Mastering the Art of Fly Casting: The Role of Wrist Movement
By Jeff Wagner
When it comes to fly casting, the use of the wrist is often a contentious topic. Many envision an angler using only their wrist to whip the rod back and forth, resulting in wide, ineffective loops. While this is certainly an extreme example of poor casting, it does highlight a common misconception: that wrist movement is inherently bad for fly casting. The wrist plays a crucial role when used correctly, allowing for efficient, effective casting.
Here we’ll explore the fundamentals of fly casting, how to harness wrist movement effectively, and the biomechanical principles that can enhance your casting technique. At its core, fly casting relies on the relationship between the rod tip’s path and the fly line’s movement. The substance or principle here is that the fly line follows the path of the rod tip. When the rod tip follows a mostly straight-line path, the fly line will mirror that path, producing a straight top leg of the loop. This alignment is essential for presenting the fly accurately and efficiently. © Photo Arian Stevens
On the Bighorn: A Season of Growth and Connection
By Amber Payliss
Excerpt from Fly Fusion, Volume 22, Issue 2
Fly fishing is all about timing. Aligning with the rhythms of the river, the seasons, and the subtle cues of the fish we pursue. Every fall, as the leaves turn gold and the air carries a crisp edge, a group of women gather on Montana’s Bighorn River for the Redington Rally Women’s Escape. Hosted at Kingfisher Lodge in Fort Smith, this trip offers more than fishing; it’s a space where friendships are forged, skills are honed, and memories are caught in every cast.
The Bighorn River, a tailwater fishery known for its abundant hatches and thriving brown and rainbow trout, offers anglers an ideal mix of technical challenge and rewarding opportunity. A cool, clear river which weaves through willow thickets and stands of cottonwood trees provides an immersive experience that blends scenery with sport. © Photo Amber Payliss
Articulated Flies | Frank Brassard
The SID (yes, it’s named after that sloth in the animated film Ice Age) and the Unholy Diver are meant to dive upon each strip. They are of course both articulated, so there is some great tail movement and the fly sway to one side or the other after each strip. The difference between both flies start at the base. The Unholy Diver is tied onto the multiple shank configuration displayed earlier, while the SID is on a double hook setup. The next, and most important difference is the use of materials and how this difference highlight how new synthetics have moved this style of fishing forward. The SID is tied using rabbit strips and arctic fox. The Unholy diver is tied using waterproof craft fur. Both flies do have a base of chenille, used to prop up the other materials and help provide the illusion of bulk.
Simms Fishing Products "Dead On The Water" Collaboration with the Grateful Dead
Simms Fishing Products, a leader in performance fly fishing apparel and gear, has officially launched Dead On The Water— a limited-edition product collection in collaboration with the legendary rock band, the Grateful Dead. This unique partnership blends the world of technical angling gear with iconic music culture, creating a line that speaks to both performance and personal expression.
At the center of the collection is the GD Guide Wader, based on Simms’ award-winning G3 platform and crafted with Grateful Dead-inspired detailing. The collection also includes a range of technical and lifestyle pieces, including limited-edition sun hoodies, graphic t-shirts, and classic headwear.
More than just apparel, Dead On The Water explores the deep parallels between music and fishing — both demanding presence, surrender, and a connection to the moment. This collaboration captures that ethos, offering anglers and music lovers alike a way to celebrate the spirit that unites these seemingly different pursuits.
“This collaboration was born from feeling, not formulas,” said Ben Christensen, Head of Simms. “Fishing and music are both immersive experiences. They quiet the noise. Dead On The Water is our effort to capture this state of mind.”
The Simms x Grateful Dead: Dead On The Water Collection is available in limited quantities at simmsfishing.com and select retail partners.
Winners Announced for the 2025 Stimmies Fly Fishing Film Awards
The results are in! The 2025 Stimmies has wrapped up its biggest and most exciting season yet, with the highest voter participation in Stimmies history and overwhelming feedback that this year’s films were the best in competition to date. Presented by Scientific Anglers, Fly Fusion Magazine, and IF4™, the Stimmies celebrates excellence in fly-fishing filmmaking from around the globe, welcoming entries from both emerging and professional filmmakers.
