Fly Line Podcast

Maine Fishing Guides & Luminaries

EP12: Tom Ackerman, the ”Host with the Most”

In 1998, Tom formed his own company, Classic Connections, which provides worldwide travel and international trip planning services to hunters and anglers, specializing in exclusive fly-fishing and hunting adventures in remote destination locations. When not filming for TV or guiding along the Maine Coast, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the…
EP11: Bob Romano, a “Fly Fishing Story Teller”

He is also the author of the Rangeley Lakes series of novels: NORTH OF EASIE, WEST OF RANGELEY, and BROOK TROUT BLUES. NORTH OF EASIE took second place in the 2010 New England Outdoor Writer’s Best Book Contest. His latest novel, THE RIVER KING, is also set in western Maine. Bob’s wife, Trish, often adds…
EP10: Nate Bacon, the “Grand Laker Canoe Builder”

Canoe building runs in his blood. Nate’s great great grandfather and his great-grandfather guided their entire lives and, in the off-season, worked on and built Grand Laker canoes. Nate is following in their footsteps to carry on the tradition and not let it fade away. Nate owns and operates Daybreak Adventures Guide Service out of…
EP9: Rod McGarry, a “Legendary Flycasting Luminary”

Rod has an innate ability to captivate an audience and is one of the most engaging conversationalists I have ever encountered. Rod has a unique ability to prepare his presentations through careful research, and always offers his audience an engaging dialogue that is fun to participate in. Rod has the ability to look clearly at…
EP8: Governor Mills & Commissioner Camuso “Trailblazers for Women and the Outdoors”

Commissioner Camuso has over 20 years of experience with the department and also Maine Audubon and has led several statewide natural resource initiatives as wildlife director for IFW. She began her career in the department as an assistant regional wildlife biologist in southern Maine, then advanced to the Special projects coordinator for the Department before…
EP7: Bob Dionne, an “Unusually Good Guest”

Bob has served as a Federation of Fly Fishers casting instructor, a Registered Maine Fly Fishing Guide, and has worked in many capacities to help people advance their skills in the sport, be it as a drift boat instructor, arranging courses for Split Cane Rod Building, or hosting special guests at his Outdoor Retail Shop,…
EP6: Bob Mallard, the “Native Fish Advocate”

He is a fly designer for Catch Fly Fishing and is on the Pro Staff for Epic Fly Rods and Scientific Anglers. He drives the quintessential guide vehicle, the Toyota FJ Cruiser, and can often be spotted bouncing down the dirt roads of Maine in search of native fish in remote parts of the state.…
EP5: Brad Burns, the “Striped Bass Fishing Legend”

In the late 1980s, Brad discovered fly fishing and became an expert at taking large striped bass on flies he tied at his vise. His first book, the L.L. Bean Fly Fishing for Striped Bass Handbook, was published in 1998 and was followed by Fly Fishing Saltwater’s Finest, which he co-authored with his late friend…
EP4: Bill Pierce, the “Rangeley Lakes Outdoor Luminary”

In 2008, Bill received the distinguished “L.L. Bean Outdoor Hero Award” for innovation and exemplary service in promoting Maine’s Outdoors. Following that, Bill became the Director of Development at The Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, successfully working in Fundraising, Land Acquisition, and acquiring Grants for future land conservation projects. Bill was recognized by a new and…
EP3: Carter Davidson, the “Outdoor Adventures Film Producer”

Beginning in 2000, Carter got his start with Maine Public Broadcasting, producing and editing a long list of Emmy-nominated magazine series and documentaries. Later, he traveled across the globe to locations such as New Zealand, France, Argentina, Chile, and British Columbia to film all sorts of outdoor adventures, from extreme skiing, whitewater rafting and kayaking,…
EP2: Carroll & Lila Ware, a “Maine Fishing Power Duo”

Although you will hear from them just how enjoyable their career as guides and trainers has been, the year 2020 may have been the most personally rewarding for them for three reasons. (1) In that year, Carroll received the Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award. This is well-deserved peer…
EP1: Randy Spencer, the “Singing Maine Guide”

Portland Magazine has named Spencer one of the Ten Most Intriguing People in Maine. Yankee Magazine included him as one of the 25 people you need to meet most. He has been the subject of features on CBS Sunday Morning, Boston Channel 5’s Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, and ESPN2. Randy, and his wife Shelley,…