Fall Pilgrimage 2010

For many years my partner Steve & I have made an annual trek up Hwy 395 to the Eastern Sierra Nevada. The beauty of the area never ceases to please the eye and the prospects of fine fishing, old friends and good food outweigh the drudgery of the 4 1/2 hour drive. This year the weather and the fish gods were in alignment and our trip was a rousing success. Our first day was spent with the ever energetic David D'Beaupre from Sierra Trout Magnet fishing the wild trout section of the lower Owens River. After a long summer of high flows, over 500 CFS, the stream was running clear and flows were a manageable 250 CFS and the trout proved willing on small 18-20 baetis nymphs. Although I had fished the Lower O. many times before David showed me a few new spots and we must have been having fun because the time flew by.

The rest of the week was spent with a group of old friends at Hot Creek Ranch and the Baetis hatch was in full swing. Each day, beginning at around 10:30 a.m., the wild residents of this world famous creek began rising to a robust hatch of BWO aka. Baetis. Below is a slide show with pictures of some of the trout we caught and the sights we enjoyed. EnJoy!

Locals!

Sometimes we lose sight of what is right in front of us. We dream of fishing trips to faraway places and substitute wishing for fishing. This year I have been lucky enough to fish in some pretty cool spots and thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. However, I was determined to not wait so long between fishing outings and to fish locally when time permitted.

For many years I would fish the lakes around the LA area with varying degrees of success and I knew of the potential for good sized fish that put a bend in your rod and a stretch in your string.

Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Crappie and Bluegill are all fun targets for the flyrodder who is tied to LA either by business or family commitments. Within minutes of all of you LA residents there are hard fighting species that will sharpen your skills and fine tune your reflexes so that when you actually go on that long awaited trip it won't have been six months (a year? Two?) since you actually cast a rod at a live target.

So Cal is fortunate to have a system of lakes/reservoirs that are loaded with all kinds of fly eating critters and all you need to do is get out there and give it a shot. You probably already have the right gear to chase a lot of these species and with the addition of a few different flies, and some intel from your local friendly fly shop you can be harassing the locals within minutes of your home.

Don't turn your noses up at these, not so exotic, species. There is a lot that they can teach you about setting a hook, fighting a fish, making difficult casts into the wind, spotting fish and relaxing.

And when it comes right down to it that is why you took up this crazy hobby to begin with. In the ever increasing hubbub of our everyday lives these local denizens will provide hours of welcome, blissful, mindless relaxation.

This morning just 15 minutes from my house I caught and released some really fine LM Bass and thought about absolutely nothing else while I did it. Relaxing? You bet your bippy it was!

OK, so I'm stepping down off my soapbox and heading to the refrigerator to continue my relaxing day with a nice glass of Chardonnay. Have fun out there!

Update from Jimmie Morales - West Slope Fall Conditions

As pilfered from the Sierra Fly Fisher Blog (http://www.sierraflyfisher.com/streamreport/index.htm).
"We are chompin' at the bit in anticipation for the appearance of the October caddis. Anticipation is also high for a significant spike in "brown trout friskyness" and we couldn't be happier. Browns love fall and they love "weather". This coming weekend we'll have co-host and special guest Andrew Maurer at Mono Hot Springs. For those of you with a soft spot for photography, you may wish to join us for our evening "hang time" at the restaurant there. Andrew's photos speak for themselves. See: http://www.troutstreamdesigns.com/Photos.htm and check out these recent Eastern Sierra. sample photos below."

Fishermen's Spot is proud to be the SoCal source for Dan Blanton's Striperfest raffle tickets. Each year Dan hosts this great event to help raise funds to protect this awesome fishery and this year we are proud to be a part of it. Below are ticket prices and the very impressive list of prizes that are up for grabs this year. Stop by the shop and get your tickets and help us keep this great fishery great. Check out the very cool prizes listed below......

Raffle Ticket Sales – Dan Blanton Striperfest 2010

$20 - single ticket
$100 - 6 tickets
$200 - 15 tickets
$500 - 40 tickets

$1000 – 100 tickets

Striperfest Raffle Donations

1. Mike McKenzie - Used, prime condition, Abel Reel Super 10 – Mike McKenzie.

2. Captain Mike Costello - One day (weekend) guide trip on the delta with Captain Mike Costello – value $450 – must redeem within one year.

3. Mike Costello - Book – “Fly Fishing the California Delta” – donated by Mike Costello.

4. Dan Blanton - One day guided trip for one angler on the delta with Captain Dan Blanton – must redeem within one year – value $550. 4 ea. Rigged `N Ready rod bags. Book, Fly Fishing California’s Great Waters – hard bound.

5. Habervision – 2 pair glasses.

6. Corey Cate – wine, wine, wine.

7. Steve Potter – box of his famous flies.

8. Captain Jerry Neuburger - One day Delta guided trip, Trip by DeltaStripers, all day, for two, lunch and refreshments included. Novices welcome. Value $350 -

Captain Jerry Neuburger.

9. Ron Dong - Ron Dong Crease flies - by Ron Dong.

10. Captain Bill Hutchinson - Half-day guided trip on the delta in November with Captain Bill Hutchinson.

11. Jonny King - Flies by Jonny King.

12. California Fly Shop - Five $100 gift cards that can be individually raffled.

13. Henry Cowan - One dozen striper flies tied by Henry Cowan.

15. Brad Bohen - Musky Country Outfitters in for a full day musky on the fly float for this event. Good for June 1st 2011 through September 1 - 2011 – Brad Bohen.

16. Leo Gutterres - Box of poppers – Leo Gutterres.

Additions as of 8/28/2010

17. Bill Kiene - Sage LMB outfit – rod, reel, line and case – Bill Kiene – Kiene’s Fly Shop.

18. Noel de Guzman - dozen striper flies – Noel de Guzman.

19 Charlie Gonzales - One day guided trip with Charlie Gonzales on the American River.

20. Goodies from John Sherman and Simms: Dry Creek Boat Bag – medium; Dry Creek Boat Bag – large; Dry Creek Duffle – medium.

21. From artist/author Bill Bishop: 1 snook print remarked, 1 redfish print remarked, 1 trout print remarked, 1 bonefish prink remarked, 1 permit print remarked and 1 tarpon print remarked. Also include are six signed artist proof stripers and six signed artist proof speckled perch, one of Bill’s favorites. Total of 18 prints and a remarked copy of Bill’s tarpon book, “High Rollers”.

22. Steve Cali - Box of striper flies.

23. Orvis – Tom Rosenbauer - great new rod called the Access. Almost as light as the Helios, similar flex pattern, and retails for only $375 in the 909 version.

24. The Fishient Group - A hamper full of fly tying materials and flies.

25. Tomas R. Pero – Publisher Wild River Press - Signed copies of: A Passion for Steelhead; A Passion for Tarpon; Fly Fishing for Striped Bass (limited edition worth $250); Plus one each of all four tarpon posters from the new book.

26. Ken Hanley – 2 ea. Mexico Blue Ribbon Fly Fishing Guidebooks

2 ea. “Saltwater Salmon on the Fly” DVD's.

27. Dennis Papike – Cal-West Custom Rods – Special Striperfest rod (last year’s was a beauty! Dan).

27. Stan Pleskunas – one of his LMDs (line management devices)

28. Brandon White – Lateral Line – XL Crisfield Shirt and XL Miles T-shirt. 50 ea. Lateral Line hats will be given to the first 50 who register at the event with Matt Havelock and the Smith mob – they hats normally sell for $20 each.

Additions as of 8/29/10

29. Captain Steve Santucci – one day guided trip for two on the Delta.

30. Keith Kaneko – Angling on the Fly Travel Service - 10% discount (coupon) on one travel package offered by Angling On The Fly (must redeem within one year) --- OR --- One day guide trip by Keith Kaneko on the Lower Yuba River (value: $395 / must redeem within one year)

