[Supported Post]

The Orvis Podcast series continues with all-new fly fishing tips (plus new podcasts on hunting and shotgunning).

Learn from one of fly fishing’s most respected authors: Tom Rosenbauer, author of numerous fly-fishing books (including The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide), shares the wisdom and practical techniques that he’s learned throughout his decades of fly fishing around the globe.

Latest Podcast: The Minimalist Fly Fisher

To play any of Orvis’ fun, information-packed podcasts (and many more), simply click here.

Recent Podcasts Include:

• Double Barrel’s First Episode (the new Orvis hunting & shotgunning podcast)
  
• Proper Catch & Release Methods
• Playing with Fish in Fast Water
• All About Fly Fishing with Braided Leaders
• More Tips on Fly Fishing in Small Streams
• Ridin’ Dirty: Tom’s Tips for Fly Fishing Muddy Water
• Bass and Panfish Fly Fishing Tips
• The Top Five Casting Mistakes Fly Fishers Make
• Tom Talks about A River Runs Through It and Gives a Few Pointers on River Etiquette as well as the use of Felt Sole Waders
• Fly Fishing with Sinking Lines

To play any of Orvis’ fun, information-packed podcasts (and many more), simply click here.

What is podcasting?
Podcasting distributes an audio file online for automatic downloading. Once you’ve downloaded the audio file, you can listen to it on your computer or portable media player.

Subscribe to the Orvis Podcast Direct RSS Feed

Join Orvis on Facebook!

<embed src="http://www.odeo.com/flash/audio_player_standard_gray.swf" quality="high" width="300" height="52" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent"  type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars= "valid_sample_rate=true&external_url=http://media.libsyn.com/media/orvisffguide/Proper_Catch__Release_Techniques.mp3 pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed>

Technorati Tags: double barrel, orvis, orvis podcast

[Supported Post]

The Orvis Podcast series continues with all-new fly fishing tips.

Learn from one of fly fishing’s most respected authors: Tom Rosenbauer, author of numerous fly-fishing books (including The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide), shares the wisdom and practical techniques that he’s learned throughout his decades of fly fishing around the globe.

This Podcast: Playing With Fish in Fast Water (click player to start)

To play any of Orvis’ fun, information-packed podcasts (and many more), simply click here.

Recent Podcasts Include:

• All About Fly Fishing with Braided Leaders
• More Tips on Fly Fishing in Small Streams
• Ridin’ Dirty: Tom’s Tips for Fly Fishing Muddy Water
• Bass and Panfish Fly Fishing Tips
• The Top Five Casting Mistakes Fly Fishers Make
• Tom Talks about A River Runs Through It and Gives a Few Pointers on River Etiquette as well as the use of Felt Sole Waders
• Fly Fishing with Sinking Lines

To play any of Orvis’ fun, information-packed podcasts (and many more), simply click here.

What is podcasting?
Podcasting distributes an audio file online for automatic downloading. Once you’ve downloaded the audio file, you can listen to it on your computer or portable media player.

Subscribe to the Orvis Podcast Direct RSS Feed

Join Orvis on Facebook!

<embed src="http://www.odeo.com/flash/audio_player_standard_gray.swf" quality="high" width="300" height="52" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent"  type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars= "valid_sample_rate=true&external_url=http://media.libsyn.com/media/orvisffguide/Proper_Catch__Release_Techniques.mp3 pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed>

Technorati Tags: orvis, orvis fly fishing podcast, tom rosenbauer

[Ad Supported Post]

Chris Raine Hollowbuilt Bamboo Fly Rods: Rods Available for Immediate Purchase

I’ve been building my hollowbuilt bamboo fly rods two at a time (instead of singly), and have created a small stock of my most popular models – ready for immediate deliver (contact me at 530.235.4058 or chris@hollowbuilt.com for more information)

Model: “Simplicity” an 8 Foot Staggered-ferrule 2/2 for a 6 weight. Hollowbuilt. Serial 204hb.

Gold toned cane, triple tempered. Pale yellow translucent wraps on guides with dark brown wraps on ferrules. Reams style grip 5 3/4” long. Down-locking slide band reel seat with redwood burl spacer. Blackened ferrules. Linen rod sock with aluminum tube, brass caps. In addition to being hollow built, the ferrule is lower down on the rod, giving an even lighter feel while casting. A fine rod for casting in the wind, while still having the sensitivity of a lighter lined rod. A great candidate for fishing Silver Creek, earlier in the season.
$1495.00 plus tax/shipping

Model: “Fin” an 8 foot 3 inch 2/2 rod for a 4 weight. Hollowbuilt. Serial number: 201hb.
Gold tone cane, triple tempered. Pale yellow translucent wraps on the guides with dark brown wraps on the blackened, truncated ferrules. Reams grip 6 1/4” long with beautiful spalted maple uplocking reel seat. Truly a light in the hand, powerful 4 weight rod capable of throwing 50 plus feet of line effortlessly. A full flexing rod, with the backbone to turn good-sized fish. A bamboo fly rod for the true afficiando! Comes with linen rod sock, aluminum tube with brass caps.
$1995.00 plus tax/shipping

Model: “Fin” another 8 foot 3 inch 2/2 rod for a 4 weight (as above). Hollowbuilt. Serial number: 200hb.
$1995.00 plus tax/shipping SOLD

Model: “Upper Sac Special” an 8 foot 2/2 for a 5 weight. Hollowbuilt. Serial number: 199hb
A great do-everything trout rod. Gold toned cane, triple tempered. Pale yellow translucent wraps with light brown wraps on bright nickel silver ferrules. Reams style grip 6 1/4”. Spalted maple slde band uplocking reel seat. Linen rod sock with aluminum tube, brass caps. Excellent choice for a first or do-everything bamboo fly rod. Roll casts with ease, plenty of reserve power when needed and a complete joy to fish!
$1495.00 plus tax/shipping SOLD

Model: “Antelope Creek” a 7 foot 2/2 for a ¾ weight. Hollow built. Serial number: 197hb
The ultimate small stream rod! Gold tone cane, triple tempered. Pale yellow translucent wraps over guides with brown wraps over blackened ferrules. Cigar grip, 5 3/4”. Upgrades: McCoy agate stripper, and deluxe uplocking slide band reel seat with cork insert, maple spacer. Linen rod sock with aluminum tube, brass caps. A fine rod for smaller streams, and a first choice for alpine brookies. Elegantly appointed, great to look at, even greater to cast!
$1595.00 plus tax/shipping

Model: “Fin” a special built 8′3″ 3 piece (3/2) for a 3-4 weight! Hollow built. Serial number: 202hb
A real 3 weight over 8 feet, that still has a nice smooth action, with plenty of reserve power! Flame cane, with ammonia toning. Reams grip 6 3/4” with uplocking slide band reel seat with redwood spacer. All blackened nickel silver with java brown wraps. Linen rod sock with aluminum tube, brass caps. An elegant rod, with superb casting qualities. Travelling to that special spring creek? This may be the rod to take with you! Aerial mends and light presentations make this rod unique for its length versus line weight. A true joy to cast.
$1995.00 plus tax/shipping

To inquire about any of these rods – or to order another rod from our bamboo fly rod catalog – please contact us at:
Chris Raine
530.235.4058
chris@hollowbuilt.com

Visit my Web site: hollowbuilt.com

Technorati Tags: bamboo fly rod, chris raine, fly rod, hollowbuilt bamboo fly rod, hollowbuilt.com

[Ad Supported Post]

The Orvis Podcast series continues with several new titles by Orvis Marketing Director Tom Rosenbauer, including:

• Five Common Mistakes Fly Fishers Make with Leaders and Tippets
• Top Five Fly Fishing Tips for Fishing Unfamiliar Waters
• Tom Rosenbauer’s Tips for Fly Fishing in the Surf

You can play all the latest podcasts from the viewer below (scroll to see prior podcasts).

Learn from one of fly fishing’s most respected authors. Tom Rosenbauer, author of numerous fly-fishing books (including The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide), shares the wisdom and practical techniques that he’s learned throughout his decades of fly fishing around the globe.

