The Fishful Thinker Podcast

40 Episodes
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By: Chad LaChance

Thirty minutes of angling education, back story and details to motivate and educate you about catching fish!

Fishing is Going to the Birds...
#163
Last Friday at 1:07 PM

Birds can be a angler's best friend...if you are observant and know when they're relevant to the bite and when they're not. Host Chad LaChance believes the powers of observation, especially as it pertains to fishing birds, are an easy way to improve yoiur success and shares details in this podcast. 


Being guided...best practices
#162
05/02/2025

Taking a guided fishing trip is a great way to advance your skills and enjoy time on the water...if you book with the right guide. Doing that is part of what Chad LaChance discusses in this podcast, as well as how to get the most out of the day once you're there.  


When conditions go against The Book
#161
04/25/2025

Fish and fishermen love stable conditions, but what do anglers do when the weather is not cooperative...how does an angler adjust? Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on the topic, learned from 20 years of guiding and filming. 


Sight Fishing Success
#160
04/18/2025

If catching fish is fun and catching fish you can see ahead of time is even more fun! Whether it's trout in a river, cruisers feeding in shallow water or even fish guarding an area, casting to fish you can see takes skill and nerves. Host Chad LaChance loves to sight fish and shares his thoughts. 


Tackle Buying Intelligence...
#159
04/11/2025

Fishing tackle ain't cheap and the buying options are limitless; Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on choosing tackle to maximize your value and efficiency on the water.


Fishing's One-Two Punch
#158
04/04/2025

Power and finesse are two very different approaches to fishing! Chad LaChance believes that combining the two concepts on any given day is a great way to maximize catching, regardless fo what you're fishing for.


Old school lures that still catch 'em
#157
03/28/2025

Anglers typically gravitate to the newest lures, but many old school lures have plenty of merit in modern angling. Chad LaChance shares some classic lures he feels still deserve a spot in your tacklebox.


Windy Day Lure Choices
#156
03/21/2025

Heavy wind (not a breeze...real wind!) is a common problem anglers face, especially in spring and fall. Host Chad LaChance is no stranger ot fishing in the wind; his home lake sits in a valley known for its high winds. He shares his thoughts on what to throw when the windy really blows! 


Walleyes of Spring
#155
03/14/2025

For walleye anglers, early spring is a magic time to target them. Chad LaChance focusses his walleye fishing efforts around the late March- April timeframe and shares his thoughts. Please share and subscribe while you're here!


In Praise of Small Boats
#154
03/07/2025

Chad LaChance believes that small, hand-launchable boats may just be the way to have the most fun fishing. It's a huge trend in fishing these days, and he shares his small boat set-up experiences. Hope you'll subscribe while you're here!


Reading the River
#153
02/28/2025

Before you can catch fish you must locate fish and Chad LaChance believes in a systematic approach. He breaks down his approach to trout rivers in this episode. Please like, share and subscribe while you're here!


Timing Your Fishing Season
#152
02/21/2025

Did you know that the timing of your fishing trips will most likely have more affect on your success than all your fancy flies or lures will? Host Chad LaChance has built a career by planning his fishing trips around key times, and he shares the details here.   


Fishing's Spring Training
#151
02/14/2025

Like any sport, a little pre-season training and prep goes a long way towards a successful fishing season. Chad LaChance says it may be more important for serious anglers, but most casual fishermen could benefit from the time-honored sporting ritual as well. Please like, share and subscribe while you're here! #sportsmanswarehouse #berkleyfishing #abugarcia #fishingtips #fishingpodcast


Tube details...
#150
02/07/2025

The ol' plastic tube was originally designed for bass, but Chad LaChance feels the versatile plastic shape goes well beyond what the designers may have imagined. Please subscribe while you're here...it's a labor of love!


Spinning Winter Tailwaters...
#149
01/31/2025

Tailwater fisheries are just about the only open water option for a bunch of anglers this time of year adn while most folks target them with fly tackle, Chad LaChance will most often utilize spinning tackle on these low, clear and cold fisheries. He shares his thoughts in this episode. Please like, share and subscribe if you enjoy these podcast!


The art of lure color selection
#148
01/24/2025

Host Chad LaChance has developed a systematic approach to chooing colors based on generalities. It helps to reduce lure choices and builds confidence; he shares his thoughts in this episode. 


Life's short...buy the boat!
#147
01/17/2025

Chad LaChance has had dozens of boats over his fishing career, ranging from full blown tournament fiberglass bass boats to 14 foot "tin" tiller boats. He shares his thoughts on key buying details, with the timing being perfect since winter is boat show season!  


Five Tips For Better Angling
#146
01/03/2025

Chad LaChance believes that if more anglers focussed on these five things, they'd catch more fish. It's a simple path to more catching! 


Fishful Thinker TV...how we plan a season.
#145
12/28/2024

Chad LaChance, the host and producer of Fishful Thinker TV now in it's 17th year on cable TV, gives an inside look into how they plan and build a 13 show season of fishing trips.  


Season Lessons
#144
12/21/2024

Chad LaChance looks back at the lessons learned watching and editing 13 new Fishful Thinker TV episodes filmed over the last season. He discusses what went right, what went wrong and what he took away from the season. 


