The Casting Across Fly Fishing Podcast explores the quarry and the culture of fly fishing. Each episode, I'll discuss some aspect of fly fishing - the people, places, and things that go into the pursuit of fish.
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...
26 min
277
Fly Fishing Accusations, X
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...
23 min
278
Special Guests for #100
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...
23 min
279
Why You Should Fish Manchester, VT
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...
25 min
280
Nostalgia, Losing, & Rock n' Roll
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....
23 min
281
Angling Observances & Miscellany
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...
24 min
282
A Few Trashy Flies
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...
27 min
283
Fishing Away From People
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...
22 min
284
Fly Fishing Gear, Spend or No?
Fly fishing is about the experience, not the labels or the quality of your gear. ...but you need gear to fish, right? And if you need gear, it means picking one label over another. And that means money is a factor. So what do you do? In this episode,...
23 min
285
3 Ways to Shake Up Fishing Dry Flies
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...
24 min
286
Don't Take Fly Fishing Too Seriously
"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...
24 min
287
3 More Fly Fishing "I Wish I Knew Thens"
Trivial mistakes and learning opportunities are a gracious reality of life, aren't they? With the benefit of time and perspective on our side, we can see where we've erred slightly or completely missed the boat. This is true with the big things. It is...
24 min
288
Fly Fishing Accusations, IX
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...
22 min
289
Fish Trippin'
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...
24 min
290
Trout Mission: Accomplished
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....
24 min
291
Sneak a Little Fishing In
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...
24 min
292
Spinners, Scum Frogs, & Fly Fishing
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...
22 min
293
Taught by a Twenty-Inch Trout
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...
23 min
294
The Right Fly Box for the Job
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....
24 min
295
Cabins, Covid, & Casting
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,...
26 min
296
How to Fish Better & Longer
There are some ways that you can get more casting in. There are some ways that your casts can be better at the end of the day. There are some ways that you can cast to fish that haven't seen as much pressure. And they all involve moving; just a little...
26 min
297
Where I've Fished
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...
22 min
298
Fly Fishing Accusations, VIII
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...
23 min
299
Ultralight Fly Fishing
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...
24 min
300
Getting Lost, Wet, & Stuck
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....