Steelhead Alley Podcast

In Episode 5 of Season Two, Kyle and Pono kick off Part One of a two-part series exploring the rhythms and seasons of trout fishing throughout the year.Starting with the transition from winter into early spring, the guys break down how trout behavior, water conditions, insect activity, and angler expectations evolve from March through August. From cold early-season flows and the excitement of opening day, to legendary spring hatches, late-evening dry fly action, and summertime terrestrial fishing, each chapter of the trout season brings its own opportunities and challenges.Along the way, Kyle and Pono share how their approaches change throughout the year, discuss their favorite seasons to chase trout, and reflect on the moments that keep them coming back to the water. Whether you're a die-hard hatch chaser, a small-stream explorer, or someone who simply looks forward to trout season every spring, this episode is all about understanding the trout calendar and making the most of every season on the water.Part Two will pick up in the fall and winter months, where changing conditions, aggressive trout, and the anticipation of steelhead season begin to shape the final chapters of the trout year.

In Episode 4 of Season Two, Kyle takes a step away from the usual format to tell a lasting fish story — one centered around a series of missed opportunities that became impossible to forget.What began as a memorable encounter quickly turned into an obsession, leading to multiple trips, heartbreaking losses, and the kind of emotional investment that only serious anglers truly understand. Through missed opportunities, close calls, and moments that still replay vividly years later, this episode explores how certain fish become more than just a moment.This is a story about persistence, frustration, mystery, and the memories that stay with us long after the water settles. It’s about the fish that keep us coming back — not because we landed them, but because we didn’t.Every angler has one.This is Kyle’s story.

In Episode #3 of Season Two, Kyle and Pono dive into the contrast between urban and rural fishing — two very different experiences that shape the way anglers approach time on the water. From local creeks near town, crowded access points, and quick after-work sessions… to scenic backroads, longer drives, wild water, and the solitude that often comes with getting farther away, this episode explores what each style of fishing has to offer.The guys talk about how convenience, pressure, habitat, and overall experience shape where and how they fish. They also dive into how life changes priorities — balancing work, family, fatherhood, and limited time on the water — and how those realities often shift what anglers value most. Either way, its time on the water.

There are two very different experiences when it comes to trout fishing — and most anglers spend time in both.In Episode #2, Kyle and Pono dive into the contrast between stocked streams and wild trout water, and how their perspectives have evolved over time. From early days fishing stocked creeks and opening day traditions, to exploring smaller streams in search of wild fish, this conversation is all about the journey.The guys talk through the differences in fish behavior, pressure, and approach — but more importantly, how your mindset shifts as you grow as an angler. What you look for in a day on the water changes, especially as life changes too — balancing time, family, and making the most of every trip.There’s no right or wrong way to fish — just different experiences that shape your path.Whether you’re fishing stocked water, chasing wild trout, or somewhere in between, this episode is about finding what keeps you coming back.

Season Two starts here. Episode #1After a full winter spent chasing steelhead, it’s time to turn the page and shift gears into spring trout fishing. In this episode, Kyle and Pono break down the transition from the chaos of winter steelhead to the more technical, detail-oriented world of hunting trout on the fly.From changing water conditions and rising temperatures to evolving bug life and fish behavior, the guys dive into what really signals the start of trout season — and how their approach on the water begins to change. They dial in the mental reset that comes with slowing things down and focusing on presentation.This episode is all about the shift — from big water to small streams, from aggressive takes to subtle eats, and from chasing migratory fish to targeting wild and native trout that call these waters home year-round.Whether you’re coming off a steelhead season or just getting ready to hit your local stream, this is where the new season begins.

In Episode #12, Day Two of their final winter trip recap — and the Season 1 finale — the crew heads back into brutally cold conditions for one last push. Kyle is joined by longtime friend Pono, they break down Day Two of a trip that tested their patience, gear, and ability to adapt.With temperatures plummeting overnight, the rivers were once again iced up to go along with frozen guides, and constant slush drifting through the runs. Clean presentations were hard to come by, and every adjustment mattered. After some recon and working through the elements, they located a fresh pod of steelhead and stayed into steady action throughout the day. Despite the harsh conditions, the bite held steady, turning what could have been a grind into a memorable and fitting finish to an incredible trip.This episode captures late-season steelhead fishing at its peak — breaking ice, battling slush, making timely adjustments, and earning every fish — as the Steelhead Alley Podcast closes out Season 1 on a hard-earned high note.

In Episode #11, Kyle dives into day one of the final trip. The day started slow and cold, with locked-up banks, shelf ice to break, and a lot of water that looked right but didn’t give much back. We spent the early hours searching — clearing ice, testing runs, and staying mobile, knowing winter steelhead days don’t always reveal themselves quickly.Late in the morning, we made a key decision to pull out and hunt a completely different section of water — and that move changed everything. Once we found fish, the switch flipped. What followed was nonstop action, steady hookups, and the kind of rhythm that only happens when everything finally lines up.It turned into one of those rare days — full of bent rods, laughter between drifts, and moments that stick with you long after the trip ends. A reminder that sometimes one good call is all it takes to turn a grind into one of the best steelhead days in years.

In Episode #10, Kyle and the crew wrap up their winter steelhead trip with a payoff that made every cold mile worth it.This episode picks up on Day Two as they hike into picture-perfect winter water, breaking shelf ice, pushing through snow, and methodically working runs to find fish. With cold temps shaping conditions, success came from slowing things down, covering water thoroughly, and dialing in depth and presentation until the fish finally started to show.On the morning of Day Three, a last-minute decision to switch spots changed everything. Fresh snow, untouched water, and improved conditions led to nonstop action and an unforgettable finish to the trip. It’s a reminder of how quickly steelhead fishing can turn when preparation, persistence, and good decisions come together.From scenic winter flows to hard-earned hookups, this episode is all about the rewards that come from grinding it out across Steelhead Alley.

