Casting Across Fly Fishing

Reposting and hashtagging is nice. But that isn't conservation. Headline causes are great - if you actually get your feet on the ground and get your hands dirty. There is nothing wrong with "raising awareness," but perhaps there are some more profound ways you can walk the conservation walk. It doesn't take moving to the wilderness or quitting your job. It just means doing something... more than t...

Although fly fishing is an escape, we’re incapable of detaching completely. Our thoughts rightly meander from fly presentation to work, family, whats next. Our present fishing is profoundly linked to how we have fished – and who has fished with us in the past. And chances are the trails we are walking, the flies we are using, and the rod we are casting were made by someone else. There is something...

On its face, fly fishing elitism is silly. It is okay to prefer the fly rod. And it has it advantages. But there is no reason to look down upon conventional tackle. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why a spinning rod should be part of your overall angling arsenal. In this episode, I talk about a few circumstances that might necessitate using conventional gear. Also, I look at how using bobbers...

If you have been stuck indoors, you might want to just grab your sling or vest and hit the water as quickly as possible. Comprehensively organizing your fly fishing pack ahead of time will ensure that you are ready to fish. Once you hit the water, you’ll have everything that you use and not necessarily be carrying around those things that you’ve just accumulated. Here is one efficient and effectiv...

In my experience, some fly fishers either care way too much about leaders. Most don't care enough. Fussing over the exact number of centimeters of 4X you need for a certain taper might be overkill. But simply looping on a knotless, tapered leader and using it until it won't fit through your fly's eye isn't the way to go either. In this episode I share a handful of easy, no-nonsense tips for a midd...

You speak, I listen. And then I speak about it. In this episode, I respond to some feedback that I've received from Casting Across articles and podcasts. There is a comment on keeping spots secret, a question on how I prioritize fly fishing, and an angry mob. Well, kind of. I enjoy sharing a little bit about fly fishing. Hearing what you think about what I've shared makes it even better. Learn mor...

There are differences between chucking articulated flies against the bank of a roaring tailwater and fishing a streamer in a small creek. There are also differences between dapping tiny attractor patterns and fishing a streamer in a small creek. The rod, flies, and approach have to all be significantly  altered from what you’re used to. Here are five things you ought to consider if you want to get...

You will find some real interesting characters in fly shops. After nearly two decades of formal, empirical anthropological research, I’ve developed an efficient classification system and taxonomy for the types of individuals one encounters in fly shops. As a former fly shop employee, an occasional customer, and a curious observer of awkward situations, I believe that I am uniquely qualified for su...

While fly fishing on wide, expansive trout rivers might be totally normal for you, it is a far cry from the creeks and streams that many anglers call home. This can lead to apprehension or even avoidance. It is understandable. I've been there. But there are some simple ways to get out in the water and make sense of even the biggest rivers. In this episode I give five simple ideas for getting out a...

Chances are there is a fly tying event that is held on a regular basis somewhere near you. Fly shops, fishing clubs, and TU chapters are all getting in on these gatherings. Whether you are a beginner tyer or an expert, I think you should go. In this episode, I share 5 reasons why tyers of all skill levels should attend events like these; 3 geared towards beginners, 3 for experts. (Yes, my math is...

I think that all types of anglers should consider going back to the pond and back to the bluegill. In this episode I give four reasons why fly fishers should fish for bass and panfish more frequently, along with a quick word on gear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When is a fish native? When is it wild? Can it be both? And what about stocked trout? In this episode, I give a very quick overview of this topic. I look at the historic range of the three major American trout/char species, and talk about why knowing this information can be helpful. Oh, and I compare trout fishers to people who eat at McDonald's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

When was the last time you found new water to fish? Have you ever gone out with map in hand, located water, and fished it? Doing this can be much more rewarding than catching fish. We don't get to do a lot of exploration in the 21st century. But for those who are willing, a little bit of work can pay off. In this episode I share a few stories and give a few things to think about when it comes to s...

Within a few hours' drive of the urban sprawl that surrounds Washington, DC, you can get into some amazing brook trout fishing, or smallmouth bass fishing, or both. The Shenandoah is a remarkable, beautiful, and historic region of the Mid-Atlantic that offers great fishing for two of the east coast's most sought after species. In this episode, I introduce the region and the fisheries. I offer a li...

Growing up fly fishing the east, the trout and waters of the west always felt mythical. In this episode I talk about my first trip to Colorado, which is probably not unlike a lot of people's first trip out west. There is so much that is different. At the same time, most of the important stuff is the same. The trout are trout and the flies are flies. We might go fish the same place over and over ag...

I truly appreciate every thoughtful comment I receive on Casting Across. Moreover, I feel that if you took the effort to continue the conversation that I started then I should respond. In this episode, I interact with three comments that I received. They are from an article on the website, a social media post, and a previous podcast episode. Readers and listeners bring something new to the table,...

You can catch fish with virtually any and all gear. That being said, there are certain kinds of gear that are especially suited for specific scenarios. Small stream trout fishing is no exception. Beyond what kind of gear you bring, how you carry it is particularly important. In this episode I discuss some of the packing/carrying techniques that I have adopted that make my time fly fishing small st...

Sadly, fly line is the piece of gear that lives in the shadow of the stars of the show: rods and reels. But for most fly fishers, line is much more important than a reel. For all anglers, fly line is much more important than we give it credit for. In this episode I talk about how line can save you money, improve your casting, and get your fly in front of more fish. Learn more about your ad choices...

It is okay to do more outdoors than fly fish. In fact, there are a lot of benefits that come with adding more and different types of outdoor activities to your life. And, in my opinion, doing so will actually help your fly fishing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does your car help or hurt you in your fly fishing endeavors? The truth is that there are a few things you can do in, and to, your car to make it the perfect fly fishing vehicle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arkansas might not seem like a premier angling destination. But if you've heard of the enormous browns, the beautiful rivers, and... the delicious Southern cooking, you know that the Ozarks is one of the most unique fly fishing spots in the USA. In this episode, I give a brief overview of the major tailwaters and make a case for why you should fish the Ozarks. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

It is episode 4 of the Casting Across Fly Fishing Podcast. ...which seems like as good of a time as any to start sharing who I am, what I do, and what this podcast is all about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You don’t have to fly fish in December, January, and February. As long as local regulations allow it, and you can ethically pursue fish, you aren’t limited to drilling a hole in lake ice if you want to get after some trout. Here are three spots you can target if you want to optimize your cold-weather angling. All three of these spots attract fish and should attract fly fishers: Learn more about yo...

There is no perfect small stream fly rod. Various rod manufacturers and publications have declared they have the rod for fly fishing on high mountain streams or small meadow creeks. Such superlatives draw in attention (and customers). As is the case with medium-sized  or large rivers, there is no perfect small stream fly rod. It is a matter of opinion; and each opinion is based on personal angling...

Trespassing. Not the illegal kind, but simply stepping over lines we don't usually cross. That is what fly fishing should be. A little danger, a bit of skill, a few fish, and fitting in to a picture bigger than yourself. Crossing boundaries that usually aren’t crossed. Thinking outside the marked paths. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices