Videos Off the Bookshelf

For nearly all of 2025 I’ve published a fly fishing book review video on my YouTube page every Wednesday. I’ve enjoyed putting them together, sharing some great titles, and interacting with those who watch.

But this week things didn’t come together. And that is okay. Not only is it okay because there is no reason for it not to be okay, but because it gives me an opportunity to share something with those of you who have only recently started reading, watching, and listening to Casting Across.

Most of the fly fishing book review views actually happen on Instagram. The view counts on YouTube are pretty modest. However, there are some videos on my channel that do get some respectable watch counts. I’m no online trendsetter, but I do think that when tens of thousands of people are interested in what I have to say about nippers it is worth a look.

Below are my videos accounting for  most of my channel’s views. Check them out here or over on YouTube. And make sure you’re subscribed for new content.

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The Streamside Nap

There aren’t many articles in fly fishing magazines that lay out the technique required for taking a streamside nap. However, it is an aspect of angling that has been connected to the culture for centuries. Some swear by the practice. Some unintentionally integrate it into every expedition. Some have a particular process; some happen into naps if they sit still for more than the better part of a minute.

One does not need a reason to take a nap while fishing. And yet, there are plenty of reasons. It could be as simple as the fact that you’re tired. The morning could have been early and the hiking may have been rigorous. There is also the kind of sleepy that comes from a seasonably warm afternoon and the contentment of being somewhere beautiful. The biological impulse to pause should not be overlooked.

It might be a tactical nap. The heat of the day, a lull in insect activity, or a wait to connect with an angling companion  could be the next item on your itinerary. You could keep hammering the water, even though the odds are less in your favor. Or, you may benefit from lowering the quantity of your fishing to increase the quality.

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Podcast Ep. 358: A Fly Rod Review How-To

I enjoy putting together gear reviews. Not only is it interesting for me to think about how a particular piece of equipment works, but my perspective might help someone make a purchase that benefits their time outdoors.

And in my humble opinion, there is no item more fun to review than fly rods.

Today I walk through how I go about putting a fly rod review together. I approach the process in a particular way, with a handful of different variables in mind. I also share how I’ll never be able to provide the depth of information some other platforms do. Still, I do think that my two cents are worth taking into consideration as you go on to spend your hard-earned hundreds.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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VIDEO: Ms. Orvis’ Life in Flies

The name Orvis is synonymous with American fly fishing. If you are at all interested in the history of the sport, you’ll certainly enjoy learning about the fly tying daughter of the company’s founder: Mary Orvis Marbury.

Mary was more than an angler, of course. But her contributions to her father’s fledgling brand and the culture of fly tying at the turn of the century was undeniable. Steve Woit’s latest book, Mary Orvis Marbury: A Life in Flies celebrates her as a person while showing off her prolific work.

In this video, I walk through the major segments of the book. And although I show off a few of the full-page color photographs, this volume must be seen in person to be appreciated. If you want more information on the book, I heartily recommend Tom Rosenbauer’s interview with the author on The Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast.

Watch what else I have to say about the book, find a link to a review of Woit’s other spectacular work, and find out where you can buy A Life in Flies, below:

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Fish Everyday: The Redington EDC

Each winter, over the course of a few fly fishing expos I  endeavor to cast many of the season’s new fly rods. Often times this exercise is about getting an idea of what is new and noteworthy. It is more about research than shopping. However, in the early months of 2025 two rods impressed me such that I revisited them in multiple cities. One was a small-stream rod that would be a delightful luxury in an already crowded closet of 2- to 4-weights. The other was a brand’s top-end offering that cast with remarkable touch and power.

As you are well aware, there is no perfect fly rod.  With countless variables in anglers and the conditions they fish, what might fit for one may be a headache for another. This  means that one model might check all the boxes when it comes to action, features, and price for an angler but strike out on one, two, or three for another. That said, there are some rods that fill an all-around, everyday niche.

After six months of casting the Redington EDC, I think it meets the criteria.

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Podcast Ep. 357: Fish Without Fear

Outdoor activities are inherently risky. While your home is likely where you’re going to get hurt or run into trouble, being in wild places can lead to potential hazards.

Some have to do with critters. Most have to do with other people.

Even though there is a small chance of something problematic happening if you’re on the river, there is still a small chance. With a few simple steps you can do a lot to mitigate those risks and pursue your hobbies with confidence and not fear.

Plus, I start out the podcast discussing peace and meaning in fly fishing, the outdoors, and everything.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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VIDEO: The Story of Salmon & Us

There are few fish that inspire as much awe and admiration as salmon. Whether it be their qualities as a sport fish or food source, salmon have been at the pinnacle of many cultures and communities.

Mark Kurlansky’s 2020 book is a biography of sorts. It traces the various species, their natural state, their past intersections with humans, and their present situations. There are a lot of disconcerting aspects to these latter two categories, but there are also some bright spots and positive elements looking forward.

While not a fly fishing book, Salmon is an engaging read that anglers, nature lovers, and students of history will enjoy.

Watch what else I have to say about the book, read about a conversation I had with the author, and find out where you can find Salmon, below:

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Dark Skies Fly Fishing: Fall 2025

I’m pleased to share that  my writing is once again included with a number of talented angling authors in the online (and print) periodical Dark Skies Fly Fishing. In this fall issue, I break down the basics of fly fishing the wildest mountains in New England and I recommend a great read.

For this issue, Dark Skies is switching from a fully free to a sample/paid model. Having put together Casting Across on my own for nearly ten years, I can completely appreciate why the decision has been made. For the very modest sum of $3, you get nearly 100 pages of interactive fly fishing articles.

The fall edition includes pieces on Great Lakes browns, choosing line for Euro nymphing, and the original woolly bugger. The core of the content focuses on the  Mid Atlantic, but there are pieces that will be of interest to all fly fishers. Both of my contributions fall squarely into this category.

Interested? See it all below:

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Podcast Ep. 356: 5 Ways to Get that Fly Deep

Not all fly fishing presentations can be bushy dry flies over trout that will range five feet to rise with abandon. Because of the ridiculous quantity of foodstuffs in most rivers, fish are looking for a reasonable offering that is within a few inches of their noses. And since fish live underwater that means nymphs drifting at the right depth.

Getting all that to happen involves more than experimenting with split shot. In fact, I’d like to offer up an approach where a cast-altering weight is the last ditch effort.

Today I share five things I like to think about when it comes to getting your fly down deep in tricky scenarios. And as per usual, they involve using your head a lot more than your tackle box.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Video: Fishing’s Most Influential Work, at Your Fingertips

Although it is not the oldest work on fishing in the English language, Izaak Walton’s The Compleat Angler is undoubtedly the most prominent. From both a literary and cultural perspective it is well known and widely celebrated.

For these merits and those intrinsic to the nearly 400 year-old book, you should read a passage or two. And it just so happens that there are a handful of ways to do so online.

Scans and transcripts of the multiple editions are available  through various websites. You’d do well to peruse the archaic but intelligible first edition from 1653. If you’re a fly fisher, you’ll want to check out the 1676 reprint. This final update includes Charles Cotton’s additions, which include a focus on flies.

Watch what else I have to say about the book, and find out where you can find it online, below:

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