One of the great misconceptions about fly fishing is that it costs a lot of money to get started. In some ways, that’s true. There are a lot of specialized types of fly fishing and angling techniques that aren’t easy or possible with entry level gear. And although small stream fly fishing for trout or …
Let me be clear: I did virtually everything I should have done beforehand. The rod was stored disassembled, in it’s sock, in it’s tube, sealed. Nothing was applied to the male ferrule. No paraffin, no candle wax, and definitely no nose grease. I know that there are different sides to this debate, but rod makers …
Look at that fly. Isn’t it something? Want to know what its deal is? Okay. First: I tied it. Second: I designed it. Third: I haven’t fished it. I’m sure it would catch fish. If it could. But it can’t. Because there’s no hook point. So, what’s the point? There is a very valid point …
I want to be clear. This isn’t a review of Blue Halo’s new fly rod, the Liger. First of all, the rod hasn’t been released yet and I haven’t fished it. I’m not an ambassador or pro staff or anything of the sort. The closest I’ve come to the fiberglass/graphite hybrid was wiggling a prototype …
Generally on Casting Across, I write what I want to write about. But I still look to see what takes; what catches people’s eyes. In the last year I’ve noticed that one subject has received a lot of attention. Last April I wrote a post on the perfect small stream fly rod. In December, I …
Like many fly fishers, I started chasing trout with a 5-weight. This versatile size worked well enough for most circumstances. As I fished more, and found myself spending a lot of my time on smaller streams, I learned how shorter and lighter rods could be more efficient and effective. And, most importantly, more fun. Back …
This was the worst fly rod ever. Or maybe not. I don’t know. You might like it. But I didn’t. To be honest, there was a time when I liked it. That is why I bought it. I could cast it a mile. In the fly shop parking lot. In my back yard. Even a …
It’s January. When was the last time you cast a fly rod? Many, many fly fishers get out and get after fish in the coldest months and the nastiest conditions. I’d wager that the majority, however, stay inside and simply dream of spring hatches. Both are okay. Both are legitimate forms of angling expression. The …
Sadly, fly line is the piece of gear that lives in the shadow of the stars of the show: rods and reels. But for most fly fishers, line is much more important than a reel. For all anglers, fly line is much more important than we give it credit for. In this episode I talk …
A rod is the iconic and quintessential piece of fly fishing gear. It only stands to reason that a new fly rod under the tree is the ultimate gift for the angler. Buying a fly rod is often a very personal experience. This makes buying one for someone a potentially daunting task. However, there are …
