Casting Across Fly Fishing

In fly fishing, "predators" is a bit of an arbitrary designation. Why? Well, bluegill are predators. Brook trout are predators. Tiger sharks are predators. What we often mean is the larger, piscivorous (fish eating) freshwater species in North America. Today I'm talking about some of the considerations one might make when thinking about gear for larger bass and toothy fish. As you can imagine, this includes a wide range of species and waters. Still, there are some general principles that all come into play when acquiring equipment for targeting predatory fish. Also, I throw carp a bone. I mean, they do get big. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This may very well be the longest episode of the podcast yet. And it could have been longer if I mentioned every interesting conversation, unique piece of gear, or novel observation from my four days at The Fly Fishing Show. In this quick look back at my weekends in Marlborough, MA, and Edison, NJ, I talk about presentations, products, and people. And at the end of the day, it is the people that made the time at the events the most worthwhile. Whether you're planning on going to an event, or you simply want to hear which "stuff" I found to be noteworthy - give this week's installment a listen. Then go chase down some of my recommendations online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We don't talk enough about how much of a problem laziness is. That goes for people and society as a whole. But, of course, today I'm talking about how laziness is not the friend of the fly fisher. If you're being lazy, it means you know better. It means you can do what you should do but you choose not to do that. Why? It is easier not to. In this episode I walk through three issues where you might be a little lazy in your fly fishing. While I can say that I don't err in one of these topics, talking about the other two was a little bit convicting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if I told you that if you think that outdoor shows are all about spending money that you've got it all wrong? Sure, there are opportunities to shell out wads of cash. But you can also support small businesses. In fact, some of them are so small that they might not even technically be a business! Beyond that, there is a lot to see in person that you may otherwise only experience through the cold, distant medium of YouTube. And whether you're in a giant convention center or the local VFW hall, there are probably people there that are worth taking a few minutes to meet. Why? They're into the same things you are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year from Casting Across! ...but keep listening, even if it is May or September. Why? If you resolve to do something that matters, don't wait. Just make it happen. Today I share a few interesting things about Casting Across. Then I walk through five resolutions, goals, and ideas for fly fishing in 2026. And they're not particular to me, either. These are the kinds of things you can think about if you're staring down a new year. There also ways to enrich your season regardless of when you consider them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the lessons I learned too late in my fly fishing was that trout live in places that aren't labeled "trout water." Although I love and appreciate the fly fishing only, catch and release streams that are out there, they only represent a fraction of the excellent trout fishing that is available. If you limit yourself to a type of river you're missing out. Even streams that don't have any special regulations and allow for the harvest of multiple trout can be great options for the catch and release angler. Today I approach the topic of regulated water from a general perspective. Take what I say, check out your local regulations, and then pull up a map. Find fish wherever they may be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back into the Cast1 series of episodes. Each focuses on basic information pertaining to some aspect of fly fishing. But just because it is "basic" doesn't mean the content is only for beginners. A surprising number of anglers don't venture out in the coldest months. On one hand it makes sense: it is cold. On the other hand, there are fish to be caught! Even seasoned fly fishers will admit they haven't dabbled in casting when the air temp is lower than the water temp. Today I quickly cover an overview of the why, how, where, and what of winter fly fishing. Plus, I give a half dozen resources for going deeper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices