4 Ways to Avoid Risk While Fly Fishing

At a recent presentation I gave on backcountry fly fishing, I was discussing the benefits of maps. I talked about tracing the topography to determine gradient. I shared how certain features indicated where the smallest of tributaries or springs might be located. I spoke  on how the usefulness of maps was in that they were a starting point for exploration.

And then a woman in the audience made the comment that they could save your life, too.

An excellent point. And it is one that I can honestly say  I haven’t given enough attention on Casting Across over the years. While I routinely herald the joys of adventure and the wonders of pushing further into the wild, the inherent risks and appropriate mitigation efforts can’t be undersold. Or: have fun, but be careful.

Here are four things worth doing to stay safe if you’re going out of the direct line of sight of the parking lot while fly fishing:

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Podcast Ep. 323: Why You Should Fish the Driftless

It has been a long time since I’ve covered a destination. And the dead of winter is as good as it gets when it comes to talking about travel.

On one hand, it is fun to daydream about trout when it is frigid outside. It is also a great time to start putting plans together to make a few trips. But in the case of this week’s area of focus, you could actually head there and fish dries today.

And it isn’t a tailwater down south. It is in the heart of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and parts of Iowa and Illinois.

I give a quick synopsis of why you should fish the Driftless. And to put a fine point on it, I tack on an apologetic for the Pink Squirrel.

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

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3 Tips for Your Next Bass Fly Rod

Most trout anglers have been enlightened by the joy that comes from tangling with a big smallmouth on a fly rod. Aside from the aggressive, powerful fight, the entire process is refreshingly different than the usual 5X tippet and tiny nymph scenario. Tossing a popper while wet wading in sandals is more casual Friday than normal fly fishing may be.

But you may have also noticed that there are some limitations that come with just picking the biggest trout rod and biggest trout flies for the job. They’ll work – don’t get me wrong. But there are limitations. So you’re thinking it might be time to pick up something specifically for bass. That might be the right call. It might be unnecessary, but it is at least worth considering if it is something that will be worthwhile.

So what to do?

Go to your local fly shop. Talk to people who know and fish for bass. Cast anything and everything you can get your hands on. But keep these three things in mind as you begin your shopping journey for your next fly rod for bass:

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A Fly Fishing Show Schedule

The first outdoors show I attended was outside Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia. As a teenager who had only been an avid angler for a few years, only exposed to the handful of brands carried by my local tackle shop, it was eye-opening. And I was hooked. Since then, I’ve been going to fishing, hunting, and fly fishing shows on a nearly annual basis. The Fly Fishing Show has been a part of Casting Across since the site’s inception.

That said, I think I have an idea of how you can maximize your time at an outdoor show. More than just walking the aisles with a wad of cash or gleaning free stickers from every vendor, tapping into the fullness of the scene will make your day (and your entry fee) worth while.

Here’s an “itinerary” I would suggest to a first time attendee or to someone who hasn’t felt they’ve gotten a lot out of previous days at events like this:

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Podcast Ep. 322: Your Next Bass Fly Rod

The 6-weight  rod that you already own will work. It will work really well. You’ll be able to catch smallies and have a blast doing it.

But there are some drawbacks to a lighter rod. If you want to cast all the bass flies, if you want to cast for distance, or if you want to cast some versatile lines, you’re going to need a bigger rod.

If you have found yourself hitting this wall on your local pond or you’ve decided that warmwater fish are this season’s goal, check out some of the preliminary recommendations and  suggestions in this week’s episode.

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

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Rusty Flybox: It Is Cold

I love fly fishing in the winter. I love not fly fishing in the winter.

Sound a bit confusing or contradictory? Well, it isn’t. You see, both the river and the hearth have their advantages and disadvantages in the coldest months. It is usually a fish plus discomfort versus a no fish plus comfort equation.

Today I’m sharing three practical articles on cold weather angling.

  • How to ensure you can fish dry flies year round.
  • Why we endure the frozen extremities.
  • Where you can find open water when everything else is frozen.

Read each article by clicking on the title or image below:

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It Sounded Cold

Driving home from his meeting, he noticed a car parked next to the river. The pull off was next to a trail, which wound through the woods and down into the river valley. Where it intersected the water, it presented the traveler with two choices: upstream to the dam or downstream to the wide, glassy water. After two weeks with highs in the twenties, downstream was certainly covered with ice. He’d have to walk upstream to find trout. But he was going 50 in a 40. The car on the side of the road had a brook trout sticker on the back window. He wasn’t going fishing. Whoever parked was most likely fishing, most likely headed upstream.

A malaise kicked in when the maybe I can was quickly dashed on the rocks of early morning meetings and other, scattered obligations stretching into the next week. Those calendar obligations were the conscious coverup of the subconscious dread for ice lined banks guarding tight lipped trout. It was cold. The fishing was slow. Both would hold true for at least two more months.

Pulling into the garage, waders  were hanging feet away from his trunk. As the mechanical door lowered, a gust of wind caused one neoprene booty to extend ever so slightly towards a rear fender. He didn’t have a brook trout sticker on his car. Should he? Inside, the pile of mail and casual conversations with family were a welcome distraction. Navigating his way to the office was more precarious.

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Podcast Ep. 321: 3 Fishing Things You Could Do Better

The real title of this episode is much, much longer. But you’ll have to listen to hear what it is.

That said, today is all about making some small changes to preparing, casting, and presenting your fly that will pay off significantly. I don’t often promise that my advise will immediately lead to more fish… but refining these tactics will absolutely lead to more fish.

We all have areas where we can improve as anglers, and it is encouraging to know that there are some small areas of refinement that take a little bit of effort but will yield real benefits.

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

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9:2025 in Fly Fishing

As is holiday tradition, I’m keeping things brief this New Year’s Day.

Using the magic of social media algorithms, I was provided with these nine images from this past year. Although I shared three big lessons I learned in 2024 earlier this week, I figured I could offer up nine pieces of encouragement as well. Or, if you’re the kind of person that does such things, fodder for fly fishing resolutions.

Here are 9 potential resolutions based upon  9 of last year’s experiences:

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2024: A Year’s Outdoor Lessons

Over the life of Casting Across, I’ve posted various retrospectives at the end of the year. We’re naturally creatures that invest a lot of meaning in taking down an old calendar and putting up a new one. (Side note: What is with the tiny format this year, TU?)

This year’s focus is on what I’ve learned through what I’ve done. I’m sure there is value in rattling off a list of fly fishing accomplishments: rivers visited, fish caught, and podcasts downloaded. But what is more helpful, for you and for me, is to see the kinds of things that spurred growth in the last year. Things that happened in 2024 that will impact 2025. And things that have repercussions that may very well go far beyond fly fishing.

With that said, I’ve winnowed down my 2024 into three outdoor lessons. Only one is specifically fly fishing related, but all three certainly have angling implications. More importantly, each has implications that extends into other facets of life:

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