The Articulate Fly

Fishing Report Episodes

96
Nov. 13, 2025

S7, Ep 96: The Art of the Dry: Mac Brown's Winter Fishing Insights

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 effecti...
Guest: Mac Brown
95
Nov. 4, 2025

S7, Ep 95: Navigating the Bite: Ellis Ward's Guide to Catching Big Browns

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for an East Tennessee Fishing Report with guide Ellis Ward, covering exceptional streamer fishing conditions on the South Holston River. Ward breaks down the perfect storm of factors creating explosive brown trout action: pre-spawn behavior, shad kills from dissolved oxygen events and ideal atmospheric conditions that produced multiple fish over 20 inches in single sessions. This fly fishing podcast delivers expert troubleshooting for ...
Guest: Ellis Ward
94
Oct. 31, 2025

S7, Ep 94: Rain Dance Revelations: George Costa on Central PA's Fishing Forecast

Join The Articulate Fly's latest Central PA Fishing Report as host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for critical fall fishing updates. With much-needed rain finally arriving in central Pennsylvania, George breaks down how the changing water conditions are transforming local trout streams. Streamer fishing is heating up as flows increase and water gains color, creating ideal conditions for aggressive fall trout. George reports consistent olive hatches ...
Guest: George Costa
93
Oct. 29, 2025

S7, Ep 93: Rainy Day Strategies: Mac Brown on Fishing High Water and Stained Conditions

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. ...
Guest: Mac Brown
92
Oct. 25, 2025

S7, Ep 92: Last Call for Fishing: Brendan Ruch Discusses Fall Conditions and Future Plans

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for the season finale of The Ruch Report, where host Marvin Cash and Brendan Ruch deliver critical late fall fishing insights from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Ruch, a respected smallmouth bass guide and fly tier, breaks down the challenging low, clear water conditions dominating the region and explains how fish behavior shifts as topwater season ends. Despite late summer-like water levels continuing into fall, Ruch reveals a key pattern: smallmouth are group...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
90
Oct. 23, 2025

S7, Ep 90: Transitioning Tactics: Matt Reilly on Targeting Smallmouth and Musky This Fall

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly for this timely Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with guide Matt Reilly, covering the challenging transition period as fall conditions settle in. With water temperatures dropping into the low to mid-60s on the New River, Reilly shares honest insights about targeting large smallmouth bass during October's unpredictable conditions. Learn why big fish abandon their predictable summer spots this time of year and how effective strategies shift as the bug bit...
Guest: Matt Reilly
89
Oct. 17, 2025

S7, Ep 89: Fall Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Insights on Low Water and Seasonal Strategies

The Articulate Fly delivers timely central Pennsylvania fishing insights with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College, covering the transition into fall conditions across the region. As water levels drop and the first frost arrives, Costa breaks down technical nymphing strategies that are producing results in low, clear water—emphasizing 6-7x tippet and precise presentations during limited afternoon bite windows. Anglers will learn why small flies and long leaders are outperforming...
Guest: George Costa
87
Oct. 9, 2025

S7, Ep 87: Navigating the Waters: Ellis Ward's Tips for Fall Fishing and Boat Etiquette

In this East Tennessee Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Ellis Ward for timely fall fishing insights and essential drift boat etiquette. Ward breaks down why mouse patterns are producing exceptional results right now, explaining how recent field harvests push rodents to the water and trigger aggressive feeding windows even during bright moon phases. The conversation delivers practical drift boat etiquette for new boat owners, emphasizing co...
Guest: Ellis Ward
86
Oct. 3, 2025

S7, Ep 86: Navigating Fall Waters: George Costa's Tips for Low and Clear Conditions

Join host Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast for a timely Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College. With low, clear water conditions dominating Central PA streams, George breaks down the technical adjustments anglers need to make right now—long leaders, lighter tippets and smaller flies are essential for success. Learn which patterns are producing in these challenging conditions, from terrestrial dry droppers with hoppers, beetl...
Guest: George Costa
85
Oct. 2, 2025

S7, Ep 85: Navigating Delayed Harvest: Mac Brown's Insights on Fall Fishing Tactics

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 quic...
Guest: Mac Brown
83
Sept. 25, 2025

S7, Ep 83: From Guiding to Marketing: Brendan Ruch on Fishing and Adulting

The Articulate Fly podcast delivers another essential Ruch Report featuring expert guide Brendan Ruch, who shares critical fall bass fishing strategies while navigating his new role with Megabass. In this timely episode, Ruch addresses the pivotal question of when to transition from topwater flies to ned rig techniques during fall fishing, revealing that low water conditions and extended warm weather are keeping topwater action alive well into autumn. Learn about the most effective ned rig...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
82
Sept. 23, 2025

S7, Ep 82: The Art of Stealth: Catching Big Smallmouth in Low Water Conditions with Matt Reilly

The Articulate Fly brings you essential insights for navigating challenging fall smallmouth conditions with Southwest Virginia guide Matt Reilly. As low, clear water conditions continue with extended summer-like weather, Matt shares critical smallmouth bass fishing strategies that separate successful anglers from frustrated ones. Discover why stealth becomes paramount when targeting spooky fish in shallow, clear water, and learn specific techniques for minimizing unnecessary disturbances f...
Guest: Matt Reilly
81
Sept. 20, 2025

S7, Ep 81: Embracing the Transition: Fall Fishing Strategies and Events in Central PA with George Costa

