Cs 7 17 web

FISHING • HUNTING • TRAVEL CALSPORTSMANMAG.COM

MARLINS & MILITARY

SoCal Vet Mike Nares & Wounded Servicemen Catch Fish & Heal In Baja

S.F. HALIBUT! Tips For Bagging Delish Flatfish

HUNTING SEASON PREP Perfecting Archery Skills & More

SHARK WEEK! Talkin’ Great Whites With Sharkology Doctor

Also Inside

San Diego Bay Exotics Gun Dog Wing Training

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Sportsman

California Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 9 • Issue 10 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Dick Openshaw EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Brittany Boddington LEAD WRITER Tim E. Hovey CONTRIBUTORS Mark Fong, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Todd Kline, Jeff Lund, Albert Quackenbush, Bill Schaefer SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Garn Kennedy, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold PRODUCTION MANAGER Sonjia Kells DESIGNERS Sam Rockwell, Jake Weipert PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Kelly Baker

DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines

Chris Bilkey

Track & Trail Safaris PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL SAFARIS - New Zealand

DIGITAL ASSISTANT Samantha Morstan OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTING Audra Higgins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Sauro INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn CIRCULATION MANAGER Heidi Belew ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine ON THE COVER Army veteran Mike Nares was awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars after suffering traumatic injuries while serving in the Middle East. The Southern Californian was part of a group of wounded warriors who went marlin fishing in Baja. (LOANDEPOT) MEDIA INC PUBLISHING GROUP CALIFORNIA OFFICE 4517 District Blvd. • Bakersfield, CA 93313 (661) 381-7533 WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S., Suite 190 Tukwila, WA 98168 OREGON OFFICE 8116 SW Durham Rd • Tigard, OR 97224 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com

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CONTENTS

17

VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 10

FEATURES 53

CATCHING SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS California halibut love slipping inside the Golden Gate and are all over San Francisco Bay. Our Mark Fong got away for a weekday trip on a charter boat out of the East Bay and enjoyed a day viewing landmarks like Alcatraz, Coit Tower, the famous bridge and – oh yeah – brought home some tasty fillets. How’d he do it? Fong shares!

65

GIVING BACK TO OUR TROOPS

IT’S RABBIT SEASON! Please excuse lead writer Tim Hovey for being a little anxious this time of year, but hunting seasons are just around the corner, starting with this month’s cottontail rabbit opener. This is small-game hunting at its finest, with readily available quarry, and it’s a great way for young or first-time hunters to gain valuable experience.

Head out with Tim in search of dinner!

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STAY INSIDE SAN DIEGO BAY FOR EXOTICS Anglers who prefer not to leave San Diego Harbor will find a plethora of species to target, including corbina, croaker, needlefish and coveted bonefish. Join Bill Schaefer as he heads from the dock to the Coronado Bridge to get his potluck on!

87

STRONG WOMEN UNITE Hunting has helped Brittany Boddington buck tired and stale stereotypes about women, and she has a passion to empower others to get involved in a sport dominated by men. Recently, Boddington and fellow hunting savant Shannon Lansdowne brought together outdoor-loving ladies for their She Hunts Skills Camp, which proved a hit right off the bat!

(LOANDEPOT)

Corporal Josh McCart, who spent five years in the Army and was injured in the Middle East, joined six other wounded warriors, including Southern California native Mike Nares, on a memorable marlin fishing trip off Baja. The guys caught a lot of fish, but as you’ll find out, the camaraderie and support for each other was far more therapeutic.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 59 73 81 93

A frustrating Sierra trout trip Electro-fishing Castaic Lake SoCal topwater bass tips Introducing wings to your bird dogs

26 39 40 43 45

Protecting Wild California: Embracing great whites Outdoor calendar Adventures of Todd Kline: Japan, Delta Photo contest winners From Field to Fire: How to clean clams

DEPARTMENTS 13

The Editor’s Note: Helping shark research efforts

CALIFORNIA SPORTSMAN GOES DIGITAL! Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device.

Only $1.89 an issue. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Send address changes to California Sportsman, PO Box 24365, Seattle, WA 98124. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues), 2-year subscription are $39.95 (24 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Back issues are available at Media Index Publishing Group offices at the cost of $5 plus shipping. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2016 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.

