Explore every episode of the podcast Emerging

Lael Paul Johnson is one of the best steelhead guides out there. Period. Known for his passion, determination, and relentless dedication to the sport. If you see Lael on the water, watch and learn. If you see Lael on land, it’s probably not steelhead season.

Tune in to this episode to pick up some of Lael’s best steelheading tricks—but more than that, hear how he traded a career as a brain surgeon for life as a fly-fishing guide. Which one is more technical? We’ll let Lael tell you.

Check out some of Lael's work below!

flygyde.com

@laelpauljohnson

laelpjohnson.com

In this Episode we are joined by Jon Coudriet, a self proclaimed brand aficionado who specializes in fly fishing photography. In this episode we talk about Jon's passion for being in the right place at the right time. How he has made a career out of photography, and how the best camera is the one that you know how to use! 

Find some of Jon's work at joncoudriet.com

• Fly Fishing photography
• Cameras
• Surfing
• Striped Marlin
• Photo Editing
• Adventure Travel
• Los Locos

A lot of young anglers dream about heading to New Zealand. Big trout, epic rivers, and pure adventure. Online it looks like a fly fishing paradise, but what’s it really like to live there and figure it all out on your own?

In this episode, we talk with 5 Rivers alum Joe Fitzgerald. Joe took the leap and moved down under to chase his dream. He shares stories from the rivers, what it’s really like to DIY your life and fishing in a new country, and tips for anyone thinking about packing up and doing it all themselves. If you’ve ever thought about heading to New Zealand to fish, this episode gives you the real, behind-the-scenes experience.

Nelson Oxley is a TU Costa 5 Rivers alumnus from St. Lawrence University who has continued to make a meaningful impact in the fishing industry well beyond his time as a club member. In this episode, we sit down with Nelson to unpack his journey as an angler, from his early days on the water to how the 5 Rivers program helped shape his path and open doors within the industry. This conversation explores personal growth, industry insight, and what it really takes to turn a love for fishing into a lasting career.

• Mayfly Outdoors
• 5 Rivers
• Musky Fishing
• 25 on the Fly
• Carp Fishing
• Fly Lords
• Fly Fishing Colorado

Brian O'Keefe recounts his five-decade journey as a fly fisherman, photographer, and writer — from early film cameras to modern iPhone photography, and from local rivers to remote saltwater destinations.

The episode mixes some of Brians best stories, from guiding Ted Williams in Alaska, to exploring deep in the jungle looking for bass, we go over it all!

Thomas is a good friend of Emerging and the OT manager of the infamous St. Peter’s Fly Shop in Fort Collins, Colorado. In this episode, we talk about shop life and what it’s like being part of a fly shop that plays a major role in its local fishing community. We dig into the day to day rhythm of working in a shop, connecting with anglers of all experience levels, and how a shop becomes more than just a place to buy gear.

We also cover Thomas’s 5 Rivers journey and his involvement with the CSU Fly Fishing Club, touching on how both experiences helped shape his path in fly fishing. Destination travel is another key part of the conversation, focusing on fishing new places and how travel influences perspective on the water. From local shop conversations to bigger-picture ideas about fly fishing, this episode keeps things grounded and experience-driven. Tune in to learn more.

Hunter Levine is the host of the highly respected Captains Collective podcast, where he’s spent years sharing stories, lessons, and wisdom from captains and outdoorsmen across the country. Known for his thoughtful interview style and time spent on the road chasing conversations, Hunter has built a show that goes far beyond fishing, focusing on craftsmanship, curiosity, and the people behind the passions.

In this episode, we hop on the mics together to talk about our podcasting experiences, swap stories from the road, and highlight some of Hunter’s favorite past guests. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes podcast talk, great storytelling, and conversations that feel genuine and unscripted, this episode is definitely worth a listen.

The Braker Bros are favorite filmmakers in the fly fishing world. Based out of Fort Collins, Colorado, brothers Andrew and Eric Braker have taken the initiative to create films that conserve. Their motto says it all: “Using outdoor storytelling to spark sustainable change.”

Every Braker Bros film centers around a compelling story, and many of those stories support causes far bigger than the screen. From AI-powered trout identification to mountain lion conservation, these guys are always pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas.

Tune in to hear about their film projects, fishing adventures, film tour experiences, why brown trout are trash, and a whole lot more!

