It is just a net. Yes. But it is more than just a net when you need to land that big fish. Today I walk through a few net basics: shapes, sizes, materials. I also discuss a few techniques, best practices, and ways to carry your net. This is one of those topics that is really basic. But for someone who has only ever done one thing, or for the new an…

Heat, cold, and high water make fly fishing tricky. Wind makes fly fishing downright difficult. The physics of a fly cast and windy conditions are at odds with one another, impacting our particular kind of angling in a very specific manner. Without denying the challenge of fishing in the wind, I want to share three simple steps to mitigate the effe…

Well, I'm still here. Ten years after putting a little orange and grey website about fly fishing together I continue to do my darndest with three posts a week on the people, places, and things that go into the pursuit of fish. On this week's "very special episode" I share some reflections on what this decade has meant. There has been some work, som…

What are confidence flies? Of course, it is a thing people say. But is it a real thing? I maintain that it is. And these flies don't only give you a leg up when you're fishing them: I think that we can learn a lot about how to fish any and every fly if we pay attention to how we're fishing our confidence flies. So while the topic might seem a bit p…

After perusing a handful of books about tying and fishing midges, and in anticipation of turning to these tiny flies for much of my winter angling, I thought I'd share a potpourri of midge information today. While even tying them on might seem like a chore, the part that midges play in most trout diets makes them impossible to ignore. Even the bigg…

It is awfully nice to be the first one to unwrap the plastic from a smooth cork handle or to wipe the excess factory grease from a disc drag. It is also nice to save a few hundred bucks. In this installment of Casting Across, I'm talking about finding and evaluating used gear. I'm focusing primarily on rods and reels, but the principles apply to pr…

Today's podcast features a question, an accusation (maybe), and a response to a dozen or so comments. All in less than 25 minutes! I discuss "traditional" nymphing tactics and encourage you that you already fish this way. Then, I field a statement made about how we cut the tag end off our knots. Lastly, I take a quick dive into a topic that transce…

Maybe you've noticed that there are a lot of books about fly fishing. You needn't have consumed the loads of literary content on Casting Across to know that fly fishing and writing go together. Whether it be gripping narratives, applicable techniques, or pertinent stream guides, a book will help you in some way, shape, or form with your fly fishing…

I enjoy putting together gear reviews. Not only is it interesting for me to think about how a particular piece of equipment works, but my perspective might help someone make a purchase that benefits their time outdoors. And in my humble opinion, there is no item more fun to review than fly rods. Today I walk through how I go about putting a fly rod…

Outdoor activities are inherently risky. While your home is likely where you're going to get hurt or run into trouble, being in wild places can lead to potential hazards. Some have to do with critters. Most have to do with other people. Even though there is a small chance of something problematic happening if you're on the river, there is still a s…

Not all fly fishing presentations can be bushy dry flies over trout that will range five feet to rise with abandon. Because of the ridiculous quantity of foodstuffs in most rivers, fish are looking for a reasonable offering that is within a few inches of their noses. And since fish live underwater that means nymphs drifting at the right depth. Gett…

I own some positively diminutive fly rods for angling in the mountains. And I revel in the plethora of options when it comes to 9-foot 4-, 5-, and 6-weights. But every once in a while the right tool for the job is just a little bit longer. Today I share four reasons why a longer fly rod might be the ticket for your fly fishing. That might mean taki…

I like questions. When I get the same question a handful of times in quick succession, that topic gets shifted to the top of the subject matter pile. Recently, a number of fine fly fishing folk have asked me about what I consider to be the essential gear for minimalism or travel. In this episode I give my answer. But before I go over the what I dis…

Some hot weather and a spur of the moment decision turned into an excellent 24 hours of father-and-sons fly fishing time. In this episode, I talk about the great time that my boys and I had in Manchester, Vermont. The occasion was the American Museum of Fly Fishing's Summer Festival. There were vendors, exhibits, and competitions. (And there was fo…

If there is one truism in fly fishing, it is this: Everyone can work on their casting accuracy and distance. In fact, the more I develop as a fly caster the more I see room for improvement in these areas. Today I share my thoughts on two ways to think about improving your fly casting. Neither necessarily costs money, and neither will take much time…

This week I have two - yes, two - bona fide accusations. Now, I assume they were made with the best intentions. Still, I do appreciate the opportunity to interact with a little pushback. One has to do with mountain trout fishing and the other pertains to fallfish. My two favorite topics. I also share how I'm prone to sarcasm. As always, I appreciat…