Small Craft Sales Launches Online Buying and Selling Hub For "Little Floaters"
Small Craft Sales, a new online hub dedicated to small, specialty watercraft, is taking the headache out of buying and selling boats online. Designed for anglers, rafters, kayakers, wooden boat enthusiasts, and day cruisers, the platform offers a scam-free alternative to cluttered classifieds like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Sell USED OR NEW boats.
“Boat geeks know exactly what they want, but unstructured sites can be a mess,” said Tim Romano, founder of Small Craft Sales. “We’re here to connect passionate boaters and simplify the process.”
Trout System 2025
If you look at the first trout system and compare it with the new collection of flies featured in the Summer 2025 issue, you’ll see an evolution and an improvement in the patterns. Every year, Jeremy Davies on the hunt for new materials — testing new hooks, beads, dubbing, and other products that will enhance our time and success on the water. What follows are 5 bonus patterns for your summer tying. Pick up the Summer issue to see 20 more innovative flies you will want to add to your Trout System!
End of the Line | Justin Kallbacka
6 Flies for Tricky Trout tied by Justin Kallbacka are featured in the 2025 Summer issue. Head to your local fly shop to grab a copy, then check out these two bonus patterns!
One Man's Way to Catch Cranky Trout - Bonus Flies
In my 1952 second edition of Ray Bergman’s beefy classic volume, “Trout,” there are dressings for and paintings of 476 wet flies. Clearly, you can drown yourself in wet-fly patterns — just as you can with dry-fly, emerger, nymph, and streamer patterns. So, I’ll offer a very manageable selection of a few wets that will carry you a long way. ~ Skip Morris
Here are 6 bonus patterns from One Man’s Way to Catch Cranky Trout by Skip Morris. The full article can be found in the Spring 2025 Issue, now out.
Tying Tip: Rainbow Simi Seal Minnow
From beads and hooks to hackle and dubbing, many new materials have provided the inspiration to create new patterns that have proven effective on the water. Here is the recipe for one of my favourite new flies:
Rainbow Simi Seal Minnow
Hook: streamer hook 3x long, sizes 6 to 12. Lead over first third of hook shank
Head: rainbow brass or tungsten bead
Thread: black, olive or tan Uni-Thread 6/0
Body: dark shade Hareline Rainbow Dubbing
Tail: Claret Marabou with Krystal Flash, grey and blue
~ Jeremy Davies, Fly Tying Contributor, Fly Fusion
Casting Tip: Breaking Down the Roll Cast
The roll cast is an indispensable skill for any fly angler. It enhances your ability to cast in tight spaces, manage line effectively, and present your fly naturally to fish. As you transition from novice to intermediate, refining this technique will not only improve your casting but also elevate your overall fishing experience. Remember, every time you step onto the water, there’s an opportunity to grow as an angler. So, gear up, grab your rod, and head out to embrace the beauty while mastering the roll cast. Here’s some quick tips to mastering the roll cast.
Abel Reels Launches Custom Blue Line TR Reel
Abel Reels is proud to introduce a customized extension of its popular Abel Blue Line TR as part of the Blue Lining Project—a collaborative initiative with Airflo, onWater, and Trout Unlimited. This limited-edition reel marks an industry first, integrating personalized river mapping with premium reel design. Anglers can now engrave the unique “blue lines” of their favorite river system directly onto their reel.
Each reel is built with Abel’s proprietary CeranoTM Chaos Coating, which fuses durable ceramic coating with precision laser engraving. The Abel TR, a lightweight click-pawl reel designed specifically for trout fishing, delivers smooth performance and timeless simplicity on small to mid-sized streams.
As part of the Blue Lining Project, each reel purchase supports Trout Unlimited’s mission to protect and restore coldwater habitats. The project encourages anglers to explore thin, unpressured stretches of water, including hidden streams, forgotten creeks, and quiet rivers, while promoting conservation through responsible recreation. By guiding anglers to lesser-known waters, the initiative helps reduce pressure on heavily trafficked rivers and fosters a greater sense of environmental stewardship.
For more information, visit abelreels.com.
