The Guide Post

Tony and Will drop in for a rapid reaction from the ASMFC Spring Meeting. Topics include the latest on red drum, spanish mackerel and striped bass. #TheGuidePost Presented by Costa Sunglasses

With the life of a fishing guide already being so chaotic, it’s hard to imagine how a simultaneous career as a musician is even possible. Balancing both of these journeys along with family life has become the norm for Chuck Ragan, a fly-fishing guide and musician based out of California. While Chuck has experienced a professional life most could only dream of, his proudest memories are based around his son. In this episode, we highlight a game changer in the fullest sense: someone lives as a shining example of "doing it your own way".

Consistent spawning production is paramount to a fishery’s long-term health. Many environmental factors are suspected to impact annual spawning production, and understanding these effects is crucial for conserving this fishery. For Atlantic striped bass, the right conditions are linked to high flows, a cool spring and a moderate temperature rise through the season, but these three factors only don’t tell the whole story. In this episode, ASGA’s Policy Director Tony Friedrich is joined by Martin Gary, Director of the Division of Marine Resources for New York DEP. Marty’s previous fisheries experience includes time with PRFC and Maryland DNR. While the Chesapeake community dearly misses his four decades of experience and leadership, Marty has seen the best and worst of this fishery and will play a critical role in its future up in New York. #TheGuidePost Presented by Costa Sunglasses

Luyen Chou is the founder of the GotOne app. In this episode, Luyen stops by The Guide Post to recount tales of hunting sheepshead in the marsh of Louisiana and talk about the challenges of fisheries data. Luyen expresses hope for a revolution in capturing high-quality data at scale to better understand the fish we love to catch. #TheGuidePost Presented by Costa Sunglasses

The ASMFC Striped Bass Management Board held a formal review of the state implementation plans for the new regulations under the recently passed Addendum II. During this meeting, the Board voted to find the PA, MD and PRFC jurisdictions out of compliance. This vote passed 11-3-1-0 (full motion transcribed below): “Move to approve Addendum II state implementation plans as discussed today with the following exceptions: -PA: not planning to adhere to the May 1 implementation deadline; and -MD, PRFC: not planning to adhere to the commercial quota overage payback provision for deductions to occur in the following year These jurisdictions must submit revised implementation plans by April 12, 2024. The Management Board will review and consider approval of the revised state implementation plans at its May 1, 2024 meeting.” (11-3-1-0) #TheGuidePost Presented by Costa Sunglasses

It's nice to take a break from the doldrums of fisheries science and management to grab a seat at the bar and simply talk about fishing, from tactics you've never considered to fish stories too absurd to make up. In our our second episode of SHOP TALK, fishing guides spread out throughout the east coast sit down with the ASGA team to do exactly that. Pour a coffee, take a seat on the bench and join us for a bit of shop talk.

Ben Martens of the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association stops by the Guide Post to talk about rebuilding in New England after big storms and the resilience of the working waterfront. "The impact of January's storms on Maine's working waterfront is currently beyond comprehension. The devastation occurred rapidly, yet the reconstruction process will likely span years." Learn more about the impacts of recent severe weather on the waterman community by clicking here. The Guide Post Presented By Costa Sunglasses

There are few people as well-respected in the outdoor industry as Hilary Hutcheson. Hilary is an experienced, veteran guide in Montana with a lengthy resume of global travels. In addition to her pursuits on the water, Hilary keeps a packed schedule on land, serving as a board member for multiple organizations including AFFTA and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Advocacy is laced into everything Hutcheson does, from her past career in journalism to film work and industry ambassadorship. Hilary truly walks the walk, pushing the brands she works with to recognize their role of responsibility in conservation and challenging them to be courageous in difficult conversations. We couldn’t think of a better role model for upcoming anglers, guides and industry members - and we’re extremely excited to bring a thoughtful conservation with one of the best to Blane’s podcast series.

Jessica Pate stops by The Guide Post to discuss the inception of the Florida Manta Project and how collaborative efforts with cobia fishermen aims to expand that understanding and increase angler success while reducing angler impacts. You can help expand our understanding of these incredible rays! If you have documented any manta rays off the east coast in recent seasons, reach out to Jessica on Instagram (@FloridaMantaGirl) or by email (florida@marinemegafauna.org)! Watch the Manta Project's new video - "Best Practices for Fishing Cobia Around Manta Rays" by clicking here. #BetterBusinessThroughConservation

March 7th, 2024 - The new Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission voted 5-1-0 in favor of amending the new NOI for Redfish regulations from a 3-fish creel limit to a 4-fish creel limit. This episode features a condensed version of the public comment period, providing anglers and advocates direct access to the important discussions that can be difficult to tune in or attend. Old roots run deep, and long-standing mindsets take time to recalibrate. Though after hearing another round of overwhelming public comment from the passionate, thoughtful stakeholders who refuse to quit on this fishery, we know there is more progress to be made going forward.

