Casting Across: Like, Share, <3


I don’t ask much of my readers. Aside from tolerating the occasional rant, sifting through language that may or may not be sarcastic, and dealing with an endless regression of in-site links, reading Casting Across is a relatively simple task.

I know that most writers say this, but I can assure you that I mean it. I am not writing for fame or fortune. I legitimately enjoy it, and hope that I am adding something to the culture of fly fishing.

Here is how that looks: It is very rewarding when something I have written sparks some dialogue online. Even more so, when I occasionally have the opportunity to do so in person. It is also very gratifying to know that someone is enjoying their experience of being out on the water a little bit more, and some sundry way, because of the site. It is only natural that this happens more when more people are reading.

So here is my request…

One simple favor…

It will only take a minute…

read more

Rusty Flybox: Big & Little Fly Fishing Retail

This past week I wrote about a less-than-pleasant experience that I had at a fly shop. This unnamed establishment seemed great by every external standard, but fell short on the particular day that I was shopping for some unknown reason.

A lot of people read that article. Probably because negativity sells. Controversy, conflict, and contrarian opinions get the clicks. That wasn’t my intention,  but it certainly happened.

In the interest of being fair and balanced, I thought I’d link to some older posts with some different perspectives and more positivity  about fly shops.

Below are two pieces that explore  the multifaceted and important role that retail plays in the culture of fly fishing:

read more

A Bad Day at the Fly Shop

I was looking at reels for a long time. A long time. Across the counter, he couldn’t have been more than three feet away. Not once did he look away from the computer monitor.

Now, I shouldn’t have been surprised. When I walked in, I didn’t get a “hello” or even a head nod. When I asked if the nets on display were new I got a quick “yup.” And later, when I left, the only sound that followed me out was the beeping of the door… which was presumably installed with the sole purpose of letting the proprietor know that the temperature was about to shift ever so slightly.

Could I have gone into the fly shop on a bad day? Sure.

Might there have been some significant bookkeeping issue that required his utmost focus? Yes.

Is there a chance that he had something overwhelming going on in his personal life? Absolutely.

…or maybe he just didn’t want to talk to me. A customer. Who fly fishes. That was in his fly fishing establishment. Me, who is also always willing to buy a hat, shirt, or local flies – just because.

Not that day.

read more

7 Fly Fishing Labor Day Facts


It is Labor Day. Everyone celebrates this delightful, national holiday; few understand its significance.

Aside from commonly being confused with Memorial Day, there is a lot of history wrapped up in the unofficial start of fall.

Moreover, it is significant to fly fishing. For example, did you know:

  • On Labor Day, there is always a mayfly hatch in the Western states – sometimes it is just very, very light.
  • On Labor Day, every fly shop that is open sells flies at the regular price.
  • On Labor Day, tailwater dams are always regulated so that the temperature at the bottom of the lake is consistent.
  • On Labor Day, brook trout always feed.
  • On Labor Day, the weather is usually just a little bit warmer or a little bit cooler than you would expect.
  • On Labor Day, every state is open to bass fishing (unless there are regulations that prohibit it). 
  • On Labor Day, you can always go fishing… but it might cause family drama when you are not at the annual cookout.

Have a great Labor Day, and tight lines/belts.

Rusty Flybox: Stuff I Use

I use stuff and I write about the stuff that I use. That isn’t uncommon for outdoor writers, bloggers, and the like. What I don’t see as much (and I wish I did) is updates or follow-ups  regarding product reviews and/or previews.

Today I’m sharing a quick updated word on two of the small but integral products that I’ve been using for nearly a season of fly fishing. Furled leaders from Appalachian Furled Leader Co. and the fly patch from Pirate Fly Fishing have basically been involved in one way or another in all of the fishing that I have been doing since the spring.

Here is the great thing about both of these products: they only cost a few bucks. Check out what I have to say about them today, and then go back and read the original article (the photos below act as links) to get a better overview of what makes these “little” pieces of gear so valuable.

