“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” – Oscar Wilde “Sorry, we’re not allowed to read newspapers. They angry up the blood!” – Grandpa Simpson I find myself darkening the doors of social media less and less. These days the drinks aren’t worth the barrage of scum and villainy. …
It isn’t easy to buy surprise gifts for a fly fisher. Sure, you can ask which fly rod he wants. You can simply request a list of the gear she needs. But you probably aren’t going to walk into a fly shop and pick out a reel because it is pretty or a pair of …
There are a lot of misconceptions about fly fishing out there. Some of them are repeated enough with such careless disregard for the truth that I’m comfortable in calling them lies. Today, I address three of them. Two have to do with technique and angling itself; one has broader social implications. Whether you’re a new …
In your mind, put yourself at the end of November. You’re looking at an email inbox. What do you see? Along with Black Friday deals (which may or may not last the better part of the final quarter of the year), you’ve probably received dozens of opportunities to take advantage of Small Business Saturday and …
The fly fishing trip. It is the thing of budgets, daydreams, and wonderfully exhausting weekends. But before you get online and compare lodges and guides, mark of time on your calendar, or buy an entire new load of gear, there are some calculations that you go through. Or, at least, you should go through. If …
It is Thanksgiving. And I am thankful. Today’s episode is all about what I’m thankful for. It is about fly fishing. And it is personal. But as is the case with a lot of what I put out on Casting Across, I hope my personal musings about fly fishing will resonate with you. Whether they …
Here’s to a new tradition. Here’s to giving thanks. Here’s to the trout. It is the day after Thanksgiving. It was a good holiday. The meal is over. The family is still in town. The sales are in full swing. All of these things are fine and good. In fact, they’re great. Leftovers, loved ones, …
There is a river back there, but it will have to wait. A few hundred yards into those woods, through groves of pines and countless game trails, a medium-sized river flows in a lazy and meandering manner. It is a trout stream. It isn’t the kind of river you’d set as the marquee stop on …
What’s on the end of your fly line? It isn’t a fish. It is a leader. Which, as you may well have surmised, is essential for getting your fly to a fish. And getting your leader onto your fly line isn’t necessarily a straightforward endeavor. Not all fly line/leader connections are created equally. Today I …
If you enjoy fly fishing, specifically the uniquely American take on dry fly fishing, you need to be familiar with the Catskills. Names like Gordon and Dette, places like the Beaverkill and the Upper Delaware: the profound impact of this special part of New York has left an indelible mark on fly fishing. This fantastic …
