Intro:
Welcome to the Stillwater Edge Podcast. I’m your host, Greg Keenan. Today, we’re diving deep into one of the most common—and costly—mistakes anglers make on stillwaters: overcasting. Not only does it spook fish and waste energy, but it’s also one of the fastest ways to miss feedback and kill your confidence on the water. I’ll walk you through how to recognize it, why it happens, and exactly how to fix it with smarter, more intentional casts.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What overcasting actually is (and why it’s not about distance)

• How casting too frequently kills your chances

• Why casting without feedback leads to frustration

• When overcasting shows up most (new lakes, slow periods, watching others)

• Simple adjustments you can make right now to fish smarter

• How fan casting, retrieve variation, and countdown tactics change everything

• Why shorter, calculated casts often catch more fish than long bombs

• The mindset shift: fish the zone, not the impulse

Top Takeaways:

• Every cast should serve a purpose

• Shorter casts = more control = more feedback

• Change retrieves to animate the fly differently

• Slow down, count down, and read your line

• Build confidence through precision, not repetition

Outro:
Overcasting kills your confidence. Precision builds it.
If this episode hit home, let it be your sign to slow down, rethink your approach, and get intentional with every single cast. Stillwater fishing is about connection—not chaos.
Thanks for listening to the Stillwater Edge Podcast. If this topic resonated with you, shoot me a DM on Instagram @thestillwateredge and let me know if you’re an overcaster in recovery. I always respond.
Until next time, I’ll see you on the water.