The Struggle Is Reel
Fly fishing guides Eric Leininger, Zach Carothers (of Portugal. The Man), and Matt Thorton discuss Pacific Northwest fishing, share stories, and explore the challenges of being better humans while working as full-time guides.
Episodes
Eatsy
Ep: 47
SuidSize me
Ep. 46
Countdown To Skynet: Might As Well Go Fish
Ep. 45Steelhead, pattern recognition, and accepting what you can’t controlEric, Zach, and Matt spend most of this episode unpacking the weird psychology of steelhead fishing, especially how much of it comes down to patience, consistency, and accepting randomness. They also compare steelhead to other species, talk through a memorable last-minute catch for a friend, and wrap with travel updates, a g
I'm Fly Fishing?
Ep. 44
Lord Give Me A Lobotomy
Ep.43
Your Dads A Numbers Guy
Episode 42Matt, Eric, and Zach catch up on river life, trailer-backing disasters, and the eternal debate between bead fishing and “real” fishing. The episode moves from neighborhood parking rage to steelhead and trout tactics, with Zach sharing what it’s like guiding the Deschutes post steelhead closure. In this episode, Matt opens with the running joke that “the struggle is real” before the conve
The Gang Goes Bonkers
Episode 41
Rage Relapse
Episode 40
Beads B4 Bros
Episode 40
King Of The Beaver Bar
Episode 39
Shadow Sides
Episode 38
Ziggy Starlink
Episode 37
THEY who?
Episode 36
Jeff Arnold Chronicles Vol.2
Episode 35
Bass>Bass
Episode 34
Jeff Arnold: Alaska Chronicles Vol. 1
Episode 33
Countdown To Matt’s 12th Season in Alaska.
Episode 32
Back To The Future
Episode 31 We thought we lost an episode. But then found it. So yes. This episode was prior to Matt going to Belize. That’s on us. We fucked up, it’s on us. We fucked up it’s on us. We fucked up. We’re taking accountability 1000% we’re not gonna play games.
It’s a Reservation, dawg
Episode 30
Spey Clave
Episode 28
American Lipo
Episode 27
Bonus Episode: In The Bucket with Brian Niska and Adrienne Comeau
I pitch my theory to Brian and Adrienne of Nothing Matters when Steelhead aren’t pressured and water temps are warm. My epiphany on the Skeena last Fall. This may be a recurring series with different Steelhead Guides.
M.A.T.com
Episode 26
Trout Set Steelhead
Episode 25
Love Is Grime
Episode 24
Keep Calm Everyone. We’re About To Die. Episode 23.
You’ve probably almost died and had no idea. But we did.
Long Blinks and Strong Sinks. Episode 22.
Misery loves company especially in audio texts at 5AM. PSA: Sir you are in 2” of water. And The Angle Of The Dangle.
Anadromous Anonymous. Episode 21
Who knows. Pull the pin and take a listen.
Metal. Gear. Solid. Episode 20.
The Winter March continues.
Sexual Tension. Episode 19.
Another week of fishing and BS.
Alpha Males vs Beta Blockers. Episode 18
Have you ever had a day where you’re just one more bad thing happening away from burning it all down? Yeah, we had one of those mornings.
Attachment Issues: Episode 17
Eric crashes a jet boat. A grown man cartwheels through the air. F3T recap.
Camp Bad Kid. Episode 16
TSIR
Zyn Master Episode 15
Design the new TSIR logo and win a free Guide Trip. The story of how Eric realized he has face blindness, Zach can’t lie, and Matt has a wardrobe malfunction. Also, to wait or to set on steelhead grabs, Kelly Galloup looks great at 67, Zach’s poker face, and how Eric got caught red handed lying about fish numbers.
From Heros To Zeros
Peak Guide moments from 2025. Flashbacks to the ones that got away that will haunt us until our deaths. Fred Durst is cool, full stop. How is it legal to kill wild steelhead in 2026, and dating has never been easier for normal dudes.
Going Postal and Going Coastal Episode 13
The gang recaps the best day ever. Lots of laughs on a small coastal stream. Eric almost Bo Jacksons his spey rod.
The Best Idea For A Maxima Ad Episode 12
Current steelhead report. Coast & Sandy. Portland Fly Shop Pod: it’s great go listen, dogs make an appearance (audibly) Adam Corolla sucks, what’s going on with public bathrooms at parks, and quite possibly the greatest ad idea for maxima ever created.
Winter Steelhead Q&A. Episode 11
We answer a bunch of questions submitted via IG. Spoiler; it’s mostly Steelhead talk. Odd and various subjects are peppered in as well.
Do Not Tell Me Where You Fish Ep 10
Current changes in our local rivers after the floods. Don’t ever tell a fly shop employee anything. Steelhead fishing and things we’ve learned. Also, an idea to create a universal hand signal for “we know the etiquete” when encountering other fishermen on the river.
Older Than Pizza Ep 9
Again, are you actually reading this? I’m not even sure what we talked about. There’s definitely some fishing in there, Zach‘s grandma having the first pizza in America ever, and also my deep dive into eating a large amount of mushrooms last winter.
Winter Steelhead Talk, Sort of Ep 8
Does anyone read these? Our buddy Matt Thorton joins us and the usual bs continues this week.
And we’re back Ep 7
After wrapping up our Summer and Fall seasons, Zach and I catch up to talk about how bad this podcast is and why I only took mdma once.
Colby Enters The Chat Ep 6
Carp Fishing, why people hold on to their hats while the power boat is running instead of just taking it off, boat shenanigans in. the dark and more.
ACAB: All Carp Are Bastards Ep 5
In this conversation, Mykizha and Zach discuss various aspects of their lives, including frustrations with yard work, fishing experiences, movie reviews, and the challenges of guiding. They touch on personal struggles with finances, physical injuries, and the joys of cooking with a new Traeger grill. The conversation also delves into community engagement through teaching fishing to kids, as well a
Why Isn't Starlink Free. Episode 4
In this engaging conversation, Eric and Zach explore the joys and challenges of fishing once again. They discuss the allure of off-grid living, and the pros and cons of technology in outdoor experiences. The duo shares personal fishing stories, techniques, and the nuances of guiding others in the sport. They reflect on the community aspect of fly fishing, the curiosity it ignites, and the balance
The Truth about Guiding In Alaska Ep:1
Episode 1 we dive into guiding in Alaska, Zach and I's background, and other tom foolerys.
The Struggle Of Guiding Ep: 3
In this conversation, Eric and Zach discuss the life of a fishing guide, sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the field. They delve into the emotional aspects of guiding, the impact of weather and conditions on fishing success, and the joy of witnessing clients catch their first fish. The conversation highlights the balance between work and passion, the struggles of guiding diffi
Tiger Musky High & Lows Ep:2
In this episode, Eric and Zach discuss their recent fishing adventures, focusing on musky fishing, bass fishing, and the community events surrounding these activities. They share insights on fishing techniques, client experiences, and the psychology behind fishing. The conversation also touches on upcoming fishing events, reflections on Independence Day, and future fishing plans, highlighting the
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