Castafly Outdoor Adventures

Hey, friends! Just wanted to share a little update on what’s been happening with me lately.

I hit a slump.

Nothing major—just one of those bumps in the road that life throws at all of us from time to time. Life, work, health, the weather… heck, sometimes it’s a combination of everything. And sometimes you can’t even put your finger on what’s got you feeling stuck.

For me, I’ve hit the pause button on editing YouTube videos. I have a mountain of footage sitting in front of me, and instead of being excited about it, I started feeling overwhelmed by it. Over the last few weeks, I’ve honestly beat myself up about not getting more done.

Seems silly when I say it out loud, but that’s where I’ve been.

I tried giving myself deadlines, thinking that would motivate me. Turns out, it just added more stress. So today I decided to try something different.

Just start.

No big deadline. No pressure to finish an entire video. I’m simply committing to editing for one hour each day. If I get on a roll and keep going, great. If I only get an hour done, that’s still an hour closer than I was yesterday.

And I’m happy to say—I started today.

Sometimes getting out of a slump isn’t about making some huge change. Maybe it’s just taking that first small step and building a little momentum.

It’s also been a minute since I’ve even gone fishing. This heat has been absolutely brutal, and I think being away from the water probably hasn’t helped either.

But tomorrow morning, I’m changing that. I’m hitting the water early, and getting back to something I love.

Whatever you’ve got going on right now, don’t let the negative stuff take over. Keep moving forward, even if it’s only a little bit at a time.

Buckle up, keep the pedal down, and keep going.

Hope everyone is doing well. -Paul

Save the date! Gonna be a good time!

UPDATE: Welcome to all our newest friends, and a huge thank you to everyone who has been supporting CASTAFLY for years!

I thought it would be fun to dig into the archives and share a video I made four years ago. We sat around this morning talking about some of our upcoming adventures, and somehow this episode came up. Turns out, Conner had never actually watched it until today! 😂

With this Ozark heat being absolutely no joke, it’s also a good time to stay inside and catch up on video production. I still have four new videos on the editing table, so there’s plenty more coming your way.

We’re planning to hit the water early tomorrow morning and hopefully beat the worst of the heat. If you’re getting outside, stay hydrated, be careful, and keep those fish in the water as much as possible. Warm water and hot weather can be tough on them too.

In the meantime, enjoy this little CASTAFLY throwback from four years ago.

Have you seen this episode before?

Have a good one, friends. GET LOST!

https://youtu.be/F4gw3BJZ4pA

We just learned a family member was diagnosed with Alpha-gal.

Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious allergic condition transmitted primarily by the bite of the Lone Star tick. The bite introduces a sugar molecule into the body, prompting an immune system response to certain meats.

Unlike standard food allergies, reactions to red meat and dairy typically lag by 3 to 6 hours after consumption. Symptoms can range from skin rashes to severe anaphylaxis.

Please keep bug and tick spray on if you plan to adventure outdoors. Also, please keep my family member in your prayers as this can be a very hard change.

To everyone who reached out today—thank you. I honestly wasn’t expecting so many birthday messages, and reading through every one of them has been one of the best parts of my day. I truly appreciate all of you.

Fifty-five is a funny age. In my head, I can still scramble over rocks, climb over downed trees, and wade a creek like I’m 25. My body, however, has started requesting a meeting before we make those kinds of decisions.

I’ve also reached the point where I can tell you exactly where every fish was caught 5 years ago… but I’ll walk into the garage and completely forget why I went in there.

The good news? I still get just as excited watching a smallmouth crush a streamer, hearing a creek flowing through the Ozarks, or sharing a day on the water with family and friends. That hasn’t changed one bit.

Over the last few years I learned that life isn’t measured by birthdays. It’s measured in campfires, river miles, muddy boots, friendships, sunsets, and the stories we bring home after an adventure. If that’s the scorecard, I feel like I’m doing pretty well.

Thank you all for making this old fisherman feel younger than 55 today. I appreciate every one of you.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to celebrate the only way I know how… by trying to convince myself that buying one more fly rod is a perfectly reasonable birthday gift. My wife probably has a different opinion. 😂

New episode, I hit the water with one of our subscribers, Jake, who won a fishing trip with me through our annual subscriber giveaway. Over the past several years, I’ve held these drawings as a way to give back to the incredible community that supports CASTAFLY. It’s my way of saying thank you while building new friendships along the way. I truly believe you can never have too many fishing buddies.

https://youtu.be/mQNeg95ElIY

Conner and I had a great time!

Join Missouri State Parks for a new twist on an old tradition! The August Kids Fishing Day is now Family Fishing Day. Here is what you need to know:

-Fish will be stocked throughout the day in both Zone 1 & 2.
-Need fishing gear? Not a problem! Loaner rods and tackle will be available.
-Don't have a clue how to trout fish? Not a problem! Join a Learn2 Trout Fish class to learn the basics.
-Need a spot to take a break? Not a problem! Activities will take place across the park throughout the day and conclude with a movie under the stars at 8pm.
-Kids 15 and under can pick up their free fishing tag at the park store beginning at 7pm on August 14, and anytime on August 15.
-All other anglers 16-64 will need a fishing license and daily trout tag, purchase at the Park Store.
-Daily limits and all other regulations still apply.

More details and full schedule to follow!

I’ll be attending the White River Fly Fishers Expo on Saturday, and I’d love to see some familiar faces!

If you’re into fly fishing—or even just curious about getting started—this is one event you won’t want to miss. The expo features incredible fly tying demonstrations, regional fly shops and gear vendors, guide services, and some of the best fly tiers around.

📍 Branson-Hollister Lions Community Center
1015 E. State Highway 76, Branson, MO

🗓️ July 24–25
🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎟️ FREE admission & parking

If you’re planning to attend, be sure to say hello. I’d love to meet you, swap a few fishing stories, and maybe even hand you a CASTAFLY sticker. See you there!