The more I fly fish, the more convinced I am that success comes down to only a few simple variables. For example: The fly pattern you use is important. Of course it is. However, how the fly is fished might be even more important. There are exceptions. You shouldn’t fish a size 10 green drake …
You’re not going to catch it. Wait. Let me make it even more plain and simple: you’re not even going to be able to get your fly in front of it. I know you can see the fish. I know that you haven’t spooked it, that you’ve been catching trout all day, and that all …
Excellence by accident. Whether the fly fisher knows or acknowledges it or not, this little quip may very well characterize some of the best experiences we have in angling. A perfect example is one of the very first memorable trout I caught on a fly rod. Learning to fly fish, it was drilled into me …
I have some valuable fly fishing writing to share with you. But first, let me begin by blowing your mind: THERE IS NO ENTRY FOR THE BANJO MINNOW ON WIKIPEDIA!!! Shock, I know. Anyway, growing up I was a fan of the Banjo Minnow. Not only did I use them (and with great success, I …
Certain times of the year, everyone wants to go fishing. The beginning of the season, nice weather, and hatches get people of all angling stripes into their waders. Although there is a lot of fishable water out there, the most popular spots fill up quickly during these times. Then, you find yourself “competing” while fly …
Most Fridays on Casting Across are devoted to other people’s contributions in the fly fishing community. Articles, pictures, social media accounts, videos, podcasts, products, and more will be featured on The Last Cast of the Week. Today, I’m sharing items from Orvis News / George Daniel, Chuck Marshall, and @holdfruitandveggies. If you’d like to be …
Riffle, run, pool. Although that is an accurate overview of holding water for trout, it is very general. That basic illustration is akin to saying that America is a beach, then some mountains, plains, little mountains, and then another beach. It is true, but there is much more nuance involved. This matters because holding water …
Most fly fishing articles online and in print are of the “how to” variety. These are very valuable. Reading them teaches you what fly to use, when to use it, and where it should be used. That is indispensable information. Of all the instructional content that an angler might come across, there is some that …
Recently I fished a new river. It was a wide waterway with miles set apart for catch and release. I knew that it was filled with trout, and that it had been fishing well the week prior to my trip. So even though finding a spot and locating fish was a little daunting, I had …
It is getting cold out. Although the calendars say “fall,” the thermometers say “winter.” More importantly, the frost on the windows and the chill that finds its way through jackets are saying “winter.” So, are you going to go fly fishing? Excuses and reasons alike have the tendency interfere with even the most ardent angler’s …
