Casting Across Fly Fishing

50 episodes! But really, the milestone for a weekly podcast is 52... This week I respond to four  listeners/readers.  I discuss the quality of my podcast, keeping your eyeballs safe, a few pieces of gear an angling "noob" might want to pick up, and a fly rod that I am embarrassed I don't own. Even though 50 isn't really an anniversary, thanks for listening and for the comments, emails, and reviews...

I'm surprised at how many devoted fly fishers haven't tried catching Great Lakes steelhead. Big fish, manageable rivers, and easy access seem like a perfect combination. Sure, this isn't the Pacific Northwest. But being a half-day's drive from a unique seasonal fishery is something that anglers from Chicago to Boston ought to consider. I present a quick survey on what goes into giving steelhead a...

By the time Fall rolls around, most fly fishers' fly boxes are looking pretty rough.  Truth be told, many new anglers also have chaotic and bizarre collections of fly patterns. Although it might not be for everyone, I have a concept that I've tried to implement in how I fill and maintain fly boxes. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about one of my methods for fly storage/usage. I also go abov...

Contrary to popular Hollywood tropes, you can't go back in time. However, others can learn from your mistakes. And hindsight can also help you make better decisions going forward. All of that is true in the big, important parts of life. It is also true in fly fishing. In this episode I talk about three things about fly fishing that I wish I knew when I was younger. More accurately: these are thing...

I could hear it. It was coming closer. And there I was: alone in the woods, halfway across the world, holding only a fly rod. It wasn't even that great of a rod. 10 years ago I went to Italy. There was culture, cuisine, and an ill-fated fly fishing adventure. Hear me talk about the fish, the fishery, and the fishing guide that made it such a bizarre story. Also, learn how I escaped  the aforementi...

What would you say if you were told that you owed every fish you caught an apology? How about that you actually needed to find a fish and atone for your angling? Recently a school held a service where students prayed to plants. What might sound like satire actually has real worldview implications. In this episode I talk out of my weight class and explore some of the implications of seemingly compa...

Rod, reel, line. I say no! It shall be rod, line, reel. For most fly fishing scenarios, your reel is the least significant part of your terminal tackle equation. Of course there are some real, legitimate exceptions. But more often than not most trout fishing doesn't necessitate a super-premium reel. You need something to hold line, and you need some basic fish fighting skills. Learn more about you...

I don’t want to feel like you’re being attacked. I am sure that you are really, really into fly fishing. If you were to tell me everything you know, share your angling expense report, and rattle off where you’ve been I bet I’d be impressed. Seriously. No sarcasm. There is a very good chance that you’re an angling enthusiast or  a fly fishing aficionado or a hardcore fisher-person. You’re just not...

For some reason, the myth exists that fishing isn't any good in the rain. Maybe we should keep that fallacy going, because getting out on the river in the rain is a great way to get to spots and fish that would otherwise be hard to approach. Whether it is because the rain is keeping away crowds or creating angling opportunities, a few drops might be the catalyst to getting you on the water. I shar...

Want to know how to make a better presentation with your fly? Want to know how to catch more fish? Want to know how to have more fun fly fishing? Learning to be able to cast a fly rod better is part of growing as an angler. It might be about distance, accuracy, or efficiency. Regardless, a little bit of perspective, patience, and practice can go a long way to make your time on the water better. I...

40 episodes in, and I have a lot of questions, comments, and other feedback to interact with. This podcast I  answer a question about fishing while backpacking, sing the praises of old fly rods, and address "Japanese shower climbing." Briefly, but I address it. It is a lot of fun to hear what readers/listeners are thinking when they interact with Casting Across, and these episodes allow me to take...

If you're not fishing a dry/dropper, you're missing  out on an excellent way to maximize your fish-catching potential. But there are other "dropper" rigs that work really well in a variety of scenarios in which a dry fly trailed by a nymph just wouldn't make sense. In this episode I talk about four ways you can utilize two flies to improve your fishing and your catching. How many of these techniqu...

