The fly rod. It is a beautiful, functional, and essential part of fly fishing. But if you’re new to the pursuit, the hundreds of options (split into different weights, lengths, actions, and even materials – mind you) can be a lot to take in. Add a reel and line on top of it? That is …
Perspective is incredibly valuable. For example: I have been fly fishing, inside and around the industry, for over 25 years. I know that there is a lot of gear – a lot of gear – but I’m comfortable picking out what I need and discerning what is necessary. But when I try to pick out …
Recently the good folks at Hatch Magazine published an article entitled “Let’s Stop the Tiny Tippet Nonsense.” Essentially, it argues that 6X and 7X tippet isn’t a necessary or ethical choice for fly fishers pursuing trout. I want to be clear: the intention of the article is good and there are some good, thought-provoking areas …
It isn’t easy to buy surprise gifts for a fly fisher. Sure, you can ask which fly rod he wants. You can simply request a list of the gear she needs. But you probably aren’t going to walk into a fly shop and pick out a reel because it is pretty or a pair of …
What’s on the end of your fly line? It isn’t a fish. It is a leader. Which, as you may well have surmised, is essential for getting your fly to a fish. And getting your leader onto your fly line isn’t necessarily a straightforward endeavor. Not all fly line/leader connections are created equally. Today I …
The weather outside is frightful. Or, at least it will be. And you’re all ready to fish in it. Right? If you have the gumption and the warm socks, there is no reason why you can’t fish in the coldest months out of the year. Today I tackle two big hurdles that people face when …
Ah, moving. There are few moments in life that are more stressful and chaotic. Moving is essentially the exact opposite of fly fishing. If and when you do have to move, you are going to take your angling gear with you. Sure, you could just let the movers have their way with your rods and …
Casting Across is not a “gear review site.” But it does feature quite a few gear reviews. And, apparently you like them. My gear reviews receive thousands upon thousands of views every year. I usually keep those opinions confined to the specific articles, but because there are a lot of thoughts that surround the gear …
Fall fishing usually means changing your approach to pursuing fish. Hitting different spots and using different flies are usually required. Switching up your gear is almost as necessary. Personally, I carry more in the fall. Generally speaking, this comes down to the fact that I employ (and switch up) more layered clothing. My terminal gear …
Last week I rolled out the Casting Across Fly Shop Box. This online resource is intended to be a growing, dynamic, comprehensive list of all the fly shops in the lower 48. Even after scouring the internet, I’m aware that there are shops that I’ve missed. The call was put out to readers of Casting …
