Contrary to popular Hollywood tropes, you can't go back in time. However, others can learn from your mistakes. And hindsight can also help you make better decisions going forward. All of that is true in the big, important parts of life. It is also true in fly fishing. In this episode I talk about three things about fly fishing that I wish I knew when I was younger. More accurately: these are things I knew about when I was younger, but I should have actually done them. Learn more about your ad ch...
Oct 04, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 47
I could hear it. It was coming closer. And there I was: alone in the woods, halfway across the world, holding only a fly rod. It wasn't even that great of a rod. 10 years ago I went to Italy. There was culture, cuisine, and an ill-fated fly fishing adventure. Hear me talk about the fish, the fishery, and the fishing guide that made it such a bizarre story. Also, learn how I escaped the aforementioned, tense situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 27, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 46
What would you say if you were told that you owed every fish you caught an apology? How about that you actually needed to find a fish and atone for your angling? Recently a school held a service where students prayed to plants. What might sound like satire actually has real worldview implications. In this episode I talk out of my weight class and explore some of the implications of seemingly compassionate ecological concepts that, in reality, actually might end up hurting plants, fish, and us. L...
Sep 20, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Rod, reel, line. I say no! It shall be rod, line, reel. For most fly fishing scenarios, your reel is the least significant part of your terminal tackle equation. Of course there are some real, legitimate exceptions. But more often than not most trout fishing doesn't necessitate a super-premium reel. You need something to hold line, and you need some basic fish fighting skills. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 13, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 44
I don’t want to feel like you’re being attacked. I am sure that you are really, really into fly fishing. If you were to tell me everything you know, share your angling expense report, and rattle off where you’ve been I bet I’d be impressed. Seriously. No sarcasm. There is a very good chance that you’re an angling enthusiast or a fly fishing aficionado or a hardcore fisher-person. You’re just not a trout bum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 06, 2019•20 min•Season 1Ep. 43
For some reason, the myth exists that fishing isn't any good in the rain. Maybe we should keep that fallacy going, because getting out on the river in the rain is a great way to get to spots and fish that would otherwise be hard to approach. Whether it is because the rain is keeping away crowds or creating angling opportunities, a few drops might be the catalyst to getting you on the water. I share a few tips, some observations, and my unscientific opinion on why fly fishing in the rain isn't sc...
Aug 30, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Want to know how to make a better presentation with your fly? Want to know how to catch more fish? Want to know how to have more fun fly fishing? Learning to be able to cast a fly rod better is part of growing as an angler. It might be about distance, accuracy, or efficiency. Regardless, a little bit of perspective, patience, and practice can go a long way to make your time on the water better. I discuss a few ways to think about fly casting practice in this episode. Learn more about your ad cho...
Aug 23, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 41
40 episodes in, and I have a lot of questions, comments, and other feedback to interact with. This podcast I answer a question about fishing while backpacking, sing the praises of old fly rods, and address "Japanese shower climbing." Briefly, but I address it. It is a lot of fun to hear what readers/listeners are thinking when they interact with Casting Across, and these episodes allow me to take previous content to another level of specificity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
Aug 16, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 40
If you're not fishing a dry/dropper, you're missing out on an excellent way to maximize your fish-catching potential. But there are other "dropper" rigs that work really well in a variety of scenarios in which a dry fly trailed by a nymph just wouldn't make sense. In this episode I talk about four ways you can utilize two flies to improve your fishing and your catching. How many of these techniques have you tried? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 09, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Even today, brick and mortar fly shops are an integral part of fly fishing culture. Beyond supplying rods, reels, flies, and tying materials, they offer angling insight and legitimate community. Although there are many factors that lead to fly shops succeeding or failing, there are certain things that most of the truly good shops have in common. And, in my opinion, the most important facets aren't fishing gear. What do you like in a fly shop? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...
Aug 02, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 38
When it comes to reading water, the fly fisher who is observant of details will be rewarded. This way of angling doesn’t mean casting your fly to every square inch of the creek. It entails reading the water at a level that goes beyond riffle, run, pool. Slow down. Think and assess. Don't just fishing the holding water that usually has a trout or two. There are plenty of fish that aren't where you usually look. You just need to realize they are there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...
