Fly Fishing Saves Lives

About Fly Fishing Saves Lives

Storytelling has earned its place as the most important tradition humans possess. The most important reason for this being that every story contains a lesson. The lesson to love, to forgive, to be just, and to strive for better than we have. They empower us, they lead us, they comfort us. This podcast is all about the stories of fly fishermen across the globe, who all have one common bond, Fly Fishing Saved their lives.

Publisher

Dana Lattery

Category

society & culture · sports · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

7 May 2020

Latest episode

19 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Feb 2026

   Ted Diedrich

   In this episode, Dana sits down with Ted — a 74-year-old fly fisherman whose life has been shaped by grit, devotion, loss, and the quiet restoration found in wild places. Raised in Trail, BC and later building a life in Vancouver as a doorman and arborist, Ted found the love of his life in his late 30s and dove headfirst into bird hunting and dog training. His days were full — trailing dogs, chasing roosters, and eventually spending countless hours fly fishing the lakes around Kamloops. One of the best pieces of advice he ever received? “If you can’t cast further, move your boat.” A lesson that would prove bigger than fishing. After retiring, Ted and his wife moved to Alberta to be closer to their daughter. Shortly after the move, his wife was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. For four years, life narrowed to hospital rooms, chemo drives, and caregiving. The river disappeared. The seasons blurred. After her passing, Ted faced the silence many men don’t talk about. But through community and the steady pull of the Bow River, he found his way back. Back to current. Back to rhythm. Back to life. This conversation starts with bird dogs and trout, but it becomes something deeper — about resilience, companionship, grief, and the power of not waiting. Ted’s message is simple and hard-earned: Don’t wait. Life isn’t guaranteed. If you can go live it — go. A grounded, honest episode about how the river doesn’t fix everything — but it can carry you through.

2. 

   18 Dec 2025

   Tim Hepworth

   Paramedic turned fly fishing guide, dad, and trusted voice in the tying world — Tim Hepworth merges real-world grit with river-born calm. From EMS stress to Bow River bliss, he’s proof that the rhythm of the river can recalibrate life.

3. 

   22 Jan 2024

   Mike Ritsco

   In this captivating episode of our podcast, we dive into the life of Mike Ritsco, a 47-year-old boilermaker from Calgary, who finds solace and joy in the art of fly fishing. Born in Claresholm, Alberta, Mike's journey is a testament to the unexpected paths life can take us on. We start by exploring Mike's early years in Alberta, discovering how his childhood influenced his love for outdoor activities, particularly fly fishing. His stories from the serene streams of his hometown bring to life the tranquility and connection to nature that fly fishing offers. As we delve deeper, Mike opens up about the demanding nature of his job in the Syncrude oil sands. He shares how the rigorous demands of being a boilermaker contrast with the peace he finds by the water, casting his line. This conversation leads us into a thoughtful discussion on work-life balance and how hobbies like fly fishing can offer a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The heart of this episode lies in Mike's insights on how fly fishing has positively impacted his mental health. He shares personal anecdotes and moments of revelation, highlighting how this sport has been a lifeline during challenging times. In a touching segment, Mike talks about his family, trauma, loss , and too many things that a child should never have to go through, and at the heart of it all, the river was his escape! As we wrap up, Mike offers invaluable advice to aspiring fly fishers, especially those seeking mental wellness through the sport. He emphasizes the importance of patience, connection to nature, and the therapeutic power of fly fishing. This episode is not just about fly fishing; it's a journey through life's ups and downs, and how finding that one passion can provide balance, peace, and a deeper appreciation for the simple pleasures in life.

4. 

   5 Nov 2021

   Geoff Green

   Join me as I sit down with local Calgary fly fishing guide Geoff Green, as we explore his life before during and on the other end of his career as a paramedic. "You're not quitting, you're not giving up on you, you're not losing a massive battle, you're taking care of you" . Geoff is very open about issues that he faced, and what he did to help over come his PTSD. He also shares some very personal stories about losing people closest to him in this raw episode of fly fishing saves lives.

5. 

