Episodes
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A random errand led to my being face-to-face with a $20 fly rod/reel/line combo. It even came with flies. Around me, people were shopping for car batteries and Barbie dolls. I examined the reel. I assessed the flies. I debated scanning the QR code on the package. It wasn't for me, but it didn't look half bad for a $20 Wal-Mart fly fishing rig.
For everyone who starts their fly fishing life off with the Orvis silver spoon in their mouth, there are probably a few others who get after it with department store gear. Who is to say who catches more fish on that first trip out?
Today I talk a little bit about the place that inexpensive gear plays in the fly fishing world. It might not be for you, but remember that it might have been at one time.
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In the complicated system required for fly fishing that is man and equipment, your wrist might be the most fickle. For the same reason it is an incredibly flexible and dexterous joint it can lead your cast very, very astray.
While the best way to straighten out your casting woes is to practice, today I share a few wrist-related issues that may lead to problems. And problems like reduced line speed and increased fatigue are worth ironing out if possible.
Hopefully these 20 minutes will spark some interest into making some small changes that will payoff big time.
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Episodes manquant?
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You can spend a lot of money on a boat for your fly fishing endeavors. There's the cost of the craft itself, then the trailer, then the accessories, then the truck to pull it more efficiently...
While I've enjoyed the quality drift boats, skiffs, and bass rigs I've fished from over the years, the vast majority of my time on the water has been in smaller crafts. And I think they suit me just fine.
Today I'm talking about easy watercraft. Easy to acquire, easy to transport, and easy to use.
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None of us should be so set in our ways that we're unable to be pried out of the groove we've worn. In fly fishing, in particular, we should not be so entrenched in opinions that we're dogmatic. It is good to have an opinion. But opinions can change.
Today I share 5 opinions that I've held and changed over my fly fishing years. There are plenty more. But these five hit the highlights: gear, trout, and conservation.
Take a listen, and then consider how you have changed your mind. Or, and this might be happening right now: how you might be currently in the process of changing your mind.
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Did you know that is a presidential election year?!?
Since I think the "rule" to avoid talking about money, religion, and politics is stupid, I talk about politics today on the podcast. But I think you'd agree that it is more philosophical than partisan. And it has to do with fly fishing. I promise.
And just so you feel like you're getting your money's worth, I also add in a quick gear tip in the beginning.
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I do miss things from time to time. And on this episode I come clean about missing two important things. You've probably survived, but I need to make it right.
On another feedback-based episode, I answer questions about the following:
Beginner vises
Expensive sunglasses
Why I don't have more video content
Check out those segments, along with a really excellent weekly recommendation, on this week's podcast.
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With the passing of a great author, something much more significant is lost than a new title every few years. First and foremost a man is gone. Beyond that, the fly fishing world has lost a voice.
Today I reflect a bit on Gierach's impact on the fly fishing world. From adding popular phrases to spurring on countless imitators, he moved generations of anglers in many ways.
At the heart of it all is the fact that he was a consistent voice for anglers across five decades. Consistency, especially today, matters.
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This episode is an overflow of this week. On the website I've focused on the region that has been most impacted by Hurricane Helene, and I'm going to continue to do so on the podcast.
Even though southern Appalachia is remote and wild, it is incredibly close to so the vast majority of those who live along the eastern seaboard. That happens to be a large number of this country's people. This is why the mountains and hollows are accessible and loved by so many. This is also why the relative silence about their present plight is confusing.
This podcast isn't going to change anything. But people can.
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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 get shot.
In this week's episode, I discuss the wonderful dilemma of "to hunt or to fish or to do both" that we encounter in the autumn. There are a few anecdotes, some gear recommendations, and a handful of questions I pose for you to answer for yourself.
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In the realm of Casting Across, visual media serves the written and spoken word. Still, a nice picture helps.
Today, I talk through some things that are important to consider as you photograph your fly fishing. From gear to approach to subject matter, I hit on some tips that might make your camera roll or your social media profile a little more interesting.
Plus, on the heels of "Releasing Fish Well," this is a reminder that the fish are a lot more important than likes. But you still can take mementos with you as they swim away happy and healthy.
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You've managed to get on the water. You've figured out how to get the fly in front of a fish. You've somehow convinced it to bit said fly. You've fought it your your hand or net.
Now what?
If you're interested in the common practice of catch and release, there are some things that are good to do. (They're even better for the fish.) In this beginner-focused episode, I actually begin what releasing well involves long before you catch a fish. Some of these steps might be common sense. Others might sound odd. Regardless, this is helpful for anglers of all experience levels to know and to be able to communicate.
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Rightfully so, many consumers think that marketing is out to divide them from their hard earned money. Consequently, most hype surrounding new or novel innovations is received with a fair amount of skepticism.
But what if some of these features are more than gimmicks?
Today I'm sharing four products with design or function elements that I have heard people call "gimmicky." While I don't think any are worth paying exorbitantly more for, I do think they have their merits. Listen as I walk through each and give reasons why you may very well consider adding such a piece of equipment to your collection... or even your main rotation.
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Countless tourists head to coastal New England cities, towns, and remote coastlines every year. Trust me: I sit behind you as I try to get around during my normal day-to-day.
With around 6,000 miles of coastline, there is room for all of us. And there is just that much more room for stripers, bluefish, and a number of other species that will gladly chase a fly.
On today's podcast, I give a high level overview of fly fishing the New England states. With apologies to landlocked Vermont, I touch on some general things that will get you looking in the right direction as you either plan a fishing trip or plan on tagging some fishing on your family vacation.
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The vast majority of your dry fly presentations ought to be made upstream, with you standing slightly to one side of the fish. This optimizes your cast, your mending, and your hook set.
But what if you can't do that? What if there is a fish that is downstream, under cover, and slurping bugs off the surface with wanton slovenliness? What then? Do you miss out and chalk it up to the "rules" of dry fly fishing? Do you go home, bested by the trout to which you did not cast?
There is good news. You can cast downstream to rising fish using a dry fly. And although it isn't optimal, you should know how to do it. And today I'm talking about it.
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Well, I'm breaking with tradition for this one. I'm not calling it "Fly Fishing Accusations XXX."
That said, there are some interesting segments in this episode. I get a little fired up about how people feel the need to police the fishing gear designed to solve problems. I also circle back to fallfish, tenkara, and remote fishing ethics. Standard fare, if you've been around here long enough.
As always, thanks for listening and writing in!
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300 episodes. That, my friends, is a lot of my digitized voice out there on the internet.
Today I'm breaking free from my rigid, one-note format. I've got a guest. In fact, I have the most special of special guests. My wife of 21+ years. Her perspectives on nearly every topic are worth listening to - take it from me. That said, enjoy this podcast.
And it goes without saying at this point: Thank you. Thanks for listening, reading, and being part of Casting Across as I hit this milestone.
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In case you've been living under a rock (like a caddis nymph, perhaps), I'm going to be the bearer of bad news and inform you that fly fishers have the reputation of being quite the opinionated group of individuals. And as the maxim states, opinions are like... well, they're like waders that have been sitting in the trunk too long. We've all got them and they have the potential of stinking.
My purpose isn't to simply offer counter-arguments. It is to point out the unnecessary nature of some of the more prevalent antagonistic perspectives in fly fishing.
Let that last cause sink in for a second: prevalent antagonistic perspectives in fly fishing.
The fact that such things exist is reason enough to talk and think about them for 20 minutes.
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*Trigger Warning* I know some people have Tenkara Derangement Syndrome. Breathe deeply, you'll get through this.
Whether you've dabbled in this Japanese style of angling or not, it has made a modest splash in the American fly fishing scene. Depending on where and how you fish, it may be a good fit for your gear collection.
Although only a fraction of my time on the water includes using Tenkara gear, I've come to appreciate it for some special circumstances. Today I share what a few of those are, and why you might consider picking up one of these small, versatile rods.
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I wouldn't say that I get too worked up about what people say in and around fly fishing. But the extreme ends of gear perspectives bug me.
One says that the most expensive gear is the only way to go.
The other says that whatever you can find is all that you need.
As is the case with most situations, the moderate middle wins the day. Today I'm taking through how a recent shift in how I shop for running shoes has reminded me that taking a moment to do some real research can have a significant impact on your time and comfort. And time and comfort ultimately translate into more, better shots at fish.
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There is a good chance that you have some habits when it comes to approaching certain types of water. After a few decades of pursuing brookies, browns, and cutthroats in mountain streams I have developed a simple little scheme for identifying what they're keying in on.
Today I share the three dry flies I use to decipher how to get on the most and the biggest trout. It isn't foolproof and there are certainly exceptions. That said, it has produced above average results and taken out a lot of guesswork for me. And, I don't have to carry multiple fly boxes while I'm miles into the woods.
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