Life and Death in the Middle: A Review

I have a soft spot for books filled with two- and three-page stories. Perhaps it is because I grew up reading outdoor magazines. It could be that I prefer to write in a short format. Or, it may very well be the case that I have succumbed to the short attention span beguiling so many of my generation. No, it can’t be that.

Life and Death in the Middle: Reflections from the Seam Line is a book filled with good short stories and observations. Focused on and around fly fishing, they are easy reads that take up a few minutes of time. Loosely connected through the authors’ experiences, they don’t need to be read serially or in long sittings. Having this book on the nightstand or in the screen porch might be the best way to enjoy it.

So where did Life and Death in the Middle come  from? It is the shared work of Anthony Surage and Mike Aleckson. Both are accomplished and seasoned fly fishers. Surage brings the perspective of a professional guide as well. Their reflections, spread across nearly 60 brief chapters, intertwine, diverge, and run parallel with one another.

Why else might you consider picking up Life and Death in the Middle?

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Rusty Flybox: Me, the Fly Fisherman

Full disclosure: today is a day that comes around every year, and my family makes a big deal out of it. Consequently, I’m sharing some content from the Casting Across back catalog.

But these are three great articles.

They’re great because they touch on some of the most important parts of life and fly fishing. They’re great, if you read Casting Across, because they truly give you the context and the framework for understanding the rest of my writing. They’re great because they’re about as heartfelt as they come.

Click on the images or titles below for the full articles:

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Podcast Ep. 302: Downstream Dry Flies

The vast majority of your dry fly presentations ought to be made upstream, with you standing slightly to one side of the fish. This optimizes your cast, your mending, and your hook set.

But what if you can’t do that? What if there is a fish that is downstream, under cover, and slurping bugs off the surface with wanton slovenliness? What then? Do you  miss out and chalk it up to the “rules” of dry fly fishing? Do you go home, bested by the trout to which you did not cast?

There is good news. You can cast downstream to rising fish using a dry fly. And although it isn’t optimal, you should know how to do it.  And today I’m talking about it.

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

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Open to Fishing (Once Again)

Back at the tail end of June, things were pretty dry in Virginia’s piedmont region. I was down there in July, and saw the low flows with my own eyes. Rivers and creeks weren’t dried up. But low flows and high temperatures are a perfect combination for stressing out coldwater fish. Add in the high volume of anglers that use the Shenandoah National Park and it makes complete sense that they closed fishing down within the park’s borders.

Yet here we are in the middle of August and things are once again open to fishing.

Why write about the closing and opening of one particular fishery? I think it illustrates a few important aspects of resource management:

  • Last year’s closure ran September to December. This year’s was late June to early August. While no closures would be better than any closures, it is interesting to note that this one was shorter. And, it  was in the hottest part of the year. Despite all the “settled science” we have to acknowledge that there are more variables at play than we truly understand.
  • A little break isn’t the worst thing. Farmers do it with their fields. Gamekeepers do it with their beats. Certainly if conditions warrant it, a reprieve is good for the big picture.
  • It is actually a good thing that the NPS had to make the decision close the park. Why? It is indicative that there are a lot of people recreating on public land. That is one of the purposes of the park system. The nearby national forests weren’t closed. The state didn’t close trout fisheries. But out of an abundance of caution, the Department of the Interior oversaw the protection of a well-loved resource.

Check out the press release below:

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VIDEO: Trail Running X Fly Fishing

While fly fishing might be my favorite way to enjoy the outdoors, it is hardly the only way I spend time in nature. Camping, hunting, and paddling are all fun on their own; but I also find ways to mix fishing into each of them.

My favorite combo has to be fly fishing and trail running. Why? Aside from the great exercise, I’m able to get farther into remote locations faster.

Even if you aren’t going to be adding a 10k on the front and back end of your day on the water, what I’ve learned in packing for trail running will undoubtedly help you as you consider moving more efficiently to your fishing spot. Carrying less, choosing smarter, and streamlining gear are essential when running. At the same time, they’re certainly beneficial for all backcountry anglers.

Check out a quick synopsis of the what, why, and how of gear and packing for trail running and fly fishing in the video below:

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Podcast Ep. 301: Fly Fishing Accusations, 30

Well, I’m breaking with tradition for this one. I’m not calling it “Fly Fishing Accusations XXX.”

That said, there are some interesting segments in this episode. I get a little fired up about how people feel the need to police the fishing gear designed to solve problems. I also circle back to fallfish, tenkara, and remote fishing ethics. Standard fare, if you’ve been around here long enough.

As always, thanks for listening and writing in!

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

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Casting Across’ Greatest Hits

Looking back on 300 podcast episodes, I am not surprised at which  shows saw the most downloads. Everything is right in line with the kind of content that people love to ingest. These are, according to you, the “greatest hits” of Casting Across:

  • 3 Steps for Introducing Fly Fishing If Casting Across does one thing well, I hope it is to encourage people to share their passion for creation and fly fishing with others. This episode shares three no-nonsense ways of going about that worthy endeavor.
  • 5 Strike Indicators A classic gear selection episode with a perfect bit of minutiae thrown in for good measure. The indicator section of the fly shop can be overwhelming. I walk through some pros and cons of different options.
  • 7 Dry Fly Prep Essentials This winter podcast  is all about redeeming the time. Even though bugs weren’t buzzing around when it was released, it (or the anticipation of good weather) sparked a lot of interest.

Also, I had way too much fun creating an AI image for this post. Check out my favorite at the end.

Whether you heard them the first time around or not, I suggest you add them to your queue. Here they are, in  an easy click and listen format:

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Simple Versatility from Tenkara USA

Small stream anglers were some of the earliest western adopters of the equipment and techniques associated with tenkara. Collapsible rods and minimal gear fit right into the methods of those who like to move light and quick into remote places.

Tenkara USA was on the cutting edge of introducing Japanese fly fishing to Americans. With nearly a dozen rods of varying lengths and flex profiles, they’ve effectively covered any and all species and waters anyone would want to pursue. A few of their models utilize a segment-locking system where the angler can fish with a one or two of the last telescoping pieces still in the handle and butt of the rod.

The Rhodo, one such rod, is a perfect fit for the small stream fly fisher.

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Podcast Ep. 300: The Fly Fisherman’s Wife

300 episodes. That, my friends, is a lot of my digitized voice out there on the internet.

Today I’m breaking free from my rigid, one-note format. I’ve got a guest. In fact, I have the most special of special guests. My wife of 21+ years. Her perspectives on nearly every topic are worth listening to – take it from me. That said, enjoy this podcast.

And it goes without saying at this point: Thank you. Thanks for listening, reading, and being part of Casting Across as I hit this milestone.

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

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Studying Foreign Waters

Recently I spent an afternoon perusing used book stores in a local town. Along with the fatigue associated with bending over, craning my neck, and constantly shifting from reading vertically to horizontally, I noticed something else. There were a lot of intriguing fly fishing books. Twaddle aside, I appreciate and truly enjoy all angling literature. But these days, I’m used to getting titles that, more often than not, simply add something interesting, historical, or novel to my collection.

There is one kind of book that has been a notable exception. For the past few years I have really found a lot of pleasure as I’ve read individuals’ account of fishing their water. Since I’m one person who only has so much time to fish, most of their water is not my water. And because my resources are also limited, most of their water will probably never be my water – even if just for a brief moment. Yet these books have been quite pleasant to find and to read.

Why should you read books about rivers you don’t and may never fish?

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