WFS 565 - TroutRoutes with Zach Pope - Fishing App, River Guide, Trout Streams
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Dave Stewart
4.7 • 531 Ratings
🗓️ 9 February 2024
⏱️ 52 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/565
Presented By: TroutRoutes
As he grasped his grandfather's old fly rod, he couldn't help but feel the weight of legacy in his hands. That's the moment our guest, Zach Pope, credits for sparking a lifelong love affair with fly fishing—a passion that would eventually lead to the creation of the TroutRoutes app. Our conversation casts a line into the evolution of this innovative mapping tool and its role in guiding anglers to the perfect catch. We discuss how the app aids in finding both fish and legal fishing spots, and how it was shaped by early expeditions, personal stories, and a desire to meld tradition with technology.
With TroutRoutes, fly fishing aficionados can navigate the often murky waters of public access and navigability laws. Our guest takes us through the app's features, which include layers for public access points, ensuring that while the serenity of your favorite fishing hole remains undisturbed, your knowledge of the legal landscape does not. We delve into the importance of clear messaging within the app, the respect for user privacy with private notes, and the dedication to listening and responding to customer feedback, all of which have been critical in refining and expanding this digital fishing companion.
Our episode wouldn't be complete without addressing the intertwined relationship between fly fishing and conservation. You'll hear about how TroutRoutes supports conservation efforts through partnerships with like-minded organizations, and the ongoing commitment to preserve the waters we cherish. Plus, you won't want to miss the scoop on an upcoming journey to the Driftless Area—a fly fishing haven known for its abundant limestone spring-fed creeks and picturesque scenery. So, grab your waders and join us for a foray into the streams of nostalgia, innovation, and the future of fly fishing.
Episode Chapters - TroutRoutes
(0:00:05) - Fly Fishing and Trout Routes App
Discovering a grandparent's fly rod leads to a passion for trout fishing and the creation of TroutRoutes app.
(0:10:41) - Mapping Trout Routes and Public Access
TroutRoutes is a digital mapping tool for anglers, providing access to information for stocked and wild trout streams.
(0:17:40) - TroutRoutes
TroutRoutes app promotes exploration, private notes, and navigability laws to enhance fly fishing experience.
(0:21:44) - Lessons in Product Development and Expansion
Nature's lessons from a startup's early decisions and customer feedback, including adapting to regional fishing experiences and integrating local regulations into the app.
(0:32:47) - Trout Fishing App and OnX's Expansion
TroutRoutes app's value and pricing, OnX's flexible plans, trout lake layer, historical fishing methods, and technology's impact on outdoor resources.
(0:39:29) - Conservation and Nonprofit Commitment
Fly fishing app donates to conservation, promotes accessibility and public land access, and engages with the community through partnerships and expos.
(0:49:10) - Unique Fishing Area Exploration
Nature's unique fly fishing opportunities in the Driftless Area, TroutRoutes app, upcoming trip with local expert Jerry.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/565
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Today on the Wet Fly Swing podcast, we've got Zach Pope from TroutRoutts.com. |
| 0:07.0 | Zach is the founder of one of the best mapping tools in the country. |
| 0:10.9 | Zach is going to deliver the goods today and you are going to get three big takeaways on today's |
| 0:16.2 | episode on top of everything else. |
| 0:18.0 | You are going to learn where the trout live in every state, in every |
| 0:21.9 | spot in the lower 48 of the US. That is every trout stream in the country. You're going to find |
| 0:27.4 | out in the lower 48 where all of the public water so you know exactly where you can access, |
| 0:32.4 | where you can access, you're going to get that. And we're going to find out about a master |
| 0:36.2 | class they have going where if you want to get more information and you don't have this tool right now, you can find out where to get that. Plus, we're going to get you a bonus today. We are going to be talking about the three states that do not have trout. That's the bonus today. You're going to find out which three states don't have trout. This is a great tool. |
| 0:54.6 | Here we go. |
| 0:57.4 | Zach Pope from trout routes.com. |
| 1:00.4 | How you doing, Zach? |
| 1:01.2 | You good. |
| 1:02.0 | Thanks for having me, Dave. |
| 1:03.9 | Yeah, thanks for putting this together today. |
| 1:05.4 | We've got a great episode ahead. |
| 1:45.9 | We're going to talk, you know, not only mapping and how people can utilize trout routes and other kind of mapping tools, but just your background, how you got into it. I'm interested to hear because you guys have one of the, I think one of the best products out there in this space. So let's start with your fishing. I always like to go there, kind of fly fishing. How did you get into it? And what's your first memory? Yeah, my first memory of fly fishing is actually, it's kind of a funny story. So my grandpa passed away before I was born, so I never met him. But when I was about 16, we were cleaning out my grandma's garage. And we kind of came across what I later learned was like this crazy fiberglass. |
| 1:47.1 | It almost looks like a broomstick. |
| 2:00.8 | It's just, yeah, we just found out it's like a seven weight, nine foot. Pretty cool, a good fly around. I remember when I first came across that, I was, I was really intrigued, you know, for two reasons. Number one, it was clearly my grandpa. like I had that like calling to try to figure out, you know, what was it all about and kind of what was he, kind of what was his style. And then also I was always intrigued even before that about, you know, the sport of fly fishing. And so from then on, I kind of just took it and ran with it. And even to the stay, I don't really have a ton of people in my immediate, you know, family or friend circle that flyfish. And so for those first, you know, six years, |
| 2:17.6 | it was a lot of people in my immediate, you know, family or friend circle that flyfish. |
| 2:21.0 | And so for those first, you know, six years, it was a lot of kind of DIY, |
| 2:24.1 | I could have exploring on your own and trying to learn on your own. |
... |
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