The benefits of a career as a fishing guide may at first seem obvious. Life on the river, fishing, exercise, clear air, breathtaking scenery, amazing fish, but over the years it has become clear to me that the greatest boon of my profession is getting to know my clients.

So many of you are interesting, interested, dedicated anglers. Many are also masters of their chosen professions. I have had the pleasure of fishing with luminaries of science, medicine,art, and finance. I have shared my days on the river with renowned scholars, the architects of tomorrows great minds, legal and political lions.

I can think of no other job that would give a guy like me access to such a group of notables, and I try to reap the rewards when ever possible.

A few years ago I was cast a pearl, when of my more educated clients allowed as how he had determined my "problem", as it turns out, I am a "fucking philistine".

This explained a lot. And I was reminded of it today when I received a wonderful Christmas gift in the mail.

Now remember my philistine brain process things in much the way you would expect. "Fish bite, good." or "Why fish no bite?" Not surprisingly though I suffer from a lack of ability to imagine a need for consumer goods I am unaware of.

Enter Matt Castle, of Cliff fly boxes and his wonderful gift, the "Days Worth" box.

Thanks Matt, this is an awesome fly box. And like all your boxes it fills a real need that anglers have. The guys and gals a Cliff boxes sit around and think up great ideas so that those of us who don't have the mental facilities to do so aren't left in need.

Cool boxes, that work the way they are supposed to, durable, functional and made here in the U.S.A.

The U.S.A. part is more important than you might think. I have been told that many fly boxes are made in Afghanistan, so by buying them you are probably supporting the taliban, and you don't want to do that.

So next time you are in your local fly shop take a gander at their selection of Cliff boxes, if they don't seem to have many you might inquire of the proprietor, "Where the fuck are your Cliff boxes?"

Or you could buy a cheap taliban box, but if you do, next time you are standing alone mid stream trying to decide if you should be fishing a #16 or #18 bwo , don't be surprised if you hear a drone coming for your ass, and you probably deserve it.

Fishing is still a bit tough, with bright spots here and there.

Jim Kerr
Rain Coast Guides