I wanted to write a short piece to introduce Jay Nicholas as the newest member of the Burkheimer Pro Staff. Huh, you might say, never heard of the guy. Ain’t a famous Spey caster. Didn’t invent the Intruder. Falls down in rivers regularly. Why this guy?

All true, but here’s why. I’ve known Jay for several-hundred lifetimes. He brings a love of Pacific salmon and all things fly-fishing to our staff, combined with a full, distinguished career as a fisheries scientist. Jay is dedicated to his family, wild salmon conservation, fly tying, fly fishing, and lately, watching Skagit Master for the hundred-and-twenty-seventh time. Jay is one of the finest, and most cerebral, fly tiers I’ve ever met. A selection of Jay’s steelhead flies graces the cover of the Hareline Dubbin catalog.

And the man can fish. Jay barely admits it, but he catches a few salmon and steelhead every year. He’s adamant about releasing the wild fish he catches, including 45” chrome kings. Welcome to the Burkheimer Pro Staff, Jay. Expect to see occasional blog posts, updates on salmon conservation, and field reports about our rods written from the perspective of this (extra) ordinary fly fisher.

-Nate Koenigsknecht
CF Burkheimer Fly Rod Co.

Jay’s excellent blog is at: http://fishingwithjay.wordpress.com/

His latest post on the long fight to save wild fish is here:
http://fishingwithjay.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/jay-nicholasstanding-up-for-wild-fish/