Fin & Fire's Podcast with Jeff Mishler

Episode 45 | When you pick up a Burkheimer and cast it, there's a quality that's hard to describe but otherwise known as "The Burkheimer Feel".  In this episode of Fin and Fire with Jeff Mishler, Kerry and I sit in his rod finishing room in Washougal Washington and continue a conversation we started 20 years ago. The secrets to building a Burkheimer might surprise you.

Episode 44 | Tuning a compound bow is essential for ultimate accuracy. Knowing how to tune your bow can mean the difference between a successful hunt and a clean miss or lost animal.  It is our responsibility as hunters to take the variables we can control out of the equation, and it starts with a well tuned bow. In this episode of Fin and Fire With Jeff Mishler, Kellen Morgan takes me through the steps of choosing the right bow and the processes he applies to make sure that in the heat of the moment, the bow in the hand of the hunter is not a variable.

Episode 43 | George is the only hunter to kill a Mule Deer in every state they reside.  That is a testament to the man's commitment to deer hunting.  In this episode of Fin And Fire With Jeff Mishler, George and I swap deer hunting stories, discuss techniques, caliber choices and surprise outcomes from a lifetime of pursuing deer.

Episode 42 | Fred Walasavage is committed to a lifestyle of hunting and fishing because staying connected to our hunting heritage is his purpose. I sit with Fred at his cabin in Oregon and we connect on many levels while sharing stories of a lifetime spent chasing elk and turkeys.  We talk about hunting strategies, volunteerism, and the the future of hunting in a changing cultural landscape.

Episode 41 | Garrett Lesko ties beautiful and intricate fly patterns, but more than that, he represents a generation of passionate fly tyers using social media to stay connect to an audience while building enthusiasm with his work. I met Garrett at the 2024 Northwest Fly Tyer and Fly fishing Expo in Albany, Oregon where we go deep into his origin story and share some common ground spent around a fly tying vice.

Episode 40 | Modern Spey Line design can be attributed to a few open minded thinkers and Al Buhr is one of them.  His approach to describing the mechanics of the fly cast is rooted in the messages from his mentors.  Jim Green and Joan Wulff play a huge role in the ethos of Al Buhr.  And as he says in the Podcast, "I'm happy that I get to talk about my heroes."

Episode 39 | Scott O'Donnell is an industry name. His decades of experience guiding clients for trout and steelhead bring perspective to a career of commitment and sacrifice. It's hard work to create opportunities for clients on a daily basis. But the lifestyle has its rewards. In this episode of Fin and Fire With Jeff Mishler, I sit with Scott at my place on the Oregon Coast and we drink some whisky while sharing perspectives of how it use to be, and how it is today.  Get ready for a conversation that goes long into the night.

Episode 38 | Jason Koertge might be the most honest voice in the world of outdoor advertising.  If you hunt and fish and buy outdoor products, you know Jason's work.  His thumb print can be found on brands throughout the world we know. In this episode of Fin and Fire With Jeff Mishler, Jason and I share some stories but go deep into the reality of creating authentic content in a world of quick hit messaging and less than real ideas.

Episode 37 | There are many aspects to choosing, training and working a bird hunting dog.  It all begins and ends with the dog.  In this episode of Fin And Fire With Jeff Mishler I sit with Tim Curry, a dog trainer with 20 years of bird dog training experience and we dive into the often debated techniques a trainer and owner should implement in the process of creating a well-rounded and competent hunting companion.

Episode 36 | Tim Rawlins is the content creator for the YouTube Channel, The Line Speed Jedi.  He has produced over 500 videos featuring spey casting in its many forms.  Not one to take himself too seriously, his light hearted, self deprecating humor creates content that is fun to watch and very educational. You see him make mistakes and work towards the solutions. That is something we can all relate to. He is passionate about learning, and it is contagious.

Episode 35 | Steve Rajeff has won more all-around fly casting tournaments than anyone in the history of the game.  He has been called the best amateur athlete of all time. His dedication to a life of fly fishing has produced immeasurable contributions to the culture we love. In this episode of Fin and Fire With Jeff Mishler, I sit with Steve in his home in SW Washington and dig into the past of the man who showed the world what was possible with a fly rod.

Episode 34 | If you fly fish for steelhead you probably know of John Shewey's work and contribution to the culture.  Not only is he a great storyteller and communicator, but his passion for the outdoors is apparent in the tales he shares about decades of pursuit. We lived parallel lives in different parts of the state as we perfected our craft. This podcast represents a full circle connection that is long overdue.