Having Melissa Castle on the podcast to talk about wild Alaskan mountain goat hunts is becoming an annual thing. In this episode we recap her hunt with Marian Giannulis (another adventurous Alaskan who happened to have the tag) which involved, among other things, traversing a glacier and the billy falling off a cliff. Check out the On Step Alaska w…

Sage Marshall is a freelance journalist and writer for Field and Stream. He is also the author of Echolocation his first book. In this episode we discuss writing, clickbait content, Field and Stream’s product testing methodology, fly fishing, Gila trout and his book. Here is the link to the Field and Stream fly rod test mentioned. Check out the On …

Ryan John and I recap his fly out moose hunt in interior Alaska from September. We discuss good hunting buddies, breaking down moose, packing, hanging meat, hunting calibers and the details of the hunt itself. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrus…

Kyle Wilkinson recaps his moose hunting program. We discuss calling, rut activity, scouting, hunting possible high-traffic areas, caliber, moose population and his successful moose hunt. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned bu…

Kyle Wilkinson from Bear Paw River Guides is back to recap the summer fly fishing season. We discuss the runs and also dive into waders, fly line, wading boots, rods, reels and of course flies. If you're thinking about spending your Perm Fund check on fly fishing gear, or if you're in the Lower 48 and you're working on the Christmas list, listen to…

Harrison Gottschling recaps his caribou hunt, making friends at air strips, his favorite ways to eat game meat, journaling and being attacked by owls.Von On Step Alaska

Carson Keys was born and raised in Fairbanks. In this episode we talk about leaving the state and returning. We also discuss making the most out of opportunities, favorite hunts, rain gear, and the role of advocacy groups like Safari Club International where he works. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, featu…

Joey Karlik grew up in Ketchikan ('18) and is a graduate of Texas ('22). After college Joey worked at Popeye's, then a mailroom and is now an assistant at a talent agency that represents comedians. In this episode we discuss his creative journey so far, favorite movies, remakes, sequels and the short film he finished and submitted to festivals this…

Tyler Freel is a Fairbanks resident, sheep hunting veteran, gun enthusiast and staff writer for Outdoor Life. In this episode we talk about all of the above and dive into hunter access issues despite Alaska being 90% public. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the spo…

Brayden and Degan Linne recap their Southeast Alaska August hunting adventures. We discuss hunting in the heat, crowded fly outs, gear, finding bucks and the best time of day to find bucks. Check out the On Step Alaska website or subscribe on Substack for articles, features and all things Alaska. Thanks to the sponsors: Sagebrush Dry (Alaskan-owned…

Sena and Rich Wheeler join me to talk about Sena Sea Wild Alaska Fish and 60 North Seafoods, their commercial fishing business (based out of Cordova) that encapsulates all levels of a fish sale, from catching and processing to selling and shipping. We talk about the current state of salmon runs, proper care and battling Lower 48 stereotypes regardi…

Harrison Gottschling recaps his opening day walk-in sheep hunt and we discuss expectations, isolation and slowing down.Von On Step Alaska

Freelance writer Katie Hill and I discuss her start in the outdoor writing industry, the importance of nuance in the hunting conversation, hunters as "environmentalists" but not the antagonistic variety, influencers, authenticity and stories she likes to write. Katie has written for Meateater, Outdoor Life and is the managing editor of The Westrn. …

Ryan and I recap the mixed results we had on our blacktail deer opening hunts. We discuss hunting in the heat, positioning, water, losing gear, lucky bucks and unexpectedly deploying bear spray.Von On Step Alaska

Ryan John and I preview the beginning of the alpine hunting season in Southeast Alaska. We discuss scouting, physical fitness, tactics, coping with the rain, choosing camp locations and morning routines on the mountain.Von On Step Alaska

Tonya Busse grew up in Klawock and now teaches in Jamaica. In this episode we discuss her king salmon, triathlons, being active after high school and unruly children on planes.Von On Step Alaska

