Like many a dace that have taken aa dry fly, only to get hook-set into the streamside vegetation - I bit off more than I could chew last week on the podcast.

When I thought about talking predatory fish, I figured I could shoehorn carp into the discussion. They aren't predators in the same way musky and big largemouth are. However, the rods and rivers overlap. Regardless, this is an episode where I make things right.

Which, of course, entails talking about carp for nearly 30 minutes. These weirdo, invasive fish are worth knowing about if you are in North American and own a fly rod.

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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.

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It is that time again. You ask, I answer. I like these episodes so much, that I do one every few months.

Today I interact with questions regarding:

And I transcend my normal 3 topic boundary by addressing two logistical/technical items.

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out!

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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.

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Two whole podcast episodes devoted to how fly fishers can be lazy?

Oh yes. And I could do a handful more just on those issues I see in myself.

Recently I defined laziness as choosing to not do what you know you should do. If the goal is catching fish, why would you only try 95%? or 50% Certainly, you shouldn't be bothered by being skunked if that is the case.

Today I highlight three more things anyone can and should do when fly fishing. Whether we do it or not is another story...

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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.

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Today's episode is a snippet from one of the presentations that I give at The Fly Fishing Show. It is about a third shorter and you don't get the benefit of PowerPoint slides, but the content promised to be quite helpful for the small stream angler.

Why? If you primarily fish small streams, there might be some trepidation over heading out to the larger rivers. Sprawling waterways can be intimidating when you're used to being able to cast bank to bank. However, the skills and observations you make on the smaller creeks can easily be translated to the bigger rivers.

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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.

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Hear me out: I am not saying everyone can or should practice fly casting indoors.

But if you can, why not?

In today's episode I am really discussing how a lot of us would benefit from more and more diverse fly casting practice. Although it is essential to practice casting under ideal circumstances, it makes a whole lot of sense to also practice in realistic settings. Can you always face your target? Are you always able to go 10-to-2? Is it always feasible to fully pivot your hips while double hauling? The answer is no. So  go ahead and prepare for those situations.

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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.

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