The Swirl

Moving towards the water is always a mystery. Remember that fish live where they’re not supposed to live. The last place you’d expect might be suitable for a  small population of something. That could mean a few fish to hand. It also might mean access to and knowledge of your own spot. Someplace you found.

Fish live in places that don’t make it into the guidebooks. Fish thrive in places that aren’t covered by any particular regulations. There are branches of rivers that aren’t on maps, ponds that won’t show up on satellite imagery, and entire creeks that haven’t seen a person in decades. We’re thorough. But nature is very big and we’re very limited. Even in the 21st century, we’re very limited.

Of course the unfortunate inverse is also true. Streams that should hold fish don’t. It could just be the unseen ecosystem. It could be pollution, overfishing, or a near-infinite combination of negative influences. Still, it is always a mystery. The guidebooks and state agencies may say one thing. The truth may be something entirely different.

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Podcast Ep. 109: Wintertime Fly Fishing Time, Part 1



The calendar should not and can not dictate your fly fishing.

Sure, the water might be frozen over. Maybe it is even illegal to fish in certain months where you live. There is a chance that you hate being cold.

Still, you can stay plugged in to fly fishing and everything that entails.

This week, I talk about three things you can do in the “off-season” to keep those fly fishing connections all winter long.

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

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Writing Fly Fishing, est. 2001

My wife and I both enjoy books. Too much, maybe. We’ve got large built-in shelves in our living room. My office is organized so that I am wrapped in bookshelves. There are two more extra sets of shelves in the spare bedroom. That is where my second-tier, rarely consulted fishing books live.

I headed up there to find an old Trout Unlimited magazine. When I pulled on the clump of back issues, a notebook came along with it. It was a black and white composition book. I knew exactly what it was: a fishing journal from 2001.

2001 was an eventful year. I graduated high school and started college. I worked at a fly shop. I had my first saltwater fishing experience. I took my girlfriend (now wife) fly fishing for the first time. And I documented a good portion of that year in this composition book.

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Fly Fishers are Different

Most fly fishers are different. Its the long rod and the thick line. Its the flourished casting such gear requires. Its the trappings and the stereotypes (and the counter-culture trappings and stereotypes within fly fishing). Day to day, we blend in with most normal folk. But on the water? That is where we’re different. We’re the outliers.

Why? Because we tend to not eat the fish we catch.*†

*Are there good reasons for catch and release? Yes.

†Are there fly fishers who do harvest trout and other species? Yes.

Generally, though: we throw them all back. We can probably wax eloquent about the pursuit. There are virtues and joys that come with the challenge and the safe return of our quarry. We should be able to articulate the best practices for conservation. Some ecosystems can only support anglers because of very conservative regulations. Talk that talk. But remember that most people in the world think that fishing results in harvesting.

Okay. Fishing results in killing and eating.

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Podcast Ep. 108: Wading in the Footsteps of Giants

Unless the circumstances are exceptional, the pivotal men and women of fly fishing history can’t offer you hands-on, in the stream instruction.

Their mentoring must occur in the pages of a book or journal; their words and deeds informing and influencing through a necessary medium. Whether you have a “real life” mentor or not, these insights and experiences are priceless. Lasting the test of time, the best of the best understood how to combine the what and the how with the who and the why.

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

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3 Reasons to Fish High & Muddy Water

High water looks intimidating. But  especially in the fall it should be reason for optimism.

Of course, high and off-color water has it’s drawbacks. Wading and access is more difficult. There is literally more water to fish. Regular holes and targets may be impossible to reach. Every one of those concerns is valid. In fact, depending upon the significance of the changed conditions it might be unsafe to even try to fish. However, every one of those concerns has a positive side as well.

Late season rainfall and snowmelt present a few great opportunities for fly fishers because they create opportunities for fish.

Again, don’t let high and muddy water intimidate you. Here’s 3 reasons why you should see bad conditions as a good thing:

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Going & Giving Tuesday

  • Charity shouldn’t be compulsory, but you should be charitable.
  • Financial contributions are often very helpful for nonprofits, but they’re not what they need the most.

A lot of good is done through the Giving Tuesday initiative. And the organizations who benefit from a surge of giving certainly aren’t going to turn their nose up at any support they may receive. Furthermore, an end-of-the-year reminder that prompts someone to offer up a contribution that might have tax benefits is ultimately a win-win.

Still, I stand by the two statements at the beginning of this article.

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Podcast Ep. 107: Waders – Fixing, Buying, Wading

Waders are great until they aren’t.

It is no fun to be wet when you’re not expecting to be wet. That means waders need to be functioning at 100%. If you’re fishing in cold weather or cold water, 95% is no good.

In this episode I talk about end-of-season wader care. Included in that is inspecting, cleaning, and repair. I also share some of my preferred wader repair products and methods. Lastly, I do offer up some advice on buying waders. This is a relatively shallow dive into a deep topic, but it should be a helpful starting point.

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

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Trout & Feather: November

Earlier this week, I shared my annual holiday fly fishing gift guide. Over at Trout & Feather, I decided to take things in a little bit of a different direction.

I don’t want to spoil the five delightful suggestions that I offer up in the article. Let’s just say that they include singing wall fish, garlic and cheese, and industrial-strength harnesses. Is your interest piqued?

This month I feature a few videos from Trout & Feather. One is an unboxing/review video where Tim takes a look at some fly tying tools. The other is a variation on a very, very popular nymph pattern. Both are worth taking the time to watch.

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

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Holiday Fly Fishing Gift Guide

Every year I enjoy putting together a gift guide at the end of the season. I get to look back on the products and brands that impressed me. Then, I share them with everyone who reads Casting Across.

There are a lot of great gift ideas this year; everything from jackets to syrup to art prints to flip flops. Prices range from under $10 to over $600 with a lot of options in between. Along with a short description and a link, I included what kind of person I think that this gift would be perfect for.

Browse through the list (which is arranged from least to most expensive) and see if something might fit in the list of someone you’re shopping for. Or, if you are proactive, maybe there is still time for one of these items to make your list.

Take a look at over a dozen fly fishing gifts below:

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