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THEEDITOR’SNOTE

Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab director Dr. Chris Lowe (far left), Ryan Logan and Laura Martinez Steele prepare to head out onto the Pacific on a shark tagging expedition, which can be expensive for a state school like Long Beach that doesn’t have a huge endowment. (CSULB SHARK LAB)

A

s an alum of a California State University school, I’ve always understood how difficult it is for institutions like that to deal with extended periods of budget cuts without the wealthy benefactors who throw money at other colleges.

So for dear old Fresno State, I’ve tried to donate when I can – either to the College of Arts and Humanities to fund future journalists like myself who went through the program, or to various sports teams to support scholarships or improve facilities. They’re small increments, for sure, but I have to believe every few dollars help.

So when I chatted with a fellow CSU guy, Long Beach State Shark Lab director Dr. Chris Lowe, we talked a bit about the budget limitations our universities must operate under. Lowe, who will seek out great whites for tagging purposes in a Discovery Channel Shark Week special this month, works with state-of-theart equipment to not only teach the next generation of biologists but also further understand how these remarkable fish roll.

The gear they use costs a lot of money. Long Beach State’s endowment was listed around $53 million in 2016, which seems like a lot of money, but consider that Fresno State’s was around $116 million, and both pale compared to a University of California campus like UCLA, which was gifted around $3.5 billion over that same time period.

“Right now, I’m done; I’m almost out of my annual budget money. This spring we tagged 18 (juvenile) sharks, and I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Lowe said of the growing numbers of great whites that are appearing off the Southern California coast. “And we have no money to do any adult shark stuff. All of the technology that we use is expensive, and to keep getting answers, we need funding.”

Because I consider sharks to be one of the most compelling, unique and critical components of the animal kingdom, I cheated on Fresno State and made a donation to Long Beach’s shark research unit. After we talked I emailed Dr. Lowe and joked to him about what a heated rivalry our two schools had on the baseball diamond back in the 1990s when I was in college. But at the end of the day we’re all sons and daughters of the CSU system.

You can donate at csulb.edu/shark-lab. I consider it money well spent. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

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MIXED BAG

FOR THE

TROOPS (PEXELS)

A CABO MARLIN FISHING TRIP HELPS SEVEN WOUNDED VETERANS HEAL

By Chris Cocoles

A

mid a spectacular backdrop – the luxury yacht, the azure blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, the leaping marlin – some of the most important moments Mike Nares spent off the Baja coast were sitting at a table.

Southern California native Nares was one of seven veterans invited on a Cabo San Lucas, Mexico-based trip in April. All of them had been wounded in battle and, like Nares, suffered from various symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and/or major injuries.

The boat, donated for the trip by Anthony Hsieh, CEO of lending company loanDepot, was just as much floating cathartic vessel as it was fishing vacation craft.

“We were down there on the boat and everyone was just sitting around the table and sharing their stories.

They were able to connect with each other and how they’re handling the parts of their recovery,” says Calvin Coolidge, executive director of the Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit that helps wounded veterans and assisted in setting up the trip.

“They were able to offer each other advice – that peer-to-peer counseling, ‘This is how I got through this particular struggle.’ It really set up a great environment to not only revitalize but also help them heal – find new strate-

Southern California native Mike Nares (back row, left and inset) was among seven wounded service vets who went marlin fishing out of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, earlier this year. (LOANDEPOT)

gies for that healing journey. And believe me, it is a healing journey.”

For Nares, the hardest part of his journey – he hopes – is behind him. But even after three memorable days of fishing, fun and friendship, he and his brothers in arms understand what they’ve been through, what they lost and what they have found on their journeys.

“Getting out of the military wasn’t something that I wanted. I wanted to do 20-plus years and didn’t get the chance,” Nares says. “But just being able to be around other people who have served, it’s like being back in the military, which I think is the greatest honor in the world to serve the glorious flag. It was a great expe-

rience to be able to be around everybody else. To hear their background and know what they went through was important.”

