Casting Across Fly Fishing

A year ago I released a podcast entitled "3 Fly Fishing Things I Wish I Knew Then." Believe it or not, there are more. In this episode I discuss why the new angler ought to consider some parts of fly fishing that might not be readily apparent. But with the benefit of time and perspective on my side, I can also say that anglers who have been on the stream for a while might need to consider them too. Me included. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

90 episodes in, and it is still a lot of fun! On this installment of the podcast, I interact with three messages from listeners/readers. I discuss Euro rods on small streams, how to find water that is easy to walk or wade in, and a heartfelt response to a memorial article. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or accusations please don't hesitate to reach out. Use the comment form on the website or email me: matthew[at]castingacross[dot]com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Road trip! Depending upon your particular experiences, that phrase might elicit great joy or terrible fear. But what if you have a fly rod in the car? Or, what if you've had a fly rod in the car while taking that same route in the past? Adding a little fishing to a longer drive can break things up. But, there are a lot more benefits than just a pair of wet boots and a few fish in the net. Getting off the highway and into some of the local flavor can really increase your enjoyment of a place and a drive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is one fish that I have been trying to catch for nearly 20 years. It isn't a specific fish, per se, but any rainbow trout out of a particular stream. This week I caught that fish. It was a little fish. Really little. But that is okay. After numerous failed attempts (some of which resulted in law enforcement intervention), it was immensely satisfying to catch & release this one trout. How can one little fish be so hard to catch? And why would I have some quixotic obsession with it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you can negotiate some time on the water, then you should absolutely sneak some fishing into your family trip. Want my advice? Don't bring what you would normally bring on a fishing trip. Pack lighter. Be it out of necessity or simply to keep the peace, choose what you're hauling along with coolers, strollers, and scooters wisely. Even if you are flying and going solo, there should be a minimized method to your madness. Today on the podcast, I talk through fitting fly fishing into trips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm pretty confident that my audience is beyond the "fly fishing is the only kind of fly fishing!" thing. Don't get me wrong: I love fly fishing. 9 times out of 10, I'm fishing with a fly rod. But that "1" makes for plenty of opportunities. And I can honestly say that all of my time fishing with a fly has made me a better angler when I'm using spinning or baitcasting gear. In this episode I talk about three ways that fly fishing techniques have honed and improved my time on the water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A benefit of fishing a lot is the ability to be a little choosy. Instead of splashing at every chance at a big fish, it allows for a more measured approach. With a lot of fly fishing comes an increased sample size to consider. There are more experiences, more insights, and more observations. Most importantly, it is a lot like the feeding habits of a big trout: just be there, and opportunities will present themselves that require very little of you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can keep your flies in anything. At the end of the day, it is how you fish your flies - not where you store them - that ends up catching fish. Of course, for only a few dollars you can get the right fly box. It might lead to better organization. It could even mean your flies stay protected. And, it could be argued, both of those might mean catching more fish. In this episode I walk through the styles and types of fly boxes I think are most beneficial for a number of patterns and uses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a good fishing cabin? Maybe, just maybe, it doesn't have to be a cabin to do what you need it to do. Today, I talk about how I've been finding fly fishing trip lodging for a while now. Also, I start of the podcast by talking about healing, documentaries, and another podcast. It is a little bit of everything, but it touches on a diverse range of fly fishing experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are some ways that you can get more fishing in. And they all involve moving; just a little bit more. In this episode I talk about how a little bit of attention to fitness can translate into better fishing. The bulk of the discussion focuses on getting deeper into the woods and away from the crowds more efficiently and effectively. This might mean running, jogging, or just a little bit more of a brisk walk. I also discuss gear selection for times when you're moving a little bit faster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where do you fish? I field this question a lot. Recently, when I solicited ideas on social media, this was asked even more. So while I won't necessarily be spot burning, I do want to highlight some rivers and regions that I've enjoyed. This week I talk about three places that I've really enjoyed fishing. They're all in the US, but they're thousands of miles from one another. They are very different from my normal fly fishing destinations... but they also have a lot of points where they connect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I talk about opening day, wildfires, little pike, and mop flies. What ties all of those topics together? Well, you asked for it! On this 80th episode of the Casting Across Fly Fishing Podcast, I field questions and comments from listeners and readers. It is a lot of fun to get feedback, and I enjoy being able to interact with a few things on the podcast. If you ever have a question, comment, or even an accusation - just let me know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When was the last time you tried a rod that was two or three weight designations lighter than your usual setup? Whether you fish in the salt, for warm water species, or trout, there are some legitimate reasons to downsize. In this episode I focus primarily on the true ultralight line weights - 2, 1, and 0. There are some principles that you can apply regardless of how and where you fish. Most of all, hopefully it gives you an idea of what modern lightweight fly fishing gear is capable of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all do dumb stuff while we're fly fishing. ...or am I alone in that? In this episode I share a few big and potentially costly blunders I've made in my fly fishing life. Perhaps they will be cautionary. Perhaps they will be of entertainment value. Regardless, they're there and through them I offer a few things to think about. After all, we learn more in difficulty than we do while at ease. And stuck on the opposite site of a rapidly rising tailwater is definitely "in difficulty." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are a lot of articles and podcasts that tell you what you need for fly fishing. There is even content out there that details the backup gear you'll need. In this podcast, I talk about 5 (plus 3 more, at the end) non-fly fishing things you should have in your car if you're going to be spending a good amount of time on the water. Sound abstract? Check it out, hear some of my horror stories, and think about if you'd be prepared in the same situation. ...and yes, duct tape is on the list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm try not to be judgmental. However, if you long to get out on the water an ignore the ponds in your backyard you're doing it wrong. Across the country there are farm ponds, ponds in parks, and neighborhood retention ponds filled to the brim with fish. They might not be trout. But who cares? Bass, sunfish, and even rough fish are legitimate targets for the fly fisher. In this episode, I talk about a few ways to think about approaching local bodies of water. I discuss gear, species, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In my experience, short fly rods are perceived as "small rods for small water." While there is truth in that, a sub-7' rod does a lot more than just measure a few feet less than your normal fly rod. This episode, I share three things that I think anyone using a short fly rod should be familiar with. I talk about casting, presentation, and fighting/landing fish. I also make the case for why you should use a longer rod when you can get away with it on smaller streams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Depending on how you look at things, a lot is happening... or not a lot is happening. Still, I have a few things to share. I got an interesting email from a handful of entities within the fly fishing industry that I wanted to talk about. Also, I have a tip on how to pack your gear in light of quarantine once this is all over. I've had some great feedback over the past few weeks, and I'd encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How are you redeeming your time? Obviously, in a crisis there is great suffering and hardship. But there are always blessings in disguise and silver linings on clouds. Often times those things only come in hindsight. However, when you have a lot of time on your hands there are definitely some opportunities at hand. Even if you're stuck at home you can cast. You can read. You can tie. And you can get better at all of those things - in spite of the uncertainty in the world. So, how will you redeem your time? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A remarkable and diverse trout fishery is within a half day's drive of most of the US population. And, you can thank these rivers for those famous bagels and pizzas in New York City. The Upper Delaware River system consists of multiple waterways featuring a diverse group of fishing opportunities. The trout that inhabit the rivers are strong, big, and plentiful. Whether you haven't tapped into this resource, or it is a favorite trip, listen to some thoughts on approaching and enjoying the Upper Delaware. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There has been so much said about what we can't do, but there is truly so much that we still can do. For fly fishers, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors, the world is still pretty much wide open. This week on the podcast I talk about three things I've thought about and done during this weird turn of events: what do do before you go fishing, how to go fishing, and maybe even what you can think about while you're fishing. As always, my hope is that you take what you hear and do something with it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do fly rod material debates, bad tying equipment, and a little county in Pennsylvania have in common? These are the topics i discuss in this episode. And I'm discussing these topics because you have emailed, commented, and chirped on social media about these things. I get a good amount of feedback, and I enjoy being able to answer questions and comment. Also, I talk for a bit about fly fishing podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How would you rate your favorite fly rod? 5 stars? 2 thumbs up? Are you not into rating things? Regardless, people rate, review, and chime in on rods, reels, nippers, marabou feathers, fly shops, guides, and even moderately interesting websites and podcasts. This all begs the question: What do you do with this information? In this episode of the podcast I talk all about ratings and reviews. I also explain why I don't give out one particular piece of information when I talk about gear on Casting Across. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some people fish in places where access isn't a problem. By and large, most anglers are content to drive up to a state maintained parking lot or a well-used pull off. However, there is a lot of fishable water that isn't so convenient. In this episode I talk about a different kind of map that is useful for finding all sorts of fishing access. Not only might you be able to find new ways into public water, but there is a chance the information will lead you down a lawful path to "private" water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are plenty of reasons to mix camping and fly fishing. Sure, there are some that are all about nature and the experience. But what I am talking about is the pragmatic things: proximity, cost, and a bad night's sleep helping you wake up early to hit that trico hatch. In this episode I explore a few reasons why I'll often eschew the hotel room (and sometimes even the tent) when I am going on a fishing trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm not an expert fly tyer. ...so why listen to 20 minutes of what I have to say on the subject? While I'm not an expert, I am proficient enough to tie what I need. But I've taken the circuitous route to get to this point. I've started and stopped. I've used the wrong materials and tried to do things the hard way. I've made frustrating mistakes. And with all that, I can look back on some of the things that I wish I would have known about fly tying back when I started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big flies catch some of the big fish, some of the time. But small flies catch most of the fish, most of the time. And you can't get much smaller than midges. In this episode I give a brief primer on one specific facet of midge fishing: using dry flies sized 20 and smaller. Getting comfortable with and dialing in this technique can be very beneficial. If you can present a size 24 well to a rising fish, you can present anything to a rising fish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every January I spend a few weekends at The Fly Fishing Show. There is some networking, shopping, and top-shelf people watching. Above all, it is good to see people I might only talk face-to-face with a few times a year. But this episode isn't a review of the show or a run down on the latest industry offerings. There's a lot happening, and I think there are some conclusions that you can draw about the culture of fly fishing. My take might be a little controversial. And if so, I'm always willing to talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're not using weight, you're not fly fishing right. But split shot is just the tip of the weight-option iceberg. Weighted flies, poly leaders, and sink tips - what a time to be alive. In this episode, I discuss some of the pros and cons of these options. I also talk a little bit about some nontraditional ways to think about adding weight to your fly rigs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot more goes into a good fly shop than some big-name decals on the windows. Sometimes, a good fly shop has faded sign with a cartoon worm underneath the words "live bait." I'm not kidding. What makes a good fly shop is all about the soul on the inside. You need flies, rods, and all the miscellany to make it a store. But it is the people, and what they offer, who give it soul. On this episode of the podcast, I recount some formative fly fishing experiences from an unlikely angling location. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Of course you know which weight you want for your next fly rod. Or do you? I'm only questioning you because I've had to question myself. Sometimes we get stuck thinking about what the marketing, or our fishing buddy, or our biased presuppositions tell us we need in new gear. While there are countless great articles out there that give some tips on buying your next fly rod, I wanted to come at the topic from a slightly different angle. You don't need a rod: you need the rod that does the job you want done Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Questions, questions, questions. I am well aware that my writing and speaking might leave you with a few things you're still wondering about. Which is great. Go out and experiment. Open a book and read. Show up to a TU meeting. Bend the ear of your local fly shop proprietor. Or you could always email me or leave a comment on the website. Here I talk about neoprene waders, getting kids excited about fly fishing, and short furled leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*This is the second installment of a two part series ; listen to episode 58 for part one.* My first grand scheme was met with mixed results. I was at the point where the chase was as attractive as the catch. I wasn't going to stop until I found trout nearby. With dozens of top-notch trout options within a few hours, why go through the hassle of a long hike and a quasi-clandestine fishing trip? And would it even be worth it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How far do you have to drive to get to trout? How far do you have to drive to get to native trout? The second question is one that has been on my mind for as long as I have been fly fishing. There is something about wild fish, even if they're teeny-tiny, that encapsulates so much of why I do what I do. And I'm not alone. This is the first of a two-part narrative of my wild-eyed quest for local, native trout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reading maps is a lost art. Creating maps might be all about precise science, but interpreting maps is much more nuanced. Even if you don't think about maps, most fly fishers rely on maps in some way. You need to find the stream, the special regulation section of the stream, & the place on the stream where the fish are supposed to be. In this episode I share some map-centric memories, & give 3 tips for using maps to find fish that you might have otherwise overlooked. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casting Across isn't an interview- or discussion-based podcast. There are plenty of those out there, and I encourage you to listen and subscribe. There are some great ones. But as this is the one-year mark of the podcast, I thought I'd break out of the mold and into an interview for an episode. Two interviews, actually. Hear me talk to two of the people who have impacted my fly fishing the most. Actually, these are two people who have had a tremendous impact on my life. My 7- and 5-year old boy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are you thankful for? We ask that question a lot, especially towards the end of November. This is also a natural time to ask what in fly fishing you are thankful for. The heart of the season is wrapping up. This week, I mention a handful of things that I am thankful for. While I doubt our experiences are exactly the same, there is enough commonality within fly fishing that I know you'll be able to relate. Also, I talk about some programs that truly deserve all of our gratitude. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even when it is frigid outside, the fish have to eat. Which means you can go out and catch them. The only problem is that going out entails being out. Thanks to modern technology and a little common sense, it is actually pretty simple to stay warm in even the coldest situations. Whether you're in the below-zero conditions of the Great Lakes tributaries, or a brisk 40 degree day on a North Carolina tail water, you're going to bundle up. Here are some practical ideas: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your first months and years of fly fishing will probably produce some of your most treasured moments. You won't have all of the knowledge, experience, or gear, but every cast will yield something new and wonderful. This week I look back at three things that made my first few years of fly fishing matter. I've caught a lot of fish in a lot of places since then, but I can honestly say that the three things I mention played an enormous role in shaping me as an angler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fly fishing is 90% mental, the other half is physical... or something like that. Truly, having the right mindset when approaching the stream and presenting your fly matters. You have got to be reasonable in what you're doing and how you're doing it, but having confidence counts for a whole lot. I quickly cover 3 things you can have confidence in as a fly fisher, and how this can be helpful as you fish for the 2nd time or the 1,000th time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week marks 4 years of Casting Across; 4 years' worth of articles about the people, places, and things that go into the pursuit of fish. Even though the fly fishing community includes an incredibly diverse array of experiences, there are two common denominators that make fly fishing what it is. And fish is only one of them. 20 minutes doesn't do 4 years justice, but in this episode I talk about some things I've gleaned through countless hours behind the keyboard... and a few on the water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 shot: gear, technique, and some excellent tips on when to go to maximize your chances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 above my pay grade and discuss tying and fishing cress bug patterns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 things I knew about when I was younger, but I should have actually done them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 aforementioned, tense situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 compassionate ecological concepts that, in reality, actually might end up hurting plants, fish, and us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 a trout bum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 share a few tips, some observations, and my unscientific opinion on why fly fishing in the rain isn't scary at all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices