The World's Strangest Trout Stream: Fly Fishing Yellowstone's Firehole River with Craig Mathews, Part 1

Episode 167 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – March 26, 2026  In Part 1 of a two-part episode, our destination is Yellowstone National Park's Firehole River—a strange world of geysers and fumaroles, grizzlies and bison, and trout, along with the Gibbon and the Upper Madison.  With angler, fly designer, author, and 1% for the Planet Co-Founder, Craig Matthews who shares expert fly fishing techniques, along with stories of grizzly bear charges, his life as West Yellowstone Police Chief, and the surprising origins of his iconic fly shop, Blue Ribbon Flies.  Stick around to the end for great story of a trout that took 19 days to catch. With host Steve Haigh. Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Craig:  https://www.craigmathewsyellowstone.com/   Instagram:  @CraigMatthewsYellowstone Craig's latest book :  Pheasant Tail Simplicity @patagoniabooks | @patagonia_flyfish Destination Angler Podcast:   Website  |  YouTube  |  Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: 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 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    Comments & Suggestions:  shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Mar 5, 2026