Finish 'Em with the Finisher
#143
12/13/2024

It takes a whole fishing season for host Chad LaChance to gain confidence and trust in a new lure, and the new Berkley Finisher passed that long-term test with ease. LaChance shares his thoughts on tackle and presentation details for this super versatile lure. 


Fishy Gift Ideas
#142
11/29/2024

'Tis the season and it's Black Friday...here's a few ideas for the outdoors folks on your list! 


Treble Troubles
#141
11/22/2024

Treble hooks...love 'em or hate, they're very common on conventional fishing lures. They require maintenance and in some cases are not even legal. Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on all things treble hooks, including replacing them with single hooks. 


Fishing Frugally...
#140
11/15/2024

Fishing ain't cheap, but there are ways to save a few bucks in your angling. Host Chad LaChance is frugal by nature; here's how he manages some of expense of angling. 


Fall Prep for Spring
#139
11/08/2024

It may be mid fall and you're still fishing, but now is the time to start evaluating and inventorying your tackle, thus allowing plenty of time to take advantage of year-end deals and winter's free time. Host Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on the first steps towards next spring's fishing. #sportmanswarehouse #berkleyfishing

#abugarcia


Upsized Trouting...
#138
10/25/2024

Conventional tackle trout anglers have a strong tendency towards small lures, but host Chad LaChance believes they'd be well served to upsize their lure offerings, at least during the spring and fall seasons. 


Fall Fishing Concepts
#137
10/18/2024

Hyperphasia, or the fall feeding binge, is upon us and that is happy information for anglers. Host Chad LaChance loves fishing this time of year and shares his general thoughts on fall fishing for multi-species. Thanks for tuning in; please like,m share and subscribe if this podcast is of interest! 


Catching Consistency
#136
10/11/2024

Over nearly two decades of traveling around filming FTTV host Chad LaChance has focussed on one key thing...consistency. He shares his thoughts on keys that have helped him, and could help you, catch fish every time you hit the water.


Lessons from a tough roadtrip...
#135
10/04/2024

Somedays the fishing just doesn't go like you want it to...but how you deal with it defines your day. Host Chad LaChance just returned from a tough trip and shares his thoughts on keeping the wheels from falling off!


Fly Motion...
#134
09/27/2024

The dead-drifted fly, be it nymph or dry fly, may be classic and part of the sport's history, but host Chad LaChance believes moving flies can catch fish in scenarios that dead-drifts fail. From streamers to wets and even to dry flies, LaChance likes to make his flies move...and often they move really quickly! 


Combatting the finicky early fall bite...
#133
09/20/2024

Early fall can be a tough time to fish due to a range of variables. Host Chad LaChance has filmed fishing shows and guided clients during this time of year for two decades and shares his thoughts on details to combat the finicky early fall season. Please share and subscribe...it's a labor of love!


Fall rainbows and browns
#132
09/13/2024

Host Chad LaChance loves to pursue trout, both rainbows and browns, in September through November. He fishes each species differently and shars those details and others in this episode. Please share and subscribe while your here!


Reservoirs vs Natural Lakes
#131
09/09/2024

The difference in fishing reservoirs versus natural lakes is far more than simply the presence of a dam. Host Chad LaChance breaks down differences from water levels to weed growth to species mixes, nad talks about how it affects angling.


Road Trippin'...
#130
08/30/2024

Preparing for a long range roadtrip to fish somewhere fun can take some planning. After 20 years of running around the country chasing fish, host Chad LaChance has planned and packed for literally hundreds of fishing roadtrips and shares his thoughts on getting your tackle pared down to manageable amounts and transporting it safely.


Cook More Fish...
#129
08/23/2024

Host Chad LaChance loves to cook fish and game almost as much as he loves to fish and hunt. He shares his thoughts on some slightly different ways to cook the fish you harvest, from bluegills to trout. 


Lessons from the River
#128
08/16/2024

A quick trip to a local canyon reminded host Chad LaChance of the some of the key details for being successful on even low-key fishing trips. He shares his thoughts on this podcast; if you enjoy or learn from it, please subscribe while you're here!


Chasing the open water bite...
#127
08/09/2024

Late summer heading into fall means many sportfish chasing baitfish in wide open water, most often on main lake areas. Locating this baitfish/sportfish feeding frenzy is part of the battle, and getting good presentation is the other part; host Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on both. If you enjoy or learn from this podcast, please subscribe wherever you listen from!


The Venerable Spoon
#126
08/02/2024

Spoons may old school and simple looking, but there is a reason they are so popular with so many anglers...they catch fish! Host Chad LaChance believes spoons are under-rated and shares his thoughts on their use for everything from redfish to walleyes to lake trout to salmon. Please subscribe while you're here!


Going Vertical
#125
07/26/2024

Did you know that anglers catch more fish per hour on average fishing vertically than horizontally? Host Chad LaChance is a fan of vertical fishing and shares his thoughts. 


Mid Summer Pause...
#124
07/22/2024

It's a very busy time of year for anglers everywhere, especially those in the fishing business. Host Chad LaChance has been "in the biz" for 20 years and shares his thoughts- and lessons - from a mid-summer pause in the action.