Admittedly, I’ve resisted listening to podcasts.

I mean, for that matter, it’s been quite a transition to go from owning my music, as LPs than as CDs, to renting it over streaming services, so there you go. Technology has moved so quickly during the last 20 years, it’s been a challenge to keep up. Story be told, a few years ago, my son and I were driving for several hours from the Au Sable River back to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to catch a plane home when he put on Joe Rogan, his fav., to help pass the time. Rogan must be at the top of the podcast world, with a recent contract from Spotify for some $100 million. Some of his interviews are fascinating, many of them don’t appeal to me, but from his content price tag, I can see I must be way at the back of the room. That’s OK. Anyway, I came away from that trip thinking I should probably at least give listening to podcasts a chance.

Back here in the land of fly fishing, I’ve only found two podcasts I enjoy. The reasons for such a short list vary, but many podcasts are infrequent, such as Fly Fish Food Shop Talk Podcast, from an absolute favorite source for fly tying videos (400 strong) and forward-materials shop in Orem, Utah. The last podcast drop dates from Dec. 17 with the previous drop on Sept. 23. I’m sure I would become a loyal listener if they provided more consistent frequency.

Also, I simply don’t have an audio attention span past an hour, tops, and I don’t like listening to podcasts in several sittings. For me, this knocks out lots of fishing podcasts, some which run to four hours. To pull that amount of time with a guests, or guests, off, you have to be a truly gifted interviewer.

Anchored with April Vokey

If you look at Vokey’s site you’ll find this British Colombia guide and entrepreneur has a lot of options, including a members’ only area and a second blog. She pulls in interesting guests, such as Clint Goyette who speaks about Czech Nymphing on the latest episode. As a 12-time champion fly fishing competitor, he certainly has the credentials to discuss the newer “love it or hate it” fly fishing phenomenon. Her topics also include hunting and what for lack of a better word I’ll call “survival tactics.” Good stuff, around an hour long.

Next is the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast.

Tom Rosenbauer also does a fascinating job interviewing those on the inside of our sport. Artists, fly shop general managers, guides, biologists almost all make interesting guests. But my hunch is that most tune in for The Fly Box feature in which Tom takes listener questions. For example, “Is there are easier way to balance a fly rod than buying a heavier reel?” Or, “How do I get my parents to approve of my fly-fishing passion?” Even where to donate flies you don’t want. It’s around and hour and a half long, just about right for listening while cooking dinner.

If you are new to podcasting, you can download a player to your cellphone. The one I use is Overcast. You can subscribe to the ones you like and they will automatically download, so you can listen on your own time. It’s also easy to cancel a podcast if you’re no longer interested.

If you have a podcast recommendation, please share it. Even with the vaccine available, we’ve got a ways to go and lots more time on our hands. Fingers crossed that by Opening Day, we will all be back to something much more normal than now.

See you on the river, Jim Burns