Just back from Belize and wanted to share a few shots (click on the shots for larger images).

I had been in this area to mountain bike many times in the past, but I never gave much thought to such a small stream holding the very wild trout that started this sickness. I had fished similar sized creeks in Mexico and other areas. But while the fish were wild, sometimes native and always beautiful they were generally small (6 inches or less) due to the size of water and the fact that it all but dried up during the summer months. This was different. And to find them within a 40 minute drive from the beach was something truly special.

I borrowed Solis’ two-weight and tied up a handful of white and fluorescent green Wooly Buggers the night before.  Rumor had it, that was all I would need as these fish were not picky. Here is what we were treated to:

Small creek – beautiful fish.

This fish taped at 14 inches. Look at the gut on her…

I’ve been testing the new William Joseph Exodus II and loving it. It is big enough to carry my camera, an extra lens and my lunch while also fitting a couple of fly boxes and the rest of my essentials in the front pockets. So far – its a keeper!

The wildflowers were also in full bloom and putting on quite a show near the banks of the creek.

Epic fishing, close to home!

Hit Mammoth for a week so that the wife and kids could get a few turns in. Mammoth has more snow than they have ever had before (since keeping records anyways) and it was snowing the first day we got in. We woke the next morning to find that the snow had stopped, but the wind had taken over. In fact, it was pretty windy for the whole week. While most come to Mammoth (before the general trout season opener), I come to fish. I fought off the need for a day and then took advantage of some down time and hit up the Hot Creek Gorge with Aidan and his buddy for a few afternoon fish in the wind.

This only whet my appetite to spend more time chasing fish, so I called up my friend Brad McFall with Mammoth Fly Fishing and created a plan. We decided that we would hook up on Thursday and fish the East Walker River. I woke up Thursday morning to snow coming in sideways, but decided to take our chances and dress for a wet, cold, windy day of fishing. Here is what it looked like outside my front door:

We got to the river, layered up and got everything rigged in the blowing snow.

We fished for the first hour in the snow, catching quite a few fish. Eventually the sun came out, but the wind never let up, and we got into a bunch of fish.

We drove home from Mammoth on Friday and got ready for the arrival of Corey Kruitbosch. From the freezing weather (and multiple layers) of Mammoth to fishing the Pacific in board shorts, this was about as opposite an experience one could have. I met up with Corey for sunrise service on Sunday, and got right into a bunch of surfperch.

Although we didn’t catch anything worth bragging about, I had a great time fishing with Corey and picking his brain on photography! What a nice guy. The many small perch kept us busy until we couldn’t resist the smell of cooking bacon, coming from the houses and restaurants behind us, any longer. We called it a morning and walked to a breakfast place in our wet board shorts, leaned our rods against the table and settled into some coffee and breakfast. Before it was over Corey and set up another trip to fish out of his drift boat this summer. I can’t wait.

Another great day in San Diego.

When you get the opportunity to fish one of San Diego’s local reservoirs for Carp with a good friend, you take it. When that invite also includes fishing from the front of the only flats style skiff in San Diego, you jump on it!

Met up with my friend Conway Bowman bright and early Thursday morning to stalk some Carp and trade a few stories. Conway recently acquired an East Cape Caiman Flats Skiff and was eager to hit the skinny water in search of tailing Carp. Conway had assured me that this was the ultimate training for casting to spooky Bonefish and mudding Redfish.

We no sooner motored across the lake before we started spotting Carp tailing in inches of water. Armed with a handful of flies and a six-weight it was game on.

Here is the ride:

The man with the plan:

And the adversary:

I even got some time on the stick:

We cast to tailing fish all day and finished with several fish and many more hooked and lost. These are really fun (and strong) fish! It was really cool to see literally thousands of Carp in the lake, many spawning and lots of fish on the chew. It seems that Spring has sprung here in San Diego. The warmer weather will heat up the water further and the fishing will only get better.

With the temperature approaching 90, we ended the day around 2.30 and headed for the lake store. Ice cold ballenas of Tecate never tasted so good!

I am new to shooting flies, but just had some of my fly photos published in the April 2011 issue of California Fly Fisher. The photos accompany a great article by Jeff entitled ‘Corbina Flies and Tactics’. The article focuses on what flies and techniques many of the local corbina fly fisherman use when chasing the ‘gray ghosts’ and serves as an excellent primer for anyone wanting to hunt these fish. If you want to put together a fly box for chasing these predators this would be a great place to start and should be required reading for anyone that wants to hit the beach looking for Beans.

Here are the fly images that I provided. This is my first shot at fly photography and any input is appreciated.

Bulla’s Gremmie

Cronin’s Surfin’ Merkin

Van Allen’s Viking

Endress’s Razzler

Foxy Clouser

Silberberg’s Bean Burrito

Borski’s Bonefish Critter

Calhoun’s Swimming Crab