Glen ‘Catch’ Cormier has decades of fly fishing experience. He's a certified casting instructor and a long-time Louisiana resident. In this episode, Catch stops by The Guide Post to break down the redfish management conundrum currently playing out in Louisiana.

On February 22, 2024, there was a North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission meeting and false albacore was on the agenda. The item for discussion was guard rail management for albies. The three options were essentially do nothing, monitor the situation , or if landings exceed 200% of a five-year average, take action. That action would be implementing regulations including a 3500lb trip limit for commercial vessels and a 10 fish per person limit (max of 30 per vessel) for recreational vessels. The vote was close, but Option 3 (take action) passed. For the very first time, false albacore finally have some level of state management. #BetterBusinessThroughConservation Presented by Costa Sunglasses.

Basic guardrail management has been proposed for the false albacore fishery in North Carolina. In simplest terms, the rule established basic guardrails for false albacore if the state finds a significant increase in landings compared to a five-year average of landings. Learn more and have your voice heard by clicking this link. #BetterBusinessThroughConservation Presented by Costa Sunglasses

Jay Nichols has enjoyed an incredible career in the fly fishing industry. As a former managing editor of Fly Fisherman magazine, Jay knows the ins and outs of writing, editing and photography. He has utilized those skills to amplify angling tales and spread fishing education to the masses while soaking up endless knowledge from some of the sport's greatest minds like Lefty Kreh, Bob Popovics & Bob Clouser. In this episode of Game Changers, Blane is joined by a good friend and long-time colleague to take an industry-deep dive behind the mighty pen and lens.

Capt. Kyle Schaefer grabs ahold of the primary mic to host his first episode of The Guide Post. In his inaugural freestyle, Kyle is joined by Canadian striper guide and good friend Andrew Murphy. The two striper angling aficionados discuss the history of the species over the border, the genetic distinctions between the internationally separated stocks and a unique outlook for a blooming fishery.

Last week, Capt. Kyle Schaefer was called to testify as a witness at the US Senate Budget Committee. Sitting amongst a panel of other brilliant minds, Kyle provided a first-hand account of the effects of a changing climate on ocean-based small businesses like his own. Schaefer's biggest takeaway was, "We belong here". Kyle exhibited a whole lot of courage and exuded passion for protecting our oceans. In doing so, he set a great example for anglers, outdoorsmen and business owners around the country. We're extremely proud of Kyle and hope to amplify this behind-the-scenes account of the preparation for this big day.

The Striped Bass portion of the ASMFC 2024 Winter Meeting is in the books. While the final results weren’t perfect, after five contentious hours on the webinar, we have an approved Addendum II in which conservation won on many fronts. The public comment summary for Addendum II was a landslide, calling for the most consistent and conservation-minded decisions to protect the future of this fishery. The following blog provides a brief summary of the action on the primary sections of Addendum II: https://saltwaterguidesassociation.com/addendum-2.../ Key Moments: Move to approve in Section 3.1.2. Ocean Recreational Fishery Option B: 1-fish at 28-31″ with 2022 seasons for all modes. Motion passes 14-2-0-0. Move to approve in Section 3.1.2. Chesapeake Bay Recreational Fishery Option B2: 19-24″ slot, 1-fish for all modes, 2022 seasons. Motion passes 14-2-0-0. Move to approve in Section 3.2.1 Commercial Quota Reduction Option B: 7% reduction from ocean and Chesapeake Bay 2022 quotas with 2022 size limits. Motion passes 8-6-0-2. Move to approve in Section 3.3 Response to Stock Assessments Option B: Board could respond via Board action to change management measures by voting to pass a motion at a Board meeting. Motion passes 11-5-0-0. Move to approve the following compliance schedule: States must submit implementation plans by March 1, 2024. The Board will review and consider approving implementation plans in March 2024. States must implement regulations by May 1, 2024. Motion passes 10-4-0-2. #BetterBusinessThroughConservation #StripedBass #FisheriesManagement

A hearing to receive public comment on the latest Louisiana Redfish NOI took place yesterday morning. That hearing was not live-streamed, and it went off the rails rather quickly. In this Rapid Reaction episode, Capt. Bailey Short and Capt. Ty Hibbs, who attended the meeting, stopped by to provide commentary. #BetterBusinessThroughConservation This podcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses.

It may take the entire village to drive change, but every major campaign begins with a single voice. Our guest today is industry professional Nick Jones. Nick stopped by The Guide Post to explain how his unorthodox introduction into guiding opened doors for amazing work opportunities and his newfound passion for advocacy.

As many of our listeners already know, launching The Albie Project was a nerve-wracking process for our team. Nearly three years after the inception of this dynamic project, we're insanely proud of everything we have learned and what we're poised to learn in the near future. In this episode of the podcast, Ed Kim from the New England Aquarium stops by to provide insights on what we know so far, the latest data returns and our outlook for 2024. Presented by Costa Sunglasses