Casting Across Fly Fishing

250 episodes. That is a quarter of the way to a really impressive benchmark. But let's not focus too much on the future. Today, I break my format rules and bring three guests into the studio. We talk travel, big bass, and fall dreams. There is also a very serious discussion regarding gummy bears. Thanks for listening; whether this be your first time with Casting Across or your 250th. Learn more ab...

We live in a day and age when we can use products off the shelf and they'll perform incredibly well. But if you spend any time on YouTube, you know that there is nothing that is off-limits when it comes to modifying everything from Nerf guns to leaf blower carburetors. Fly fishing gear is no different. While I don't advocate chopping up your rod or sewing something onto your waders, there are some...

Most of us rely upon others' reviews of products and services as we attempt to make decisions regarding our hard earned money. More importantly: as we attempt to do our best to catch more fish. What makes a good review? What kinds of things should you look for as you shop, discern, and discriminate? To make it more personal, what kinds of things do I attempt to do as I write reviews on Casting Acr...

It could be the season of life, the weather, or even just the recent (lack of) success on the water. But whatever it is, you've found yourself in a fishing rut. What can you do to get back to where you should be? Well, you could power through and just make it happen by doing the same thing over and over again. Or, you could make some small changes that grease the skids. Unless you're fly fishing m...

I'm not a biologist. But I do have enough common sense to analyze data, listen to experts, and pay attention to the world around me. Consequently, I'm aware that it isn't wise to fish for trout as the thermometer goes up. It is more nuanced than "don't fish when it is hot" though. Air temperature is something to consider, but water temperature and dissolved oxygen are significantly more important....

Bass anglers learning how to fish for trout have an uphill climb. There is an entirely new lexicon to master and lots of tiny, particular gear to figure out. However, trout anglers - specifically fly fishers - have a lot to learn when it comes to chasing bass. One hurdle they have to overcome is the propensity to use diminutive gear. Tiny rods, flies, and lines can be effective and fun for trout....

You've got a work trip or family vacation coming up. You think that either: a) There's no way you can bring all you need for any legitimate fishing. Or, b) There's no way you can fit anything in your luggage/minivan. I'm here to alleviate all of your worries. Taking a moment from doing the very activity of packing for a trip, I walk through my system for making sure I have what I need for a variet...

The eye does amazing things. With our vision alone, we can discern and identify a dazzling array of variables. You can see intricate vermiculation lines across the back of a brook trout, unique spot patterns on a mountain cutthroat, or a shimmering azure cheek of a wild brown trout. And while that counts for a lot, it doesn't take into account what makes a trout what it is: genetics. Today's episo...

You can do it. You can fish teeny, tiny flies. Moreover, you want to do it. Why? Because if you can fish midges then you can probably fish dry flies any day you want to. In virtually all healthy ecosystems there will always be some tiny insects on the surface film. And somewhere, trout will be feeding on them. Today's podcast is a lightning quick overview of fishing little dries and emergers: flie...

Why did you pick the fly rod that you did? Was it the label? Was it the price? Was it how it felt when you wiggled it in the store? Or, was it because the rod cast a line in a way that fit your stroke and your fishing? Okay, now: why does the rod do that? Dozens and dozens of hours could be filled with discussions about the engineering, manufacturing, and application of fly rod action. In about 20...

Fly fishing is about a whole lot more than catching fish. I've expressed that sentiment in quite a few ways over the years here on Casting Across. This week's podcast touches on that theme in a few different ways. While I do give some practical, "tips-n'-tricks" information at the end, the majority of the ~20 minutes is about the peripheral stuff that makes fly fishing what it is. And as always, t...

This week I was doing some research on how safe fly fishing is compared to other outdoor activities. Good news: it is safe. Bad news: it puts you in a position where you'll be facing 2 of the 3 most common causes of death outside. Take a listen to the podcast to figure out what they are, but you can probably guess by the title of the episode that they have to do with wading. I share 5 quick and ea...

