Casting Across Fly Fishing

Do you have a crusty, old, fly rod sitting up in the attic? Or how about in Grandma's attic? Assuming that you have a decent relationship with said grandma, maybe you should take it out for a spin this season. There is a lot of fun and functional angling value in acquiring and using antique fly fishing gear. If you know where to look, what to use, and what you're using, it can actually add a whole...

Your stuff shouldn't own you. But if you own stuff, at least take care of it. Fly fishing gear is meant to be outside, get wet, and pushed to the limits that wild animals and wild places require. That doesn't mean that it will be happy if it has to endure a difficult life in your trunk, closet, or garage. Today I walk through a few things that I've learned (sometimes the hard way) about storing fl...

Streamer fishing. The ways in which people think about it are much more diverse in the 21st century, but at the core it is still all about imitating a baitfish to trigger a predatory response. Whether you want to throw a six-inch, weighted, articulated fly with a PG-13 name or a size 10 gray ghost, there are some gear choices that might make your fishing a little bit easier. As usual, gear is no s...

Dry fly season is right around the corner. You probably have all you need to take advantage of this magical time of the angling year. But a $5 purchase could really help your cast and presentation. What might that be? Well, in this episode I walk through a few pieces of gear and techniques that should be universally applicable for anglers who want to chase trout with dry flies. Experience and skil...

Don't worry, I'm not talking masks or vaccination or anything like that. It just so happens that 100 episodes ago, I recorded "CoronaCast, Week 1." I am talking about how the last two years have impacted my fishing. And, chances are, the last two years have impacted your fishing. Although there have been plenty of things to be discouraged by since March of 2020, there have been good things as well...

This interaction episode of the podcast is extra interactive. No, it isn't an interview. But one of the questions I engage with was a question I was asked in person at The Fly Fishing Show in New Jersey. Don't worry, I also answered him immediately in the moment. Today I talk about fly fishing in Vermont, old product reviews, and the most essential piece of gear for trail running with the aim of f...

What have you been up to? In this episode, I talk about what I've been doing in and around fly fishing this winter. Perhaps you'll get some brand new ideas; perhaps you'll see how I do the same thing that you do, albeit slightly differently. There is so much potential in the wintertime. Even though fly fishing isn't the same when the thermometer is low and there's ice on the banks, there are plent...

I had plans. They had to change. Guess what? It happens. Weather, vehicles, and life in general will put a kink in your perfectly prepared fly fishing checklist. Thankfully, I've got a three point (and alliterated!) checklist that you can employ to turn ruined plans into a great day on the water. Today I share a few things you can do to get out in front of changing plans. We can't control much, bu...

Water moves. We all get that. But do we appreciate how and why it moves? Doing so has a significant impact on finding fish, making a proper presentation, and staying safe in the water. These three reasons alone should give you pause when you ask yourself if you can read water. In this podcast episode, I briefly talk about a few river current observations. There are a lot of great resources out the...

Opening day. The annual trip to the cabin. A first fish. Within these experiences is the opportunity for ritual. And rituals simply consist of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. Maybe there is something that you've always done. Perhaps there is something that you've always done because it was what your father and grandfather did. Or, the friends that you go to the fishi...

Today I talk about two topics related to fly procurement: If you buy them, where should you buy them from? Is tying flies economical? There are as many opinions on both of these questions as there are fly patterns. I don't pretend to be the expert. But I do have a few simple data points and perspectives that might be helpful as you consider filling up your fly boxes. And, as always, I'm happy to h...

How was your year in general? Okay. Now: How was your year in fly fishing? You don't need to keep a journal or go on some sort of self-discovery session to think about your year on and around the water. Just consider your successes and (relative) failures. Take quick inventory of how you did and did not spend your time. It might not elicit some great course-correction. But, as you're making plans...