FOR AMERICA’S VETERANS, WHAT today is known by the acronym PTSD has likely been affecting troops since at least the Revolutionary War (terms like nostalgia, shell shock and battle

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MIXED BAG

Acrobatic marlin made the trip memorable for the seven Army and Marine veterans. (LOANDEPOT)

fatigue have all entered the lexicon over time), if not before. But nobody really acknowledged it officially by that name until 1980, just seven years removed from U.S. withdrawal in Vietnam. It’s now become an accepted reality of the difficulties servicemen and -women are susceptible to after their time in combat ends.

Nares, who grew up in suburban Vista, 40 miles north of San Diego, served in the Army from the time he graduated high school until being medically discharged in 2011. Between that time, he had 10 deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan. A staff sergeant when he left the Army, Nares was awarded two Purple Heart and two Bronze Star medals. In 2010, he suffered traumatic brain and neck injuries when he was caught up in an ambush in Afghanistan. Nares also saw combat in Ramadi, Iraq, site of some

of the fiercest fighting of the Iraq War in the mid-2000s and was once controlled by ISIS before being driven out of the city by Iraqi forces in 2016.

“I fought in Ramadi twice, in 2004 and 2006, when it was then considered the most dangerous place on Earth. I always thought that I saw more stuff than anyone else did, and for a long time that’s what I (assumed),” Nares says. “But then hearing all these other people and other veterans tell their stories, it made me realize that I’m not the only one that experienced that type of war. It’s actually really awesome to hear their stories.”

That’s one of the most difficult aspects of overcoming the effects of PTSD. When Nares was discharged, he shut down completely in terms of sharing the details of what happened on the battlefield. Save for his mother, nobody seemed worthy of a recre-

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ation of events.

He was hardly alone in his silence.

The last thing returning veterans want to do is recall the atrocities they witnessed, the wounds they suffered and the memories of fighting alongside comrades they’d left behind.

“A lot of times, that first time where you’re willing to tell the story, it’s going to be amongst people who were over there in similar circumstances, who understand than it would be with a civilian or with someone who never served,” Coolidge says.

It took Nares two years of silence before he began to interact with other wounded vets, the only others who could possibly relate. Still, all Nares wanted to do – futilely, given the nature of his injuries – was return to the Middle East.

“Getting out was the hardest thing, knowing that I couldn’t be there with

MIXED BAG my soldiers or anyone that I served with anymore, and not being part of a family. I was living with a family and now I was all by myself,” he says.

“All I knew was the military; as soon as I’d gotten out of high school, I joined. When my time was up – sorry, this is bringing back memories – I missed it, a lot.”

So it was only fitting that Nares’ first step in the right direction was to open up once he began interacting with others who had similar experiences to his. Who else could understand the hell these brave men and women endured over there?

How far has Nares come? If you ask him about his tours of duty, he’ll gladly talk about some – not all – of his time in uniform.

“I don’t like to tell everything that I’ve been through, because some of it is too intense to even want to put out there into words. But now if anyone has the time to listen, I’m willing to tell my story,” he says.

“It’s my healing process now to be able to let everyone know what I’ve been through and that I’m not messed up – that this is who I am. I had PTSD and a traumatic brain injury and other things. I don’t mind telling my story to

anyone who asks – civilian or someone in the military. It’s just a better way to heal for me.”

LONG BEFORE HE PUT his life on the line for his country, Mike Nares was a fisherman. Vista was just inland from the coastal city of Oceanside, so it was a convenient destination for saltwater fishing.

“I was always down in Oceanside, where my Uncle Frank would take us fishing in the harbor. We’d go out 3:30 or 4 a.m. and catch live bait; we’d go in with our little shrimp pumps and stick it in the water and grab shrimp for at

“Just being able to be around other people that have served, it’s like being back in the military, which I think is the greatest honor in the world to serve the glorious flag,” says Nares, who suffered head trauma and a neck injury during an attack in Afghanistan, and was awarded two Purple Heart and two Bronze Star medals. (MIKE NARES)

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MIXED BAG least an hour,” Nares says. “And then we’d go fishing from there on and out.

And we’d stay out until it was time to go back in, which was usually around 6 at night.”

