Fin & Fire with Jeff Mishler

Episode 35 Featuring Steve Rajeff--- World Champion Tournament Caster and Rod Designer

Steve Rajeff has won more all-around fly casting tournaments than anyone in the history of the game.  He has been called the best amateur athlete of all time. His dedication to a life of fly fishing has produced immeasurable contributions to the culture we love. In this episode of Fin and Fire With Jeff Mishler, I sit with Steve in his home in SW Washington and dig into the past of the man who showed the world what was possible with a fly rod.

Episode 34 Featuring John Shewey--- Hunter, Angler, Writer, Editor and Master Fly Tyer

If you fly fish for steelhead you probably know of John Shewey's work and contribution to the culture.  Not only is he a great storyteller and communicator, but his passion for the outdoors is apparent in the tales he shares about decades of pursuit. We lived parallel lives in different parts of the state as we perfected our craft. This podcast represents a full circle connection that is long overdue.  

Episode 33 Featuring Kate and Justin Crump---Owners of The Lodge at 58 North

Shared passions can produce great outcomes.  In this episode of Fin and Fire with Jeff Mishler I sit with Kate and Justin Crump in their lodge on the Oregon Coast and dive into their story.  I discover what makes their recipe a success and what the future holds for The Lodge at 58 North and their Oregon programs. 

Episode 32 Featuring Peter Knox---Fly Rod Designer at Sage Manufacturing

Sage Fly Rods are known as a high design, high line speed, high technology product. In this episode of Fin and Fire with Jeff Mishler I sit with Peter Knox, an engineer and fly rod designer for Sage and dive into the essence of a fly rod.  We also visit his journey to this point in life and learn that a local kid with a passion can realize his dream.  

Episode 31 Featuring Mark Holyoak---Communication Director, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

For the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, protecting everything related to healthy elk populations involves so much more than focusing on just the regal bull elk. In this episode of Fin And Fire With Jeff Mishler, I chat with Mark Holyoak, Communication Director for the RMEF at their headquarters in Missoula, Montana about the successes of the organization and why it is so effective at maintaining a huge membership.  I also ask questions related to a previous podcast with ODFW about controlled hunts and where the RMEF finds common ground with government agencies. 

Episode 30 Featuring Kevin Sloan---CEO and Founder of Skwala Fishing

Launching a top-of-the-line fly fishing apparel brand into a market known for quality products is the kind of challenge Kevin Sloan has faced for decades. As a founder of the brands Sitka and MeatEater, Kevin has unique insights and experiences from his successful past and presents a vision for his new venture, Skwala Fishing. In this episode of Fin and Fire With Jeff Mishler I sit with Kevin in Bozeman Montana and go deep into the design and branding of a quality product.

Episode 29 Featuring Spencer Sawaske---Outdoorsman and Hydrologist/Instream Scientist with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

In this episode of Fin and Fire with Jeff Mishler I dive into the challenges of water management in the State of Oregon and discover that it boils down to the relationships between the landowners and the state agencies. In Oregon, Spencer works at the epicenter of these relationships.  He's also a prolific hunter/angler and we trade stories about our pursuits of the elusive Blacktail bucks of western Oregon. 

Episode 28 Featuring Jeff Hickman---Lodge Owner and Outfitter Driven by Passion and Ethics.

A solid work ethic produces results.  Jeff Hickman is an example of this.  From humble beginnings to his role today as a father, husband, lodge owner, outfitter, property owner and conservationist, Jeff's story is an inspiration for anyone considering a life or career immersed in the world of fly fishing. 

Episode 27 Featuring Justin Dion---Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Game Department

Big Game hunting seasons often change but when they go from an over the counter tag to a controlled hunt, the hunting public is often left with many questions. In this episode of Fin and Fire With Jeff Mishler I sit down with Justin Dion from ODFW, Game Department and ask some tough questions about why my favorite units to hunt elk have moved to a controlled hunt and whether or not those management changes make a difference. In the process, I learn that if I took more advantage of the application process, my overall hunting experience would most likely improve. 

Episode 26 Featuring Guido Rahr---President And CEO of The Wild Salmon Center

After 30 years of sharing rivers and life experiences, Guido and I sit down for a deeper discussion focused on his evolution as an angler and the commitment he made to saving wild salmon and steelhead.  In this episode of Fin and Fire With Jeff Mishler I ask Guido tough questions about the future of conservation and how the Wild Salmon Center is preparing for it.