Fish

In this episode of Anchored, we discuss the challenges facing Alberta’s fisheries, and how anglers, advocates, and conservationists are working together to tackle issues like fish entrainment and habitat protection.
Chasing musky on the fly is one of the most exciting challenges in freshwater fishing. These fish are big, smart, and demanding, which means your setup has to be dialed in from the start. Without the right balance of rods, lines, and leaders, even the best day on the water can leave you tired and frustrated.
Diane Michelin is a Canadian watercolour artist whose work is deeply rooted in the spirit and subtleties of fly fishing. Born in Montreal, she now lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Diane draws inspiration from the landscape, water, wildlife, flies, rods and reels, and the human moments that make up the fly-fishing experience. Over her career, she has built a global presence, with her work housed in private collections, fishing lodges, and museums around the world.
Some days, no matter what you throw, the fish just won’t bite. That’s when having a versatile, lifelike baitfish pattern can turn your day around. The Code Breaker is designed for those exact moments. It’s an imitation that looks natural in the water, carries just the right amount of flash, and holds up to hours of casting.
James Christmas is an accomplished fishing guide whose career has taken him from the remote flats of the Seychelles to destinations across the globe. Alongside his guiding, he has designed influential flies such as the NYAP (Not Your Average Popper), patterns now used by anglers worldwide.
Musky are called the fish of ten thousand casts for a reason, and if you’re going to put in that kind of effort, your gear needs to be dialed in. In this article, we’re drawing on Rick Kustich’s expertise to walk through how to rig your fly rod for musky. We’ll cover rods, lines, leaders, and bite guards, with simple explanations that will help you fish smarter and stay in the game longer.
Brian Silvey is a legendary Oregon guide and fly designer who has spent more than thirty years on the Deschutes, Sandy, and Clackamas Rivers. Known for his innovative patterns, he’s guided generations of anglers while sharing a lifetime of knowledge about the rivers, fish, and techniques that define Northwest fly fishing. In this episode of Anchored, he joins me to do just that.
When Tim Arsenault first picked up a fly rod as a teenager, he had no idea where it would lead. From fishing local rivers in South Surrey to falling headfirst into the world of steelhead and spey casting, his journey has been anything but ordinary. Today, Tim is the driving force behind Bridge Fly Lines, a company that started with curiosity, competition, and a lot of trial and error.
Nick Lyons is a renowned fly fisher, author, and publisher whose influence has shaped the landscape of modern angling literature. A former professor of English at Hunter College, Lyons left academia to pursue his passion for writing and publishing, founding Lyons Press—a company that became one of the most respected publishers of outdoor and sporting books.
When it comes to fishing big water with two anglers in the boat, getting your presentation right is only half the battle. The other half is boat control. Without it, you’ll waste casts, fight the wind, and unintentionally favor one angler over the other.
Jon’s story is one of perseverance, perspective, and purpose—both as an accomplished editor in the cultural world and as an individual reconciling creativity, caregiving, and chronic illness. In this episode of Anchored, he shares his story… one I’m hoping many of you will find inspiring.
Ever had one of those days where the usual indicator setup just isn’t cutting it? You know the fish are there, but the indicator's not moving, and frustration is setting in fast. That’s when it’s time to strip things back, literally. If you haven’t tried naked nymphing with a floating line, you could be missing out on one of the most effective ways to fish stillwater...