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734 | The Bycatch Crisis with Adam Cuthriell: How Trawlers are Killing Alaska's Wild Salmon

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Release Date: 03/21/2025

748 | Top 7 Alaska Fish Species to Target with Marcus Weiner of Fish Alaska Magazine show art 748 | Top 7 Alaska Fish Species to Target with Marcus Weiner of Fish Alaska Magazine

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#748 Show Notes:    Presented by: , Sponsors:      What does it take to build the top fishing magazine in Alaska—and still find time to chase 30-inch rainbows and 250-pound salmon sharks? In this episode, we sit down with Marcus Weiner, founder of Fish Alaska Magazine, to explore his favorite Alaska fish species, epic float trips, and the evolution of fly fishing culture in the Last Frontier. From top fishing tips for sockeye and dollies to behind-the-scenes stories about moose hunting and conservation, Marcus shares 23+ years of hard-earned wisdom from the rivers,...

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747 | Swinging Flies for Atlantic Salmon with Rod Brophy of Mountain Waters Resort show art 747 | Swinging Flies for Atlantic Salmon with Rod Brophy of Mountain Waters Resort

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#747 Show Notes: Presented By:  Swinging flies for Atlantic salmon in an area made famous by Lee Wulff? Our guest today has been doing just that for over 50 years. Rod Brophy, Master Guide at Mountain Waters Resort, breaks down his favorite surface techniques—including bombers, the Portland Hitch, and the classic riffle hitch. You’ll hear how he rigs his leader, what flies he uses year-round, and what it was like growing up in one of the most iconic salmon fisheries in the world. If you’re ready to step into Atlantic salmon territory and experience the thrill of the surface take,...

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746 | Hatch Adventure Travel with Chris Hunt - Missouri River Trip, On Demark Lodge, Fly Fishing Destinations show art 746 | Hatch Adventure Travel with Chris Hunt - Missouri River Trip, On Demark Lodge, Fly Fishing Destinations

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#746 Show Notes:  Presented By:  ,  Would you board a 9-hour flight to catch trout in Patagonia or brave a three-hour mule ride into a river camp in Chile—all for the chance to fish water most people will never see? Today we’re joined by Chris Hunt, longtime fly fishing writer and co-founder of Hatch Adventure Travel. Chris shares what it takes to plan bucket-list fly fishing trips around the world, from the Missouri River and Idaho’s backcountry to Cuba, Argentina, and British Columbia. We’ll get his best travel hacks, hear how Hatch Travel started in the middle of a...

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745 | Fly Fishing Films with RA Beattie of Off the Grid Studios show art 745 | Fly Fishing Films with RA Beattie of Off the Grid Studios

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#745 Show Notes: Presented By: , The Fly Fishing Film Tour started with a small group of anglers looking for something fresh. Today, these films are part of a new wave of storytelling in fly fishing. Our guest, RA Beattie, has been there since the beginning. In this episode, RA shares his journey and highlights from his films, including The Silent Spotter, a story about a deaf guide. We also dive into his connection with Clyde the Car and how he stays motivated despite changes in the industry. Plus, we’ll learn how he built a company making sustainable wood for guitars. Show Notes:...

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744 | Jack Dennis Fly Fishing - Lee Wulff, One Fly, Team USA show art 744 | Jack Dennis Fly Fishing - Lee Wulff, One Fly, Team USA

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#744 Show Notes:   Presented by: , , Sponsors:     We sit down with the legendary Jack Dennis—author, guide, fly tier, and storyteller with a legacy stretching back over 50 years in the fly fishing world. From founding Team USA and the Jackson Hole One Fly to filming iconic episodes with Curt Gowdy and hanging with Ted Williams, Jack shares some of the most memorable moments in the history of the sport. We talk about the making of his Western Trout Fly Tying Manual, his friendships with Lee Wulff and Joan Wulff, and the rise and shift of fly fishing culture over the decades....

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Traveled #27 | Josh Miller – Euro Nymphing Tips and Tactics, Team USA Fly Fishing show art Traveled #27 | Josh Miller – Euro Nymphing Tips and Tactics, Team USA Fly Fishing

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#743B Show Notes: Presented By:   Today’s guest is Josh Miller, a Pennsylvania-based guide and coach for Team USA’s Youth Fly Fishing Team. He’s helped shape some of the best young anglers in the world, and in this conversation, he’s sharing his roadmap for preparing for new water, making smarter decisions on the river, and understanding the nuances of fly presentation. Whether you’re prepping for a new fishing destination or just want to up your game, Josh has plenty of insights to share. Show Notes:  

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743 | Fly Fishing the Gaspé Peninsula with Andrew Murphy - Atlantic Salmon, Stripers, Sea-Run Brook Trout show art 743 | Fly Fishing the Gaspé Peninsula with Andrew Murphy - Atlantic Salmon, Stripers, Sea-Run Brook Trout

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#743 Show Notes: Presented By:  , , ,    We’ve had episodes on fly fishing the Gaspé Peninsula before: the famous rivers, active Atlantic salmon to the surface, and why it's a fantastic destination. But today,  we’re diving even deeper. Andrew Murphy, longtime guide and now lodge owner at Gaspé Coastal, takes us into his home waters and shows us how diverse the fishery really is. You’ll learn how to fish for salmon, stripers, and even sea-run brook trout, all on the same trip.  By the end of this one, you’ll have the knowledge, and probably the...

