Anchored with April Vokey

Jerry French is a co-owner of Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics (OPST). He’s also one of the driving forces behind the popular Skagit line and intruder fly—a steelhead fly that changed freshwater fishing around the world.  In this two-part episode of Anchored, I meet with Jerry at his home on Camano Island to see if I can learn more about one of the most fascinating evolutions fly fishing has ever seen.

Lori-Ann Murphy started out as a trout guide in the late 1980’s before moving to live and guide in San Pedro, Belize. She founded Reel Women Fly Fishing Adventures in 1994—the first company to offer women-only fly fishing trips all over the world. In this episode of Anchored, Lori-Ann shares her story and the struggles to become situated in a different country.

For Pacific Northwest steelheaders, Trey Combs is a household name. Trey is a fly fishing author who's written about steelhead and offshore fly fishing. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Trey at his home in Port Angeles, WA to learn more about the man who preserved the stories of fly fishing's pioneer.

Behind the walls of fame and glory live the men and women who are the true heroes of our natural world.  In my eyes, Bruce Hill is very much one of those heroes.  An activist, silent leader, respected conservationist and the father of two children who are just as active as he is, the Hills have long kept the Skeena country safe from corporations looking to assault it.  

Steve Rajeff is the lead rod designer at G. Loomis rods. He is also one of the best fly casters in the world. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Steve to see if he’ll open up a little about his life and how he became one of the most known names in fly fishing. This episode is sponsored by Blue Sky Furled Leaders.

John Shewey is the author of “Spey Flies and Dee Flies” and “Classic Steelhead Flies”.  John has dedicated his life to the pursuit of steelhead and their history. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with John in Oregon to learn more about the history of steelhead flies and the true definition of a Spey fly.

Jerry has been immersed in the fly fishing industry for most of his life.  Jerry is the author of the only book written about fly-fishing the Great Lakes themselves. In this episode of Anchored, Jerry explains his favourite species and methodologies for each of the Great Lakes, plus he helps to break down the confusion that goes hand in hand with fishing such an enormous system.

John Hazel has played an important role in the development of Spey fishing in the Pacific Northwest. John began guiding thirty-seven years ago and has been a key player on the Deschutes river where he and his wife, Amy, live, guide and run a fly shop. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with John to see if he’ll publicly share some of his opinions and insight.  

Kerry Burkheimer might have the most contagious laugh I’ve ever heard. If his laugh doesn’t win you over, his custom fly rods certainly will. It’s undeniable that Kerry makes some of the most beautiful casting rods in the world.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet up with Kerry at his factory in Washougal, WA to see if he’ll open up about his aspirations, company and past.

Ken Morrish is the man behind the highly successful booking agency, Fly Water Travel. He’s also a photographer, writer, angler and designer of countless mainstream flies. You’ve likely seen his photos or fished his flies without knowing he’s the artist behind them. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Ken to learn how he got his start in the industry, his take on today's booking agents and his conservation efforts. This episode is sponsored by Peak Fishing. 

Ninety-two year old Frank Moore is a fly-fishing legend.  World War II veteran, long-time North Umpqua fishing guide and lodge owner, conservationist, devoted husband, father, friend… there are few people who meet Frank without leaving as a better person.  In this episode of Anchored we discuss his incredible life story.  

Amy Hazel is someone you won't forget. Guide, instructor, fly shop owner and an all-round force to be reckoned with, she's the sort of woman who works hard and fishes even harder. Amy is a committed business owner, a woman who fights for her beliefs, and a comedian in her own right. I've loved her since the very first day we met seven years ago at a trade show in California.  I met with Amy in Maupin, Oregon to hear more about where she came from and where's she’s planning on going.

Greg Osburn is the founder and executive director of the Three Rivers Sportsman’s Alliance. The TRSA is an all-volunteer political action committee whose sole purpose is to support and promote their “more fish for all” policy by way of hatcheries.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Greg at his office in Oregon to try and learn more about his viewpoint and operation.  

Jim Teeny has been around. From the famous Teeny lines, to the super fishy Teeny nymphs, to books, DVD’s, and more… Jim has branded himself in a way that very few personalities have successfully done before in this industry. In this episode I meet with Jim at his home in Gresham, Oregon, to get the low-down on his industry struggles, his experiences abroad, and his plans to bring his brand back stronger than ever before.

George Cook is one of the most well-known steelhead and salmon anglers in the Pacific northwest—he’s also a sales rep for Sage and RIO, as well as the inventor of the Alaskabou fly series. In this episode of Anchored I meet up with George at his home in Auburn, Washington, to talk about fishing in Alaska, the origin of the Popsicle fly and George’s definition of fly fishing. This episode is sponsored by Wooldridge Boats.