Catastrophic Creek Circumstances: Curse? Coincidence?

I don’t think that the stretch of stream was cursed, per se.

If I had to address the phenomenon that I experienced while fishing along this particular section I might use the term coincidental. But I’d say it with a wince and sideways glance. So, not a curse: just a really unfortunate set of circumstances that just so happened to have some cartographic similarities.

What happened? Nothing too dangerous. I did lock my keys in the car, lose the felt off my waders, tear a gash in the side of a book, get stalked by two mountain creatures, and endure a handful of other less-than-desirable moments. It is hardly the Bermuda Triangle. But it is suspicious.

Why did I keep going back? That is a good question. But there is a simple answer:

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VIDEO: Redington Landing Pad

There are a lot of ways to store waders and boots in the back of your car. Some prioritize accessibility, while others cater to ventilation.

There are many approaches to getting in to and out of your waders and boots. All of the good ones protect your gear, but most leave you with a wet mat in the back of your car.

The Landing Pad from Redington is an inexpensive storage and changing solution that doesn’t force anglers to compromise. Not only does it provide  nearly 8 square feet of surface area for your to stand on while pulling your waders on or hopping back into your shoes, but it serves as a waterproof barrier between your gear and everything else in your car.

Sometimes a simple piece of gear will make your trips to the water easier. I’m confident this one fits the bill. Check out my short video review, along with a couple of pictures, of the Landing Pad below:

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Podcast Ep. 121: 5 or 6? The Weight Debate

A fly fishing debate as old as the rivers themselves: Which weight should you fish if you want the quintessential trout fly rod?

First of all, there is no right answer. That doesn’t stop me from trying to answer, though.

I go through a handful of categories and considerations that lead me to answer this question. I suggest that you listen, think through each of the situations/scenarios I discuss, and then come to your own conclusion.

And, of course, there is nothing keeping you from buying (at least) one of each…

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

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Getting the Value Out of Your New Fly Rod

So, you’ve just purchased a brand new fly rod. Congratulations!

You’re probably holding the tube right now. It feels good, doesn’t it? But go ahead, open it up. Take the butt section out of the sock. Remove the plastic from the cork. Okay, now you can’t return it. Maybe that is for the best. Because right about now the reality that you’ve paid five hundred dollars for a graphite fishing pole is setting in.

Oh I’m not judging you. In fact, I’m a little jealous. But this isn’t about feelings or emotions or anything qualitative like that. We’re going to engage in a little cost analysis. Nothing complicated, mind you. No spreadsheets or graphs. No fancy words like amortization or… well, I don’t know a whole lot of fancy money-words.

The purpose of this conversation is to establish when your fly rod has paid for itself. That might sound awfully un-fly fishy. Not romantic at all. Still, if you need to justify this (or the next) purchase you need to be an informed consumer. You need to realize what that money is actually going towards. Ready? Get out your graph paper and slide rule. The following guide will explain how to know that every penny of that $500 was well spent:

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Grabbing the Right Forceps for Fly Fishing

Forceps or pliers should be found on every angler on the water. They cut line, crimp barbs, adjust split shot, untangle knots, tighten knots… and release fish.

It is a plus that you can get functional forceps for under $5. I’ve owned plenty of $5 forceps over the years, and many of them have served me well. At the same time, you can get some really good forceps for between $15 and $25. Those extra few dollars will not only often get  you better performance, but it will probably buy you a couple of helpful features.

Below are over five considerations worth thinking about as you browse the fly shop – either online or in person. Chances are that any pair you pick up will work. But if you take a few minutes, you might be able to find that almost-perfect pair of forceps or pliers for your fly fishing:

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Podcast, Ep. 120: Fly Fishing Accusations, XII

One of the biggest drawbacks to the last year has been the significant reduction in organic conversation. Sure, there are still opportunities to get together. It just isn’t as easy.

However, I’ve had an uptick in online interaction with listeners and readers of Casting Across. I’m always happy to get messages, and I do my best to respond in kind.

As I have done since the beginning months of the podcast, I’m taking this “10th” episode to read and interact with some emails. I touch on flies, forbearers, and faith.

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

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Fly Fishing Controversies: A Media Statement

“Hey Matthew, what do you think about…”

I’d be lying if I said that my inbox was inundated with questions about my opinion on various things in the fly fishing community.  But it does happen. Moreover, it happens quite often when hanging out with angling acquaintances.

Between Casting Across and my own general interest, I’ve made it a habit to read, watch, and listen to a lot of what goes on in and around fly fishing. There is so much good. There are so many positive things. I’d wager that an overwhelming number of fly fishers just love to grab their rod and go catch a few fish… and that is the sum of their experience. So I keep Casting Across pretty upbeat. Even when I am critical, I try to keep the door open for education or redemption.

Still, there are a handful of controversial topics. These days they pop up online for mass consumption. But they’re not any different than what was discussed at the fly shop counter or lodge bar years ago.

Today I’m quickly commenting on 8 current hot topics within fly fishing. I’m not the authority, but I do have a few thoughts:

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Lid Rig: Hats Off to Innovation

The Lid Rig is a stainless steel nipper that uses magnets to attach to any appropriate surface. Opposing magnets also pop the jaws open, eliminating the need for a spring. The sharp, precision aligned jaws will cut through monofilament, fluorocarbon, and even braided backing. The Lid Rig retails for $74.95.

Understandably, that last bit of information gives people pause.

Scott Wilday, the man behind Lid Rig, gets it: “Honestly, I was shocked when I realized how much people were paying for what are essentially fingernail clippers.” But as an angler, he also gets it: “I know why so many people buy them and use them. Because there is something there: something cool, something that works, something you’ll use.” And at under $75, the Lid Rig comes in on the less expensive end of the premium nipper scale.

Plus, Wilday set out to design the Lid Rig to separate it from the other quality nippers on the market. “I like the people in fly fishing and I like the fly fishing industry. So from the start I asked, ‘What is a problem I can solve?’”

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Podcast Ep. 119: 3 More Things I Wish I Knew – Fly Tying

If you think the first fly to come off of your vise is going to look like something you’d mount in a shadow box, you’re going to be pretty disappointed.

Truth be told, there are plenty of reasons why beginner fly tyers get frustrated, stall out, or give up. I have done all of those in the past 20 years.  However, I really made some efforts to get this fly tying thing figured out over the past 5 years or so. I’m no expert, but I’m more proficient and happier… and my flies look better, too.

Today I share three things that have made me a better tyer. Had I known them 20 years ago, who knows where my flies would be!

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

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Trout & Feather: February

Fly fishing isn’t necessary in the same sense as food, shelter, and health are. But the peace and respite it provides are invaluable for us. So we’re planning on going fishing.

Whether it be because of travel restrictions, health concerns, or financial limitations, going fishing has meant staying fishing for a lot of people. Thankfully, many people have options close by. It might take reframing what fishing looks like for you. It might even take some of that invention that pops up when things get complicated.

This month, on Trout & Feather, I share three ways to reframe your approach to fly fishing in “Leaving the Beaten Path (Out of Necessity).” Each involves staying close to home, while leaving the beaten path that most anglers stay as close to as possible.

I also feature a few videos from Trout & Feather. Both feature the famous? infamous? sucker spawn in their header image. I’ll leave that there and let you scroll down to see why I chose them.

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

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