Season 5 of The Backcountry Fly Fishing Podcast comes to a close with a look at how far the show has come—and where it’s headed next.

In this final episode of the season, Ross reflects on the growth of the podcast, the wide range of topics covered throughout Season 5, and the community that’s formed around thoughtful conversations about fly fishing, wilderness, stewardship, and outdoor life. It’s also a candid discussion about what’s changing behind the scenes, including potential shifts in season structure, the addition of video content, and how the show can continue to evolve without losing what makes it grounded and authentic.

Looking forward, Ross lays out a roadmap for the future: a deeper focus on outdoor skills beyond fishing—like backpacking, camping, and time spent living well in wild places—along with the possibility of ethical, transparent partnerships with gear brands he personally uses and trusts. There’s also a discussion of potential hosted trips and other ways to bring the community together off the screen and out into the field.

Season 5 may be ending, but this is very much a beginning. We’ll be back in early April with Season 6.

Thank you for listening—and for being part of what this has become.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

When disaster hits, the damage doesn’t stop at roads and homes—it tears through rivers, streams, and the communities that depend on them.

In this episode, Ross sits down with Jared Dubin and Miguel Huerta of The Beacon Network, a small, community-based nonprofit doing critical recovery work along the South Toe River in North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

The conversation explores what recovery actually looks like on the ground—navigating a complicated political environment, coordinating volunteers and resources, and staying focused on long-term watershed health rather than quick fixes. Jared and Miguel share why restoring damaged streams matters, not just for fish and ecosystems, but for the people who live alongside them.

This episode is also a call to service. It’s about how anglers and outdoor communities can show up when the waters they love are damaged—and why stewardship doesn’t end when the storm passes.

If you care about rivers, resilience, and being useful when it matters most, this is an episode worth listening to.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/

Some places change you—not because they’re comfortable or accessible, but because they demand something from you. Deep in Mongolia’s backcountry, far from roads, towns, and certainty, those places still exist.

In this episode, Ross sits down with Peter Fong, head guide with Mongolia River Outfitters, the team that made Ross's life-altering expedition into one of the wildest landscapes on Earth possible. Driving deep into the steppe and living on the land in one of the most remote (and cold) places on the planet, this was a trip that reshaped how Ross thinks about wilderness, risk, and what it means to truly earn an experience.

Peter shares what it takes to guide in this incredible place, the history and spirituality of Mongolia's ancient taimen rivers, and the importance of protecting places like these for coming generations. The conversation explores humility, preparation, cultural respect, and the responsibility that comes with bringing anglers into landscapes that are still largely untouched.

This episode isn’t just about fishing—it’s about transformation, perspective, and the rare privilege of stepping into places that still play by their own rules.

If you'd like to learn more about going to Mongolia, email Peter at pwfong@gmail.com.

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If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to follow us and (if you're feeling gracious) leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Have questions or suggestions for the podcast? Email Ross at backcountryflyfishingpodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_flyfishing_podcast/