Is an Old Fly Rod Enough?

November 15, 2016

Congratulations to Michael from Ohio, the winner of the Casting Across Anniversary giveaway!

I want to thank Michael and everyone else who has read and subscribed. Also, a huge thank you to all of my partners, including Monthly Fly, Risen Fly, Trout Life, and Vedavoo.

Keep reading for more great things to come…

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Every once in a while, in a moment of weakness, I wonder why I have expensive gear. Generally, I come to my senses immediately and realize that I can cast faster and fish harder when I “have my premium rod on.”

But sometimes I do wonder

I have my grandfather’s fly rods. He wasn’t a fly fisherman by any stretch of the imagination. As far as he could recall, he used them a handful of times in Wisconsin for bluegill and little pike. They are beat up bamboo, glass, and cherrywood fly rods of dubious origin.

Why wouldn’t they be sufficient for the majority of my fishing – bass ponds and medium-to-small trout rivers? I only cast 20-30 feet most of the time. A “better” rod would be handy, but not at all necessary.

Before eyes begin to roll and anger starts to mount, let me say that I am happy to have an array of rods that fit into practically every niche imaginable. (And I could always use one or two or seven more.)

Hopefully you’re somewhat introspective about your hobbies. Fly fishing practically begs it. There’s the whole romantic notion of standing in a river and reaching out to a wild creature that can’t be seen until you fool it. The fly rod is usually the focal point of this quasi-mystical relationship. So it makes sense that fly rods have a special aura about them.

Fly Fishing & the Back Roads of Memory

November 14, 2016

I used to keep track of all the placed that I fished. In a black and white composition book, I’d jot down the name of the stream or pond. When I had the time, the species of fish I caught would also be noted. It never got to the point of writing down conditions or flies, let alone how many fish I was able to get into.

For whatever reason, I stopped the practice years ago. Laziness was undoubtedly a significant factor, but I was also fishing more. On a weekend fishing trip, I might bounce to four or five spots. I’d forget where I had been, and then the list seemed less legitimate. So for all intents and purposes, I can’t know for certain everywhere I have gone fly fishing.

So when I am driving down a back road and I get that I’ve fished here before sense, I generally assume that there is some credence to it. Especially if you live somewhere for a prolonged period of time, the chances that your angling travels will effectively canvas an area are great. You may only cast a fly in any given stream a handful of times, but you will have been there.

Without getting all whimsical, I can confidently assert that there is a lot of truth to the idea that we change a lot like rivers do. What you’re then left with is water that is constantly being altered while you are growing and changing as well.

All of that is to say this: it can be exciting to return to those waters that you may have fished a long time ago but have since forgotten.

Last Cast of the Week: Election Edition

November 11, 2016

What a week. There are a lot of particulars I’d like to comment on regarding the state of our country. However, that isn’t what Casting Across is about.

I am aware that the priorities and policies of an administration can have significant implications for water, land, and the fish that we’re trying to pursue. At the same time, I can’t begin to assume that fish are more important than people. But, that doesn’t mean that fish and the wild places in which they live aren’t of immense value.

So how do we communicate that to people of red, blue, and green values? Is it possible to be affirming of who someone is and what they firmly believe in… but also disagree? And to do it in a way that is respectful, honoring, and decent?

Unfortunately, the answer today seems to be a resounding “no.”

A Hat for all Fly Fishing Seasons

November 9, 2016

August 26, 2004. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. My brother bought two hats at a store during a buy-one, get-one 50% off promotion. For my birthday, he gave me a bright blue, unstructured Chicago Cubs cap from Twins Enterprises.

It was just what I was looking for.

Since I started fly fishing, I had worn a number of hats. The guys on Saturday mornings wore hats, so I knew that I needed to as well. Early pictures of me on the river show a mixed bag of sports teams and conventional tackle hats. In the photo of me holding my very first trout on the fly, I’m sporting a black and gold Zebco Rhino hat. Flat billed and high crowned in 1998, I was cool before cool was cool.

As I became more steeped in the culture of fly fishing, I realized that any old hat would not do. I had to spend more money to wear something that made a statement. Obviously. I went to Orvis and bought a super-drab, tan and olive hat with a brook trout stitched on the front. The bill was a little long and the metal clasp on the back started to turn the back of my head green after a few months, but it was a legit fly fishing hat. I wore this all throughout high school and into college. It got gross from sweat, creek water, and whatever chemicals come off frosted tips. It was the 90’s, after all.

Then in college, I began to do some sales for a small fly rod company. They sent me a hat, and I felt obligated to wear it. I had sold out, and I knew it. My head was a billboard. Honestly, I doubt any of the rods I sold came as direct result of someone looking at my headwear and making a decision to buy an expensive fishing pole. It was a dark period for hats.

Around this time, the super-nasty, beat to a pulp, scratched brim, dumpster hat was a thing among college guys. And guess what I was. One could walk into a Lids and buy a pre-scuffed hat, but that was the do not pass go, do not collect $200 poseur move. I wanted that hat, but I wanted it on my terms.

Those Who Can Fish, Teach!

