photographer Bryan Gregson has established an incredible reputation in the world of fly fishing as one of the most accomplished and well-traveled angling photographers in the world…Read More

Episode 3 – CAMILLE EGDORF: Alaska Trip Planning and How To Do It Right

Camille Egdorf is a Montana native who grew up splitting time between her home in Hardin, Montana, and her parents fishing camp in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska…Read More

Episode 2 – MIKE TAYLOE: What To Do When the Shit Hits the Fan – Straightforward, No-Nonsense Advice and the Emergency Action Plan For the Traveling Angler

Mike Tayloe is the co-owner and Director of Operations for Finns West, a unique company in the fly fishing industry that provides Wilderness First Aid courses and Emergency Action Plan development for fly fishing lodges, outfitters, guides and staff…Read More

Episode 1 – BRIAN O’KEEFE: The Dos Equis-Man of Fly Fishing Discusses A Life of Fishing Adventure

Fly fishing legend and industry veteran Brian O’Keefe has traveled to some of the wildest and most remote angling destinations in the world, including Sierra Leone, Tonga, Bikini Atoll, the Seychelles, Kenya, Cuba, Kashmir, Nicaragua, Venezuela and more…Read More

Introducing WAYPOINTS Overview – With Jim Klug

Founder and Director of Operations for Bozeman, Montana-based Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures (www.yellowdogflyfishing.com), Jim began working in the fly fishing industry at the age of 14…Read More