Latest and greatest had to start somewhere. Often, that place had a lot going for it too. Having a preliminary knowledge of the history of fly fishing might pay off in really good fishing. More often than not, the reward is going to be in what you...

There is something special about wet wading in the warmest months of the year. It is a pretty unencumbered and carefree way to cast flies to fish. That being said, there are some choices that you'll have to make about what you wear. In this episode, I...

If you can get your fly to a fish, you're casting good enough. However, if you want to cast with a little more accuracy, distance, or reduce fatigue after a long day on the water you might want to think about how you can tweak your cast. In this...

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...

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...

A common solution for conservation-minded anglers that place stewardship above sport is to lay off the fly fishing for a month or two.  But does that mean that fishing for trout is off limits in July and August? Are bass and carp the only fair...

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...

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...

https://castingacross.com/ep-136/

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? In this...

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...

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...

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....

Maybe, just maybe, your idea of hiring a fly fishing guide simply entails fish. Big fish, lots of fish: fish. While I don't think anyone would object to catching fish (and big ones, and a lot of them), there are a few other things that separate the...

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...

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....

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...

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...

Where do you shop for your fly fishing gear? Which brands do you consider? Today we have the modern convenience of buying  not just rods and reels, but socks and undies, from fly fishing companies. For some that is a great option. For many, that...

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...

There are dozens upon dozens of things that would be a good idea to do before you being your fishing season in earnest. 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...

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...

Don't burn me at the angling stake for the title of this episode! (If anything, you'll find that I'm guilty of being slightly misleading.) In a day and age where big, heavy, articulated streamers get a lot of publicity, it is important to remember...

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...

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...