Heather grew up in South Florida fly fishing with her Dad from a very young age. She always knew she wanted to follow a career bringing together more young people in the sport. Throughout her time at Florida State University, Heather worked with fishing lodges and brands which really sparked a desire to find a career in fly fishing, hospitality, and youth education. She even started the 5Rivers club there! 

After college, Heather helped found an organization called Fish for Change. F4C empowers young people to become global citizens through experiential education. They host one week international programs focused on cultural exchange and conservation stewardship. 

In this Emerging episode, we break down heathers Fish for Change journey, and her best advise to those entering the real world post college!

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust's mission is to conserve bonefish, tarpon, and permit—the species, their habitats and the larger fisheries they comprise. BTT pursues this mission through science-based conservation, education, and advocacy across Florida, The Bahamas, Belize and Mexico, as well as in coastal states from Texas to Virginia. Learn more at: www.BTT.org.

Our Guest Isabel is originally from Middlebury, Vermont, Isabel grew up in a family of environmentalists and fly anglers spending summers in Twin Bridges, Montana. After graduating with a literary studies degree from the New School in New York, New York, she moved to Sarasota, Florida, to be on the Gulf Coast and take up the arduous task of learning to cast a salt fly rod. Her career in digital marketing and social media management has led her through the worlds of publishing, fine art, museums, and higher education. Through her work at BTT she shares her passion for wildlife conservation through engaging digital storytelling.

BTT FACTS relevant to the podcast:

• Spinning fish in the Florida Keys were first reported to BTT by concerned guides in late 2023. BTT and partners jumped into action beginning January 2024 (more info is available here).
• An economic impact study by BTT shows that flats fishing for bonefish contributes more than $169 million annually to the Bahamian economy.
• An economic study by BTT shows: $240 million BZE from flats fishing tourism ($120 million USD); this is 6.7% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), supports 200 + guides in the country, and a further 4000 jobs supported by flats fishing tourism. 

Alec Griswold is a co-owner of Soul Fly Lodge and Executive Director of Elevate Youth Boston. In this podcast Alec talks about his passion for change, and excitement when it comes to sharing what he loves most. Fishing, people, and access to the outdoors is what he strives to protect!

• Soul Fly Co
• Events
• Music Festivals
• Permit Fishing
• Elevate Youth Boston

Captain Frank Praznik is a national treasure. We took a deep dive in to his nuanced past in the fly fishing (and beauty) industry, from founding a fly shop to ruling the hackle market for some not so fishy reasons. Now, Frank is one of Louisiana's finest redfish guides and is poling the flats every day reeling in monster reds. 

Listen in to hear all about it! 

• Redfish on the fly
• State of the fishery
• Frank Praznik
• Captains for Clean Water
• Founding a Fly Shop
• Working in the beauty industry
• Ice fishing Fort collins

Carter Abramson joins Emerging to talk about his path from leading the Five Rivers Club at Colorado State to working in social media and community marketing at Simms Fishing Products. We get into the chaos and charm of college fishing trips, his love for discovery and fishing, and the unexpected moments that pushed him deeper into the industry.

Carter breaks down what his job at Simms really looks like—organic marketing, events, community engagement, and the team effort behind the brand’s social presence. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at Simms’ Grateful Dead partnership, from the San Francisco activation to the upcoming film Mountains of the Moon.

We wrap with Carter’s thoughts on the future: balancing passion with a career, the appeal of freelance creative work, and why staying connected to the fishing world still matters most.

• Simms Fishing Products 

• Colorado State University

• College fly fishing trips and stories

• Guiding and industry entry paths

• Organic social media strategy in outdoor brands

• Grateful Dead × Simms collaboration

• Outdoor content creation

• Career growth in the fly-fishing industry

Jon “JK” Kłaczkiewicz is the founder of Fish Camp and has over 20 years of experience in high-impact filmmaking and branded content. JK is a passionate and motivated media professional with a proven track record of leading and executing film, commercial, and marketing projects from development to distribution, while managing resources, budgets, crews, and talent.

As a director and producer, he has created dozens of films and campaigns that have won awards, reached millions of viewers, and inspired action. His credits include the critically acclaimed snowboard epic, “The Fourth Phase” for Red Bull Media House, the impact documentary “Tribal Waters” for Patagonia, and the annual signature ski and snowboard film projects for Teton Gravity Research. He loves collaborating with creative professionals, growing strong teams, and tackling a variety of challenges along the way with the goal to tell stories that matter.

