2 Guys On & In Fly Fishing Culture

Recently I sat down with Dave Goetz and Steve Mathewson to record an episode of 2 Guys and a River (listen here!). We discussed Casting Across and the role that a website like this plays in the greater fly fishing culture. Afterwards, we went to lunch and I was able to interview them to answer those same questions about their podcast.

***

Fly fishing is about the fish – the quarry. Whether it be trout, bass, or a saltwater species, anglers plant the flag of their passion squarely on fish.

Some then lament the “other stuff” that has crept into fly fishing: the competition, the politics, the materialism. While every one of those facets certainly has the potential to crowd the essential elements of fishing out, there is something to be said about the greater culture of fly fishing.

Another new rod, another stream restoration project, or another commentary might be tiresome to certain corners of the fishing community. But many also embrace these sorts of things for how they enrich of the culture, and the pursuit of the quarry, of fly fishing.

For the past two years, Dave Goetz and Steve Mathewson of 2 Guys and a River have been commenting on and sharing their fly fishing experiences with the listening public. Their podcast isn’t about adding to the noise. Rather, they are doing it “for the love of fly fishing.” Podcasts like 2 Guys play an important role in the culture of fly fishing, and Steve and Dave have experienced the fruits of their labor first hand.

read more

Last Cast of the Week, 7/7/2017

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  Wayward Angler, RepYourWater, & The Unripe Fig.

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). Also, be sure to subscribe to Casting Across to never miss a post.

Check out the links, along with my thoughts, below:

***

read more

(Even More!) Fly Fishing Podcasts

Ideally, at some time this summer you’ll be cruising down the highway towards some  spectacular stretch of water. Whatever is coming through the radio will just be one more part of the whole; another side of the multi-faceted  experience that is a satisfactory fishing excursion.

…or, you might be stuck in traffic. On the way home from work, headed toward the beach, etc. Not as fun. Here, listening to something pleasant and entertaining might just keep you from steering into a guardrail.

Irrespective to the quality of your drive, you’ll want something good on in the background. If you’ve read Casting Across much, you’re probably aware that I’m a big proponent of fly fishing podcasts. A good story, interview, or bit of witty repartee isn’t easy  to A) put together for online consumption, and B) sustain for any period of time.

I’ve talked to some of the leading voices using the medium today, and have given some of my recommendations for a selection of my favorite podcasts. Today, I’d like to add three more titles to the list of  fly fishing series to which I subscribe.  Check out my quick take on each podcast and a suggested “starting point” episode.

read more

Trout Quixote. four.

This is the fifth part in this series. Catch up by reading the beginning  here , 

Life gets in the way of even the most obsessed-over pursuits. That is the way it ought to be. Diversions should be just that: a deviation from the major thoroughfare of work, school, etc. Fly fishing, as important as it is to me, is still just a diversion. A handful of trips to local ponds and creeks a month, punctuated by a more sizeable outing or two is sufficient for the stage of life that I’m in. If fly fishing in general requires time to be carved out of my busy schedule, the little “local trout” quest in specific gets even less time.

Almost a year since I plotted, schemed, and attempted to confirm the existence of a remnant trout population amid suburbia, I decided to take it to the next level. I knew a stream less than ten miles away that held a trout population. Exclusively rainbows filled this little spring creek. Not much is known about the fish, other than that they naturally reproduce and have been doing so for some time.

And the vast majority of the length of the stream is on private property. Including all reasonable access.

The only exception – the only way, as I saw it, was to fish up from where the creek entered a larger river. The river is fully navigable, public, and accessible. The access points, however, are not necessarily near the junction point I was looking for.

Thus began a Lord of the Rings style adventure. I could see my destination. I could even plot out a very simple path. Yet that path would lead to certain doom at the hands of the local authorities. I would have to take a more circuitous, adventurous route.

read more

Last Cast of the Week, 6/30/2017

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  MidCurrent, Alpen Reel Co, and Marquette Mining Journal.