What are you reading? That is a great question to ask someone. It opens up so many doors for conversation. Within the fly fishing community, there is a good chance that everyone has read something recently. Books, blogs, and even marketing emails use language to communicate our shared passion. But there is something special about fly fishing books. In this episode, I revisit a few different kinds...

Disclaimer: I'm not advocating that anyone abandon their family during the holiday season. However, if you're able to integrate a little fly fishing in the Christmas and New Year interval you should definitely go for it. This week I discuss some of the reasons why the period from late December to early January is great for getting out on the water. The calendar, as busy as it can be, is really wor...

This week is a quick sprint through a sticky subject: which species deserve to live in any given area? In part, I'm responding to an article that questions the demonization of invasive species. Generally speaking, their point is a good one. However, some of the implications of the article are troublesome. As anglers, we have a responsibility to steward our resources. This means making decisions on...

You write, I respond. And it is one of my favorite parts of Casting Across. This week I discuss net storage, what to wear inside your wading shoe, and fishing alongside someone who thinks existential thoughts. These three reader/listener comments were really good, and I think that you'll benefit from my answers to their questions. And, as usually happens, some of the tangents pursued along the way...

Happy Thanksgiving from Casting Across! On today's episode, I share three things that I'm thankful for. Each one is directly tied to fly fishing, but there is a lot more involved. I've found that some of the best angling memories that I've made and the most profound fishing moments I've experienced have a lot more underneath the surface than just fish. Hopefully I can give you a few ideas of how y...

Taking pictures of fish is totally fine. But there are a lot of ways that you can mess it up. While I'm not a professional photographer by any means, I have figured out a few important things when it comes to taking pictures of fish that I've caught. The top priorities are: Don't take a bad picture. Don't hurt the fish. Definitely don't do both. This week I talk through a half dozen simple tips fo...

In the winter, fly fishing changes. The same water and the same fish require different tactics. Some of these approaches necessitate a few alterations to what you pack. Chances are it is gear that you already have. You just want to make sure you have it when you need it. Today I give a quick overview of what I make sure is in my pack and accessible when I'm on the water in the late fall or winter....

There are very few things that an angler can control while fly fishing. You can't force a fish to be in a spot. You can't demand that a fish eat your fly. And, of course, you are totally unable to dictate weather and water flows. But you can control your cast. In this episode I talk a little bit about casting mechanics. Specifically, I discuss a few tactics that beginners and advanced casters can...

Today I talk briefly about the genesis of Casting Across. Then, I share a few thoughts regarding the fly fishing industry. Hopefully, it is an encouragement or a new perspective for you. I've said it before, but on this anniversary week of Casting Across: thank you for reading and listening! This episode is brought to you by X-Chair. Upgrade your home office by heading to XchairCasting.com  and ge...

Inevitably, you've heard about the "four stages of the angler." I don't know who first came up with this timeline, but I do think it holds true. That being said, I don't necessarily agree that it is as linear as is often implied. Progress means building upon the foundations you have already laid down. As you grow in your fly fishing experience, this is certainly the case. This episode is brought t...

I don't use the term magic much. But there is something magical about fly fishing in  the fall. All of it is much more enjoyable when you're comfortable. In this episode I talk through my thought process of dressing for angling success. Autumn temperatures and weather can be variable, so it is always better to plan than wing it. This episode is brought to you by X-Chair. Upgrade your home office b...

A social media post got me thinking about how we fight fish. It is all about getting into and maintaining the right angles. This helps you and it helps the fish. Today I talk about two concepts for staying or getting in the right position when trying to get a fish to hand. One involves your feet and the other utilizes your gear. This episode is brought to you by X-Chair. Upgrade your home office b...

In this episode, I admit that I made a mistake. Seriously: For years I've failed to do one of the things that I emphasize in my writing and speaking. I've neglected to define a term. A listener/reader pointed this out, and today I take a stab at correcting it. I also talk a little about gear in general and one reel in particular. A reader pointed me towards a reel brand's backstory that I've never...