Casting Across Fly Fishing

100 episodes. That is a lot of my voice. So, this week I have a few special guests that join me on the podcast. All three have been fishing for their entire life, and I think that you'll appreciate their perspectives. I can honestly say that they keep it simple, keep it real, and keep it fun. Also, I wanted to convey a big thank you to all who listen. Thanks for making these 25 minutes part of you...

Where can you go to get some fly fishing history, beautiful scenery, fun for the whole family... and a few trout? Nestled in the bottom left corner of Vermont sits the little town of Manchester. Orvis is there. The American Museum of Fly Fishing is there. They're there because the Battenkill River is there. If you find yourself wanting to spend a long weekend in the region, you'll not be disappoin...

Where have you fished the most? Do you remember the first time you went? Was it a remarkable success or a tragic comedy of errors? Regardless, I'd wager that you can remember the first time you went fly fishing on your favorite river, stream, or lake. In this episode I recount my first trip to a beloved spring creek. I came to know it very well, but the first time I tried to lure out a brown trout...

Every week I approach podcast recording time with a handful of ideas. Most fill up a 20 minute episode. Some are a little more brief, derivative, or otherwise not enough. This episode is a compilation of 4 or 5 topics, only strung together by the common thread of fly fishing. There is some theory, some practical advice, and even a commentary on death. (It's brief, but i got it in there.) It is a q...

Many a fly shop counter has heard the debates and the arguments. "Those aren't flies." "If it is within the law, it is a fly." "That's a lure." "You're just jealous you can't catch as many fish." ...and so on. In this episode I take a brief look at the spectrum of fly authenticity. I attempt to get at the root of the quarrel, and try my hand at some conflict resolution. Maybe you'll scoff. Maybe y...

Good weather means a good day to be outside. And that isn't a secret. Spring, Fall, and pleasant Summer days can cause your favorite spots to fill up quickly. In this episode I talk about four ways I’ve learned to beat the crowds and still get into fish. You don’t have to give up your favorite water, but with a little outside the fly box thinking you can get into some really great good weather fis...

Fly fishing is about the experience, not the labels or the quality of your gear... but you need gear to fish, right? In this episode, I quickly go through a dozen or so pieces of fly fishing gear. I share my opinion on what kinds of gear warrant a little more money and which  don't. There are countless variables that I don't explore, and you know your budget and your angling better than I do. Stil...

Cast at a 45-degree angle upstream. Mend. Allow the fly to drift without dragging. Repeat. Honestly, that sounds like an ideal situation. The stereotypical dry fly presentation is fun. However, there are plenty of times when the fish or the setting are anything but stereotypical: if you have ever encountered situations where the fish aren't playing ball,  you can't get into "proper" casting positi...

"I'm in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I've just caught an enormous fish. But I don't give a crap." ...at least that is what your face is saying. That is just one example of how people take fly fishing too seriously.  Unless you are part of the

A year ago I released a podcast entitled "3 Fly Fishing Things I Wish I Knew Then." Believe it or not, there are more. In this episode I discuss why the new angler ought to consider some parts of fly fishing that might not be readily apparent. But with the benefit of time and perspective on my side, I can also say that anglers who have been on the stream for a while might need to consider them too...

90 episodes in, and it is still a lot of fun! On this installment of the podcast, I interact with three messages from listeners/readers. I discuss Euro rods on small streams, how to find water that is easy to walk or wade in, and a heartfelt response to a memorial article. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or accusations please don't hesitate to reach out. Use the comment form on the...

Road trip! Depending upon your particular experiences, that phrase might elicit great joy or terrible fear. But what if you have a fly rod in the car? Or, what if you've had a fly rod in the car while taking that same route in the past? Adding a little fishing to a longer drive can break things up. But, there are a lot more benefits than just a pair of wet boots and a few fish in the net. Getting...

There is one fish that I have been trying to catch for nearly 20 years. It isn't a specific fish, per se, but any rainbow trout out of a particular stream. This week I caught that fish. It was a little fish. Really little. But that is okay. After numerous failed attempts (some of which resulted in law enforcement intervention), it was immensely satisfying to catch & release this one trout. How can...

If you can negotiate some time on the water, then you should absolutely sneak some fishing into your family trip. Want my advice? Don't bring what you would normally bring on a fishing trip. Pack lighter. Be it out of necessity or simply to keep the peace, choose what you're hauling along with coolers, strollers, and scooters wisely. Even if you are flying and going solo, there should be a minimiz...

I'm pretty confident that my audience is beyond the "fly fishing is the only kind of fly fishing!" thing. Don't get me wrong: I love fly fishing. 9 times out of 10, I'm fishing with a fly rod. But that "1" makes for plenty of opportunities. And I can honestly say that all of my time fishing with a fly has made me a better angler when I'm using spinning or baitcasting gear. In this episode I talk a...

A benefit of fishing a lot is the ability to be a little choosy. Instead of splashing at every chance at a big fish, it allows for a more measured approach. With a lot of fly fishing comes an increased sample size to consider. There are more experiences, more insights, and more observations. Most importantly, it is a lot like the feeding habits of a big trout: just be there, and opportunities will...

You can keep your flies in anything. At the end of the day, it is how you fish your flies - not where you store them - that ends up catching fish. Of course, for only a few dollars you can get the right fly box. It might lead to better organization. It could even mean your flies stay protected. And, it could be argued, both of those might mean catching more fish. In this episode I walk through the...

What makes a good fishing cabin? Maybe, just maybe, it doesn't have to be a cabin to do what you need it to do. Today, I talk about how I've been finding fly fishing trip lodging for a while now. Also, I start of the podcast by talking about healing, documentaries, and another podcast. It is a little bit of everything, but it touches on a diverse range of fly fishing experiences. Learn more about...

There are some ways that you can get more fishing in. And they all involve moving; just a little bit more. In this episode I talk about how a little bit of attention to fitness can translate into better fishing. The bulk of the discussion focuses on getting deeper into the woods and away from the crowds more efficiently and effectively. This might mean running, jogging, or just a little bit more o...

Where do you fish? I field this question a lot. Recently, when I solicited ideas on social media, this was asked even more. So while I won't necessarily be spot burning, I do want to highlight some rivers and regions that I've enjoyed. This week I talk about three places that I've really enjoyed fishing. They're all in the US, but they're thousands of miles from one another. They are very differen...

This week, I talk about opening day, wildfires, little pike, and mop flies. What ties all of those topics together? Well, you asked for it! On this 80th episode of the Casting Across Fly Fishing Podcast, I field questions and comments from listeners and readers. It is a lot of fun to get feedback, and I enjoy being able to interact with a few things on the podcast. If you ever have a question, com...

When was the last time you tried a rod that was two or three  weight designations lighter than your usual setup? Whether you fish in the salt, for  warm water species, or trout, there are some legitimate reasons to downsize. In this episode I focus primarily on the true ultralight line weights - 2, 1, and 0. There are some principles that you can apply regardless of how and where you fish. Most of...

We all do dumb stuff while we're fly fishing. ...or am I alone in that? In this episode I share a few big and potentially costly blunders I've made in my fly fishing life. Perhaps they will be cautionary. Perhaps they will be of entertainment value. Regardless, they're there and through them I offer a few things to think about. After all, we learn more in difficulty than we do while at ease. And s...

There are a lot of articles and podcasts that tell you what you need for fly fishing. There is even content out there that details the backup gear you'll need. In this podcast, I talk about 5 (plus 3 more, at the end) non-fly fishing things you should have in your car if you're going to be spending a good amount of time on the water. Sound abstract? Check it out, hear some of my horror stories, an...

I'm try not to be judgmental. However, if you long to get out on the water an ignore the ponds in your backyard you're doing it wrong. Across the country there are farm ponds, ponds in parks, and neighborhood retention ponds filled to the brim with fish. They might not be trout. But who cares? Bass, sunfish, and even rough fish are legitimate targets for the fly fisher. In this episode, I talk abo...