At a recent presentation I gave on backcountry fly fishing, I was discussing the benefits of maps. I talked about tracing the topography to determine gradient. I shared how certain features indicated where the smallest of tributaries or springs might be located. I spoke on how the usefulness of maps was in that they were …
It has been a long time since I’ve covered a destination. And the dead of winter is as good as it gets when it comes to talking about travel. On one hand, it is fun to daydream about trout when it is frigid outside. It is also a great time to start putting plans together …
Most trout anglers have been enlightened by the joy that comes from tangling with a big smallmouth on a fly rod. Aside from the aggressive, powerful fight, the entire process is refreshingly different than the usual 5X tippet and tiny nymph scenario. Tossing a popper while wet wading in sandals is more casual Friday than …
The first outdoors show I attended was outside Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia. As a teenager who had only been an avid angler for a few years, only exposed to the handful of brands carried by my local tackle shop, it was eye-opening. And I was hooked. Since then, I’ve been going to fishing, hunting, …
The 6-weight rod that you already own will work. It will work really well. You’ll be able to catch smallies and have a blast doing it. But there are some drawbacks to a lighter rod. If you want to cast all the bass flies, if you want to cast for distance, or if you want …
I love fly fishing in the winter. I love not fly fishing in the winter. Sound a bit confusing or contradictory? Well, it isn’t. You see, both the river and the hearth have their advantages and disadvantages in the coldest months. It is usually a fish plus discomfort versus a no fish plus comfort equation. …
Driving home from his meeting, he noticed a car parked next to the river. The pull off was next to a trail, which wound through the woods and down into the river valley. Where it intersected the water, it presented the traveler with two choices: upstream to the dam or downstream to the wide, glassy …
The real title of this episode is much, much longer. But you’ll have to listen to hear what it is. That said, today is all about making some small changes to preparing, casting, and presenting your fly that will pay off significantly. I don’t often promise that my advise will immediately lead to more fish… …
As is holiday tradition, I’m keeping things brief this New Year’s Day. Using the magic of social media algorithms, I was provided with these nine images from this past year. Although I shared three big lessons I learned in 2024 earlier this week, I figured I could offer up nine pieces of encouragement as well. …
Over the life of Casting Across, I’ve posted various retrospectives at the end of the year. We’re naturally creatures that invest a lot of meaning in taking down an old calendar and putting up a new one. (Side note: What is with the tiny format this year, TU?) This year’s focus is on what I’ve …
