As a photographer, paying attention to details, trends and styles, is part of the grey matter that matters. It becomes impossible to turn it off, and a seventh sense of sorts. So, when I see the seven hundredth shot of some little model, or big star tugging at their bikini bottom string – up, down, in out or to the side – that’s all I see. The mainstream money making photographers have been doing that move for years now, and I thought it would have run its course a long, long time ago.

If you focus on fly fishing images, there are these same distinct images that apparently sell, which in turn sells photographers on the idea they sell, and we see a flood of shots like; 1) rod held at side pointing at water – reel in focus, long lens, tight perspective on reel 2) desolate flats – boat, fly fishing, big sky, beautiful water – in equal proportions. Then there are the amateur fish porn shots, the ones we all take; wide angle, move that fish toward the camera – YEAH! BIG. I love those shots because it so distorts reality – no one really can tell how big that fish really was unless they were there. And the quantity of these images is staggering, exploding since the digital revolution made cameras part of the standard equipment for fly fishers. It is engrained – take only pictures, leave the fish for someone else to catch again.

For the most part, with the exception of the Simms, Sage and Winston catalogs (there may be others), you will see creative kitsch abounds. Now, with the downturn in the economy, it is probable the big manufacturers will curtail if not eliminate the spending that went into their past publications. Those good times are gone, for now, and maybe forever.

One of the strangest subsets of fly fishing photography is photographing flies. Flies have all the ingredients that concoct heaps of frustration; small size, need for high detail, and what is becoming apparent – no real trends, or distinct styles that dominate the fly photography shown in magazines, on tiers sites, or in advertising imagery.

In my interpretation, fly photography – the photography of flies, is in its infancy, and that in itself is exciting. There are things that have yet to be tried, and from what I’ve seen, there is a complete lack of implementation of Adobe Photoshop in the process. As much as it is a pain to set up a complete studio to photograph something that is nearly weightless, I cannot resist the chance to capture some RAW images, put the ‘Shop on them and see what results.

So, as the world turns, take a glance back here and see how the experimentation in modern fly photography is going. There should be a few new images coming out before the fish distract the photographer from his business.

It is the sunrise of times for those musicians dwelling in the dark for so long. Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan … then decades of good times … Billy Bragg & Wilco, and Jay Farrar / Son Volt for our new hard times. Whoever taps into the angst infected bloodstream of modern economic suffering first – wins.

Of all the songs to close Dan’s Silverleaf sold out show in Denton, Texas, the completely jelled Son Volt closed with Windfall – the lyrics timely now more than ever, “may the wind blow your troubles away”.

Jay took listeners on an adventure Thursday night that traces his history, and at the same time gives us glimpses into the future – with tidbits from the new Son Volt release coming out this June. He finished with the reassurance that the wind will take care of your troubles. All I can say is, if it brought out the mighty Reverend Brandon from my church, there must be something going on.

For all Jay Farrar’s and Son Volt’s incantations, the sound and lyrics remain true to a Zen stream of consciousness sound that turns American road flavored lyrics into some kind of religious chant that transcends the ability to decipher the words, and at the same time grinds listeners in sweet, screaming guitars that bring relief to suffering ears.

Farrar did not miss a note since I last saw him at Stubbs in Austin when he rolled out the new and improved Son Volt. It is good to see him working while working – rolling out new songs on the edge of a new release in June. He seems happy with his band mates, and to see his lead guitarist work again is nothing short of an insight into the future of Alt. Guitar Hero Version I.

The Dan’s Silverleaf show was a “Smoke Free!” show, and the exclamation point says it all. Dan’s is ahead of the curve for the moment because we all know a Smoking Ban is coming to Denton, Texas. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Most venues are so bad, that I as a photographer shooting musicians, can no longer do shoots in shows that are not smoke free. Typically, it takes two days to recover from a shoot that includes smoke, and I could see that it would take even longer in the future – if I live that long! Kudos for Dan Mojica for biting the bullet and making the show a smoke free show. Now if we can just hire a lighting guru, my future is pure platinum.

I can only hope our fearless leaders/spenders are listening to the voices that will re-emerge in the next two years, who will be the voices of the New Depression, the new Hard Times. Sure, it pales in comparison to the 1930′s, but nobody cares about what’s not happening to them right here and now.

I have yet to look at the images from last night, but with well over 400 images shot, I will be lucky if I get one that passes my test. If not, I will run a post on low light and show you the disasters that await.

The only thing I wish for is for The Wind to Blow Your Troubles Away (OK and for Dan to hire someone to do lights).

Coming Soon – Chain Pickerel in East Texas / New Waterproof camera offerings / Sand Bass are running NOW

Last year was a good one for gear, and now that some time has passed, maybe I can begin to concentrate on what I “really think” about a couple of rods that have joined the traveling one man show.

