Fly Fishing Books, X

How does your fly fishing library look? Along with keeping tabs on your favorite fly fishing websites, what tangible resources do you keep within arms’ reach?

At and given point in time, I have one fly fishing book that I’m working my way through. Often it gets whatever is left after a day of work and study. But it is good to have a ribbon draped across a page that takes me to the water.

Even if it is only one small shelf, there is a lot of value in a personal fly fishing library. This is the tenth installment in my fly fishing book recommendation series. If you’re looking for a couple of ideas to start or grow your library, this article and those that came before it might be a good place to start.

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.

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Podcast Ep. 131: Guide Communication

Maybe, just maybe, your idea of hiring a fly fishing guide simply entails fish. Big fish, lots of fish: fish.

While I don’t think anyone would object to catching fish (and big ones, and a lot of them), there are a few other things that separate the good guides from the not-so-good ones. More importantly, there are some things that separate the great from the good. If you’re going to be spending hundreds or thousands of dollars? Great is probably what you’re looking for.

In this podcast, I try to nail down some intangibles that have made my guide experiences great. I think it is worth paying attention to as you plan your next excursion.

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

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Cast from the Past

Many years ago, a time when I was less  aware of clutter, I accumulated things. This isn’t to say that I don’t accumulate things now. I do. Fly rods. Comfortable socks. Tools I kind of need today and might need again sometime before I die. But as a teenager, I kept a lot of garden-variety  oddments. Ticket stubs. Altoid tins. And catalogs.

The catalog: Not as clumsy or random as a website. An elegant medium for a more civilized age.

Some would come seemingly at random. Like mushrooms, you’d automatically receive thick copies of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s catalogs a few times a year. Inevitably from some survey or purchase, your data would be sold and a bevy of discount outdoor outlets would also enter into the mix.

For the fly fisher, the real gems came from two other sources. Both of which were also print media.

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How to Read a Fly Fishing Gear Review

I’ve reviewed a lot of fly fishing gear on Casting Across. But I’ve read exponentially more than I’ve composed myself.

In the past 20 years, I’ve bought gear based upon positive reviews. I’ve also decided against equipment because of negative reviews. My life (and shopping) is one piece of evidence that demonstrates the power of a published opinion. The thing is just like gear, reviews themselves can be good or bad. For example:

  • A positive yet badly written review will paint a product in a negative light.
  • A somewhat negative, but nuanced and explanatory review will get someone thinking.

Since a Google search will yield dozens of pieces on any given piece of gear, it pays to be able to think critically about what you’re reading. Here are three things I consider when I read and write about fly fishing gear. Also, I want to share a little bit about how I go about reviews on Casting Across.

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Podcast Ep. 130: Fly Fishing Accusations, XIII

In this week’s episode, I answer questions about rods, reels, and leaders.

But they’re some awfully specific questions. That being said, I’m confident that you – the fly fisher – will appreciate and benefit from the scenarios that elicited these questions. What pushes us to experiment and innovate is questions, problems, and curiosity. While I know I’ve failed in my attempts to try something new, I have also found some things that really work very well. Hopefully what I talk about today gets you thinking and trying new things out on the water.

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

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See Fish Like a Pro

For years I’ve advocated spending money on the gear that matters. In fly fishing, rods get all the love. But even in the hands of a skilled caster, a fly rod will only be as good as the line being cast. Whether you’re catching  a lot of fish or not, you’re definitely going to be on your feet all day. So invest in good wading boots. Perhaps most importantly, your sense of sight is key to finding fish and fishing for them. It only stands to reason that sunglasses are an integral piece of gear.

For each of the aforementioned items, another $50 or $100 takes you from decent to excellent. It is an investment. But for you? It may very well make a lot of sense.

Recently I upgraded my go-to sunglasses. And I went from excellent to next-level.

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Slow Your Retrieve

Slow catches fish.

Fast is glamorous. Fast is easy. Fast doesn’t require as much nuance or patience. Fast catches fish as well, but fast is like the sports highlight: it happened and it was memorable. However the majority of the game was much more reasonably paced.

For every strike that follows a wake-inducing, double-fisted retrieve, there are dozens more that follow a slow hand punctuated with subtle taps and pauses. Fast has its’ time and place. Quickly turning to a blazing retrieve can be a sign of impatience. Perhaps it is a way of attempting to leverage effort into a fish biting. This, of course, is illogical. It is a classic example of working harder and not smarter.

There are plenty of reasons why you should slow down your retrieve under most circumstances. You know you should. Sometimes, though, it helps to have the why behind the what. Here are three things that might help you keep slow in mind when popping that popper or stripping that streamer.

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Podcast Ep. 129: Fly Fishing (with Kids)

I’ve written a lot about fly fishing with kids over the years. However, this is my first podcast on the topic.

In just under 20 minutes, I go over three ideas that will probably be helpful as you fish with your own children or the kids in your life. I’m not an expert, but I am a dad who is trying to get my boys to love and take care of the outdoors.

Also, if you don’t have kinds in your life: You can translate 90% of what I say into how to fish with a new angler. Including getting them good books!

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

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The Fly Fishing Syllabus

“Hi Matthew. Ashleigh gave me your number. I’m not a fly fisherman, but I’m interested in getting into it. Anyways, we’re thinking about offering a class and wondered if you would have any interest in teaching it. Think about it and give me a call back.”

It was hardly a big break. However, after trying repeatedly to secure a job anywhere near the only fly rods in town for over two years it felt like a serendipitous possibility. I had a taste of working at a fly shop, guiding, and teaching casting in Northern Virginia. In South Carolina I didn’t have the array of opportunities. It wasn’t that I was looking to make fishing my career: I just wanted to be in and around it… and to make a few bucks.

A friend of a friend had left the message. He worked for a big church in an urban center, and had been tasked with creating some engagement programs for the congregation and the community. He had quickly lined up things like scrapbooking, stamp collecting,  and canning. What caught his attention was the chance to offer something he was looking for himself. He wanted to see it happen, and I was quick to oblige.

So, what do you teach if you are going to teach fly fishing? If you were given six hour-long sessions, what would you cover?

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Waders With Zippers: Worth It?

Upon  zippered waders for the first time, I’m sure that I’m not the only person who had the following thought:

“Are these just to make going to the bathroom easier?”

I had other thoughts that accompanied this mature observation. First of all, premium waders come with a premium price tag. Any upgrade adds to that total. Practically speaking, there was skepticism over putting my dryness in the hands (teeth?) of a zipper.  Plus, more parts and seams add risk to something failing. Failing is not something I want my waders to do.

Years later, and here I am fishing in a pair of zippered waders.

So what of my concerns? The more I got thinking about it, every pair of waders I’ve ever owned has failed from a puncture or at a seam around the knee. Above the waist isn’t ever an issue. As it relates to staying dry, I’ve used enough “waterproof zippers” in other applications to have confidence in a good product.

The final hurdle is the cost. For added cost to be justifiable, there must be added value. That is an equation which is subjective for any of  us. However, for the reasons I’ve already mentioned and the four I’ll outline below, zippered waders are worth it in my opinion.

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