Scroll down the player sidebar to see prior Orvis podcasts, including:

• Fly Fishing Tips For Small Streams
• Father’s Day Special: Teaching a Child to Fly Fish
• Fly Fishing High and Low River Conditions
• Lord of the Flies: Managing Your Fly Collection

(If you’re having difficulty playing this, visit the Orvis Podcast site)

Subscribe directly to The Orvis Fly Fishing podcast using:

Or simply copy and paste the following URL into a podcasting application:
http://www.orvis.com/ffpodcast

Receive notification of new Orvis Fly Fishing Podcasts by e-mail.

What is podcasting?
Podcasting distributes an audio file online for automatic downloading. Once you’ve downloaded the audio file, you can listen to it on your computer or portable media player.

Join Orvis on Facebook!

Technorati Tags: orvis, orvis podcast

[Supported Post] The Orvis Fly Fishing Report

Welcome to the most complete report of fly fishing conditions in North America.

Our professional reports are updated weekly with flows and tides, recommended flies and equipment, and special fishing tips for the most important fly-fishing destinations in North America.

Plan your next fishing trip knowing you’ll arrive without any surprises—or discover some new fishing destinations in your area.

(click image to visit the Orvis Fly Fishing Report)

Join Orvis on Facebook!

Technorati Tags: Fly Fishing, orvis, orvis fly fishing report

[Ad Supported Post]

The Orvis Podcast series continues with “Fly Fishing Tips For Small Streams” by Orvis Marketing Director Tom Rosenbauer.

Learn from one of fly fishing’s most respected authors. Tom Rosenbauer, author of numerous fly-fishing books (including The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide), shares the wisdom and practical techniques that he’s learned throughout his decades of fly fishing around the globe.

Scroll down the player sidebar to see prior Orvis podcasts, including:

• Fly Fishing High and Low River Conditions
• Lord of the Flies: Managing Your Fly Collection
• Proper Care & Maintenance of Your Fly Fishing Tackle
• Fly Fishing with Multi-Fly Rigs

(If you’re having difficulty playing this, visit the Orvis Podcast site)

Subscribe directly to The Orvis Fly Fishing podcast using:

Or simply copy and paste the following URL into a podcasting application:
http://www.orvis.com/ffpodcast

Receive notification of new Orvis Fly Fishing Podcasts by e-mail.

What is podcasting?
Podcasting distributes an audio file online for automatic downloading. Once you’ve downloaded the audio file, you can listen to it on your computer or portable media player.

Join Orvis on Facebook!

Technorati Tags: Fly Fishing, fly fishing tips for small streams, orvis, orvis podcast

[Ad Supported]

See Your Donation to Restore the Au Sable Tripled!

The Resource

The South Branch of Michigan’s famous Au Sable River is a 25 mile world-renowned stretch of classic small stream trout water. It is one of the most popular fly-fishing destinations in the Midwest, if not the country, and home to perhaps the finest brown trout fishing east of the Mississippi.

The Problem

A lack of large woody debris, due to logging, has reduced cover which allows fish protection from environmental and predatory threats.

The Solution

Anglers of the Au Sable, a non-profit affiliate of The Federation of Fly Fishers, will work to place large woody debris in the river to restore and maintain trout habitat from Smith Bridge to the confluence with the mainstream of the Au Sable. The debris increases the stability of the stream channel, reduces erosion, and serves as cover for the river’s fish. It will also return the Au Sable River to its natural state prior to the logging era.

How you can help

Help us restore the Au Sable River. Your contribution will be matched by Orvis and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation tripling your donation of $100 to $300. Our goal is to raise $90,000 with your help.

You can also send your tax-deductible contribution, made payable to:

Anglers of the Au Sable
Department TC
The Orvis Company
178 Conservation Way
Sunderland, VT 05250

Join Orvis on Facebook!

Technorati Tags: au sable, orvis, orvis conservation, restore the

[Supported Post]

Save One of Five Fisheries, and See Your Donation Double or Tripled!

