The afternoon started in abject failure. Trees blocked the river in both directions. We were covered in cobwebs, decaying bark, and more sweat than is befitting a mid-October day. There would be no ducks or trout in this spot. My oldest son and I were on a two-fold mission: locate a new waterfowl hole while …
Today is opening day for waterfowl in New Hampshire. Opening days aren’t something I’m used to, since I’ve generally fished special regulation water that is open year-round. So for the last handful of years I’ve enjoyed the anticipation and gentle pomp of getting out early for the first day of ducks. Although a payoff is …
Not all of you are hunters. That is fine. But within the first five minutes of the podcast I have some real, practical advice for how anglers who don’t hunt have a legitimate opportunity for better fishing if they are aware of the hunting seasons. That, and a piece of advice on how to not …
Birds aren’t fish, and ducks aren’t trout. But for anyone interested in the conservation of these sporting species, a lot can be learned from a recent podcast put out by Ducks Unlimited. The show features an engaging conversation regarding ongoing empirical research on migratory birds. A story that is not unfamiliar to those who pay …
The wind and the snow/rain weren’t ideal, but it was the last day of the season. The birds hadn’t been behaving in any sort of discernable pattern, but it was the last day of the season. None of us had a whole lot of optimism, but it was the last day of the season. It …
I shot my first duck just over a year ago. I can still remember the anticipation, the excitement, and the moment. The freshness of that memory made watching him shoot his first duck all the more special. He’s 10. All my boys caught their first fish as toddlers. All my boys caught their first fish …
For a split second, my brain doesn’t comprehend the implications of the sensation. Where there was once tension – a pulsing fish pulling against the line and the current – is now simply slack. It takes a moment to wrap my head around the fact that the fish is gone. Next comes frustration. It might …
It might have been on my fourth trip to the island duck blind when I said it out loud. “I think we need a bigger boat.” The small kayak worked great earlier in the season. Then, I wasn’t bundled up and I wasn’t carrying as much gear. I was also by myself. In December, ferrying …
This fall I’ve taken some of my own advice. For years I’ve been encouraging those who read or listen to Casting Across to diversify their outdoor experience. It isn’t that I assume everyone who fly fishes only goes fly fishing. I just know that there have been times in my life when I’ve been primarily …
Outside of a rod, reel, and line, the most important (and expensive) gear for the fly fisher is waders and boots. Along with keeping you dry, waders and boots ensure that you stay comfortable and safe. For those good reasons, these items also end up costing more than everything aside from rods and reels. In …
