Pop Fly: Fishing Imagery in the Minor Leagues

Fishing, particularly for the most avid members of the angling community, can feel somewhat insular most of the time. Blogs, expositions, stores, and even the sport itself occupy a relatively small corner of the “outdoors” niche.

Consequently, when imagery and concepts from our world make it into the public eye, it can be surprising. Everything from insurance agencies to beer labels to residential developments will enlist a trout or a fly for marketing purposes.

One of the more engaging and fun uses of angling in branding is in sports: minor league baseball in particular. Even if you are not a sports fan, there is a good chance that you have been to a minor league baseball game. A summertime staple of youth groups, little leagues, and community outings, the family-friendly atmosphere allows everyone to take in America’s pastime. Given, the pageantry, food, and promotions can sometimes outdraw the competition itself. But that isn’t a problem.

In fact, it is that very truth that makes it palatable for teams of grown men striving to make millions of dollars in the major leagues to wear uniforms emblazoned with biscuits, raccoons, or catfish. There is certainly a level of fun involved in the logos, uniforms, and identities of minor league baseball teams. Without the need to be menacing or intimidating, owners can utilize regional imagery to capitalize on the community’s interest.

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Last Cast of the Week, 7/29/2016

Most Fridays on Casting Across are  devoted to other people’s contributions in the fly fishing community. Articles, pictures, social media accounts, videos, podcasts, products, and more will be featured on The Last Cast of the Week.

Today, I’m sharing items from Tacky Fly Fishing, TU Teen Summit, and Trident Fly Fishing.

If you’d like to be featured in the Last Cast of the Week, or have seen something that others might be interested in, use my contact form or shoot me an email (matthew[at]castingacross[dot]com).

Thanks again for reading, and please take a moment to subscribe by plugging your email address in the field on the right sidebar.

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So About that Post

Last week I published “Gone Fishing: Skunk.” For those of you who have been following Casting Across for a few months, you might be aware that I post the Gone Fishing series from time to time. If you are uninitiated, these posts are photographs only. No words. No trademark wit. No wading through obtuse vocabulary.

And if I’m honest, these go up when I’m fishing and too busy to put together anything truly substantive. But art, right?

So came “Skunk.” I had a last-minute hall pass up on some spring creeks in southcentral PA. It was my first time back on these waters since my grand return to Northern Virginia, and I was ready to knock them dead. (Not really, all the creeks are catch and release.) On one hand, I was looking forward to sharing this trip down the ‘ol nostalgia river. On the other hand, I was happy to be fishing and decided I’d take the easy route by just throwing some pictures up for my Wednesday post.

Oh how we can speak of the best laid plans of wooly buggers and men…

So to start off the day I got stuck behind someone ordering two pepperoni pizzas at Sheetz. At 5:00am. Just go ahead and pick a problem with that situation. The MTO staff was frazzled. There was a customer that couldn’t figure out how to wait, and was laying his ‘tude on thicker than that early morning mozzarella. I finally left, Shmiscuit in hand, and ready to drive up to PA.

I did see four people fishing off a bridge over the Potomac with deep sea gear. They were fishing in about six feet of water. 50 feet up. That wasn’t really a frustration, but more of a weird omen.

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Last Cast of the Week, 7/22/2016

Most Fridays on Casting Across are  devoted to other people’s contributions in the fly fishing community. Articles, pictures, social media accounts, videos, podcasts, products, and more will be featured on The Last Cast of the Week.

Today, I’m sharing items from Rawson & Perrin, Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders, and Trout Life. 

If you’d like to be featured in the Last Cast of the Week, or have seen something that others might be interested in, use my contact form or shoot me an email (matthew[at]castingacross[dot]com).

Thanks again for reading, and please take a moment to subscribe by plugging your email address in the field on the right sidebar.

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Chasing Dusk: 5 Tips for Summer Evening Fishing

In June, July, and August, we all have a love/hate relationship with the sun. There is a lot more daylight, but the tradeoff is an oppressive heat. Some parts of the country can get downright steamy, forcing anglers to wear oxymoronic lightweight layers. At the same time, there isn’t another time of the year where you can fish until 9:00pm without artificial light.

All that to say, there are some ways that the late, hot summer evenings can be utilized to the fly fisher’s advantage. Weather, light, and time do impact the behavior of fish, insects, and other people. With a little planning and consideration, there can be a lot of angling benefits to the opportunities of this time of year.

Start fishing later.