In 2018 Jon directed “Beyond The Horizon” winning the Best Film at the Fly Fishing film awards. In this Emerging episode we talk about all of JK's film expirence, and his newest endeavor - FISH CAMP

In this episode of Emerging, we sit down with Bennett Kittleson, a 5 Rivers student whose time with the CU Fly Fishing Club has opened the door to a role with Flylords. Bennett talks about what drew him into the industry, the excitement of capturing authentic fly-fishing moments online, and the places he hopes the sport will take him next.

His enthusiasm for community, storytelling, and chasing new water makes this a fun look at someone building a life around the outdoors.

  • Flylords internship and social media • CU Boulder Fly Fishing Club  • Dry fly fishing • Colorado fly fishing • Outdoor career paths • International fly fishing aspirations

Craig Mathews has done it all - guide, author, conservationist, and one of the most respected names in modern fly fishing. Founder of Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone and author of Pheasant Tail Simplicity: Recipes and Techniques for Successful Fly Fishing, Craig has built a life around clean waters and honest fly design. In this episode, we dive into his latest book, some of his trout fishing techniques, and many of his past story's from his journey! 

At the 2025 Western Rendezvous, we were joined by Jason Faerman and Lincoln Key from Yakoda Supply, a proud supporter of Trout Unlimited’s 5 Rivers program. Yakoda was fired up to join the podcast and share their story! From Funky P Flies to their signature purple hip packs, Yakoda continues to stand out by doing things differently.

Tune in to hear how Yakoda was born, what the name means, and how Jason and Lincoln are inspiring others to give back and keep fly fishing creative, intentional, and just a little bit funky.

Tyler is the current president of the University of Wyoming Fly Fishing Club and a lifelong lover of the great outdoors. His main passion lies in studying and protecting the lands we all cherish and recreate on. In this episode, Tyler walks us through his master’s research on biodegradable fishing products and how they fit into the fly fishing world. From durability and popularity to awareness and adoption, Tyler dove deep to explore whether and how fishing line can or should be changed for the better.

Colby Acuff is one of country music’s most inspiring new voices, breaking through with a style defined by passionate and honest songwriting. He blends his love for the outdoors with the soul of country music—whether it’s fly fishing on a quiet stream or duck hunting at sunrise, Colby’s songs create the perfect soundtrack for anyone who feels at home outside.

His latest project, the YouTube series Fin and Feather, takes that connection even further. Traveling across the country, Colby shines a light on guides and natural resources that often go overlooked, celebrating not just the fish or the birds, but the people and places that make the outdoors so meaningful.

Catch Colby on tour HERE

Watch Fin and Feather HERE

At the 2025 western rendezvous, around 85 college students went to the Yampa river to plant trees! Listen in to learn about the event, tree planting, and some awesome conservation happening in northern Colorado!

The annual TU Costa 5 Rivers Ambassadors Summit is, simply put, the greatest event a college angler can attend. This past August, eight club leaders from across the country gathered on the Wind River Reservation to celebrate the core values of 5 Rivers: community, conservation, and fly fishing.

5 rivers coordinator, and past Emerging host, Cliff Watson joins in this episode to fill us in on all the details from the 2025 summit, and share some more exciting news for the upcoming semester including merch, rendezvouses, and fundraising opportunities! 

In this episode we sit down with Johann, executive director of the Indifly Foundation. Our conversation explores the incredible people, places, and potential impact that community-driven conservation holds for the world. While Johann’s work spans globally, we focused on the Wind River Reservation project and the TU Costa 5 Rivers Ambassadors Summit.

Please spend some time researching Indifly and consider supporting them at the links below:

Indifly  

Instagram  

More! 

Joe Gugino has been making his way in the fly fishing world for years. From serving on Trout Unlimited’s headwaters board to his time as Costa Sunglasses’ Community & Conservation partnership Manager, Joe’s passion for connection and sustainability runs deep. Now, he's onto his next big chapter with the launch of Agave Co, a mission-driven creative agency he co-founded alongside longtime collaborators Hannah Trotter and Matt Shilling. Together, this all-star team is helping brands in the fishing and outdoor industries align with values that matter—conservation, authenticity, and community.

