*Actually* Fishing the Gray

Earlier this week I put out a piece called “Fishing the Gray.” In short, it is a quasi-autobiographical encouragement to get out and fly fish in even the ugliest weather. A good number of people read it. Hopefully, if you were one of those people, you appreciated it.

Still, I can’t help but think that some clicked in hopes that they were going to learn about some River Gray and how one could fish it. The header image is cold but idyllic. If I saw that, I’d be interested in learning more. So if that was you, I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention to offer up an angling bait and switch.

Today I’m righting what I’ve perceived as some level of wrong. While the (slightly altered) header image is not of a river called Gray, I’ll go ahead and break down how I approach it. Chances are you have a stream like this near you. Maybe our streams have something in common.

read more

Fishing the Gray

The streambanks, even the stream bottoms, are mostly bare. There might be snow and ice. Days are short but the cold weather lasts for a long time. Overall, things are gray, It isn’t the same as fishing in the spring, summer, or fall. But it is still fishing. Guides and fingers freeze. Fish, and most fishermen, don’t have the same motivation.

So what is the solution? How do you get up and get out when everything is gray?

It comes down to making a choice. The fishing will be slower and the conditions will be less than ideal, but it will still be fishing. Time in front of the television is fine. Time behind the tying vise is good. A good fly fishing book by a warm fire is excellent. But none of those experiences will put you in direct contact with a fish.

read more

Podcast Ep. 165: Where Do Your Flies Come From?

Today I talk about two topics related to fly procurement:

  • If you buy them, where should you buy them from?
  • Is tying flies economical?

There are as many opinions on both of these questions as there are fly patterns. I don’t pretend to be the expert. But I do have a few simple data points and perspectives that might be helpful as you consider filling up your fly boxes.

And, as always, I’m happy to hear differing opinions!

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

read more

A Quick Cast Back into 2021

These nine photographs aren’t terribly exciting. What they represent is what I did in 2021. They also represent what you “liked” the most about Casting Across last year.

I don’t obsess over the analytic side of Casting Across. But it can be interesting. One of the things that interests me is what interests you.  I write what I want to write and talk about what I want to talk about. Every once in a while, something resonates with the fly fishing world.

Below are some links that reflect the empirical  side of that resonance.

I’ve listed the three articles that were read the most, the links that were clicked the most, and the search terms that people used the most to find their way to me last year. I can’t say that I’m shocked. But again, it is quite interesting. If you’ve been reading Casting Across since the beginning, or if you’re stumbling onto this fly fishing corner of the internet for the first time, check out what got the most pop in 2021.

read more

The Last Time I’ll Fish

Less than two weeks ago I wrote “The Last Time You’ll Fish.” I’ve included a link to the article below, but here’s the gist of it:  There are places that you have gone fishing that you will never fish again. Some of these places aren’t anything special. Others, when framed in this manner, are the kinds of places that you’ll make a concerted effort to get back to. Sometimes you can do something about it. Sometimes, you can’t. My goal in writing? It wasn’t to cause anyone to mourn. Rather, the intention was to share a few works with the intention of getting you to think.

So here I am, two weeks later, realizing I’m having to think about my own words.

When I started fishing in earnest I was in 8th grade. The summer of that year, I moved to a new house that was only a five minute walk from a large pond. The Northern Virginia pond was surrounded by townhomes,  ballfields, and a public pool. But it held fish. There were big bass, plentiful sunfish, and monster catfish.  I could fish there whenever I wanted. Homework was a priority in those days; but it was   behind fishing in the overall hierarchy. Following Saturday morning fishing shows, I’d head to the pond to emulate what I learned from Bill Dance and Roland Martin.

I fished in other ponds in town. Once I could drive, I would fish all over the Mid Atlantic. I went off to college. But I would always return to that pond. For nearly a decade, that pond was an integral part of my life.

read more

Podcast Ep. 164: A Fly Fishing Review

How was your year in general?

Okay. Now: How was your year in fly fishing?

You don’t need to keep a journal or go on some sort of self-discovery session to think about your year on and around the water. Just consider your successes and (relative) failures. Take quick inventory of how you did and did not spend your time. It might not elicit some great course-correction. But, as you’re making plans for next year these thoughts might inform your plans and expectations.

Today I share three things that I can say about the last year in fly fishing. Hopefully it can get you thinking, too.

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

read more

Rusty Flybox: Burnin’ a Hole..

Did you get cash for Christmas? How about a gift card to Cabela’s or Bass Pro? Or, perhaps you were the lucky recipient of store credit to a local fly shop.

Do you feel like you have to spend it ASAP? At least go into it with a little bit of a plan. Even if the money isn’t burning a hole in your pocket, resist the urge to just toss it in a dresser drawer. Take  inventory of your fishing gear during these cold months and figure out what gear you could target.

Today I’m sharing three articles that can help. I’ve got a lot of lists on the site with product ideas and recommendations. These three posts are particularly helpful for:

  • The new fly fisher
  • The fly fisher who likes to read
  • The fly fisher with a dollar amount in mind

Check out the links below:

read more

Don’t Get Cold Feet, Get Fishing

The first time I stepped into a large tailwater I realized I was woefully unprepared. I had the right rod. All the flies would have worked. I could even see fish rising. The problem? I couldn’t stand in the water for more than a few minutes.

The river was much more frigid than anticipated. It was hard to focus. It was hard to have fun.

In all my subsequent trips to big TVA projects I’ve packed and dressed wiser. And once I began to enjoy fly fishing in the winter, I learned that gear alone wasn’t going to ensure comfort. It wasn’t about simply buying what was needed. There were essential things I needed to do to keep my feet happy and warm.

Here are four ideas for your cold water and cold weather wading. Two won’t cost you a dime, and two might be well worth the money they entail. After all, there are few things worse than cold toes while fishing.

read more

Podcast Ep. 163: Fly Fishing Reading, pt. 2

What are you reading?

That is a great question to ask someone. It opens up so many doors for conversation. Within the fly fishing community, there is a good chance that everyone has read something recently. Books, blogs, and even marketing emails use language to communicate our shared passion.

But there is something special about fly fishing books. In this episode, I revisit a few different kinds of books you probably have on your shelf. I also make three recommendations for volumes that are worth adding to your library.

Also, Merry Christmas!

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

read more

Fly Fishing Books, XI

“What do you want?”

Whether it is Christmas, a birthday, or an anniversary coming up, you know you’re going to get this question. You might have some really practical thing that you need. Or, you might want something fun. Something fly fishing-related, even. But for many, picking out gear is an incredibly personal process. It has to fit. And it doesn’t have to just fit you, it has to fit the rest of your stuff and how you fish.

Do you know what is one-size-fits-all? Books.

I like to keep a running list of fly fishing books that catch my eye.  My wife has access to said list, and shares it whenever someone needs a little help come gift-giving time. Or, if I have a gift card burning a hole in my pocket the list reminds me of something that piqued my interest.

So, want something that piques your interest?

As I’ve done for all of the entries in my “Fly Fishing Books” series, I’ve spread the selections over three rough categories:

  • Guide (regional, site specific)
  • Technical (methods, locations, fly tying)
  • Literature (novels, biographies, history)

Check out one kind of each book, why I suggest it, and a bonus read below. And follow the links in the headings to get a copy for yourself.

read more