Trout & Feather: December ’21

That is me. And I’ve obviously caught a largemouth bass. Aside from those two facts there’s not a lot of certainty I have about this picture.

Why should that matter to me? Or, more pertinently for the reader, why should this photographic mystery matter to you?

I have a good reason why this all matters to both of us. But first, let me provide some background information: I have a small photo album with a wooden cover that sits on my dresser. It is there because it has always been there. For something like 15 years, this gift has wedged itself snugly in between a humidor, a Chicago Bears stein that holds loose change, and the spot reserved for my wallet. Inside are a number of fly-fishing photographs. There is a picture of my first trout, my first steelhead, and my first trip to the Appalachians. There is a picture of me being instructed in casting by the late Leon Chandler. There are also pictures, like the bass shot in question, that have lost their backstory.

15 years ago, I deemed it worthy for inclusion. Today? I’m not sure why.

There is a link to the rest of the post, Thousands of Words after the jump.

But before you do that, be sure to check out the two videos I’ve included in today’s post. One is a serious look at Tim Cammisa’s fly tying essentials. The other? Well, serious isn’t the word I’d use…

Watch the videos, and find a link to the article, below:

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Podcast Ep. 161: Is Invasive a Bad Word?

This week is a quick sprint through a sticky subject: which species deserve to live in any given area?

In part, I’m responding to an article that questions the demonization of invasive species. Generally speaking, their point is a good one. However, some of the implications of the article are troublesome.

As anglers, we have a responsibility to steward our resources.  This means making decisions on when to interfere, when to remediate, and when to simply let things be. This all matters, because healthy fish populations depend on such choices.

Listen, think about it, and let me know what you think.

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

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The Heroes of Fishing Stories

The best heroes are flawed. The simplest explanation for this is that we can identified with such a person. Sure, there are plenty of deep literary nuances that a reader with an analytical mind can probe and ponder while reading about protagonists with obvious shortcomings. That is fine. For most of us, we read ourselves into the main character. We want to be the hero. And we know that we are flawed.

Any fly fishing story worth its ink has a hero. The dragons of these tales usually aren’t fish. The journeys are hardly comparable to a trip to Mordor. But there is still a person, and it is through those eyes we see places and ears we hear words with which we can relate. Norman Maclean, Nick Adams, and even the non-fictitious John Gierach spirit us away to rivers where we’ve never been.

The thing is, they might be rivers where we’ve never been; but we can be there. That means the heroes of fly fishing stories are not that different than you and me. Their exploits, while remarkable, are usually only the products of circumstance and observation. Because the most memorable stories containing the most heroic anglers aren’t just about big fish.

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Interview: Rethinking Waders

Outside of a rod, reel, and line, the most important (and expensive) gear for the fly fisher is waders and boots. Along with keeping you dry, waders and boots ensure that you stay comfortable and safe. For those good reasons, these items also end up costing more than everything aside from rods and reels.

In the last quarter century, wader technology has come a long way. Canvas gave way to neoprene, which eventually relinquished it’s crown to breathable nylon. Wading boots went from oversized molded forms attached to the bottom of waders to footwear designed with the same rigor as high-end hiking boots. What fly fishers are wearing in the water today is a far cry from what their grandparents donned in order to walk into the river.

But fly fishers aren’t the only people who wade. Conventional anglers, waterfowl hunters, and countless others who spend their time outdoors waist-deep  in something want the best gear possible. Consequently, there is a lot of gear out there. Knowing your options, even if it means flipping do a different section in the catalog, might help you as you walk to what you want to be doing outside.

Recently I talked to Kevin Gentle, a sales manager at the  outerwear fixture Frogg Toggs, about what is out there for people looking to step into the water. Here are some highlights of that conversation:

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Podcast Ep. 160: Fly Fishing Accusations, XVI

You write, I respond. And it is one of my favorite parts of Casting Across.

This week I discuss net storage, what to wear inside your wading shoe, and fishing alongside someone who thinks existential thoughts. These three reader/listener comments were really good, and I  think that you’ll benefit from my answers to their questions. And, as usually happens, some of the tangents pursued along the way.

I also mention some of the changes that you’re currently hearing and seeing on the website and the podcast.

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

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Give the Gift of Fly Fishing

If you look back at previous years’ gift guides, you’ll find some common themes. I always recommend small businesses, American made items, and some of my favorite gear. As much as possible, I attempt to source items that span the price spectrum. Often, I try to showcase things that I have used over a prolonged period of time. Something else that you’ll see, article after article, is one quasi-intangible gift suggestion.

Give the gift of fishing.

I usually follow up that suggestion with a few general ideas on how to make that work. But today, I’m going to give some specific ideas on how to make it work. Take them completely, if you will. Or, alter them in a way that suits you or the recipient of what might be the best gift of this holiday season. Because going fishing might be a whole lot more than a wow, thank you on Christmas morning.

Here are a few things you can do:

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Changes at Casting Across

Since I started Casting Across in 2015, my desire has been to share the things I enjoy about the quarry and culture of fly fishing. I set a standard for myself: three posts a week. So, for six years I’ve been publishing content every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Every once in a while an article gives me difficulty. But by and large, writing has been a consistent and fun part of life.

Something else that has been consistent with Casting Across is a lack of marketing. I’ve maybe sunk $50 into ads in the past six years. I think I’ve read one article on optimizing my site’s appeal on search engines. There have been sponsors, but they have all been short-term, handshake deals. Since this isn’t my job, my focus has been on what you read and not how you read it.

Recently, I decided that things needed to change.

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Podcast Ep. 159: Happy Thanksfishing

Happy Thanksgiving from Casting Across!

On today’s episode, I share three things that I’m thankful for. Each one is directly tied to fly fishing, but there is a lot more involved. I’ve found that some of the best angling memories that I’ve made and the most profound fishing moments I’ve experienced have a lot more underneath the surface than just fish.

Hopefully I can give you a few ideas of how you can get out on the water, but also get some perspective on what it means.

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

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Rusty Flybox: Showtime

Earlier this week, I shared three things that you’ll get if you go to a fly fishing expo.

To be honest, there are a lot more than three.

Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve marked certain winter weekends off on my calendar.  What started as a chance to learn more about fly fishing turned into a great opportunity to buy new gear. But that shifted into a weekend of catching up with acquaintances and meeting new friends in fly fishing. Ironically, I feel like I’m back at the place where I learn a lot when I spend time at a show.

Today, I’m revisiting three older posts about fishing events. One is my passive-aggressive/humorous thoughts. The other two are interviews with other people sharing their reasons for going: one is with my kids, the other is with The Fly Fishing Show CEO.

Read all three articles here:

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The Fly Fishing Show: 3 Things You’ll Get

In the last 20 months, most fly fishers have been able to get out on the water without too many hassles. For all the inconveniences and serious caution that we’ve had to endure, the rivers and the fish haven’t been significantly impacted.

However, there are plenty of other fly fishing activities that have been on hold.

Even though the quarry has been generally accessible, other aspects of the culture have taken a pretty consequential hit. Although it might sound about as counterintuitive to what most people are looking for in fly fishing, group gatherings play a crucial role in what we do. Fly tying nights, conservation banquets, and outdoor expos are all important for our sport and important for us.

For thousands and thousands of fly fishers from California to Massachusetts, The Fly Fishing Show is one of the most noteworthy gatherings of the year. There was no show circuit in 2021, but everything is full steam ahead for 2022. Here are three things you will get if you attend a stop of The Fly Fishing Show in your region this winter:

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