Day One- Finally Made It Here

Despite multiple invites to this river throughout the years, I have never been able to make a visit.  It was not from a lack of interest though, as all the reports I heard back were always filled with nice fat trout.  So we were hoping for some of the same.  The World Cup put a kibosh on a planned fishing trip for me in late June.  If I'm relegated to every four years I simply refused to miss all the games so Chul went ahead without me.  After hearing his stellar report, we planned a trip right after the tournament was over hoping the water was fishing the same.  At that time the water was slightly higher than optimal, so three weeks should be just about perfect, at least that was the theory.

My First Fish From This River, Hardly The Lunker I was Hoping For.

On Friday Chul picked me up in the morning to make the long journey north.  Several side trips made the journey much longer but we finally made our destination in the late afternoon.  After setting up camp, we headed upstream to some holes known for great dry fly action leaving us a few hours of light.  On the first pocket, it failed to produce any rises.  Odd as it had always produced fish.

Moving on we hit a long run that after a few casts started to produce rising fish but none of any significant size.   According to Chul, in the past dinks were uncommon and fish were normally in the 14 inch range with several chances at fish in the 18 plus range.  Catching a 12 incher was considered a letdown.  We managed several 8-10 inch fish before we left to another portion of the river that is known for a hot Pale Evening Dun hatch just before sundown.  We arrive hoping to see trout boiling but we saw none, nor did we see any PEDs hatch.  It was not until 8:15pm did a hatch occur.  We only managed a handful of fish to rise, none of any considerable size, before it was too dark to wade safely through the river.

Preview: A Few Days Away, The Post World Cup Trip

Wind, Dinks, And A Broken Rod At NPH

The World Cup is now winding down so my free time can now be indulging  my outdoor pursuits.  Conditions were ideal on paper with a strong tide, and warm water.  What we didn't anticipate was the heavy wind that made casting and controlling the pram less than ideal.  Chul reported mackerel hitting at the bait barge last weekend.  Fish generally don't get too big in this bay, in fact its been over ten years the last time I seen any fish of any specie over two pounds so I decided to rig my favorite 5 weight rod.

With the pitiful yet tenacious little trolling motor struggling to fight against the tide, it took what seemed like eternity to reach the barge.  After the long journey the wind made it next to impossible to cast at any distance.  After a few drifts, I managed the first fish of the day, a small mackerel.  And on next fish I managed was a stronger fish and as I fought it, my rod suddenly snapped.  I managed to bring it hand only to notice that I foul hooked this mackerel.  I switched to my spare rod a seven weight.

As we struggled to fish in the wind I managed another fish while Chul was fighting his first of the afternoon.  This mackerel was larger than the two previous but on a seven weight it was hardly was entertaining.  Fed up with trying to battle the crappy conditions we opted to held in the bay where we could use the multimillion waterfront homes as a shield against the howling wind.  I only manged two more fish, a pair of dink sand bass before we called it quits.  What a waste of perfect conditions.  Had it not been for the damn wind, this could have been one of  those epic 50 fish days.

Looks like I'll have to send in my five weight rod again for repair for what seems like the hundredth time.

Tiemco Fly Pit Lanyard and C&F Design Vertical Belt Patch

Here is a couple items from two Japanese fly fishing companies that are currently unavailable here in the states.  The first is the TMC Fly Pit Lanyard (given current exchange rates this item is about $32) and the second is the C&F Design Vertical Belt Patch ($20).

A recall a few trips ago that my fishing buddies were mocking the lanyard as a fishing accessory.  While I agreed that the current stock of lanyards available here in the states look pretty ridiculous I did state that the method of carry was a good idea.  So when I saw this new item from TMC Japanese site I made sure to have my folks to pick me up one while they were in Japan.

The lanyard is adjustable for length so that it can dangle as short or long as you wish.  Neoprene tubing adds comfort to the neck.  Two accessory rings are attached to each side and are adjustable to desired location.

Compared to C&F fly patches, this TMC is disappointing.  First unlike their counterpart, this Tiemco is made in China.  The foam is not slitted so will eventually be needed to be replaced.  Also it will not securely hold the hook as slitted foam.  Despite this does allow for more flies to be carried and the two halves are separated by a dry fly and a wet fly section.

Ventilated side holes allow water to escape and evaporate.  Overall I'm not too impressed and I might just replace the fly patch with a C&F version.

My intention is to use this for trips similar to my first turkey hunt when we backpacked into a valley thinking we may have had a chance at trout.  On trips like that when fishing is not the priority, I like to keeps things minimalistic and lightweight. 

For me, Southern California trout fishing rarely do I ever fish with streamers so I almost never carry them.  My fly boxes are generally organized in such a manner that streamers get their own box.  Most of my regular fishing spots don't warrant me carrying an extra box.  So as a result I almost never trout fish with streamers.  I wanted to change that so when I saw this new item from C&F I knew I wanted to add it to my collection.

