Trout Wrangler Podcast

In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with Lowcountry D — better known to many as the "old dude on Instagram" — to talk about the story behind the personality and a lifetime spent around fly fishing.
We dive into his background in the sport, including his time living and working at a campground in Alaska, where he spent his summers fishing as much as possible under long days of nearly endless daylight. He shares what that lifestyle looked like, the realities of being up there, and how those experiences shaped him as an angler.
We also get into life after Alaska — what he's fishing these days, his current home waters in the Lowcountry, and what makes that fishery unique compared to others.
Of course, we get into some stories — including close calls and sketchy moments on the water — along with some of the coolest interactions he's had through building his presence as Lowcountry D.
We wrap things up with five songs for the Trout Tunes Spotify playlist, plus final thanks and plugs.
If you're into fly fishing stories, unique paths into the sport, and the personalities that make it fun, this is one you won't want to miss.
 
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In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with fly angler and content creator Pete Kaple, the voice behind Skiff Wanderer, to talk about storytelling, travel, and life built around chasing fish.
Pete shares how he first got into fly fishing and the moments and fisheries that truly hooked him on the sport. We dive into his approach to creating content, what makes a fishing story resonate beyond just catching fish, and how he's built a unique voice in the fly-fishing space.
We also talk about the places that have stood out most throughout his travels, bucket-list destinations still on his radar, and the gear he relies on day-to-day while exploring new water.
A big part of the conversation focuses on conservation and responsibility — from common mistakes anglers make in shallow water fisheries to how we can all explore new places without putting unnecessary pressure on fragile ecosystems.
We also get into how fishing has shaped Pete's mindset and lifestyle, what keeps him motivated to keep creating, and what's next for Skiff Wanderer moving forward.
We wrap things up with five songs for the Trout Tunes Spotify playlist, plus final thanks and plugs.
If you're into fly fishing travel, storytelling, and the lifestyle side of the sport, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
 
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In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with Chase from Xcalak on the Fly to talk about one of the most unique and remote saltwater fly-fishing destinations in the world — Xcalak.
We dive into how Xcalak on the Fly came to life and the inspiration behind building a lodge focused on giving anglers a true, unplugged experience in a world-class fishery. Chase also shares the story behind Casa Paraiso and how it became the heart of the entire operation.
We break down what a typical all-inclusive fishing day looks like, from early mornings on the water to evenings back at the lodge, and how their team helps anglers target species like permit, bonefish, tarpon, and snook throughout the week.
Chase explains how they decide between wading the flats and fishing from a panga, how they coach anglers differently depending on the approach, and what makes Xcalak such a special place to fish — from the quiet village atmosphere to the untouched water along Mexico's southern Caribbean coast.
We also get into the lodge experience off the water, including the nightly routine of food, stories, and connecting with other anglers after a long day chasing fish.
Of course, we talk permit — including key techniques and mindset shifts that can help anglers improve their success with one of the most challenging species in fly fishing.
We wrap things up with some great stories from the water, including memorable clients and trips, plus five songs for the Trout Tunes Spotify playlist, along with final thanks and plugs.
If you've ever dreamed about a destination saltwater fly fishing trip, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.
 
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In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with Evan from SweetWater Brewing Company to talk about the intersection of craft beer, outdoor culture, and conservation.
Evan gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how SweetWater got started and how the brand built such a strong connection to the outdoors — especially within the fishing and fly-fishing communities. We dive into how water, conservation, and time outside became core pillars of the company's identity.
We also get into the story behind SweetWater 420 Fest, including how the idea originally came about, what makes it different from other music festivals, and how it has grown into one of the most recognizable events in the outdoor and music space.
Along the way, we talk about the role conservation plays at SweetWater, the environmental initiatives they support, and why protecting clean water is so important to the brand. We also get into why so many anglers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts connect with SweetWater, along with a look at beers inspired by the outdoors.
We wrap things up with five songs for the Trout Tunes Spotify playlist, plus final thanks and plugs.
If you're into fly fishing, outdoor culture, and good beer, this is a fun one you won't want to miss.
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In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with Heather Harkavy to talk about using fly fishing as a tool for education, conservation, and meaningful impact.
Heather shares how she first got into fly fishing and the journey that led her to building a career centered around the sport, youth education, and conservation work. We dive into the origin story of Fish for Change, and the inspiration behind creating a program that goes far beyond just catching fish.
We talk about the core philosophy behind Fish for Change, what a typical trip looks like for students, and how cultural exchange and community partnerships play a huge role in shaping the experience. Heather also explains why it's so important to introduce younger generations to fly fishing and conservation, and how their scholarship program is helping make the sport more accessible to a wider audience.
Along the way, she shares some of the most powerful moments she's witnessed through the program and reflects on what fly fishing means to her today compared to when she first started.
We wrap things up by talking about what's next for Fish for Change in the coming years, followed by five songs for the Trout Tunes Spotify playlist, plus final thanks and plugs.
If you're interested in the impact side of fly fishing and how the sport can create real change, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Fish for change website: https://www.fishforchange.org/
Fish For Change socials: @Fishforchange
 
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