Four Friendly Fixes for Fall Fly Fishing

October 3, 2016

For four woefully short months, we get to experience fall. For those who live in latitudes where the seasons change (and I’m not talking about simply going from green to brown, and back again), fall is arguably the best time of the year. Football, cooler weather, pumpkin everything, and pretty spectacular fishing are generally on the docket.
Changes in conditions require changes in approach. Even though the trout fishing can literally be the best of the year, failing to plan is tantamount to planning to fail. The same summer tactics that have been working from late June to September aren’t going to cut it. Bugs aren’t going to be hatching in the hot morning sun, because there isn’t a hot morning sun anymore. The water isn’t going to have as long of an opportunity to warm up, and neither will you as the fly fisher.

There is something inherently disconcerting about changes, particularly as it relates to going from a place of comfort. If you’ve been in a summer groove, making the necessary adjustments to adapt to fall fly fishing could be hard – even if the payoff is worthwhile.

While the particulars of technical presentation and fly selection will vary greatly from the Mid-Atlantic to New England in the fall, there are some general concepts that are universal to regions across the country that go through a change in seasons. I’ve compiled four items of note that I have tried to focus on as much as possible as I physically and mentally make the transition to autumn.

Last Cast of the Week, 9/30/2016

September 30, 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 GrindTV, Leland Fly Fishing, & University of Mary Washington.

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.

So You Know How When: Watching & Waiting

September 28, 2016

F5.

You know what I mean. Sitting in front of your computer, trying to get “work” done, you are drawn back to the webpage that contains the information you want. And you tap F5. Every once in a while, you might actually click the refresh button. If the data isn’t changing enough to make you feel like you’re getting the results you want, you may even relaunch the page, restart your browser, or reboot your computer.

Why? You’re watching and waiting for water.

I suppose that back in the day, people would just plan on going fishing – and then they would go fishing. Perhaps a monsoon at the eleventh hour would deter someone. Or, hearing from a trusted source that the Corps of Engineers are letting a lot of water out might change your plans. But by and large, there was a lot of faith in conditions being suitable for a day on the water.

We have the benefit of being a few smartphone taps away from instantaneous precipitation and river flow conditions. The USGS operates thousands of monitoring stations, and there are more online weather resources than one can count.

So You Know How When: Fish Art

September 26, 2016

So you know how when you are out, and you see a statue or painting of a fish, and you think “oh!”

It doesn’t have to be some specifically fly fishing related artwork, but when you (a fly fisher) see some graphic depiction of fish your attention probably gets grabbed. You could be at an art museum viewing some beautiful oil landscape on canvas, and you’d notice the little figure of a fisherman painted on the bank. You might even look around, smiling, seeing if there is another guy who got suckered into going to the art museum who is seeing this tiny diamond in the rough.

Fish art is en vogue. Some of the most expensive stuff you can get at fly shops and fishing expos are paintings and carvings. Sometimes they will even cost more than the premier rods! But this isn’t what I’m necessarily talking about.

Be honest: you derive a silly modicum of joy from seeing a fountain with a concrete-cast fish on top of it. You might wonder what species it is (probably koi). You might wonder the hows and whys of its inclusion (probably “just because”). And guess what has happened? You are now pondering art, culture, and stuff that is a whole lot more highfalutin’ then casting a fly to a trout.

But that is why this whole angling thing is about a culture and a quarry. Fish, be they trout, bass, or tarpon, are our thing. Not that they don’t belong to others, but our relationship with them is a particular one. Maybe even special. So when we see them depicted in art, we are left to consider if the artist is one of us or if he or she is riffing on our vibe. Either way, it makes us smile.

Not Gone Fishing: Another

September 21, 2016

Another boy, another blessing.

Another chance to share fly fishing, life, and love.

Football or Fly Fishing: 3 Ideas to Help You Decide

September 19, 2016

Football season has kicked off. The pun, as you may have assumed, was quite intentional. When it comes to being a football fan and an avid fly fisher, intentionality is the name of the game.

With weekends being the prime time to get on the stream, and those precious two days also being the principal slots for scheduling games, choices have to be made. Additionally, fall is the best time for both activities. Sure, one can wait until the doldrums of winter to eschew river time and crash on the couch. But that argument falls apart when you live in the south, have steelhead or salmon nearby, or are tough enough to put on big boy/girl waders and fish when it’s a little chilly out.

Once again, it is about intentionality.

Are there hatches, runs, or seasons that you really want to fish? Don’t let a regular season game between two teams you marginally care about cause you undue stress.

Is there a match up that your heart or fantasy lineup couldn’t bear to miss watching on live TV? Then go fishing that morning or the next day.

Last Cast of the Week, 9/16/2016

September 16, 2016

Today, I’m sharing items from World Fly Fishing Championships, Fish Eye Guy Photography, and JOTO.

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.

Waiter, There’s a Dog in My Stream

September 14, 2016

I’m not a dog person.

That doesn’t mean that I dislike dogs. I just don’t have one. And if I did, I don’t think I’d be a “dog person.”

You know. Dog bumper stickers. Life Is Good shirts with funny dog situations. Glamor shots at the mall of my dog and me. Dog people stuff.

There are some things that are quite intriguing about certain dog people lifestyles, however. The whole upland hunting scene look quite posh. And who wouldn’t want to read a book in an overstuffed armchair next to a roaring fire while gently patting the head of a golden retriever? Basically I want the image of dog ownership that Orvis is selling.

What I will not do, if I ever come into possession of a dog, is take it fly fishing.

Fly Fishing Podcasts Worth Listening To, part III

September 12, 2016

If one’s digital footprint on Google is any indication of their contribution to their respective field, then I’m making an impact in the appreciation of fly fishing podcasts. I’ve given suggestions about what you should be listening to two times. I’ve also talked to some of the major figures in the genre and analysed why this sport is such great subject matter for the medium. These three pieces have been read and shared a respectable number of times, and hopefully it has lead to people checking out the excellent content that can be streamed at their convenience.

I’d like to offer up a few episodes that I’ve appreciated over the past few months. There is certainly a lot more quality work out there, and I’ve hardly scratched the surface. Definitely go back to the articles linked to above to see what else is worth listening to. But below are episodes from 2 Guys and a River, Anchored with April Vokey, Fly Fishing Consultant Podcast, and Orvis Guide Fly Fishing Podcast that I think you should take some time to check out.