Patrick's Point, Yuba River

Starting The Year Right!

Rocky North Coast

The missus’ is a New Year baby and for her birthday this year we decide to take a trip to the coast. We both had a lot of fun exploring the gigantic redwoods and roaring saltwater coast. I tried some surf fly fishing for the first time but got skunked. Hit and miss, winter fly fishing at its finest!

Giant Redwood

Patrick’s Point is one of our favorite camping sites along the coast. The facility is open all-year around and has a ton of trails and things to see. Winter isn’t the greatest time to go camping but the coast remains relatively cool and tolerable if you time the weather right.

Tidepool Fun
Apparently There Are No Fish In The Ocean

After doing some research about surf perch and reading the surf, I tried surf fly fishing for the first time at Agate Beach. My excuse for getting skunked is that winter surf fishing can be a hit and miss. Favorable conditions come far in-between during the winter and with an incoming storm approaching I was really fighting the odds. By the time I gave up the swells were huge and too dangerous to fish. Hopefully I can get back out there during a different season and catch me my first saltwater fish.

First Fish of 2016

My first fish of 2016 was a trout caught with a bugger on the Yuba River. I swung flies the entire day in the rain. It was miserable.

Here is a list of things I want to accomplish in 2016:

1. This year I am going to try and work on innovating and learning more rather than focus on catching fish.

2. Adding a fly box page with patterns that I’ve come up with and others that have worked for me.

3. Improve and gain confidence in techniques that I don’t often use such as dry fly fishing and swinging.

4. Complete the Trout Heritage Challenge.

5. Fish the Upper Sacramento River, American River, and the King’s River.

6. Find new fishing spots around Marysville/Yuba City.

7. Catch a Truckee River brown trout.

Fish Talk

2015 End Of The Year Reflection

Chunky Yuba Bows

My trip to the Yuba River today was my last outing for 2015. The river is fishing well and has a great olive tint with about 2ft of clarity. San Juan worms, midges, and mayfly patterns were getting it done. I went 5/8, easy pezy. Lots of folks out on the Yuba so be prepared to share.

The past couple months have been rough. My car got wrecked, our family dog passed away, and my future is a bit clouded right now. However life is short so instead of focusing on the bad times we  reflect on the good times.

First Trophy Bass

The trophy bass I landed at Horseshoe Lake was by far the best fish I caught this year. Totally unexpected and fantastic. I’m looking forward to hooking into another one of these big mamas in the spring.

First Mirror Carp

My carping this year was a bit tough but I did manage to land an awesome magic mirror carp. I hope in 2016 I can find some new carping spots and hook into more of these freshwater bruisers.

First Freshwater Drum

The family summer road trip across the country was a good last trip with the family dog. Although her passing was sudden and unexpected, she lived a great life.
I was able to do some spin fishing in Indiana where I hooked and landed my first walleye and freshwater drum. Catching a different species outside California was a neat experience.

First Putah Creek Beastie

My streamer fishing skills have leveled up this year. With a few big fish landed this year, I am now confident in my abilities to fish a streamer for big aggressive fish.

First Brook Trout

My first spring creek experience at Yellow Creek this summer was amazing. Brookies, browns, and rainbows, my first grand slam! Dry fly fishing at its finest.

New Spot For A Smallie Fix

Now that I’m back home in Marysville/Yuba City I’ve been able to explore a few new fishing spots as well as revisit some of my favorites. Full circle and it’s great.

Striped Bass Success

Striped bass are my least pursued species because they are difficult to catch with a fly rod from the bank. This year I managed to target these anadromous bruisers with some success giving me more confidence in pursing them in the future.

Here’s to 2016!

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