In this episode of Emerging, Joe gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Agave Co.’s work with clients like Colby Acuff, whose new YouTube series Fin and Feather brings storytelling and fly fishing together, and Los Locos, whose Marlin Fly Project redefines conservation-based travel. Tune in for honest reflections, good stories, and some behind the scenes stories of how these projects arise.

If you’re heading to Boston and want to hook into some striped bass (or stripaahhs, as Joe would say), he also runs Fish Boston—the #1 striper charter out of Boston Harbor. Whether you are in the city Joe will come pick you up to fish. Whether at the airport, casino, or downtown, Joe's got you covered!

Cheech needs no introduction within the fly fishing community. He's a teacher, fly shop owner, personality, and great dude. We caught up at the Denver Fly Fishing Show and had a great little chat, tune it for his great fishing advise!

Kurt Upham has been mentoring host Joe Tardif for years now in all things outdoors. He's a master of ticks and mosquitos along with the dangers that come with being in the woods with them. In this episode we go over how to stay safe and knowledgeable about the dangerous critters crawling around you! In between the ticks and mosquitoes enjoy some hunting memories we've shared along the way.

From the medical industry to a fly fishing lodge, the crew at 4 Corners Lodge brings true passion to everything they do. Marvin, Arturo, and Chuck are committed to offering a unique, responsible, and stewardly experience for both their guests and the land. With offerings like tagging teams, safari-style fly fishing expeditions, and world class dining, this is more than just a lodge. It is an adventure. If you’re looking to fish Costa Rica, there is no better place to start!

Instagram: @4cornerscr

Website: https://4cornerscostarica.com/

Joshua and Samantha Schwartz have built a unique fly fishing experience that’s different from most. Using their passion and past experiences, the two have settled into this business and work every day to perfect their craft. Samantha runs the back-of-house operations, while Josh uses his kitchen and fishing to run the front and satisfy every guest that walks in the door.

Tune in to hear about the Travel Creel product, some destination fishing tips and tricks, Josh’s French Laundry secrets, and how the couple blends hospitality, adventure, and culinary skill into every trip. Plus, don’t miss an exclusive discount only available to Emerging listeners.

Find travel Creel

Website: https://www.travelcreel.com/ 

Instagram: @Travelcreel

In this short episode, we sit down with Son Tao a true master of fly tying whose intricate work and dedication have earned him a devoted following across social media. Son shares his journey from passionate hobbyist to respected leader in the fly-tying community. He also offers valuable insights on staying confident and creative as an artist, plus a few of his favorite tips and tricks to elevate your own craft.

Joe Fitzgerald is a recent 5 Rivers alum who's had a packed year post-grad, traveling across North America filming and photographing some of the best fishing the continent has to offer. Most recently, he's been on the road with the Fly Fishing Film Tour as a content creator, documenting their long haul from stop to stop.

Before that, Joe was busy working on a film called "The Kids Are Alright," which highlights the TU Costa 5 Rivers Ambassador Summit and the next generation of anglers and conservationists.

In this episode, we catch up with Joe about everything he's been up to, reflect on lessons learned, and brainstorm some ideas for the future of Emerging.

Also, we announce the winner of the Costa sunglasses giveaway — tune in to see if it’s you.

Made by angles, for anglers. Born in a fishing cabin in Iceland, Himbrimi Gin was first crafted to keep cold hands warm on the river. Now available in multiple countries, Himbrimi remains true to its roots donating 5% of all profits to nature conservation efforts in Iceland as "a gesture of gratitude". Once you’ve got a bottle in hand, take a look at the label decorated with trout, flies, and the iconic loon. 

Listen in to hear about the distillery process, the fly fishing connection, and more!

Find Himbrimi here  

What began as simple, raw fishing clips with “Dad” has grown into a full blown lifestyle for the Iorg family. Now traveling the country with professional filmmakers, they’re taking fly fishing to the next level- blending adventure, family, and cinematic storytelling. 

In this episode of Emerging, we sit down with Eli, Axel, and Isla to talk fly fishing, filmmaking, and what it means to live life the way it should be. This was their first podcast appearance so there was a lot to talk about. Eli shared stories of his past fishing in Alabama, Isla shared with us how she catches all her HUGE brown trout, and Axel chimed in with some behind-the-scenes knowledge from their YouTube videos.  

Listen in to get a inside look at one of the most genuine and fishy family in America 

Instagram 

Youtube  

Family Business 

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. 

In this episode of Emerging, we sit down with Ellen Bogucki—5 Rivers Club President, former Fish for Change participant, and now intern. Ellen shares powerful stories from her time with Fish for Change, an organization dedicated to uniting youth from around the world through fly fishing, conservation, and community. From unforgettable moments on the water to the lessons learned about leadership and connection, this episode explores how one program can change lives for year and years.

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. 

In this short episode of Emerging we check in with an old friend Parker Cahill who has recently dove into a new endeavor with trout unlimited. Parker Cahill is a true TU success story. From growing up in a local Trout Unlimited chapter to becoming a leader in the CSU 5 Rivers club, he’s now making an impact as a project manager in Steamboat Springs. In this short episode, we dive into Parker’s journey, his love for the outdoors, and how he landed his current role.

The mission of Casting for Recovery is to support women who have been affected by breast cancer. CFR hosts wellness retreats centered around fly fishing to help women connect with each other, with nature, and with themselves—through shared experiences that promote healing and recovery. For the second year in a row, TU Costa 5 Rivers has partnered with CFR to raise thousands of dollars in support of this mission. This episode explores some of those efforts and includes a personal perspective from CFR alumna Kara Armano. 

Kara Armano is a great example of what Casting for Recovery is all about. She first joined as a participant and now helps lead retreats and raise money for programs on Colorado’s Western Slope. She went through breast cancer treatment during the tough isolation of the COVID years, and the experience of connecting with others through fly fishing made a lasting impact. Her story shows just how powerful these retreats can be—for healing, for community, and for moving forward. 

Giving challenge! https://givebutter.com/MDGC  

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. 

In this episode of Emerging, we take a deep dive into the outdoor apparel industry. Our guest, Joe Basta, is the co-founder of a revolutionary company based in Fort Collins, Colorado. After years of pursuing various entrepreneurial ventures, Joe and his wife, Mellisa, founded Tellus with a mission to make a meaningful impact. While many companies today pledge 1% for the planet, Tellus goes a step further—donating 100% of its profits to The Nature Conservancy, supporting the protection of land and oceans both near and far from Fort Collins. 

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. Find Tellus here: https://tellusoutdoor.com/  

Rick Takahashi is one of, if not the best fly tier in the game. Rick was “born to fish” as he says. Whether you know it or not Rick has probably influenced the life of any fly fisher. It may not be direct, but many of our favorite fly patters were either created by him or inspired by his skills. In this episode, we discussed what makes fishing and flies so interesting to Rick, and he gives us his best advice on how to become a better fly tier and angler. 

To find some of Ricks work look for the titles: “Modern Midges”, “Modern Terrestrials”, and “The Fly Tying Artist” in your local fly shops. Or find his name on Amazon 

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. 

Los Locos started as a one-time trip for a couple of friends and has since grown into a worldwide operation. Acting as a catalyst for change in local communities, Los Locos provides incredible experiences, lifelong memories, and lasting impacts on everyone involved. In this short episode, we talk about why these guys do what they do, as well as a lot about Magdalena Bay, the original Los Locos operation. Mag Bay holds incredible fishing, specifically for Marlin. Los Locos marlin fishing is “the ultimate pelagic fishing program” 

To see more from Los Locos check out their Instagram @loslocosfishing 

To learn more, or apply for a trip check out their website  

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. 

 Joseph Berney, now with Fly Lords has a history behind the mic. As an undergrad student at UGA he had the idea to start Emerging. With Berney behind the mic he spoke with some amazing guests in the industry and provided a great first season of Emerging. Now he finds himself spending time with the team at Fly Lords. In his role with them he serves as the brand partnerships director for not just Fly Lords, but also Split Reed with Fiska Media. 

In this episode of Emerging we take a look behind the scenes of your favorite Fly Lords original series, how Emerging came to be, and a little more about the passion for the environment that Joseph carries with him every day. 

Thank you to Trout Unlimited for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. 

Go check out Fly Lords!  

Fly Lords 

@FlyLords 

Emerging S1E1 

Young anglers are essential to conservation. Trout Unlimited is the premier group that engages this "headwaters" group of anglers. In this episode, we are joined by TU staff and expedition participants to learn more about how TU Expeditions are engaging high school and college aged students in leadership, conservation, teambuilding, and fly fishing. 

To check out more information on this years upcoming expeditions head over to THIS link. Or check out @tuteens + @Tucosta5rivers instagrams!

This episode dives deep into the relentless advocacy efforts of Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited, as he works to pass the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Mines Act (Good Sam Law). With 23 years of dedication, this groundbreaking legislation is set to become a cornerstone of Trout Unlimited’s mission for the next generation. The episode explores not only the details of the Good Sam Law but also the challenges and strategies involved in lobbying for conservation in Washington, D.C. Chris shares firsthand accounts of standing on the Senate floor, navigating the impact of lawmakers on environmental progress, and explaining how Trout Unlimited’s mission extends beyond just trout, and more into the greater good for wildlife, and human life.  

listen in to gain valuable insights into how environmental legislation takes shape within the U.S. government. The episode highlights significant projects such as the Klamath dam removal, the Good Sam Law, and the Great American Outdoors Act, offering sneak peeks into how these initiatives were successfully passed. Through these stories, the episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at the patience, collaboration, and persistence required to achieve major conservation victories. 

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. Thank you, Chris Wood, for joining and sharing your insight. 

Good Sam Summary  

Official Law - Congress.gov

Hurricane Helene struck in late September, taking an unexpected path through the southeastern US and hitting communities of western North Carolina hard. In this Emerging episode, Wylie Kendall (Lees-McRae) and Graem Hargrove (App State), presidents of their colleges’ fly fishing clubs and members of TU Costa 5 Rivers, discuss shifting from the usual fall trout fishing to organizing river cleanups with local communities to address post-hurricane destruction. Even though the storm has passed there is still a lot of work to be done to return rivers and communities back to normal. To understand a little more about what the storm looked like from people living in its path, and to see how anyone can help, tune in and check out the links below! 

Go Fund Me 

Lees-McRae Fly Fishing Club  

App State Fly Fishing Club 

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. 

Ranga Perera is a master of flavor. Whether he is on his home rivers of Montana or incredible destinations around the world, Ranga is known to be catching and cooking incredible meals riverside. Aside from carrying him around the world, His passions for cooking have given him a platform to preach his values: Community, diversity, and advocacy are what Ranga is all about.  

In this exclusive episode of the Emerging Podcast, we sit down for a 1-on-1 talk about Ranga’s emergence, his masterful Flavor on the Fly series with Flylords, and a shared passion for food and flavor. If you're ever wondering how to take that next step in your fly fishing journey, Ranga would tell you to keep a fish and give cooking a try. If you are not familiar with fly fishing but you enjoy eating fish, this is a great way to get inspired to see what's out there! 

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. 

Go Check out Some of The Work Ranga Has Done: 

Instagram  

Laurians table  

Flavor on the Fly  

Must Watch!

Karin Miller is the owner/CEO of Zen Tenkara: the only female owned rod company in the world. She is often out chasing exotic fish and pushing the boundaries of what most think is possible with a tenkara rod. In this exclusive episode of The Emerging Podcast she talks about her fishing experiences, the science behind tenkara, and about the diversity of the fly fishing community. Tenkara is just another tool to use to get involved more with fly fishing, conservation, and community. Listen in to learn more! 

Thank you to Trout Unlimited and Costa Sunglasses for making the Emerging Podcast and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program possible. 

Go check out Zen Tenkara!  

Shop Zen Tenkara 

Instagram 

Youtube   

Tune in for an introduction to the 5 Rivers team and a look at what’s on the horizon for college anglers. In this episode we sat down with Libby Glaser, Franklin Tate and Joe Gugino to discuss the history and future of the 5 Rivers program. 

If you have a question for us write us a message or send us a voice recording to 5rivers@tu.org. Follow us @tucosta5rivers on Instagram so you never miss an episode.

Fill out our Emerging Podcast Survey by May 31st 2023 to be entered to win a pair of Costa Sunglasses! 

5 Rivers Links 

Emerging Podcast Survey

Joe Gugino is the Conservation & Community Partnerships Manager at Costa Sunglasses. Today he talks about what Costa is and what they represent. They have many conservation initiatives and film projects.  We talk about how Costa is partnered with the TU 5 Rivers program as well as many others. Joe also shares some stories about saltwater fly fishing and the cool species he catches. 