Once he came back for good, fishing wasn’t exactly Nares’ priority, but the methodical return to a more civilian life – he now calls Ventura home – has provided enough peace to where fishing can be a normal part of his life again.

“I’ve got my friends here in Ventura who like to fish a lot too. We’ll try to get back out there and try to catch some perch and halibut,” Nares says. “It’s relaxing to be on the water. I don’t like to go too far out into the ocean because I’m actually afraid of sharks, but since I got out and I’ve been going back out quite a bit. I want to go out more now after being out on that boat. It made my drive for fishing a little bit bigger than it was.”

Coolidge and his colleagues at the Freedom Alliance regularly arrange outdoor adventures for injured veterans like Nares, who also went to Alaska in 2016. Hsieh was honored to lend his yacht for the seven vets (a combination from the Army and Marines).

“These brave Americans have sacrificed so much for our country,” he said in a press release.

“It’s truly life-changing. It provides camaraderie for these veterans out of the service and who have been wounded,” adds Coolidge of the trips his organization offers. “It provides them with time together, to talk to each other and to often work through a lot of the things that they could be struggling with. It refreshes them and gives them energy to keep on healing. And it helps them to thrive in this post-military stage in their lives.”

That the fishing was epic proved to be a bonus, but the seven participants had an experience they’d never forget.

Cabo is known for its marlin fishing, and the majestic fish that make anglers work hard to get them back to the boat didn’t disappoint.

“The passion for marlin was incredible. It’s crazy – I’ve never fished

Anthony Hsieh (right), the CEO of lending company loanDepot, hosted the trip on a luxury yacht, the Bad Company. (LOANDEPOT)

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MIXED BAG for marlin before, and to see the excitement, and when I caught my first one was at the end of the trip. It was probably one of the coolest things ever. My arms hurt, that was for sure.

And they still hurt for a couple days after,” Nares says.

“I grabbed the reel and rod and I went to town. If it weren’t for the captain, Steve, bringing the marlin to me, it would have been a longer fight, that’s for sure. He was an amazing captain who really knows what he’s doing.

Without that I probably would have had to switch off because my arms were already starting to burn by the time we got the marlin up.”

Everyone got emotional watching the scene unfold.

“Oh gosh, it’s heartwarming; it’s encouraging; it’s humbling,” Coolidge says. “It was all a team effort. They helped each other out. To see that, and all the things that they learned in the military and how effective they are as a team, it was awesome. When they weren’t fishing they were telling stories to each other, opening up. Just being able to be a small part in making something like this happen, you know you’re doing something good and making a difference in service members’ lives.”

YOU DON’T EXPERIENCE THE horrors of war, carry around the physical and mental scars from Iraq and Afghanistan and return to normalcy without veering off course more than once. Even Nares, while in a far better place than others who continue to battle their war-time demons, needs a rock like his girlfriend, Kimberly Schrader, to help him get through every day.

“It’s nonstop. I’ve had lots of highs but I’ve had my lows. There have been days where I’ve been feeling good, and then two minutes later I’ve been in depression because of just something that reminded me of being over there,” Nares says. “My girlfriend’s been a really big supporter and she’s always trying to help me. She can tell when I’m not feeling right; my face changes, I guess, and

The guys were excited with the thrills of fishing for marlin off the Baja coast, but some of the most poignant moments were spent sitting around a table sharing stories about their experiences in battle. “You can see that when they start to open up, that, yes, they’re making their way forward in that recovery,” says Calvin Coolidge, executive director of the Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit that helps wounded warriors. (LOANDEPOT)

I never knew that. And she always spots it out and helps me through it.”

More than once during a conference call interview, Nares apologized as he struggled to put into words answers to questions about the past, the present and future. “I’ve not very good at this.”

But he knows support is there, whether it’s a confidant in his inner circle such as Schrader, the brothers in arms who caught marlin with him and made each other feel connected during those tableside chats, Coolidge and his partners at the Freedom Alliance who work tirelessly to make veterans feel appreciated, and philanthropists like Hsieh.

“I just wanted to say thank you to Anthony and also to Freedom Alliance for putting this trip together. Without these guys I think there would be a lot more struggles,” Nares says.

