Tales of fishing outings, all true!
This Just In From the Lower Sacramento River!
March 8, 2004
Dear SCFF Members:
I thought you might be interested to know that the fishing was great this last weekend. Despite the flows being 26,000cfs, the bite was really
on. I fished on my own on Sunday, just to take some pics for my upcoming presentation and I decided to fish since the weather was so nice. In fact
the temp felt like eighty degrees. I had three or four fish in a 20 min period. I had a break to take some more photos and fished for a further
90 mins. I did not count how many fish that I hooked, but I guess it was at least a dozen. There were several good sized fish! All Rainbows of
course. The spring caddis hatch is just starting, I expect it to be in full swing very soon. It's a great sight to see all those caddis in the
air and on the water. I'm not booked for today so I intend to get out there again. In fact the flows are on their way down. 22.000 cfs a hour
or two ago, but Shasta lake is way down, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see it drop even more very soon.
Tight Lines,
Barry Foster
www.barrytheguide.com
tflyfish@citlink.net
530 474 3677 home
530 524 4186 cell
Trinity River Jan. 25-27
At first light on Sunday morning, Jan. 25 a rendezvous of excited fishermen occurred on Pacheco Avenue. Four of Santa Cruz's finest met at that early hour to begin what was to be one of their most remembered outdoor adventures. Their destination... the Trinity River outside of Weaverville. Our newly installed club president, Paul Schraeder, the facilities coordinator, Harry Petrakis, one of the club's original members, Jim Livingston along with myself, Tim Loomis navigated the 7 hour trip north to test our finely honed fishing skills against the mighty chromers of the Trinity. Professional guiding service was provided by the capable duo of Andrew Harris and Geno Bernero.
On the first day out Paul and I teamed up in Geno's traditional driftboat while longtime pals Harry and Jim went with Andrew in Andrew's new pontoon boat. We found ourselves in a winter wonderland. Snowflakes the size of quarters (so heavy that they went "poof" when they landed) were dropping at a good rate. The quiet of the land was disturbed only by the paddling of the guides and the cursing of the oft snagged fishermen. Most of us were using 9' rods between 6-8#. Geno had an array of unusual glo bugs (tied with a bit of white guaze trailing off the ball) he picked up from the Fly Shop in Redding. We fished all day with indicators of yellow yarn. Our boat managed to hook three and land two. That proved to be the score at day's end as Harry and Jim were skunked. Important sidenotes on future trips of this nature; wear layered clothes of wicking polypro with a waterproof/breathable coat on top. Gloves that provide warmth and dexterity are a necessity. Some type of knit stocking cap w/a brim is also helpful.
We voted Geno and Andrew the 2 best guides we had. They can be reached by website, email and phone Geno Bernero, (theroadtofishes.com) or 916-952-0467 cell Andrew Harris, (andrewharrisflyfishing.com) or 530-632-3465. - Tim Loomis
Feburary 10th. Monterey Bay with Dougald on Allegro
Sunny and mild, slight breeze on the deeper reefs and dead calm in the protected area of New Brighton cove. We fished mostly conventional gear but managed an Olive rockfish on the Flashfly that Ed Marcillac ties. We were fishing the bottom in 80 feet of water and hooked it somewhere around 70 feet down. (The day of the humongous ling cod is not far away.)
Fishing 80 feet of water with a plastic baitfish imitation, Dougald hooked a fish that made a couple of short runs and fought hard. We were expecting a lingcod but it shone orange instead, and much to our surprise and delight, it turned out to be a large and very healthy vermillion rockfish. We were fishing for the table and had not yet made our quota, but Dougald said that this fish was probably 15 years old and a spawner, and that he was going to let it go. Not being one to argue with a biology professor (retired) on HIS boat I nodded in agreement. Dougald sucessfully let the fish go and half an hour later we did it all over again. Same type fish about the same size with the same ending. This one liked the plastic oil can scampi with red flecks. Great company, great morning!
We fished for 4 hours and caught 6 fish. If this sounds like fun give me a call. I am going to put together a fishout for September on some of the close by reefs. - Harry Petrakis