Twilight fishing @ 22nd Street Landing, San Pedro CA

The first week of summer with high temperatures, was upon us.  It was a good time for me to get the outdoor dinning area ready for a nice BBQ dinner this coming week-end. Just as I mustered enough energy to gather my cleaning tools, the phone rang. " Dad, lets go fishing", my son David,  suggested. Manny, my oldest son, had informed him that his employer, Turner's Outdoorsman Sporting Goods, was sponsoring a twilight fishing trip on the Monte Carlo, out of 22nd. St. Landing, San Pedro CA Well... what's a father to do? I was compelled to accept the generous offer. I'd save the cleaning for another day.
With all deliberate speed, I went to the garage to gather my ocean fishing equipment, including the most important item: my CA fishing licence.

Two fishing poles per person for light tackle and one for heavier tackle, depending of what's biting. For of-shore, I recommend casting rod with 15 lb test line. If larger fish are biting, you can rely on your heavier pole and line:25 lbs - 30 lbs. 

Always have your fishing  licence with you. Over the years, I have witnessed a number of citations being handed out. When you least expect it, the fish and game warden will show up; fines are steep . I always display mine, although it isn't necessary. By having your license visible, the warden will approach someone else to check. Also, have a wide assortment of hooks and weights in your box, along with a variety of lures and gigs.

We arrived at the port of Los Angeles with plenty of time to spare. Soon a variety of anglers joined in with tall fishing stories which only salty anglers can remember. A short time later, the sponsors from Turner's began to arrive, including my son Manny. They were prepared to raffle a variety of great gifts, fishing equipment and tackle, including fishing poles.  Thus equipped and looking forward to a great time, we boarded our ocean going vessel, the Monte Carlo!

On board the Monte Carlo, we passed the welcome to Los Angeles sign, on our way to the bait barge.

Deckhands scooping anchovies on board  along with squid, our primary bait.

David, relaxing and making friends as we get on our way to the fishing grounds.

Manny, in the galley setting up the prizes and tickets for the raffle. 

Everything is in order...anglers are ready.

This is the last picture I took, the Palos Verdes peninsula, before the captain said, " We are right on top of a school... lines away ". Everyone rushed to their designated places. Fishing on! Everyone was enthusiastically  engaged in casting out gigs, plastics, anchovies and squid. For my part, I put my camera away and for next four hours I joined the celebration, pummeling the ocean with my jigs. I could hear shouts of gaff! gaff!  which means," I hooked a big one and need some help landing it".

Manny, with a big smile after a happy evening fishing and working. He then asked me to take his fish home to make some of my famous ceviche.

David was feeling good; he had been looking for some good ocean fishing for awhile. He will come by my my place this week-end along with the half-filled sack of fish fillets to grill some of his award winning dishes.

Finally, the Monte Carlo, its crew getting ready for its next outing. It's a very spacious fishing boat with an excellent crew,willing to assist you  in every way and has the best burritos in town! We'll be back soon.

Fishaholics: trek to Eastern Sierras

A true angler's dilemma, "Where would we trek in our search for our aquatic prey? Our small intrepid group has been dreaming of a summer fishing trip to the Eastern Sierras . Javi, our youngest member, who lives in Sacramento, has been sending us information on the lakes. To our dismay, some of our favorite lakes are dry. Some of them look like sun baked football stadiums minus the bleachers. (Global warming?) After careful planning, Bob, our fishing sage, explored the internet before designing  our trip to the Mammoth Lakes area.
Unfortunately two of our member failed to make the trip. Jorge, our loquacious pal (aka) " El Perico",  informed us that this spring and summer, he was scheduled to babysit his beloved granddaughter. David, our fishmonger, who is forever ready with a new exquisite fish recipe, changed jobs recently and wasn't able to make it.

We departed from Los Angeles early one morning; ninety minutes later, we found ourselves pulling into our usual dive for breakfast in the middle of the Mohave desert. Afterwards, we re-initiated our drive going north on highway 395, an asphalt ribbon adorned with desert scrub on either side and the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain ridge to our left. A few hours later, we were at Lundy Lake which was practically empty. Soon we found out why; no fish.

The town of Mammoth  was our center of operation. Here we were closer to most of lakes and streams. We would be targeting rainbow trout. Filled with high expectations, skill and praying to the goddess of good fortune, we ventured out to the Mammoth Lakes Loop: Lake Mary, Lake George, Lake Marrie and 

Horseshoe Lake. 

 We followed this map in our search for rainbow trout, but
unfortunately we didn't get many bites during our outing. Map courtesy of: sierragatewaymap.com

 The following day,we were more eager than before to capture our limit of the elusive rainbows. With all deliberate speed, we drove to Crowley Lake and after mishaps, calamities and mayhem, we were chased away by swarms of flies, They appeared like dark moving clouds obstructing our vision and breathing. After this plague like affliction, we vigorously headed to higher ground, Little Virginia Lake.

Our trek to the sierras was a month earlier than in previous years. Snow was still embracing the
edges of the lake. This made for a slow jaunt  in finding suitable locations to cast our lines. 
Javi, as always, with fish on his stringer.

After an enjoyable afternoon of fishing, we displayed our catch. Javier was a most happy angler. 
The final count for the day favored him over everyone else, " I beat Bob! for the first time ever, I beat Bob! ... Wow I whipped him like a rag doll, " he shouted.We all had to concede the victory;
 this day he dominated the old sage alright!

This is why Javier beat Bob...he was actively fishing, on his feet, moving around,
changing his bait frequently while Bob, in the background, is just sitting on a rock.
Let this be a lesson for all you young fishermen!. Javier's advice is, "Fishing is not a passive sport. 
You just can't cast out your line, sit down hopping that fish will jump on your lap."

With snow flakes falling and threatening dark clouds overhead, we decided to call it a day.

After carefully storing our catch in ice, we headed to downtown Mammoth for a
well earned repast and beer at a busy pizzeria adjacent to our lodging. The dinner discussion
 continued Javier's deciphering his design and strategy  to conquer the old sage. "I beat you Bob!!!
 I finally beat you ha, ha, ha. " The old sage said, " Yeah, yeah...wait till next time, rookie ". 
After toasting to the winner, I felt compelled to remind my Javier that it's harder 
to be a good winner than a good loser because one has less practice.

Well, we really missed our two anglers who couldn't make it this time. Here's a toast
 hoping they can join us on our next fishing adventure.

Here's to our fishermen young and old;
Here's to all the fish that we caught;
Here's to the ones that got away from our hold.
     They deserved it because hard they fought.
                                                                                _ jmove