Season 2. Ep.6: Chris Spires Owner of Upriver Boatworks
Release Date: 04/17/2025
Trout Wrangler Podcast
Inthis episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we sit down with AlPerkinson, founder of Bajío Sunglasses, for a deep dive into hispersonal fishing journey, the story behind the brand, and what it means to build a company rooted in conservation, performance, and coastal culture. Al shares where his fishing journey began, how his life experiences across uniquelocations helped shape his perspective, and how the idea for Bajío came to life. We explore the meaning behind the brand name, the challenges of startinga business in today’s competitive outdoor market, and why New Smyrna Beach,...
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In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we're highlighting some of the best fly fishing podcasts out there—shows you need to have in your rotation. Whether you’re tying flies, heading to the river, or just daydreaming about your next trip, these podcasts bring expert knowledge, great stories, and plenty of laughs to keep your fly fishing passion going strong. We break down our top picks, what makes each show unique, and why they deserve a spot in your queue. From industry veterans to fresh, creative voices, this episode is your go-to guide for fly fishing content that educates,...
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In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we dive into a first-of-its-kind NIL partnership between Two Rivers Fly Shop and Arkansas Razorbacks first baseman Cam Kozeal. This groundbreaking deal connects the world of college baseball with the fly fishing industry—showing how student-athletes and outdoor brands can team up in authentic, meaningful ways. Cam joins us to talk about how the partnership came together, his love for fly fishing, and how he balances life on the field with time on the water. From his first cast to representing one of the South’s most respected fly shops, Cam...
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New Episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast: Featuring Farmington River (Skunked Again) On today’s episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we sit down with the mastermind behind one of social media’s most viral and beloved fly fishing meme pages — Farmington River (Skunked Again). If you’ve spent any time laughing at the sometimes-too-relatable world of fly fishing memes, chances are you’ve seen his work. But behind the humor is a passionate angler with deep roots in the New England fly fishing community. We dive into a wide-ranging conversation covering the state of the fly fishing...
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On today’s episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we’re joined by Michael Brannon from Free Fly Apparel to talk about what makes the brand a favorite among anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. We cover their newest spring drop, get an exclusive look at what’s coming in summer 2025, and dig into why their gear stands out on and off the water. Michael also takes on the 5 Songs for the Playlist challenge, and we wrap things up by swapping some of our bucket list fishing destinations. It’s a great mix of
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In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we sit down with Chris Spires, the owner and founder of Upriver Boatworks, to hear the story behind one of the Southeast’s rising names in custom raft frames and fishing boats. Based out of Dawsonville, GA, Upriver has built a loyal following thanks to their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and rugged builds made for serious water.
Chris shares how Upriver got started, what goes into building each boat, t
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On this week's episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we’re excited to welcome special guest Colton Harrell! He’ll be sharing insights from his recent trip on the Saluda River, and we'll dive into our experiences with college and high school fishing. Plus, I'll be recapping my own recent outings to the Congaree River in Columbia, South Carolina, and a memorable trip to South Mountain State Park with my uncle. Don’t miss it!
@Rys_fliesclt on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rys_fl
Trout Wrangler Podcast
In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, I sit down with John to talk all things fly fishing and fly tying. We dive into how he got started, why he uses a Spey rod for saltwater species, his go-to fly for the Big 3 in Florida, and some wild fishing stories along the way. John also shares what makes his tying style unique and drops his top 5 songs for the Trout Tunes playlist.
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In this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we sit down with Mike and Cam, the duo behind Riverside Wranglers — a Charlotte-based crew changing the narrative around urban fly fishing. We dive into how they got started, their go-to gear setups, and why you don’t need a mountain stream to hook into some solid fish.
We talk favorite spots around the Queen City, their top fishing stories, and the coolest brands they’ve partnered with so far. Plus, you’ll get their five picks each fo
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On today’s episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we’re excited to introduce our brand-new WNC Fly Shop Spotlight Series! We’ll be sharing our vision for this series, how we plan to feature local fly shops across Western North Carolina, and why these small businesses are so important to the fly fishing community. If you have a favorite fly shop in NC, let us know in the comments—we’d love to highlight them in a future episode!
We’re also diving into Fis
info_outlineIn this episode of the Trout Wrangler Podcast, we sit down with Chris Spires, the owner and founder of Upriver Boatworks, to hear the story behind one of the Southeast’s rising names in custom raft frames and fishing boats. Based out of Dawsonville, GA, Upriver has built a loyal following thanks to their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and rugged builds made for serious water.
Chris shares how Upriver got started, what goes into building each boat, the wildest delivery he’s made, and even the craziest place he’s taken one of his own boats. We talk favorite builds, favorite memories, and yes—float the idea of a blue and yellow NAPA Auto Parts-themed raft.
🎵 Stick around for 5 fresh picks for the Trout Tunes Playlist to soundtrack your next adventure on the water