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). Also, be sure to subscribe to Casting Across to never miss a post.

Check out the links, along with my thoughts, below:

read more

Pink Squirrels & Fly Fishing Humility

A San Juan Worm on the San Juan River.

An Ausable Wulff on the Ausable (not the Au Sable… but that might work, too).

An RS-2 on the South Platte.

A Letort Hopper on the Letort… during hopper season.

It all seems too neat and tidy, too conventional and stereotypical. At this point, haven’t these fish seen enough of these patters such that they can identify hook manufacturers? Sure, these patterns were created on these rivers. They bear their namesake. But like Robert Plant’s disdain for audiences screaming for Stairway to Heaven, aren’t the fish tired of anglers clamoring for them to bite on that fly?

Since these fish are so smart, fly fishers do their best to be a little smarter. I know I’m guilty of this. If there is a big emergence going on, I switch it up with the intention of surprising them with a little shock value. Or, I very well may die on the hill that is fishing the dry fly. That noble effort is worth something, isn’t it? I might fail miserably, but at least I’m not failing because I’m being boring.

This summer I was fishing the Driftless region in Wisconsin. Prior to my trip, I’d done a pretty good deal of requisite research. These fish were apparently pretty picky, spooky, and typical of spring creek trout. They would require long, delicate tippets and well thought out presentations. Part of that was figuring out generally what the fish would be eating, and what might be a good representation of said foodstuffs. One bizarre thing kept popping up: the pink squirrel.

read more

Fly Fishing, Vacation, & Writing In It

Ah, vacation.

I don’t vacation often. “But, Matthew,” you  say, “you’re always talking about amazing fly fishing exploits.” Well, then I have used the power of the pen to sufficiently fool you into thinking I get out more than I do. It isn’t deception, per se, I just optimize those few chances I get. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, and all that jazz.

Regardless of your opinion of the  transparency of my creative process throughout the other hundred or so pieces I put out over the course of the year, today I’ll be crystal: 

I am on vacation.

It isn’t that I don’t have some riveting fly fishing related thoughts to share. In fact, being on vacation has really stimulated some interesting (in my opinion) content. I’ve been fishing  quite a bit, and so generating that will be effortless and natural. There have been a number of conversations with people that are going to make for great posts. And I even had a negative experience! That one will be fun to share, but will need a little more thoughtful nuance so it doesn’t sound like just the rantings of a disgruntled angler. Although that can be a good read…

read more

Heading Home, Moving Upstream

Casting Across isn’t really about me. I’m not a huge fan of writing about myself, and I dislike reading what I’ve written about myself even more. And if I don’t want to read it, why should I expect anyone else to? That is why I try to focus on the quarry and the culture of fly fishing, only mixing in a bit of self deprecation in as the feeling strikes me.

At the same time, context is key. And the context of life for the past year has been returning to Virginia and the Mid Atlantic.  The next setting for  fly fishing, life, etc. is going to be New England. Again.

Among many other things, that means a second chance at fishing places I never got to the first time around. That means making good on “I really wish I would have” statements. That means practicing what i preach by discovering new water and learning to love it for more than just the quality of the fishery.

Tailwater trout, sea run brookies, estuary stripers, and canal carp are not opportunities to which I should turn my nose up.  With an open mind and some perspective, I’m confident that I will form new home waters and favorite day trips.

read more

I Bought a Hat, You Get a Free Sticker

All the way back in the winter, I saw a hat that I really liked at The Fly Fishing Show.

Okay, I saw lots of hats that I really liked.

There are plenty of companies putting out great looking gear for fly fishers, but RepYourWater has been at the forefront of angling style for years. State or region-specific designs are their bread and butter, and allow people to show pride in their home or favorite fisheries.

I saw one, wanted it, but didn’t pull the trigger until just now.

But  what hat is it?

You tell me, and you get a sticker.

That’s right, the one form of currency in fly fishing culture that equates to the gold standard: a sticker. You get to pick whichever RepYourWater sticker you want!

Here’s how to win:

read more