   29 Mar 2021

   Mike Hawkins

   Join us in this Episode as Mike Hawkins from Longview Texas shares with us his story of the fly rod his Dad (Robert Hawkins) built him in 1991 for Christmas, and how that would help heal them after losing their mother the year before. Fly fishing became a Journey of healing, and ultimately a bond that was unbreakable between him and his Father. Mike lost his dad just In Dec 2019, but he will never lose the memories, and cherished time that his father gave him!

6. 

   4 Feb 2021

   Chas Waitt

   On this episode I sit down with Chas Waitt. A father, a husband and an avid fly fisher. Chas was ecstatic the day his son Nolan was born, and heard the words "It's a boy". Six months later, he and his wife were faced were news no parent is ever prepared to hear, With life changing news about their son, being diagnosed with Infantile Spasms ( having upwards of 600 seizures a day) they quickly learned that quality of time was everything, and they were drawn back to the river, to see if Fly Fishing could save their lives!

7. 

   27 Jan 2021

   Quinn Styles

   In this episode, I sit down with a good friend and Local Guide Quinn Styles with Trout Farmer. He opens up about his life as a fly fishing guide, and long time Calgary firefighter, and how he balances the two. More importantly, he shares with us a scary time In his life where he had to say "I need help" and the steps he took to get the help he needed for his mental health. We also discuss a little more in-depth the guiding industry, and WHY he loves guiding so much after almost 30 years in the industry!

8. 

   21 Dec 2020

   Mark Holcomb

   In this episode, I chat with a good virtual friend! Mark is a front line worker in the midwest who shares with us one of his greatest losses in life, a dark space that had him looking to the exit, and with some divine intervention how Fly Fishing Saved his life!

9. 

   10 Dec 2020

   Brian McGrattan

   We chat with Brain McGrattan, former NHL tough guy/enforcer, as he vulnerable shares with us the demons that almost cost him his life with drugs and alcohol right to the moment he declared " I need help". Through his journey, he shares how Fly Fishing Saved his life, and how it continues to give him what he needs to carry on with 12 years of sobriety!

10. 

    3 Dec 2020

    Cam Woolnough

    In this episode I sit down with friend Cam Woolnough and discuss what brought him into fly fishing, and how it helped him "quiet the monkeys" in his head! Cam grew up in Alberta, and started his fishing journey chucking gear until he moved to Calgary and picked up a fly rod! Lots of obstacles in Cam's life especially after losing his mom to cancer in 2016 and fly fishing helped him over come all of it, to get him to where he is today!

11. 

    1 Dec 2020

    Steven Lyle

    In this episode with chat with Steven Lyle. Steven grew up in the rocky mountains just west of Sundre, Alberta. Having grown up playing hockey at a high level, his next step in the corporate world involved a lot of alcohol and trying to win over sales through entertaining people. Now 6 years sober, and 5 years into his fly fishing journey, he shares with us what this journey has been like and how Fly Fishing Saved His life.

12. 

    7 May 2020

    Intro

    “Tell me a story!” Something we have all said or heard in our lives. Stories bring us together around the campfire. Storytelling has earned its place as the most important tradition humans possess. The most important reason for this being that every story contains a lesson. Lesson to love, to forgive , to be just and to strive for better than we have. They empower us, they lead us, they comfort us. Born in Alberta, raised in the back-country. Fishing, hunting, nature, the wild, all run thick in my blood. Growing up a canadian boy, I had a similar dream to most other boys my age here, to make the NHL. When the dream was yanked from beneath my feet How could I carry on.. My story is full of Hope, inspiration, Joy, Heartbreak, heartache and Resiliency. Hey Friends, my name is Dana Lattery. I am a Fly Fishing guide in Southern Alberta, an ex Professional Hockey player, and a storyteller at heart. Having spent the past decade guiding thousands of Fly Fishermen from all over the world, I have heard so many stories that paralleled mine. Stories of pain, brokenness, tragedy, from all different walks of life. The more time I spent with them, the more I realized we all shared one common thread… Fly Fishing Saved our lives. Grab your favorite drink, and join me on this journey, as our story begins!

Reach and audience

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

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Guest appearances

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