Getting Board

Pondering fresh ways to appreciate water, I recently was lucky enough to sample some stand up paddle boards. My buddy Alexis Rovira (Kiteboarder Mag. SD) raves about these and Mikey Wier (Burl Prods. / Patagonia etc.) suggests we do some fly fishing using these. My first trial run rocked hard and I am sold! Thank you Poseidon Stand Up, Santa Monica.

Falling for Fall

One heck of a summer has just passed. I barely picked up the guitar however got in more stream time than ever I could imagine. Work at Sierra Fly Fisher ebbs as the season cools and I prepare for some final hunts before returning to La La Land. The Samurai is running well and I thank George at Yosemite Smog and Electric as well as the guys at Elite Auto; both in Oakhurst, CA. This, of course, is critical since the car is what gets us to the stream most of the time. I got to meet some amazing people and made many new friends despite a super tame social life. Many days passing with minimal contact with anyone other than clients and anglers. What remains impressive is that I am not sick of it all (fly fishing). Netflix is a huge help and today I watched a documentary on the making of Queen's "Night at the Opera". What a moment that band had. My return to "civilization" will also mark a renewed enthusiasm for all-things-web and some surfing for crying out loud! I am excited. To the Sierra Nevada? I'll be back!

Ventura County River Art

Art as a statement is beautiful. Courtesy of the LA Times and, of course, some people with creative cojones.
Article: www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dam-scissors-20110919,0,947381.story

Summer Blog Entry #1

Oh my, no blog entry since May? This is bad. The year-after anniversary of my Flying Jeep incident has passed without incident and I have been reveling in an unusually solid guiding run in the Sierra with Sierra Fly Fisher. High water, critters abounding and great times with an amazing variety of anglers has made this a summer to remember. I'm on break visiting friends and family in San Diego with Rebecca. I'll be posting much more soon.

Grape Flavored Trout Beer

Today's overdue entry celebrates craftsmanship from good ol' Bakersfield. A recent session at my friend Jordan's studio had me play on one of these delightful beasts. We worked on music that was, dare I say, as twangy as any bizarre Ventures + B-52s coupling.

On the trout side of the discussion, a recent trek into the local hills of So. Cal. with Chad Simcox showed the fisheries thriving and even now (May) still in a pre-spring mode. This means chilly waters and insect life not yet at a fevered pitch. Despite this, no complaints.

Carnival Perch

Some of you may have seen this at my facebook profile and/or at the Fly Fishing Addicts forum however it deserves further sharing. I was lucky to be frivolously fishing near the pier when this perch cooperated for the shot. The fish was released unharmed.

Fishing and Hipocrisy

Quite a title eh? One form of hypocrisy of which I am guilty of is as follows: I swear by what I call the "under one's nose" rule. In other words, a great fishing spot might be right under everyone's noses. Some of my largest trout in So. Cal's trickles have come from such waters. Well, my soapabox is laughing at me. I live very near the ocean but I almost never fish it. I appreciate it immensely as a surfer. Sometimes in summer, I ride my last wave in and playfully chase corbina as I run through the shallows. What am I thinking? These are fascinating game fish! Recently, upon the urgings of some friends, I started to dabble with some local beaches and I am so glad I did. A quick casting fix with a possible fight is now a daily staple.

My first session in years and on my 3rd or 4th cast I tangled with a gargantuan leopard shark. He eventually broke off but what a kick. Thanks Arvin for the picture and the encouragement. Thanks Dave Wratchford for the secure knots!

That and other sessions have been sprinkled with these hard fighting and fun fish (Barred Surf Perch).