Sometime last year, I started my first book. An autobiography of sorts, the file somehow found it’s way into oblivion. I can’t find it anywhere on this computer. I think it’s safe to say that’s one book that will never be published. However,  as heartbroken as you obviously are at hearing this tragic news, I’d like to tell you about my second book, The Last Brook Trout. 

It’s the story of Henry Dalton, an oil company executive who’s charged with shutting down the last oil rigs as the whole world moves to a new energy source. Henry likes his job, but he also has a problem. He absolutely loves the outdoors and the idea of fishing. In 2085, no one goes fishing. Leisure time has been worked out of the equation and your job is now a 7 day a week proposition. But Henry has found something that is going to save him from his mundane job or ruin him for good.

What’s that? You want a taste? Alright, then….

From “The Last Brook Trout” Chapter One

 He remembered starting at that link hundreds of times before. Ever since the day he found the rod. The long, slender rod and a small box of flies were covered with rubble and dirt under his Great Grandfather’s abandoned farmhouse. Gramps had grown his own food on that farm and caught trout in the stream that ran through the lower end. Not that he could explain it to anyone, but Henry desperately wanted to catch a fish on that old rod. The business trip to Patagonia seemed to be his best shot at doing just that. But to take the rod and flies to Patagonia was dangerous. Taking them along without knowing if there were even trout still alive there would be absolutely reckless.

If there were trout there, maybe he could find someone who knew where they were. Maybe a few survived? Maybe just one? But there was no need risking everything he had going for him if he found evidence that there was no hope of finding one…or no hope of even sneaking away to fish for it. Henry got caught up again in thoughts that plagued him from the beginning of this madness. Where would he find the time to slip away and fish? How would he explain his lack of sleep to the Company Recording Office? What if someone caught him actually fishing? Was catching a fish worth the risk of losing everything!? Henry poured himself another cup of water. “One thing at a time, you fool.”

Henry hesitated, and then spoke softly….”Activate Link.”

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To give you a feel for where this is going, my inspiration for this story comes from real life, from conservation, from books like Orwell’s 1984 and Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. Henry is going to find himself in conflict, in danger and perhaps in great joy. But you’ll never know how it turns out, or even if he finds a trout to cast to….. unless I get back to work on it.

In other news, Don Kirk is starting a fly fishing ezine and he’s asked if I’d contribute. I suspect that I will. I mean, it’s Don Kirk.

It’s been a few days, and some folks are taking advantage of the special we’ve got going with Goat Head Gear. It’s 15% off, people. That’s like 14% more than 1%, in case you wanted to know. We think you should take advantage of the offer. We really do…and to prove it, we’re going to throw in a new flybox (A $6 or so value) for the next 3 people who order a set of Sole Spikes! That’s like getting Sole Spikes for about $14. Hello? Anyone out there?

Just go to Solespikes.com & use the code OWLJONES15 to get your discount! If you need more convincing, you can read my review.

This deal is over TONIGHT, though – so you need to get your order in before midnight 2-21-2012.

Moving Fast. This deal is.

For our 1000th Follower celebration on Twitter, Friday night at 8pm you’ll be asked to visit a link. Directions will follow from there. Nothing too complicated, but you’ll have to find the message on Twitter to enter for the prizes. I want to thank everyone for reading the blog, following us on Twitter and checking out our Google Plus and Facebook pages from time to time. Also, thanks to our industry friends who send us gear (Sierra Trading Post, Orvis, Goat Head Gear, Redington, Sage, etc.) and to the tenkara anglers who bump our stats each time we comment on modern-day cane pole fishin’. Please have a sense of humor when you visit us, or it’s just not going to be much fun for you. M’kay? Thanks.

Don’t forget about Friday night if you follow us on Twitter. 8PM sharp. Be there. Win stuff. Help us celebrate!

Ninjas. Always cutting in front of you to fish the best water...

The first lesson was that the “Bass Ponds” (Marben Public Fishing Area) are no longer open 7 days a week due to budget problems. Surprise! You drove all the way there for nothin’! Lesson #1.

Well, at least my buddy Milliam did. Luckily he got there before I did and called me as I was on my way through Atlanta and said they were closed. So, plan B. We headed for a small State Park just south of Atlanta to try and salvage the day. Neither of us had ever fished there, but I was only 40 miles or so from it, so I was game.  Milliam brought his daughter, who is going into 7th grade this year, wants to be an actress and did not get her wish to rent a boat. Dad’s can be mean. Lesson #2.

Georgia has one of the best State Park systems in the country according to quite a few magazines and outdoor organizations and I must admit that we’ve spent alot of time over the years enjoying them. Until just a few years ago, the parking fee was a modest $2 or $3 I think…but they eventually raised it to $5. Still a bargain, since $5 doesn’t buy you very much these days! You can always get a $50 pass for a year instead, which is a better deal than paying $5 each time if you live anywhere near a park you enjoy.

Anyhoot – we parked, paid, fished, laughed, watched the duck, saw a few bass, caught one(Milliam did anyway!) and I skedaddled on out of there around 4pm trying to beat the traffic out the north side of Atlanta. Thanks to it being a holiday, it wasn’t too bad even for rush hour(s). Lesson #3?

Internet Famous! I think Milliam's daughter Skylar has grown a foot since then!

The weather is going to have to get about 10 degrees warmer for a few days in a row, but the longer days are already prompting the bass to come up shallow and search for a meal. They’re just still very cold and skittish right now. Lesson #4. Just a few more weeks though and things will be in full-swing as long as we don’t get a prolonged cold-snap. We haven’t really had a cold-snap all winter, so it’s likely we’ll be landing bass very soon. And that’s good…because I’m beyond ready.

OH and lesson #5: If you tie a streamer with too much Lateral Scale material, it will sound like you’re casting a small garden flag. fffllpppppwhooosh. flllpppppwhooosh.

I know it’s too early. My buddy Milliam knows it’s too early. Everyone knows it’s too early….but this rain is going to muddy up the creeks and we’re both itchin’ to see the bass ponds this year. So we go when we shouldn’t, and try our luck. Who knows? We might even catch something!

A tiny bass from Marben PFA, Spring 2012

A jumper.

Hooked up!

I could not help but laugh out loud when I saw this. Make sure you get it right, folks. Samurai did NOT fish with tenkara rods. Ninjas did. This Ninja still does, but apparently the ancient art of tenkara-ninjutsu has been modified in modern times to omit the black hood. Because …………..that would just be silly, right? You people get it right out there or this Ninkara angler will come to your home water and force you out of your waders and chest pack, and into something more…um….traditional…..like this stylish 1950′s dive suit. Or a kimono. 

...and some tenkara anglers wonder why no one takes them seriously...

I have an idea for a short survey of fly fishers from each state. Contact me to participate. owl@owljones.com. Listed below will be the states who have a representative in the Survey. This is a fun, 5 question survey designed to give us a peek into fishing across America. Sign up by emailing me with your state and email address.  Once I get someone from each state, we’ll send out the survey via email.

I wanted to wait until this weekend to sit down and bang out all that’s happened this week. But I can’t wait. I’ve never been able to  wait. Even that pesky little “schedule” button on WordPress that is always begging me to click it can’t make me wait.

This has been my week:

1. On Monday we got our first advertiser, Goat Head Gear – makers of the incredible grippy Sole Spikes© traction control devices.

Also on Monday, our Twitter account hit 1000 followers! ( Are you following? We’re giving stuff away next week! )

2. On Tuesday we began talks with an Outdoor Company about becoming a Gear Rep. for them!

Also on Tuesday, I celebrated my 25th Valentine’s Day with my beautiful wife. (awwwwwwww.)

3. On Wednesday I landed an honest-to-goodness “regular” weekly writing gig.

Also on Wednesday, I got asked to write something this summer for BowAmerica magazine. (surprise, surprise!)

4. On Thursday, Goat Head Gear sent us an email with a coupon for 15% off for OwlJones.com readers and fans! (—>)

Tonight the radio show sees it’s 6th Episode and it’s going to be a good one – kayaks, brook trout, and high dollar fly fishin’ gear!

Friday? Well, who knows what Friday holds! Maybe someone will invite us steelhead fishin’ or something!?

I’d say that’s our best week so far for 2012! Thank you Lord and thank you friends, fans and readers.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a radio show to plan.