In this solo episode I read a draft of one of the short essays that will appear in my next book and give the rough outline of the remarks I will make at the author's talk I will be giving at the Craig Public Library July 12, which you will not be able to hear since by the time this podcast airs, it will be over.…

Harrison Gottschling and I breakdown telecommunications, parenting styles in the age of social media/smartphones and our favorite Alaskan books.Von On Step Alaska

Dante Troina is the Assistant Shore Excursions Manager for Norwegian Cruise Lines on the Norwegian Bliss, a 1000-foot, 4,600 passenger cruise ship. In this episode we discuss him leaving college for a job in the cruise lines, seeing the world, taking advantage of opportunities, organizing tourists, and the importance of networking and people skills…

Trout Unlimited's Matt Boline and I recap the stream survey we did in the Juneau area earlier this month. We discuss salmon populations, spawning habitat, education and the importance of collecting information on even the smallest rivers in Southeast.Von On Step Alaska

David Coggins is the author of The Optimist and The Believer, two books about fly fishing I absolutely recommend. In this episode we discuss destination angling, expectations, changes in media, social media and audiobooks.Von On Step Alaska

Triston Chaney is a commercial fisherman and fly fishing guide in Dillingham. In this episode we talk about his childhood in Dillingham, how he got into guiding, the Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy, his favorite flies and how unpopular and destructive Pebble Mine would be.Von On Step Alaska

David Dance is a fly fishing guide and avid steelhead angler. In this episode we talk about his steelhead season, guiding in Bristol Bay, why Pebble Mine is a bad idea and catastrophic toxic spills in California and Colorado.Von On Step Alaska

Hannah Moody is a 2022 graduate of Ketchikan High School and charter captain. In this episode we talk about fishing for kings, getting her captain's license, why she chose a 2-year rather than 4-year university for college, people skills, docking and how clients react to a young female guide.Von On Step Alaska

Cory Hansen from Alaska Fly Fishing Goods (Juneau) and I talk steelhead, trout, Dolly Varden, steelhead set ups, flies, water depth, temperature and all things fly fishing.Von On Step Alaska

In this episode Mary Glaves, Ryan Schuman and I discuss the latest proposals involving a second bridge from Juneau to Douglas Island through the Mendenhall Wetlands, the road to Ambler, our favorite hunts and the goals of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.Von On Step Alaska

In this solo episode I breakdown my favorite places to eat in Southeast Alaska as well as Anchorage. I also recommend the top sights to see for those on vacation. This is kind of a feeler episode and if it hits then I will go into more depth or do a follow-up.Von On Step Alaska

Casey McConnell is a Hoonah resident and in this episode we talk about spring activities such as steelhead fishing, grouse hunting, assessing the snowpack and preparing for the tourism season. His family owns Glacier Wind Charters and he guides whale watching and wildlife viewing tours.Von On Step Alaska

Travis Boughton is a filmmaker and father of four. In this episode we recap his recently released Stone Glacier film Ursidae, calling in black bear, how to stay adventurous after becoming a father, and dealing with hunting pressure.Von On Step Alaska

Kelly Reynolds is a pilot, photographer and hunter from Fairbanks. In this episode we talk about women hunters, what happens when someone is at the airstrip you intended to hunt, ethics, her 1949 Piper PA-14 and how to photograph the northern lights.Von On Step Alaska

Ty Hewitt grew up in Ketchikan then spent time in New York pursuing a career in theater. In this episode we talk about leaving home, New York City, quality of life, the journey of the 20s, coming back to Ketchikan, AI and the film The Ladder, a film shot locally in which he plays the protagonist's son.…

Abby and I discuss steelhead variables such as flow, flies and picky fish. We also get into plant growth, slug management, pollination and the satisfaction of growing your own produce to go with your game meat.Von On Step Alaska