“It’s amazing to see someone like Anthony, who’s a true patriot. You don’t have to serve to be a patriot.” CS Editor’s note: For more information on post-traumatic stress disorder, go to ptsd.va.gov. For more on the Freedom Alliance, check out freedomalliance.org.

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“This is who I am. I had PTSD and a traumatic brain injury and other things.

I don’t mind telling my story to anyone who asks – civilian or someone in the military,” Nares says. “It’s just a better way to heal for me.” (LOANDEPOT)

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SOCAL SHARKS STUDY HALL LONG BEACH STATE’S SHARKOLOGIST ON LALA LAND’S GREAT WHITES

By Chris Cocoles

F

or scientists like Dr. Chris Lowe, the increased sightings of great white sharks in the Pacific are a boon to continuing to understand these fascinating fish.

Granted, more sharks patrolling the beaches dotting Southern California have surfers and swimmers taking notice, but their presence can not only help us comprehend why sharks might occasionally attack humans but also how they affect the oceans’ food chain.

“At the time when scientists were really starting to break ground, believe it or not, there really weren’t a lot of sharks to study. And that made it really hard to do,”

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PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA

A pair of great whites just off the Southern California/Mexico shark hotbed of Guadalupe Island, site of the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week special, Sharks and the City: LA, which features the shark lab team from Cal State Long Beach. (CSULB SHARK LAB) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

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PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA Lowe says, citing so many parts of the world where resident shark numbers declined rapidly due mostly to overfishing.

But imagine how scientists are rejoicing during a time when – especially off the Southern California coast – shark populations are back at levels unheard of in recent decades, thanks primarily to conservation awareness.

Let’s face it: We’re intrigued by sharks, whether we appreciate their longevity, marvel at their abilities as a predator or are scared to death of coming face to face with them while treating the Pacific as our personal water playground.

Discovery Channel’s latest Shark Week lineup is upon us this month, and the California coast will play a part in the programming again.

Lowe spearheads the shark lab at Cal State Long Beach (he proudly says Jaws director Steven Spielberg, a Long Beach alum, visited the school’s shark lab in the 1970s to collect research for his iconic film) and studies sharks while sharing his knowledge with the next generation of biologists.

“We have great opportunities to make major strides in understanding shark behavior,” says Lowe, who will share some of his research when Discovery airs Sharks and the City: LA, on July 25 (9 p.m.). Lowe and others will explore the waters off the Southland and Mexican coast, near famed shark gathering place Guadalupe Island, and explain an abundance of great whites making themselves comfortable.

We had a fascinating chat with fishing fanatic and shark savant Lowe about these remarkable, feared and often misunderstood bad asses of the sea.

Chris Cocoles Do you think Shark Week has positively impacted how we understand and perceive sharks?

Dr. Chris Lowe Well, sure – I think it’s kind of been influential, along the lines of the book and the movie, Jaws, right? It’s kept sharks in the mainstream. And, of course,

Members of Long Beach State’s research team release a tagged juvenile shark. Southern California’s coastal areas have seen an increase in great whites in recent years. (CSULB SHARK LAB)

people are interested, which is great. What I’m for is getting good scientific information and education out to the public, because I think (now) they fear them less and want to protect them more.

won’t be what I achieve but what my students achieve. So that’s why I do what I do. Just going out and doing the work is great, but being able to share what I’ve learned with my students – it’s really what keeps me going.

CC But are sharks still so misunderstood by a lot of people?

DCL Absolutely. I think that’s still a battle that we fight and wage all the time. And part of it is because of the way sharks are often portrayed in popular media. I always like to say that you can’t blame Discovery and (Jaws author) Peter Benchley for all of it. Frankly, I think a lot of people like to be afraid of things.

They like that little buzz you get from being afraid of something. So in a way, we’ve kind of created the beast in our heads. In reality, they’re not, quite often, the way we make them out to be. And I think the more that people actually interact with sharks – they go to aquariums, they’ll get in the water and they’ll see a shark on vacation or something like that – the more they understand that a lot of that (negative perception) is just hype.

