The Story of Salmon & Us: Author Mark Kurlansky

Image Copyright – Christopher Miller

Two Empty Rivers

When I moved to Massachusetts in 2010, state-published fishing guides were still promoting Atlantic salmon  runs in the Merrimack River. Massachusetts and New Hampshire had infused money  and fish into the river to encourage the return of these majestic animals. Initially I was excited. While every angler I talked to was aware of the states’ initiatives, each also discouraged me from building any hope for salmon fishing. The fish didn’t take. Or, the river didn’t take them. In a few years any salmon seen were simply an anomaly.

I shared my story with New York Times bestselling author Mark Kurlansky. He understood. His story is similar. “I grew up on the Connecticut River. I saw it every day. I had no idea that there were ever salmon in that river,” Kurlansky says. “They tried to reintroduce them. The river is cleaner, but it didn’t work. When I think about the Connecticut, what I picture is dams.”

read more

Podcast Ep. 81: Where I’ve Fished

Where do you fish?

I field this question a lot. Recently, when I solicited ideas on social media, this was asked even more. So while I won’t necessarily be spot burning, I do want to highlight some rivers and regions that I’ve enjoyed.

This week I talk about three places that I’ve really enjoyed fishing. They’re all in the US, but they’re thousands of miles from one another. Additionally, they are very different from my normal fly fishing destinations… but they also have a lot of points where they connect.

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

read more

Falling into Fly Fishing Perspective

I check the ladder up to the tree house every spring. After a cold New England winter, no one gets to head up into the fort until I test every step. This year, with all the craziness, I neglected to do so. Until I inadvertently did so.

Honestly, I am thankful. One, it is only a severe ankle sprain. It could have been a broken ankle. It could have been a broken leg. I could have fallen on my back or head. Two, it was me. I’ll take crutches and braces and a month’s worth of inconveniences any day over one of my boys getting hurt.

Falling and hurting my ankle changed a lot of things in small ways. Obviously, fly fishing has been impacted. I’ve been hurt before. But for whatever reason (maybe age, maybe being humbled) this time I feel like I’ve gained some perspective. Lord willing I’ll heal quickly and get back to doing what I want how I want to do it before this summer wraps us. Not everyone who fishes has a  temporary limitation. It isn’t as easy as “cross the river to cast” or “head down that hillside.”

Here are a few things I’ve realized recently. Maybe you know them from your own experience. Maybe you’ll find some perspective, which will be useful in some way down the road.

read more

Rusty Flybox: Home

We’ve all realized a lot of things over the past few months. There are a good chance that some of these revelations have been in the realm of civics. Almost certainly, we’ve realized how good we have had things. To be able to pick up and fly anywhere in the world to go fishing was only a matter of time and money. Recently, neither of those made a difference – even for many who simply wanted to fish their home water.

Our current situation merits discussion. But that ability to travel and recreate, both near and far, was a privilege secured by others who came before us. On Memorial Day, that might be the facet of the conversation that deserves the most attention.

Today, I’ve got three articles that celebrate the joy of fishing at home:

  • Fishing in your home town, decades later
  • Rediscovering rivers you had forgotten
  • Misadventures from shoehorning fishing in

Click on the thumbnail or title below to head to each post.

From Casting Across, have a great Memorial Day.

read more

Podcast Ep. 80: Fly Fishing Accusations, VIII

This week, I talk about opening day, wildfires, little pike, and mop flies.

What ties all of those topics together? Well, you asked for it!

On this 80th episode of the Casting Across Fly Fishing Podcast, I field questions and comments from listeners and readers. It is a lot of fun to get feedback, and I enjoy being able to interact with a few things on the podcast.

If you ever have a question, comment, or even an accusation – just let me know.

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

read more

Function in Form: VEDAVOO Inversion Sling Review

I have fished with a lot of vests, chest packs, and other fly fishing gear storage solutions in the past 20 years. Most work pretty well, Still, all of them have at least one or two major drawbacks. The right bag or pack for your gear involves: A) the means to hold what you need and B) the ability to do so comfortably.

The Inversion Sling from VEDAVOO strikes that balance. I can carry everything I need for a short trip or a whole day on the water. It can handle a light or a full load without being a burden on my shoulder or neck. Also, the pack is handmade in the US out of the highest quality materials. I’ve used it in the surf, on trout rivers, and with tackle boxes full of spinners and rubber worms with my boys.

Check out this quick video review. I highlight some design features that appear in all VEDAVOO packs, and talk about why the Inversion Sling has become my go-to pack.

read more

Spring Creek on Repeat

The Fuse – Jackson Browne: The Pretender, 1976

Singer-songwriters hit even better at 5 in the morning. Familiar lyrics accompany familiar highways. Alan and I were accustomed to the meandering route from Northern Virginia to South Central Pennsylvania. 7 to Leesburg, 15 north through Point of Rocks, past Big Hunting Creek in Thurmont, and then west over South Mountain in Cumberland County, PA.

We both cut our fly fishing teeth on the Yellow Breeches. With driver’s licences, wanderlust, and some fly shop tips we began to explore more rivers. More spring creeks. Spring creeks within a few hours of metro Washington, DC demanded an early start on Saturdays. Fish that were spooky and selective by nature didn’t tolerate being fished over multiple times in a morning.

read more

Podcast Ep. 79: Ultralight Fly Fishing

When was the last time you tried a rod that was two or three  weight designations lighter than your usual setup? Whether you fish in the salt, for  warm water species, or trout, there are some legitimate reasons to downsize.

In this episode I focus primarily on the true ultralight line weights – 2, 1, and 0. There are some principles that you can apply regardless of how and where you fish. Most of all, hopefully it gives you an idea of what modern lightweight fly  fishing gear is capable of.

I also talk about a few rods that have impressed me, and give some links to where you can check them out.

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

read more

The Pursuit of Fish: Trout & Feather and Casting Across

I’m excited to announce a new collaboration with another great online fly fishing resource: Trout & Feather.

Tim Cammisa has been running Trout & Feather since 2014. His YouTube channel features over 250 videos; the bulk of which are fly tying videos. I’ve used Tim’s videos for my own tying, and have referred many Casting Across readers his way over the years. His production value, instruction, and pattern choices are all as good as it gets.

Personally, I hope that this partnership benefits his viewers and you: my readers. If there is one short stave in the fly fishing barrel at Casting Across, it is fly tying.  Trout & Feather is a spectacular resource, and I’m  looking forward to sharing Tim’s content on this site.

I’ve always thought that my writing on Casting Across gives attention to the center and the periphery of fly fishing. It is fishing, but it is also the people, places, and things that go into the pursuit of fish. To that end, we’re calling my little section on his site “The Pursuit of Fish.” Here’s the first article:

read more

Finding Your Water

Sometimes in fly fishing, it’s just the getting out that matters.

It can’t always be weekend trips, float planes, or grand vistas. It might rarely be plans. Except for the ongoing plan that you’ll go fishing when you can go fishing. To that end there is always a rod, a handful of flies, and a pair of boots in your trunk. Objectively, the fishing might not be spectacular. But in certain circumstances, even half an hour – even just down the street is like coming up for air. For most of us, the water and the fish won’t jockey for angling magazine centerfolds. Hopefully we realize how even having that option makes us fortunate. read more