[ TONIGHT'S SHOW has been POSTPONED until Tomorrow night. I'm a bit under the weather and I'd rather have a good show that's delayed than to make you sit through a less than 100% effort. ]

Cabela’s new line of Wind River fly reels caught us by surprise. Like an underdog prize fighter, the Wind River fly reel couldn’t possibly be a contender in the economy fly reel market could it? It’s claim to fame, as far as we’re concerned, is that at least part of the reel is machined. It’s a hybrid of sorts and we’re going to put it to the test in the coming weeks.

All things considered, in theory it's well worth the $29. Now let's see how it handles some fishing stress.

Out of the box, it isn’t much to look at. If you’re obsessed with shiny, glossy finishes on your fly reels then I’m afraid you’ll be a bit disappointed to see the matte gray tones of the Wind River. The other thing you notice right away is the girth of this thing. It’s a bit “massive” for a 3-4 reel, but you must (at all times) keep in mind that this reel is below $40 in price. That’s a price range almost no major manufacturer will touch these days besides companies who focus on mass produced gear for novice anglers. When you can get a fully machined reel for around $100-$130, why would anyone make a half-machined, old school finish reel?

Well, yes….price. That’s a given…but I believe someone at Cabela’s is seeing the writing on the wall for the fly fishing industry as a whole. When you think “price” or “value line” or “economy reel” in any aspect, you think(if you’ve been around fly fishing for very long)…..”cheap.” But Cabela’s may have broken that stereotype wide open…

I’m pretty darn happy to report to you that this little(big) reel is anything but cheap feeling. There are some things that could be better….for a price – and It’s probably a good bet that Cabela’s website photo has been altered a bit to mask the girth of this thing. Let me just down the down-low for you, in case you’re thinking about picking up one of these things from Cabela’s this year:

1. It’s a little heavy….but it’s $29.

2. It’s a little large frame-wise…..but it’s $29.

3. The drag is not a totally sealed system as the photo would seem to show….but it’s $29.

4. The finish isn’t bulletproof…..but it’s $29.

5. It’s a drab, matte gray color that reminds me of concrete………..but it’s …..well,  you know…it’s $29. 

Please keep in mind that “a little heavy” and “a little large” are just that. Although this is nobody’s idea of a reel for a 2 wt. it is just slightly heavier than reels costing 10 or 12 times as much. That’s something to chew on. For anglers, for Cabela’s ….for a fly fishing industry that is still very much in favor of increasingly expensive gear choices. I’ll go ahead and predict that there will be at least two major rod or reel companies that go under in 2012 because they fail to adapt to a continuing poor economy. The days when a majority of anglers could afford a $1800 fly rod/reel combo are coming to an end, folks – and only those companies who embrace the idea of stalling R&D (and other costs) a bit and concentrating on crafting affordable gear are going to survive. You can take that to the river.

#6 (ish) poppers for comparison.

As far as how it performs, we’ll be finding that out this spring when we put it to the test chasing bass, stripers and maybe even (uggh.) carp. But just know this: Straight out of the box, it’s the best looking, smoothest turning, best designed, lightest weight $29 reel I’ve ever seen in my 20+ years of fly fishing. Initially, I almost want to say that it’s probably the best $29 reel ever made - it’s very, very smooth out of the box. But we’ll see what happens when we latch it on to some big South GA bass in a few weeks!

Drag looked sealed, but had grease all over it. (but.....it's $29.)

Nice big drag knob. Smooth turning. Easy start up. Not easy to find on a $29 reel.

Sage. Winston. Simms. Great names in fly fishing. Also, some of the most expensive lines of gear you can buy. Nothing wrong with buying top-quality gear if you can afford it and if you want to spend that much on stuff to help you catch fish. But for most people, owning the very best of everything isn’t a reality in fly fishing or in life. To that end, I’ve created my “budget list” of alternative fly fishing gear that works similar to the high-end stuff, but without devastating your wallet.

