The Open Fly is no longer open

lastpersonleavingseattle_31

It feels like 1971 all over again.

If you’re not from the Seattle area, the above photo may mean nothing to you. If you lived here then, you likely remember. Here’s the backstory on that sign: Will the last person leaving Seattle turn out the lights.

Maybe you didn’t even know about the Open Fly Podcast, or maybe you didn’t care. Either way, this is to let you know that our final show was posted in February.

When we recorded Episode 31 we had no idea it would be our last. Yes, we knew some changes were coming, since Derek had already uprooted his family and moved east of the mountains to be closer to his home waters on the Yakima River. But we didn’t realize that the physical studios of the Open Fly Podcast would be placed on the real estate market shortly thereafter. You see, Evan is also leaving town. That leaves only me, the official Third Chair of the Open Fly podcast, who remains here in the Snoqualmie Valley. I’m like the resident trout that never ventures far and chooses to live out his life in the local river, whereas Derek and Evan are like salmon, who were here for a while and then spawned and died.  OK, maybe that’s not quite the appropriate analogy. Maybe they’re like steelhead, who were here for a while, spawned, and then left to venture back out to sea again.  Whatever. I’m still here.

They are not.

I feel so alone.

We had a good run, had us some fun and along the way we met some great folks and talked about some worthy conservation issues. Maybe we even brought some issues to your attention, which means we did our small part for the betterment of fisheries all around the country and even into Canada (sorry for the Canadian jokes, Canada).

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While there will be no new shows (unless one day we can schedule a reunion tour) the shows we did record will last as long as Evan keeps paying the web hosting bills.  So go on back through the archives, pour yourself a soothing International Coffee, and listen to what’s there. Chances are the issues we discussed are still relevant: The Open Fly Podcast

I’ll be doing the same, and crying into my bowl of soup as I do. Rest assured it’ll be chunky soup—something that requires a fork.

OpenFlyDead

 

11 Comments

  1. Howard Levett

    Damn, that’s really a shame, they were enjoyable. Soldier on Derek! Be glad you’re away from, oh wait…never mind.

    • Kirk Werner

      The good thing, Howard, is that you can go back and listen to each show from the very first episode. By the time you get through all shows, you’ll have forgotten the first one—partially because you’re old, but also because they’re forgettable. So listen through the entire archives again. And repeat.

  2. Michael Agneta

    I’ll need to catch up on them while the web hosting lights are still on so I’m ready for the reunion episode. Keep that 3rd chair warm.

    • Kirk Werner

      At least I get to keep the chair!

  3. Joshua Bergan

    Sorry to hear. I enjoyed it more than most fly fishing podcasts.

    • Kirk Werner

      Well, that was our goal—to be better than most fly fishing podcasts. Thanks for the comment 😉

  4. Patrick Konoske

    Too bad. Just not enough instructional advice on nymphing, methinks.

    • Kirk Werner

      If only we had a second chance to get it right!

  5. John

    Really enjoyed the rants for 31 episodes. It really comes down to blaming Canada for the end of this podcast( kidding and love you guys up there). Fish on Gents and I’ll see you on the waters!

    • Kirk Werner

      We could blame Canada for a lot of things, just not the demise of the Open Fly, eh?

  6. Dean Wormell

    I blame the Dutch for the end of this podcast.
    Will miss you guys. I liked the format (all hosts in the same room, enjoying home brew & whiskey). I liked the topics. While some central to the west, they addressed issues all fisheries face. I was able to virtually get introduced to many great guests. I was able to get to know you better, Kirk, and become an even bigger fanboy.
    Evan and Derek, good luck & fortune with your moves. Hope we can cross paths someday.
    Y’all did a great job and the show will be missed. Thank you for your energy, passion and courage. I hate to be cliché, but all good things come to an end.

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