As we evolve in our pursuit of fish, our gear evolves with us. There are some items that we inevitably obtain as beginners that we either discard or simply disregard. Today I talk about three of those things. While you might not pay them much attention, or they might not be a regular part of …
Author: Matthew
Mere Conservationism
Often, the content you hear on the Casting Across Fly Fishing Podcast comes from written articles on this website. However, this post is a synopsis of a recent episode. The polarization of our culture is understandable. The century-plus erosion of a common worldview has caused the foundation necessary for cooperation to crumble beneath our feet. …
River Apollo, I
Paul awoke to the pink-orange of sunshine on his eyelids. He had fallen asleep on the bank. The gnarled willow tree protected him from the late afternoon sun, but a bare patch in the branches allowed the light to penetrate to where he lay. Just below the branches and just above the horizon. The day …
Podcast Ep. 234: Mere Conservationism
If you haven’t noticed, our culture is pretty polarized. Ah for the days when we fought about Pepsi or Coke, Yankees or Red Sox, and flies or bait. Alas. But just because there are some major rifts between politics, religion, and worldview doesn’t mean that we can’t come together to improve riparian habitat and pick …
The Globe, the Swift, & My Inbox
Last week, The Boston Globe published “How a tiny Massachusetts river has become a star in the fly-fishing world: Cold water, big fish, bigger crowds.” And now I have a few things to say. First: That title. Whew. I got quite a bit of reading done without having to break the paywall. Second: A lot …
The Angler’s Glossary
“Everything that can be said, can be said clearly.” This quip from philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein should be taken to heart by politicians, lawyers, and anglers. A great gulf exists between common linguistics and the semantics needed in the tackle aisle at the local sporting goods store. And not even Merriam-Webster can help a beginner fisherman …
Podcast Ep. 233: 5 Strike Indicators
Strike indicators! Bobbers! Strike indicators! Bobbers! Like Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny, the argument rages on and on. I don’t intend to settle it. I simply intend to cast into a good-looking run filled with fat trout hoping that my fly is suspended at the right depth. Today I talk about 5 strike indicators that …
Rusty Flybox: Guided
There’s more to booking a guide than Googling, submitting an inquiry, and showing up at a boat ramp. To get the most out of your trip (and to be the best client) there are a few things worth considering. Today I share two articles and a podcast about the before and after of going on …
Trout & Feather: April ’23
There are plenty of reasons why you might hire a fly fishing guide. The most common reason is that you’re taking a trip, so you want to optimize your angling opportunity. It might also be the case that you have to have a guide to access a particular stretch of water. Or, you could be …
Podcast Ep. 232: 7 Ways to Carry Your Gear
There are as many ways to carry fly fishing gear as there are pieces of fly fishing gear. And that is saying a lot. How do you keep the stuff you need (or that you think you need) on you when you’re on the water? It might not be a big source of concern for …