Even today, brick and mortar fly shops are an integral part of fly fishing culture. Beyond supplying rods, reels, flies, and tying materials, they offer angling insight and legitimate community. Although there are many factors that lead to fly shops succeeding or failing, there are certain things that most of the truly good shops have in common. And, in my opinion, the most important facets aren't...

When it comes to reading water, the fly fisher who is observant  of details will be rewarded. This way of angling doesn’t mean casting your fly to every square inch of the creek. It entails reading the water at a level that goes beyond riffle, run, pool.  Slow down. Think and assess. Don't just fishing the holding water that usually  has a trout or two. There are plenty of fish that aren't where y...

If you can’t explain it, you don’t really get it. Think of it this way: Can you explain the basic mechanics of a cast? Could you give a quick overview of why the feeding behavior of fish changes with the weather? Why should I buy a medium-action fly rod over a fast one… or vice-versa? You don't need to be an expert to know how to fish or, more importantly, enjoy how to fish. But learning how to co...

I'll go on record as saying that I think "Pro Deals" and "Pro Staff" are totally fine. But just like anything else in fly fishing (or in the rest of the world), abuse can ruin a good thing. Kirk Deeter's recent Angling Trade piece articulated some of the real problems that exist with this system. It is clear why "Pro Staffers" give this legitimate marketing tactic a bad name, and it makes sense wh...

In this 4th of July(ish) episode I get political. And in the vein of most politicians, I don't say a whole lot. What I do, however, is hopefully get  you thinking about a few topics that impact fly fishers and US citizens alike. Public lands and social media censorship have direct implications for those who fish and hunt. Although these issues are often presented as black and white, with one side...

Waders and wading boots are often afterthoughts in fly fishing gear discussions. But I don't think I'm overstating things when I say that a great rod that gives you another few feet of "castability" isn't going to matter much if your footing is unstable and your back hurts. In this episode of the podcast I discuss a few (potentially controversial) things that you should think about the next time y...

You’ve probably been there before. Lying in bed, the night before a fly fishing excursion. You have thoughts. Questions, actually. You might attempt the counting sheep equivalent of visualizing heavy trout coming to the net. But, for analytical minds like many fly anglers possess, that practice gets one thinking about hypotheticals and other situational what-ifs. So, there you are; awake. With a l...

I'm willing to wager that the bulk of my audience/readership fishes primarily or exclusively in freshwater. That makes sense, because I fish primarily in freshwater. While there are plenty of common elements between the trout stream and the surf, the differences stand out. And they can potentially be daunting if you've never chased fish in the salt. Even if you're going to the shore once or twice...

As I've done every 10 episodes, I take the time to respond to and interact with your questions, comments, and accusations. There weren't a whole lot of accusations, but that sounds much more provocative. In this podcast, I talk about all of the small stream fly rod recommendations I've received in the past few months. I also comment on some "must have" gear items that readers sent my way. Also, I...

Situated in south central Pennsylvania, the Cumberland Valley boasts some remarkable spring creeks. Who doesn't like big fish in small, beautiful water? While the rivers aren't what they once were, they are still worth seeking out. Moreover, a great opportunity for trout, stewardship, and some real fly fishing history is only a short drive away for Eastern fly fishers. Check out this primer on Pen...

As connected as technology has allowed us to become, it seems like we're farther apart than ever. We're closer in many ways, but disconnection runs rampant. In something as fun, as good, as pure as fly fishing there is no reason for   communication to become hostile and broken. Is social media to blame?  I give my two cents in this episode. I try my best to wade through the muck, all the while rem...

Folklore and “grandpa always said” make up a great deal of how and why fly fishers approach the water. But do we really need to be quiet, camouflaged, and flat on the ground in order to catch fish? In this episode of the podcast, I look at four things to consider when you're approaching the water. Sometimes we give fish more credit then they're due. We  all could also benefit from fishing smarter,...

Fly fishing books have been an important part of the sport for hundreds of years, taking different forms and meeting various needs. Even in an age when so much information is available at the tap of a smart phone, tangible media is incredibly valuable. Whether it be a novel assisting in winter escapism or a  tattered, dog-eared, highlighted river guide on the back seat, books are a part of the ang...