Over the past decade, with the help of our generous customers and other organizations like Trout Unlimited, Orvis has raised and donated $10,000,000 to conservation efforts worldwide.

Now, TU and Orvis have teamed up to support five conservation efforts across the U.S. during TU’s 50th Anniversary year. Each effort is a matching grant of $10,000 from Orvis, with four of them also getting matching donations from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.

Click here to double your donation to Bristol Bay, and triple your donation to four other great efforts today.

Make your donation today and we’ll match it!

Pick the conservation effort or efforts you want to help, identified by project codes under the descriptions above. Your contribution will be tripled when matched by Orvis and by
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (and doubled by Orvis for Bristol Bay).

If you prefer to send your contribution by mail, send your check to:

TU 50th Anniversary Projects
Projects AR-1 through AR-5 *
The Orvis Company
178 Conservation Way
Sunderland, VT 05250

Join Orvis on Facebook!

Technorati Tags: orvis, orvis conservation, trout unlimited

[Ad Supported Post]

The Orvis Podcast series continues with “Tips on Fly Fishing the Baetis/Blue Wing Olive Hatch” by Orvis Marketing Director Tom Rosenbauer.

Learn from one of fly fishing’s most respected authors. Tom Rosenbauer, author of numerous fly-fishing books (including The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide), shares the wisdom and practical techniques that he’s learned throughout his decades of fly fishing around the globe.

Scroll down the player sidebar to see prior Orvis podcasts, including:

• Fly Fishing High and Low River Conditions
• Lord of the Flies: Managing Your Fly Collection
• Proper Care & Maintenance of Your Fly Fishing Tackle
• Fly Fishing with Multi-Fly Rigs

(If you’re having difficulty playing this, visit the Orvis Podcast site)

Subscribe directly to The Orvis Fly Fishing podcast using:

Or simply copy and paste the following URL into a podcasting application:
http://www.orvis.com/ffpodcast

Receive notification of new Orvis Fly Fishing Podcasts by e-mail.

What is podcasting?
Podcasting distributes an audio file online for automatic downloading. Once you’ve downloaded the audio file, you can listen to it on your computer or portable media player.

Join Orvis on Facebook!

Technorati Tags: orvis, podcast

[ADVERTISEMENT]

The Orvis Podcast series continues with “Proper Care and Maintenance of Your Fly Fishing Tackle” by Orvis Marketing Director Tom Rosenbauer.

Learn from one of fly fishing’s most respected authors. Tom Rosenbauer, author of numerous fly-fishing books (including The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide), shares the wisdom and practical techniques that he’s learned throughout his decades of fly fishing around the globe.

Scroll down the player sidebar to see prior Orvis podcasts, including:

• Fly Fishing with Multi-Fly Rigs
• Video: Layering up for Winter Fishing
• Staying Warm While Fly Fishing in the Winter Months
• Tom Rosenbauer’s Basic Bonefishing Tips
• Fly Fishing With Midges

(If you’re having difficulty playing this, visit the Orvis Podcast site)

Subscribe directly to The Orvis Fly Fishing podcast using:

Or simply copy and paste the following URL into a podcasting application:
http://www.orvis.com/ffpodcast

Receive notification of new Orvis Fly Fishing Podcasts by e-mail.

What is podcasting?
Podcasting distributes an audio file online for automatic downloading. Once you’ve downloaded the audio file, you can listen to it on your computer or portable media player.

Technorati Tags: orvis, orvis podcast, podcast

[ADVERTISEMENT]

See Your Donation to Restore the Au Sable Tripled!

The Resource

The South Branch of Michigan’s famous Au Sable River is a 25 mile world-renowned stretch of classic small stream trout water. It is one of the most popular fly-fishing destinations in the Midwest, if not the country, and home to perhaps the finest brown trout fishing east of the Mississippi.

The Problem

A lack of large woody debris, due to logging, has reduced cover which allows fish protection from environmental and predatory threats.

The Solution

Anglers of the Au Sable, a non-profit affiliate of The Federation of Fly Fishers, will work to place large woody debris in the river to restore and maintain trout habitat from Smith Bridge to the confluence with the mainstream of the Au Sable. The debris increases the stability of the stream channel, reduces erosion, and serves as cover for the river’s fish. It will also return the Au Sable River to its natural state prior to the logging era.

