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Jamie Howard is a filmmaker who produced iconic fishing films including Chasing Silver, Location X, Andy's Return, Bass the movie, and Running the Coast. In this episode, Tom sits down with Jamie to explore how the events of 9/11 transformed his career trajectory from working at one of the largest ad agencies in New York to pursuing filmmaking full-time. Jamie reveals the behind-the-scenes stories from four years of chasing the striped bass migration, what it was really like producing films that became legendary in the fishing community, and the unexpected challenges of documenting a migration pattern along the entire coast. If you've ever wondered what it takes to create fishing content that stands the test of time, this conversation pulls back the curtain.

From Ad Agency to Filmmaking: How 9/11 Changed Everything

Jamie Howard's career trajectory took a dramatic turn after the events of September 11th, 2001. Working at one of the largest advertising agencies in New York, Jamie was living a fast-paced life in the city when the attacks happened. The experience forced him to completely rethink his priorities and what he wanted to do with his career. What led someone to walk away from a high-profile position at a major ad agency to pursue something as uncertain as fishing filmmaking? Jamie explains the personal impact 9/11 had on his decision-making and how it ultimately led him down a path that would produce some of the most memorable fishing films ever made. This wasn't a casual pivot—it was a fundamental reassessment of what mattered.

Creating Chasing Silver and Location X: The Projects That Connected Tom and Jamie

Tom worked directly with Jamie on both Chasing Silver and Location X, two projects that Tom describes as among his favorite filmmaking experiences. From the very beginning, Tom and Jamie clicked, working together seamlessly and having what Tom calls "a good time" making these movies. But what actually goes into producing films like these? What makes a fishing film become iconic rather than just another video? Jamie and Tom dive into the creative process, the challenges of capturing authentic fishing moments on camera, and why these particular projects stood out in both of their careers. The chemistry between filmmaker and subject can make or break a project, and these two films became benchmarks in fishing media for reasons that go deeper than just good footage.

Running the Coast: Four Years Chasing the Striped Bass Migration

Jamie's most recent and ambitious project is Running the Coast, a film that required four full years to complete. The concept was to document the entire striped bass migration pattern along the coast, following these fish as they move through different regions and seasons. This wasn't a weekend shoot or even a month-long expedition—it was a multi-year commitment to capturing something comprehensive and unprecedented. What does it take to sustain a project like that? How do you plan, fund, and execute a four-year documentary while dealing with the unpredictability of fish behavior, weather, access, and all the other variables that come with marine filmmaking? Jamie shares insights into the dedication required and what drove him to see this massive undertaking through to completion. This is the kind of project that separates casual content creators from serious filmmakers.

Tom's Fifth Podcast Attempt: Exploring New Media with an Old Friend

This episode opens with Jamie calling it Tom's "worst audio podcast, but your best intended podcast," noting that this is their fifth attempt at recording together as Tom explores new media formats. There's a self-aware humor to the technical challenges they faced, but underneath that is a more interesting story about how both Tom and Jamie have evolved with changing media landscapes. Tom is experimenting with podcasting, learning the medium, and who better to do that with than someone who has spent years mastering visual storytelling? The candid nature of this episode—including acknowledgment of the audio issues—gives listeners a glimpse into the reality of content creation and the willingness to push forward even when things aren't perfect. Sometimes the best conversations happen when you stop worrying about production value and just talk.

Final Thoughts from Tom

I've known Jamie for years, and working with him on Chasing Silver and Location X was some of the most fun I've ever had on film projects. We just clicked from day one. There's something special about working with someone who understands the fishing world but also brings a real filmmaker's eye to it. Jamie isn't just pointing a camera at fish—he's telling stories that matter.

What really struck me in this conversation is how much 9/11 shaped Jamie's path. He was in New York, working at a major agency, living that fast-paced life, and then everything changed. That kind of moment forces you to ask yourself what really matters. For Jamie, the answer was filmmaking, and we're all better off because he made that choice. The films he's produced have become touchstones in our community.

Running the Coast is a perfect example of Jamie's commitment. Four years chasing a migration pattern. That's not a hobby project—that's dedication to documenting something important. If you care about fishing films, storytelling, or just hearing how someone built a creative career by following their gut, listen to the whole thing. Yeah, the audio isn't perfect, but the conversation is real.