Rusty Flybox: 2025

2025 was a great year for Casting Across. A brand new YouTube series and live presentations started of the year. There were articles, podcasts, and a decent number of fish. By the time fall rolled around, this little fly fishing project was celebrating its tenth anniversary.

There are a handful of  reasons why I “do” Casting Across. One of the primary purposes is the interaction with the wider fly fishing community. The views, downloads, and subscriptions represent people (usually). Those people represent a great diversity of experiences and facets within fly fishing culture. And those people are you.

Below you’ll find links to the content that was viewed the most this year, from this year. Two articles, a podcast, and a video are included. The A/V content is embedded, and you can click on the articles’ images to get the full posts. And Happy New Year from Casting Across.

read more

UPDATED: Casting Across Presents at The Fly Fishing Show ’26

In January of 2026, I’ll once again be speaking at the Massachusetts and New Jersey stops of The Fly Fishing Show. And this year I’ll be hosting a one-of-a-kind event on Saturday in Edison. Keep reading to find out what that presentation will be.

In less than a month The Fly Fishing Show gets started outside of Boston. There, I’ll be offering two different presentations. The following week, the whole Show heads down I-95 to New Jersey. Across the bay from New York city, I’ll present those two programs once again. But at this event – the biggest fly fishing expo  in the world – I’m also hosting something new.

If you read Casting Across with any regularity, you know that I like fly fishing books. I also like talking about fly fishing books. On Saturday afternoon in New Jersey, I’ll be interviewing a panel of fly fishing authors. It will be informative and entertaining. And the subject matter is something that everyone will appreciate, regardless of how much of a reader they happen to be. The full details on the presentation can be found below.

Once again, if you are at either show I’d truly enjoy the chance to meet you and talk fly fishing (or anything else). Here are the details about the presentations at The Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, Massachusetts  and Edison, New Jersey – including the author’s panel:

read more

Podcast Ep. 372: A Fly Fishing Christmas, 2025

Merry Christmas from Casting Across!

On this short holiday episode, I read from the 1883 edition of Fishing With the Fly. This prominent work was compiled and sold by none other than Charles F. Orvis. In this essay there are some wonderfully quaint ideas. But there are also some incredibly pertinent proverbs. As is the case with all good writing, it stands the  test of time.

Sit back with a creamy eggnog and enjoy.

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

read more

Joy Seen & Known

Fly fishers should understand joy as well as anyone.

Joy is less about outcomes as it is about opportunity. Or, true anglers celebrate fishing with a similar perspective whether they’re catching fish or not. Dedicated fly fishers just want to be out on the water. Weather, insect hatches, and the bite are merely variables that go into an equation that equals joy.

This culture conflates joy with happiness. Here is the problem with that: Happiness depends on you. You establish a list of conditions or adopt a series of expectations from someone else. Anything short of that and happiness dissipates. Happiness is fine and good. But you can’t count it it anymore than you can count on the fish to cooperate.

Joy only has one condition; one expectation. It is enjoying what is true, good, and beautiful. 

The ethos of fly fishing, among many other outdoor pursuits, prioritizes the joy of observing heaven and nature. The fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains where trout may be found inspire wonder. Happiness may elude you but the joy is always there. Even though there are patently clear curses on the ground, the creation echoes an eon-old goodness. More to the point, it cries out for her Creator’s majesty.

And while He is seen through creation, He is known because of Christmas. Joy to the world, indeed.

Merry Christmas from Casting Across

read more

Talking Books with the Fly Fishing Consultant

Nearly 25 years ago I met Rob Snowhite when we were both working at the Orvis store in Tysons Corner, Virginia. We’ve both eaten sandwiches all over Northern Virginia, fished across the Mid Atlantic, and read quite a few fly fishing books.

Recently Rob had me back on his podcast, Fly Fishing Consultant, to talk about books. He asked some excellent questions: How do I choose the books I read? What  are some strategies to read more? Where do old books fit into fishing today? We were able to cover quit a bit of ground in just over an hour.   If you’re used to reading, watching, or listening to me on Casting Across, this gives you an opportunity to get my perspective from the other side of the table.

You can listen to the podcast below:

read more

Podcast Ep. 371: Types of Regulated Trout Water

One of the lessons I learned too late in my fly fishing was that trout live in places that aren’t labeled “trout water.”

Although I love and appreciate the fly fishing only, catch and release streams that are out there, they only represent a fraction of the excellent trout fishing that is available. If you limit yourself to a type of river you’re missing out. Even streams that don’t have any special regulations and allow for the harvest of multiple trout can be great options for the catch and release angler.

Today I approach the topic of regulated water from a general perspective. Take what I say, check out your local regulations, and then pull up a map. Find fish wherever they may be.

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

read more

VIDEO: Giving a Fly Fishing Book

I could give you a list of the best fly fishing books, providing a virtual bookstore for you to peruse. In one sense, this entire video series is that very thing. However, this video takes a much broader approach to the enterprise of gift giving.

If you know the recipient of your next Christmas, birthday, or “just because” gift, you’re in a great situation. I walk through a handful of categories of anglers to whom you could gift a book. For each I give an example. But there are countless options for each and every one.

Books make great gifts. In fact, it is hard to go wrong with a good, thoughtful fly fishing book.

Watch what else I have to say about giving fly fishing books as gifts below:

read more

Casting Across Presents at The Fly Fishing Show ’26

In January of 2026, I’ll once again be speaking at the Massachusetts and New Jersey stops of The Fly Fishing Show.

Even though the vast majority of my Casting Across content is not produced before a live audience, I really enjoy the fly fishing public speaking that I get to do on occasion. In my opinion, The Fly Fishing Show is an excellent venue. Not only are there thousands of anglers, but they get to pick from dozens of presentations on a whole host of fishing topics.

This year I’m scheduled for two presentations at each of the shows I’ll be attending: Marlborough, MA and Edison, NJ. I’ll be giving my most popular seminar talk from last year at each show. There is also a brand new presentation that I’m excited to share with the New England crowd. Lastly, details are being finalized for a unique, first-of-its-kind event at the biggest fly fishing show in the country. Stay tuned.

If you are at either show, I’d truly enjoy the chance to meet you and talk fly fishing (or anything else). Here are the details about the presentations at The Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, Massachusetts  and Edison, New Jersey:

read more

Podcast Ep. 370: Fly Fishing Accusations, XXXVII

Don’t get scammed.

I don’t sound like anyone (I think).

Combat fishing is a choice.

Those three short sentences sum up this edition of my regular “Fly Fishing Accusations” podcast. You ask questions, make comments, and level accusations about those things I’ve written and/or said. I respond. I think it is an awful lot of fun. You might, too. So give it a listen.

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

read more

VIDEO: Fly Fishing Your National Parks

In another one-minute book review, I give a synopsis of the benefits that come from reading 25 Best National Parks to Fly Fish by Wendy &Terry Gunn. Through tapping into regional experts, they have compiled a resource that is a must-read for any angler who enjoys the National Park system.

Like most guidebooks, 25 Best National Parks is a starting point. But like most good guidebooks it gives you plenty of resources so that you can pursue an exhaustive knowledge of what you need to know before tossing your rod and flies into the trunk of your car.

Bare minimum, this is a fun book to flip through as you daydream about a country filled with angling opportunities.

Watch what else I have to say about the book and find out where you can pick up your own copy below:

read more