Casting Across Fly Fishing

I don't get bent out of shape to often about fly fishing. But one thing does make me look sideways at what is happening in our little angling community. It is when people get bent out of shape. Sound hypocritical or oxymoronic? Hear me out. A lot of the battles that are fought online or over fly shop counters are akin to two sculpins jockeying for position on the bottom of a giant pool. They don't...

It is never too late to do better. Two of the three things I mention on this episode; I'm really still working on them. But all three are real examples of aspects of fly fishing that would have been great to be keyed in on when I started. This fourth edition (six, if you count fly tying) of this series touches on getting more out of gear, fishing, and the experience. You can have a blast and catch...

How much can you say about wading boots? Well, at least 20 minutes. I've long maintained that wading boots are one of the pieces of gear that deserve your hard earned money. They keep you comfortable and they keep you upright. Or, they keep you fishing. In today's episode I talk about some things to think about when shopping for wading boots (and I do intend that as plural!). This is a great discu...

Yes. I know that for most fly fishers there is no "offseason." But at the bare minimum, contending with shorter days and impossible weather will render the December-February period less intense than June or September. With that big caveat out of the way, I want to share what this episode is about: Redeeming the time. Today I talk about four things that you can do sans fly rod that are perfectly su...

Did you hear that Pebble Mine is toast? One of the most significant conservation initiatives in fly fishing history has (hopefully) come to a positive conclusion. In this episode, I give a brief recap of what the proposed mine was all about and why it elicited such a strong reaction from the outdoors community. Also, toward the end of the podcast, I throw in a few items that should be food for tho...

Today's podcast docket is relatively diverse: brown trout strains, multipurposing your hiking boots, and how our worldview impacts our pathway toward conservation. Yeah... there isn't a lot of continuity there. However, all three of the messages I received regarding these issues were thoughtful and worth my time. I think that my interaction with all three of these issues are worth your time too. A...

The rise of a trout to a dry fly is perhaps one of the most quintessential moments in all fly fishing. A good cast, a proper drift, and a picturesque take all come together to create what many consider to be the pinnacle of trout fishing. You can achieve this with any old gear. But there are a few things that will probably make it more attainable and more enjoyable. Today I walk through the seven...

I can't think of a better way to spend a cold, dismal January day than walking around a convention hall filled with flannel-garbed anglers. But I know that there are some out there who can't see the appeal. My perspective is that many who poo-poo fly fishing shows are doing it wrong. In today's episode, I share 5 things that I'd do if I was heading to a fly fishing expo event. And to get out ahead...

Ideally, we'd all be thoughtful and intentional fly shop patrons out of our own wisdom. Sometimes, we need tales of woe to correct us. And sometimes, we like to be entertained by the ridiculous goings-on that occur at fly shops. Once again, I'm turning back a few chapters in my life to when I spent some time working at a fly shop. I share a few stories and pass along a few things I've learned from...

Well, really it is your favorite fly fishing stuff on Casting Across in 2022. But I did want to talk about the articles and podcasts that got the most attention over this past year. I think that both of these segments reflect some good stuff in the fly fishing community, and hopefully what I bring to the table is beneficial to all that stop to read or listen. I also share some of what I've done ov...

I am not an Euro Nymphing guru, and this is by no means a comprehensive treatment of the technique/gear/universe. So it is with trepidation that I wade into what is only meant to be a quick, initiatory overview of a topic that elicits very strong emotions. But you don't need to have an emotional response to how anyone fishes. You can use an incredibly productive tactic and some helpful equipment t...

STOP! If you're a veteran fly tyer or if you've decided that fly tying just isn't your thing, this podcast is still for you. There are a lot of "bad first steps" for people who are interested in taking up fly tying. In this episode, I share what I believe to be the first three things you should do if you are considering trying your hand at tying. Similarly, these are the things I think are wisest...

Today I talk through four flies that work for me in the winter. Notice I said for me. That doesn't mean that they won't work for you. In fact, I think that they will work for you. But I have a lot of confidence in these four patterns. And confidence matters, because there is no silver bullet fly that you can use for trout in the cold months. But there are certain facets of some popular flies that...

Tailwaters are a big part of fly fishing. So big, in fact, that this episode organically became a two-parter. Today I talk about what a tailwater is, where you can find them, and why they are so important for fly fishers. More appropriately: why they are so important for trout. Of course, there is another side of tailwaters that is worth discussing as well. Most of all, I hope that the 20 minutes...

Happy Thanksgiving from Casting Across! This episode was recorded around noon on Thanksgiving. Consequently, I talk about turkey and what I am thankful for. We all have a lot to be thankful for. Regardless of your lot in life or how many fish you catch, we all have so much for which we can express gratitude. My advice is that you make that known. True thanksgiving occurs when you share a genuine "...

This week on the podcast I interact with some questions that are the most common interactions I receive month after month, year after year. Fly line for small streams and fly fishing books are two things that I'm (relatively) passionate about. Consequently, I get feedback about both topics. I also talk about the (legitimate) passion surrounding nippers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...

Even though the footprint of the Great Lakes' tributary system is relatively small, its' opportunities are significant and easily accessible by most people in the US. Whether you're chasing steelhead in Pennsylvania, lake run browns in New York, or salmon in Michigan, you have the opportunity to tangle with huge fish in smaller rivers. Some days are incredibly hot, while others might make you wond...

Casting Across is a lot more than written and spoken words. For 7 years, Casting Across has been the vehicle for my interaction with the people, places, and things that go into the pursuit of fish. Today, I talk about a few aspects of this past season of my life that you might find interesting. The core of Casting Across is just that: my desire to share something interesting about the quarry and c...

We've all seen that guy: he's got the entire Orvis catalog hanging from his vest. ...okay, I've been that guy. Maybe you have too. In a lot of ways, fly fishing and other outdoor pursuits have shifted away from carrying more to taking a minimalist approach. It is a great thing. You can move lighter and faster. You can spend more time honing skill. You can focus on the experience. But there are som...

They've been around for at least 75 years, but Tiger Trout have experienced a surge in popularity over the past decade. But what is a tiger trout? In this episode, I briefly talk about what makes a tiger a tiger, why we're in the business of putting them in rivers, and how we should think about having these hybrids swim alongside native fish. Even if you're not a scientist, there are certainly som...

I like fly fishing gear. I really like it. But I'm also not unreasonable. There are only a few things that you absolutely need to go out, catch fish, and have fun. If you're using ads or catalogs to compile a list of things that are necessary, there is a good chance that you'll be quickly overwhelmed. But knowing what is essential and what is simply nice to have matters. Today I'm sharing three th...

You've got land: fish it! Make plans to visit a National Park. While there may be other, more premier fly fishing spots in the vicinity, parks provide something unique and special. Our National Park Service includes locations as diverse as the breadth of our country. Whether it be famous rivers in Yellowstone, brook trout creeks in Great Smoky Mountains, or the wild mangroves along the Everglades,...

There are so many trout out there. Why care about one particular population of trout? One of the most interesting aspects of conservation work is the cataloging, investigation, and protection of individual fish populations. Acknowledging species and subspecies demonstrates the understanding of a fish's unique adaptations for it's native watershed. There are also the benefits of environmental stewa...

Everyone says that conservation matters. But how can you show that you mean it? You don't need to dynamite a dam in the PNW or be the lawyer that puts Pebble Mine down for good. You can just be a guy with a bag of trash, a Saturday devoted to counting fish in a ladder, or a member of a town committee. Big stuff matters. So does little stuff. And any stuff that transcends online platitudes and bump...

There have been 200 episodes, and hundreds more articles, of my opinions and perspectives that you could call into question. And every once in a while, someone does. More often than receiving accusations, I get questions and comments from readers and listeners. On today's podcast, I interact with three (four, really) that I thought were worth sharing. These editions are fun. Again, I get to respon...