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Author: Matthew

Fly Fishing towards the Illogical

This time I wasn’t simply fishing. I found myself explaining why  I was doing what I was doing. Not how to cast. Not why a dry fly. Why. The reason why I was fishing. For someone who writes and talks about that very subject three times a week,  and who has been doing so for …

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Fly Fishing Gear: When Bigger is Better

This spring I bought a new pair of running shoes. Unbeknownst to me, they’re considered “maximalist.” Instead of the stripped-down and barely there shoes we’ve grown accustomed to see on the feet of marathoners, this trend overbuilds a number of shoe components. While still lightweight, these shoes provide a ridiculous amount of support and cushion. …

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Fish Together for More Fish

From time to time I like fishing alongside a friend. Being in the woods and on the water is often pursued for the purpose of solitude. But there are plenty of reasons for being within earshot of another human being that you happen to know. Yes, you get camaraderie and all of the good things …

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Podcast Ep. 147: Reaching for a 3-Weight

I know. I talk about light fly rods a lot on Casting Across. Part of the reason is because I really, really enjoy them. And the other part is because some of you still need to learn that they are really, really enjoyable. In all seriousness, in today’s podcast I talk about the versatility of …

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Laughing At Form: Fly Fishing Function

Today, like every day, I opened my email to see a litany of messages from fly fishing companies. Each got a quick glance. One gave me pause. There was a new pair of wading boots that was being touted. New technology. New angling opportunities. New! I bet they work really well. But they sure are …

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Smallmouth: A Fly Gear Primer

Smallmouth bass are an excellent species to pursue with a fly rod. In fact, smallmouth techniques have more in common  with traditional trout fishing than with popular largemouth bass practices. While trout gear will get the job done in many situations, the angler who chooses to chase smallmouth with regularity will want some species-specific equipment. …

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Podcast Ep. 146: Camp Close to the Fish

There are two schools of thought when it comes to sleeping on a fishing trip. Some people want comfort: resorts, hotels, your own bed. Some people want quick: tents, cabins, someone’s futon. Both approaches have their place. Your budget and your destination might be the determining factors. But the benefits of quick are cost, effort, …

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Art of Appreciation

There are many talented fly fishing artists out there. I am always impressed at the diversity represented in the depictions of something as simple as a brook trout flank. Light spots on a dark background. Orange bellies and white tipped fins. Vermiculated backs leading to square tails. But they are presented using different media, different …

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National Parks: Fish Your Water

Less than a decade after he accepted Robert E, Lee’s surrender at Appomatox, Ulysses S. Grant signed a law making Yellowstone the first national park in the United States. In the following decades, more landmarks and wild places were protected by the federal government. In 1916, Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Organic Service Act. …

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