November 7, 2016

“I know what it means… I just can’t explain it.”
In one way or another, I’ve worked with young people for the past dozen years of my life. Early on, I realized that I was getting a lot of engaged expressions and eager nods to statements and follow up questions of “do you know what I am saying?” Many times, I’d even be able to get a reasonably cogent answer from a request for regurgitated information. However, things began to fall apart when I’d ask for them to restate the answer in their own words.

What really changed my paradigm of education was when I became aware of how many words young people (all people, really) use without understanding what they mean. That is where “I know what it means… I just can’t explain it” is truly problematic. The inability to articulate is indicative of a deficiency at a fundamental level.

I’m confident in asserting that if you can’t explain it, you don’t get it.

What does this have to do with fly fishing? Well, think of it this way: Can you explain the basic mechanics of a cast? Could you give a quick overview of why the feeding behavior of fish changes with the weather? Why should I buy a medium-action fly rod over a fast one… or vice-versa?

Dropped: What You Might Lose Fly Fishing

November 2, 2016

It was the most subtle of sensations, but it was different. I was walking through tall, wet grass alongside a spring creek. The sodden blades had soaked my shoes and bottom eight inches of my pant legs. My toes were wet, and I could feel the dampness on my ankles. So I was quite surprised that I even felt the slight tap on the back of my heel.

When I turned around, there it was: my little fly box.

I’d been negligent. The three-by-two case was completely filled with flies. I hadn’t unloaded it in months. There were tiny midges, poppers, streamers, and who knows what else crammed into the little box. Dozens of flies.

Secured to my sling pack by just a clip, it made sense that it would fall off. That day I had been bouncing from spot to spot, taking my pack off and throwing it in the back of the car. Things get jostled and fasteners get loosened. So there it was, laying on the ground.

I’ve been lucky. I can’t recall anything of value that I have lost while fishing. And really, isn’t fly fishing the kind of activity that is just perfectly suited to losing things? You take dozens of tiny objects deep into the woods and stand in moving water. That is a recipe for disaster if I’ve ever heard one.

Good Times, Good Stuff

October 31, 2016

Casting Across celebrated its first anniversary this past weekend. And as is the case with any good celebration, there ought to be gifts. So gifts there shall be.

I’ve partnered with four great companies – companies with great people that I’ve had opportunities to interact with over this past year – to put together a pretty exciting gear package. And what do you need to do to be eligible to receive all of this? Just subscribe to Casting Across!

More about that in a second. Here’s what you’ll get:

Monthly Fly – 60 trout flies in a Tacky box

Risen Fly – 4 fly boxes (waterproof, mini waterproof, slim, & super slim)

Trout Life – Baseball Shirt & Trucker Hat

Vedavoo – Escape Pack

Again, all you need to do to be in the running is to enter your email in the box below or on the right sidebar of the website. Also, your address will need to be in the United States. Your information will be safe; all you’ll receive is a notification when new content pops up on Casting Across.

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Thanks again for reading Casting Across!

Happy Birthday to Casting Across

October 28, 2016

One year.

160 posts.

Too many alliterative titles.

Lists for the sake of lists.

Articles about fishing… but not really about fishing.

Lots and lots of people reading my thoughts about fly fishing (and some other stuff) along the way.

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I still haven’t written too much about why I am writing about fly fishing. Obviously, I enjoy it. But, like my appreciation of fly fishing itself, there is a lot more to it than just this website. However, I’ll save that for another day in the near future.

Stay tuned. If you haven’t subscribed yet, take a moment to do so. There are some good things coming soon that you won’t want to miss!

This has been a great year, and I am exceedingly appreciative for everyone who has read, liked, followed, and subscribed. Thank you. I want to give you something to check out over the weekend. Here are the three articles that premiered with the launch of Casting Across, on October 29th of 2015. I think that they’ve aged well and deserve a read:

Dogs & Pipes

A harrowing tale of adventure and youthful exploration.

Finding Fiberglass

The revelation of hidden treasure right below my nose.

Gear Review: The Vest

A totally serious, industry standard-setting, breakdown.

Fly Fishing Fall Foliage: 3 Tips

October 26, 2016

Let’s talk about leaves.

“Why? What to leaves have to do with fly fishing?” you might ask.

First, you need to read Trout Are Made of Trees to your child, grandchild, or self. So, there is that. More than the scientific benefits of understanding the relationship between foliage and fish in general, there are some matters to discuss pertaining to fall specifically.

Leaves change the way that you approach the river. Yes, that is correct: in the fall, leaves can impact your fishing in a way that requires you to adapt. Here are three things that you might not have necessarily thought of that may be worth contemplating as you head out for some of the best trout fishing on the calendar.

Leaves on the water

I fished a Pennsylvania freestone stream one fall that was so totally covered in leaves that it made fishing practically impossible. The water was low so there wasn’t a lot of flow, there was a windstorm that shook most the leaves off the trees, and I literally could not fish. Casts were catching leaves in the air. Flies, even heavy streamers, were landing on leaves and fouling immediately. Fly line would sit on leaves, and cause all sorts of drag. It was miserable.