The Fishful Thinker Podcast

How Do I Get Kids into Fishing, or Grow Their Bass Derby Skills?

It's a very common email for us; "How do I get my kids more involved in fishing?" Another common question revolves around details about coaching junior or high school fishing tournaments. Well, as a very experienced kids fishing teacher and derby coach, we dedicated this podcast to lessons I've learned by teaching and coaching tons of kids over the last two decades, all the way up to winning the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship. If you have further questions about this topic, please email us at FishfulThinker.com; I'd be glad to help. Otherwise, enjoy and please subscribe to our podcast and Fishful Thinker YouTube channel, too!   

Handling Pressured Waters

Lakes and rivers have become more and more crowded with both anglers and other users. On top that, the average angler is now both better equipped and better educated, meaning that fishing behind or around them is tougher than ever. As a guide service on a very popular lake, and also living in prime fly fishing country, we are very used to fishing in crowds for bass and walleyes on our reservoirs, and trout on the rivers. In this episode, host Chad LaChance discusses some of the nuances of fishing around both angling pressure and general recreational users alike. If you enjoy, please subscribe while you're here and also visit our YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram pages @fishfulthinker.  

Hook, Line and Sinker...the Fundamentals

Fishing can be boiled down to the hook, line and sinker...but what decisions go into choosing your hook, line and sinker. More importantly, how do we put it all together? In this episode, well talk through some of the choices we make with regards to choosing terminal tackle, and also knot choices when we rig them. Yes, it's basic...but as has often been said, the devil's in the details. We hope you enjoy and learn from our podcasts...please subscribe while you're here and we'll keep 'em coming!  

When in Doubt, Get the Jerkbait Out!

Fishing jerkbaits is almost a polarizing topic amongst anglers. Many pigeon-hole the jerkbait as a spring time only lure, others say it's only for clear water and many think it's basically a bass lure. Well, for us here at FTTV, the jerkbait is an extremely versatile and effective too for a wide range of fish species and conditions. In this episode, host Chad LaChance discusses everything from why the jerkbait works to how to rig it to how to fish it for multi-species angling. Hope you enjoy; please subscribe while you're here and consider visiting our other social media @FishfulThinker as well!

The Line on Fishing Lines

Modern anglers have a wide range of choices when choosing a fishing line and anglers are not in 100% agreement as to which style - nylon monofilament, "super line" or fluorocarbon - in the best. Why? Because each line has strengths and weaknesses. In this episode, we'll delve into the characteristics of each choice and how they apply to anglers, along with what line type we choose for various presentations. If you learn from or enjoy our podcast, please share it with your angling friends and subscribe while you are here! 

Walleyes...East vs West

It's a very common concern we hear as western walleye guides; "I used to catch walleyes back when I lived in WS (or any other traditional "walleye state") but I can't catch them here in CO!" Well, the reason is not only differences in the region, but also that fact that western walleyes dwell in man-made reservoirs stocked with non-native fish. Those reservoirs, unlike natural lakes back east, typically have wildly fluctuating water levels, very little if any aquatic vegetation, and often odd main food sources like stocked trout or salmon. They simply don't act the same as walleye in their native waters. Minnesota native turned CO fishing guide Dan Swanson is a former PWT walleye pro and joins us to talk about the differences and how to address them as anglers. Please consider subscribing while you're here!  

Fishing...A Game of Decisions

The difference between a great day of fishing and an average one comes down to how well your decision making was for that day. 99% of the time somebody on the lake or river will make the correct decisions and catch them good while somebody else simply won't. In this episode host Chad LaChance talks through his decision making process developed from tournament angling, guiding and filming  Fishful Thinker Television...in other words fishing on the clock. If you enjoy or learn from this podcast, please consider subscribing and following along on social media as well.  

Fish...It’s What’s for Dinner.

Ahhh...fresh fish! Eating fish you caught is part of the angling lifestyle and a rewarding way to round out the experience. Fish are a healthy diet choice and when chosen using "selective harvest" principles, they are  sustainable as well. In this episode, we talk about choosing which fish to eat, how to transport and store them, and a couple of our favorite way to prepare them, too. If you enjoy or learn from our podcast, please subscribe while you're here! 

The Most Versatile Lure Of All

Everyone wants a magic lure...one that always gets bites. Us to, and in our opinion, that lure needs to work for basically any species we target. Well, over the 14 years, one specific lure, or lure body really, has proven it's potency for not only numbers of bites, but also numbers of species and size, too. Host Chad LaChance has caught 78 species of fish on it to date, as well as some of his most memorable catches. Best of all, it's affordable and anyone can fish it.  IF you enjoy our pdocast, please share it with your fishy friends!

Bucket-List Adventure Planning

For many anglers, a trip to a very remote fishing destination is a bucket-list adventure, and for good reason...it's the stuff dreams are made of. Realistically though, there are several steps leading up to that all-important outfitter decision. Then are several more steps in preparing for the trip itself to ensure your goals are met. In this episode, host Chad LaChance is joined by hardcore outdoorsman and Alaskan lodge owner, Dan Paull to discuss those topics. Having been to Dan's oh-so-remote lodge as well as a couple of others, Chad can testify to the mental value in these kinds of adventures and he has already booked a trip back to Dan's place for more! If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe, follow or share with share with you friends!