The Culture of the Fly Fishing Industry

The judicious reader of this website will be well aware that he may encounter content that is fly fishing adjacent. The  very subheading of the website, in contrasting white for all to see, promises that what follows is about “the quarry and culture of fly fishing.” The quarry is the fish. But as soon as you delve into rods, flies, locations, history, or conservation you’re squarely within the category of culture. Try as you might, you can’t have one without the other.

This reality does create some consternation among anglers, from time to time. If paid attention to, the sheer volume of the stuff and the marketing and the social media intensity can be off putting. For what it is worth, there is a kernel of truth in that sentiment. But there is more to the industry than that. Here are three observations:

  • Fly fishing is a small economic fish in a big outdoor industry pond.
  • No one is forcing you to scroll Instagram, attend a film festival, or read this website.
  • The vast majority of people are in it for the genuine love of the quarry and the culture of fly fishing.

And I have a great example of that third point.

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New Humbling Perspectives

Perspective is incredibly valuable. For example: I have been fly fishing, inside and around the industry, for over 25 years. I know that there is a lot of gear – a lot of gear – but I’m comfortable picking out what I need and discerning what is necessary. But when I try to pick out a few things for myself as I take my boys skiing? That is  completely different story. A humbling one, in fact.

Going from a higher aptitude in one arena to a significantly lower competency  in another brings a lot of perspective. On one hand it is humbling. On the other, it is incredibly enlightening if you’re just starting out… or helping someone else start out.

I’ve come to these three conclusions:

  • There is a lot of gear out there.
  • The quantity of gear out there shouldn’t keep you from having fun.
  • True experts encourage beginners.

Whether you’re looking to head downhill or up the river, read what I mean below.

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Podcast Ep. 271: [Cast1] How Fly Fishing Works

The Cast1 series of the Casting Across Fly Fishing Podcast is all about exploring the fundamentals of fly fishing. In each episode, there will be plenty for newcomers and seasoned anglers alike.

Today we’re answering these important questions:

  • What makes fly fishing different than regular fishing?
  • Why would someone choose to fly fish?
  • How might fly fishing be your only option?

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

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Introducing the Cast1 Podcast Series

The Casting Across Fly Fishing Podcast has been “on the air”  for over 5 years. From day one, the podcast has been about providing something different in a remarkably crowded space. There are plenty of great shows with interview and roundtable  formats, most of which run for close to an hour. My goal is to add a brief, digest-style option for anglers looking for a quick fly fishing bite.

For the next nine episodes, I’m going to take that same formula and put together a series focused on introductory fly fishing content. I’m calling it Cast1.

Whether you are  flirting with fly fishing or are a seasoned vet, I think there will be something for you. For newbies, I’ll walk you through the essentials while giving you some direction on where you can get more info. If you’ve been fishing long enough to be a teacher, I’m confident some of the language and concepts I use will help you help others. And who knows, maybe you’ll learn something yourself.

Check out the prospective slate of Cast1 episodes on the Casting Across Fly Fishing Podcast below:

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A Tippet Take: True & False

Recently the good folks at Hatch Magazine published an article entitled “Let’s Stop the Tiny Tippet Nonsense.” Essentially, it argues that 6X and 7X tippet isn’t a necessary or ethical choice for fly fishers pursuing trout.

I want to be clear: the intention of the article is good and there are some good, thought-provoking areas of emphasis. At the same time, I think that it represents a narrow frame of reference at best and a black-or-white perspective at worst.

As someone who endeavors to use the heaviest tippet I can get away with, but also fishes a lot of tiny midges  on spring creeks, I have thought a lot about tippet. Consequently there are some things in the piece I agree with. But I also object to some statements that are made.

See two true points and two false assumptions, along with a link to the original article, below:

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Podcast Ep. 270: Fly Fishing Accusations, XXVII

Oh I’ve got some good emails this week. All thanks to you. I mean, it wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining if I read emails I sent to myself outloud, would it?

This time around I talk about spacing out your fly rod purchases, finding an all-around wading boot, and climate change. Yes, one of those is quite different than the others. But hopefully my ramblings will be helpful in some way, shape, or form.

And as always, thanks for your emails. Keep them coming: even if they aren’t accusatory.

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

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Nostalgia, Sweaters, & Trout

I found the gift bag in the van after church. “Oh, that is a birthday gift,” my wife said. I pulled back the tissue paper and saw that it was a sweater. Shamefully, my initial reaction was not unlike  a child receiving a sweater on his birthday. Then I pulled the garment from the bag. As the cream crewneck unrolled, a marvelous sight came into view.

It was the leaping trout. The Kilbourne trout. The Orvis trout.

Stitched onto this soft, perfectly sized sweater was one of the most iconic fish in angling art. This vintage Orvis pullover was in mint condition. As I looked it over, the original “inspected by” sticker fell  out onto the van floor. And to top it off,  it fit perfectly

Ironically, I am confident that I made fun of this exact sweater 25 years ago. As a young fly fisher browsing through the Orvis catalog, I’d laugh at the idea of wearing pheasant feather bow ties, plaid shorts, and certainly trout sweaters. Yet there I was, overjoyed at someone’s thoughtful thrift shop find.

What changed? I think there are a few reasons… and I think I’m not alone.

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The Fly Fishing Show: Kids’ Highlights

Days and evenings spent at various outdoor expos are important for Casting Across and a lot of fun for me, personally. But there is a three-hour chunk of time that gets written in ink on the calendar by my kids. Since 2018, the boys get a morning or afternoon at The Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, MA.

Since we homeschool, we’re able to head down on the less-busy Friday. They pretty much dictate what we look at and how much time we spend doing so. As the oldest two are getting more responsible, I let them have a little bit of independence. Add in some fast food, and it is a mark on the calendar that we all look forward to.

After our 2024 trip, I asked them what their favorite part of the Show was. Here’s what each of them cited as a highlight… along with the swag each they picked up.

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Podcast Ep. 269: Dumbing Down Fly Tying

I mean that in the absolutely most positive way possible. Heck, I had to dumb down my fly tying when I started (and restarted) so that I didn’t get so frustrated that I threw my vice through the wall.

So, apologies out of the way, what do I mean by dumbing down fly tying?

Some of the biggest hurdles that beginning tyers experience have to do with the sheer diversity of skills and materials that some common patterns incorporate in a tiny hook shank. All I’m advocating is taking a few steps out. You might be okay with this stripped down approach, or you could very well build from that baseline to go on to the next level. Either way, you’re going to be tying flies that catch fish.

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

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Top Fly Fishing Books for Kids

There are few gifts that you can give a child that can have as much of an impact as a book. Between the valuable skill of reading and the even more special benefit of reading together, a book does things that few toys or electronics can.

A quick search online will yield plenty of titles promising tips and tricks for kids to catch fish or proven methods to get your kids to love fishing. The best of them, in my humble opinion, get kids excited about the idea of fly fishing. Couple that with time outdoors and time with you? That is all they’ll need to pursue whatever it takes to keep fishing.

Before you buy tiny waders and a new 4-weight with a small grip, pick up a few books and integrate them into your bedtime routine.

Here are 4 of the top fly fishing books for kids:

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