Where and how do you get your fly fishing content online?

That might sound like a loaded question. A dozen anglers might give you thirteen different answers. Just like the last generation had allegiences to authors or magazines, today’s anglers swipe to the same digital providers with devoted thumbs. And there are a lot of options to keep both thumbs occupied late into the night. Social media has spawned a thick run of content creators filling every available feeding lane and vying for prime holding spots.

The biggest, oldest, and wisest fish get the heads of the pools. They’ve grown strong and secure from decades of providing real benefits to fly fishers. Small fry often burst from their safe obscurity, only to flop onto the bank to die in the sun after spending too much time and money on a nifty logo design. Most outlets fall into that solid slot size; sticking with it and putting up a good fight every once in a while. The ecosystem is pretty self-regulating. Fly fishers know what they want, and they know how to find it. But every once in a while, the internet throws a dam somewhere in a once free-flowing watershed.

Case in point: social media referrals (think exposure leading to clicks) to Casting Across have taken a huge hit in the past month.

Don’t mishear me: I don’t think anyone is out to get a mid-sized fly fishing website. I’m not paranoid. Nor do I feel like anyone has done anything wrong (myself included). This has happened before. In 2017 there was a precipitous drop in Casting Across’ traffic from a handful of formerly reliable sources.

Could the content be stale, irrelevant, or just bad? Of course. I’m not above that. But what I’m doing now is, at bare minimum, consistent with what has been appearing on Casting Across for years. In fact, the addition of the podcast has actually increased exposure and engagement.

What is the answer? I’m not sure. Something, somewhere isn’t making the 1’s and 0’s happy. (Probably my rebuffing all the big tech advertising overtures… like they need my $20.)

Again, there was another similar hiccup about four years ago. I kept doing what I’ve been doing since I put digital ink to ethereal paper and things turned around. Honestly? I assume that will happen again. I’m not too worried about it. If you’ve read and/or listened to me for any period of time you’re probably aware that I have some more valuable things in my life. My faith, my family, my work, my friends, my fishing.

I’m just content to write and to talk. And I do appreciate it that you read. Want to know what I really like? When you share Casting Across with a friend. “Friend” and “share” is nice online. My preference? You actually share it with a real friend. Moreover, something you read or hear gets you sharing fly fishing.

I’m just content to do that, and to be that for the people that make up the culture of fly fishing.