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742 | Saving the Big Hole River with Brian Wheeler: Trout Declines, Water Quality & Conservation Efforts show art 742 | Saving the Big Hole River with Brian Wheeler: Trout Declines, Water Quality & Conservation Efforts

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#742 Show Notes:     Presented by: Sponsors:     In this episode, we’re headed to one of Montana’s most iconic rivers — the Big Hole River. Known as one of the last strongholds for Arctic grayling and a key tributary of the Missouri River, the Big Hole is facing some serious challenges. Brian Wheeler, Executive Director of the Big Hole River Foundation, joins us to talk about declining trout populations, water quality concerns, and what’s being done to turn things around. Brian breaks down the science behind their five-year water quality monitoring project,...

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741 | Missouri River Fly Fishing at On Demark Lodge with Craig, Becky, and Warren DeMark show art 741 | Missouri River Fly Fishing at On Demark Lodge with Craig, Becky, and Warren DeMark

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#741 Show Notes: Presented By:  If you're dreaming about a fall trip to Montana to chase trophy trout under the big sky, this episode is for you. We're heading to the Missouri River with the DeMark family—Craig, Becky, and Warren—from On DeMark Lodge. They’re sharing what makes their small, family-run lodge near Craig, MT, one of the most dialed-in operations on the Missouri River. You’ll hear exactly what to expect in October—from long dry fly drifts over rising pods to aggressive streamer eats in shallow water. We get their full strategy for fishing fall hatches like...

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740 | Fly Fishing the Northern Rockies with Phil Rowley, Daniel Schildknecht, & Lance Egan show art 740 | Fly Fishing the Northern Rockies with Phil Rowley, Daniel Schildknecht, & Lance Egan

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

#740 Show Notes:    Presented by: In this episode, we dive into the remote and wild fishing experiences offered by Northern Rockies Adventures with Daniel Schildknecht, Phil Rowley, and Lance Egan. From chasing Northern Pike, Lake Trout, and Grayling to navigating untouched rivers by float plane, this trip had it all. Plus, we get an inside look at an upcoming hosted trip that might be your next dream adventure. Strap in for big fish, wild landscapes, and some unforgettable moments on the Wet Fly Swing Podcast! Episode Chapters with Phil, Daniel, and Lance on Northern Rockies...

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#734 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/734  

Presented by: FishHound Expeditions

Did you know that large-scale trawling is wiping out Alaska’s wild salmon, halibut, and other key species? In this episode, we talk with Adam Cuthriell of Fishhound Expeditions about the bycatch crisis—where thousands of fish are caught and discarded every year.

Adam breaks down how trawlers operate, the impact on fisheries, and what we can do to fight back. From signing petitions to making smarter seafood choices, we all have a role to play. Tune in to learn how you can help protect Alaska’s fish and fishing communities.


Episode Chapters with Adam Cuthriell on The Bycatch Crisis

The Fight Against Bycatch: What You Need to Know

Alaska’s fish populations are under serious threat, and commercial trawlers are a big part of the problem. Adam Cuthriell breaks down the devastating impact of trawling, where massive ships drag enormous nets, destroying everything in their path. The biggest target? Pollock—the fish found in fast food sandwiches and fish sticks. But the real cost is the destruction of salmon, halibut, and other species, which is hitting indigenous Alaskan communities the hardest.

How You Can Help:

  • Sign the petition at SalmonState.org/bycatch.
  • Contact your local congressperson.
  • Testify through North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC).

The Devastating Impact of Bycatch in Alaska

Adam shares shocking numbers—tens of thousands of Chinook and chum salmon, millions of pounds of halibut, and even orcas are being caught, killed, and tossed overboard. Meanwhile, indigenous communities and small businesses that rely on these fish are suffering.

What’s at Stake?

  • Indigenous Communities – Many rely on salmon for food, but fishing bans leave them with nothing.
  • Small Businesses – Fishing lodges and guide services are shutting down due to dwindling fish populations.
  • Alaska’s Economy – 93% of revenue from trawling doesn’t even stay in the state.

Sustainable Seafood Choices: How You Can Help Alaska’s Fisheries

Trawling is devastating Alaska’s fish populations, but there are better ways to harvest seafood. Adam shares how other sustainable methods could help—but big corporations aren’t making the switch. Why? Because trawling is the cheapest way to fill freezers with fish sticks and imitation crab.

How You Can Take Action:

  • Skip the Fish Sticks – Many frozen fish products come from unsustainable trawling.
  • Avoid Imitation Crab – Most fake crab in sushi is made from trawled Pollock.
  • Choose Wild-Caught Seafood – Look for labels that confirm responsible sourcing.

Fighting for Alaska’s King Salmon – Why Action is Needed Now

Adam shares his firsthand experience witnessing the decline of Alaska’s once-thriving Chinook salmon population. What was once an abundant and essential part of life—both for Alaskan culture and the economy—is now disappearing at an alarming rate.

Key Takeaways:

  • Spring Chinook are disappearing. Once plentiful from late May to early July, these fish are now nearly absent from the rivers where they used to spawn.
  • A personal loss: Adam recalls catching kings in ankle-deep water after guiding trips. Now, his daughter may never get to experience the thrill of landing a wild Alaska king.

Alaska’s salmon can recover, but only if we act now. Let’s make sure future generations can still witness these incredible fish running up the rivers where they belong.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/734