Fly Fishing Level 1,000

On Friday, I’ll post for the 1,000th  time on Casting Across.

I’ve written about the quarry and culture of fly fishing three times a week, for 333 weeks, over the course of nearly six and a half years. There are plenty of gear reviews, outdoor stories, and articles on technique in the back catalog. There are some real winners and some posts that probably could have used some more editing, thought, or inspiration. But what is here is here.

And while I don’t know what the future holds, my plan is to keep writing and talking about fly fishing. Why? Well, I have at least five solid reasons for keeping Casting Across going. Some have to do with me. Some have to do with you. One of them actually has to do with fishing.

Here is why I still enjoy writing about fly fishing:

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Is Fly Fishing Too Expensive?

We have all heard it before. Fly fishing is too expensive.

Well, let me tell you something: Maybe it is. But there are plenty of other popular activities that cost as much, if not more, money.

How do I know?  I’ve been looking to upgrade my duck hunting gear. By that I mean I’ve been looking to buy duck hunting gear because last season I used a combination of deer hunting and fly fishing equipment. I shot ducks. But as the season went on I realized the limitations of my stuff. My camo didn’t quite blend in. My stocking foot waders weren’t super warm. My (wife’s) neon green kayak wasn’t exactly inconspicuous. Since around Christmas I’ve been hopping online to price out a modest jacket, pair of insulated waders, and watercraft.

And people think fly fishing is expensive?

I’m just thankful I own a decent shotgun, or I might be discouraged enough to call a peace treaty with all ducks and geese. Seriously, things aren’t super affordable; even on the low end of things. This got me thinking: How much does it cost to get started up in some other  activities? If you’re curious, I’ve got 6 outlined right here:

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Podcast Ep. 173: Better, Cheaper Streamer Fishing

Streamer fishing. The ways in which people think about it are much  more diverse in the 21st century, but at the core it is still all about imitating a baitfish to trigger a predatory response.

Whether you want to throw a six-inch, weighted, articulated fly with a PG-13 name or a size 10 gray ghost, there are some gear choices that might make your fishing a little bit easier. As usual, gear is no substitute for experience, skill, and that “it” factor of fishiness. However, you can help yourself a little bit by using some gear that you already have to cast and retrieve streamer patterns better.

Today I share some gear recommendations along with some tactics for streamers.

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

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Your Own State of Fly Fishing Address

If ever there was a trope in commentary, it is to riff on a State of the Union speech. Without fail, in the days immediately preceding and following the actual address and the resultant coverage you’ll see something wherever you may look. The State of Baseball. The State of the Church. The State of Knitting in Eastern Kentucky. Someone, somewhere is writing every one of those headlines as I write mine.

But I’m not writing The State of Fly Fishing Address. Obviously. You can scroll up and see the title of the article for yourself. I’m riffing on the riff. And I’m putting the onus on you.

How do you think fly fishing is going?

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Keep Trout in Suspense

* Disclaimer: This article may offend the sensibilities of anyone who could pass for the caricature of a fly fishing purist. *

In a day and age when more musky-sized, triple-articulated, over-dressed streamers are tied on than blue winged olives, it is often overlooked that there are more subtle approaches to take with a baitfish imitation. Small streamers catch fish. Unweighted streamers catch fish. Streamers fished on a dead drift or gently twitched at infrequent intervals catch fish.

And streamers drifted under a bobber… under a strike indicator catch fish.

Why take a tactic that is already a step away from traditional fly fishing and add another deviation to the mix? Well, first of all it works. Second, as long as the technique falls within legal methods there is really no reason to scoff aside from principle. But again, and more importantly, it works.

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Podcast Ep. 172: Will $5 Help Your Dry Fly Fishing?

Dry fly season is right around the corner. You probably have all you need to take advantage of this magical time of the angling year.

But a $5 purchase could really help your cast and presentation.

What might that be? Well, in this episode I walk through a few pieces of gear and techniques that should be universally applicable for anglers who want to chase trout with dry flies. Experience and skill are probably the most essential aspects of any fly fishing, but it doesn’t hurt to get a little help in the right direction.

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

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How To Not Kill Your Sunglasses

Outside of terminal tackle, sunglasses are one of the most important pieces of gear in fly fishing. You see the fish, see structure, and see the bottom. You get eye protection from the sun and from flies. I personally advocate for spending as much as you responsible can for a good pair of polarized lenses.

I get a lot of pushback. Why? People break, scratch, lose, and otherwise kill their sunglasses.

It isn’t ridiculous to think that something like that might happen. Catastrophic drops, errant weighted flies, and loans to a careless friend  all have their inherent risks. But that doesn’t mean that general, routine thoughtfulness isn’t the ounce of prevention that can keep a premium pair of sunglasses working for you for season after season.

I justify my preference for good sunglasses at the bottom of the post. But here are four simple things any and every angler should do to keep their shades alive, regardless of the price they paid:

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Qualifly Reels: Engineered to Fish

“I use the reels about every day. If I’m not happy with them? Well, I’m certainly not going to sell them to someone else.”

Joseph Banik, the angler/engineer behind Qualifly Reels, cites that level of functionality and accessibility as his highest priority when designing a reel for his 5-year old brand. His fly fishing sensibilities have meshed with his engineering background to create three eye catching reel models for Qualifly. While the colors and unique composition of each reel make them stand out, the caliber and affordability will really make you take a second look.

“It starts with an idea,” Banik says. “Like on the Razorback: there isn’t another reel where the entire frame functions as a drag knob. There are big drag knobs, because people want that.” So on to the design process. What if it was even bigger, but also totally unobtrusive?  Tapping into his years of experience in aerospace, 3D modeling, and CAD, Banik has been able to take ideas and make them into tangible fly reels.

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Podcast Ep. 171: CoronaCast, Week 100

Don’t worry, I’m not talking masks or vaccination or anything like that. It just so happens that 100 episodes ago, I recorded “CoronaCast, Week 1.”

I am talking about how the last two years have impacted my fishing. And, chances are, the last two years have impacted your fishing. Although there have been plenty of things to be discouraged by since March of 2020, there have been good things as well. And life is all about counting your blessings in contrast to difficulties.

After some quick autobiography, I go into some trends that you might want to think about as we move into this coming fishing season. Hopefully, we’ll also be moving past this virus.

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

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No Shame: Tools to Hold & See Flies

If there is no shame in using strike indicators, mop flies, and GPS-enabled cell phones in the pursuit of fish, there is absolutely no shame in using a small device to help you tie your fly on. Furthermore, when has a fly fisher ever been in a place where they can look down on using a gadget without incurring the accusation of hypocrisy?

The most common reasons individuals use helps are eyesight impairments and dexterity issues. Beginners also gravitate towards products that can make their learning curve a little less steep. If you fall into one of those categories, you should confidently and joyfully use whatever you need to use to get fishing. However, those are certainly not the only reasons that a tool can or should be employed.

Cold weather and wind can make handling flies of any size a challenge. If those flies are tiny? A simple piece of gear may very well be preferable to the frustration of frozen fingers dropping bugs or watching the wind send a bunch of midges into  the void.

That is why you might want to consider adding magnification, knot tying, and threading tools to your pack or vest without any shame.

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