They're not the biggest or most technically-challenging fish, but there is something special about a wild trout caught high up in the mountains. And while those who spend a lot of time walking trails with fly rod in hand know that it is possible to catch dozens of feisty trout in these secluded creeks, this kind of fishing can be intimidating. It can be intimidating to a new angler. It can also be...

Bamboo might be what your great grandpa's rod was made out of. But that doesn't mean that you can't fish with it too. And maybe, that means fishing with grandpa's clunky five-and-dime bamboo fly rod. Why fish with a rod material that is now three generations old? Today I talk through three reasons why you should consider adding bamboo to your arsenal. I also discuss a few ways that you can procure...

Dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. They work just fine, but there are plenty of ways to fish these flies. One of the most effective ways to fish dries and nymphs is in the surface film or just below the surface. While a high-floating dry is romantic and bottom-ticking nymphs get a lot of hype, fish absolutely hone in on bugs drifting high and tight. Today I talk through three ways to make this valu...

As we evolve in our pursuit of fish, our gear evolves with us. There are some items that we inevitably obtain as beginners that we either discard or simply disregard. Today I talk about three of those things. While you might not pay them much attention, or they might not be a regular part of your time on the water, they (or the concept behind them) still have value. Sometimes the simple, little th...

If you haven't noticed, our culture is pretty polarized. Ah for the days when we fought about Pepsi or Coke, Yankees or Red Sox, and flies or bait. Alas. But just because there are some major rifts between politics, religion, and worldview doesn't mean that we can't come together to improve riparian habitat and pick up trash out of a local river. Maybe, just maybe, if we take a mere conservationis...

Strike indicators! Bobbers! Strike indicators! Bobbers! Like Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny, the argument rages on and on. I don't intend to settle it. I simply intend to cast into a good-looking run filled with fat trout hoping that my fly is suspended at the right depth. Today I talk about 5 strike indicators that I use. There are loads more, but this is a short podcast. Hear about what might be a go...

There are as many ways to carry fly fishing gear as there are pieces of fly fishing gear. And that is saying a lot. How do you keep the stuff you need (or that you think you need) on you when you're on the water? It might not be a big source of concern for you. But maybe you're new to fly fishing. Maybe you need to carry more. Perhaps you need to carry less. It could just be that what you've been...

Today I'm sharing three practical tips for introducing someone to fly fishing. For you, it might be a child, a friend, or a spouse. Simply putting them next to you in the water probably isn't enough. I walk through three things that are worth thinking about: exploration, opportunity, & access. Whether you're just getting into fly fishing yourself, or you're shooting to get someone involved with yo...

I got accused of something! Well, maybe not. And if it is, it isn't particularly accusatory. But it is a disagreement about fly fishing gear. So, I address it. I also talk about how and why I create the podcast that I do. The last topic on the episode has to do with all the component pieces that one can use when fishing streamers. I truly enjoy interacting with all the emails and website comments...

What kind of fishing investment am I talking about? The kind in people: yourself, those around you, and those who will be fishing tomorrow. Today I share a little bit about the most prominent influence in my life related to angling and conservation: the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Camp. I can honestly say that my week at that camp (and a string of years as it's director) m...

No - not that kind of record. While you are more than welcome to try to catch the largest fish in a particular line class, I'm talking about record-keeping. What kind of records, you ask? Well, I have four that I discuss on this episode of the podcast. Whether you have a fancy Moleskine journal or (like me) use Excel, there is some information that can be beneficial to you if you take a few moment...

Dry flies looked about the same 100 years ago. Streamers? Things were a little different. We hadn't gotten around to articulated flies that use half a bucktail yet. But we still caught fish. And the flies that were being fished worked. Plus, you could cast them on your regular trout rod. All was well in the world. And it still is. There is no reason why you can't fish a Mickey Finn, Grey Ghost, or...

A little can go a long way. When it comes to your fly fishing gear, taking a couple of hours can keep your equipment functioning well and actually improve your time on the water. In this episode, I quickly run through six things that you can do to take care of your gear and get it ready for the upcoming season (or tune it up during the season). I also add six more quick steps that aren't as vital,...