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#1 Scientific Anglers’ Sharkskin Fly Line – Retail Price: $99.00

Budget Buy: Cortland 333 Fly Line – Retail Price: $29.00

What’s the difference? Well, there’s a huge difference between the two as far as the technology goes, and obviously as far as price goes too. However, for most anglers in typical trout or bass fishing situations where you’re casting 20-60 ft. you can live without the latest and greatest for that price difference. I’ll come clean and say I’ve never cast any of the “-skin” type lines, but I do have extensive field testing (read fishing) experience with Cortland’s 333 line. It’s “old skool” technology that has served me well since the mid-90′s and there’s no good reason it won’t serve you just as well now. It shoots well, it’s slick, the tip floats well and if you clean it every now and then it can last you all year – maybe two years even. At $29.00 a pop, you really can’t blame it for not shooting all that well at 60 or 70 feet can you? Are you fishing for tarpon or bonefish or sailfish? Trust us. Cortland 333 is a great line for most situations and the price is the main factor in making it the #1 item on our Budget List today.

#2. Simms G4Z Waders – Retail price: $699

Budget Buy: Simms Freestone Waders – Retail price: $299

What’s the difference? Again, technology. And a zipper, which we admit is uber-cool. But Simms makes quality gear even in their lower-end lines. If you’re on a budget, there’s no reason to pay $699, when $299 will get you the same Simms quality. No, it won’t get you the EXACT same Simms quality in terms of the materials used – but I can tell you from personal experience that Simms budget priced waders are built to last. I’m on a pair of Freestone’s now that I’ve had for almost 10 years – and I’m R-O-U-G-H on waders. (they’re filthy, scruffed up, stained and stinky…..but they haven’t had a single leak or any other issue in almost a decade! )

#3.  William Joseph Confluence Chest Pack – Retail price: $149

Budget Buy: Cabela’s River Guide X3 Chest Pack – Retail price: (right now) $24.88

What’s the difference? You mean besides the price, right? Well, the Cabela’s pack doesn’t have a pocket (or anything) in the back. Wanna carry a rain jacket? Forget about it – that is, unless you want to somehow lash it to the straps. Not a good idea, probably. They look pretty close in size, but the Cabela’s item doesn’t give the size so it’s hard to be sure. More pockets in the William Joseph? According to the details, they both have 10 if I’m counting correctly. Again, the main reason the Cabela’s is the budget buy is the price. Maybe the William Joseph stuff is a little nicer material? Or maybe it costs more than 5 times as much because it says “William Joseph?”

#4. Ross Evolution LT – Retail price: $285

Budget Buy: Orvis Clearwater Large Arbor Reel – Retail price: $79

What’s the difference? Again, the difference is in price – and we’re  not talking chump change. The Ross is over 3 times the cost, and as much as we love (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE) Ross Reels, even their economy line runs more than the $79 price tag of the Clearwater. You can expect that the Clearwater won’t be as light, or as small, or be on par with the precision of a Ross Evolution, etc. etc. etc. – but unless you plan on needing an absolutely killer drag or you can’t stand the thought of your reel costing less than $100, you would probably be very happy with the Clearwater. (We also really like the Ross CLA at around $175, if  you just simply must have a Ross Reel. )

#5. Sage One Rod – Retail Price: $720

Budget Buy: Anything else. 

What’s the difference? Ok, so this one is kind of a throw away answer. Sorry about that. But seriously, $700 – $1200 for a graphite rod these days? I know all the arguments about R&D and the cost of manufacturing and everything else. I’ve heard it all. I still don’t get spending that kind of cash on a graphite “fishin’ pole” when you don’t have to spend that much to catch a fish. That said, before anyone gets their feathers all ruffled, I don’t begrudge anyone buying whatever they like. If you want to spend $3000 on a nice bamboo rod and another $800 on a reel for it….go for it!

But for the budget-minded angler (or others with a sense of moderation or just a fondness for paying the mortgage) we suggest anything in St. Croix’s budget line, a Cabela’s LST, or almost anything offered by Redington. If you’re a light-weight-or-nothing-nut, or you love precision craftsmanship, or you can’t stand the thought of YOUR fly rod coming off some assembly line overseas, then go with the Sage One. Or a Winston. Or A Thomas & Thomas. If you’re on a budget, look around – there are some great rods out there and may with very capable and useful technology – and all for under $200.

So, that’s five budget choices that can save you a HUGE amount of money in gear. What’s your top 5 budget items? What high-dollar stuff could you not live without? What’s your best budget buy ever? The comment form awaits your input!