You don’t need to be a physics or geometry expert to be able to use a fly rod well. But there are a few ways that even the most rudimentary grasp of scientific or mathematic principles will help you on the water. For example: manipulations of your rod grip are telegraphed exponentially up to your …
I can cast just fine. Why would I need a lesson from someone else? Professional golfers have swing coaches. Veteran quarterbacks go to training camp. World-class marathon runners get input on their stride dynamics. So even if you’re not fly fishing with the hopes of ending up on a Wheaties box, you can’t say that …
You’ve got a fly rod. You’ve wrangled a few dozen flies into a box. You’ve even managed to get a hot tip on where some trout might be found. …now what? Having all the gear and all the intel won’t amount to anything unless you can cast your fly and cast it in the right …
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question “what line weight should I use for trout?” The same holds true for smallmouth, pike, striper, panfish… you name it. Every species, and any circumstance you might find yourself in while fishing for that species, can be pursued with a range or rod and line weights. While …
The previous post on Casting Across explored a few quick ways to practice casting. Anyone and everyone should feel like it is okay to head out to the yard and work on fly casting. When it comes to form, there is some that is certainly better than others. When it comes to habits, there are …
Practice makes perfect. That is a great sentiment. But when you’re dealing with wind, big flies, and overhanging trees there is no such thing as perfect. However, with enough practice and on-stream experience you can get much, much better. And while river hours are nice because they translate into fish, the fish are a great …
“Throw a tailing loop.” I stared at Dave. “On purpose?” was my confused reply. “Yes,” he urged, “cast with a tailing loop.” My next cast was perfect. “No. Again.” My next cast was perfect. “No. Again.” Getting frustrated, I jerked my fly rod back and forth quickly. “There it is! Good job!” His praise was …
There are very few things that an angler can control while fly fishing. You can’t force a fish to be in a spot. You can’t demand that a fish eat your fly. And, of course, you are totally unable to dictate weather and water flows. But you can control your cast. In this episode I …
If you can get your fly to a fish, you’re casting good enough. However, if you want to cast with a little more accuracy, distance, or reduce fatigue after a long day on the water you might want to think about how you can tweak your cast. In this episode I talk about three simple …
Some fish are hard to catch because they are spooky. Others are just too far away. Others still have a chronic case of lockjaw. Then, there are fish that are perfectly willing to see and take your fly… you just can’t get to them. Because they’re under things. Rocks. Logs. Culverts. Rhododendron tunnels. If there …