This patch is simple and lightweight, its basically made of foam and lined with plastic.

A magnet secures the lid and the flies within.  The slit pattern is their streamer pattern.  I don't think it will carry many but for what I need it for, it will be more than adequate.

This patch is intended to be carried on a belt or strap via a Velcro attachment that can be rotated 90 degrees. 

"We Are Not Leaving This Canyon Without A Fish"

Last weekend Chul checked out our favorite local watering hole and found that in one section, fish despite the low water conditions were still somewhat thriving.  So after work we decided to check it out further up.  For whatever reason I was not myself.  I simply could not keep up and was fatiguing way too fast.  With temperatures high and since it was already past 2 PM, we decided to checkout out the lower sections.

On our way in we ran into a pair of Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps members and chatted them up.  They believed that maybe a grow site upstream as the lower section was covered in algae, most likely from fertilizers.  We left them and headed to check out the lower section. 

The lower section was low and the large fishing holes were all blown out from the last storm.  On the way upstream we found two rattlesnakes, one baby that was stream side and another fully grown adult. 

I came across this rattler when we bushwhacked our way to the trail.  The adult was coiled up hiding under a boulder.  I could only see its profile but I knew it was big.  It was at least 4 or more inched tall.  Our intention was make it back in town by six but as we wasted too much time exploring the lower.  Despite having little energy in the fuel tank, we decided to head to the headwaters where Chul knew the fish were holding.

Because of my low energy it took longer than usual to reach the upper sections.  When we reached it I saw a group of three college aged boys that at a distance looked as if they were fishing.  As we approached them we noticed that they were trying to spearfish these precious and vulnerable trout with makeshift wooden spears.  Chul rightfully lectured them as they crossed a hole I was fishing.  What a bunch of numbnuts who watched way too many "survival" TV shows.  Idiots.  They left and we hoped they did not ruin the few large holes left.  Apparently these dipshits did not spook the fish.  We managed several good fish with Chul having the best and most fish of the day.  Unfortunately the best fish of the day, a healthy 12 incher was lost when I tried to help land it and it flopped off the line.

Feels Like I'm Studying Back In University

Honestly I never thought I would liked turkey hunting.  Sitting silently and motionless in camouflage waiting for a bird to come into range to shoot it on the ground didn't really appeal to me.  So when I was invited on a hunt I was somewhat reluctant.  To make it more appealing and add a bit more of a challenge I decided I was going to take one with an air rifle. 

My knowledge of this bird is somewhat limited and so I went into the season I had to rely heavily on my hunting partner's knowledge to try to get us onto birds.  After the first hunt I started to do so last minute studying trying to help improve our odds.  When the hunting season ended I decided I'd study up to help increase my chances when the fall season begins.

I picked up The Wild Turkey: Biology & Management from James G. Dickson. This book seems to be the most complete book I've seen regarding the subject of this elusive bird.  The information goes beyond hunting and hunting techniques and that information is only briefly covered.  It is filled with much more, just about anything you'd like to know about all the six subspecies of turkey found here in the US.  There is so much information it reminds me of a college textbook.  With this book I'm hoping I'm going to be much more prepared for next season.

Midnight Run, Skunk in the Air

Maybe it was the lack of moonlight but our midnight run to the bay was unsuccessful.  Tides and water temperatures were ideal.  My buddies who have fished the bay at night have always told me the their biggest fish out of the bay have always been at night.  So I was pretty eager to try it once Chul booty fabbed the boat to be night legal.  Both of us managed after making hundreds of casts to get a fish a piece to the boat only to have it come unbutton right before we could land it.  On a particular drift we literally and figuratively smelt the skunk in the air.  We saw it as a sign.  It wasn't going to happen for us. I never knew real skunks lived at the beach.   After about two hours we packed up and left to head home and hit the pillow.

Walther KKJ .22 Hornet

One of my favorites from the old man's collection is a somewhat rare hunting gun, the Walther KKJ (Kleinkaliber Jagd, small bore hunt).  Available in .22LR, .22 Hornet, and .22 WMR, the KKJ was introduced in 1957.  My father's is chambered in .22 Hornet. 

The rifle has double set triggers and an extended five shot magazine that sits flush with the trigger guard.  Magazines if one can find them are currently fetching over $250. 

The walnut stock is in typical German styling with a hump back butt.  The butt plate is plastic.

This gun is Ulm proofed in 1974 and is a later model. 

As evidenced by it's safety, earlier models had a cross bolt safety catch mounted through the stock preventing the trigger to be depressed.  Later the safety design was moved to the end of the bolt.  The receiver is grooved to accept 11mm scope mounts.  I am still looking for a period correct cold war era German optic to place on this gun.

