Casting Across Fly Fishing

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

Want to know how to make a better presentation with your fly? Want to know how to catch more fish? Want to know how to have more fun fly fishing? Learning to be able to cast a fly rod better is part of growing as an angler. It might be about distance, accuracy, or efficiency. Regardless, a little bit of perspective, patience, and practice can go a long way to make your time on the water better. I discuss a few ways to think about fly casting practice in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

40 episodes in, and I have a lot of questions, comments, and other feedback to interact with. This podcast I answer a question about fishing while backpacking, sing the praises of old fly rods, and address "Japanese shower climbing." Briefly, but I address it. It is a lot of fun to hear what readers/listeners are thinking when they interact with Casting Across, and these episodes allow me to take previous content to another level of specificity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're not fishing a dry/dropper, you're missing out on an excellent way to maximize your fish-catching potential. But there are other "dropper" rigs that work really well in a variety of scenarios in which a dry fly trailed by a nymph just wouldn't make sense. In this episode I talk about four ways you can utilize two flies to improve your fishing and your catching. How many of these techniques have you tried? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even today, brick and mortar fly shops are an integral part of fly fishing culture. Beyond supplying rods, reels, flies, and tying materials, they offer angling insight and legitimate community. Although there are many factors that lead to fly shops succeeding or failing, there are certain things that most of the truly good shops have in common. And, in my opinion, the most important facets aren't fishing gear. What do you like in a fly shop? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to reading water, the fly fisher who is observant of details will be rewarded. This way of angling doesn’t mean casting your fly to every square inch of the creek. It entails reading the water at a level that goes beyond riffle, run, pool. Slow down. Think and assess. Don't just fishing the holding water that usually has a trout or two. There are plenty of fish that aren't where you usually look. You just need to realize they are there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you can’t explain it, you don’t really get it. Think of it this way: Can you explain the basic mechanics of a cast? Could you give a quick overview of why the feeding behavior of fish changes with the weather? Why should I buy a medium-action fly rod over a fast one… or vice-versa? You don't need to be an expert to know how to fish or, more importantly, enjoy how to fish. But learning how to communicate fly fishing might be one of the best ways to learn how to fly fish better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'll go on record as saying that I think "Pro Deals" and "Pro Staff" are totally fine. But just like anything else in fly fishing (or in the rest of the world), abuse can ruin a good thing. Kirk Deeter's recent Angling Trade piece articulated some of the real problems that exist with this system. It is clear why "Pro Staffers" give this legitimate marketing tactic a bad name, and it makes sense why some are agitated by the whole institution. In this episode I talk about a few different perspectives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this 4th of July(ish) episode I get political. And in the vein of most politicians, I don't say a whole lot. What I do, however, is hopefully get you thinking about a few topics that impact fly fishers and US citizens alike. Public lands and social media censorship have direct implications for those who fish and hunt. Although these issues are often presented as black and white, with one side being the "right side" for outdoors people, there is certainly more nuance than that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waders and wading boots are often afterthoughts in fly fishing gear discussions. But I don't think I'm overstating things when I say that a great rod that gives you another few feet of "castability" isn't going to matter much if your footing is unstable and your back hurts. In this episode of the podcast I discuss a few (potentially controversial) things that you should think about the next time you go out to buy waders and wading boots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve probably been there before. Lying in bed, the night before a fly fishing excursion. You have thoughts. Questions, actually. You might attempt the counting sheep equivalent of visualizing heavy trout coming to the net. But, for analytical minds like many fly anglers possess, that practice gets one thinking about hypotheticals and other situational what-ifs. So, there you are; awake. With a litany of issues, pertinent and inconsequential, running through your head. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm willing to wager that the bulk of my audience/readership fishes primarily or exclusively in freshwater. That makes sense, because I fish primarily in freshwater. While there are plenty of common elements between the trout stream and the surf, the differences stand out. And they can potentially be daunting if you've never chased fish in the salt. Even if you're going to the shore once or twice a year, having the right gear and a little bit of know-how can yield some great experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As I've done every 10 episodes, I take the time to respond to and interact with your questions, comments, and accusations. There weren't a whole lot of accusations, but that sounds much more provocative. In this podcast, I talk about all of the small stream fly rod recommendations I've received in the past few months. I also comment on some "must have" gear items that readers sent my way. Also, I briefly cover five great gifts to give the fly fisher in your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Situated in south central Pennsylvania, the Cumberland Valley boasts some remarkable spring creeks. Who doesn't like big fish in small, beautiful water? While the rivers aren't what they once were, they are still worth seeking out. Moreover, a great opportunity for trout, stewardship, and some real fly fishing history is only a short drive away for Eastern fly fishers. Check out this primer on Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley, and then check out some of the links on CastingAcross.com to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As connected as technology has allowed us to become, it seems like we're farther apart than ever. We're closer in many ways, but disconnection runs rampant. In something as fun, as good, as pure as fly fishing there is no reason for communication to become hostile and broken. Is social media to blame? I give my two cents in this episode. I try my best to wade through the muck, all the while reminding myself that this little debate is only among a small segment of the fly fishing culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Folklore and “grandpa always said” make up a great deal of how and why fly fishers approach the water. But do we really need to be quiet, camouflaged, and flat on the ground in order to catch fish? In this episode of the podcast, I look at four things to consider when you're approaching the water. Sometimes we give fish more credit then they're due. We all could also benefit from fishing smarter, not harder. So are there some written rules that are overblown? I think so, but you can be the Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fly fishing books have been an important part of the sport for hundreds of years, taking different forms and meeting various needs. Even in an age when so much information is available at the tap of a smart phone, tangible media is incredibly valuable. Whether it be a novel assisting in winter escapism or a tattered, dog-eared, highlighted river guide on the back seat, books are a part of the angler’s life. In this podcast I talk about three general genres and give three specific book recommendatio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 talking. Today I share three simple, common-sense ways to actually make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 to be said for that connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, blades, and Banjo Minnows might actually help your fly fishing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 effective method for making sure you have what you need, where you need it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 middle path to using leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 into the pool bosses of your local, small stream – including my favorite presentation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 such a study. I’d like to present my completely objective findings in the following podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 and going fishing on new, different, and big water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 correct!) These fishing/social/learning activities are worth your time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.fm/adchoices

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 searching for water to fish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 little bit of advice on how you can approach both options, and an idea on how you can combine the two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 again, but that first time is always new and amazing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, and often bring new fly fishing thoughts to mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 streams more efficient and effective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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