Casting Across Fly Fishing

Getting a fish to bite is a lot harder than fighting it to your hand. Still, there are some things that should be thought about when you're playing a fish. From the hook set to the release, there are a couple of bad maneuvers that anglers should avoid. Furthermore, there are some things that will make the entire process less stressful for both you and the fish. Today I go beyond the basics and talk about a couple of fish fighting things to consider. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've got questions, I've got (my own stabs at) answers. This week, I've got three great emails to share on the podcast. Two have to do with gear, one pertains to the small and coincidental world that is fly fishing. As always, I appreciate getting emails, messages through the website, and interaction through social media. Casting Across isn't a fly shop or trout town pub, but it is always fun to have a little back and forth with like minded people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is fishing for trout off limits in July and August? Are bass and carp the only fair game in the heat of summer? (As if these fish don’t have temperature thresholds…) As is the case in most circumstances, if a “smarter not harder” mindset is employed the fly fisher can absolutely still fish for trout throughout the warmest times of the year. Here are three things to consider. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether it be due to location or preference, some anglers routinely pursue species like bass. Additionally, the waters they frequent aren’t the typical wide smallmouth rivers or vast largemouth lakes. Our nation is covered with small steams that contain robust populations of bass and other warm water fish. If your local creek is where you’re going to be spending a lot of time, isn’t the right rod the right choice? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part of this year's Father's Day gift was "a day to go fishing." (Note: this is a great gift to give someone.) Now, I get to fish a lot. But this gifted day was special because it was to be used while we were on vacation in Virginia. Picking a spot to fish wasn't easy, as I have plenty of local favorites and there are countless great opportunities. However, I was able to nail something down. Well, two things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rocky Mountain National Park provides plenty of fantastic fly fishing opportunities. Rocky Mountain is one of the most visited national parks in the country on an annual basis. It boasts numerous visitor centers, hundreds of miles of trails, and most of the iconic species of the region. All that, and a lot of trout. Moreover, there are plenty of options for the angler. Listen as I talk through where to fish, what to bring, and why a quick trip to RMNP with rod in hand is well worth it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who doesn't love a good fly fishing trip? Whether it be exotic locations on the other side of the globe or premier destinations across the country, most anglers long for exciting water in which to fish. But what about the creek down the road? The trout might be stocked, the ponds might only hold sunfish, and the ambiance might not be pristine. But there is value. I also discuss how staying local is valuable in three other aspects of fly fishing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aside from my rod, line, reel, and flies, there is no more important piece of fishing gear than sunglasses. Yes, they keep the sun out of your eyes. But a good pair of sunglasses will help you catch fish and keep you safe. There aren't many gadgets that you can slide into a vest pocket that you can say that about. In this week's podcast I talk about how to choose frames, how to select lenses, and how I chose the specific sunglasses that I fish in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giving gifts to a fly fisher isn't always the easiest thing to do. Admittedly, we're a pretty particular bunch. I mean, we have preferences on which kind of nippers we use to cut millimeters of tippet. In this week's podcast, I do give some specific ideas. However, I also talk about a few kinds of gifts that you can give (or ask for) that are virtually foolproof. There are some gifts that anyone, anywhere, regardless of how long they've fished or what they fish for, can use. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why keep a fly rod in the back of your car at all times? If you can tolerate it rolling around, you'll set yourself up for some good to great fly fishing at a moment's notice. And if you haven't fished for a while, any fly fishing is good to great. Recently I had a meeting fall through. It turned into an hour of fishing for brook trout in a brand new beaver pond. The results and the experience were both more than I had hoped or bargained for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe your idea of hiring a fly fishing guide simply entails fish. While I don't think anyone would object to catching fish, there are a few other things that separate the good guides from the not-so-good ones. More importantly, there are some things that separate the great from the good. If you're going to be spending hundreds or thousands of dollars? Great is probably what you're looking for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, I answer questions about rods, reels, and leaders. But they're some awfully specific questions. That being said, I'm confident that you - the fly fisher - will appreciate and benefit from the scenarios that elicited these questions. What pushes us to experiment and innovate is questions, problems, and curiosity. Hopefully what I talk about today gets you thinking and trying new things out on the water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I've written a lot about fly fishing with kids over the years. However, this is my first podcast on the topic. In just under 20 minutes, I go over three ideas that will probably be helpful as you fish with your own children or the kids in your life. I'm not an expert, but I am a dad who is trying to get my boys to love and take care of the outdoors. Also, if you don't have kinds in your life: You can translate 90% of what I say into how to fish with a new angler. Including getting them good books! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is a hodge-podge of topics in and around fly fishing. I talk about choosing between two rod weights, which bug sprays you shouldn't use while fly fishing, and how we should think about conservation in light of COVID. The only thing that ties any of these things together is that they've been on my mind recently. But chances are, at least one of these brief conversations will get you thinking about your fishing this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fly fishing for trout with a mouse fly is a really exciting way to revisit your favorite water. It also may very well yield some of the biggest fish... fish you didn't even know swam in your well-known holes. Using mice is also a pretty straightforward and easy way to fish. But there are a few things worth knowing before you give mousing a shot this season. I talk through three simple things that will help orient or reorient you for chasing big, hungry, carnivorous trout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have the convenience of buying not just rods & reels, but socks & undies, from fly fishing companies. For some that is a great option. For many, that might not be the best fit (size, preference, and/or budget). While fly shops get a good amount of your business, there are plenty of "outside the industry" options for everything besides the core fly fishing gear. You never know what you'll find in the camping, automotive, or exercise section of the store that improves your time in & around the water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've been fly fishing for any length of time, there is a good chance that major life events are bracketed by rivers and trout. I can certainly say that. And in this episode of the podcast, I do say that. Although Casting Across has a lot of me in it, I don't usually get too autobiographical. However, I think there are some pretty valid reasons to share a little bit about myself. I'll share where I've been, how I've fished, and what else I do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even if you have been getting out on the water over the winter, now would be an opportune time to take inventory of some of what you have and what you're doing. On this episode of the podcast, I discuss four things that you might overlook as you prepare for all of the fishing that lies ahead. Two have to do with stuff; two have to do with planning. You may very well be totally fine to just tie on a fly and get after it. But it might also be good to stop, think, and prep for a few minutes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people in the world think that fishing results in harvesting. And, across a wide spectrum of concerns, non-catch-and-release anglers are the allies of fly fishers. We’re largely fighting for the same things. Definitely keep advocating for our fish, our waters, and our environmental concerns. But also keep in mind that we’re part of a culture that is bigger than us. There is a lot we have to offer, but there is a lot that we can learn. Sometimes, that means killing a fish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a day and age where big, heavy, articulated streamers get a lot of publicity, it is important to remember that there are similar flies that accomplish slightly different tasks. There are a number of fish and fishing situations that benefit from or necessitate using weightless streamers. Today I walk through four main reasons why you should have some bead-less and cone-less baitfish imitations in your fly box. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A fly fishing debate as old as the rivers themselves: Which weight should you fish if you want the quintessential trout fly rod? First of all, there is no right answer. That doesn't stop me from trying to answer, though. I go through a handful of categories and considerations that lead me to answer this question. I suggest that you listen, think through each of the situations/scenarios I discuss, and then come to your own conclusion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the biggest drawbacks to the last year has been the significant reduction in organic conversation. Sure, there are still opportunities to get together. It just isn't as easy. However, I've had an uptick in online interaction with listeners and readers of Casting Across. I'm always happy to get messages, and I do my best to respond in kind. I'm taking this "10th" episode to read and interact with some emails. I touch on flies, forbearers, and faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Truth be told, there are plenty of reasons why beginner fly tyers get frustrated, stall out, or give up. I have done all of those in the past 20 years. However, I really made some efforts to get this fly tying thing figured out over the past 5 years or so. I'm no expert, but I'm more proficient and happier... and my flies look better, too. Today I share three things that have made me a better tyer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I know. You like your flies. But really, how many do you actually use? While it isn't for every angler (or every situation), cutting down the flies you carry on the water can actually streamline your fishing. It will certainly make packing and organization much simpler, but it can actually help you zero in and focus on fishing better. Today I share my reasons for slimming down assortments in certain circumstances, as well as some examples of how I have done it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While it is a broad-brushed, stereotyping statement, there is some truth in the "cantankerous fly fisher" archetype. In this episode I encourage us to take a better approach. We're not going to win people to our side and our cause if the goal is to shame, discourage, and tear down. We can avoid conflict and promote conservation. Today I share three stories. One of which involves me falling and flailing on a streambank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the rivers that our grandfathers lauded as destination waters have declined in one way or another. The quantity or quality of the fish just isn’t there anymore. There are still fish present, and there is still good fishing to be had, but things have changed. And people don’t like change. But change shouldn't keep you off the water. Aside from the viable fishing still present, there is a whole lot more to be gained from spending time on these famous waters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As they're large gatherings, fly fishing shows and outdoor expos aren't happening these days. You might be looking with sadness at a weekend or day that you'd usually spend in a giant convention hall that is now wide open. You might not give a hoot that they've been cancelled. Personally, I trend toward the former. I think there's a lot of value in "the shows." Briefly, I share how you can still get some (but not all) of the benefits... even if you're in front of your computer screen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep blue pools, frothy eddies, and overhanging limbs all look incredibly fishy. Another spot that ought to be in that list is the undercut bank. Fish, especially trout, covet these spaces for the purposes of safety and food. In this week's episode I talk about undercut formation, why fish like them, and how I approach these productive spots. It is a broad overview, but ought to provide enough for you to get out and targeting undercut banks on your favorite rivers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fly choice. Feeding lane. Approach angle. Your emotions? When was the last time you stopped and considered how much your attitude impacts your fly fishing? In this episode I stop short of psychoanalysis, but I do consider how your mental state impacts a few essential parts of your fishing. Your casting and fishing should be thought of as being influenced by everything that is happening between your ears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I don't make a lot of New Year's resolutions. Sure, I decide to do a lot of things... they just happen to be more spur of the moment than calendar-based. I do like to think about my fly fishing on an annual basis. Perhaps it stems from buying licenses on January 1st for so many years. This year I offer up 3 resolutions for fly fishing. Maybe you'll want to take one of them for yourself. Maybe you'll simply copy the exercise. At a minimum, I hope you'll enjoy thinking about your fishing in the coming year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas from Casting Across! Since this episode is being released on the night of Christmas Eve, I thought I'd go ahead and do something a little different. Nostalgia and tradition is a big part of the holiday season. Stories of those who came before us and the way things used to be come part and parcel with this time of the year. So along with the normal segments on the podcast, I'll read some selections from The American Angler's book (1864). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks for reading and listening. And an extra thanks for those who get in touch. This week I push back on some people who pushed back on an article I wrote about topics of conversation while fly fishing. What is appropriate? Read, listen, and you decide. Also, I relive some more harrowing wildlife encounters. Lastly, I get my accusations going. I critique a seemingly nonsensical social media complaint that I see from time to time in fly fishing circles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The calendar should not and can not dictate your fly fishing. Sure, the water might be frozen over. Maybe it is even illegal to fish in certain months where you live. There is a chance that you hate being cold. Still, you can stay plugged in to fly fishing and everything that entails. This week, I talk about three things you can do in the "off-season" to keep those fly fishing connections all winter long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unless the circumstances are exceptional, the pivotal men and women of fly fishing history can't offer you hands-on, in the stream instruction. Their mentoring must occur in the pages of a book or journal; their words and deeds informing and influencing through a necessary medium. Whether you have a “real life” mentor or not, these insights and experiences are priceless. Lasting the test of time, the best of the best understood how to combine the what and the how with the who and the why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is no fun to be wet when you're not expecting to be wet. That means waders need to be functioning at 100%. If you're fishing in cold weather or cold water, 95% is no good. In this episode I talk about end-of-season wader care. Included in that is inspecting, cleaning, and repair. I also share some of my preferred wader repair products and methods. Lastly, I do offer up some advice on buying waders. This is a relatively shallow dive into a deep topic, but it should be a helpful starting point. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Tis the week of Thanksgiving. Which means all of the food and fun of Christmas without the stressful shopping, wrapping paper, and cold(er) weather. And, if you play your cards right you might get to sneak a little bit of fishing in. On this episode I delve into a few topics: Why check out holiday fly fishing gift guides? Do you need to break the bank on your next gear purchase? How can I start a holiday angling tradition? What is a good way to prospect for fish at the end of November? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who doesn't like to see some wildlife when they're out fly fishing? Majestic elk, brilliant songbirds, and delicate butterflies add a little something to your angling. But there is a whole host of other critters that are less than pleasant to encounter. Some are downright awful. In this episode of the podcast, I recount a few harrowing tales of my own. And while I strongly advocate a "live and let live policy," I also encourage some of these varmints to do their living somewhere else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I talk about a few tactics for finding fish in the colder months. The approaches aren't revolutionary, but for many of us any kind of change takes some significant effort. I mention locations, flies, and other gear that I use when I'm diagnosing a river when it is chilly out. Also, I share how I handle iced-over guides and make a recommendation on a nymph rod that punches above it's price point. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast episode is really a 4-in-1. And you get to listen to it at your normal price - I guarantee it. First: 5 years of Casting Across! I talk a little bit about why and how the website came to be. Second: I explain why people are the greatest benefit I've received through my writing and speaking. Third: Want a controversial take? Check out the piece I read. Fourth: Vote! I don't know if you have heard, but there is an election coming up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have memorable fish that we have caught. Some of the most memorable might be fish that we didn't catch right away. That is the story of this fish. This episode is a little different than most. Hear me talk through a season of chasing one particular brown trout. Along with some of the narrative, I share a little bit of the "how" and "why." Hopefully you enjoy it. More than that, hopefully it will get you thinking about chasing after that one fish yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why have more than one pair of sunglasses? Why spend a lot of time creating loop-to-loop line/leader connections? Why listen to anything I say? I answer those questions, and a few more, on this week's podcast. I always appreciate getting feedback, and have a lot of fun interacting with emails, comments, and social media chirps. Having that back-and-forth is a great aspect to Casting Across, and one of my favorite things about being a part of the fly fishing community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 your week. I truly appreciate it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 disappointed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 was hardly successful. Still I remember it - and I remember it fondly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 quick run through a number of miscellaneous angling observations - enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 you'll cheer. Hopefully you'll be entertained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 fishing… and be all by yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Still, you may benefit from hearing why and how your priorities could stand a slight reshuffling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 position, or you need a little help seeing your fly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"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 <1% of anglers who depend on fishing to feed their families, I suggest taking a chill pill. We all might take our fishing a little too seriously. But fishing is about fun. And if you're not having fun why are you doing it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices