It’s January. When was the last time you cast a fly rod? Many, many fly fishers get out and get after fish in the coldest months and the nastiest conditions. I’d wager that the majority, however, stay inside and simply dream of spring hatches. Both are okay. Both are legitimate forms of angling expression. The …
Month: January 2019
Fly Fishing Travel in 6 Steps
Casting Across isn’t a travel agency. That works out pretty well for you, because that means my expertise in the realm of fly fishing getaways is available at no cost whatsoever. No thanks are necessary. Your angling enjoyment is all the gratitude I need. Below is my six-step process for planning and executing a fly …
Podcast Ep. 11: A Fly Fisher’s First Trip Out West
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 …
Spring Creek Techniques: 3 Things to do Before You Cast
Spring creeks are amazing, beautiful things. Not only do they often offer some of the best ecosystems for trout around, they offer some of the best trout fishing year round. Nutrient rich water fosters a healthy, diverse biomass. Consistent water temperatures are warmer in the winter and cool in the summer. Fish thrive in spring …
Kids at a Fly Fishing Show, in their Words
Every winter I head to a few outdoor and fly fishing expos. There are things I want to do for Casting Across, friends in the fly fishing industry I help out, and, ultimately, simply my personal enjoyment. Consequently I end up talking about fly fishing shows a lot. My wife accompanied me once, years ago. …
Podcast Ep. 10: Listener & Reader Feedback, I
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 …
One Steelhead, Right in the Middle
I don’t scare easily. But it was remote and dark. Really dark. Now, if I focused I could hear the highway. That brought a little bit of solace. Then I thought about it. Being in close proximity to cars whizzing by at 80 miles per hour doesn’t add any security. They were whizzing by at …
7 Ways to Have a Bad Day at a Fly Fishing Show
Virtually everyone has a good time at fly fishing and outdoor shows. What isn’t to love about an exposition hall filled to the rafters with the people, places, and things that make fly fishing what it is? However, some people like to take the difficult path. You might have a natural proclivity for pessimism. You …
Podcast Ep. 9: Gear for Small Stream Trout – How & What
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 …
The Government, The Environment, and You
When it comes to conservation and environmental issues, politics matter. But arguing about politics on social media doesn’t do a lot. If those two sentences seem contradictory, keep reading. You could classify me as a cynic. By and large, I see the bipartisan status quo of the USA to be very much like a game. …