EP 78

Carter Andrews is the host of The Obsession of Carter Andrews and Legendary Catch on National Geographic, a professional angler who grew up in Tennessee and started as a trout fishing guide in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In this episode, Carter shares his extraordinary journey pursuing the freshwater Dorado in Bolivia, a fish the indigenous people believe is the son of Tupa, the god of the sun. He reveals how he traveled 40 miles up a river dragging old dugout canoes and making camps to reach a waterfall where this legendary fish lives. Tom and Carter also reconnect over their shared history—both started as trout guides in Jackson Hole, competed in fishing tournaments together, and fished the ESPN Great Outdoor Games and Mad Fin series. This conversation is packed with adventure, obsession, and the parallel paths of two anglers who started in the same place and ended up pursuing very different waters.

The Son of Tupa: Pursuing the Freshwater Dorado in Bolivia

Carter Andrews didn't just fish for Dorado—he embarked on an expedition that few anglers would even consider. The indigenous people of Bolivia have a profound belief system that connects the natural world to their gods, and at the center of this belief is the Dorado, a fish they consider the son of Tupa, the god of the sun. The symbolism runs deep: both the jaguar and the Dorado share the same black and gold coloring, with the jaguar controlling the jungle and the Dorado controlling the river. Carter's journey to find this legendary fish required traveling 40 miles up a river, dragging old dugout canoes, and establishing makeshift camps along the way. The destination was a waterfall where the son of Tupa was said to live. The level of commitment, physical effort, and cultural respect required for this pursuit reveals why Carter's show is called "Obsessed."

From Jackson Hole to Legendary Catch: The Shared History

Tom and Carter go way back, sharing a common starting point that shaped both of their careers in fishing. Both grew up in Tennessee and found their way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where they worked as trout fishing guides. This was where their professional angling careers began, learning the craft of guiding clients and mastering the technical aspects of fly fishing in some of America's most pristine waters. From there, their paths diverged in fascinating ways—Carter headed to The Bahamas while Tom went to the Florida Keys. Despite taking different geographical directions, both continued to push the boundaries of their fishing pursuits. They also share a competitive history, having fished tournaments together and competed in events like the ESPN Great Outdoor Games and the Mad Fin series. This conversation becomes a reunion between two anglers who started in the same place and built parallel but distinct careers in the fishing industry.

The Obsession That Drives a Career

What separates a casual angler from someone who ends up hosting a show on National Geographic called "Obsessed"? Carter Andrews embodies the answer to that question. His pursuit of the freshwater Dorado in Bolivia wasn't just about catching a fish—it was about immersing himself in the culture, respecting the indigenous beliefs, and pushing through physical challenges that would stop most people. The dedication required to drag old dugout canoes for miles, set up camps in remote locations, and persist until reaching that waterfall demonstrates a level of commitment that goes beyond sport fishing. This obsession is what has defined Carter's career and led him to host both The Obsession of Carter Andrews and Legendary Catch on National Geographic. It's a mindset that Tom understands well, having built his own career on similar principles of relentless pursuit and continuous improvement in the fishing world.

Tournament Fishing and ESPN Great Outdoor Games

Before Carter was chasing Dorado in Bolivia and Tom was building his presence in the Florida Keys, these two Tennessee natives were cutting their teeth in competitive fishing. They fished tournaments together and competed in high-profile events like the ESPN Great Outdoor Games and the Mad Fin series. These competitions weren't just about catching fish—they were proving grounds where anglers tested their skills against the best in the business, often in front of cameras and crowds. The experience of tournament fishing shapes an angler differently than guiding or recreational fishing; it teaches you to perform under pressure, adapt quickly to changing conditions, and maintain focus when everything is on the line. This shared competitive background between Tom and Carter adds depth to their conversation, as they can speak the same language about what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of the sport and how those lessons translate into their current careers.

Final Thoughts from Tom

Getting to sit down with Carter Andrews for this episode was special for me. We go way back to our days in Jackson Hole, and it's incredible to see where his obsession has taken him. When he talks about dragging dugout canoes 40 miles up a river in Bolivia to fish for a species that the local people consider the son of their sun god, you realize this isn't just about fishing anymore—it's about respecting cultures, pushing physical limits, and pursuing something bigger than yourself.

Carter and I started in the same place—Tennessee kids who found our way to Wyoming to guide trout fishermen. We competed in the same tournaments, fished the ESPN Great Outdoor Games together, and shared that competitive fire that drives you to get better every single day. But our paths diverged in fascinating ways. He went to The Bahamas, I went to the Keys, and we both built careers around our obsessions with fishing. Hearing about his journey and comparing notes on where we've been and what we've learned is the kind of conversation I wish I could have more often.

If you've ever wondered what separates someone who just likes fishing from someone who builds an entire life around it, this conversation will give you the answer. Carter's story about the Dorado alone is worth your time—the cultural significance, the physical challenge, the sheer determination required to reach that waterfall. This one's a reunion between old friends and a masterclass in what obsession really looks like. Listen to the whole thing.