The Articulate Fly

Episode Overview
In this Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania for a late-winter conditions update. George covers current water levels and clarity across several iconic Centre County streams — including the Juniata River, Spring Creek, Fishing Creek and Penns Creek — as heavy snowmelt pushes flows up and drops visibility. Despite the off-color, elevated conditions, George is optimistic: a few Blue-Winged Olives have already been spotted, nymphing has been consistent and a full late-winter/early-spring insect emergence looks imminent in the next two to three weeks. Anglers planning trips to Central PA trout water should temp the streams before wading — air temps in the mid-40s can be deceiving when snowmelt is actively cold-charging the system. The conversation also covers TCO's upcoming presence at the Lancaster Fly Fishing Show, a packed class schedule across all shop locations through early spring and a first look at the new Grundéns Rock Armor wading boots, which TCO is among the first retailers to stock before they're even live on the Grundéns website.
Key Takeaways
How to set expectations for Central PA streams in late winter when heavy snowmelt is elevating flows and dropping clarity across multiple watersheds.
Why water temperature can be unusually cold even when air temps feel mild, and why checking water temp before wading is essential during active snowmelt events.
When to plan your Central PA dry fly trips: George signals the Blue-Winged Olive hatch is weeks away from breaking wide open.
How to use the pre-season window productively by attending TCO's late-winter fly fishing classes across their Pennsylvania shop locations.
Why the new Grundéns Rock Armor boots are worth watching, with TCO among the earliest retailers to have them in stock.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Nymphing is the dominant tactic for Central PA trout during the current late-winter/snowmelt window, with George noting it has been consistent despite not yet reaching its seasonal peak. The conversation anticipates a shift toward dry fly fishing as water temperatures rise and the Blue-Winged Olive hatch accelerates over the next few weeks — a classic late-winter to early-spring transition for Pennsylvania limestone streams. On the gear side, the notable mention is the new Grundéns Rock Armor wading boots, which TCO Fly Shop in State College is stocking ahead of the general retail release; no other specific rod, reel or fly patterns were discussed in this report segment.
Locations & Species
This episode focuses entirely on Central Pennsylvania limestone and freestone trout streams in late winter. The primary waters discussed are the Juniata River (elevated and off-color from snowmelt), Spring Creek, Fishing Creek and Penns Creek — all experiencing increased flows and reduced clarity as the snowpack drains into the watershed. Target species are wild brown trout and rainbow trout, consistent with the Central PA catch-and-release freestone and limestone spring creek fisheries. Conditions reflect a classic late-February snowmelt transition: still cold, flows running above seasonal averages, but with early insect activity signaling the imminent arrival of prime spring fishing.
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Episode Overview
In this episode of The Articulate Fly podcast, host Marvin Cash catches up with master casting instructor Mac Brown for another installment of Casting Angles — a recurring segment dedicated to fly casting education and the business of fly fishing instruction. Recorded just after Mac returned from back-to-back appearances at the Denver and Bellevue stops of the Fly Fishing Show, the conversation covers his experience on the road, a spontaneous three-day steelhead spey fishing trip squeezed between shows and what's ahead on the Fly Fishing Show calendar. Mac and Marvin dig into the practical value of two-handed casting techniques on single-handed rods — particularly for tight Appalachian streams and summertime smallmouth fishing on rivers like the Little Tennessee, Pigeon and Tuckaseegee. Mac makes a compelling case that mastering the roll cast and a module of switch/spey casts (snake roll, snap T, snap C, Z cast, A cast) transforms an angler's ability to present flies on any water, not just big steelhead rivers. The episode wraps with late-winter fishing observations, a teaser about the upcoming Lancaster Fly Fishing Show and a reminder that Mac's guide schools, casting schools and specialty classes are bookable on his website.
Key Takeaways
How to expand your presentation options on tight Appalachian streams by adding spey and switch casts to your single-handed rod repertoire.
Why the roll cast is the essential foundation of all two-handed casting, and why building it first unlocks the entire spey/switch toolkit.
How to use two-handed delivery moves — snake rolls, snap Ts, Z casts and others — for summertime smallmouth fishing.
When to capitalize on late-winter warmup windows by monitoring water temperatures, even when air temps feel comfortable for trout fishing.
Why fishing from the tail of a long pool with two-handed casting techniques gives you a longer drift, better positioning and keeps big fish unaware of your presence.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Mac Brown covers the full spectrum of spey and switch casting moves applicable to single-handed rods, including the roll cast, snake roll, snap T, snap C, Z cast and A cast — what he describes as a "module of eight or nine" setup-and-deliver sequences that, once internalized, become intuitive rather than mechanical. A key theme is translating techniques typically practiced on grass into real fishing scenarios: managing 50–60 feet of shooting line in your fingers, reading pool geometry and making decisions about river-left vs. river-right presentations coming out of winter. Mac also references the two-day and three-day specialty casting schools he runs throughout the season — focused formats on wet fly and dry fly specifically — available through his website under specialty classes. No specific fly patterns or rod brands are mentioned in this episode, keeping the focus squarely on casting mechanics and tactical decision-making.
Locations & Species
The episode references several western North Carolina rivers as prime proving grounds for switch and spey techniques on single-handed rods,...