31. Doug Jeffries – a dozen poppers – 6 balsa and 6 foam in hand-made aromatic cedar boxes.

Additions as of 8/30/10

32. Mark Rockwell – two day guided trip on Fall River 2011 – hopefully to include lodging and breakfast.

33. Albright – Michael Kahn – Albright XXT 10 rod.

34. TFO – (new series) BVK 8-wt., with TFO 340 large arbor reel.

35. Rio – Rio Outbound Short Fly lines in both sinking and floating.

36. Sage – Xi3 rod and reel outfit.

36. Hardy North American/Hardy-Greys – Zane 4 pc. 9-wt. & Zane 2 fly reel – Jim Murphy.

37. Duplicate donation removed.

38. Solitude Reels – Solitude SR5.

Additions as of 8/31/10

39. Fishermen’s Spot – Ken & Steve - Redington Redfly Outfit. It includes a 9' 8 wt 4 piece Redfly rod, SV Reel and a WF 8 F line and backing and a Rod/Reel Case. This lists for $300.

40. Sea Level FlyFishing – Ray Hutcherson – fly rod - Sea Level Extreme Inshore 7' 11" 4pc 7 WT – value $250.

41. JC Poulton – Case of Redhawk red wine – hmmm…

42. Fly Shop – Mike Michalak - two nights at Antelope Creek Lodge for two anglers for the 2011 season. Dates to be arranged, value = $295 X 4 = $1,180.

43. Abel Reel –Super 9 reel with a solid frame in the striper finish - Retail value of $1025.00. .

44. Ben Byng – Balsa-wood poppers and other cool flies guaranteed to catch fish.

45. Dave Inks – 36 Flashtail striper flies.

46. Targus – Complete set of Targus jig hooks and various fly tying materials.

47. Carl Blackledge – half dozen Tube, Ron Dong Crease flies.

48. Jay Murakoshi - 1 dozen deer hair poppers - combined hair bugs (Dahlberg's, flat face deer hair poppers)

1 dozen sea habits for Baja/stripers

1 dozen Clouser, varied colors.

49. George Smith (AKA GES) – New TFO 8-10; 300-400 grain Mini-Mag rod.

50. Boga Grip – Gary Alldredge of Boga Grip.

51. Scientific Anglers – 4 ea. Gift certificates for fly line of choice. Jeff Weiringa.

52. Bobby Barrack – one day guided trip on the delta for one.

53. John Quigley - 10 - 2 packs of my Quigley Twisted Leaders.

54. Excellent Adventures – Al Smatsky – two, one-day passes to Kelsey Bass Ranch – value $200

55. Vladan Milenkovic - dozen of striper flies-some floating/suspended baitfish, and also some imitations tied on jig hooks.

56. Outdoor Specialty Products – Jamie Lyle - Sage Typhoon Boat Bag; Redington CDL 7/8 Reel; 1 pair Smith Gallegos Glasses; 1 Rio Outbound Short line.

57. Al Quattrocchi – Qbonefish/permit flies.

58. Joe Kohn - Abel QC 7/8 Green finish.

59. Orland Outfitters, Wayne Syn - One spot on the two-day Kay Mitsuyoshi Memorial Shad Fishout - May 20 - 21, 2011.

60. Dr. Slick - A pair of Pisces Pliers - $40 retail value

61. MAKO – Jack Charlton – a MAKO reel to be announced soon.

62. Nautilus – Kristen Mustad - Nautilus NV 89 - Custom grey ghost anodized - MSRP $700.

63. Fly Fishing Specialties Fly Shop - Sacramento – 5 $20 gift certificates – Bernie Halterbeck.

64. Umpqua Feather Merchants - 3 large boxes loaded to the gills with

Delta-selected striper flies.

65. Scott Rod Company – Jim Bartschi - Scott A3909/4, 9ft 9 line 4 pc.

66. No Nonsense Fly Fishing Guides – Howard Fisher, publisher – Four of Mike Costello’s book “Fly Fishing the California Delta”.

67. Icon Products – John Ryzanych – Braided Loop Leader Kits.

68. Bass the Movie DVD: Donated by Howard Films and John Sherman.

69. Limited Edition Fly Fishing the Ca Delta Book: Donated by John Sherman

Oh no more product endorsements!

I am very excited to try out in the coming days one of those Freedom Hawk kayaks. Look for that report soon.

After rummaging through the Spot's bargain bin fly boxes, I threw some streamers into the waters of the Merced River. The rewards were bows, browns and a hog pike minnow(eeeek!).