How you can help

Help us restore the Au Sable River. Your contribution will be matched by Orvis and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation tripling your donation of $100 to $300. Our goal is to raise $90,000 with your help.

You can also send your tax-deductible contribution, made payable to:

Anglers of the Au Sable
Department TC
The Orvis Company
178 Conservation Way
Sunderland, VT 05250

Technorati Tags: orvis, restore the au sable

[ADVERTISEMENT]

Save One of Five Fisheries, and See Your Donation Double or Tripled!

Over the past decade, with the help of our generous customers and other organizations like Trout Unlimited, Orvis has raised and donated $10,000,000 to conservation efforts worldwide.

Now, TU and Orvis have teamed up to support five conservation efforts across the U.S. during TU’s 50th Anniversary year. Each effort is a matching grant of $10,000 from Orvis, with four of them also getting matching donations from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.

Click here to double your donation to Bristol Bay, and triple your donation to four other great efforts today.

Make your donation today and we’ll match it!

Pick the conservation effort or efforts you want to help, identified by project codes under the descriptions above. Your contribution will be tripled when matched by Orvis and by
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (and doubled by Orvis for Bristol Bay).

If you prefer to send your contribution by mail, send your check to:

TU 50th Anniversary Projects
Projects AR-1 through AR-5 *
The Orvis Company
178 Conservation Way
Sunderland, VT 05250

This is Paid Advertising from a Supporter of the Trout Underground

Technorati Tags: orvis, trout unlimited

I ramble a little here, but bear with me.

Recently, I said the Underground wasn’t going to finish 2009 the same way it began it. That’s about to become true.

The Original Trout Underground Manifestor header, circa 2005

Interest in advertising on the Trout Underground is growing (slowly), and suddenly, we’re important enough that a couple manufacturers want to shower me with gear to review (one of them offered to let me keep the swag).

It seems the Undergrounders love gear reviews, but here’s the rub: if a reviewer knows in advance he’s keeping the gear he’s reviewing, then a cynic might suggest he’s receiving a form of payment for the review.

The advertising angle is pretty much the same; advertisers have dollars-and-cents leverage when they’re not happy with editorial content, and some are notoriously willing to use it.

My journalism training suggests compensated reviews represent a sizable conflict of interest, and it’s one reason why you might question the unbiased nature of those high-end destination reviews when a lodge paid the writer to be there.

Can you trust me to honestly review a piece of gear when the gear itself becomes a payoff – a form of blogola? Can you trust me to say what I think knowing an advertiser might object?

I think you can, but it’s a question my readers have the right to ask.

I will say this: perceived conflict of interest has long been one of journalism’s slipperier slopes, and without the trust I’ve built among my readers, the Underground is little more than 1700+ posts of search engine content.

Why is all this an issue?

The Underground Gets Real

Because while the Trout Underground’s big fun – and yes, I believe it fills a niche mainstream fly fishing media doesn’t – it’s also the following: A hell of a lot of work.

Writing is my day job, and investing vast expanses of time here absent any real return isn’t fiscally sane – especially when the economy is face planting and hordes of part time amateur writers are turning the professional writing world into a race to the low bid.

An Early Trout Underground Header Image

The L&T’s totally cool about the amount of time I waste spend here, but we both know I’d generate a lot better return if I invested it in my business, or [gasp] wrote articles for print magazines.

Which – in the case of the Underground – seemingly leaves me with two choices.

1. Let the Underground float downstream, belly up in the current
2. Find a way to make a few guilt-free dollars off the site – but do so transparently

What’s going to happen? I’m not sure, but Singlebarbed and I are in the process of creating our Advertising/Gear Whore policy, the genesis of which you’ll find after I’ve made some long-winded observations about…

The Underground’s Take on the Future of Fly Fishing Media

Keith at Singlebarbed and I have always been clear with each other why we write our blogs; we’re happy writing and publishing the stuff the magazines aren’t publishing.

That’s not necessarily a shot at the print folks; the Internet is a different animal, though fly fishing’s media would do well to heed the lessons of newspapers, which are in a free fall (The Rocky Mountains News ceased publishing today, and even the SF Chronicle is threatening to close)

Recently, Phil Monahan lost his job at the helm of American Angler because the magazine owner’s newspaper operations sucked the life out of the organization.

Monahan and I had our disagreements online, but he’s a talented editor who somehow grew American Angler’s reader base in a stagnant market. Simply put, he deserved better than he seemingly got.

More Underground Header goodness

It also seems Underground Fave fly fishing writer Dave Hughes recently left Amato Publishing due to budget issues, and you don’t have to look to closely to see the cracks widening at a few other publications.

And yes, because I write a blog, you’re expecting me to tell you that blogs are the the future of fly fishing online, and no others need apply?

Not so much.

Blogs as Traffic Magnets?

In truth, I believe the standalone, original-content blog format is something of a dead end – at least in terms of viable fly fishing media properties.

More than a year ago, I predicted blogs – at least those with hopes of generating enough revenue to make them worth writing – might have to serve a larger master.

One obvious niche is the role of traffic magnet to a larger entity. In this context, you could consider bloggers the online equivalent to columnists at a newspaper, whose job it is to keep readers coming back.

This one came a little later; I'm not clear on the date.

And yes, you might notice the new, high-profile online magazines have sprouted blogs. That seems like a necessary survival tactic when you’re releasing an online magazine every couple months (an eternity in Internet time).

Without something to keep readers engaged, online magazines are forced to re-acquire a sizable chunk of their readership every issue. That’s not good.

Still, the blogs mentioned really have yet to fill the “columnist” role, and the online sites associated with fly fishing’s magazines are similarly devoid of “anchor” blogs (with Field & Stream being a surprising exception).

One thing is clear; fly fishing blogs are finally gaining ground in the fly fishing industry: MidCurrent’s Marshal Cutchin and I found ourselves on the cover of Orvis’ fly fishing catalog.

The Trout Underground’s stand on the McCloud & Nestle led to an appearance on TU’s On the Rise show, and more media folks have been popping their heads into my virtual online window.

And yes, the number of commercial enterprises looking for free access to my readership has grown by an order of magnitude over the last few months (and illustrated why many of fly fishing’s small businesses could stand to read a book on pitching story ideas).

Simply put, the online revolution is happening even in the quiet backwater that is fly fishing.

The Underground’s Ad/Gear Whore Policy

Barring the sudden appearance of a wealthy patron (hear me, trustfunders?), advertising is now a reality for the Underground. Problem is, standard online banner ads aren’t always effective – especially over long ad runs.

Rather than trap advertisers within the confines of a 160 x 600 pixel banner ad, I’m adding “ad pages” to the Underground’s mix. To reach the growing number of folks who read my content via RSS and email feeds (they may never physically visit the site), I’ll be creating dedicated ad posts, essentially mimicking the pages in magazines that are dedicated to ads.

Clearly marked ‘Advertising’ (in multiple ways), these ad posts offer an advertiser a little more elbow room – and a chance to deliver “content” they couldn’t otherwise deliver.

Frankly, it makes a hell of a lot of sense for everyone involved, and rest assured, the advertising posts will remain separate from the editorial posts you’re (presumably) here to read and comment on.

If online advertising can’t be made to to work for everyone involved (not just in fly fishing, but across the Internet), then it’s entirely possible – as some have predicted – the Internet will have presided over the death of intellectual property.

With a series of unpretty options as my alternative, I believe this is one way to make viable online advertising a reality.

As for gear reviews, I promise to be entirely transparent about the disposition of the stuff I receive. Singlebarbed and I have agreed to do something good and useful with the first pile of gear coming to us (like raffle it and donate the proceeds to a worthy cause).

If we keep something, we’ll “pay” for it somehow (donating the media price equivalent somewhere). More on this come.

