The Articulate Fly

Fishing Report Episodes

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
65
July 24, 2025

S7, Ep 65: Dirty Water Dilemmas: Fishing Insights from Matt Reilly in Southwest Virginia

Join The Articulate Fly fishing podcast as host Marvin Cash catches up with Southwest Virginia guide Matt Reilly for essential summer fishing insights when conditions get challenging. Matt shares his expert strategies for adapting to dirty water and high flow conditions that have disrupted typical topwater opportunities across the region. Learn how to modify your smallmouth bass fishing approach using streamer techniques, including Chuck Kraft's Critter Mite patterns and crayfish imitations t...
Guest: Matt Reilly
63
July 17, 2025

S7, Ep 63: Hot Days and Spicy Bites: An East Tennessee Fishing Report with Ellis Ward

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly for an East Tennessee Fishing Report with Ellis Ward, seasoned guide and custom predator fly tyer, covering prime summer conditions on the Watauga and French Broad Rivers. Ellis breaks down how recent thunderstorms are creating explosive bite windows for brown trout, with fish hitting streamers aggressively and rising to dry flies during these barometric pressure changes. Learn his proven streamer techniques using Drunks and swim bug patterns fished clos...
Guest: Ellis Ward
62
July 11, 2025

S7, Ep 62: Summer Stream Strategies: Central PA Fishing Insights with George Costa

In this Central Pennsylvania Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fishing podcast, Marvin Cash connects with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College for essential summer fishing intelligence. With water levels slightly above seasonal norms and afternoon temperatures pushing into the high 60s, Costa emphasizes the critical importance of temperature monitoring and strategic timing. While the cicada emergence is wrapping up, trout continue attacking cicada patterns as they chase the la...
Guest: George Costa
60
July 9, 2025

S7, Ep 60: Mastering the Drift: Technical Trout Tactics for Summer Success with Mac Brown

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 i...
Guest: Mac Brown
59
July 3, 2025

S7, Ep 59: Hot Days, Cool Fish: East Tennessee Fishing Insights with Ellis Ward

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast as Ellis Ward delivers an outstanding East Tennessee Fishing Report from the boat ramp, showcasing why the Watauga River and South Holston River are firing on all cylinders despite recent hot weather. Ward, an experienced East Tennessee guide, shares exceptional dry fly fishing success stories including multiple browns over 18 inches and consistent action that's been "unusually good" for both seasoned anglers and first-time dry fly fisher...
Guest: Ellis Ward
58
July 2, 2025

S7, Ep 58: Tackle Talk: Essential Fly Lines for Smallmouth Success with Brendan Ruch

Join Marvin Cash on this tactical episode featuring smallmouth guide Brendan Ruch for another insightful Ruch Report. With high water keeping anglers off their home waters, Brendan shares his expertise on optimizing Lamson three-pack reel setups for serious smallmouth fishing, breaking down the perfect trio of fly lines for varying conditions. Learn how to match fly lines to your rod's action, discover why intermediate lines require seasonal swapping to avoid sticky summer performance and master...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
57
June 27, 2025

S7, Ep 57: Cicada Mania: Central PA Fishing Insights with George Costa

Join Marvin Cash on The Articulate Fly fishing podcast for another Central PA Fishing Report with George Costa from TCO Fly Shop in State College. George delivers exciting news about the ongoing cicada emergence that's creating once-in-17-years fishing opportunities throughout central Pennsylvania. Despite recent hot weather in the 90s, stream temperatures remain ideal thanks to water levels running 2-3 times above normal seasonal flows, keeping most waters around 63-64 degrees. The cicada...
56
June 26, 2025

S7, Ep 56: Low Water, Big Fish: Early Summer Tactics with Matt Reilly

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Matt Reilly for the latest Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. As Matt embarks on a tarpon fishing adventure, he shares insights on the current fishing conditions back home, highlighting the transition into early summer patterns. With water temperatures on the rise, Matt discusses the smallmouth's shift in diet, focusing on their increased interest in crayfish during this time of year. Listeners will learn about the effect...
Guest: Matt Reilly
53
June 19, 2025

S7, Ep 53: Mousing Around: Summer Fishing Adventures with Ellis Ward

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Ellis Ward for the latest East Tennessee Fishing Report. As summer settles in, Ellis shares his experiences navigating the waters of the Watauga and the exciting opportunities that come with the warmer months. With the river generating six days a week, Ellis discusses the resurgence of dry fly activity and the thrill of night fishing, particularly mousing, as he plans to dive deeper into this late night streamer technique. ...
Guest: Ellis Ward
52
June 18, 2025

S7, Ep 52: The Summer Shift: Adapting Your Fly Game with Brendan Ruch

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is back with Brendan Ruch for the latest Ruch Report. As summer heats up, Brendan shares his insights on adapting smallmouth strategies, particularly focusing on topwater techniques and the importance of scaling down baitfish sizes for summer flows. Listeners will learn about the effectiveness of using smaller, slim-profile baitfish flies and the benefits of experimenting with larger flies in faster water. Brendan emphasizes that anglers...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
51
June 11, 2025

S7, Ep 51: The Art of Adaptation: Embracing Summer Fishing Challenges with Mac Brown

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Mac Brown for another insightful installment of Casting Angles. The duo discusses the transition from cooler weather to the sweltering heat of summer, highlighting the challenges trout anglers face as the fishing season evolves. With high water conditions and the recent opening of delayed harvest waters, they explore alternative fishing options, including panfish and bass, while emphasizing the importance of skill developmen...
Guest: Mac Brown
50
June 6, 2025

S7, Ep 50: The Art of the Follow: Streamer Strategies and Fishing Tales from East Tennessee

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is joined by Ellis Ward for the latest East Tennessee Fishing Report. Ellis shares his insights on the current fishing conditions, emphasizing the benefits of predictable flows on the Watauga and the exciting opportunities it creates for anglers. Listeners will learn about the challenges and rewards of streamer fishing, as Ellis discusses the intricacies of catching big brown trout and the techniques that can lead to success. He highligh...
Guest: Ellis Ward
49
June 5, 2025

S7, Ep 49: Rain, Hatches and Cicadas: A Central PA Fishing Update with George Costa

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash is joined by George Costa from TCO Fly Shop for the latest Central PA Fishing Report. The duo dives into the recent weather patterns, discussing the significant rainfall that has led to high water conditions in the region. With nearly seven inches of rain recorded in May, George shares insights on the current state of hatches, including the tail end of the drakes and the ongoing sulphur activity. As the cicada season approaches, George e...
48
June 4, 2025

S7, Ep 48: The Ruch Report: Fishing Tips and Tales from the Turnpike!

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Brendan Ruch for another engaging Ruch Report. As he navigates the scenic mountains of West Virginia, Brendan shares his recent fishing experiences en route to pick up a new puppy. He discusses the surprising sight of fish on beds and the strategies that have been effective in the current high-water conditions. Listeners will gain insights into the types of flies that are working well, including olive and black patterns w...
Guest: Brendan Ruch
47
May 30, 2025

S7, Ep 47: Cicada Chronicles: Navigating the Buzz and Bites of Southwest Virginia with Matt Reilly

In this episode of The Articulate Fly, host Marvin Cash catches up with Matt Reilly for the latest Southwest Virginia Fishing Report. The duo discusses the recent weather patterns and their impact on fishing, with Matt sharing insights on his recent forays into stillwaters and the excitement of cicada season. As the cicadas emerge, Matt reflects on the abrupt end of the striper run and the thrill of fishing with these iconic insects. Listeners will learn about the geographical variations in c...
Guest: Matt Reilly