Ross Dorendorf is a wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. In this episode we talk about all things mountain goat including habitat, management, predation, tendencies, locally introduced populations and a little about Dall sheep.Von On Step Alaska

Marian Giannulis is the communications and engagement director for Trout Unlimited Alaska. In this episode we talk about the importance of spawning habitat for fish, restoration projects and the current situation with the Eklutna dam which blocks returning fish from what was once important spawning habitat for all five species of Pacific salmon.…

Longtime friends Melissa Castle and Nani Weimer recap their fly-in (Melissa did the flying) mountain goat hunt last fall.Von On Step Alaska

This episode is an audio version of Part I of my book Beyond the Hunt read by me because the cost of professional studios and readers is way too much for a small budget guy like me. Part II (Mentors) and Part III (Life) are available for download at OnStepAlaska.com. Part IV (Tags) and Part V (The Industry) will be available soon.…

Jamie Hollingsworth is a faculty member at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and an avid cyclist. In 2023, he biked the Iditarod Trail (1000 miles) on a fat tire bike with a few others. In this episode we talk about cold weather biking, gear, logistics and details of the trip.Von On Step Alaska

Max Ludwigsen is a pilot in Ketchikan and graduate of Ketchikan High School. In this episode we talk about his aviation career path, his family's aviation history, Ketchikan history, hunting and the trusty 7-iron.Von On Step Alaska

Phil Wight is an assistant professor of history and northern students at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. In this episode we talk about the Gold Rush in the interior, origins of Fairbanks, con artists, the pipeline and Dalton Highway.Von On Step Alaska

Harrison Gottschling and I talk about winter caribou hunts, dealing with the cold, sheep hunting and blowing up spots.Von On Step Alaska

Rick Collins is a retired teacher, lifetime fisherman and owner of Explore Alaska Charters in Ketchikan. In this episode we talk about his commercial fishing days, getting started in the charter fishing industry, technology, boats and Humpy Stew.Von On Step Alaska

Christine Cunningham and Steve Meyer are outdoor writers who have written for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska and other publications. In this episode we talk about hunting in Alaska, writing, compiling a book, hunting dogs and the future. Their book The Land We Share: A love affair told in hunting stories, was published last summer.…

Danny Lehr is the co-founder of Caffeine and Kilos, Excel Health and Fitness (Manteca, CA) and The Lifting Fix (Youtube). In this episode we talk about his new book writing project, nutrition, exercise and goal setting.Von On Step Alaska

Heather Kelly is the founder of Heather's Choice and makes lightweight packable meals for adventures. In this episode we recap her appearance on Shark Tank (episode aired Jan. 12) and dive into the reality of entrepreneurship.Von On Step Alaska

Isaac Updike is a 2010 graduate of Ketchikan High School who finished 3rd in the steeplechase at the United States Track and Field Championships in July. In this episode we talk about his high school running days, nutrition, shoes, injuries, and his journey to becoming a pro.Von On Step Alaska

Abby and I kick off 2024 with a brief recap of our trip to Tucson. We discuss resolutions and the the importance of adventures in a world more and more consumed by social media and also discuss Scarcity Brain a book by Michael Easter that we listened to while we killed a 6-hour layover in Seattle.Von On Step Alaska

Abby and I recap 2023. We talk about finishing the house, building the greenhouse, planting seeds, fishing, hunting, gear and what we're looking forward to in 2024.Von On Step Alaska

In this episode I look back at the best stuff from 2023 - gear, podcasts, packs, books and films.Von On Step Alaska

Harrison Gottschling and I discuss trapping, mining, sustainability and the Alaska draw which closes Dec. 15.Von On Step Alaska

Jen Loofbourrow is founder of Alpine Fit, a gear brand based in Anchorage. In this episode we talk about the technology behind (and development of) good gear, kayak adventures, skiing and the importance of finding active groups to make winter fun. Originally aired Feb 6, 2023Von On Step Alaska