Guest Angler Q&A Series: Jason Shemchuk
In this new monthly series, we sit down with guests from across to angling community to bring new perspectives and share a glimpse into different aspects of the sport, fisheries and watersheds, and culture. This month, we spoke with Jason Shemchuk who is the host of the WADEOUTHERE podcast. Enjoy!
Tell us about yourself and how you got into fly fishing.
I grew up in Bellevue Washington in the eighties. My father took me in the mountains at an early age and taught me to hunt and fish. As a teenager I worked summers on a cattle ranch in Montana. That was quite an adventure. The river was our playground. After high school I went to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO to chase my dream to fly fighters. I had a teacher there that became my fly fishing mentor. Watching him, I began to understand how little I knew about the sport. Getting off base could be tricky, so I treasured the times I had on the South Platte fishing with my friends, although it was often humbling as a beginner.
When did you start The Wade Out There podcast and what was your inspiration?
I started the WadeOutThere Podcast in August of 2020 as a way to give credibility to the idea that fly fishing is special, but not elite. A message I was already promoting in stories on my blog. I fell in love with meeting new people and having these wonderful conversations about fly fishing.
You are also quite an accomplished artist. Did that start before or after you got into the sport of fly fishing?
I was an artistic child and took some art electives in high school. At eighteen I joined the Air Force and spent most of my time in that organization flying A-10 Warthogs and studying the threats, weapons, and tactics that go along with that line of work. Not much time for art (or fly fishing). When I hung up that life, I was looking for something to pursue that was challenging, but that I had a passion for. Art and writing were always a part of my life as a young person, so I went back to it. I was already fly fishing, so that became my niche. It all fit together with the blog and the podcast. That’s a big theme of WadeOutThere. Going back to what brings us joy.
There are many anglers who are also avid hunters. Why do you think that is and what are some of the aspects /qualities of hunting that you find cross-over into angling?
I think we’re all just trying to get outdoors. Hunting and fishing both require problem solving and an understanding of how creatures exist in nature to be successful. But I think the greatest similarity is the feeling of hope and excitement that comes with each trip into the wild
When you are not behind the mic and manage to find time to get on the water yourself, do you have a favorite style of fishing (whether it’s throwing big streamers or euro-nymphing) and what are you chasing?
My favorite style of fishing is whatever is catching fish. It’s all fun for me, and I’m not to a point where any one technique is boring. I’m always fascinated by the tactics of the sport. That’s a holdover from my time in a fighter squadron. I love how passionately people defend their ideas and lessons learned. One of my favorite parts of hosting the WadeOutThere Podcast is getting into the weeds on tactics. Fly fishing doesn’t have to be complicated, but that sort of thing gets me excited.
If you had a time machine and could interview any angler in history, who would it be and why?
My grandfather, although the conversation would probably have less to do with fishing. If I had to choose someone more well known, I’d say Norman Maclean. As a writer myself, his style has influenced me greatly. I feel like I know him from his stories, and I’m sure I’d enjoy a day on the river with him. That’s not the fishiest answer, but it’s the truth.
Thanks Jason for sitting down with us and sharing your story!
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Your Name: Jason Shemchuk
Location & Home Water: Mountain Green, UT. Weber River.
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Favorite Species: Cutthroat Trout
Favorite Fly Pattern: Black Beauty
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Favorite Rod / Reel Set-up: Scott Flex and a Lamson Remix 4/5 reel