Finally, The Underground e-Newsletter

Also, the Underground’s firing up an e-newsletter service. It’s yet to be named, but the e-newsletter should offer:

1. Photos, shorter works, snark and other information not available on the blog
2. A chance for me to fire off news alerts about breaking stories/legislation/actionable items
3. Access to some of the older Underground pieces that deserve a second showing

If you’re a regular Undergrounder, then by all means, sign up (I’ll have a signup button in the sidebar soon).

I see this is yet another step in the big experiment that began when I began writing the Trout Underground in November, 2005.

The world is shifting beneath our feet – and some days it feels like it’s spinning faster than it did ten years ago – and like everyone, I’m trying to make sense of it.

As always, thanks for visiting, reading, and commenting on the Underground.

It’s been a hoot, and it’s about to get even more interesting.

See you on the river, Tom Chandler.

Technorati Tags: advertising on the trout underground, fly fishing blogs, gear whore, trout underground

I tend to steer clear of blatant commercial plugs on the Underground, figuring the Underground’s fly fishing readership are mostly grownups capable of spending their money on liquor and floozies.

For those that want access to my readership, there’s always the advertising option, but I reserve the right to unashamedly pimp the Underground in the service of a good friend who’s selling good stuff, which is what I’m doing today with news of Ian & Charity Rutter’s newest books, which you can still get at a pre-launch bargain price.

Those zany east Tennesseans (the folks responsible for the Underground’s slaw dog fixation) are launching a new series of short (at 4.5″ x 6″ I call them pocket-guide-sized) informational books jammed with information (including photos and illustrations, they’re 88 and 120 pages respectively)

(click the cover images for more information about each book)

The first titles highlight a pair of Underground favs: fly fishing streamers and fly fishing for Brookies (always upper case here at the Underground).

The last year was an excellent one on the streamer fishing front here at the Underground, and that’s largely due to what Ian taught me – a pragmatic approach that goes far beyond the usual driftboat-oriented “slap it on the bank and strip” advice.

Obviously, the Brookie book is specific to the Smokies, but I fish there once a year, love Brookies, and put my name on the list anyway.

Here’s The Deal

The best part is the price – these aren’t four-inch think Russian novels – they’re simply good information boiled down to its essential, supported by pictures and illustrations where needed.

For $10 each (the bargain part is this: they’re bundling both together for $18 if you buy this week), they’re more recession-friendly than most books, and one reason I’m pitching them here is that Ian & Charity are self-publish the things using the Internet as the primary marketing vehicle – an idea that appeals to me for all sorts of reasons.

Plus, Ian and I talked about this series on and off for a while (I’ve been pushing him to produce them as a way to use small books to plug some sizable holes in most fly fishermen’s skill set), and now if the whole concept tanks, I’ll feel guilt (I don’t like feeling guilt).

The Inevitable Pair of Disclosures:

First, I have no financial interest here – this isn’t some stealth marketing pitch and I’m not making a dime (though I fully expect to ascend to heaven when the time comes). And second, the things won’t be back from the printers until late January or early February, but if you’ve got $18 in your pocket, you can order both now.

See you at the inauguration party, Tom Chandler

Technorati Tags: advice from the guides, charity rutter, fly fishing with brook trout, fly fishing with streamers, ian rutter, randr fly fishing, shameless commerce

In the interest of keeping the stack of rods in the corner from growing completely out of control, I’ve decided to move a couple rods over the next few months – starting with a fished-once 8′3″ 5wt George Maurer bamboo fly rod.

You can read the listing and see the pictures at the Classic Bamboo Fly Rod site (but only the Undergrounders get free shipping).

My goal? End up with a handful of 8.5′ rods that get fished regularly, and that means winnowing my embarrassing collection of 8′-8.5′ rods.

I’m asking $1500 for this fished-once rod that sold for $1695 when new (at least it would have if you could get one; George Maurer – the man who taught more people how to build bamboo fly rods than any other – suffered an untimely death a little over a year ago).

See you at the bank, Tom Chandler.

bamboo fly rod, bamboo, george maurer, sweetwater rods, bamboo fly rod sale

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Technorati Tags: bamboo fly rod, bamboo fly rods, george maurer, sweetwater rods