Just because you put a fly rod in a baby's hands doesn't mean he'll grow up to be a fly fisher. But in the case of my eldest son, it is working thirteen years in. Recently he asked to go on a fishing trip to one of the places I fished most as a teenager. That got a quick yes from me. Although we had some inclement weather (not our choice) and fishe…

It is ridiculous that I even need to write it, but please know that content on Casting Across comes from a regular, old human being. I have nothing against robots... in fact I want them all to know I really appreciate them when they eventually take over. Seriously though: there is a lot of fly fishing writing out there that is actually AI generated…

In what is effectively a trip report from my most recent jaunt down to Virginia, I cover all the topics in the episode's title and more. I don't assume that you have a vested interest in what I do in my leisure time... well, aside from fly fishing. However, I do think that you and I have a lot in common. At a bare minimum, we can enjoy that togethe…

Times have changed... I think. It doesn't seem like there is the same kind of animosity from fly fishers directed towards folks tossing worms and lures. While there are some real potential problems with certain types of fishing (deep-hooking with treble hooks, litter from bait containers, etc.), there is no reason to vilify an entire group. More pr…

One of the simple joys of fishing in the summer is walking into a creek in shoes and shorts. It doesn't give you any kind of angling advantage, but it is awfully satisfying. And while the simplicity and carefree nature of wet wading shouldn't force you into making all sorts of purchases, there are a few things that are worth choosing if you want a …

Trout are trout, right? Especially if two brookies or cutthroat are swimming only a few hundred yards from each other, they're going to behave, eat, and look the same. Right? Maybe. But if you're talking about a fish in a mountain stream versus a fish in the mountain lake that feeds said stream? Maybe not. Mountain trout ponds or lakes offer some b…

You can catch so many panfish with the flies in your trout fly box. So many. In fact, give me a well stocked trout fly box over a typical panfish fly assortment any day. But... having some of those poppers helps. And make sure there are a few leggy nymphs. Oh, and a couple of crayfish-looking streamers. Today I round out a two-part series of panfis…

You absolutely can (and should) fish for panfish with whatever gear you own. Fish for trout, stripers, and peacock bass with whatever gear you already own, for that matter. Of course, you'll have a slightly easier and more enjoyable time if you have equipment that is either specifically designed for the particular pursuit or within a relatively app…

This episode drifted. And while I'd like to say that is a clever fly fishing pun, it wouldn't be super appropriate because this week we're talking about retrieving flies. The original outline was about all kinds of retrieves, but as I talked about what was most effective I kept returning to one simple truth: slower retrieves usually catch more trou…

Okay, in reality it is presented in more of a "toe to head" fashion. And, please hear me on this, you can wear all the wrong things and still catch more than anyone dressed in all the finest outdoor clothing available. All that said, there is wisdom in wearing the clothes that can keep you comfortable as the weather is in a transitory phase. Not on…

What makes a fly a fly? How much money do you need to spend on a fly rod? What level of risk should you take when going fishing? In one way or another, I address all three of these questions on today's podcast episode. And while I'm very much interested in all three debates, I'm simply responding to some very good emails and comments I've received …

There are a lot of benefits to hiring a guide. They show you new water, put you on fish, and teach you new skills. One of the less exciting facets is the focus they bring to your fishing; less exciting, but incredibly helpful. Today I talk about some of the aspects of fly fishing that I help others focus on while on the water (that is the + in the …

Some of the flashiest fly fishing gear is undoubtedly very, very nice. But it isn't necessary. If you're just starting out or you're operating with a limited budget, there are some pieces of equipment that will vie for your attention. While each person has different parameters and priorities I think that some purchases are better than others for th…

Some people only fish dry flies. Others throw streamers exclusively. And then there are those who have gone all in on Euro nymphing. Every one of those approaches will catch fish. More importantly, you can enjoy your time on the water utilizing each method immensely. My only advice? Don't give up on throwing nymphs with traditional gear too soon. T…

If you don't have kids, don't skip this episode. The reason? Kids are people. So while I'm certainly framing the content in the context of working with youth, the principles will apply to anyone you want to make into an angler. Although sometimes just taking a kid fishing is enough to get them into the sport, there are some things you can do to mak…

Who doesn't like getting a trophy? While "best in show" awards draw the ire of people who like to complain (Complainers? In fly fishing?!? Egad...), these lists are great for everyday anglers to see what is new and notable in angling gear. Today I walk through a half dozen Consumer Choice Awards recipients from The Fly Fishing Show's 2025 slate. I …

You may be the kind of angler who can pony up $70,000 for a tricked out fly fishing rig. Or you might be a Toyota Camry kind of guy. Both work. But today I'm talking more to the sedan and station wagon crowd. Even if you don't have the kind of vehicle that they feature in outdoorsy commercials, you can tailor your ride to make fly fishing a little …

We're all busy. Some are busier than others, but everyone has their own busy. And one consistent thing is that any kind of busy usually interferes with fly fishing. Once people find out about my kind of busy (having 5 kids, serving as a pastor, etc.), I get asked "how do you go fly fishing?" They're not asking about technique or fly selection. They…

Well, I know that people like finding and catching wild trout... but I was still quite surprised when this article blew up as much as it did. Casting Across was glowing red hot from all the online traffic a post generated this week. I'm not sure what I did right (or wrong), and I don't think I'm going to ask too many questions. Regardless, there is…

How should you think about fly reel acquisition? Should you buy the best? Should you buy the least expensive thing that will hold line? Should you skip the headache of such questions and aim towards the center? While I don't begrudge anyone who wants a premium, machined reel or the angler who is content with gear made of plastic, I do have a recomm…

Every once in a while I do get a legitimate accusation. Recently I was called out for platforming high-end, pretentious fly fishing equipment. While I don't want to eliminate your anticipation for what this might have looked like, I do think it is important to mention that a quick email exchange brought swift resolution. Still, you should listen to…

There are plenty of all-inclusive fly fishing adventures that only require you to pay and show up. Such experiences are probably quite exquisite... and quite expensive. But even if you are able to afford such fineries, you'll get more out of your fly fishing trip if you take a few things with you. Today I'll talk about those things. Some are physic…

So you've made plans to go fly fishing. Not just a few hours at the local pond; not just the better part of a day at the river. You're going on a fly fishing trip. How do you prepare? Do you buy any and every fly that might be hatching? Do you do your best to not think about it so that the time doesn't drag on and the doldrums of normal life become…

Adventure can be had simply by heading into the wild or booking a stay at the first deluxe lodge that pops up on Google. But there is a better way. And many anglers I've talked to wish they had adjusted their fishing vacation plans slightly early on in their time chasing trout. Today's podcast is another installment in the Cast1 series. Although it…

One of the most amazing things about fly fishing is that the vast majority of our gear works great 100% of the time without paying any attention to it. One of the most frustrating things about fly fishing is when your gear suffers a catastrophic failure while you're on the water. I'm not saying that routine maintenance will avert all disaster. But …

As both a presenter and a participant, I spent the better part of two weekends at The Fly Fishing Show this January. On today's episode, I give a recap of my experiences and highlight a few things that stood out to me from the Show. I do talk about a few products that are brand new for this season; including two great fly rods. Also, I share a few …

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It has been a long time since I've covered a destination. And the dead of winter is as good as it gets when it comes to talking about travel. On one hand, it is fun to daydream about trout when it is frigid outside. It is also a great time to start putting plans together to make a few trips. But in the case of this week's area of focus, you could a…

The 6-weight rod that you already own will work. It will work really well. You'll be able to catch smallies and have a blast doing it. But there are some drawbacks to a lighter rod. If you want to cast all the bass flies, if you want to cast for distance, or if you want to cast some versatile lines, you're going to need a bigger rod. If you have fo…

The real title of this episode is much, much longer. But you'll have to listen to hear what it is. That said, today is all about making some small changes to preparing, casting, and presenting your fly that will pay off significantly. I don't often promise that my advise will immediately lead to more fish... but refining these tactics will absolute…

I love questions about fly rods. And you love questions about fly rods. Guess what two of the three questions on today's Q&A podcast pertain to? Along with this fan-favorite topic, I discuss downsizing. Yes, there is a time and place to get rid of things. Even fly fishing things. In just under 25 minutes, I cover these three pieces of listener feed…

Merry (early) Christmas from Casting Across! Along with sharing some exciting news for the upcoming year, I return to a holiday tradition that has been a part of the podcast for a handful of seasons. It isn't exactly my reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, but I think you will appreciate the selection even more than that classic. Also, please …

Try as you might, you can't fish without knots. And just like a spelling test, you have no excuse to not do well. You can practice them until you fingers go numb. Today I'm running through my favorite knots from fly to backing. There may very well be better knots out there, but these have served me well under varied scenarios in two decades of fly …

No matter if you're a beginner or an expert, there are ways to improve your efficiency on the water. Now if that sounds clinical and not at all cohesive with the artistic flair that accompanies fly fishing, bear with me. Efficiency is all about being able to to what you want to do when you want to do it. Today I walk through three things that anyon…