Big buzz coming out of the media from reviewers of the forthcoming Bruce Springsteen album, and judging by what I am hearing from Texas trubador Pat Green, we are headed for some gut punching Tom Joad times ahead.

Last year wasn’t exactly glitzy either, and if you don’t believe that spin James McMurtry when you get a chance. But with Springsteen raising his head above the radar, doing some interviews, and launching a world tour, the requisite reviews of his releases this decade are rolling out as well. Springsteen is very proud of his last two releases “Magic” and “The Rising”, and the latest is generating more buzz from early reviews, than all the rest.

I worked security when Springsteen played the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in 1984 (I think), and I really didn’t understand or relate to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band … they were that Jersey band with the singer no one could understand. I was guarding the ramp on the back side of the stage which was equally the front stage as they played in the round. It was all over for me after that; I woke up singing Springsteen songs every morning for the next week. It was a blatant display of sheer energy, and I was hooked.

That was 25 years ago and many, many albums – all of which I own. I’ve been through his ups and downs, his hard times and celebratory sounds. One thing I take for granted is that he will produce more good music, ok music and great classics. It has been a long road, but have no doubt his road goes on forever.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to name drop; I actually had to work at that show – keeping a young Yannick Noah from taking the ramp upstage to join the Boss. And when a young woman in the audience hollered “Bruce!”, and flashed the Boss as he went back onstage (after playing two hours to play two more hours), he laughed sheepishly and kept on going … back to work.

Have a look at the new offering by Olympus. As readers gear up for the spring runs and summer sun, they inevitably begin to contact me about “best” camera choices for their individual purposes. This can be a Hobson’s Choice at times. These days choices are built around price point first and foremost.

- Available in Crystal Blue, Pure White or Midnight Black
- High-precision 3x optical zoom (38-114 mm) to capture landscapes through to stunning portraits, even when it’s wet
- The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
- 10 Megapixels to make prints up to poster-size
- Digital Image Stabilisation for less blur
- See and share images more easily on the 6.4cm/2.5” LCD (230,000 dots)
- Face Detection for perfectly focused and exposed faces
- 17 shooting modes (e.g. Underwater Water Snap) ensure the camera has the right settings for different situations
- movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)
- xD-Picture Card and microSD Card compatible

I nearly pulled the trigger on purchasing the previous version of this camera, but opted instead for the Sanyo Xati, and have been pretty happy with it thus far.

Keep in mind, the Olympus is primarily a still camera that shoots video, while I opted for the Sanyo because it is primarily a video camera that shoots stills. There, anglers, is the fray.

There’s not much written on this camera yet, but please feel free to apply for your camera bailout and write us a REAL review. Inquiring minds want to know…

PS – I have seen this listed as a model 500 and 550 interchangeably – could be the haze of a press release or distinct models or US versus Overseas versions.

This just came across from Rob Woodruff:

Lower Mountain Fork River Foundation
2009 One Fly Contest
Saturday, February 28th
7:00 a.m. until Noon
Mountain Fork River, Broken Bow, OK.

There are some changes to the rules for 2009

- Starting Point – Lower wooden foot bridge parking lot – Spillway Creek.
- Pairings will be drawn just prior to the start.

The rules are simple:
1) As the name implies – one fly only. No bait, lures, scents or droppers.

2) Each contestant will be provided the exact same fly pattern. This fly will be the only fly eligible for use in the contest. The fly pattern will be kept secret until the start of the contest.

3) Each contestant will fish that fly ONLY. Lose the fly, you are out.

4) The fly may be cut off the leader and retied as needed. Your partner must be notified that you are doing this.

5) A fly that is broken off on an obstruction may be retrieved and retied to the leader. Your partner must be notified that you are doing this.

6) A scored fish is one that is brought to hand and released; no “LDR’s”. Your partner must be notified that a fish has been landed and scored.

7) Each contestant is responsible for keeping his or her own score.

Scoring
Each fish will be scored as ONE POINT
Any Trout over 12″ and less than 14″ will receive an additional point (total of 2 points)
Any Trout of 14″ and less than 16″ will receive an additional 2 points (total of 3 points)
Any Trout of 16″ and less than 18″ will receive an additional 3 points (total of 4 points)
Any Trout of 18″ and less than 20″ will receive an additional 5 points (total of 6 points)
Any Trout 20″ or over will receive an additional 9 points (total of 10 points)
Any Brown Trout receives a 4 point bonus.
He or she with the MOST POINTS wins.

Registration

The event is open only to members of the LMFRF who have paid there 2009 membership fees.

The entry fee is $30 for 2009 LMFRF members who pre-register by February 27th. If you are not currently a LMFRF member in good standing, you must also submit your membership fee along with your $30 pre-registration fee.

You can pre-register, pay your 2009 dues, or join the LMFRF at www.lmfrfoundation.org

The Entry fee will be $35 for those who register on the day of the event (as well as 2009 membership fee if applicable). Registration begins at the Lower Spillway Creek Bridge Parking Lot in Beavers Bend State Park at 6:00 AM,

Only the first 36 entrants will receive an embroidered 2009 LMFRF One Fly cap.

All proceeds go to benefit the Lower Mountain Fork River Foundation’s efforts to improve the trout fishery on the Mountain Fork River.

PRIZES WILL INCLUDE FREE LODGING AT VARIOUS CABINS IN THE AREA, MEALS AT SEVERAL OF OUR AREA RESTAURANTS, FLY FISHING EQUIPMENT AND/OR ACCESSORIES!!

Let me know if you have any questions.

Hope to see you there,
Rob Woodruff
LMFRF Advisory Board Member