Casting Across Fly Fishing

Everyone says that conservation matters. But how can you show that you mean it?

You don't need to dynamite a dam in the PNW or be the lawyer that puts Pebble Mine down for good. You can just be a guy with a bag of trash, a Saturday devoted to counting fish in a ladder, or a member of a town committee. Big stuff matters. So does little stuff. And any stuff that transcends online platitudes and bumper sticker-conservation is worth pursuing.

Today I share a few circles of action that are worth your time and energy.

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There have been 200 episodes, and hundreds more articles, of my opinions and perspectives that you could call into question.

And every once in a while, someone does.

More often than receiving accusations, I get questions and comments from readers and listeners. On today's podcast, I interact with three (four, really) that I thought were worth sharing.

These editions are fun. Again, I get to respond to you. Also, it is a nice change of pace to discuss three or four topics in quick succession. I hope you enjoy it!

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200 episodes!

First of all, thank you for listening. Whether this is your first or 200th download, I truly appreciate that you take a few minutes out of your week to hear what I have to say about the quarry and culture of fly fishing.

As I've done every 50 shows, today I break away from the traditional format. While I'm usually a solo outfit, today I bring in three experts to talk. We discuss fly fishing and the outdoors in general. And we dive into one of the most important questions that any angler must answer: what is the best snack to pack when you head outside?

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Don't let your phone become a distraction. That is true for everyday life, and it is also true when you're fly fishing.

Of course, your phone can be an incredibly useful tool that can enrich your time outdoors. In this follow-up podcast, I share a handful of apps that I use when I'm outdoors and preparing to get outdoors. Some are free and some come with a small fee. Every one of them can be useful for you as you spend time on the water. None of them, in my opinion, take away from the authentic experience of fishing, hunting, or hiking.

Check out my recommendations and how I use them in this week's podcast.

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You might prefer to find waters to fish that are far, far away from any and all civilization. But there are countless small towns and rural villages that abut some of the most prominent rivers in this nation. Up on the bank, there is a whole lot going on. Very little of it, for most people, involves trout, insects, or your presence.

Today I discuss some of the benefits of getting to know the area where you are fishing. It might lead to greater angling opportunities. It might lead to more enjoyment. Or, it might lead to something better that encapsulates both of those things.

All in all, I'm suggesting you take a moment to see what is happening around you while you're fishing. That is always a good thing to do.

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Do you know how to behave around others while fishing?

Chances are the answer is "yes." Because even though common sense isn't all that common these days, I have come to expect better of those who spend a good amount of time outdoors.

There are plenty of resources that articulate the formal, classic fly fishing etiquette codes. Those are great. But there are also some subjective elements that come into play depending on when and where you are fishing. In this episode I discuss how and why you can figure out how to be an upstanding member of whatever fishing community in which you happen to be wetting your line.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Last fall I fell down a rabbit hole. More accurately: I fell down into a duck's nest.

After decades of watching guys wade into swamps, dressed like trees, carrying fake birds over their shoulders, I decided to do the same. And I loved it. But aside from some cobbled-together gear from my vast fly fishing arsenal and some random deer hunting items, I didn't have the right stuff. I was a little wet, a little cold, and a little convinced that I'd have to do some shopping before this fall.

So I did. And I learned a thing or two I'd like to pass along.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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Actually, it is one way to read water with four parts. But that is way too long for a podcast title.

After sharing an anecdote about my failing to read water well, I go into my four-pronged approach to approaching rivers. While not remarkable or novel, I believe that this multi-tiered technique is a great paradigm to help new anglers grasp the concept. It is also a great reminder or teaching tool for those of us who have been at this fly fishing thing for a while.

Instead of just getting out there and flailing away at the deepest pool, take a minute to read the water. There might be fish there.

Listen to the episode below, or on your favorite podcast app.

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It might have been last month, it might be today, or it might be next week: eventually you're going to experience dry, low-water conditions where you live and fish.

Today on the podcast, I'm not going to delve into the science (or politics) of the conditions. What I do want to explore is how fish react and what we can do about it. Here's the long and the short of it: maybe you can fish and maybe you can't. What you can do is be observant and flexible. It will be good for the ecosystem, the trout, and you.

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We're living in a pretty sensitive day and age. So please know that I'm using the term "trash fish" in the most respectful and endearing way possible.

(But fish can't read, so I shouldn't be too concerned about offending any of them.)

Chances are, if you fish for some of the less desirable and non-traditional species, you're used to the sideways looks when you mention your excitement. I am with you. There are some great fish out there that transcend the bass and trout circles. They eat flies, they fight hard, and they might even taste pretty good.

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