 As we're finishing up this season of Emerging we are asking for some feedback on our show. If you fill the survey out by May 31st you will be entered to win a pair of Costa sunglasses!  You can find the link to the survey in the episode description or in our Instagram bio.  

Check out the links below to find some cool Costa gear and learn about their projects. 

Emerging Podcast Survey 

Costa's Website 

Costa’s YouTube Channel   

This is a special episode! It features guest hosts from the UW- Stevens Point fly fishing club, Paige, Riley and Eli. We talked with multiple guests from the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo. 5 Rivers had the opportunity to have a booth at the expo in St. Paul Minnesota this March.  We got to connect with young emerging anglers as well as people in the fly fishing industry. We talked to Gustavo Hiebaum, founder of SET fly fishing in Argentina, Jim Anderson with Project Healing Waters, artist Stanley Leonard, Monta Hayner with The Driftless Fly Fishing Co, Lance Prado owner of Root River Rod Co. and Hannah and Kyle, owners of Black Earth Angling Co.  

Check out the links below to learn more about all of our guests.  

Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo  

Argentina Fly Fishing  

Project Healing Waters 

Stanley Lenard Studio  

The Driftless Fly Fishing Co.  

Root River Rod Co.  

Black Earth Angling Co.  

Ellen Cander is a postdoctoral associate in the Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Science department at the University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities, where she completed her Ph.D. She earned her Ph.D. in Conservation Science with a focus on Wildlife Ecology and Management. She grew up in Idaho Falls, ID fishing, hiking, skiing, and hunting. She especially enjoyed fly fishing in the south fork of the Snake and the high mountain lakes. Her research focuses on understanding the scavenger species that visit hunter d gut piles around the different biomes of Minnesota. She currently lives in St. Paul, MN with my husband, daughter, and two dogs. Along with Artemis Sportswomen, Ellen is also very involved in Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. She has served on the Minnesota chapter board for several years. She helps plan and carry out events as well as represent the voice of the public land for Minnesota and North American conservation issues.  

Learn more about the organizations in the links below. Also, check out some of the research done at UMN.  

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers   Artemis Sportswomen  

UMN Conservation Research    

The Wright Brothers Theme Music 

Jake Jubach is the TU Costa 5 Rivers Community Engagement Intern. Jake recently graduated from Wilmington College in Ohio and is going to veterinary school at Mississippi State in June. He helps run the fly.fishing platform which is the main social media page for 5 Rivers clubs. He engages with clubs nationwide helping them organize events and share their stories. In this episode, we’ll hear some fun fishing and veterinary stories from Jake and what he's done with 5 Rivers. 

Keep updated with other 5 Rivers events on our Instagram @tucosta5rivers 

The Wright Brothers Theme Music 

Melissa Wagner is Lanesboro’s Area Fisheries Supervisor. Today we talked about her work with DNR fisheries in the driftless region of Minnesota. They do habitat work on quite a few trout streams in southeastern Minnesota. We will cover how project planning works and what information is collected for fish stocking. We will also talk about how the DNR works with Trout Unlimited.  

If you enjoy our podcast, we would love it if you left us a review on Spotify or Apple, since that helps other people find our podcast. 

For more information check out the links below! 

MN DNR 

MN Trout Unlimted  

TU Driftless Area Restoration Effort (TUDARE) 

Southern MN Stream Restoration Video  

  The Wright Brothers Theme Music 

Maggie Heumann is Trout Unlimted’s manager of volunteer operations. Maggie works with TU chapters and organizes educational opportunities around the nation. She has always been fascinated with insects and started as an entomologist. With her passion for insects and the outdoors, she loves fly fishing. Out west she is lucky enough to fish rivers in Yellowstone. Maggie also co-founded Artemis Sportswoman which facilitates women hunting and fishing events all around the nation. Tune in to hear about Maggie’s journey from studying poultry and insects, co-founding Artemis Sportswomen and working for TU.  

Check out the links below to learn more! 

TU Staff Directory 

Find Your Local TU Chapter 

Trout Unlimited Events  

More about Snake River Dams 

United Women on the Fly  

Artemis Website 

Artemis Podcast 

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The Wright Brother's Theme Music