Some weekends in life stand out as truly special, and my recent trip to Henderson Springs during the last week of March was one such occasion. While I’ve had memorable fishing trips there before, this one was particularly unique due to the small group of close friends who joined me. These are friends I rarely…
Saturday March 16, 2024 – I seized one last opportunity to fish the lake before my departure for Charleston, where I’d be meeting my new grandson, River William O’Hara, for the first time. The weather forecast had promised a favorable day until about 12 hours prior when uncertainty loomed over whether the wind would disrupt…
Monday March 11, 2024. It’s been more than a year since my good friend, Richard Crook, relocated to Arizona. We had promised to reunite on the lake if he ever returned for a visit. Thankfully, despite the questionable weather, we managed to make it out today. I woke up to light rain and darkness after…
March 8, 2024 – The recent spell of unusual weather, culminating in the largest hailstorm I’ve ever seen in Almaden, left me eagerly anticipating the first ideal day for fishing. The solunar tables predicted a favorable day, and the weather resembled a typical spring day – warm and tranquil. Despite our plans to leave for…
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024 – The launch area at Dinosaur Point presented an unusual scene, bustling with 24 boats launched by 9:00, a sight quite unexpected for a Wednesday. However, as I reflect on the day after, it appears that we are in for another week of rain. The past three successful outings have…
Pull my chin, stroke my hair, scratch my nose, hug my knees Try drink, food, and cigarette, tension will not ease I tap my fingers, fold my arms, breathe in deep, cross my legs Shrug my shoulders, stretch my back, but nothing seems to please I need contact, I need contact Nothing seems to please…
The Float and Fly technique emerged in the mid-90s, credited to Charlie and Eddie Nuckol, primarily for targeting smallmouth bass in the cold waters of Eastern Tennessee. Over time, it has gained traction, particularly in Northern California lakes, as an effective method for catching spotted bass, with anglers like Ryan Williams contributing significantly to its…
January 29, 2024 – The weather forecast was ominous as an atmospheric river was approaching, promising excessive wind and rain that could lead to street flooding and river runoff by Wednesday. However, today was a surprising exception for Dan Blanton and me as we enjoyed sunny skies and warm weather on an uncharacteristically pleasant winter…
It’s been more than a month since I last went fishing at the lake or the forebay. Gina and I spent the latter part of December with my pregnant daughter in Charleston, where I aggravated an old sports injury while playing pickleball with my son. As a result, I ended up with an injured left…
I had the pleasure of meeting Charlie Bunch for the first time while we were fishing the Sapsuk in 2021. Charlie left a lasting impression on me. He had a knack for bursting into song while we were out on the river, much like myself, and he shared my love for music. His kindness, infectious…
Dec 15, 2023 – Almost exactly a year to the hour, I experienced one of my most memorable days on the Forebay. I had been reminiscing about that incredible day all year, eagerly anticipating the possibility of reliving a similar adventure this December. Despite the slow fishing experiences throughout November and recent reports suggesting that…
Monday Dec 11.2023 -Winter fly fishing in the lake presents a challenging period, often characterized as the slowest time of the year, even for the seasoned anglers. Water temperatures drop, daylight hours are short, and bait becomes scarce. Despite the unfavorable conditions, my friend Don and I ventured out for a day of camaraderie and…
December 2, 2023 Saturday -It’s been five days since I last fished at the Forebay, and I was eagerly looking forward to another exciting and challenging day on the water. The reports from the lake were promising, with Vaughn, Steph, and Brian all showing enthusiasm for the big water. On the contrary, I…
Sunday November 26, 2023 – It’s quite amusing how one often assumes that the best fishing spots are out in the middle rather than where they initially set out. This morning, I launched my boat at Cottonwood onto ONeill Forebay, while there was a frenzy of fish activity right under and around my moored boat.…
The first call that came through to my cell phone as we touched down in Oahu, the midpoint of our journey to Kiribati, also known as Christmas Island, was the news that a Category 3 Cyclone was forcing the cancellation of our trip. All flights out of Fiji had been grounded, likely for a week,…
November 10, 2023 After receiving enthusiastic reports from Frank yesterday, in which he vividly described the spectacle of Striper boils scattered throughout the lake, accompanied by a frenzy of birds working large schools of bait while stripers relentlessly attacked write at the boat ramp. I simply couldn’t contain my excitement. My original plan to tie…
This is a tale of four seasoned striper fishermen fishing the O’Neill Forebay on 4 separate days in a week. Their outcomes varied dramatically, reflecting the impact of social media and our extensive network of fishing reports which allowed us to gather a wealth of up-to-date information about fishing conditions at San Luis Reservoir and…
November 3, 2023 – I decided to try the Forebay today hoping that it would start to pick up as the lake starts to slow down but ended a short day from 9-1 with not even a touch despite all the ingredients for a a great day except feeding fish. I livescoped the entire forebay…
The Kiosk employee informed me while he was de-banding my boat that the temperature had dropped into the 30s this morning. Just a week ago, I distinctly recall sweltering in 90-degree afternoons. The gentle, cool breeze throughout the day signaled the arrival of autumn, and the sight of the full moon last night had already…
When you have the privilege of sharing a boat with a San Luis fly fishing legend like Dan Blanton, it’s difficult to imagine having a truly disappointing day on the lake. Between the two of us, we boast nearly 100 years of combined experience on these waters. My expectations for today were set high, hoping…