Interview with Miles Nolte of MeatEater Fishing

We had the amazing opportunity of interviewing the Director of Fishing at MeatEater, Miles Nolte. A seasoned angler and experienced outdoor writer, Miles shared his vision for MeatEater’s impact on the fishing community as well as some valuable recommendations for the beginner angler. Through their new video series Das Boat as well as a stellar fishing blog, Miles and the MeatEater team are building a new narrative in the sport of fishing. The story-line is centered around the creative and exciting ways to access amazing fishing opportunities in America’s heartland.

Miles summarized the immersive fishing content MeatEater is curating with, “We want to show people the incredible opportunities they have to access amazing fisheries across the country. The best way to do that is to give anglers new and exciting ways to build a relationship with the water bodies around them.”

Das Boat Fishing Show

Most fishing shows tell stories of exotic fishing trips and elite styles of competitive fishing. While exciting and entertaining, these shows do not translate to the fishing opportunities you and I have. Miles seconds this take with, “How many of us will get the chance to catch billfish in Guatemala or golden dorado in Bolivia? Not many, but dynamic, exciting and tasty fishing trips still exist a whole lot closer to home.” Das Boat tells the story of how anyone can get out there and catch amazing fish across country on a small budget.

The ever evolving aluminum fishing machine from Das Boat

Throughout the first season, Miles and the Das Boat crew revive a 30-year-old Alumacraft and send it on a road trip across the US to various anglers who target new species in a multitude of water bodies. The most captivating aspect of the new show is that each duo of anglers puts their own spin on the boat, adding parts and accessories that enhance the experience for each region. This show is a celebration of the down-home fishing we all have access too through an amazing cast of informed anglers that guide viewers on a journey to build a lasting relationship with their body of water.

Beginner Fishing Tips from Miles Nolte

While dreaming up the future of fishing with Miles, we couldn’t help but to pick his brain on advice for beginner anglers. Das Boat and the MeatEater fishing blog are chalked full with interesting insights that benefit anglers at all levels. Here are a few key tips Miles offered to our enterprising anglers.

Miles Nolte – Director of Fishing at MeatEater

1. What is the first thing you think about when approaching a new body of water?

Slow down. Don’t think about my gear, my bait or my lure. Stop on the bank and just watch for a few minutes. What clues can I detect? Is there any activity on the surface? What is the clarity of the water itself? Where are the other anglers? What are they doing? Can I detect any patterns in where and how they’re fishing? At a new body of water, the best thing you can do is not fish for the first few minutes or half an hour. Spend some time intentionally observing.

2. What is 1 critical fishing technique for beginners to master?

Reading water. That may sound intimidating, but with a little practice, it won’t be. Reading water simply means learning to see clues that will help you figure out where to fish. This term is most often used in rivers, streams, and other moving water, but it applies to any place you might fish. Fish don’t just hang out in random places; they usually have clear patterns and preferences for the types of places they want to be in a given body of water. If you can learn to recognize those places, you drastically increase your chances of fishing in productive spots.

3. What is the most common mistake you see from new anglers?

I often see novice, and even experienced, anglers failing to fish the close water. There seems to be this belief that the fish have to be far away from wherever we are. Bank fishers are casting as far as they can from shore, while boat anglers are casting as close as they can to the shallows. Fish through a hole methodically. Start with what’s close to you and pick all the water, slowly working away from yourself.

4. What is the biggest mistake/worst fishing habit you overcame?

Being in a hurry. The person who makes the most casts doesn’t have the most fun or catch the most fish. As I’ve become a better angler, I find myself trying to fish smarter, not harder. I can’t say I’ve overcome the anxiety to fish fast and hard, but I am better about slowing down now than I used to be.

5. How can beginner anglers best start their relationship with the outdoors?

Find a partner. If you have someone to fish with, you’ll be more likely to go more often. You’ll have someone to share the experience with, someone to celebrate or commiserate with, someone to learn with. In a perfect world, we all have fishing mentors who can teach us the ropes, but not all of us are fortunate enough to have access to those people. Don’t wait to find someone who will teach you how to fish. But if you can, find a buddy or two who you can learn with.

Check out Miles Nolte’s MeatEater Fishing Blog and their new fishing show Das Boat to learn about the amazing fishing opportunities right here in the heartland.

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