Until then I must settle with irons.  The rear leaf rear sight is adjustable.

Here is the exploded parts diagram for the rifle.  Design of this gun changed throughout it's production so the right parts are hard to come by if not impossible.  So hopefully there won't ever be a problem with this one or we're screwed.

All in all it's an interesting post war German hunting gun that I've admired in my old man's gun cabinet for years.

Few Hours On The Bay

Overcast and windless, today would have been a good day for largemouth fishing but that didn't happen.  Instead we chose a last minute trip to the bay for few hours in the afternoon.  While not epic, the fishing was solid.  Each of us managed a handful of calicos and spotties with Chul losing a solid unknown fish that buried him in the weeds before it came unbuttoned.  Most of the fish landed were in the pound range none of which were all that spectacular but all fought harder than what their size would indicate.  All Chul's fish were caught on a chartreuse/orange clouser.  Mine were all on an olive/ orange wall banger.

Snow Peak GigaPower Plate Burner Li (Baja Burner)

Known as the Baja Burner here stateside and GigaPower Burner Li in Japan, this Snow Peak stove is another great piece of gear coming from this outdoor gear company.  Made mostly of stainless steel, this stove weighs 6.2 pounds.  The legs and gas hose fold out and tuck away for easy storage.

 A heavy nylon carrying bag with a drawstring is included.

 The GigaPower uses backpacking gas cans that can be held inverted for maximum gas flow or

stood up as normal.  With an aftermarket adapter, the stove can take other fuel cans such as Coleman or cheap Asian market butane fuel cans. 

Unlike my house stove or my multi burner Century camp stove this GigaPower has plenty of room for use with large diameter pans like this paella pan. 

My experiences with stoves with built in ignition sources usually leave me abandoning them in favor of a lighter but this burner (as with my Snow Peak backpacking stove) lights consistently with only one push of the button. 

This Snow Peak, like it's backpacking stoves, is made in Korea and looks like another solid piece of gear from this outdoor company.

It Can't Be, Quality Televison On Discovery Channel?

I just finished watching Kodiak and I can say after it's the best show on Discovery Channel I've seen in sometime.  With a channel that's lost all credibility and known for producing turds like Bear Grylls and Amish Mafia , it's nice to see some decent television for once.   I stumbled on this show tonight and was intrigued about the Grizzly hunting it portrayed in it's promo.  When the end credit ran I noticed Chris Dorsey as an Executive Producer and Orion Entertainment.  No wonder the show is good they have someone competent running the production.  Chris Dorsey, once the editor of Petersen's Hunting, has produced some of my favorite outdoor (mostly hunting) shows on television including but no limited to Dangerous Game (by far the best on TV), World of Beretta, Bird Hunter's Journal, A Dog's Life and a few others I don't recall the name of as of this moment.  I'm hoping the rest of the four part series is good and the lame ass Discovery Channel producers don't muck it up with fake drama and gimmicky shit like making them hunt naked.  What do you think?  Did you watch it?

Make Room On Your Bookshelf

Time to pay a visit to your local Barnes and Noble as they (at least my local store) have a true gem in the bargain aisle.  Treasures of the NRA National Firearms Museum by Jim Supica, Doug Wicklund and Phillip Schreir is a coffee table book that showcases all the jewels of the NRA collection. 

Considering my latest posts were all regarding airguns I thought it is appropriate to show some of the airguns in the NRA collection.  The most interesting is the Girardoni (often misspelled Girandoni) repeating air rifle, as carried by Lewis and Clark.  Google or youtube this airgun and you'll be impressed with it's ingenuity and history.

Other airguns include President H.W. Bush's Crosman Air rifle.  I recall reading about this gun in one of my father's airgun magazines.  Also contained in the collection is Prince Charles' Omega air rifle.

Theodore Roosevelt's gun collection is well represented including his .405 1895.  There are several other presidental guns from Eisenhower and Kennedy.

The book includes many of publisher Robert E. Petersen's collection which include the last Purdey .600NE ever produced. 

Among the 425 guns donated by the Petersen family is some fascinating odd ball guns like the Hoenig over-under double rifle with a twist action in equally odd .225 caliber round.

As a fan of Teutonic guns, there are several Nazi guns including one of my dream guns, a Luftwaffe survival drilling, a belt buckle gun and Hermann Goering's Merkel.

Obviously this is just a sampling of, the book and museum there are many guns of different eras and styles.  The NRA collection is so diverse and likely to please just about any gun nut, from those interested in ancient guns carried by pilgrims from the Mayflower to modern military guns to everything in between. If you consider yourself a gun enthusiast buy this book or better yet go visit the museums (one in Virgina at the NRA headquarters and the other in Missouri at the Bass Pro flagship store) in person.  I need check out these works of art.  Several of these guns shown on this post and many others can be seen and discussed on NRA museum's youtube page.