Casting Across Fly Fishing

Dry fly season is right around the corner. You probably have all you need to take advantage of this magical time of the angling year.

But a $5 purchase could really help your cast and presentation.

What might that be? Well, in this episode I walk through a few pieces of gear and techniques that should be universally applicable for anglers who want to chase trout with dry flies. Experience and skill are probably the most essential aspects of any fly fishing, but it doesn't hurt to get a little help in the right direction.

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Don't worry, I'm not talking masks or vaccination or anything like that. It just so happens that 100 episodes ago, I recorded "CoronaCast, Week 1."

I am talking about how the last two years have impacted my fishing. And, chances are, the last two years have impacted your fishing. Although there have been plenty of things to be discouraged by since March of 2020, there have been good things as well. And life is all about counting your blessings in contrast to difficulties.

After some quick autobiography, I go into some trends that you might want to think about as we move into this coming fishing season. Hopefully, we'll also be moving past this virus.

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This interaction episode of the podcast is extra interactive. No, it isn't an interview. But one of the questions I engage with was a question I was asked in person at The Fly Fishing Show in New Jersey.

Don't worry, I also answered him immediately in the moment.

Today I talk about fly fishing in Vermont, old product reviews, and the most essential piece of gear for trail running with the aim of fly fishing. As I've mentioned before, I truly enjoy receiving questions, comments, and observations. Keep the emails and website comments coming. Even if that means it is truly some sort of accusation.

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What have you been up to?

In this episode, I talk about what I've been doing in and around fly fishing this winter. Perhaps you'll get some brand new ideas; perhaps you'll see how I do the same thing that you do, albeit slightly differently.

There is so much potential in the wintertime. Even though fly fishing isn't the same when the thermometer is low and there's ice on the banks, there are plenty of fly fishing things you can do. Sitting in front of the television is fine, but there is stuff you can do to redeem the different season.

Again, this is what I've been up to.

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I had plans. They had to change. Guess what? It happens.

Weather, vehicles, and life in general will put a kink in your perfectly prepared fly fishing checklist. Thankfully, I've got a three point (and alliterated!) checklist that you can employ to turn ruined plans into a great day on the water.

Today I share a few things you can do to get out in front of changing plans. We can't control much, but there are some steps to take that at least give you options. I also give some real world examples of how bad days pivoted to good.

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Water moves. We all get that. But do we appreciate how and why it moves? Doing so has a significant impact on finding fish, making a proper presentation, and staying safe in the water.

These three reasons alone should give you pause when you ask yourself if you can read water. In this podcast episode, I briefly talk about a few river current observations. There are a lot of great resources out there, but the best thing that you can do to improve your time on the water is to observe.

Hopefully this will give you a few things to think about as you contemplate how the water is moving; both throughout the water column and from bank to bank.

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Opening day. The annual trip to the cabin. A first fish.

Within these experiences is the opportunity for ritual. And rituals simply consist of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. Maybe there is something that you've always done. Perhaps there is something that you've always done because it was what your father and grandfather did. Or, the friends that you go to the fishing lodge every year arbitrarily decided that some silly activity is what you do. So you do it.

All of these rituals add to the experience of fly fishing. They connect you with previous trips. They connect you with previous anglers.

They might not translate into catching and fish, but they're worth having around.

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Today I talk about two topics related to fly procurement:

There are as many opinions on both of these questions as there are fly patterns. I don't pretend to be the expert. But I do have a few simple data points and perspectives that might be helpful as you consider filling up your fly boxes.

And, as always, I'm happy to hear differing opinions!

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How was your year in general?

Okay. Now: How was your year in fly fishing?

You don't need to keep a journal or go on some sort of self-discovery session to think about your year on and around the water. Just consider your successes and (relative) failures. Take quick inventory of how you did and did not spend your time. It might not elicit some great course-correction. But, as you're making plans for next year these thoughts might inform your plans and expectations.

Today I share three things that I can say about the last year in fly fishing. Hopefully it can get you thinking, too.

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What are you reading?

That is a great question to ask someone. It opens up so many doors for conversation. Within the fly fishing community, there is a good chance that everyone has read something recently. Books, blogs, and even marketing emails use language to communicate our shared passion.

But there is something special about fly fishing books. In this episode, I revisit a few different kinds of books you probably have on your shelf. I also make three recommendations for volumes that are worth adding to your library.

Also, Merry Christmas!

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