The Articulate Fly brings you the latest Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College, delivering essential insights for technical fall fishing conditions. Costa breaks down current stream conditions across Central Pennsylvania, where low, clear water and steady stream temperatures are creating challenging but rewarding fishing opportunities for skilled anglers. Learn how to adapt your approach for technical fishing situations using long, light leaders and...
Guest: George Costa
80
Sept. 18, 2025

S7, Ep 80: Foundations of Fly Casting: Mastering Variability and Adaptability with Mac Brown

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 c...
Guest: Mac Brown
78
Sept. 11, 2025

S7, Ep 78: Casting into Autumn: Tips and Tricks for Fall Fishing in East Tennessee

The Articulate Fly delivers another essential East Tennessee Fishing Report with veteran guide Ellis Ward, covering the critical fall transition period when serious fly fishers need to adapt their approach. Ward, who operates in the premier East Tennessee tailwater system, breaks down current conditions on the Watauga River (low flows no recreational releases) and South Holston River (reliable generation), while detailing the shift to smaller fall patterns with bugs in the 16-22 range. Thi...
Guest: Ellis Ward
77
Sept. 5, 2025

S7, Ep 77: Fall Fishing Forecast: Navigating Low Water and Technical Tactics with George Costa

Join The Articulate Fly's latest fishing report as host Marvin Cash connects with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for essential Central Pennsylvania fishing insights. Costa breaks down current fishing conditions across the region, where low and clear water demands technical approaches and finesse tactics. Learn why dry dropper techniques are producing consistent results, with small Chubby Chernobyls or hoppers paired with tiny ant patterns proving especially effective in these...
Guest: George Costa
76
Sept. 4, 2025

S7, Ep 76: From Repetition to Retention: The Path to Mastery in Fly Casting

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 episo...
Guest: Mac Brown
74
Aug. 28, 2025

S7, Ep 74: Beyond the Popper: Subsurface Strategies with Brendan Ruch

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly for another insightful Ruch Report with Pennsylvania guide Brendan Ruch, who shares expert techniques for challenging summer fishing conditions. With waters running low and clear across PA, Ruch reveals why subtle surface presentations are outfishing aggressive popper techniques, demonstrating Matt Miles' proven method of creating slack movement that mimics injured insects without spooking selective fish. Learn specific cicada shimmy strategies that t...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
72
Aug. 19, 2025

S7, Ep 72: Ebb and Flow: Mastering Smallmouth Fishing in Unpredictable Conditions with Matt Reilly

The Articulate Fly podcast delivers essential Southwest Virginia fishing intelligence with guide Matt Reilly, who breaks down the critical decision-making process every angler faces when conditions refuse to cooperate. Reilly, an expert smallmouth fishing guide with years of regional experience, reveals how flash floods and yo-yo water levels have made this one of the most challenging topwater seasons in recent memory. Learn his systematic approach to reading stream flow data, water clarit...
Guest: Matt Reilly
71
Aug. 14, 2025

S7, Ep 71: Late Summer Shifts: Fishing Tactics and Conditions in East Tennessee with Ellis Ward

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast host Marvin Cash for another East Tennessee Fishing Report with guide Ellis Ward, covering current conditions on the Watauga River and South Holston River. While dry fly action has been unusually slow for August, Ellis reveals why the streamer fishing has been exceptional, with clients regularly landing impressive fish including a 26.5-inch brown trout. Learn how post-Helene water stain continues to benefit streamer presentations, current generation ...
Guest: Ellis Ward
70
Aug. 8, 2025

S7, Ep 70: The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George Costa

The Articulate Fly fishing podcast brings you essential Central Pennsylvania fishing insights with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College. As summer fishing conditions settle into their seasonal patterns, Costa reports above-average flows throughout Central PA despite recent dry spells, creating excellent opportunities for technical summer fishing. Listeners discover prime Trico hatch timing on Spring Creek, along with proven terrestrial fishing strategies using Chubby Chernobyls,...
Guest: George Costa
69
Aug. 6, 2025

S7, Ep 69: High Water Tactics: Big Fish Frenzy with Mac Brown

In this compelling episode of The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash teams up with renowned guide and instructor Mac Brown for another insightful Casting Angles segment focused on high water fishing strategies in the Great Smoky Mountains. Mac, who lives on Deep Creek in Bryson City and has been guiding Appalachian waters since the 1980s, reveals why experienced anglers should flip conventional wisdom during big rain events and head to lower elevations rather than seeking high m...
Guest: Mac Brown
68
July 31, 2025

S7, Ep 68: East Tennessee Adventures: Navigating Summer Flows with Ellis Ward

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast host Marvin Cash for an essential East Tennessee Fishing Report with seasoned guide Ellis Ward, who delivers critical summer conditions updates for the Watauga River and the South Holston River. Ward breaks down how recent afternoon thunderstorms are impacting freestone rivers while highlighting exceptional streamer fishing and mousing opportunities during the current recreation release schedule. Learn the optimal timing strategies for navigating the...
Guest: Ellis Ward
67
July 30, 2025

S7, Ep 67: Chasing Smallmouth: High Water Strategies with Brendan Ruch

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for another essential Ruch Report with smallmouth bass guide Brendan Ruch, fresh from successful trips to Michigan waters with Schultz Outfitters and western Pennsylvania streams. Despite challenging mid-Atlantic conditions with high, dirty water disrupting traditional topwater fishing, Brendan shares proven strategies for adapting to stained water conditions using copper flash patterns, tan and olive brown crayfish imitations and downsiz...
Guest: Brendan Ruch