Casting Episodes

Episode Overview How do skilled fly casters actually maximize distance by shooting line, and why do most anglers overestimate how well they have mastered it? On this Casting Angles segment of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish in Bryson City, North Carolina, for a deep dive into the mechanics of shooting line. Drawing on college-level research using high-speed cameras and strobe lights, Mac explains w...

Episode Overview In this Casting Angles episode of The Articulate Fly, Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish joins host Marvin Cash for a focused deep-dive into the reach mend — one of fly fishing's most foundational presentation tools, and one Mac argues has been quietly undervalued since Doug Swisher introduced it to American fly fishing in 1971. The conversation serves as both a how-to for beginners and a useful recalibration for intermediate anglers who have been fishing ...

Episode Overview In this Casting Angles episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash and Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish tackle the science behind low-water trout presentation — the kind of technical adjustment that separates consistent anglers from frustrated ones. With drought conditions pushing Western North Carolina rivers to July-like flows in early April, Marvin and Mac deliver a timely primer on two interconnected concepts: Snell's window (the physics governin...

Episode Overview In this Casting Angles episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash and Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish cover the spring fishing picture in western North Carolina just ahead of the Easter and spring break rush. The conversation is a candid, practical guide for anglers planning a trip to the region — with an honest assessment of current stocking conditions on delayed harvest water and a strong case for pursuing wild trout in the backcountry instead. Mac and Marvin address a no...

Episode Overview In this Casting Angles episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash and Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown close out the fly fishing show season with a candid debrief on what happens after students leave the classroom. Recorded immediately after both Marvin and Mac wrapped up their teaching schedules at the Lancaster Fly Fishing Show — the final show of the year — the conversation digs into one of the most practical and underexplored questions in fly fish...

Episode Overview In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash sits down with Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown for another installment of Casting Angles — a wide-ranging conversation on the philosophy of continuous improvement in fly fishing and fly casting. Recorded just before the Lancaster Fly Fishing Show , the episode centers on one of the most practical yet underappreciated principles in skill development: approaching your craft with a beginner's mind, no matter how many years...

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 tr...

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 c...

Episode Overview Casting instructor Mac Brown joins host Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly for another Casting Angles conversation, this time focused on the upcoming Edison Fly Fishing Show and the casting education landscape. This episode offers serious fly anglers essential insights into proper casting fundamentals, debunking common myths about distance casting and the overemphasis on double hauling in favor of loop control and efficiency. Mac and Marvin discuss their collaborative teaching ap...

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 ...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash connects with Mac Brown from Mac Brown Fly Fish in Bryson City, North Carolina, for another Casting Angles segment exploring an often-overlooked winter fishing strategy: dry fly fishing in cold weather conditions. Mac reveals why winter dry fly fishing deserves more attention, particularly in the Great Smoky Mountains where low, clear water and selective trout make stealth presentations with dries surprisingly effective....

In this Casting Angles segment of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash and fly fishing expert Mac Brown tackle high water fishing strategies as fall rains transform river conditions across the mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions. Fresh from teaching in Arkansas during challenging turnover conditions, Mac shares critical techniques for bank fishing during elevated flows, explaining why staying out of the water lets anglers cover 8-10 times more productive water than wading. Learn...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash reconnects with guide Mac Brown for another Casting Angles segment focused on North Carolina's delayed harvest season. With the first Saturday in October marking the start of DH fishing across Western North Carolina waters, Mac shares tactical insights for success throughout the fall and winter. He explains how stocked trout behavior evolves rapidly—while "junk food" patterns work during the initial week, fish quickly be...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for another essential Casting Angles segment with renowned guide and casting instructor Mac Brown, who brings over 40 years of guiding experience to this critical discussion on building foundational casting skills. Mac reveals why most anglers struggle with on-water situations despite countless hours of park practice, explaining how developing a strong foundational casting stroke facilitates the variability needed to adapt seamlessly to chal...

