Anchored With April Vokey Podcast

Elena Joy Thurston is an inspirational speaker and founder of the Pride and Joy Foundation. When she reached out to me to see if we might be able to connect for a podcast, I wasn’t sure how her story linked back to the outdoors. So I tuned in to her TED talk, only to be taken aback when I learned that fly fishing changed her life. In this episode of Anchored I sit down with Elena and her partner Kristen to discuss the story of how they met, diversity in fly fishing, feeling trapped in the corporate world and more. This episode is brought to you by Olukai. Outline of This Episode [4:15] What is the politically correct way to refer to the community? [7:55] How did Kristen get into fly fishing? [15:05] Elena has a big story [28:18] What is it about being outdoors that awakens someone’s soul? [32:12] Being trapped in an office job  [44:27] Does the LGBTQ community feel underrepresented in the outdoors? [52:52] Elena Joy speaks of her divorce [58:42] There are some native fish in Arizona [1:00:36] A wo

John Dietsch is perhaps best known in fly fishing circles for supervising all of the fly fishing scenes on the OSCAR winning film "A River Runs Through It", where he also conceived and executed the famous final fishing scene doubling for actor Brad Pitt by swimming a rapid while playing a fish. In this episode of Anchored we discuss John’s new book "Graced by Waters" and the healing properties of immersing ourselves in the outdoors, as well as John’s personal journey through loss, scenes in "A River Runs Through It" and more. Sign up here for our free live presentation with John at 5:00pm PST this Wednesday, June 17th!  This episode of Anchored is brought to you by Norvise!  Outline of This Episode [3:15] John grew up fishing around L.A.  [9:05] How did he get involved in A River Runs Through It? [16:33] Meeting Redford was intimidating [20:35] The final scene was all John [25:45] The fly fishing is about more than just catching [33:22] Fly fishing has the potential to heal [44:09] How he lost his

Hank Shaw is a celebrated chef, author and outdoorsman who runs the award-winning website Hunter Angler Gardener Cook. In this episode of Anchored, Hank and I walk through his timeline, stopping along the way to discuss how we age game-birds, our favourite edible weeds, dandelion wine and more. This episode of Anchored is brought to you by Great Fishing Adventures of Australia.  Outline of This Episode [9:15] Ancillary information makes you a good angler, but also a good hunter [15:22] His Master’s in History [22:02] Hunting is about more than just the meat [34:37] Do you have to let all meat age a while to actually taste it? [38:30] His newspaper career taught him restraint [45:44] He made the transition to running the website fulltime in 2010 [51:03] Does he want to take it to the next level? [52:55] He is a seasonal eater [1:03:33] Dandelion wine is all about the aroma [1:12:54] Be a conscious harvester   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jay Johnson has a mission of instilling a passion for the outdoors in others. You may have seen Jay Johnson on the Trout Bums diaries, Geo Bass, or most recently, the Fisher Guy series on Animal Planet. Jay had a challenging background that molded him into the multifaceted person that he is today. In this episode of Anchored, you’ll hear about Jay’s early life, how he got into fishing, and why he thinks it’s so important to foster a love of the outdoors in others. You won’t want to miss a minute of Jay’s story so grab your headphones and press play now.  This episode is brought to you by Cross Current Insurance Company. Outline of This Episode [3:15] Jay had a heavy childhood [7:00] When did he start fishing [14:22] Jay studied string bass in college on a scholarship [17:25] How did he get started fly fishing? [25:12] He got out of the music business [27:44] When did he get into the business of fly fishing [36:25] What is Pig Farm Ink all about? [41:08] How did he get into film [50:24] He’s a farme

Jenna McRae is somewhat new to taxidermy, but she is full of passion, knowledge and talent. Although she has only been practicing for a year and a half, she has a natural ability for the craft and her artistic talent shows in her work. In this episode of Anchored I find the answers to all of my questions, including how to choose a taxidermist, if there any animals Jenna won’t work with, and how to field dress a deer if you want to mount it? Outline of This Episode [7:45] How did she get into taxidermy?  [14:44] Working at home is her dream [16:16] How do I field dress a deer if I want it mounted? [22:55] Why would a taxidermist want a hide from an animal they aren’t working with? [28:18] Does she have any boundaries as to what she will mount? [32:30] What is the hardest part of doing a bird? [33:34] What should people look for when choosing a taxidermist? [38:35] Does taxidermy cause people to hunt more mature, impressive animals? [40:03] How to get an animal to her from another country? [41:40] W

