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

In truth, fish porn — in the absence of any real insight — pretty much bores the hell out of me, but I am willing to make an exception when the folks seem to be having a good time and — in this case — I’ve actually fished the water in question (and want like hell to get back).

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ian and Charity Rutter posted this as an antidote for the winter blahs, and I’m pretty sure I fished that run on the Holston River once or twice myself, though I only had Ian and Rich Margiotta for company, so the in-boat scenery kinda sucked in comparison.

I can even live with the soundtrack (did I mention I saw Dave Matthews in concert years ago? I have? Oh). Enjoy.