The Articulate Fly
The Articulate Fly
Recent Episodes
In this East Tennessee Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash connects with guide Ellis Ward to discuss the seasonal transition from brown trout to prime musky fishing on the French Broad River.
Ellis breaks down why December is a great time to chase musky in East Tennessee, explaining how low water conditions create unique presentation opportunities and how recent rain is settling the river into its winter patterns. With baby number three arriving this week, Ellis shares his strategic approach to the December lull, focusing clients on musky fishing while brown trout actively spawn.
In response to listener Austin's question about exploring new water, Ellis delivers a masterclass in scouting strategy, explaining how to use Google Maps to identify high-percentage areas like creek mouths, spring creek confluences and reservoir feeder streams throughout the region's extensive tailwater and lake systems. He emphasizes the importance of dedicated time on the water—three to four days per week minimum—to truly pattern any fishery, whether targeting stripers, smallmouth or trophy browns. Ellis wraps up by highlighting why January and February represent his favorite months for post-spawn trout fishing, promising "bonkers" days for anglers willing to brave the cold.
To learn more about Ellis, check out our interview!
Related Content
S6, Ep 142 - Winter Musky Adventures and Streamer Tactics with Ellis Ward
S6, Ep 146 - Musky Mysteries: Winter Tactics and Fly Tying Tips with Matt Reilly
S6, Ep 139 - Exploring East Tennessee's Changing Waters with Ellis Ward
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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 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.
Building Effective Grassroots Movements
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.
Critical Threats Facing Public Lands Today
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.
American Hunters and Anglers Action Network
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.
From Montana Rivers to National Leadership
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.
Sponsors
Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use artfly20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.
Related Content
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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Helpful Episode Chapters
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.
Related Content
S5, Ep 145 - Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report with TCO Fly Shop
S6, Ep 118 - Central PA Fall Fishing Report: George Costa's Tips and Tactics
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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