Untitled - Dec. 2020

 

The Corbina Diaries

 Fly Fishing is a place where obsession, the thrill of trying to fool a finicky animal and, hell, science and wisdom all collide. Very few things offer a better crossroad that the game of hunting Corbina in the summer on So Cal beaches - with a fly. I have played the game many many times and have had all sorts of humorous, disappointing as well as victorious moments. It’s simply fantastic. Gathering all sorts of wisdom from his own years spent pursuing this fish as well as the wisdom of others, Al Q has published a book that simply kicks ass. I can say with confidence that I would love the book almost as much even if I was in another country where Corbina do not even exist. Maybe the same way I love reading about people fishing, say, for Searun Cutthroats or Taimen. This is simply a great and fun fishing book. Just when you thought you’d read it all and had enough vicarious fishing thrills to last you a lifetime … you might want to squeeze this puppy onto your bookshelf! Order here: https://bit.ly/thecorbinadiaries

 

Note: These fish are both common and mythological. I wish to say that YES, I have caught one before! Here's a hog from a few years ago: https://alquattrocchi.com/2015/07/15/perseverance-pays/

"Perro Avion" now available on vinyl! - Limited Pressing

I'm gonna keep this to-the-point! Details here: http://bit.ly/perroavionvinyl 

Bear Butt Canyon - October 2020

Ok so why Bear Butt Canyon? One of the most exciting aspects of this area is that it is full of bears. Last time I was here (2007) we saw several including one ornery and unusually large male. Luckily on this trip, all bears were skittish. Our count on this trip was just shy of 10 (depends who you ask!) and two of these were healthy cubs. At one point, as we did some cross-country stuff along the river bed, David climbed up over a rise and found himself looking at a bear's behind hence the title of this entry. Here's some bear footage to for your listening and dining pleasure ...

Sculpted by nature ...

Sculpted by humans? bears? This trail was far from anything.

The grind out of the canyon ...

For those extra curious, this trip log (not mine) summarizes much of what our trip was. Link HERE. The difference is that we took a short-cut cross-country to the river about 1/4 mile from the bottom of the trail to hit the river and explore. I do not recommend this move because of terrain unless you are not carrying a heavy backpack. We also had to keep a close eye on what the National Park Service would decide as far as trail access due to nearby fires. See image below.

Last but not least, this was after all a "Black Diamond Trout" expedition so a few of these came to hand and were all safely released.

Vote for the Planet

Image courtesy of https://theyearsproject.com

Psychedelic Houston

Rebecca and I just wrapped-up some travel to visit family and were treated to some San Francisco styled psychedelia at Houston Hobby. It truly caught us off guard and it was hard not to wonder whether or not the colorful overhead projections from the Fillmore in the 60s are not to be thanked. Although a bit nervous about travel, we felt pretty comfortable on our flight minus one guy who was very sloppy about his mask use. Soundtrack is the actual song "PAR AVION" as inspired by the Insect Surfers (who were in turn inspired by the enigmatic 80s indie band Pel Mel). This recording is from our first release Surf the Friendly Skies and features DJ Bonebrake (X) on drums. The music is available here for a "pay what you want" rate (free if you're broke!): http://bit.ly/surftheskies

Surf the Sky | Par Avion | On The Bamboo Balcony

I'll let the music do the talking ... https://bit.ly/surftheskyforeventsinlbc

So Cal Beach Fishin' | Let the Beans Begin

Corbina seem willing to bite and I have had a record-setting (for me) 3 and 3 run. One fish per session, three days in a row. These elusive fish are such a great summer game. What makes these three fish weird is that I have been getting them on fast stripped perch flies not the usual Merkin (that's what seems to be most often used). The last fish, the one in the photo, took after I saw it chasing bait in the shallows. Hopefully the skinny water Merkin game will kick in soon. Either way, love these fish.

So Cal Mountains | The Lizards Win

The fish were not to be found but an astonishing amount of these critters were ... For the record, I try not to handle these too much but, sorry, could not resist. 

So Cal Mountains | Mid April 2020

Did you make it this far? Watch two trout on their spawning bed while a "cheater male" tries to join the party. Here: Video Link.

EPA Stops Enforcing Environmental Rules Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic

The undermining of the EPA and a general attitude that does not seem to favor renewable energy sources and best practices for the environment (yes, they are connected) has, sadly, been part of the current administrations MO. I have been accused of being overly diplomatic so let me say this: This is code red. The current pandemic is verifiably a result of man's meddling with nature and being slapped-back HARD. It's not the first time nor the only type of such "karma" if you will. As we continue to do so, we will make ourselves vulnerable to the next massive curve ball from her (Mother Nature). This current Surfrider call-to-action is a good read and closes with the encouragement that we all raise our voices. Here is the link: LINK

In closing, as I often have to remind people (and myself) this is not a partisan matter. We all have friends, family and most of all children or nieces or nephews or grandchildren etc. who will be inheriting the earth. The EPA was founded by Richard Nixon a republican. Not a perfect man but unlike a more current republican, considered the environment (climate maybe?) a worthwhile concern. 

Please share.

So Cal Mountains | April 4, 2020 | Ursus Americanus Californiensis

California Fisheries Reading Material Motherlode

I guess it's time to read? I just loaded up on dozens of back-issues of this pamphlet via ebay. Some going back to the early 1940s. These are not what you'd think by their cover. They go reasonably deep into aspects of CA wildlife (and in some cases beyond California). Matters pertaining to otters, whales, invertebrates and, of course, fish. Esoteric stuff too like why two Tiger Barbs were found in the Owens River (yes, you read that right). And to my angler friends, even a solid theory that not all NZ and Patagonian RBTs are of McCloud strain. I guess I could be practicing guitar as well ...

So Cal Mountains | March 15, 2020 | Three Colors, One Species

Three trout in one day. All caught within 1000 feet of each other. Technically of the same genes (wild fishery, no planting). Crazy color variations! Kept wet (plus it was drizzling), all carefully released. Top fish on a Buhler Brothers pattern. Some big mayflies around.

Introducing the Barbless Podcast!

Rebecca and I were guests on The SoCal Fishing Podcast - barbless.co! The title of the show is called, On the Road with Bernard and Rebecca Yin and was hosted by these two fantastic people - Conway and Michelle Bowman. On Instagram, they each included some additional fun photos. This one, in particular, is super fun from a few years back when Max Bowman jumped "onstage" at the Carp Throwdown as Conway, Guy Jeans and I jammed. The podcast is a new experience for us. We think it's ended up being real fun. We cover a multitude of topics. Seriously, a multitude. We hope that you enjoy it: http://bit.ly/barblessco

* Carp Throwdown is a fun-as-hell carp on the fy event put on by Conway and Al Q. Details: https://carpthrowdown.com Al Q also did a Barbless interview and it is GREAT. Check it out HERE.