Into the Driftless Region with John van Vliet and Catherine Smith
Episode 169 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – April 23, 2026
Our destination is the legendary spring creeks of the Driftless Area with author and expert John van Vliet and Catherine Smith.
Our destination is the legendary spring creeks of the Driftless Area—where miles and miles clear cold water, aggressive trout, and an open to the public culture make this truly a one-of-a-kind destination.
Author and expert fly anglers, John van Vliet and Catherine Smith break it all down—where to look, what to throw, when to go, and one unforgettable story from the Mount St. Helens eruption.
Catherine's big Iowa brown trout
With host Steve Haigh.
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Contact John and Catherine: https://www.troutrunpress.com/ | john@troutrunpress.com | Instagram @TroutRunPress
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Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Recorded Mar 19, 2026
Key Topics:
- Why the Driftless feels like a secret mountain fishery hiding in the Midwest
- Crystal-clear spring creeks—and trout that see everything you do
- The art (and agony) of fooling ultra-picky fish on dry flies
- Stalking rising trout like a bowhunter, not a caster
- Hopper eats, ant falls, and those explosive summer takes
- A wild detour—the Mount St. Helens eruption story you didn’t see coming
- How 20-inch trout disappear into water you can step across
- Timing it right—when the river suddenly turns “on”
- Outsmarting crowds and finding your own water
- Easy access, endless creeks, and the ultimate DIY road trip
- A comeback story—how these streams were brought back to life
