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The True Cast – Sight fishing tip: Find the player
The fun really starts when you spot a bunch of trout in a river, but this is when you have some decisions to make. Naturally, the first question that comes to mind is what are the fish eating? If you’re lucky, the answers are likely flying all around you in bug form. And if you see snouts poking up on the surface,…
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The True Cast – What line weight fly rod is really best for trout?
My answer to this question—which I get asked at least once a week by someone—has evolved over time. But before we get into the weeds, let’s put a few universal truths out there for context. The actual weight of a fly rod and the “weight” of the line it is designed to work with are two completely…
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The True Cast – The 8-inch “Trophy”
What’s a “trophy” fish, really? Naturally, all of us anglers have been conditioned over the years to believe that bigger is better. And there’s certainly something to that. Catch a 30-inch wild brown trout on the South Fork of the Snake River in Idaho, for example, and the data from shocking surveys collected over many years says that’s beyond a one-in-a-million…
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The True Cast – Fly fishing through drought
Low water? Warm water? You still have options. But you also have responsibilities. It’s no secret that we’re experiencing some whacky, weird, often unfortunate, and sometimes downright devastating water conditions throughout the country now. Fly anglers understand that better than anyone. We are the “boots in the water,” the “canaries in the coal mine” as it…
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The True Cast – The 3 “modes” of dry-fly fishing
Not all dry-fly fishing is the same. Seeing trout poke their heads above the surface might be the obvious clue that you can play the dry-fly game. But the savvy angler recognizes subtle situational differences that can and should dictate some basics, like which fly pattern you choose and how best to present it. I’ve learned…
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The True Cast – It’s tube and canoe season… don’t sweat it!
Years ago, I was canoeing down the West Branch of the Delaware with a fishing buddy when we came upon an angler casting in the Farm Pool. We asked if he wanted us to paddle behind him, but he just huffed and took a step back toward the bank. So, we took that as a sign to hug the…
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The True Cast – The 5 questions you should ask about fly fishing product reviews
We live in a brave new world when it comes to buying things like fly rods, reels, jackets, waders and boots. “Brave” because it seems like everyone has the courage to step out and offer an opinion—especially in the digital realm, and even more especially when they can turn a buck by doing so. It seems like everyone is…
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