Host John McMillan interviews Matt Sloat to discuss one of the most interesting questions about steelhead and rainbow trout: Why does one fish go to sea while the other does not? It's more complicated than you think, but also simpler than you would surmise. They explain why there are so many big rainbow trout in Alaska, while there are so many steelhead in places like the Olympic Peninsula. Tune in for your steelhead fix and to learn more about their cool biology.

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In this episode I interview filmmaker Shane Anderson as we discuss our snorkel survey in the upper Elwha River in the summer of 2020. The trip required a 16-mile hike, then more hiking to access the upper canyon, snorkeling 6-miles in the rain and cold, and Shane somehow following everyone down the canyon while carrying his camera equipment. We also discuss how I nearly lost my teeth and the pure exhilaration once we found the holy grail -- a school of wild summer steelhead. Tune in for all of this and more, as Shane and I reflect on one of the greatest experiences in our life.

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Another interview from the original Barbless OP Flyfishing Podcast. In this episode John interviews Ruth Simms, an angler and engineer from the PNW who is also a Native American that loves to fly fish. Ruth has been fishing since a young age, and fly fishing for the past decade. We take a deep dive into her background, education, why she loves fly fishing, and how her interest in engineering has helped her become a better angler. Join us to learn more about Ruth and her passion for angling and why she spends so much time on the river (and lakes and the ocean, or wherever the fishing takes her).

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