Untying the Mystery of Fly Fishing Leaders, I

July 11, 2018

Have you ever taken the time to look through some of the more thorough resources on leaders? Some anglers have spent a lot of time intricately thinking through the dynamics of material diameter and length. You can really fall down the rabbit hole. There are individual formulas for every weight of fly, depth of water, and speed of current.

But just like anything else in fly fishing, you don’t need to get that involved to be successful.

For years, I simply used knotless tapered leaders. I’d add tippet as necessary. Holding up the terminal end of my leader, I’d match it to the diameter of the equivalent tippet. I’d eyeball what I thought I’d need to return my 9’ 6X leader to its original makeup.

I casted just fine, and I caught fish. Still, there were limitations that I could feel. While the majority of flies turned over and presented just fine, I would struggle with tiny dries or heavier streamers. As that went on, I decided to put more energy into figuring out leaders.

Here are a few tips for getting started:

The Best Days of Fly Fishing

July 9, 2018

5 trout.

10 trout.

20 trout.

40ish trout?

It was one of the best days of fishing that I’ve ever had.

As is the case with most fly fishing, it wasn’t just about numbers. There was a whole lot more going on that contributed to the overall experience.

The weather was perfect – high 70’s, light cloud cover, and a slight breeze.

The scenery was fantastic – mountains, waterfalls, and summer foliage in full bloom.

The hike in, about three miles, was pleasant. It was my second time on a trail that day, and this trip was less rocky and slower-paced.

Even my shore lunch, enjoyed on a large rock in the middle of the river, hit the spot.

But oh, the fish.

Fly Fishing Gear: 3 Things I Use Every Time

July 6, 2018

Better gear doesn’t make a fly fisher good. But good gear makes fishing better.

And good gear doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

Whether you’ve been fly fishing for decades or you’re just getting started, there are some inexpensive items out there that will help streamline your experience on the water. Organization and expediency are two things that anyone can improve. Regardless of if you use a thousand dollar fly rod or a big box-store beater, the little things that surround the actual fishing can make a big difference.

Here are three pieces of gear that I’ve incorporated into virtually all of my fly fishing:

Fly Fishing Independence

July 4, 2018

There is no “right way” to celebrate Independence Day.

Red, white, and blue decor is good. Cookouts are good. Parades are good. Fireworks are good. Ceremonies, historical documentaries, and the day off work are all good.

Fly fishing on the 4th of July is good, too.

I don’t think I’m fabricating the sentiment held by some, the essence of which is this: some forms of civil holiday-observance aren’t proper. For example, having a hot dog roast on Memorial Day isn’t the right or respectful way to memorialize those who have given their life in service. If that is your conviction, fine. But I think that it can be both/and.

Furthermore I think that Independence Day should be free from all that. I think that you should do whatever you want (within legal parameters) to appreciate the freedom that you have to do whatever you want in America. Of course, I’m going to apply that specifically to fly fishing.

Gone Fishing: Poppers

July 2, 2018

Its a good fly, the popper.

Here are a few reasons why:

Rusty Flybox: Summertime

June 29, 2018

Let’s be honest, in many ways June is the best month for fly fishing. But all great things must come to an end. Thankfully, there are some really, really good things that follow… like July, August, and September.

Fly fishing in the heat of summer requires thinking a little differently. The days are longer, the water is warmer, and the whole ecosystem works in a new way.

Here are three articles from the Casting Across archives that will help you get a bead on some of the ways to approach fly fishing in the summer. One has to do with flies, another with location, and the last pertains to an excellent piece of gear.

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Culturing Your Fly Fishing Culture

June 27, 2018

Fly fishing fly fishing fly fishing.

Why is everything always about fly fishing?

Yeah, yeah. I know. This is a fly fishing website. Out of the 156 posts a year on Casting Across, about 150 of them are specifically about fly fishing. At least I’m consistent. But I might be missing the mark a bit. Because thinking about things in those terms, I’m not doing a great job accurately writing about the culture of fly fishing. To put things in context, it is important to remember that fly fishing exists as a niche within fishing, which is a niche within outdoors pursuits.

There are plenty more things to do outdoors that aren’t fly fishing that are worth doing. And maybe by doing them, your fly fishing can improve.

Stretching Fly Fishing Opportunities: Kismet Outfitters

June 25, 2018

“Before you even hook some of these saltwater fish, there is so much that has to go into it. Things all have to align: the moon, the tides, your fly, your cast. It is exciting, it is intense. But there is nothing like it.”

That is part of the answer that Abbie Schuster, founder and owner of Kismet Outfitters, gave when asked to describe the feeling of chasing fish in the salt. Her response to the same question, only pertaining to yoga, was a little more concise.

“Peaceful.”

Based out of Martha’s Vineyard, Schuster can put clients on some of the best striped bass, false albacore, and bluefish water in the nation. The quality of the fly fishing just off the idyllic Massachusetts island provides one more option for an already bustling tourist destination.

With such a diverse group visiting the Vineyard, Schuster wanted to broaden the appeal of a day on the water. “There’s no need for fly fishing to be intimidating. But in my experience, so many clients’ spouses wouldn’t travel with them because they thought that they have to be a hardcore fly fisher to just be on the boat.”

It’s Not a Beaver!

June 20, 2018

Above: What it looks like to watch someone catch a fish at night.

“KER-SPLOOSH!”

Before the last of the water from the aquatic eruption had fallen, one of my fishing companions let out a string of expletives. The punctuation on the end of the profanity-laden, run-on sentence was “…big fish.”

It was a big fish. A big trout, to be exact.

“No way. It was just a beaver,” was my attempt at humor. I handle mildly stressful situations with mild attempts at humor.

“No,” Scott replied. “It’s not a beaver. It was a trout.” He was laser focused.

Chris was just casting and casting and casting.

It was nearly dark, and we had all anticipated this moment. That special time at twilight when big trout leave their spooky inhibitions under streambanks and their usual carefulness down in dark pools. Dusk is when predators act like predators. We had counted on this and decided to predate on those very trout ourselves… releasing them, of course.

Mice were on the menu.