Surrealistic Fishow

I have been remiss to post for far too long. In keeping with my desire to keep this blog a tad offbeat, allow me to post an interesting event which occurred just recently (May 2012) in the surf. A fair hooked shovelnose ray while fly casting in the surf ...

The Year of the Dragon means The Year of the Carp

Since we're still fresh into the Year of the Dragon (my birth year by the way), I best post this now. I wasn't always a huge fan of the carp but knew it to be strong and capable of showing up all over the planet. Sure humans have helped it along but its persistence has earned it respect in my book even though I never have caught them deliberately. So what is this post REALLY all about? Two things: It's the fact that Chinese legend has it that the carp's reward is to become a dragon. This means that I have a carp in my ancestry in some cool heritage-meets-mythological fashion. I confess I get a kick out of it. Here's an interesting thread which discusses the myth at the China History Forum. Second, there's a great event in June that celebrates this fish... As follows: Conway Bowman down in San Diego has been a fan of targeting these fish and Al Quattrocci whipped up this solid poster for an event later this year. America's love/hate relationship with the carp gets put aside as cool cats target these fish with flies on a summer day in California. How can you say no?

Details here: http://carpthrowdown.com/
And if you aren't sold on it yet, it's only a matter of time before carp anglers start getting all the babes. Our friends in Europe clearly have somehow brought these elements together (I remain skeptical). Click here for carp-flavored-pinup

The Beach Hugger

Through the fog of a flu-like bug and just prior to a nice swell which has sent some of the best looking waves I have ever seen in So Cal in my life, I snuck in an AM session with fello anglers. Perch hookups galore. Photo cred: Al Q. Click on th eimage - it blows up nicely.

The Shark Hugger

Playing in the surf this morning with fishing buddy Al Q had this specimen make a showing. Returned the animal to the ocean to be free and grow larger. I have a soft spot for these fish. I don't like fishing for them but they are really beautiful. Remember too folks, leopard sharks are very much considered harmless.

What about U2?

New Year's Day in Santa Monica. Bono was nowhere to be seen.

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!