Have you ever wondered if freediving and spearfishing are as peaceful as they seem? My guest today describes them as transcendent. Born and raised in Hawaii, Kimi Werner is a chef, an award-winning artist, motivational speaker, a U.S. National Spearfishing Champion, and most recently, a new mother. Join us for a conversation about life as a new mother, freediving, spearfishing, and hunting. Listen in to hear why Kimi Werner is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Outline of this episode [2:55] Started diving at a young age [6:00] Hunting deer [12:30] shooting underwater  [13:33] Is the appeal of hunting similar to that of spearfishing [18:02] The day that changed her life [27:22] Why she quit competing [35:39] What makes a good dive partner [40:39] The shark  [46:55] The word huntress [49:00] Motherhood Check out our sponsor Olukai Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the last few years, a surprising amount of troll accounts have emerged on social media platforms. While some are humorous and light-hearted, others thrive on the mistakes and misfortune of others. In this episode of Anchored, I sit down with the person who runs Copper Plated Sixes, an account that focuses on the fishing and hunting industries. We discuss why he feels the need to run such an account, who’s really behind the posts, where to draw the line and whether or not it’s cowardly to hide behind anonymity. Outline of this episode [1:15] @copper_plated_sixes believes he's not a troll [9:40] One pet peeve he has is using sex to sell fishing [12:20] Hunting is also portrayed poorly online [20:22] He focuses on influencers [26:10] Do the actions of troll accounts fuel hatred and discord? [30:22] What can come of a large following? [32:12] Why is he so passionate about women showing skin? [38:42] What comes from all this negativity? [46:55] He knows that conversation can spur great change Che

Erin Block works as a librarian and freelance writer. She is the author of countless articles and 2 books including, The View from Coal Creek and By a Thread. But of course, Erin is more than that, she is an angler, hunter, and forager. In this episode, we dive into Erin’s life and she reveals how she got into fly fishing and hunting for food and why she has chosen to step away from fly fishing. You’ll also want to hear about her views on feminism and fishing so make sure to listen to the end of this episode of Anchored.  Outline of this episode [3:15] Erin grew up on a hobby farm [12:44] Erin is closer to the food she eats than most [18:55] She ended up at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music [26:49] Marriage ended up being different than she thought [31:12] She took up hiking as a way to get away and think [37:15] She met her husband through his blog [48:06] She doesn’t want to be treated differently because she’s a woman [59:01] Why she has taken a step back from fishing Check out our sponsor

Fly tying expert, Brita Fordice, joins me on this episode of Anchored to discuss tying flies, life, and much more. Fishing has always been a part of Brita Fordice’s life. Growing up in Washington she fished for steelhead, trout, and salmon. She even started tying flies at 10 years old. As an accomplished angler and guide in Puget Sound, her custom patterns are loved by fly fishers everywhere. Listen to this fun conversation to hear more about Brita’s life, designs, fly tying tricks, and so much more. This episode is brought to you by OluKai! Outline of This Episode [2:15] Brita Fordice grew up fly fishing in Washington [10:22] Brita has taken tying flies to a whole new level [17:35] How does she keep from having her beautifully crafted flies not turn into a terrible mess when mass-produced? [20:20] What does she love and hate about different flies? [25:25] Why do they use UV hardened resin? [31:05] What are her thoughts on intruders? [35:22] Which flies is she most proud of? [40:09] What is a true

Hoagy Carmichael is a producer, director, author and bamboo rod builder. Growing up as the son of one of America’s most cherished songwriters, Hoagy is no stranger to the pressures of passing on legacies. In 1968, he met bamboo rod builder Edmund Everett Garrison, where he would eventually chronicle the work of one of fly fishing’s greats. You can find this video in the Members section of AnchoredOutdoors.com - sign up today and get your first month free, you can cancel at any time. Buy Hoagy's Books at www.booksbycarmichael.com Outline of This Episode [4:15] Cancer has taken a toll on his health [7:16] Born and raised in L.A., Hoagy grew up surrounded by show business [10:35] Hoagy didn’t learn how to fish until 1967 [21:46] Garrison’s rods were different  [25:17] Hoagy worked on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood [30:15] He has written 5 books on fly fishing [37:40] Do women really catch more fish? [42:05] Is he a part of the fly fishing industry? [46:07] How would he like to be remembered? This episod

The whole point of catch and release fishing is to ensure those fish live to swim another day. But sometimes, even with our best intentions, that prized fish won’t get to live much longer. Anglers and fisheries scientists, Dr. Andy Danylchuk and Sascha Clark Danylchuk are working hard to change that. Their nonprofit KeepEmWet Fishing (soon to be KeepFishWet) strives to give anglers better practices when practicing catch and release. Listen in to this fascinating conversation to hear why they do what they do, how they are trying to save ecosystems and fish, and best practices that you can employ today.  This episode is brought to you by Cross Current Insurance, the fishing and outdoor industry's insurance company! Outline of This Episode  [3:15] Andy and Sascha take science and put it in the hands of anglers [8:16] How does the science apply to anglers? [13:14] Why should I follow these best practices? [19:48] Where do they do their studies? [20:50] A dissenting view [24:15] What do they think of Wash