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly for another Casting Angles segment with expert instructor Mac Brown, where they explore the path from basic technique to true casting mastery. Brown, a renowned fly fishing guide and casting instructor from Bryson City, North Carolina, brings decades of teaching experience to discuss the four stages of learning that transform mechanical casting into effortless, flow-state performance. Perfect timing for the post-Labor Day transition period, this episode div...

Join Marvin Cash on this episode of Casting Angles featuring expert guide and instructor Mac Brown as they dive deep into mastering drift presentation techniques for summer trout fishing. Mac Brown, renowned for his comprehensive fly fishing guide schools and technical expertise, shares game-changing strategies for achieving drag-free drifts when targeting rising fish across varying current speeds. Learn how to position yourself strategically to avoid perpendicular approaches that create immedia...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with casting expert Mac Brown for another enlightening installment of Casting Angles. As Mac finds himself in snowy Denver after the Seattle show, he shares his excitement for the upcoming Denver Fly Fishing Show, where he will be teaching an all-day casting class and conducting various presentations and demos throughout the weekend. The conversation delves into the importance of education in fly fishing, emphasizing that underst...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Mac Brown for another engaging installment of Casting Angles. As they dive into the world of streamers, Marvin reflects on a recent trip to Michigan for Bobbin the Hood, hosted by Schultz Outfitters . This gathering, likened to Woodstock for predator fly enthusiasts, brought together top-tier fly tyers and anglers focused on species from trout to smallmouth to musky. Mac discusses the importance of streamer fishing as a gate...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash connects with Mac Brown for another insightful "Casting Angles" segment. Mac shares his experiences from a successful casting school, highlighting the camaraderie and skill of the participants. They discuss the challenges posed by low water levels in the creeks and the implications of an upcoming hatchery renovation on trout stocking in North Carolina. Mac and Marvin delve into the technical aspects of fall fishing, emphasizing the importan...

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with seasoned fishing guide Mac Brown for another insightful segment of Casting Angles. Mac shares his experiences with brown trout fishing in the Park, emphasizing the effectiveness of terrestrials like inch worms, ants and beetles. They discuss the impact of recent cool weather and rainfall on fishing conditions and how these changes have been beneficial for the trout. Mac highlights the importance of drift in fly fishing, shar...

Welcome back to another episode of The Articulate Fly with your host, Marvin Cash, featuring the insightful Mac Brown in our latest "Casting Angles" segment. This Memorial Day special kicks off with heartfelt gratitude to our veterans and active military members, honoring their sacrifices and highlighting the upcoming 80th anniversary celebration of the D-Day invasion in Bedford, Virginia. As Marvin and Mac dive into the essence of fly fishing, they tackle the unpredictable weather in the Mid-At...

Join host Marvin Cash as he explores the intricate world of advanced fly casting with the expertise of Mac Brown on The Articulate Fly. In this episode, Mac unpacks the mechanics of loops, the importance of movement coordination and the efficiency of full arm casting. As they dissect the subtleties of casting strokes and the role of the wrist, arm and shoulder at varying distances, listeners are treated to a masterclass in technique. Delving into the history of casting styles, Mac reflects on ho...

Learn to avoid the crowds with host Marvin Cash and the seasoned wisdom of Mac Brown in this enlightening episode of The Articulate Fly. As spring unfurls its greenery, Mac recounts his recent Appalachian Trail adventure with family and his return to his home waters. With the trout opener drawing legions to the water, Mac offers sage advice for those seeking tranquility and eager bites—venture to the lesser-trodden paths up high or embrace the thrill of warm water fishing for bluegill and bass. ...

Dive into the refreshing currents of early spring with host Marvin Cash and fly fishing virtuoso Mac Brown in the latest episode of The Articulate Fly. As the trees bud and the rivers swell, Mac shares his insights on the bustling hatch activity in Western North Carolina. With midday and evening waters teeming with life, he guides listeners through the prime time for dry fly and wet fly fishing, revealing the simplicity behind successful fly selection amidst the frenzy of the spring hatch. Mac d...