Stop the Clocks: Fall Bass

Bass are unaware of Daylight Savings Time. They don’t have an emotional response to the first frost or “sweater weather.” They certainly aren’t swayed by the pumpkin spice-ification of the world. This does not mean that bass, like any other fish out there, are not impacted by the temperature shifts that accompany the change of seasons. What it does mean is that these fish might not be as seasonally sensitive as we are.

The action isn’t going to be the same as post-spawn and summer fishing. The days are shorter and the water may very well be lower. The thermal fluctuations of the water will have an influence on the metabolism of fish: which, in turn, influences the way in which they feed. But they will still feed. And, depending on where you live, there might actually be an uptick in action on warm(er) fall days.

So while trout streams may become more active and attractive in the fall, don’t sleep on your local bass water. The fish are there, are active, and are willing to chase a fly. Here are four things to consider as you bundle up for bass this autumn:

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Podcast Ep. 209: Tributary Time

Even though the footprint of the Great Lakes’ tributary system is relatively small, its’ opportunities are significant and easily accessible by most people in the US.

Whether you’re chasing steelhead in Pennsylvania, lake run browns in New York, or salmon in Michigan, you have the opportunity to tangle with huge fish in smaller rivers. Some days are incredibly hot, while others might make you wonder if you’re completely in the wrong place.

While there are certainly some situation-specific techniques that will put you on fish, being there and putting in time is the most important thing. It feels like “you should have been here yesterday” is a common refrain in Great Lakes tributary fishing. Today I talk about getting on the water. Take that first step and yesterday can be today (you know what I mean).

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

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A Clean Fly Rod is a Happy Fly Rod

Whether you are putting your fly rod away for the winter or you finally realize that your cork handle is what has been stinking up your truck’s cab, you should definitely take the time to clean your gear.

Just like anything else, fly rods need maintenance. While they are not technical or complex by any stretch of the imagination, there are certain components that can get damaged by repeated, routine use. Simple and commonsense steps are all that is needed. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of commonsense and simple things. Thankfully, that is all it takes to keep a $100 or $1,000 fly rod in action.

Here are five things that you can do to keep your fly rod happy and keep yourself on the water:

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What is Worse than Losing a Fish?

For a split second, my brain doesn’t comprehend the implications of the sensation. Where there was once tension – a pulsing fish pulling against the line and the current – is now simply slack. It takes a moment to wrap my head around the fact that the fish is gone. Next comes frustration. It might be a few choice words. It could be a whip of the fly line. It may simply be an empty stare.

The frustration is the result of there being no payoff. No fish in hand. No follow through on what was started. The reasons are myriad: a bad hook set, too much slack, too much pressure, a bad knot, a submerged log, or perhaps even a fish that happens to be really big/smart/strong. It is hard to nail it down. Some combination of human error, trout nature, and general circumstance conspired to the end that there is nothing at the end of my line.

It doesn’t feel good. It is part of fishing (that is why they don’t call it catching, etc.). It happens to everyone. It gets to swim away to fight another day.

But when an animal doesn’t get to swim, walk, or fly away and you lose it, that is worse than losing a fish.

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Podcast Ep. 208: 7 Year Fi(t)sh

Casting Across is a lot more than written and spoken words.

For 7 years, Casting Across has been the vehicle for my interaction with the people, places, and things that go into the pursuit of fish. Today, I talk about a few aspects of this past season of my life that you might find interesting.

The core of Casting Across is just that: my desire to share something interesting about the quarry and culture of fly fishing with you. Hopefully one of these topics will resonate and get you thinking and fishing.

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

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The Gift Guides… They’re Coming

The neighbor to one side of you still hasn’t removed all of the fake spiderwebs from her bushes, and the neighbor on the other side is staking illuminated reindeer down in his front yard. Thanksgiving (the superior holiday, mind you) is a turkey and pie speedbump that simply launches our culture headlong over Black Friday and towards Christmas. And there is no stopping it.

You may have already received the emails. If you are on a fly fishing distribution list, if you have ever bought something angling adjacent, if you have ever stepped foot in or near an outdoor establishment; know that your @whatever.com is squarely within an entire horde’s sights. All you are is another credit card number susceptible to clever marketing.

