If you think the first fly to come off of your vise is going to look like something you'd mount in a shadow box, you're going to be pretty disappointed. Truth be told, there are plenty of reasons why beginner fly tyers get frustrated, stall out, or...

I know. You like your flies. Dozens of patterns; hundreds of individual fish catching pieces of potential. 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...

There's a good way to talk about conversation. There are a lot of bad ways to talk about conversation. While it is a broad-brushed, stereotyping statement, there is some truth in the "cantankerous fly fisher" archetype. In this episode I encourage us...

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...

Is something missing from your fly fishing this winter? You're still fishing. You're still tying up a lot of flies. You're keeping your nose in a book or glued to YouTube. So what is missing? Fly fishing shows and outdoor expos. Large gatherings...

There are some spots in rivers and streams that you just know hold fish. 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...

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...

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. However, I do like to think about my fly fishing on an annual basis. Perhaps it stems from buying...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Waders are great until they aren't. 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...

'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...

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...

In many places the temperature is dropping. Still, trout are feeding. If you're there, you can enjoy some spectacular cold weather fly fishing. In this episode I talk about a few tactics for finding fish in the colder months. The approaches aren't...

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...

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...

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.  Thanks for listening and for...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

Good weather doesn’t always mean good fishing. But it does mean you’ll have a good day outdoors. This isn’t a secret. Which means you’re not going to be alone. Spring, Fall, and pleasant Summer days can cause your favorite spots to fill up...