2025 was a great year for Casting Across. A brand new YouTube series and live presentations started of the year. There were articles, podcasts, and a decent number of fish. By the time fall rolled around, this little fly fishing project was celebrating its tenth anniversary.
There are a handful of reasons why I “do” Casting Across. One of the primary purposes is the interaction with the wider fly fishing community. The views, downloads, and subscriptions represent people (usually). Those people represent a great diversity of experiences and facets within fly fishing culture. And those people are you.
Below you’ll find links to the content that was viewed the most this year, from this year. Two articles, a podcast, and a video are included. The A/V content is embedded, and you can click on the articles’ images to get the full posts. And Happy New Year from Casting Across.
It was clear that he assumed I was a little nuts and was as concerned with his own well-being as a local as he was for mine as a misguided and potentially misanthropic actor. And he was right. About Spring Creek, at least. It was quite the trout stream. The catch and release, fly fishing only stretch was known for the big, wary rainbows and browns. Anglers came from hours away to show up early, secure a spot, and drift miniscule midges in front of the same selective fish for the better part of a whole day. It does hold a certain allure, I admit. But it isn’t exactly the kind of explorative, wild fishing that scratches a pioneer itch that we all need to scratch from time to time.
2025 Show Report: New Fly Rods
The Fly Fishing Show is often the best place to go hands-on with gear that has just been or is about to be released. In fly fishing, on the pinnacle of that gear pile sits the fly rod. There are a lot of fly rods at the Show. From under $100 to over $1,000, there are bamboo, fiberglass, and graphite options that range from state of the art to antique. The biggest labels and garage makers alike have their handiwork on display. With casting pools available for anyone to use, it is worth picking up a rigged up rod from a booth and playing around for a bit. If things aren’t too crowded, you even have the opportunity to cast two similar models back-to-back. It is a great way to make a decision. It is also a great way to see what is new and noteworthy in fly fishing.