The Struggle Is Reel

Episode 35

Episode 34

Episode 33

Episode 32

Episode 31 We thought we lost an episode. But then found it. So yes. This episode was prior to Matt going to Belize. That’s on us. We fucked up, it’s on us. We fucked up it’s on us. We fucked up. We’re taking accountability 1000% we’re not gonna play games.

Episode 30

Episode 28

Episode 27

I pitch my theory to Brian and Adrienne of Nothing Matters when Steelhead aren’t pressured and water temps are warm. My epiphany on the Skeena last Fall. This may be a recurring series with different Steelhead Guides.

Episode 26

Episode 25

Episode 24

You’ve probably almost died and had no idea. But we did.

Misery loves company especially in audio texts at 5AM. PSA: Sir you are in 2” of water. And The Angle Of The Dangle.

Who knows. Pull the pin and take a listen.

The Winter March continues.

Another week of fishing and BS.

Have you ever had a day where you’re just one more bad thing happening away from burning it all down? Yeah, we had one of those mornings.

Eric crashes a jet boat. A grown man cartwheels through the air. F3T recap.

TSIR

Design the new TSIR logo and win a free Guide Trip. The story of how Eric realized he has face blindness, Zach can’t lie, and Matt has a wardrobe malfunction. Also, to wait or to set on steelhead grabs, Kelly Galloup looks great at 67, Zach’s poker face, and how Eric got caught red handed lying about fish numbers.

Peak Guide moments from 2025. Flashbacks to the ones that got away that will haunt us until our deaths. Fred Durst is cool, full stop. How is it legal to kill wild steelhead in 2026, and dating has never been easier for normal dudes.

The gang recaps the best day ever. Lots of laughs on a small coastal stream. Eric almost Bo Jacksons his spey rod.

Current steelhead report. Coast & Sandy. Portland Fly Shop Pod: it’s great go listen, dogs make an appearance (audibly) Adam Corolla sucks, what’s going on with public bathrooms at parks, and quite possibly the greatest ad idea for maxima ever created.

We answer a bunch of questions submitted via IG. Spoiler; it’s mostly Steelhead talk. Odd and various subjects are peppered in as well.

Current changes in our local rivers after the floods. Don’t ever tell a fly shop employee anything. Steelhead fishing and things we’ve learned. Also, an idea to create a universal hand signal for “we know the etiquete” when encountering other fishermen on the river.

Again, are you actually reading this? I’m not even sure what we talked about. There’s definitely some fishing in there, Zach‘s grandma having the first pizza in America ever, and also my deep dive into eating a large amount of mushrooms last winter.

Does anyone read these? Our buddy Matt Thorton joins us and the usual bs continues this week.

After wrapping up our Summer and Fall seasons, Zach and I catch up to talk about how bad this podcast is and why I only took mdma once.

Carp Fishing, why people hold on to their hats while the power boat is running instead of just taking it off, boat shenanigans in. the dark and more.

In this conversation, Mykizha and Zach discuss various aspects of their lives, including frustrations with yard work, fishing experiences, movie reviews, and the challenges of guiding. They touch on personal struggles with finances, physical injuries, and the joys of cooking with a new Traeger grill. The conversation also delves into community engagement through teaching fishing to kids, as well as humorous anecdotes about driving and freeway etiquette. Overall, the dialogue reflects a blend of humor, candidness, and relatable life experiences.

In this engaging conversation, Eric and Zach explore the joys and challenges of fishing once again. They discuss the allure of off-grid living, and the pros and cons of technology in outdoor experiences. The duo shares personal fishing stories, techniques, and the nuances of guiding others in the sport. They reflect on the community aspect of fly fishing, the curiosity it ignites, and the balance between confidence and self-doubt that comes with learning. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on the unpredictability of nature and the joy of sharing knowledge with others.

Episode 1 we dive into guiding in Alaska, Zach and I's background, and other tom foolerys.

In this conversation, Eric and Zach discuss the life of a fishing guide, sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the field. They delve into the emotional aspects of guiding, the impact of weather and conditions on fishing success, and the joy of witnessing clients catch their first fish. The conversation highlights the balance between work and passion, the struggles of guiding difficult species like musky, and the camaraderie among guides. They reflect on their personal journeys, the pressures of the job, and the satisfaction that comes from helping others succeed in fishing.