B

International Fly Tackle Dealer Show

New products and old friends!


Steve, Ted and I went to the International Fly Tackle Dealer show in Denver, CO to check out the new products for next season. Wow! Talk about sensory overload!

Highlights include Hardy's new Sintrix rods, which include new Zenith freshwater and Proaxis saltwater ranges of fly rods. Each range is built with Hardy’s proprietary new Sintrix material. Sintrix is the result of ground-breaking technology in the use of Silica Matrix Resin technology in collaboration with the 3M Corporation. Hardy has developed their own specific formulation from this technology, and the results have been extensively field tested over the past 18 months. Their team of fishing pros from the Florida Keys to Montana has hailed the rods as truly innovative and exceptional fishing and casting tools.

The Sintrix material allows the design team to build the first series of rods that combines the best attributes of the modern reserve-power, fast action fly rods with the more technical requirements of tracking, tippet protection and a taper that shifts the load to the butt when you need to lay into the fish.
 The company’s development and marketing teams from both the UK and the US were at the Denver show. Chris Bond, Director of Research & Development, Howard Croston, Product Development Manager and well known Salt Water angler Andy Mill, who coordinated the field testing (check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwJvDs5MnFo ) and analysis were on hand to present the new rods.

We have had a prototype 10wt (here is the 10wt in action on a big Barracuda during the field testing process http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTeIuqOvULA )on hand this summer to check out but it was impressive to see and cast the finished products. These are good looking, tasteful rods with a deep blue finish and a smooth, powerful casting action. Fast, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. Available January 2011.

Fishpond's new luggage features lots of new colors and a new backpack/chestpack combo that allows you to attach the chestpack to the front of the backpack so that it is out of the way when you are hiking. This is a simple solution that makes for easier, more comfortable hiking and fishing.

Tibor's new, ported reel with a sealed cork drag was demonstrated to us by living saltwater legend Ted (Tibor) Juracsik. It is the first Tibor reel to be ported for weight reduction and Ted was proud of the obvious upgrades. The reels are beautiful with an innovative sealed drag that reduces maintenance to almost nothing. This will be a fast favorite with the saltwater and spey guys.

Redington’s new entry level, Crosswater waders are one of the highlights of their expanded line of clothing and gear. We can finally offer a quality wader from a national brand at just $99.95 great for a beginner or as a backup pair.

Abel has a new line clipper that will literally last a lifetime and it will work on braided lines as well. The clipper features replaceable cutter blades and comes with an adjustable lanyard. You’ll never need another one.

Winston Boron IIIX rods are the next generation of ultra light boron rods from this Twin Bridges, Montana company. These rods continue the Winston tradition of sweet casting rods and gorgeous high end finish. It’s just a beautiful fishing tool.

Ross F1 reel is a really sexy newcomer to the Ross Reel family and incorporates a drag based on the braking system of a Formula 1 racecar. The stacked, sealed carbon fiber drag will stay cool and smooth no matter the speed of the fish’s run. Check out this video from the show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yotaz6YD8o

Micro snaps from Traun River Co from Germany allow you to quickly and easily change flies without retying. This will be particularly helpful when chasing busting pods of picky strippers and LMB at the local lakes.

Freedom Hawk Kayaks were really interesting and although it would be difficult for us to stock them we were really impressed by the design and function of these boats. 12’ and 14’ models have easy to deploy outriggers that allow you to stand and cast with ease.

Well-made and very portable, these boats are ideal for inshore, lake and bay fishing here in SoCal. Here’s a video demonstration of the 14’ model http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfp1Rp_tmwQ . I may just have to get one for myself.

Oh no a product endorsement!

Sometimes there isn't enough time to tie. Sometimes a cool fly will catch your eye. A few months ago I bought a streamer from the The Spot for some trout hunting and it paid off. This summer, while in Montana with Noah Snyder and Jim Lowe had me learning a little about the ever-fascinating Bull Trout. Here's a shot of a Montana specimen with a Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow in its mouth.

There are some additional shots at my Photobucket account. Click HERE and both Noah and Jim have posted fun reports HERE.