Episode Overview
In this Southwest Virginia Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly podcast, guide Matt Reilly discusses late January/early February winter conditions on the New River and tactical considerations for musky anglers navigating frozen water and seasonal transitions. Reilly details how 6 to 9 inches of snowfall combined with sub-freezing temperatures have kept the New River frozen for nearly two weeks, creating challenging access conditions while fish hold in predictable winter lies. The report covers ice safety protocols for anglers working from boats during breakup periods, identifies which river sections will thaw first based on gradient and sun exposure and explains how snowmelt from the western North Carolina headwaters will buffer water temperature rises even as air temperatures climb into the upper 40s and low 50s. Reilly also provides booking updates for the tail end of musky season extending into early March, pre-spawn smallmouth opportunities in March and April, the spring striper run and post-spawn musky fishing, emphasizing that winter downtime offers anglers ideal conditions for planning technical trips targeting these species throughout the New River system.
Key Takeaways
How to navigate ice safety when fishing from a boat during river breakup, including avoiding large ice sheets and maintaining situational awareness for floating ice hazards.
Why lower New River sections near Claytor Lake thaw first due to wider channels, direct sun exposure and lower elevation compared to shaded upper watershed areas.
When snowmelt from 6 to 9 inches of accumulated snow in the western North Carolina headwaters will create increased flows that buffer water temperature rises during early February warm-ups.
How to identify productive open water during marginal freezing conditions by targeting faster gradient sections and areas with warm water influence.
Why late winter offers optimal planning windows for booking pre-spawn smallmouth trips in March and April, spring striper runs and extended musky season dates into early March.

Techniques & Gear Covered
This report focuses on tactical decision-making for winter musky fishing and seasonal transitions rather than specific presentation techniques. Reilly discusses how fish remain in predictable winter holding locations during prolonged freezing periods, requiring anglers to understand hydrological patterns and ice coverage to access productive water safely. The conversation emphasizes reading watershed dynamics during thaw periods, identifying which river sections will open first based on gradient, sun exposure and proximity to warm water sources like dam releases. Anglers targeting the late musky season extending into early March will need to adapt to post-freeze conditions where snowmelt increases flows while moderating temperature rises, creating transitional windows that precede pre-spawn smallmouth opportunities in the same system.
Locations & Species
The report centers on the New River in Southwest Virginia, particularly sections from the western North Carolina headwaters near Mount Rogers through the lower New River approaching Claytor Lake. Primary target species include musky during the extended late winter season through early March and smallmouth bass during the pre-spawn period beginning in March and continuing through April. Reilly also mentions spring striper runs and post-spawn musky fishing as key seasonal opportunities. The late January/early February conditions feature frozen water throughout most of the

Episode Overview
Mac Brown joins host Marvin Cash for this Casting Angles episode of The Articulate Fly, a fly fishing podcast focused on practical instruction and technique refinement. With winter weather keeping many anglers off the water across the mid-Atlantic and southern Appalachians, Mac and Marvin discuss how to use this downtime productively by organizing gear and preparing equipment for the upcoming season. The conversation covers essential off-season maintenance tasks including line cleaning, wader re-treating, fly box reorganization and boot cleat maintenance. Mac shares his custom tippet management system that prevents fumbling for tippet in freezing conditions and emphasizes the importance of getting fly weight systems dialed in before prime fishing returns. The discussion also touches on the transition from winter's deep freeze to early spring fishing opportunities, with Quill Gordon hatches beginning as early as mid-February on National Park streams and post-spawn streamer fishing on tailwaters like the South Holston and Watauga. This episode provides a comprehensive checklist for serious anglers to ensure their gear is ready when weather breaks and fishing conditions improve.
Key Takeaways
How to organize fly boxes by weight and technique during the off-season to streamline on-water efficiency when the season begins.
Why washing and re-treating waders now prevents cutting into prime fishing time during peak spring hatches.
How to create a reliable tippet management system using elastic and clear tubing so you never struggle to find the tippet end in cold conditions.
When to expect the earliest hatches in the southern Appalachians, with Quill Gordons appearing in mid-February on National Park streams.
Why the first warm day after extended cold spells consistently produces excellent fishing as water temperatures rise from the mid-30s.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Mac emphasizes moving away from traditional split shot systems because mashing lead onto tippet significantly weakens the tippet when wet, instead favoring organized weight systems built into flies. The discussion covers comprehensive line cleaning protocols for multiple setups, particularly for lake fishing applications where having several lines ready prevents last-minute scrambling. Mac details his custom tippet management method using elastic and clear tubing (similar to New Zealand strike indicator material) that keeps 2 inches of tippet exposed and prevents the frustrating search for the tippet end when fingers are numb. Boot maintenance receives attention with the recommendation to install fresh 5/8-inch sheet metal screws using an eighth-inch driver to maintain traction. The episode also addresses seasonal gear rotation, including moving chemical hand warmers, nitrile gloves and other cold weather gear in and out of fishing kits as conditions change.
Locations & Species
The episode references winter conditions across Charlotte, Swain County and western North Carolina, where snow and single-digit temperatures have kept guides off the water for nearly two weeks. Marvin mentions an upcoming post-spawn brown trout streamer trip on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers near Johnson City, taking advantage of warming trends with temperatures reaching 60 degrees. Mac discusses early-season opportunities on National Park streams in the Smokies, where Quill Gordon hatches begin in the second or third week of February—some of the earliest dry fly action in the country. The conversation also touches on Mac's

Episode Overview
Mike Schultz joins The Butcher Shop to deliver a comprehensive deep dive into the Swingin' D, one of predator fly fishing's most effective swim patterns for targeting smallmouth bass in Michigan rivers. This detailed conversation traces the pattern's evolution from its early 2000s origins through modern 2.0 variations, exploring the critical role of Larry Dahlberg's diver head design in creating the fly's signature side-to-side action. Mike shares the problem he was solving—creating a fly that would hang and move horizontally rather than just vertically like traditional leech and crayfish patterns. He walks through material selection spanning over 15 years of refinement, from the original beads-and-wire construction to today's shank-based articulated designs. The discussion covers tactical presentation details including optimal water temperatures (45-50°F+), rod and intermediate line selection, retrieve cadences and the importance of fishing at proper angles to achieve maximum action. Mike also provides updates on Schultz Outfitters' new e-commerce platform and upcoming events including the fourth annual Bobbin the Hood.
Key Takeaways
How to achieve unpredictable horizontal swim action by properly selecting and seating Rainy's diver heads, which create side-to-side darting movement that mimics wounded baitfish when fished at 45-degree angles on intermediate lines.
Why the Swingin' D fills a critical gap in predator fly boxes by suspending in the strike zone and allowing precise depth control through strategic weighting with lead wraps or tungsten scud bodies balanced against the buoyant foam head.
When to fish the Swingin' D most effectively—peak performance occurs in 45-50°F+ water during late March through May when smallmouth are aggressive and feeding in shallow 2-4 foot zones.
How to construct durable 2.0 versions using The Chocklett Factory shanks, Senyo micro shank connections, Ahrex XO 774 rear hooks and Gamakatsu 2/0 worm hooks up front to prevent hook failures and maximize hookups.
Why proper head selection and orientation matters—wider heads with substantial collars produce aggressive side-to-side action for cold water while narrower heads swim tighter for warmer conditions.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Mike emphasizes the Swingin' D's effectiveness stems from proper presentation on intermediate lines using 7-8 weight rods like the G. Loomis IMX Pro V2 or his signature NRX+ Swim Fly. The fly excels when fished at 45-degree angles from a moving boat, using erratic strip-and-pause retrieves that allow the Dahlberg diver head to create horizontal darting action. Keeling techniques using .020-.030 lead wire or Hareline tungsten scud bodies balance the buoyant foam head to achieve desired depth penetration. Mike details construction using articulated shanks (The Chocklett Factory, Senyo micro shanks), Ahrex XO 774 universal curve rear hooks and Gamakatsu 2/0 worm hooks up front, incorporating materials like Senyo's Predator Wrap, Whiting hen saddles, mallard flank and Blane Chocklett's rattle boxes. Leaders run 4-7 feet terminating in 15-16lb fluorocarbon tied with loop knots to the fly with no swivels. The pattern's versatility allows customization through flash colors, head widths and weight placement to match conditions ranging from high spring flows to lower summer levels.
Locations &...