Giving Thanks, 2025

Don't get scammed. I don't sound like anyone (I think). Combat fishing is a choice. Those three short sentences sum up this edition of my regular "Fly Fishing Accusations" podcast. You ask questions, make comments, and level accusations about those things I've written and/or said. I respond. I think it is an awful lot of fun. You might, too. So give it a listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back into the Cast1 series of episodes. Each focuses on basic information pertaining to some aspect of fly fishing. But just because it is "basic" doesn't mean the content is only for beginners. A surprising number of anglers don't venture out in the coldest months. On one hand it makes sense: it is cold. On the other hand, there are fish to be caught! Even seasoned fly fishers will admit they haven't dabbled in casting when the air temp is lower than the water temp. Today I quickly cover an overview of the why, how, where, and what of winter fly fishing. Plus, I give a half dozen resources for going deeper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A short blurb for a short episode: As I have done for  a few years, I'm taking time this Thanksgiving week to share some things for which I'm thankful. Since you're listening to my podcast, there is a good chance that you'll be able to relate in some way, shape, or form. Hopefully, you are having/have had a great Thanksgiving. We have much to be grateful for, and ought to be in the business of expressing that gratitude regularly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Notice that this is not the "2025 Official Fly Fishing List of Products." Those are all fine and good. But I'm doing something just a little bit different this season. Today I'm sharing five ways to think about gift giving (or gift requesting). These categories of  gifts run the gamut from flies to personalized matted prints; destination excursions to angling-themed rocks glasses. With a little thought, there is genuinely something for everyone. And after all, isn't it the thought that counts? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is just a net. Yes. But it is more than just a net when you need to land that big fish. Today I walk through a few net basics: shapes, sizes, materials. I also discuss a few techniques, best practices, and ways to carry your net. This is one of those topics that is really basic. But for someone who has only ever done one thing, or for the new angler, this information can truly be helpful as you head out to the water... or put together a wish list. Don't sleep on a nice custom net for a luxury gift for the angler who has everything! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heat, cold, and high water make fly fishing tricky. Wind makes fly fishing downright difficult. The physics of a fly cast and windy conditions are at odds with one another,  impacting our particular kind of angling in a very specific manner. Without denying the challenge of fishing in the wind, I want to share three simple steps to mitigate the effects of blustery air on your fly line. There is nothing new or novel here. However, there is the encouragement that a sustained breeze doesn't mean you have to head home (or bust out the spoons and jigs). Oh, and stop blaming the wind for the knots that your tailing loops cause. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, I'm still here. Ten years after putting a little orange and grey website about fly fishing together I continue to do my darndest with three posts a week on the people, places, and things that go into the pursuit of fish. On this week's "very special episode" I share some reflections on what this decade has meant. There has been some work, some fishing, and a lot of great memories made. Hopefully, it will encourage you: encourage you with fly fishing, with this crazy niche culture we have, and with any ambitions for creativity you might be considering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are confidence flies? Of course, it is a thing people say. But is it a real thing? I maintain that it is. And these flies don't only give you a leg up when you're fishing them: I think that we can learn a lot about how to fish any and every fly if we pay attention to how we're fishing our confidence flies. So while  the topic might seem a bit philosophical or abstract, there is truly something to explore for a few minutes. After all, would you rather fish with confidence or with apprehension? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After perusing a handful of books about tying and fishing midges, and in anticipation of turning to these tiny flies for much of my winter angling, I thought I'd share a potpourri of midge information today. While even tying them on might seem like a chore, the part that midges play in most trout diets makes them impossible to ignore. Even the biggest fish will gorge themselves on bugs that match a size 28 fly pattern. Getting comfortable with fishing these flies goes a long way. And today I discuss some of the tying, fishing, and storage tips that have helped me over the decades. Whether you're a believer in midges or not, listen and get excited about angling with the smallest flies out there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is awfully nice to be the first one to unwrap the plastic from a smooth cork handle or to wipe the excess factory grease from a disc drag. It is also nice to save a few hundred bucks. In this installment of Casting Across, I'm talking about finding and evaluating used gear. I'm focusing primarily on rods and reels, but the principles apply to pretty much anything the angler might need. Buying used can be a great way to snag a good deal. And, as I explain, not all "used" fishing gear has actually been used. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices