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 taking a 9-footer up in the mountains, or that might entail fishing with a 9'6" rod.

The reality is that rod length can really impact your cast and your presentation. If circumstances deem a different piece of equipment, it might be worth considering switching up your most important angling tool.

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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 discuss the why. This is because your reasoning for carrying less may necessitate a completely different loadout  than what I bring with me when I travel or stash gear in my car.

A fun topic to think about, consider why and what you bring with you when you want or have to move lightly.

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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 food.)

Needless to say, a good time was had by all. This is the kind of event that isn't fly fishing... but it is a quintessential to fly fishing culture.  Hear about our time and make plans to attend something similar near you.

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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 to consider. But with a few tweaks you'll probably see some marginal improvement.

As always, something like fly casting is best discussed in person with rod in hand. Hopefully this episode will get you outside playing around and talking to those who can help you grow as an angler.

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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 appreciate all my readers, listeners, and viewers. Please keep the feedback coming!

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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 fished some challenging water (our choice), we had a great time.

As has been my practice on these milestone episodes, I invite a special guest on the podcast for a conversation. Hear about a historical fly fishing region and special father & son trip this week.

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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.  I don't think it is prideful to say that Casting Across is better than that.

Today I am tapping into an interesting aspect of artificial intelligence. I received an email from a company offering aggregated data from feedback to the website and social media platforms. Out of curiosity, I'm responding to four of their suggestions on today's podcast. You tell me: are the robots accurately representing you, the audience?

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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 together. Potentially something I did will give you some ideas for what you can do.

That said, I did have a wonderful time with family for  the better part of two weeks this summer. My hope is that you can say the same. With a few fish sprinkled in.

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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 pragmatically, there is no reason to jettison an entire approach to catching fish.

Today I'm sharing three reasons why you might want to pick up  a spinning rod. While I primarily fly fish, a spinning combo is in my hand around 5% of the time I'm on the water. You may use one less; you might use one more. Regardless, it is a good idea to know your options.

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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 more comfortable and safe experience. Today I'm talking about some of the options you can choose. Focusing on footwear, bottoms, and gear storage, I walk through the pros and cons of the most popular choices.

Again: the fish aren't going to care. But your feet and the rest of your body might appreciate the gesture. 

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