Reading maps is a lost art. Yes – art. Creating maps might be all about precise science, but interpreting maps is much more nuanced. Especially when it comes to finding fish. Even if you don’t think about maps, most fly fishers rely on maps in some way, shape, or form. You need to find the …
Casting Across isn’t an interview- or discussion-based podcast. There are plenty of those out there, and I encourage you to listen and subscribe. There are some great ones. But as this is the one-year mark of the podcast, I thought I’d break out of the mold and into an interview for an episode. Two interviews, …
Even when it is frigid outside, the fish have to eat. Which means you can go out and catch them. The only problem is that going out entails being out. Thanks to modern technology and a little common sense, it is actually pretty simple to stay warm in even the coldest situations. Whether you’re in …
Your first months and years of fly fishing will probably produce some of your most treasured moments. You won’t have all of the knowledge, experience, or gear, but every cast will yield something new and wonderful. This week I look back at three things that made my first few years of fly fishing matter. I’ve …
Fly fishing is ninety percent mental, the other half is physical… or something like that. Truly, having the right mindset when approaching the stream and presenting your fly matters. You have got to be reasonable in what you’re doing and how you’re doing it, but having confidence counts for a whole lot. I quickly cover …
This week marks four years of Casting Across; four years’ worth of articles about the people, places, and things that go into the pursuit of fish. What have I learned? Even though the fly fishing community includes an incredibly diverse array of experiences, there are two common denominators that make fly fishing what it is. …
50 episodes! But really, the milestone for a weekly podcast is 52… This week I respond to four listeners/readers. I discuss the quality of my podcast, keeping your eyeballs safe, a few pieces of gear an angling “noob” might want to pick up, and a fly rod that I am embarrassed I don’t own. Even …
I’m surprised at how many devoted fly fishers haven’t tried catching Great Lakes steelhead. Big fish, manageable rivers, and easy access seem like a perfect combination. Sure, fishing for these lake-run trout isn’t the same experience as going to the Pacific Northwest. But being a half-day’s drive from a unique seasonal fishery is something that …
By the time Fall rolls around, most fly fishers’ fly boxes are looking pretty rough. Truth be told, many new anglers also have chaotic and bizarre collections of fly patterns. Although it might not be for everyone, I have a concept that I’ve tried to implement in how I fill and maintain fly boxes. In …
Contrary to popular Hollywood tropes, you can’t go back in time. However, others can learn from your mistakes. And hindsight can also help you make better decisions going forward. All of that is true in the big, important parts of life. It is also true in fly fishing. In this episode I talk about three …
