Digital media is phenomenal. Even for an activity as niche as fly fishing, there are streaming videos, eBooks, and a cornucopia of online options. The information is dynamic, engaging, and relevant. But a day will come when the power is out and the devices aren’t charged. Alternatively, you might want something that is a little …
“Throw a tailing loop.” I stared at Dave. “On purpose?” was my confused reply. “Yes,” he urged, “cast with a tailing loop.” My next cast was perfect. “No. Again.” My next cast was perfect. “No. Again.” Getting frustrated, I jerked my fly rod back and forth quickly. “There it is! Good job!” His praise was …
“What do you do in your spare time?” “Ah guh higsing.” “What?” “Uh, I go fishing.” Dentists asking questions while their hands are in patients’ mouths is a well-worn trope. But this comically befuddling stereotype is as sure as a thing as being told to floss more. “Yeah, there is great fly fishing around here. …
I’m a sucker for good marketing. Before you judge, let me explain what I mean: I appreciate a well thought-out sales pitch. I gravitate towards people who are passionate about what they make and/or sell. I like good more than I like bad. Can you blame me? While hype and reality don’t always line up, …
The Colorado River and its surrounding lands are known for natural beauty and abundant outdoor activities. About 50 miles upstream from Grand Canyon National Park, the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses Lake Powell in Utah and the water below the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. The winding river, with countless channels, coves, and tributaries, …
The trout was holding just on the far side of a deep cut in the middle of the stream. Flitting back and forth, it would dart into the fast water to quickly eat an insect before returning to the gentler current. I watched the fish range a good eighteen inches into the swifter flow. My …
All fly fishers love fly shops. These stores stand as the brick and mortar embodiment of fly fishing culture. Fly shops are about more than buying gear. They are usually just off the banks of water productive enough to warrant a full-time angling retail option. The people employed are almost always passionate about the sport, …
Family vacation. There are lots and lots of choices of where to go. As long as everyone has a good time and stays in good spirits, where is just a backdrop. Amusement parks. Big cities. The ocean or the mountains. Or, somewhere you’ve spent time fly fishing. Even though I’ve often advocated for squeezing even …
“What is that screenshot all about?” you might ask. Well, this past weekend someone at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources tweeted it out of the park. Take it in again. That is funny. Especially for a part of the country that is notoriously sensitive to people’s feelings and whatnot, it is incredibly funny. …
Over the years on Casting Across I’ve advocated that fly fishers diversify their outdoor experience. The singular focus of catching trout with a dry fly is a stereotype that serves as a punching bag within our little culture. But I’d argue that only fly fishing is less than one standard deviation away from that stuffy …
