“What do you want?” Whether it is Christmas, a birthday, or an anniversary coming up, you know you’re going to get this question. You might have some really practical thing that you need. Or, you might want something fun. Something fly fishing-related, even. But for many, picking out gear is an incredibly personal process. It …
From a big picture of respective, there’s always going to be a last time that you fish somewhere. I don’t mean to be morbid. But the fact is that we are finite. Our days are numbered. There’s only so much that we can do. And fly fishing, as pleasant as it is, does not exclude …
Disclaimer: I’m not advocating that anyone abandon their family during the holiday season. However, if you’re able to integrate a little fly fishing in the Christmas and New Year interval you should definitely go for it. This week I discuss some of the reasons why the period from late December to early January is great …
This fall I’ve taken some of my own advice. For years I’ve been encouraging those who read or listen to Casting Across to diversify their outdoor experience. It isn’t that I assume everyone who fly fishes only goes fly fishing. I just know that there have been times in my life when I’ve been primarily …
That is me. And I’ve obviously caught a largemouth bass. Aside from those two facts there’s not a lot of certainty I have about this picture. Why should that matter to me? Or, more pertinently for the reader, why should this photographic mystery matter to you? I have a good reason why this all matters …
This week is a quick sprint through a sticky subject: which species deserve to live in any given area? In part, I’m responding to an article that questions the demonization of invasive species. Generally speaking, their point is a good one. However, some of the implications of the article are troublesome. As anglers, we have …
The best heroes are flawed. The simplest explanation for this is that we can identified with such a person. Sure, there are plenty of deep literary nuances that a reader with an analytical mind can probe and ponder while reading about protagonists with obvious shortcomings. That is fine. For most of us, we read ourselves …
Outside of a rod, reel, and line, the most important (and expensive) gear for the fly fisher is waders and boots. Along with keeping you dry, waders and boots ensure that you stay comfortable and safe. For those good reasons, these items also end up costing more than everything aside from rods and reels. In …
You write, I respond. And it is one of my favorite parts of Casting Across. This week I discuss net storage, what to wear inside your wading shoe, and fishing alongside someone who thinks existential thoughts. These three reader/listener comments were really good, and I think that you’ll benefit from my answers to their questions. …
If you look back at previous years’ gift guides, you’ll find some common themes. I always recommend small businesses, American made items, and some of my favorite gear. As much as possible, I attempt to source items that span the price spectrum. Often, I try to showcase things that I have used over a prolonged …
