It’s probably the only time we’ve seen friend Chandler earnest and straight-faced as he plays Jimmy Olsen, cub reporter, to angling author (and Underground Fave) John Gierach.

Like him or love him, Mr. Gierach is the most quotable soundbyte in fly fishing, more importantly he can do so without drawing the ire of countless readers, even on worthy and contentious subjects:

Q: How do you think you fit into a more extreme fly fishing media landscape?

I’m suspicious of this trend towards making fly fishing an extreme sport. For example, on this book tour, I’m constantly asked “what do you think about the fly fishing film tour?”

I appreciate the adventure and the fishing they’re showing and technically it’s awesome stuff, but that’s just not the sport I recognize. Maybe I’m a little more invested in this pastoral stuff.

Q: That’s interesting. The video guys are trying make a living by going fishing and selling the experience, so in one sense, they’re the new Gierachs, the new trout bums — they’re your children.

I… I guess I can accept that. They’re into a counter-culture head — they live outside the mainstream.

And while I say I don’t recognize the sport, I do recognize those guys. Those are bohemian guys who don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about what they’re doing — they’re doing it for love, and I certainly recognize and understand that.

And those guys will grow up.

I don’t think I’ve seen the differences put any better, we like the young crowd – they’re like us, only the idea they might be us is so upsetting – for both parties ..

It’s a great interview, full of starch and gruff appreciation – which is made all the more endearing by Old Guys with the bit between their teeth.