Captains For Clean Water started out as a group of fishing guides who were fed up with Florida’s water management practices. The organisation advocates for the elimination of harmful, large-scale freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the east and west by restoring the natural flow south into the Everglades and Florida Bay.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet with captains Chris Wittman and Daniel Andrews, the founders of CFCW, to try to wrap my head around the issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirk Deeter is the vice president of media at Trout Unlimited and the editor of TROUT Magazine. He’s also an editor-at-large for Field & Stream and the editor-in-chief of Angling Trade. To say he’s busy is an understatement. The workload isn’t new to Kirk—he’s been working in the fly fishing industry since 2000 and is no stranger to the long hours of journalism. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Kirk to get the inside scoop on his industry magazine, his thoughts on diversity, and whether we’re loving our fisheries to death. Buy Kirk's Books: The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Galhardo was born in Brazil, but came to the States as an exchange student, where he fell in love with trout fishing. When Daniel accidentally stumbled on the topic of Tenkara fishing, he was immediately intrigued. Tenkara is an ancient, Japanese form of fly-fishing that uses only a rod, line and fly, but no reel. Daniel committed himself to learning more about its history and in 2009 he founded Tenkara USA.  In this episode of Anchored, we talk about how Daniel became the man responsible for popularising the method within the USA. We dive into the specifics of how Tenkara is done, the advantages, disadvantages, and how it compares to other forms of fly fishing. This episode of Anchored is brought to you by PosterBurner! Buy Daniel's Book: Tenkara USA's Tenkara Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

***Take our Josh Niland Masterclass here!*** Josh Niland is quite possibly the hottest chef on the scene right now. Owner of the Saint Peter restaurant and Fish Butchery in Sydney, he has risen to fame for using of an average 91% of every fish he buys. This September, Josh released his “Whole Fish Cookbook”, which serves as a guide for chefs, home cooks, and anglers who are also looking to waste less of their fish. His recipes range from fish eye chips to milt mortadella, as well as over 50 recipes for the fillets and prime cuts.  I’ve been working through Josh’s book for a series I’ve been writing over at MeatEater called “Nostril to Caudal.” Josh’s knowledge, guidance, and recipes have singlehandedly changed how I clean, process, and cook fish in my own home. I’ve gone from being skeptical and squeamish to craving fish heads, livers, throats, and more.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet with Josh to discuss how he came to be one of the world’s most sought-after chefs, and why he chose to focus specific

Meredith McCord is a keen angler, professional trip host, and world traveler. Today she holds 180 records through the IGFA, and she shows no signs of slowing down. Meredith has worked her entire career to make it so that she can fish as often as possible. In the second part of this two-part episode of Anchored, we wrap up Meredith’s timeline and discuss tipping guides, mellowing out, being lonely and the real reason she continues to chase records.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meredith McCord is a keen angler, professional trip host, and world traveler. Today she holds 180 records through the IGFA, and she shows no signs of slowing down. Meredith has worked her entire career to make it so that she can fish as often as possible. In Part One of this two-part episode of Anchored, we discuss chasing records, how she got into the fishing industry, and the rumors she’d like to address. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Land Tawney is the President and CEO of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. The organisation is a non-profit sportsmen's group based in Montana.  In this episode of Anchored, I sit down with Land to get a better understanding of what he and BHA do. We discuss public land, taking action, handling criticism and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Gierach is one of the most iconic fishing writers of all time. Having published 20 books and countless articles, it’s been said that John may be the only fly fishing writer who’s made a decent living at the craft. It’s not hard to believe—John’s talent for bringing words to life is something only time and dedication can master. In this episode of Anchored, I meet with John for the first time at his home in Colorado. He lets me pick his brain about his upbringing and life as an author, as well as his thoughts on staying passionate about fishing, being a trout bum, climate change, and the use of profanity. Buy John's Books: Trout Bum, A Fly Rod of Your Own Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) is the sole trade organisation for the fly fishing industry. Over the years, AFFTA has worked hard to grow the industry, all while balancing the tricky task of sustainability and diversification.  In this episode of Anchored, I meet up with Ben Bulis, the organisation’s president, and Matt Smythe, the communications and membership director. We discuss the size of the industry, overseas manufacturers, guide protection, tolerance, inclusion, pro deals, and the pink it and shrink it strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices