The Articulate Fly

In this Thanksgiving edition of Casting Angles, fly fishing podcast host Marvin Cash and veteran casting instructor Mac Brown reflect on the blessings of local fishing opportunities and why fishing closer to home makes you a better angler. The conversation explores how pursuing multiple species—from trout and smallmouth bass to the often-overlooked musky fishery at Cheoah Reservoir—sharpens overall angling skills and reveals untapped potential in your own backyard. Mac emphasizes that winter is an ideal time to target alternative species on TVA impoundments and local lakes, waters that tend to be overlooked during the busy summer months. Whether you're looking to improve your casting technique through Mac's guide schools (now selling out early for spring dates) or discover new fishing opportunities within an hour of home, this episode delivers practical wisdom about making the most of what's available locally.

Related Content

S6, Ep 141 - Mastering Cold Weather Fly Fishing with Mac Brown

S6, Ep 145 - Navigating Winter Waters: Unconventional Strategies with Mac Brown

S7, Ep 20 - Practice Makes Perfect: Mac Brown on Mastering Casting Techniques

S7, Ep 28 - Warming Waters and Active Fish: A Spring Fishing Update with Mac Brown

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Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with guide Matt Reilly of Matt Reilly Fly Fishing, where he breaks down late fall musky fishing tactics on the New River during challenging low water conditions. Matt shares essential techniques for clear water musky fishing, including stealth approaches with long casts, downsizing presentations and speed retrieval strategies that trigger strikes even when fish are boat-shy.

The episode also delivers valuable technical guidance on intermediate fly line selection, explaining why 25-30 foot intermediate tips outperform full intermediate lines when fishing current seams and eddies in swift river systems like the New River. Matt details how floating running lines allow better line management and hook sets compared to full sinking lines that create problematic bellies in varying currents. Anglers fishing both rivers and lakes will gain actionable insights on matching line systems to water conditions, with specific recommendations for streamer fishing in Southwest Virginia's premier smallmouth bass and musky waters as the season transitions into winter.

To learn more about Matt, check out our full length interview.

Related Content

S6, Ep 146 - Musky Mysteries: Winter Tactics and Fly Tying Tips with Matt Reilly

S7, Ep 12 - Cold Water Chronicles: Insights on Musky Fishing and Streamer Techniques with Matt Reilly

S7, Ep 1 - Winter Fly Tying and Pre-Spawn Tips with Matt Reilly

S6, Ep 142 - Winter Musky Adventures and Streamer Tactics with Ellis Ward

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In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with Land Tawney, outdoorsman, conservationist and co-founder of American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, to discuss the future of public lands conservation and effective grassroots advocacy strategies. With nearly 30 years of conservation leadership experience, including his transformative tenure at Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Land brings unparalleled expertise to this critical conversation about protecting our outdoor heritage.

Land reveals the strategic framework that helped him build one of the most successful coalitions in outdoor conservation history. He shares three essential ingredients for grassroots success: making activism fun and accessible, empowering young leaders without traditional hierarchical barriers and standing for core conservation principles without political compromise. These tactics helped Backcountry Hunters and Anglers grow from a small organization to a 40,000-member powerhouse that united duck hunters, fly fishermen, gear enthusiasts and big game hunters across political divides.

Land outlines the unprecedented challenges confronting American public lands through a framework of "dismantling, defunding and divesting." He details specific threats including proposed mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters wilderness, oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Ambler Road through Gates of the Arctic and ongoing efforts to sell off 3 million acres of public lands. These aren't isolated incidents—they represent a coordinated assault on the 640 million acres of public lands that belong to all Americans.

Learn why Land launched this new 501(c)(4) organization that can engage directly in political advocacy and lobbying without the restrictions placed on traditional conservation nonprofits. Unlike membership-based organizations constrained by corporate partnerships and federal grants, this nimble "speedboat" organization can speak truth to power and create the grassroots upswell that enables other conservation groups to negotiate effectively in Washington. Land explains how digital organizing, authentic communication and strategic political engagement are essential tools for this critical moment in conservation history.

Drawing from formative experiences on the Big Hole River during salmon fly hatches with his father and mentorship from conservation legends like Jim Posewitz, Land shares how early fly fishing memories shaped his conservation ethic. He discusses the importance of balancing responsible resource development with wilderness protection, citing examples from Montana timber management to Wyoming oil and gas fields that demonstrate how thoughtful compromise can benefit both extractive industries and fish and wildlife populations.

Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

S2, Ep 40: Chris Wood of Trout Unlimited

S2, Ep 67: People of Bristol Bay - Tia Shoemaker of Grizzly Skins of Alaska

S2, Ep 83: People of Bristol Bay - Drew Hamilton of Friends of McNeil River

S2, Ep 93: People of Bristol Bay - Kate Crump of Frigate Adventure Travel

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Follow American Hunters and Anglers Action Network on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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00:00 Introduction

07:02 The Importance of Grassroots Activism

11:02 Empowering the Next Generation

15:32 Building a Broad Coalition

17:45 Utilizing Digital Tools for Community

26:08 The Role of American Hunters and Anglers Action Network

33:14 Addressing Current Environmental Threats

43:52 Responsible Resource Management

53:24 Call to Action for Listeners

Join The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for a timely Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College.

As late fall transitions into winter, George breaks down current conditions across Central PA's streams and provides essential guidance for navigating spawning season responsibly. With rivers running low and clear, he shares proven techniques including nymphing with smaller mayfly patterns, deploying egg patterns in deeper runs and timing your streamer fishing for low-light conditions to maximize success. George highlights the ongoing afternoon olive hatches that offer quality dry fly opportunities when temperatures warm and emphasizes the critical importance of avoiding spawning redds to protect trout populations.

Whether you're targeting Central Pennsylvania limestone streams or freestone waters, this report delivers actionable intelligence for winter fly fishing success while promoting ethical angling practices during the spawn.

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S5, Ep 145 - Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report with TCO Fly Shop

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S6, Ep 129 - TCO Fly Shop's George Costa Discusses Prime Fall Fishing Conditions

S6, Ep 138 - Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa

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In this episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash connects with Mac Brown from Mac Brown Fly Fish in Bryson City, North Carolina, for another Casting Angles segment exploring an often-overlooked winter fishing strategy: dry fly fishing in cold weather conditions.

Mac reveals why winter dry fly fishing deserves more attention, particularly in the Great Smoky Mountains where low, clear water and selective trout make stealth presentations with dries surprisingly effective. The discussion covers critical winter hatches including midges, blue wing olives and October caddis, with Mac emphasizing that BWOs in the Smokies are exceptionally small—requiring size 30 patterns for selective fish rather than the typical size 18 parachutes many anglers default to.

Both anglers share insights on dry dropper techniques for precision nymphing in skinny winter water, explaining how light rigs allow far more accurate presentations than indicator setups when targeting specific fish. Mac reflects on how his most memorable catches throughout his guiding career have come on dry flies during fall and winter, challenging the modern trend toward nymph-only approaches. The conversation also touches on late-winter black stonefly hatches and Mac's upcoming 2026 fly fishing show schedule including Boston, Edison, Denver, Bellevue, Pleasanton and Lancaster.

Related Content

S7, Ep 28 - Warming Waters and Active Fish: A Spring Fishing Update with Mac Brown

S6, Ep 130 - Casting in Color: Mac Brown's Fall Fly Fishing Strategies

S6, Ep 141 - Mastering Cold Weather Fly Fishing with Mac Brown

S6, Ep 145 - Navigating Winter Waters: Unconventional Strategies with Mac Brown

All Things Social Media

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Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for an East Tennessee Fishing Report with guide Ellis Ward, covering exceptional streamer fishing conditions on the South Holston River.

Ward breaks down the perfect storm of factors creating explosive brown trout action: pre-spawn behavior, shad kills from dissolved oxygen events and ideal atmospheric conditions that produced multiple fish over 20 inches in single sessions.

This fly fishing podcast delivers expert troubleshooting for anglers struggling with streamer refusals, as Ward addresses a detailed listener question about converting follows into hookups. Learn critical techniques for maintaining direct line contact, the importance of "kill" pauses in your retrieve and strategic fly placement near structure where predator-wary browns feel secure enough to eat. Ward explains why jerk stripping and shooting line sabotage hookups, how to adjust retrieve cadence for moody fish and when to dramatically change fly size to trigger strikes.

The episode covers post-shad kill windows, lake turnover impacts and prime January-February post-spawn streamer opportunities on Tennessee tailwaters.

To learn more about Ellis, check out our interview!

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S7, Ep 14 - The Streamer Playbook: Tips and Tactics for Targeting Big Trout in East Tennessee with Ellis Ward

S6, Ep 142 - Winter Musky Adventures and Streamer Tactics with Ellis Ward

S7, Ep 50 - The Art of the Follow: Streamer Strategies and Fishing Tales from East Tennessee

S6, Ep 139 - Exploring East Tennessee's Changing Waters with Ellis Ward

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Join The Articulate Fly's latest Central PA Fishing Report as host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for critical fall fishing updates.

With much-needed rain finally arriving in central Pennsylvania, George breaks down how the changing water conditions are transforming local trout streams. Streamer fishing is heating up as flows increase and water gains color, creating ideal conditions for aggressive fall trout. George reports consistent olive hatches providing sporadic dry fly action throughout the day, though nymphing remains the most productive technique for anglers targeting Pennsylvania limestone streams. Listeners learn essential spawning season etiquette as redds begin appearing, plus insider timing on when streams will clear for optimal weekend fishing. George also provides updates on the developing steelhead run in Lake Erie tributaries as fish begin stacking in the system.

Whether you're planning a Central PA trout outing or curious about regional fall conditions, this quick fishing report delivers actionable intelligence for maximizing your time on the water.

Related Content

S7, Ep 36 - Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop

S6, Ep 118 - Central PA Fall Fishing Report: George Costa's Tips and Tactics

S5, Ep 145 - Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report with TCO Fly Shop

S7, Ep 14 - The Streamer Playbook: Tips and Tactics for Targeting Big Trout in East Tennessee with Ellis Ward

All Things Social Media

Follow TCO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Join Marvin Cash on The Butcher Shop fly fishing podcast as he interviews Chase Smith, inventor of the innovative Spiral Spook fly pattern. Chase bridges conventional and fly fishing by adapting the classic walk-the-dog action into a deadly topwater fly for bass and other predator species.

Chase shares his journey from conventional fishing to creating one of fly fishing's most unique topwater patterns. Learn how he solved critical design challenges including weight distribution, foam construction and hook positioning to achieve authentic spook action on a fly rod.

Discover the precise retrieve technique required for walking the fly—short, sharp strips just three inches long with rod tip on the water. Chase reveals why leader material matters, explaining why soft monofilament outperforms fluorocarbon and stiff materials. Get the complete leader formula: 2 feet of 50-pound to 2 feet of 35-40 pound, finishing with 2 feet of 20-pound soft mono.

Chase breaks down the complete construction process, from embedding weights in foam bodies to creating the signature spiral wrap. Learn about material selection including EVA foam, Gorilla Glue clear coating and wide-gap offset hooks that dramatically improved hookup ratios. Understand the precision required—weight placement within millimeters affects the entire action.

Get Chase's preferred setup: 55-millimeter bone-colored spooks on 6-7 weight rods with floating lines with aggressive tapers. Discover why smaller sizes catch more fish and how to adapt the pattern for varying conditions. Chase shares his 90% commitment to bone color and explains the strategic advantage of downsizing.

The most common mistake anglers make is stripping too long. Chase emphasizes the critical importance of short, sharp strips—just a wrist flick of three inches. Learn how to initiate the walk with fast strips then vary tempo for different actions. Understand why loop knots are essential and how tippet diameter affects glide.

Ready to add this deadly topwater pattern to your predator fly arsenal? Tune in for Chase's expert insights on creating and fishing one of fly fishing's most innovative surface patterns.

Thanks to Schultz Outfitters, TroutRoutes and OnX Fish Midwest for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.

S6, Ep 124 - Fly Tying with Chase Smith

BONUS - Tying the Circus Peanut: Streamer Secrets and Fishing Strategies with Russ Maddin

S6, Ep 101 - The Chocklett Factory: Fly Fishing Travels, Conservation and New Ventures

S4, Ep 4 - Matt O'Neal of Savage Flies

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00:00 Introduction

09:16 The Design Process

15:33 Evolution of the Fly

21:26 Common Mistakes to Avoid

27:00 Mastering the Action

32:49 Upcoming Projects

In this Casting Angles segment of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash and fly fishing expert Mac Brown tackle high water fishing strategies as fall rains transform river conditions across the mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions.

Fresh from teaching in Arkansas during challenging turnover conditions, Mac shares critical techniques for bank fishing during elevated flows, explaining why staying out of the water lets anglers cover 8-10 times more productive water than wading.

Learn why tight-line nymphing outperforms indicator setups when current speeds up, discover Mac's color selection science for stained water (including why blue mops dominate in dirty conditions) and master the prospecting approach that keeps flies in the strike zone along current seams.

Mac also breaks down tippet adjustments for flood-stage fishing, streamer jigging tactics and the safety considerations every angler should follow when rivers rise.

Whether you're chasing steelhead runs or working your home water after a soaking rain, this episode delivers actionable high water fly fishing techniques from one of fly fishing's most accomplished instructors.

Related Content

S7, Ep 41 - Navigating High Water: Strategies for Success with Mac Brown

S7, Ep 36 - Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop

S7, Ep 14 - The Streamer Playbook: Tips and Tactics for Targeting Big Trout in East Tennessee with Ellis Ward

S7, Ep 28 - Warming Waters and Active Fish: A Spring Fishing Update with Mac Brown

All Things Social Media

Follow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for the season finale of The Ruch Report, where host Marvin Cash and Brendan Ruch deliver critical late fall fishing insights from Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Ruch, a respected smallmouth bass guide and fly tier, breaks down the challenging low, clear water conditions dominating the region and explains how fish behavior shifts as topwater season ends. Despite late summer-like water levels continuing into fall, Ruch reveals a key pattern: smallmouth are grouping up, creating opportunities for multiple hookups in productive spots. He discusses the seasonal transition as cooler temperatures push the topwater bite into hibernation until spring, while teasing an upcoming deep dive into his innovative "Nut Job" pattern.

The episode concludes with the announcement of the season's giveaway winner and details on how anglers can book Ruch for pre-spawn smallmouth trips.

Whether you're planning fall outings or looking ahead to spring, this episode delivers actionable intelligence on adapting techniques to tough conditions and capitalizing on concentrated fish.

To learn more about Brendan, check out our interview.

Related Content

S6, Ep 41 - Smallmouth Secrets and Streamer Savvy with Brendan Ruch

S6, Ep 112 - Smallmouth Transitions and Musky Prep: Matt Reilly's Southwest VA Update

S6, Ep 83 - Hot Days and Clear Waters: Matt Reilly's Southwest Virginia Fishing Report

S7, Ep 36 - Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop

All Things Social Media

Follow Brendan on Facebook and Instagram.

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