Joy Seen & Known

Fly fishers should understand joy as well as anyone.

Joy is less about outcomes as it is about opportunity. Or, true anglers celebrate fishing with a similar perspective whether they’re catching fish or not. Dedicated fly fishers just want to be out on the water. Weather, insect hatches, and the bite are merely variables that go into an equation that equals joy.

This culture conflates joy with happiness. Here is the problem with that: Happiness depends on you. You establish a list of conditions or adopt a series of expectations from someone else. Anything short of that and happiness dissipates. Happiness is fine and good. But you can’t count it it anymore than you can count on the fish to cooperate.

Joy only has one condition; one expectation. It is enjoying what is true, good, and beautiful. 

The ethos of fly fishing, among many other outdoor pursuits, prioritizes the joy of observing heaven and nature. The fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains where trout may be found inspire wonder. Happiness may elude you but the joy is always there. Even though there are patently clear curses on the ground, the creation echoes an eon-old goodness. More to the point, it cries out for her Creator’s majesty.

And while He is seen through creation, He is known because of Christmas. Joy to the world, indeed.

Merry Christmas from Casting Across

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Talking Books with the Fly Fishing Consultant

Nearly 25 years ago I met Rob Snowhite when we were both working at the Orvis store in Tysons Corner, Virginia. We’ve both eaten sandwiches all over Northern Virginia, fished across the Mid Atlantic, and read quite a few fly fishing books.

Recently Rob had me back on his podcast, Fly Fishing Consultant, to talk about books. He asked some excellent questions: How do I choose the books I read? What  are some strategies to read more? Where do old books fit into fishing today? We were able to cover quit a bit of ground in just over an hour.   If you’re used to reading, watching, or listening to me on Casting Across, this gives you an opportunity to get my perspective from the other side of the table.

You can listen to the podcast below:

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Podcast Ep. 371: Types of Regulated Trout Water

One of the lessons I learned too late in my fly fishing was that trout live in places that aren’t labeled “trout water.”

Although I love and appreciate the fly fishing only, catch and release streams that are out there, they only represent a fraction of the excellent trout fishing that is available. If you limit yourself to a type of river you’re missing out. Even streams that don’t have any special regulations and allow for the harvest of multiple trout can be great options for the catch and release angler.

Today I approach the topic of regulated water from a general perspective. Take what I say, check out your local regulations, and then pull up a map. Find fish wherever they may be.

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

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VIDEO: Giving a Fly Fishing Book

I could give you a list of the best fly fishing books, providing a virtual bookstore for you to peruse. In one sense, this entire video series is that very thing. However, this video takes a much broader approach to the enterprise of gift giving.

If you know the recipient of your next Christmas, birthday, or “just because” gift, you’re in a great situation. I walk through a handful of categories of anglers to whom you could gift a book. For each I give an example. But there are countless options for each and every one.

Books make great gifts. In fact, it is hard to go wrong with a good, thoughtful fly fishing book.

Watch what else I have to say about giving fly fishing books as gifts below:

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Casting Across Presents at The Fly Fishing Show ’26

In January of 2026, I’ll once again be speaking at the Massachusetts and New Jersey stops of The Fly Fishing Show.

Even though the vast majority of my Casting Across content is not produced before a live audience, I really enjoy the fly fishing public speaking that I get to do on occasion. In my opinion, The Fly Fishing Show is an excellent venue. Not only are there thousands of anglers, but they get to pick from dozens of presentations on a whole host of fishing topics.

This year I’m scheduled for two presentations at each of the shows I’ll be attending: Marlborough, MA and Edison, NJ. I’ll be giving my most popular seminar talk from last year at each show. There is also a brand new presentation that I’m excited to share with the New England crowd. Lastly, details are being finalized for a unique, first-of-its-kind event at the biggest fly fishing show in the country. Stay tuned.

If you are at either show, I’d truly enjoy the chance to meet you and talk fly fishing (or anything else). Here are the details about the presentations at The Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, Massachusetts  and Edison, New Jersey:

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Podcast Ep. 370: Fly Fishing Accusations, XXXVII

Don’t get scammed.

I don’t sound like anyone (I think).

Combat fishing is a choice.

Those three short sentences sum up this edition of my regular “Fly Fishing Accusations” podcast. You ask questions, make comments, and level accusations about those things I’ve written and/or said. I respond. I think it is an awful lot of fun. You might, too. So give it a listen.

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

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VIDEO: Fly Fishing Your National Parks

In another one-minute book review, I give a synopsis of the benefits that come from reading 25 Best National Parks to Fly Fish by Wendy &Terry Gunn. Through tapping into regional experts, they have compiled a resource that is a must-read for any angler who enjoys the National Park system.

Like most guidebooks, 25 Best National Parks is a starting point. But like most good guidebooks it gives you plenty of resources so that you can pursue an exhaustive knowledge of what you need to know before tossing your rod and flies into the trunk of your car.

Bare minimum, this is a fun book to flip through as you daydream about a country filled with angling opportunities.

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

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Dark Skies Fly Fishing: Winter 2025

After meeting the good folks behind Dark Skies Fly Fishing back in the beginning of 2025, I’ve been able to contribute articles to this great new publication over the rest of the year. For a periodical focusing on the Mid-Atlantic, I’m very impressed at the wide range of topics and contributing authors issue after issue.

In the Winter 2025-26 edition my article is called The Letort Library. This small stream was the muse and setting for some truly prominent individuals and moments in the 20th century. I outline a dozen or so titles that are worth owning if you fish the region or are a student of fly fishing history.

Along with my article, there are pieces on the Great Smoky Mountains, improving your Euro nymphing, unique steelhead flies, and more. Click on the link below to start reading and to learn how you can access the whole issue.

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Podcast Ep. 369: [Cast1] Winter Fly Fishing

We’re back into the Cast1 series of episodes. Each focuses on basic information pertaining to some aspect of fly fishing. But just because it is “basic” doesn’t mean the content is only for beginners.

A surprising number of anglers don’t venture out in the coldest months. On one hand it makes sense: it is cold. On the other hand, there are fish to be caught! Even seasoned fly fishers will admit they haven’t dabbled in casting when the air temp is lower than the water temp.

Today I quickly cover an overview of the why, how, where, and what of winter fly fishing. Plus, I give a half dozen resources for going deeper.

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

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VIDEO: 2 Books For Young Fly Fishers

Kids are going to read things that they find interesting. And if your child or grandchild enjoys the outdoors in general or fly fishing in particular, the two books I’m sharing today are surely going to go over well.

First, one of the most popular illustrated fly fishing books out there: Down by the River by Andrew Weiner, illustrated by April Chu. Since it came out in 2018 it has been consistently held up as one of the best fly fishing storybooks for children.

Second is The Orvis Kids’ Guide to Beginning Fly Fishing by Tyler Befus. Filled with all the essential information one need to get after fish with a fly rod, this book is written with accessible language that even older elementary-aged kids can quickly digest.

Both are worth having on your fly fishing or children’s bookshelf.

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

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