“Fish smarter, not harder” is a great motto for the summer. There are very few good reasons to be out on the stream in the middle of the day when the temperature is soaring towards 100 and the sun is blazing. Under most circumstances, it’s bad for the fish and its bad for you.

So start later. If you’re just fishing a local water, getting out at five or six still means close to four hours of fishing. You’ll be rigging up when everyone else is leaving dehydrated and frazzled.

Plus, we all know how the fishing turns on as dusk draws near. Hatches pick up, feeding intensifies, and the bigger fish become active. Your worm can be the one that the proverbial early fish gets. You might not be fishing at night, per se, but you’ll be out there for some quality early evening conditions.

Pick the right gear.

Although it is still technically light between 8:00 and 9:00, clouds, trees, or other conditions can make it harder to see on the water. So pack accordingly.

Make sure that you have some flies with big, stiff posts for the sake of visibility. Contrast is always helpful when fishing dries, and this increase as visibility is diminished. Bump your leader up a size. Cast and mend well, and there won’t be an issue. The primary reason being tangles that would normally be manageable at midday become tenuous as the sun sets.

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Last Cast of the Week, 7/15/2016

Most Fridays on Casting Across are  devoted to other people’s contributions in the fly fishing community. Articles, pictures, social media accounts, videos, podcasts, products, and more will be featured on The Last Cast of the Week.

Today, I’m sharing items from Angling Trade, Wilderness Adventure Press, and Now or Neverglades.

If you’d like to be featured in the Last Cast of the Week, or have seen something that others might be interested in, use my contact form or shoot me an email (matthew[at]castingacross[dot]com).

Thanks again for reading, and please take a moment to subscribe by plugging your email address in the field on the right sidebar.

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Fly Fishing Books, part 2

The statistics on how little our culture reads are discouraging. I’m not on a campaign to change the course of literary appreciation through the fly fishing community, but appreciating the sport naturally extends to what has been written.

Three months ago I put together a list of four books on fly fishing that I recommend. I split the books into three categories:

  • Guide (regional, site specific)
  • Technical (methods, locations, fly tying)
  • Literature (novels, biographies, history)

These aren’t formal distinctions by any stretch of the imagination. Nor are these the “best fly fishing books.” They aren’t necessary even in my top five. But they are great books, and I do suggest you pick them up.

***

Guide Fly-Fishing Guide to the Upper Delaware River, by Paul Weamer

There really isn’t any bad time of the year to fish the Upper Delaware River system. Assuming water releases are consistent, the West Branch, East Branch, and main stem all provide opportunities for trout in every season. And big trout, for that matter. Paul Weamer’s book is a necessary companion for fishing these rivers. They are large by any standard, and gargantuan for the east coast. Access issues, be they logistical or legal, is reason enough to have the book in your car when you head to fish. Plus, the author does a great job of talking details, history, and technique in a seamless manner. He also discusses conservation, fly patterns, and culture. If you plan on fishing these amazing rivers, get the book. If you’re interested in making the trip to New York, buy the book and your mind will be made up.

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So You’re Not Going to IFTD

Ah, Orlando in July. I hear that the summer months are the best time to experience all that central Florida has to offer. If you’ve ever been in that neck of the woods at that time of the year, you are fully aware that you will sweat the moment you step out of the airport until you collapse, exhausted and dehydrated in your $350/night hotel room.

But all of that can be overlooked if you are A) not working, B) lurking in air-conditioned conference rooms and exhibition halls connected by tunnels, and C) looking at fly fishing stuff.

The International Fly Tackle Dealer Show (IFTD) is the American Fly Fishing Trade Association’s (AFFTA) giant showcase at the annual International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST). It is also the largest convention featuring fourteen letters worth of acronyms.

Let’s be real, here. It has been six whole months since the fly fishing show tour was making its way across this country. For literally half a year, you’ve had to go to fly shops. You’ve had to shop online. You’ve had to make up excuses to yourself and your spouse, because, for some reason, “I have to go to the fly fishing show and spend hundreds of dollars because it is what I do” is perfectly reasonable.

However, you’re not going to IFTD. You aren’t getting to see “the largest international gathering of fly fishing manufacturers, retailers, sales reps, media and fly fishing organizations in the world.” You have to wait at your computer or smart phone to see the Tweets and video clips of your next fly rod. And, get this: there are some poor souls that will have to wait months until some physical magazine is written, printed, and mailed before they get a write up on a new chenille for tying. Months!

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