Jon Ain

Jon grew up in the Northeast and attended Cornell University where he obtained a BS in Zoology. His Honors advisor was Dr. Perry Gilbert, the famous shark researcher, who went on to become the longtime head of Mote Marine Labs. Jon then attended Harvard Medical School and after a couple of years as a GP on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona/ New Mexico moved to Colorado where he did a residency in Diagnostic Radiology and practiced in a large group setting for many years.

In addition to  BTT Board membership, Jon run the March Merkin Invitational Permit tournament in Key West each year which has raised over 70,000 dollars for charities over its brief existence. Jon is the non guide member of the board of Lower Keys Guides Association and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Psilos Funds, a group of venture capital funds.

1. What is it that attracts you to fishing?

My first fishing trip was with my dad, in a rowboat tied to a dock in Chesapeake Bay at the age of 4. Not surprisingly, we  caught nothing but a few crabs yet I had a great time, which may explain my penchant for Permit fishing. For me, fishing is a balm for my  soul. The morning boat ride is always full of promise about what may be as well as the sensation of feeling the everyday problems of life, some controllable and some not, recede into the boat’s wake as I concentrate at the day at hand.

2. Describe your fondest fishing memory.

My favorite fishing memory would have to be a magical week in the Yucatan that ended up with 12 Permit, 5 Grand Slams and 4 Super Grand Slams. I thought that I had it all figured out after that but of course I didn't.

3. How did you get your start with BTT?

I joined BTT as a member in it’s early years based on a magazine story that sounded worthwhile. As my fishing ability became compromised by arthiritis I wanted to stay involved in the fishing community and give back to compensate for the many pleasures that flats fishing has brought into my life.  While starting the March Merkin, we searched for an environmental charity to donate funds to and after looking at mission statements and use of funds, we chase BTT. I subsequently joined the BTT Board and have tried to help push the “Permit” agenda  for BTT. This past year, BTT has started the first large scale Permit tagging program ever done. Flats fishermen are often quite passionate about their sport.  Even if they live thousands of miles away and only get a week a year on the flats, they live for that week, for the flats environment, the friendships and of course, the fish.

4. What are the best ways that BTT can and has benefited coastal recreational fisheries?

BTT is not an organization like Trout Unlimited which relies on local chapters with monthly meetings, providing interaction with fellow anglers as well as stream cleanups and other group activities. None the less, BTT serves a vital purpose in both lobbying for flats fish and fishing and most importantly funding the science that must be done to protect and preserve flats fisheries for future generations.  The past 2 months, as we all watch the flow of oil into the gulf and the Loop Current moving towards the south, has brought this point home for me.  It is not just the oil in the marshes and on the beaches that is such a risk but the deep water plumes and dispersents that threaten the spawning Tunas and the large aggregates of Tarpon that use the mouth of the Mississippi as a buffet table. It is BTT supported satellite tagging programs that have helped to elucidate Tarpon movement between the Gulf and up the eastern coast of the United States.