The Wild South, a Podcast from G&G

DiBenedetto (left) and Nickens in the field.

The Wild South features conversations with legends of the sporting world—from fishing and hunting guides to artists and wild game chefs—and dives deep into conservation issues as well as entertaining stories–of success and failure—from the field.

Hosted by editor in chief David DiBenedetto and contributing editor T. Edward Nickens, the Wild South leaves no kudzu leaf unturned to bring you fresh perspectives and insights about the land we love. Presented in partnership with Duck Camp.

Season 1 episodes will appear each Tuesday.

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Episode 8: Nathaniel Hitt, Biologist and Brook Trout Guru

Dave and Eddie go deep on one of their favorite species: brook trout. Their guest is Nathaniel “Than” Hitt, a researcher with the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Hitt discusses threats to the fish, the only native trout of the southern Appalachians, as well as signs of hope—and ways in which anglers can provide important data to help ongoing studies.

See photos, episode notes, and transcript.

Episode 7: Andrew Zimmern, Chef and Wild Game Expert

Dave and Eddie talk with Andrew Zimmern, who for years starred in the popular Travel Channel show Bizarre Foods, traveling the globe and sampling the most fascinating dishes he found along the way. He’s also spent years fishing and hunting close to home and perfecting the art of preparing freshly caught fish and game. Listen for Zimmern’s cooking tips, his favorite spices, his story about visiting James Beard’s home as a boy in New York City, and more.

See photos, episode notes, and transcript.

Episode 6: Alvin Dedeaux, Texas Fly-Fishing Guide and YouTube Creator

The Austin-based guide discusses fishing the rivers and lakes in and around the capital city, as well as throughout his home state of Texas. He also details the humble beginnings of what’s now known as the LoCo Trash Bash, an annual event focused on cleaning up the lower Colorado River; the unexpected origins of his eponymous Dedeaux popper; and his former life as frontman of the funk band Bad Mutha Goose and the Brothers Grimm.

See photos, episode notes, and transcript.

Episode 5: Dave and Eddie on Raising Kids in the Outdoors

This time, it’s all about Dave and Eddie and their efforts as dads to raise kids in the outdoors. They talk about successes, challenges, and where they’ve sometimes fallen short. As Eddie says, it’s “not all that easy to raise outdoor kids in the modern world.” They also discuss how as youngsters they learned the ins and outs of fishing and hunting—including, for Dave, one painful attempt to land a trophy bass. Even if you don’t have kids of your own, you might pick up a few things that could help influence a young person in your life.

See photos, episode notes, and transcript.

Episode 4: Tom Rosenbauer, Fly Fishing Guru

Dave and Eddie talk with Tom Rosenbauer, the renowned fly fisherman who has spent forty-eight years with Orvis, written more than thirty books, and hosts a popular podcast. Rosenbauer discusses getting his start at Orvis, why he’s obsessed with carp, his role in bringing the bead head fly to the United States, and the work being done to save the Everglades.

See photos, episode notes, and transcript.

Episode 3: Mike Chamberlain, Wild Turkey Expert

Dave and Eddie talk with wild turkey biologist Mike Chamberlain about threats to the birds’ populations and the ways regulators, conservationists, and sportsmen and sportswomen are working to keep their numbers healthy. They also discuss ethical quandaries they and others face as turkey hunters. The episode is an edited version of a conversation held before a live audience at the G&G offices as part of the 2023 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.

See photos, episode notes, and transcript.

Episode 2: Hilary Hutcheson, Fishing Guide and Environmental Advocate

Dave and Eddie talk with guide and environmental advocate Hilary Hutcheson, who grew up on the rivers of her home state of Montana, continues to guide there, and is a leading voice in raising awareness of how climate change is affecting North America’s fishing heritage. The mother of three grown children has fished all over the world (with a soft spot for the South), has testified before a Senate committee about the state of fisheries across the country, and is an ambassador for several of the biggest names in the sporting world. But there’s one dream she’s not been able to make come true: noodling a catfish.

See photos, episode notes, and transcript.

Episode 1: Flip Pallot, Legendary Fisherman

In the inaugural episode, Dave and Eddie talk with world-renowned outdoorsman Flip Pallot about his time as a young boy growing up in a small, wild town called Miami, his breakthrough TV show, how he casts with a fly rod differently than most anglers, and why watching as many sunrises and sunsets in a single lifetime is a pursuit worth beginning at any age.

See photos, episode notes, and transcript.

Trailer

Hear a sneak preview of The Wild South.

Wild South Credits

Producer and editor: Christine Fennessy
Music: Woody Platt and Bennett Sullivan
Artwork: Lars Leetaru
Transcripts editor: Katherine Jarvis