Fishing trip to Hemet Lake CA

The primordial customs and rituals of fishing reinforce our social behaviors and values. They often take us back to our childhood memories. When our group goes fishing everyone has a fish tale to share, this tall tales are familiar to everyone. Jorge, for instance, shared happy memories of his youth. "I  recall  going fishing for bass with my uncles in the damn Las Virgenes next our rancho Las Delicias in Chihuahua, Mexico. "My uncle Raul taught me to fish for bass... I brought up some huge fish in those days". Childhood memories such as Jorge's are familiar to all of us, they link us to relatives, friends, places and good eating. A good example was last weeks trip. I was busy, cleaning my garage. Jorge calls me inviting me and Bob to go fishing at Hemet lake in the scorching heat of Riverside County CA. Bob who is always ready to fish any time any place, as long as he has a good feeling, signed up to go. Of course, I prefer fishing over work any time.

After a quick trip to the tackle shop where we replenished our gear. Jorge took the lead and made all the arrangements. We drove to his vacation home in the open spaces of San Jacinto, also home of the Sosoba gaming casino. He planned for everything from sleeping arrangements, dinner menu, breakfast to driving schedules. His plan called for each one of us buying our own dinner stakes and staples. Bob said: " Well... if that how you want to handle it,  I guess it's OK".

The following day, with Jorge at the wheel, we departed in the afternoon and we arrived in San Jacinto a few hrs. later. Our first stop was at his favorite market. To our surprise he said, "guys everything is on me" We of course would hear none of this. "Please" he added "I got it" after his many appeals, we agreed. We arrived at his beautiful home evocative of a Tuscan villa retreat. He assigned bedrooms, each more glamorous and hospitable than any Italian boutique hotel in Italy. The only thing missing were the grape vines.

Jorge, being aware that yours truly is a gourmet chef, asked me to prepare dinner. I happily acquiesced.  Before I began preparing the marinade, Bob pressed Jorge, "you need to let us pay our share of the expenses, we insist!". " Guys, I have something to confess, my wife gave me an ear-full". We listened attentively, "She scolded me, and taught me the essentials of good etiquette" Bob wanted to know what he was talking about. "Well... she chided me; and asked how could I invite friends to our home and then charge them for the food". After his confession Bob said, "Good for her, she is obviously  a  polished lady  who know how guests should be treated when invited to one's home" Of course, I we agreed and forgave Jorge for his social blunder. It also gave us a insight as to who was the real interior decorator of their beautiful home. Jorge said he was, but knowing his taste, we are sure it was his lovely wife Gloria.

After, an alfresco, dinner accompanied with a few bottles of excellent red wine which Jorge brought forth from his wine reserve, we continued our conversations on topics, our host enjoyed, ranging from fishing, food, politics, history etc., etc., etc., after hours of listening to our friend. I decided to turn in for the night. Bob stayed behind listening, listening, listening, liset... to Jorge.

We were up early after our host prepared some breakfast burritos and good coffee, we were on our way to the lake. Again, Jorge's loquaciousness continued. Suddenly, like a lighting bolt Bob and I looked at each other when jorge mentioned a noun in Spanish El Perico, a talking parakeet. "Yes!... that's it!" we shouted simultaneously with exhilaration.That's exactly what we were looking for! Right there Jorge was baptized El Perico.

Center View of Hemet lake

right side view of lake

Finally we arrived at Hemet lake, a man made water reservoir which also serves as a recreation area for local citizens and visitors alike. The common species found in this lake are rainbow trout, bass and catfish. The lake was virtually deserted I only saw two or three anglers aside from us. We tried casting iron, cast-masters and feather jigs with out  getting any bites. We changed to power baits of different colors. with out luck. After a couple of hours el Perico said, "let get out of here" We drove to Jenks lake where we had better luck and went home with our limit of trout and a happy Perico.

Bob with the only catch at Hemet lake-this guy never throws anything back

El Perico-all smiles with his early catch at Jenks lake

 On the way back home Perico was reflecting on his fishing trek and because he didn't want to clean the fish, he suggested that I should take them all home. I told him that I was very tired and my injured knee was swollen. I was not able to stand for a long period of time. He, of course, didn't believe me until I demonstrated my aggrieved knee, only then did he demonstrated some humanity and agreed to clean the fish,therefore, he kept them all.

pobrecito!

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