The Fish in Artificial Intelligence

The first time I came across the use of artificial intelligence in the fly fishing  world, it benefitted me. At the very least, it had the potential to benefit me. A spike in website traffic to Casting Across was the result of a link to an article I had written. The link was on another fly fishing website. After a few minutes of reading, something felt off. The writing was not good. Now, people can be poor writers. But this wasn’t just C- writing. It was soulless. It was undoubtedly AI.

I’m hardly an angling luddite. Casting Across is, after all, an online platform. I have hundreds of podcasts and dozens of YouTube videos taking up digital space on servers somewhere. Technology is not a problem. AI isn’t even necessarily a problem.

Recently, I received a marketing email from a company trying to sell me on how AI could help me connect with my audience. Even though I was confident that the answer would be a strong no I read their pitch. Basically, they used natural language processing to comb through the available data to create a list of topics you’re interested in.

What did I do with this data?

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Podcast Ep. 351: Fly Fishing Accusations, XXXV

This week I have two – yes, two – bona fide accusations.

Now, I assume they were made with the best intentions. Still, I do  appreciate the opportunity to interact with a little pushback. One has to do with mountain trout fishing and the other pertains to fallfish. My two favorite topics.

I also share how I’m prone to sarcasm.

As always, I appreciate all my readers, listeners, and viewers. Please keep the feedback coming!

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

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VIDEO: Making the Fly Fishing Transition from Fresh to Salt

Barry and Cathy Beck’s Fly Fishing the Flats is a modern classic in the instructional genre of fly fishing literature. It isn’t groundbreaking or breathtaking. It is simply the perfect solution to a legitimate  problem:

How do I make the transition from fly fishing in  freshwater to saltwater?

Although there are many similarities, countless trout anglers have stared at the seemingly endless ocean and thought that they are literally and figuratively far away from the rivers and lakes they are used to. With great photographs and diagrams, the Becks break down the most essential aspects of saltwater fly fishing such that anyone who has fished before will have a baseline awareness of the game. There are other books that dive in deep, but  few do it as succinctly and as well as Fly Fishing the Flats.

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

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Support A Shop That Is Not A Fly Shop

You should support fly shops.

But if for one reason or another you can’t, you should support a shop that is not a fly shop.

Again, support fly shops. They have all the gear that you’ll need. Rods, reels, line, and flies. They’ll have breathable waders and a handful of vest options. You’ll undoubtedly have your pick of fly tying tools and materials. The staff will be knowledgeable in all things new and trending in the industry. Of course, they’ll be able to steer you towards a good place to fish and help you find the patterns you’ll need to make some headway. This is all good, normal fly shop fare.

However, unless you’re  in Missoula or one of the few cities that has as many fly shops as it does stop lights, you might have to drive to find a good store with all the bells and whistles. And you should drive to one if you  have the time.

Time or distance may be the reasons you support a shop that is not a fly shop.

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Podcast Ep. 350: Father & Son

Just because you put a fly rod in a baby’s hands doesn’t mean he’ll grow up to be a fly fisher. But in the case of my eldest son, it is working thirteen years in.

Recently he asked to go on a fishing trip to one of the places I fished most as a teenager.  That got a quick yes from me. Although we had some inclement weather (not our choice) and fished some challenging water (our choice), we had a great time.

As has been my practice on these milestone episodes, I invite a special guest on the podcast for a conversation. Hear about a historical fly fishing region and special father & son trip this week.

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

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VIDEO: A Book For All Anglers, Hunters, & Outdoorsmen

I obviously advocate for the reading of fly fishing books. Hopefully it is understood that this is in no way to the exclusion of other books in general, or outdoors books in particular.

One title that is in the same section as fly fishing books, albeit not on the same shelf, is Steven Rinella’s Meat Eater.

There is a good chance you’re aware of Rinella’s work through a hunting show, a wild game cookbook, or even some camo clothing. The “Meat Eater media empire” is chock full of quality content. This book serves as a great introduction to Rinella’s outdoor ethos and life. I’m confident all anglers, hunters, and outdoorsmen will appreciate it.

(And, of course, the above includes women who fall into the category of “outdoorsmen.”)

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

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Summer 2025 Fly Rod FAQs

Something that I love about fly rod conversations is how they vacillate between empirical and metaphysical. You can go from talking ounces and recovery speed to how it makes you feel in a matter of seconds.

It is just a fly rod. But if you fish, you know what I mean.

Not only is a rod a potentially significant expense, but it is what connects you to the fish. So while it isn’t what fly fishing is all about, it makes it possible.

Today I’m tacking five more questions onto my Fly Rod FAQ page. This is a running list of questions I’ve fielded and continue to field from people as I talk about the tangible and intangible aspects of the pinnacle piece of fly fishing gear.

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Podcast Ep. 349: AI & Fly Fishing

It is ridiculous that I even need to write it, but please know that content on Casting Across comes from a regular, old human being. I have nothing against robots… in fact I want them all to know I really appreciate them when they eventually take over.

Seriously though: there is a lot of fly fishing writing out there that is actually AI generated.  I don’t think it is prideful to say that Casting Across is better than that.

Today I am tapping into an interesting aspect of artificial intelligence. I received an email from a company offering aggregated data from feedback to the website and social media platforms. Out of curiosity, I’m responding to four of their suggestions on today’s podcast. You tell me: are the robots accurately representing you, the audience?

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

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VIDEO: Get to Know Trout Unlimited

Among many fly fishers, there is a positive – albeit somewhat nebulous – perspective on Trout Unlimited. They know that the conservation work and the cold water resource advocacy happens, but that might be the extent of it unless there has been a personal connection or proactive involvement in a local chapter.

John Ross’ Rivers of Restoration is a great way to get to know TU. Through 20 or so short chapters, Ross walks the reader through some of the most significant conservation projects. The snapshots span ecological issues, river sizes, and locations in the USA. Furthermore, the book is chock full of excellent photography.

Whether you are an active member of TU, a fly fishing history buff, or a conservationist, Rivers of Restoration is worth seeking out and adding to your bookshelf.

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

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The Most Important Fly Fishing Rod Review

Today I want to discuss one of the most important pieces of gear out there in fly fishing today. In my humble opinion, it hasn’t received appropriate treatment; certainly not the fanfare it deserves. That said, I want to sing its praises in a way that makes you take notice.

It is a fly rod. And yet, it isn’t just a fly rod. It is one of the most important fly rods to be designed, made, marketed, and sold in the last 50 years.

As is the case with most equipment, the aesthetics are the first thing that you’ll notice. It doesn’t mean that form trumps function. It is simply the consequence of how we perceive the world. First we see, then we touch. And with fly fishing gear there is usually a lot of looking and touching before any real fishing takes place. Frankly, this rod looks good. The cork invites the hand. The wraps and the blank just go together so well. It looks good because it looks like it was meant to be. Even if the parts of color scheme or hardware  don’t seem to be much on their own, the total is greater than the sum of the parts.

But at the end of the day it is a fishing rod. Good looks will only get you so far.

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