Seasons

Even if I hadn’t been out in a week, the first cast felt like it was simply the next cast in a succession of fly fishing moments. It was like picking up where I had left off. Like I had never left. Never stopped fishing.

It is a great feeling.

I’ve had two such seasons in my life. Without looking at journals or photograph timestamps I can’t remember exactly when they were. That isn’t an indictment on the impact that those seasons had. I certainly enjoyed all the fishing. Circumstances just converged such that consistent fly fishing was interwoven with everything else. Nothing was sacrificed or brushed aside. Fishing just found its way into the melody of life.

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Podcast Ep. 56: The FIRST Interviews of the Podcast

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, actually.

Hear me talk to two of the people who have impacted my fly fishing  the most. Actually, these are two people who have  had a tremendous impact on my life.

My 7- and 5-year old boys.

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

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Rusty Flybox: To Give is Better

Earlier in the week I put out another fly fishing gift guide. Such posts are seasonally relevant and hopefully helpful. But lists can only be so long and still stay readable. Furthermore, including something necessitates excluding something else. So what if none of those gifts tinseled your tree?

Today I’ve gathered up a number of gift-giving articles from the Casting Across archives. Some were put out for Christmas, some were released for other holidays. Some are simply products I think you (or that special somebody) would enjoy. Below are over a dozen links, each containing multiple gift options. Plus, you can read why I think each item is worth giving.

Additionally, if you have a question about the gear listed – or anything else, for that matter – please don’t hesitate to reach out to me personally. I’ll gladly answer to the best of my ability.

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Fly Fishing Gifts for the New Angler

Buying gifts for someone who likes fly fishing can be daunting. What do they have? What do they need? Will they even use something I pick out?

There are some items that will always be useful. Especially when shopping for someone who has just started fly fishing, certain gifts will absolutely make their way onto the water.

I’ve picked out 12 items from 7 companies that I think any angler on your list will enjoy. Most of them are $30 or less. All of them would benefit someone who is new to fly fishing. All of them would be things veteran fly fishers would still buy, use, and enjoy.

Check out these 12 gifts sure to please a new fly fisher… or one who has been doing it for decades:

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Podcast Ep. 55: A Lot of Fly Fishing Thank Yous

What are you thankful for? We ask that question a lot, especially towards the end of November. This is also a natural time to ask what in fly fishing you are thankful for. The heart of the season is wrapping up, and you have time to consider what you appreciate about the quarry and the culture of fly fishing.

This week, I mention a handful of things that I am thankful for. While I doubt our experiences are exactly the same, there is enough commonality within fly fishing that I know you’ll be able to relate.

Also, I talk about some programs that truly deserve all of our gratitude.

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

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Fly Fishing Thanksgivings

I am thankful for fly fishing.

I am thankful for the quiet. My job is busy and my home is busy. I wouldn’t trade either of them for the world. But my time on the water offers some much needed contrast. This doesn’t mean that fly fishing is passive. The mental exercises often eclipse the physicality. Still, there is stillness. The moment immediately after releasing a fish  is cathartic. The moment immediately before it rises to the fly is even better.

I am thankful for the challenge. Sometimes I succeed. Often times I fail. I think that the frequent baptisms in humility are the most valuable experiences. The subjectivity of fly fishing can actually prove those failures successful. Trying to catch a trout is a low-risk training ground for my resolve, preparing me to potentially see more pertinent challenges in a new light. Fly fishing is practice, in a way.

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Not Going to a Fishing Show? Here’s Why You Should

Every fall I sit down and take a look at my calendar for the next few months. The holidays feel like such a sprint. Afterwards? The winter actually fills up pretty fast. That is why I always make sure that outdoor expos, fly tying nights, and other events get penciled in ASAP.

Running from January to March, The Fly Fishing Show is always a priority. Because of where I live, I usually make two of the seven stops. Each year I browse, I help out friends in the fly fishing industry, and I start to put together content for Casting Across.

I’m not alone. A lot of people go to this show and shows like it. But I’ve heard plenty of angling acquaintances express reasons why they don’t go to fly fishing shows. Let me be clear – I’m not saying that you’re wrong if you don’t enjoy events like this. Who am I  to tell you what you do or don’t like? But just like anything else, I’ve come across plenty of folks who have formed their negative opinions off partial truths or incorrect assumptions.

With that in mind, here are 5 responses I’ve given to common excuses for not going to fishing expos:

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Podcast Ep. 54: Head to Toe Winter Fly Fishing

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 the below-zero conditions of the Great Lakes tributaries, or a brisk 40 degree day on a North Carolina tail water, you’re going to bundle up. In this podcast I discuss some practical concepts for dressing smarter and not harder to stay warm during winter fly fishing.

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

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What You Can Get Out of Fly Tying

I don’t consider myself a fly tyer. But I tie flies.

I tie flies because it is economical. I tie flies because I don’t fish dozens of patterns, and I’ve learned to tie what I like to use. I tie flies because it is fun. It is a challenge, but it is fun.

If I’m honest, I tie flies mainly because it is a highlight of angling fellowship.

Fly tying get-togethers are the fly fishing version of the knitting circle. There is usually more flannel, craft beer, and feathers, but otherwise the two gatherings are virtually identical. The object  matters, but the subjects matter just as much. The flies are what people are looking at, but they are all looking at them together.

Whether you are an expert or a novice fly tyer, group tying events are worth your time. Here are 5 reasons why you should seek one out in your area:

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Fly Fishing Sideways

The first time we fished this creek, it was magical. The fish weren’t especially large, but they were plentiful. They attacked flies with vigor. They fought with ferocity. Above that, finding and accessing the creek was an adventure. That made the fishing better. Generally speaking, our experience was delightfully repetitive. Lots of fish. Fish willing to play ball. Above average fly fishing. Having a nearby option like this was great.

It became the go-to. It became familiar. It became our creek. But it almost didn’t.

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For years I fished with neoprene waders. This was a vast improvement over my first attempts to keep my feet dry. That involved trash bags stuck inside of winter boots. Needless to say, neoprene chest waders felt luxurious. After a few seasons the luxury lost its luster. The rubbery overalls  became offensive on warmer days. I didn’t like them much, either. A month of saving from my part time job yielded what I needed for some entry-level breathable waders. We headed to the fly shop.

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