Hello from Northern California

eberjef · 02-02-2010, 11:07 PM

I'm new to fly fishing, but I'm very motivated to learn.

I was directed to this site from the user groups at tenkarausa.com. I've found groups like this (of individuals dedicated to a particular pursuit but not motivated by financial gain) to be invaluable.

I'm also intrigued by this registration process -- I've never seen it before. It makes a lot of sense to separate genuine humans from the borg. Nice work.

In any case, I'm hoping to learn as much as I can from this site in order to lead my kids to an appreciation of being outdoors, of exploring and doing. To be honest, they don't need much motivation. They love hiking, backpacking and fishing. We need a new challenge, however, and that's where fly fishing rivers and streams comes in.

Well, that's all for now.

Thanks for listening.

**gusstrand** · 02-02-2010, 11:37 PM

What?!? No financial gain? Dang. What was I thinking?!? Wait... That's for sure!

LOL... I'll vouch for that and affirm that this is a labor of love. Welcome!

**gusstrand** · 02-02-2010, 11:41 PM

Oh, and that sort of intro is EXACTLY what were after. Honest intent. You sir, have a new world of access. Enjoy.

eberjef · 02-03-2010, 10:24 AM

Thanks gstrand.

I'm gonna check out the access.

**gusstrand** · 02-03-2010, 10:26 AM

By the way, where in NorCal?

eberjef · 02-03-2010, 11:37 AM

Gstrand,

I'm in Marin County (insert gratuitous reference to: hot tubs / American Taliban / Patagonia pony-tailed dude pissed off that his low fat soy latte was filled too close to the brim so that he can't add his homeopathic Chinese herb extract).

I just checked out the Tenkara forum. Nice! It will be very helpful to have a more independent view than tenkarausa -- not that there's anything wrong with that site. It's very helpful, as many poster here at smallstreams have noted. But as others have also noted, options and variety are good things.

There's a lot to learn. This site will give me a big leg up. Thanks for providing this resource.

I'll try to contribute as I'm able to. Seeing as I'm currently on the ignorant-but-enthusiastic end of the learning curve, it might be a while.

**MikeM** · 02-03-2010, 03:33 PM

Welcome eberjef. As a fellow Nor-cal guy, in Stockton, (insert gratutitous references here: inland Oakland, gangland, epicenter of mortgage crisis, etc.) I get it. Marin is nice. Putah Creek is close(r) to you.

I have a good friend that lives in your neck of the woods that shared with me an article from the Marin newspaper this summer about a guy that successfully sued the City of San Rafael for damages he suffered when he hit a pothole on his bicycle. He lost a testicle but gained 100K, I think. That might be the same dude complaining he didn't have enough room for the herbal extract in his latte.

MikeM

**gusstrand** · 02-03-2010, 04:18 PM

Mike, I had no idea (or no memory) you were in Stockton. I love the Delta. I think you know I grew up in Escalon. Spent many of my formative years all over the place out there in the sloughs. Caught too many bass, catfish and stripers in there. My first striper was from under the Rio Vista bridge. I was 10, he was 10#. Loved the mothballed ships, the turning basin, Locke (ever been to Al the Wop's? I remember getting steaks and peanut butter on french bread more than once there as a kid) - all over...

Small world.

**MikeM** · 02-03-2010, 04:52 PM

Yeah Gus... I think I did tell you that way back when. Yes, Al the Wop's is still there cranking out the steaks. That was one of my Dad's hangouts before his bar credit got called, then we never went back. I went there last year with some friends and had this creepy feeling somebody was gonna say, "hey... aren't you Danny's kid...? " and hit me up for his debt. I just can't get totally into the delta. A guy really needs a boat to do it right - not the Green Weenie type, something with some horsepower and a little more substance. Stripers have frustrated me. I catch shakers. My spin-fishing friend caught a fattie on top water (Zara-spook) this year, a 35lb. cow. His first cast of the day in Whiskey Slough.

I have had some great days on the Stannie above Orange Blossom for the rainbows. They've kept the water down this year and it has totally redistributed the fish. My usual haunt has had nothing but fry.

MikeM

eberjef · 02-03-2010, 05:00 PM

Mike,

Thanks for the welcome. Thanks for mentioning Putah Creek, also. It wasn't on my radar, but a quick Google turned up a lot of information.

And I may be closer to Putah Creek, but you've got an hour and a half advantage over me getting to the Sierras. That's worth quite a bit.

Quick question if you wouldn't mind: where would you suggest a novice like me try his luck? I don't mind driving 2 or 3 hours. And bear in mind that my light Tenkara rod can only handle trout (steelhead or bass would be too much).

Regarding the cyclist suing over a pothole, I didn't see that, but, yeah, it doesn't surprise me. As you alluded to, every place has its stereotypes -- and in many cases, there's substance that gave rise to those views. But the neighborhood I live in is pretty down to earth . . . and avoiding Patagonia dude's haunts is pretty easy to do.