Fishing for a Reason

If you’re tired of burning fuel, chasing other boats, and coming home with an empty cooler, this episode is for you.

Jamie breaks down why most anglers struggle to catch salmon consistently—and why it has nothing to do with luck, secret spots, or the newest gear. Instead, successful anglers follow a repeatable system that adapts to conditions, tides, and fish behavior.

You’ll learn the foundation of the 4 P’s Method and how treating fishing like a well-oiled machine can completely change your results on the water. This episode is especially valuable for Puget So...

If you’re unsure what fishing rod you should be fishing for salmon — or you’ve bought gear in the past that never felt right on the water — this episode will clear the confusion fast.

On this week’s Fishing for a Reason, we sit down with founder of ProLite Rods Chris Wegeleben, who has spent nearly a decade building technique-specific fishing rods for salmon, halibut, and nationwide fisheries. Chris explains how choosing the right blank, power, and action directly affects your hookup rate, your fight control, and how many fish make it to the net.

Instead...

In this episode, Jamie dives deep into the science, migration, and behavior of Pacific Market Squid—Washington’s most accessible winter fishery.

Whether you’re jigging from Edmonds Pier at night or hunting massive schools from a boat with sonar, understanding migration, spawning windows, and habitat will directly increase your success rate.

If you love accessible fisheries, fast action, winter nights, and a freezer full of calamari—this is your jam.

What Listeners Will Learn

In this deep-dive episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie breaks down the entire Pacific Razor Clam lifecycle — from microscopic larvae drifting in the surf to the full-grown clams you dig up on Washington’s beaches. If you love the science behind our local fisheries, this is your episode.

Jamie explains how clams dig at surprising speeds, how spawning actually works, why millions of eggs are produced with almost no chance of survival, and how state biologists assess razor clam populations to keep our recreational fishery thriving.

You’ll also learn the real story behind domoic...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott sit down with George Harris, President & CEO of the Northwest Marine Trade Association — the man behind the iconic Seattle Boat Show and one of the strongest voices advocating for boaters, anglers, and the marine businesses that support our way of life.

George shares 25+ years of stories, industry insights, and behind-the-scenes truths about what it really takes to keep boating accessible, protect fishing opportunities, support local marine businesses, and adapt to changing regulations across Washington.

From childhood fishing memories in the Midwest to orchestrating one of...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Scott and I sit down with experts John Keizer (Salt Patrol) and Eddie Dalmau to talk about a bucket-list fishing opportunity that every Pacific Northwest angler should know about. If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping the cold drizzle of winter and hooking into hard-charging yellowtail, roosterfish, dorado, snapper, and more — this is your sign.

John and Eddie break down everything you need to know about fishing La Paz, Mexico: the fishery, the boats, the accommodations, logistics, safety, species, food, culture, and what to expect from the brand-new Salt Patr...

In this Black Friday special of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Captain Scott break down the best fishing-friendly deals you can grab this holiday season — from portable power stations to custom rods, killer reel discounts, and even a unique “deal” from WDFW that lets you skip the crowds and go catch jumbo trout instead.

Fresh off an epic razor clam dig, they share what’s actually worth spending your money on, what gear they personally use on the water, and how to turn Black Friday into a day of fishing memories with your family instead of battling...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott dive into one of their favorite winter traditions — razor clam digging on the Washington coast. Whether you’re planning your very first dig or looking to fine-tune your setup for better results, this episode walks you step-by-step through how to plan, gear up, find the clams, and cook them up into delicious meals.

From choosing the right tides and beaches to avoiding rookie mistakes and making the experience family-friendly, Jamie and Scott share their own wins, fails, and funny stories (including how not to camp in a wi...

In this week’s episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie shifts gears from the usual fishing talk to share unique winter adventures around Anacortes, Whidbey Island, and the San Juan Islands. Whether you want to stay connected to the water without launching the boat, or you’re craving new places to explore during the off-season, this episode covers three must-try winter ferry day trips—including hidden gems, coffee shops, hikes, island tips, and creative ways to boost your mood and productivity during the dark, rainy months.

What Listeners Will Learn

- Why winter...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott sit down with the multi-talented guide Brianna Bruce, owner of Livin’ Life Adventures — a year-round guide service covering nearly every fishery in Washington State. Brianna shares her inspiring story of turning her lifelong love for fishing into a full-time guiding career and how she’s helping anglers of all levels build skills and make memories on the water.

From salmon and steelhead to walleye and crappie — and yes, squid fishing — Brianna breaks down why exploring new fisheries is key to becoming a more versatile angler. You’ll learn her...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott take you behind the scenes of their elk hunting trip in Idaho — where staying connected meant relying on Starlink internet. They break down how Starlink keeps them online while traveling, fishing, or living off-grid, and why it’s become a total game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts. From setup and power options to speed tests and satellite tracking, this episode gives you everything you need to know to stay connected anywhere your adventures take you.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ How Starlink works for travelers, boaters...

In this week’s episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie takes us deep into Idaho’s Selway wilderness for her first-ever elk hunt. With Scott out on the mountain and Starlink powering her remote setup, Jamie shares the lessons, surprises, and humbling beauty of stepping into a brand-new challenge.

From understanding elk migration patterns and predator behavior to embracing the beginner’s mindset and the power of disconnecting, this episode is packed with field-tested wisdom that applies to hunting, fishing, and life outdoors.

 What Listeners Will Learn

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Scott and Jamie sit down with Darrin and Karey Small—better known as the Black Dog Couple in the Pacific Northwest fishing community. 

From derby wins to running one of the largest Puget Sound Anglers chapters, this powerhouse couple shares their adventures of fishing together, traveling to Bamfield, BC, and building a lifestyle around both community and adventure. 

They dive into how to plan a cross-border fishing trip, tackle Canadian regulations, deal with ferries, gear up for big salmon in a remote location, and still make time for...

Most anglers buy a fish finder, mount the transducer, and hit the water thinking they’re set. But here’s the truth: if you don’t know how to actually read your sonar, you’re probably just looking at the bottom—and missing the fish swimming right beneath you.

In this episode, Jamie & Scott sit down with Navy-trained sonar expert Steve Chamberlin, who has over 30 years of experience turning sonar from “complicated electronics” into a powerful tool any angler can use. Steve explains the mistakes that keep anglers blind to fish, why cone angles and frequencies matter more than you...

Squid fishing in Puget Sound isn’t just popular—it’s exploding. But here’s the truth: most beginners show up at the pier unprepared, get tangled, frustrated, and leave empty-handed. 

Don’t let that be you.

In this episode, Jamie and Scott sit down with squidding expert Joe Kim, the man behind the Edmonds Squid Fishing community (10,000+ members strong) and maker of custom squid jigs. Joe reveals the exact setup you need, the jigging mistakes that cost you bites, and the unwritten rules of pier etiquette that can make or break your night. He also shares...

In this episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie and Scott take you along for a September day on the water between Salmon Bank and Eagle Point in Marine Area 7. Fresh off the Salmon for Soldiers event in Everett, they share stories of fishing with veterans, tips for targeting coho in September, and tactical advice for managing crowded waters. From choosing the right gear and lures to handling unexpected whale encounters, this episode is packed with knowledge, community spirit, and plenty of coho action.

What You’ll Learn

In this inspiring episode of Fishing for a Reason, Jamie sits down with Ambar Ramirez — the driving force behind Anglers Unlimited. While she’s not an angler herself, Ambar’s story is one of courage, adventure, and listening to the inner nudge that pushes us toward growth. 

From leaving her small coastal hometown in Venezuela to building a life across Russia, Finland, and Spain, Ambar shares how curiosity and bold choices shaped her journey. Together, Jamie and Ambar dive into lessons on resilience, authenticity, and even how AI can become a surprising tool for anglers.

What...