They’ll offer you free shipping. They’ll offer you 12 days of percentages off. They’ll offer you the world. And like a farm-raised turkey used to being greeted by the friendly farmer, you’ll yield.

Because it is fly fishing stuff. And we all want it under the tree.

Here’s how to navigate the coming onslaught of ads masquerading as gold, frankincense, and myrrh:

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7 Years of Casting Across

In early October, 2015, I grabbed up the domain name and social media handles for “Casting Across.” For that month I fumbled my way through website design, font choice, and how the internet really works. I polished up some rough drafts I had kicking around on my hard drive. I began to go through my digital photo library. By the end of the month, I had launched a little website where I planned to explore the quarry and culture of fly fishing.

This past weekend marked the 7th anniversary of Casting Across.

Casting Across was created for these main reasons:

  • I wanted to share the minutiae of fly fishing: the small experiences, pieces of gear, and moments that we all appreciate but don’t get a lot of recognition.
  • I wanted to write without inhibitions. Vocationally, as a pastor, I am joyfully constrained by my  subject matter. Fly fishing writing allows me to say whatever, however I want.
  • I wanted to keep a foot in the fly fishing world. After working at a fly shop and running a camp for years, I missed being involved with a diverse group of great people.

Over the past seven years, I can say for certain that all of those goals have been accomplished. And I look forward to how they continue to be met in the future. Today, I want to share some of the most popular articles over the history of Casting Across. I also take a stab as to why they’ve been well-received by you.

Here are some highlights from over the past 7 years, and a few of my thoughts on each:

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Podcast Ep. 207: Minimalism? How About Maximalism

We’ve all seen that guy: he’s got the entire Orvis catalog hanging from his vest.

…okay, I’ve been that guy. Maybe you have too.

In a lot of ways, fly fishing and other outdoor pursuits have shifted away from carrying more to taking a minimalist approach. It is a great thing. You can move lighter and faster. You can spend more time honing skill. You can focus on the experience.

But there are some situations that warrant more. So how do you do that well? Can you carry a lot without being encumbered by fly boxes, gadgets, and angling miscellany? I think so. I talk about it this week.

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

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This Land is Your Land (So Fish It)

Earlier this week I posted an article about fishing in National Forests. A good number of people found it interesting enough to read, and I hope that it was also a useful reminder that there are millions of acres of public land that are accessible. Last year, I put together a similar article regarding National Parks. In a similar vein, my encouragement is to look for angling opportunities alongside of all the other outdoor recreation in federally managed lands.

The truth is that there is a lot more out there. A lot more land that you can fish, use, and enjoy.

With the most robust federal entrance pass (which I explain below) you get access to the following:

  • National Parks
  • National Wildlife Refuges
  • National Forests & Grasslands
  • Bureau of Land Management Sites
  • Bureau of Reclamation Recreation Sites
  • Army Corps of Engineers Sites

Of course, there are countless options for cultural, historical, and other outdoor-related activities that dwarf the available fishing across these diverse locations. But that isn’t a bad thing. It just means there is something for everyone. And there is still a lot of fishing. It usually just takes an inquisitive mind and the ability to click around federal websites and maps.

What are each of these federally managed lands?

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Fly Fishing Your National Forests

There is a good chance that if you’re reading this, you enjoy National Parks. These special tracts of land  feature some of the most breathtaking and unique natural treasures across the country. Consequently, in 2021, the National Park Service saw nearly 300 million visits.

If you’re looking for quiet or solitude, that number and what it represents could potentially give you pause. If you’re looking to fish in certain places at specific times of the year, you might have a better chance of hooking a fellow tourist than a rising trout.

But what if a park eliminated over half of its access roads? What if there were limited visitor amenities (such as bathrooms and ranger stations with WiFi)? What if there were thousands of acres that could only be approached by foot, paddle, or off-road vehicle?

That all exists. And it is yours to enjoy and to fish. Just like all US citizens have National Parks, we have their wilder and more rustic cousins: National Forests.

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