Is there a new or underappreciated yet essential piece of fly fishing paraphernalia that I should know about? Let me know in the comments or contact me through the site!

read more

Fly Fishing Kickstarter: A New Species of Fly Box

Everyone is trying to build a better mousetrap. In fly fishing, it seems like fly boxes are the equivalent of mousetraps.

Think about how many different styles there are. Think about how many different materials, shapes, sizes, and mechanisms go into fly boxes. Then, think about how they are essentially all combined in different ways to produce dozens upon dozens of channels for storing your flies.

Like most fly fishers, I like gear. “Stuff” is an integral part of angling and other outdoor pursuits. New mousetraps have different levels of excitement and hype around them, and fly boxes – as mundane as they are – generate varying degrees of buzz.

This past week, I came across Ripplebox. It is the latest fly box concept to come onto the scene, and it is being funded through crowd sourcing giant Kickstarter. From my perspective, you’ve got two interesting components going on with Ripplebox:

  • It is one more fly fishing product that is being promoted and funded through crowd sourcing.
  • It is a variation on a fly box theme – the question is if the variation is good or different enough to make it  the next new thing.

So how does it fare?

read more

Where the Light Shines Through

Buying and renovating a new home is an equation that doesn’t equal “fly fishing.”

That’s okay. There’s a time for everything. “A time to tear down and a time to build up.”

The whole thing is overwhelming. As I’m writing this, I’m seeing some trim that needs to be replaced. And a baseboard heater. And some wiring. Honestly, I don’t even know where I’m going to put my fly rods in this house. (Don’t worry, there will be a place.)

I did find what used to be a water feature and a koi pond. But do I have time for dealing with fish that I can’t catch? Probably not. It’d just be one more distraction.

read more

Rusty Flybox: Fly Fishing Still Isn’t Funny

I’m closing on a house today. If my math is accurate, I’m committing to spend… a lot of money. So when life hands you lemons (through your own volition, mind you), laugh to get through the stress.

It is a good thing that fly fishing is so easy to laugh at/with. I’ve written it before, and I’ll write it again: you can’t take fly fishing too serious. Sure, people’s livelihoods depend on selling  rods and protecting our watersheds means a lot more than catching fish. But the majority of this little hobby? There is a lot to joke about.

I mean, people argue about what type   of nylon line constitutes fly fishing. Or, what pictures are “legit” on the end-all, be-all of existence: Instagram. This isn’t CSPAN-level seriousness.

So regardless of how much money your are or aren’t spending today, how many fish you  might not catch, or how long you put yourself together before you snap a selfie with a trout, here are three humorous takes on fly fishing:

read more

Fly Fishing Underneath the Bridge

You’ve probably seen it: someone fishing off of a bridge that is incredibly high off the water. Maybe you have even engaged in this behavior. I suppose you can do it the “right way” by using a saltwater rig with super strong line. Still, I would be very interested to see how someone would manage to deal with catching any fish of notable size under the circumstances.

I’ve even see fly fishers do this for trout, hook up, and then realize that with their 5X tippet and tiny net that they need to run the length of the bridge, scramble down the bank, and land the fish. It works, but it ain’t pretty.

That’s not what I’m talking about.

Fly fishers should fish under bridges… by standing under bridges.  Because, of course, fish live under bridges.

There are plenty of reasons why this is true:

read more

VIDEO: Which Vedavoo Pack Should I Get?

With very few exceptions, I fish with Vedavoo packs. For a few years now, I have found these USA-made fly fishing slings to be the most versatile and user-friendly storage option while I’m on the water.

That being said, there is no such thing as one pack that can do it all. So, I bought two Vedavoo slings: the Tightlines Deluxe and the Beast. Each has moments where they shine, and with both packs in my arsenal I haven’t run into a situation where I have felt unprepared.

A question that I’ve heard a number of times, both online and in person, is this: I see you fish Vedavoo packs… which one should I get?

That is a great question, and if you don’t want to just dive in and buy two packs (which is totally reasonable) there are some parameters that you can look at to determine which pack is right for you.

Here is a short video in which I show off the packs,  discuss when and how I use them, and also wave my hands around a lot:

read more