Jake Thornburg, better known as “Jakey Two Tips,” is a true Gunnison River aficionado and an all-around Colorado Western Slope fishing bum. Though he didn’t grow up fishing, Jake found his way to the river later in life—and once he did, it took hold. What started as curiosity turned into obsession, and eventually into a career built around the very waters he now calls home.

In this episode, we talk about how Jake carved out his place on the Western Slope, what makes the Gunnison such a special fishery, and how he has found a love for fishing the bobber.

Lael Paul Johnson is one of the best steelhead guides out there. Period. Known for his passion, determination, and relentless dedication to the sport. If you see Lael on the water, watch and learn. If you see Lael on land, it’s probably not steelhead season.

Tune in to this episode to pick up some of Lael’s best steelheading tricks—but more than that, hear how he traded a career as a brain surgeon for life as a fly-fishing guide. Which one is more technical? We’ll let Lael tell you.

Check out some of Lael's work below!

flygyde.com

@laelpauljohnson

laelpjohnson.com

In this Episode we are joined by Jon Coudriet, a self proclaimed brand aficionado who specializes in fly fishing photography. In this episode we talk about Jon's passion for being in the right place at the right time. How he has made a career out of photography, and how the best camera is the one that you know how to use!

Find some of Jon's work at joncoudriet.com

• Fly Fishing photography
• Cameras
• Surfing
• Striped Marlin
• Photo Editing
• Adventure Travel
• Los Locos

A lot of young anglers dream about heading to New Zealand. Big trout, epic rivers, and pure adventure. Online it looks like a fly fishing paradise, but what’s it really like to live there and figure it all out on your own?

In this episode, we talk with 5 Rivers alum Joe Fitzgerald. Joe took the leap and moved down under to chase his dream. He shares stories from the rivers, what it’s really like to DIY your life and fishing in a new country, and tips for anyone thinking about packing up and doing it all themselves. If you’ve ever thought about heading to New Zealand to fish, this episode gives you the real, behind-the-scenes experience.

Nelson Oxley is a TU Costa 5 Rivers alumnus from St. Lawrence University who has continued to make a meaningful impact in the fishing industry well beyond his time as a club member. In this episode, we sit down with Nelson to unpack his journey as an angler, from his early days on the water to how the 5 Rivers program helped shape his path and open doors within the industry. This conversation explores personal growth, industry insight, and what it really takes to turn a love for fishing into a lasting career.

• Mayfly Outdoors
• 5 Rivers
• Musky Fishing
• 25 on the Fly
• Carp Fishing
• Fly Lords
• Fly Fishing Colorado

Brian O'Keefe recounts his five-decade journey as a fly fisherman, photographer, and writer — from early film cameras to modern iPhone photography, and from local rivers to remote saltwater destinations.

The episode mixes some of Brians best stories, from guiding Ted Williams in Alaska, to exploring deep in the jungle looking for bass, we go over it all!

Thomas is a good friend of Emerging and the OT manager of the infamous St. Peter’s Fly Shop in Fort Collins, Colorado. In this episode, we talk about shop life and what it’s like being part of a fly shop that plays a major role in its local fishing community. We dig into the day to day rhythm of working in a shop, connecting with anglers of all experience levels, and how a shop becomes more than just a place to buy gear.

We also cover Thomas’s 5 Rivers journey and his involvement with the CSU Fly Fishing Club, touching on how both experiences helped shape his path in fly fishing. Destination travel is another key part of the conversation, focusing on fishing new places and how travel influences perspective on the water. From local shop conversations to bigger-picture ideas about fly fishing, this episode keeps things grounded and experience-driven. Tune in to learn more.

Hunter Levine is the host of the highly respected Captains Collective podcast, where he’s spent years sharing stories, lessons, and wisdom from captains and outdoorsmen across the country. Known for his thoughtful interview style and time spent on the road chasing conversations, Hunter has built a show that goes far beyond fishing, focusing on craftsmanship, curiosity, and the people behind the passions.

In this episode, we hop on the mics together to talk about our podcasting experiences, swap stories from the road, and highlight some of Hunter’s favorite past guests. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes podcast talk, great storytelling, and conversations that feel genuine and unscripted, this episode is definitely worth a listen.