Anchored with April Vokey – Details, episodes & analysis

Rebecca McCarthy is a seasoned author and journalist with a passion for bringing historical figures and their legacies to life through storytelling. Her latest work, Norman Maclean: A Life of Letters and Rivers, offers an intimate portrait of the man behind A River Runs Through It. Drawing on her long friendship with Maclean, Rebecca intertwines personal anecdotes with broader historical insights to reveal the forces that shaped his literary achievements. Today, she joins us to explore the fascinating life of Norman Maclean and discuss her new book, which delves deep into his complex legacy. If you enjoy the show and are looking to take your learning to the next level, why not come over and check out what we’ve been up to at Anchored Outdoors. With 30 sequentially organised Masterclasses from guests of the show, we’ve proudly witnessed over 1000 members achieve promising results and confidence on the water. Want to try it out for FREE with no money down and zero commitment? Become an Anchored Insider at anchoredoutdoors.com/premium-insiders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick Passek is a passionate fly fisher with decades of experience on the water. Known for his dedication to the craft, Rick has become a respected figure in the fly fishing community, sharing his knowledge and expertise with anglers of all levels. He is an accomplished author, having written several books on fly fishing techniques, entomology, and the art of tying flies. In this episode of Anchored, we discuss his upbringing, books, and experience as a digital nomad. We cover everything from fishing BC’s interior, to the invasion of Prussian carp, roadtripping through Mexico and more. Become an Anchored Insider at www.anchoredoutdoors.com/premium-insiders/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mac Brown is the owner of Mac Brown Fly Fish and Fly Fishing Guide School in Western NC. Mac pioneered the first full-time fly fishing guide service in the region and was instrumental in establishing the Upper Nantahala River's Delayed Harvest. As an educator, Mac served as an Associate Professor at Western Carolina University, shaping the next generation of anglers and fostering the area's competitive fishing scene. Author of "Casting Angles," Mac is a Master Casting Instructor and a Southern Fly Fishing Hall of Famer. Recognized by FFI with prestigious awards, including the Mel Krieger Fly Casting Instructor Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, Mac's contributions extend beyond teaching to product development and media presence. Active in fly fishing shows and youth coaching, Mac's legacy is rooted in decades of dedication to the sport and its community. In this episode of Anchored we discuss advanced fly casting, trick casts, fly fishing’s evolution and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

***Take our Josh Niland Masterclass here!*** Josh Niland is quite possibly the hottest chef on the scene right now. Owner of the Saint Peter restaurant and Fish Butchery in Sydney, he has risen to fame for using of an average 91% of every fish he buys. This September, Josh released his “Whole Fish Cookbook”, which serves as a guide for chefs, home cooks, and anglers who are also looking to waste less of their fish. His recipes range from fish eye chips to milt mortadella, as well as over 50 recipes for the fillets and prime cuts.  I’ve been working through Josh’s book for a series I’ve been writing over at MeatEater called “Nostril to Caudal.” Josh’s knowledge, guidance, and recipes have singlehandedly changed how I clean, process, and cook fish in my own home. I’ve gone from being skeptical and squeamish to craving fish heads, livers, throats, and more.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Josh to discuss how he came to be one of the world’s most sought-after chefs, and why he chose to focus specifically on seafood. We discuss why fish should be dry-handled and kept away from water, as well as how and why to age fish, the best method to gut them, the differences between farmed and wild-caught fish, and whether fresh fish is really best. This episode of Anchored is brought to you by PosterBurner Buy Josh's Book: The Whole Fish Cookbook: New Ways to Cook, Eat and Think Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meredith McCord is a keen angler, professional trip host, and world traveler. Today she holds 180 records through the IGFA, and she shows no signs of slowing down. Meredith has worked her entire career to make it so that she can fish as often as possible. In the second part of this two-part episode of Anchored, we wrap up Meredith’s timeline and discuss tipping guides, mellowing out, being lonely and the real reason she continues to chase records.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meredith McCord is a keen angler, professional trip host, and world traveler. Today she holds 180 records through the IGFA, and she shows no signs of slowing down. Meredith has worked her entire career to make it so that she can fish as often as possible. In Part One of this two-part episode of Anchored, we discuss chasing records, how she got into the fishing industry, and the rumors she’d like to address. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Land Tawney is the President and CEO of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. The organisation is a non-profit sportsmen's group based in Montana.  In this episode of Anchored, I sit down with Land to get a better understanding of what he and BHA do. We discuss public land, taking action, handling criticism and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Gierach is one of the most iconic fishing writers of all time. Having published 20 books and countless articles, it’s been said that John may be the only fly fishing writer who’s made a decent living at the craft. It’s not hard to believe—John’s talent for bringing words to life is something only time and dedication can master. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with John for the first time at his home in Colorado. He lets me pick his brain about his upbringing and life as an author, as well as his thoughts on staying passionate about fishing, being a trout bum, climate change, and the use of profanity. Buy John's Books: Trout Bum, A Fly Rod of Your Own Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) is the sole trade organisation for the fly fishing industry. Over the years, AFFTA has worked hard to grow the industry, all while balancing the tricky task of sustainability and diversification.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet up with Ben Bulis, the organisation’s president, and Matt Smythe, the communications and membership director. We discuss the size of the industry, overseas manufacturers, guide protection, tolerance, inclusion, pro deals, and the pink it and shrink it strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jen Ripple is the owner and editor-in-chief of Dun Magazine, an international women’s fly fishing publication—the first of its kind. I met Jen about six years ago when she was just getting Dun off the ground. I found her perspective on the fishing industry refreshing, so I was excited when our paths crossed and we could sit down to record a conversation. In this episode of Anchored, Jen and I discuss what it’s like to pick up fly fishing later in life, the risks of starting the industry’s first female-only magazine, empowerment, dating people who don’t fish, plus we take a closer look at the fishing-in-bikinis controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices