The vast majority of the time, the bulk of your flies will be in a fly box. Fly boxes not only allow you to carry hundreds of patterns with you as you fish, they keep your flies organized and dry. But we all need some place to quickly stash and access a fly or six. …
Fly fishing gear is a big part of Casting Across. I’ve always enjoyed the aesthetics, the marketing, and, most importantly, the function of fly fishing gear. Consequently, I’ll review new products on the site from time to time. But appreciating fly fishing gear shouldn’t only be about the latest model or newest technology. The things …
There are some truly incredible fly rods on the market today. Modern technology, industry competition, and demanding anglers have pushed the envelope on what can be done with graphite and fiberglass. 12-weights perform while maintaining all-day comfort. Multi-piece pack rods cast beautifully. Across the board, fly fishers have access to some great tools across the …
Whether they contain classic short stories, pages of fly diagrams, or detailed descriptions of where to find trout, fly fishing books have been a part of the culture for centuries. As long as anglers have been angling, they have returned from the water to put thoughts down on paper. For five years, I’ve enjoyed sharing …
There are days when I leave my car in the morning and don’t see it again until I’m ready to call it quits. Those are good, long days of fly fishing. Just as frequently, I’ll fish a little bit here and then head over there to fish that hole. Maybe I’ll leave the river to …
Double-hauling a size 18 Parachute Adams out into the middle of a pond on a windy day is not my normal fly fishing. But some days that is where the fish are, and that is what they’re biting. It was what was in front of me and I had to figure out a way to …
How many fly rods do you own? How many of those rods are within one line-weight designation of another? It is very normal to own an 8-, 9-, and 10-weight. Many trout anglers have multiple 5-weight rods; each with a different length or flex profile, each giving him or her an advantage as the situation …
“What is the best fly fishing book?” That question is just as absurd as someone asking what the best stream or best fly might be. In literature, as in fishing, there is a lot of room for subjectivity. So fishing literature? There are as many opinions as there are titles. Still, some books have had …
To fish dry flies right, you need floatant. A little dab from these tiny tubes will keep bugs riding high and looking natural. But like anything else in fly fishing, there are various kinds of floatant products that have been created. These other tubes, tubs, and bottles do a lot more than just float your …
Two Empty Rivers When I moved to Massachusetts in 2010, state-published fishing guides were still promoting Atlantic salmon runs in the Merrimack River. Massachusetts and New Hampshire had infused money and fish into the river to encourage the return of these majestic animals. Initially I was excited. While every angler I talked to was aware …