Jul 26, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 37
If you can’t explain it, you don’t really get it. Think of it this way: Can you explain the basic mechanics of a cast? Could you give a quick overview of why the feeding behavior of fish changes with the weather? Why should I buy a medium-action fly rod over a fast one… or vice-versa? You don't need to be an expert to know how to fish or, more importantly, enjoy how to fish. But learning how to communicate fly fishing might be one of the best ways to learn how to fly fish better. Learn more abou...
Jul 19, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 36
I'll go on record as saying that I think "Pro Deals" and "Pro Staff" are totally fine. But just like anything else in fly fishing (or in the rest of the world), abuse can ruin a good thing. Kirk Deeter's recent Angling Trade piece articulated some of the real problems that exist with this system. It is clear why "Pro Staffers" give this legitimate marketing tactic a bad name, and it makes sense why some are agitated by the whole institution. In this episode I talk about a few different perspecti...
Jul 12, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 35
In this 4th of July(ish) episode I get political. And in the vein of most politicians, I don't say a whole lot. What I do, however, is hopefully get you thinking about a few topics that impact fly fishers and US citizens alike. Public lands and social media censorship have direct implications for those who fish and hunt. Although these issues are often presented as black and white, with one side being the "right side" for outdoors people, there is certainly more nuance than that. Learn more abou...
Jul 05, 2019•22 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Waders and wading boots are often afterthoughts in fly fishing gear discussions. But I don't think I'm overstating things when I say that a great rod that gives you another few feet of "castability" isn't going to matter much if your footing is unstable and your back hurts. In this episode of the podcast I discuss a few (potentially controversial) things that you should think about the next time you go out to buy waders and wading boots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...
Jun 28, 2019•27 min•Season 1Ep. 33
You’ve probably been there before. Lying in bed, the night before a fly fishing excursion. You have thoughts. Questions, actually. You might attempt the counting sheep equivalent of visualizing heavy trout coming to the net. But, for analytical minds like many fly anglers possess, that practice gets one thinking about hypotheticals and other situational what-ifs. So, there you are; awake. With a litany of issues, pertinent and inconsequential, running through your head. Learn more about your ad ...
Jun 21, 2019•20 min•Season 1Ep. 32
I'm willing to wager that the bulk of my audience/readership fishes primarily or exclusively in freshwater. That makes sense, because I fish primarily in freshwater. While there are plenty of common elements between the trout stream and the surf, the differences stand out. And they can potentially be daunting if you've never chased fish in the salt. Even if you're going to the shore once or twice a year, having the right gear and a little bit of know-how can yield some great experiences. Learn m...
Jun 14, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 31
As I've done every 10 episodes, I take the time to respond to and interact with your questions, comments, and accusations. There weren't a whole lot of accusations, but that sounds much more provocative. In this podcast, I talk about all of the small stream fly rod recommendations I've received in the past few months. I also comment on some "must have" gear items that readers sent my way. Also, I briefly cover five great gifts to give the fly fisher in your life. Learn more about your ad choices...
Jun 07, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Situated in south central Pennsylvania, the Cumberland Valley boasts some remarkable spring creeks. Who doesn't like big fish in small, beautiful water? While the rivers aren't what they once were, they are still worth seeking out. Moreover, a great opportunity for trout, stewardship, and some real fly fishing history is only a short drive away for Eastern fly fishers. Check out this primer on Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley, and then check out some of the links on CastingAcross.com to learn mo...
May 31, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 29
As connected as technology has allowed us to become, it seems like we're farther apart than ever. We're closer in many ways, but disconnection runs rampant. In something as fun, as good, as pure as fly fishing there is no reason for communication to become hostile and broken. Is social media to blame? I give my two cents in this episode. I try my best to wade through the muck, all the while reminding myself that this little debate is only among a small segment of the fly fishing culture. Learn m...
May 24, 2019•22 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Folklore and “grandpa always said” make up a great deal of how and why fly fishers approach the water. But do we really need to be quiet, camouflaged, and flat on the ground in order to catch fish? In this episode of the podcast, I look at four things to consider when you're approaching the water. Sometimes we give fish more credit then they're due. We all could also benefit from fishing smarter, not harder. So are there some written rules that are overblown? I think so, but you can be the Learn...
May 17, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Fly fishing books have been an important part of the sport for hundreds of years, taking different forms and meeting various needs. Even in an age when so much information is available at the tap of a smart phone, tangible media is incredibly valuable. Whether it be a novel assisting in winter escapism or a tattered, dog-eared, highlighted river guide on the back seat, books are a part of the angler’s life. In this podcast I talk about three general genres and give three specific book recommenda...
May 10, 2019•22 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Reposting and hashtagging is nice. But that isn't conservation. Headline causes are great - if you actually get your feet on the ground and get your hands dirty. There is nothing wrong with "raising awareness," but perhaps there are some more profound ways you can walk the conservation walk. It doesn't take moving to the wilderness or quitting your job. It just means doing something... more than talking. Today I share three simple, common-sense ways to actually make a difference. Learn more abou...
May 03, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Although fly fishing is an escape, we’re incapable of detaching completely. Our thoughts rightly meander from fly presentation to work, family, whats next. Our present fishing is profoundly linked to how we have fished – and who has fished with us in the past. And chances are the trails we are walking, the flies we are using, and the rod we are casting were made by someone else. There is something to be said for that connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 26, 2019•19 min•Season 1Ep. 24
On its face, fly fishing elitism is silly. It is okay to prefer the fly rod. And it has it advantages. But there is no reason to look down upon conventional tackle. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why a spinning rod should be part of your overall angling arsenal. In this episode, I talk about a few circumstances that might necessitate using conventional gear. Also, I look at how using bobbers, blades, and Banjo Minnows might actually help your fly fishing. Learn more about your ad choices. ...
Apr 19, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 23
If you have been stuck indoors, you might want to just grab your sling or vest and hit the water as quickly as possible. Comprehensively organizing your fly fishing pack ahead of time will ensure that you are ready to fish. Once you hit the water, you’ll have everything that you use and not necessarily be carrying around those things that you’ve just accumulated. Here is one efficient and effective method for making sure you have what you need, where you need it. Learn more about your ad choices...
Apr 12, 2019•20 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In my experience, some fly fishers either care way too much about leaders. Most don't care enough. Fussing over the exact number of centimeters of 4X you need for a certain taper might be overkill. But simply looping on a knotless, tapered leader and using it until it won't fit through your fly's eye isn't the way to go either. In this episode I share a handful of easy, no-nonsense tips for a middle path to using leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 05, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 21
You speak, I listen. And then I speak about it. In this episode, I respond to some feedback that I've received from Casting Across articles and podcasts. There is a comment on keeping spots secret, a question on how I prioritize fly fishing, and an angry mob. Well, kind of. I enjoy sharing a little bit about fly fishing. Hearing what you think about what I've shared makes it even better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 29, 2019•19 min•Season 1Ep. 20
There are differences between chucking articulated flies against the bank of a roaring tailwater and fishing a streamer in a small creek. There are also differences between dapping tiny attractor patterns and fishing a streamer in a small creek. The rod, flies, and approach have to all be significantly altered from what you’re used to. Here are five things you ought to consider if you want to get into the pool bosses of your local, small stream – including my favorite presentation. Learn more ab...
Mar 22, 2019•20 min•Season 1Ep. 19
You will find some real interesting characters in fly shops. After nearly two decades of formal, empirical anthropological research, I’ve developed an efficient classification system and taxonomy for the types of individuals one encounters in fly shops. As a former fly shop employee, an occasional customer, and a curious observer of awkward situations, I believe that I am uniquely qualified for such a study. I’d like to present my completely objective findings in the following podcast. Learn mor...
Mar 15, 2019•16 min•Season 1Ep. 18