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 painful compared to the coming angling glory?

On the heels of last week's episode, I glance over some of the things that are wise to consider as you move from the planning stage to the preparing stage. You can do some things that will make  real difference once you make your first cast on your trip.

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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 is directed more towards new fly fishers, there is information that anyone should consider. Moreover, it is the kind of thing worth sharing with other anglers in your life.

Plus, you might be interested to hear that of all my priorities when planning a fly fishing trip money isn't at the top.

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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 it doesn't increase the odds; it certainly diminishes them. Today I walk through the relatively simple process than anyone with a tiny amount of mechanical know-how can follow to keep their reel running smoothly and ready for the upcoming season. I also offer up some of my routine fly line PSAs while I'm at it.

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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 reflections from my presentations as well as some of the presentations that I attended.  And, once again, I talk about what I think you ought to do to get the most of your trip to an outdoor show.

While the MA and NJ stops of The Fly Fishing Show are over for 2025, there are still 5 more events this season!

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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 actually head there and fish dries today.

And it isn't a tailwater down south. It is in the heart of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and parts of Iowa and Illinois.

I give a quick synopsis of why you should fish the Driftless. And to put a fine point on it, I tack on an apologetic for the Pink Squirrel.

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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 found yourself hitting this wall on your local pond or you've decided that warmwater fish are this season's goal, check out some of the preliminary recommendations and suggestions in this week's episode.

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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 absolutely lead to more fish.

We all have areas where we can improve as anglers, and it is encouraging to know that there are some small areas of refinement that take a little bit of effort but will yield real benefits.

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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 feedback along with my normal segments: what appeared on Casting Across this week and a recommendation. Plus, I drop some subtle hints on exciting content in the near future.

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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 send in your questions, comments, and accusations for inclusion on an upcoming podcast!

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