VIDEO: The Authority on Pennsylvania Limestone Streams

One of the most important facets of anything done for fun or profit is the individuals who will dive deep into the minutiae of things. While the quantity or specificity might not be for everyone, the consequential byproducts usually benefit everyone.

While I personally love the intricate detail of A. Joseph Armstrong’s Trout Unlimited Guide to Pennsylvania Limestone Streams, any angler must admit that the undertaking was impressive. Cataloging any and every spring creek he could find, Armstrong produced a work that still informs and inspires anglers three decades later. If you regularly fish the commonwealth, it is a must-have.

Watch what else I have to say about the book, and find out where you can pick it up, below:

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Podcast Ep. 327: [Cast1] Planning a Fly Fishing Trip

Adventure can be had simply by heading into the wild or booking a stay at the first deluxe lodge that pops up on Google. But there is a better way. And many anglers I’ve talked to wish they had adjusted their fishing vacation plans slightly early on in their time chasing trout.

Today’s podcast is another installment in the Cast1 series. Although it is directed more towards new fly fishers, there is information that anyone should consider. Moreover, it is the kind of thing worth sharing with other anglers in your life.

Plus, you might be interested to hear that of all my priorities when planning a fly fishing trip money isn’t at the top.

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

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A Quick, Great Film on Helping Adirondack Brookies

I only come across a few things in fly fishing that captivate me right off the bat. In my opinion, the short films that Frequent Flyers Fishing have been putting out in such a short period of time fall squarely into that category.

These guys tell simple, straightforward, and meaningful stories. Most importantly, their work captures true aspects of the ethos of fly fishing. Clearly communicated, important in content, and beautifully created, Connected Conservation is another excellent short film project from Frequent Flyers Fishing.

Connected Conservation – A Future for Adirondack Brook Trout explores a cooperative effort between Trout Unlimited and the New York State DEC. Although remote, the headwaters of many major watersheds in the Adirondacks are not immune from threats. These watersheds are also home to brook trout. This video articulates some of the steps that conservation partners can take to make a real difference in these small, special streams.

Watch the video and get all the important links below:

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2025 Show Report: New, Practical Gear

While I am surprised from time to time  with something novel in fly fishing, I think it is safe to say that the industry is squarely in the business of building better mouse traps. Tweaks and variations on themes are fine. If anything, any gear that makes for a noticeable improvement of on-steam quality of life is worth  considering.

Walking the exhibition hall floors of The Fly Fishing  Show I am always on the lookout for new, unique, and helpful equipment. Nearly every company has something of interest. Even if the mousetrap only features shiny new spring colors, they’re worth handling and considering how they’d work for an angler somewhere.

Although there were numerous noteworthy items (including fly rods, which I share last week), I am sharing two that I found particularly captivating. Check out my thoughts on RestorLine and RockSpring Nets below:

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Podcast Ep. 326: Real Easy Reel Maintenance

One of the most amazing things about fly fishing is that the vast majority of our gear works great 100% of the time without paying any attention to it.

One of the most frustrating things about fly fishing is when your gear suffers a catastrophic failure while you’re on the water.

I’m not saying that routine maintenance will avert all disaster. But it doesn’t increase the odds; it certainly diminishes them. Today I walk through the relatively simple process than anyone with a tiny amount of mechanical know-how can follow to keep their reel running smoothly and ready for the upcoming season. I also offer up some of my routine fly line PSAs while I’m at it.

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

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VIDEO: The Best Brook Trout Books

Some of the earliest English writing about the new world included descriptions of the fish that were encountered. Some of those fish were brook trout, and the words penned about these amazing little char have only increased over the centuries.

There are many books that focus on brookies. Some focus on history or lore. Others focus on biology or ecological matters. Then there are works that straight up help people catch fish. Today I’m discussing three that are worth adding to your angling library. One of them is, in my humble opinion, a non-negotiable necessity for anyone interested in eastern fly fishing.

Watch what else I have to say about the books, and find out where you can pick them up, below:

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2025 Show Report: New Fly Rods

The Fly Fishing Show is often the best place to go hands-on with gear that has just been or is about to be released. In fly fishing, on the pinnacle of that gear pile sits the fly rod. There are a lot of fly rods at the Show. From under $100 to over $1,000, there are bamboo, fiberglass, and graphite options that range from state of the art to antique. The biggest labels and garage makers alike have their handiwork on display.

With casting pools available for anyone to use, it is worth picking up a rigged up rod from a booth and playing around for a bit. If things aren’t too crowded, you even have the opportunity to cast two similar models back-to-back. It is a great way to make a decision. It is also a great way to see what is new and noteworthy in fly fishing.

While I could write about a dozen rods I checked out in MA and NJ, I wanted to focus on two new rods from two  established brands. Neither are high-end, but both were a pleasure to cast. Most importantly, I think they are each rods that will appeal to a wide range of anglers. Check out my thoughts on the new Orvis Superfine and the Redington EDC below:

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Podcast Ep. 325: 2025 Fly Fishing Show Recap

As both a presenter and a participant, I spent the better part of two weekends at The Fly Fishing Show this January.

On today’s episode, I give a recap of my experiences and highlight a few things that stood out to me from the Show. I do talk about a few products that are brand new for this season; including two great fly rods. Also, I share a few reflections from my presentations as well as some of the presentations that I attended.  And, once again, I talk about what I think you ought to do to get the most of your trip to an outdoor show.

While the MA and NJ stops of The Fly Fishing Show are over for 2025, there are still 5 more events this season!

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

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VIDEO: A Trout Education Right on Your Bookshelf

You could find a university that has an online program that also offers a class on trout and salmon. That is an option.

Or you could get a copy of Dr. Robert Behnke’s Trout and Salmon of North America.

This book contains a wealth of information directly from the man who was the foremost salmonid ichthyologist in the world. That should be all the endorsement needed, but there is  whole lot more that this book offers. Accessible, entertaining, and beautifully illustrated,  there aren’t many books like this that pack so much content in. Needless to say, it ought to be on your bookshelf.

Watch what else I have to say about the book, and find out where you can pick it up, below:

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VIDEO: Underrated Trouting

Last week I kicked off a new content series on Casting Across. This is the second YouTube book review, and there are at least another ten scheduled to come out in the next months.

I started with Healing Waters by Beau Beasley. It is a newer book that deals with some of the most important subject matter possible in fly fishing.

Today’s video focuses on Ed Shenk’s Fly Rod Trouting. If you fish terrestrials, if you fish spring creeks, or if you are a student of the history of fly fishing, this volume is an essential read. Probably because Shenk fished and lived alongside so many other marquee angler-authors of the mid-20th century, his sole contribution is an underrated book.

I also share a pretty exciting piece of gear connected to the book towards the end of the video.

Watch what else I have to say about the book, and find out where you can pick it up, below:

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