In Episode #9, Kyle is joined by Beaver and Dave for Part One of the recap from their second steelhead trip of the season — a trip that tested patience, preparation, and grit right from the start.Brutally cold temperatures locked up many streams with ice, forcing the crew to grind through a long first day searching for fishable water. From breaking shelf ice to hopping between tributaries, this episode breaks down how they adjusted on the fly, covered miles, and stayed focused despite challenging conditions.While the fishing didn’t come easy early, late-day positives began to stack up, setting the stage for what would turn into an exciting and productive Saturday on some picture-perfect water. This episode is all about adapting to extreme conditions, trusting the process, and finding momentum when winter steelhead fishing pushes back.If you’ve ever battled freezing temps, questionable water, and tough decisions on the Alley, this one will feel familiar.

In episode #8, part two of our trip recap, Kyle and Zack pick things up on day two as they continue searching for better water and clearer conditions across Steelhead Alley. With flows still less than ideal, we switch streams, put on the boot miles, and grind it out—moving fish here and there while trying to unlock the next window of opportunity.That persistence pays off when they finally move into a section holding numbers of fish and the bite turns on. From there, Day Three brings a big shift. The crew were able to return to water that they fished earlier in the trip, now with improved clarity and flows. Early action sets the tone, and before long the guys find a pod of fish as a group—triggering a stretch of nonstop hookups, chaos, and steelhead doing what they do best.This episode is all about staying mobile, trusting the process, and being ready when conditions finally line up.

In episode #7, Kyle and Zack break down the full story of their latest run up to Steelhead Alley — a trip that started with a curveball before they even packed the truck. With the forecast shifting, they ultimately made the call to head up a day early in search of a prime fishing window. This episode covers those first two days as the crew bounced between streams, split up to gather recon, and tried to dial in where fish were holding as the water slowly settled. Some stretches demanded patience and grinding through tough water, while others came alive with steady hookups after working the right runs long enough.From adapting on the fly to finding pockets of fish in unpredictable conditions, this is the story of how the trip started — and how persistence set the stage for the rest of the weekend.

In episode #6, Kyle and Zack pick up where they left off in part one of their steelhead trip preparation series — shifting from weather, flows, and layering into the gear and rigging details that make or break a successful trip.This episode dives into the nuts and bolts of getting your setup dialed in: preferred leader builds, terminal tackle choices, and why tying a fresh batch of flies before you leave can save time and frustration on the water. The guys also break down their favorite planning tools — from apps and online resources to the small habits that help you map out smarter, more productive days on the tributaries.Whether you're getting ready for your first steelhead trip or fine-tuning your routine for another season on the Alley, this episode is all about filling in the gaps and helping you hit the water fully prepared.

In episode #5 of the Steelhead Alley Podcast, Kyle and Zack kick off a two-part deep dive into preparing for your next steelhead trip. Part one is all about comfort, safety, and being ready for whatever the Alley throws at you.From checking weather forecasts and monitoring stream flows and CFS levels, to staying warm with the right base layers, outerwear, and waterproof gear — the guys break down what it takes to keep yourself dry and fishing strong all day. They’ll cover traction tips for slick slate bottoms, how to move safely through snow and ice, and the benefits of smart on-the-water storage setups.They also share a few personal gear favorites and small accessories that make long steelhead days smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.

In episode #4 of the Steelhead Alley Podcast, Kyle and Zack break down one of their favorite topics — the difference between trout and East Coast steelhead. From lake-run migrations and fresh chrome arrivals to the transformation steelhead go through as they hold in the tribs, the guys dig into what truly sets these fish apart.They cover how these changes influence fly selection, presentation, and gear setup, plus the adjustments every angler makes as water temps drop and conditions shift across Steelhead Alley. Whether you’re chasing bright, fresh steelhead from the lake or those colored-up fish holding to spawn, this episode dives deep into what makes each pursuit its own unique experience — and how to fine-tune your mindset and approach when chasing these incredible fish.

In episode #3, Kyle and Zack dive into what makes fall trout fishing so special on the East Coast. As summer fades, cool nights and steady flows wake up the rivers, and trout shift into an entirely different gear. Brown trout get aggressive and territorial, chasing streamers with attitude, while brook trout light up in their brilliant spawning colors — and with winter steelhead just around the corner, anticipation is high across Steelhead Alley.The guys break down tactics, gear, and seasonal approaches, while soaking in everything that makes fall fishing unforgettable — crisp mornings, vibrant fall foliage, and that unmistakable energy in the air. Whether you’re chasing big, fired-up browns or enjoying that moment of calm, fall is one of the best times to be on the water

In episode #2, hosts Kyle and Zack dive into the classic debate of chasing big fish versus going for numbers.This conversation starts with a broader look at trout fishing, where the trade-off between size and numbers is often front and center, before shifting into steelhead, where the stakes—and the fish—get even bigger.Is it just the mood you’re in when you hit the stream, the stage you’re at in your fly fishing journey—or is it more about the mindset you bring to the water?We unpack these ideas and plenty more in this episode of the Steelhead Alley Podcast.

In this kickoff episode, your hosts, Kyle Ale and Zack Vanderslice, sit down to share fishing experiences that shaped their love for chasing trout. We start by looking back at our roots—those early days of spin fishing as kids—and trace the path that eventually led us to the fly rod.Throughout the conversation, we explore how our techniques, approaches, and perspectives have evolved over time, from targeting trout to developing a passion for chasing steelhead on the fly.Whether you’re new to fly fishing or a seasoned angler, this episode offers a glimpse into the journey of two lifelong fishermen who want to share their time spent on the water.