After a few TFO rod purchases in 2007, specifically the TICR Axiom 6 and 8, both 9 footers, I took a slight hiatus from gear in general until the opportunity arose for a Winston Boron BIIX 5 and then in another good turn, a Sage Z Axis in a 10wt. and ZXL in a 5wt. I really thought the Winston would be a great daily driver, a rod I could keep loaded and cocked at all times, and even had the grip changed from a but with double well fighting butt configuration to a cigar grip when I ordered it. It fires flies like a rocket launcher, but is too stout for ponds and too weak to horse bass out of the weedy tanks, so it has become the “box of chocolates” – never know what you’re going to catch – rod.

The Z Axis 10 has been a dream rod, the one I use when the SO is on the flats with me and she’s using my Axiom 8. It is a big stick that will go far, but supple enough at the tip to pinpoint shorter range targets. This rod just feels good. I have not been into any big fish with this yet, but I won’t be losing any sleep wondering if it can handle it.

The Sage ZXL – 9′/5wt. is becoming more of a pond and smaller fish rod because it is responding so well to my current level of casting ability / disability. It really responds to a more fluid stroke, smoother stopping, and the results are surprising – accuracy, accuracy accuracy. Perhaps it does not give as much distance as the BIIX, but I could see this being the perfect rod for somewhere like the Conejos – in a 4 weight.

On the wish list for 2009, only one rod that seems affordable in today’s economic climate, and that’s a TFO Finesse 4wt-7’9″. This seems like a dual purpose rod; great for tight spots like the Blue River and its small Bows, and for Bream and smaller tank fishing. Funny thing about rod wish lists, they always seem to have unexpected additions.

After owning and throwing these top-of-the-line rods, it is easy to see that you really do get what you “pay” for. The best analogy I can come up with is welding with a MIG wire fed welder. Wire feed, and MIG make almost anyone look good – even me. The same can be said for these rods; they can make me look good – at times. Their quality is infectious – once you have one of these, you will want another, and once you get used to throwing them, you will be tempted to leave a more fitting weight rod behind just to cast one of these sweet sticks.

THE FUTURE OF US ROD MAKERS

There is talk everywhere about layoffs at venerated rod makers like Sage and Winston, and I have chimed in with little mature consideration of the reality of what the US economy is doing to all businesses that exist on the fringes of necessity. In the retail area of my business, the phone does not ring that often, and e mails are down by significant numbers. Even internet traffic statistics show significant decline (again in retail) with no appreciable differences in my or my competitions sites or offerings. This leads to a discussion of basic economics. If you can sell more rods at a lower price, why wouldn’t you? Your supply is up. Demand for your product is down. How can you keep your price up? Price has to come down to raise demand. Sure, you will have a lower per-unit margin, but you will sell more units, I suggest MANY MORE units. This is a dangerous deflationary game of limbo, but we are all being forced to play that game. Think of it like this; Would you go to a US auto dealership and say, “I’ll give you sticker for that truck – and nothing less!”? Heck no. Compared to the auto sales environment of only a few years ago, they’re giving them away now.

I can even see a future in fly rod sales where offers of “buy one – get a second at half price”, or rebates – are used to entice buyers back into the high end luxury rod market. There’s more talk about distribution as well – wider channels, direct online sales, and big boxes. For someone not raised in the fly fishing business, one of my first head scratches was when I was looking to click on “BUY” on Sage’s website. How can these guys avoid selling rods directly to the consumer and continue being a going concern? Why wouldn’t manufacturers do deals with “devils” like Cabela’s or Bass Pro, if it means survival?

Their choice is clear, change or perish. They can try and stick to a known course, do the same thing and expect different results – much like the debacle US auto unions have chosen, or pull out all the stops and see what works. Consolidation could be another option, and nothing should be beyond consumer’s imagination. What happens could be surprising, or it could seem to be a natural synergy. Something will happen though, because I don’t see any Rescue Programs on the horizon for rod makers. If it wasn’t already apparent to those making a living in the fly fishing industry, it should be apparent now; You are in a luxury (discretional) spending category, and spending has been cut. Have you noticed your water being less crowded, flights with seats, fare wars and sales-sales-SALES!?

I have heard the argument that when folks don’t have work they fish. Now, just because I do that, I don’t think we can draw that out to the rest of the unemployed population. OK, they may fish, but do they fly fish?

Rest assured, changes are coming to the industry. What I find curious is that the fly fishing industry is so averse to change for the sake of survival. It appears the insiders, those inside the business, don’t want change if it costs them, but it’s OK for other industries. If I were to venture a guess, I would generally classify the fly public as left of center, more interested in classic liberal topics such as the environment, and reigning in “big businesses assault on the environment”, but beyond the immediate personal financial pain, these same people may be forced to take a long look at where they really stand in the face of unprecedented government involvement in private and public business entities. It’s not that fly rod consumers will snatch up extra rods if prices come down, they will not (seen new car prices for US autos lately?). However, it may entice that first top shelf rod purchase for someone who sees the fly industry pricing structure as a bit “steep” for their taste.