Episode 164 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – February 12, 2026 Today our destination is the Big Hole River in southwest Montana — a place trout anglers have revered for generations and home to the last native Arctic grayling in the Lower 48. But is this storied fishery at a crossroads? Trout numbers are lower than they've been in decades, even as anglers still find good fish. So what's really happening out there — and what will it take to turn things around? Jim Olsen, Fisheries Biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, gives us the facts. With host Steve Haigh. Be the first to know about new episodes. Become a subscriber Contact Jim Olsen: JimOlsen@mt.gov | 406-533-8451 Destination Angler Podcast: Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook @DestinationAnglerPodcast Please check out our Sponsors: Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose. Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks. A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers. Facebook @ReddsFlies Instagram @ReddsFlies TroutRoutes The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers. Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today. Get 1 Month Free Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes Got Fishing Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget. Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet. Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com Facebook @highndryfishingproducts Instagram @highndryfishing Comments & Suggestions: host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Dec 11, 2025
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