CC To me, a shark is such a fascinating creature when you consider how far back sharks are in the ecosystem. And I’m so envious of you and your Long Beach State students who get to study these fish. That’s got to be an awesome subject to dive into.

DCL I think that will be always be my greatest achievement as a scientist; it

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CC Tell us a little about your research lab at Long Beach State?

DCL The shark lab’s been around since 1969 and was founded by Dr. Don Nelson.

And he was kind of a pioneer in studying shark behavior. He was a diver back when scuba diving just came out. He always wanted to figure out why sharks do what they do. And a lot of his early research focused on how they behave. One of the things he became frustrated about was, when you go diving, you’re lucky if you can spend an hour in the water.

When you’re a scuba diver you’ve got bubbles and you’re really noisy and clanky; it’s really hard to observe sharks because, frankly, divers disturb sharks’ natural behavior. So he began to realize that we needed new tools if we really wanted to understand shark behavior.

He was one of the first scientists to start to build his own acoustic transmitters, and at the time that was state of the art. That technology had been declassified by the military, and biologists with any sort of electronics inkling were trying to make their own transmitter that they could put on sharks to use. And they could have a receiver and hydrophone so that they could follow those animals around and see where

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PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA they go. Back in those days you had to make that equipment yourself. So Don decided that something that was needed to move to the next step and ask, “Why do sharks go where they go, and how do they do it?” He started building his own transmitters, and when I was a grad student in the shark lab back in the late 1980s, I learned how to build transmitters through Don … which I no longer have to make myself, by the way.

At the time, that was kind of revolutionary, but the transmitters were kind of large and the only things big enough to put them on were sharks. The cool thing was, we could put a transmitter on a blue shark for 24 hours and it was exhausting to do the work. At the end of the day, all we figured out was that the shark went from point A to point B, which was very cool. But we didn’t know why they were doing that. What we focused on was developing new technology so that we could answer why they were doing that. Now we’re using satellite transmitters; we’re building autonomous underwater tracking robots.

CC So would you say sharks are complicated to understand?

DCL Yes and no. They’re difficult because they’re predators. The key to being a good predator is you’ve got to be sneaky and stealthy; you’ve got to move. If you’re a really successful predator and feeding on smart, evolutionary-driven prey like mammals, you have to change up your game because those animals learn very quickly. So what makes it so tough to study sharks is that they have all those features of a predator, like a hunter. The first time somebody goes out hunting, if you don’t know something about what you’re hunting, your chances of being successful are really low. But the more you learn about your prey, the more you can begin to strategize – how to sneak up on the prey and successfully take one down. It’s that predator in us that helps

Connor White (left) keeps a firm grip during a tagging exercise. (CSULB SHARK LAB)

us better understand that behavior in sharks. It gives us framework to begin to understand how they go about taking down something like a seal, which, by the way, is one of the fastest and most maneuverable species in the ocean.

But I wouldn’t so much say that they’re complicated; I would say they’re really well evolved for what they do. In that sense, we have to up our game as scientists, because studying them becomes that much more difficult. And it’s why technology has opened up doors for us.

CC So often, sharks are considered “vil-

30 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

lains” when there’s an attack, especially a fatal one. When something like this happens, how does it make you feel from a biologist’s perspective?

DCL Every time those things occur, it’s horrible; nobody wants to see anyone go through something like that. But the reality of that is, we lose perspective. When I give talks – and this could even be grade-school kids – I’ll ask, “OK, how many people here are afraid of sharks?” A bunch of hands will go up and I’ll ask “Why?” to get a little bit of information as to what their understanding of sharks is. But then I’ll ask if

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PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA anybody has been a car accident, and a bunch of hands will go up, and if they know anyone who’s been killed in a car accident, and a few hands will go up, and you’ll think, “wow.” And when I ask if they know anyone who’s been bitten by a shark, and they’ll look around the room because no hands are up. I’ll ask, “Are you afraid to ride in a car? Because cars are dangerous; why would you ever want to ride in a car?” When they says cars aren’t dangerous, I’ll say, “Why wouldn’t you ever go in the water? In this room, nobody knows anyone who’s been killed, let alone bitten, by a shark.”

So it’s a matter of people getting that perspective. That’s hard, because the difference is we drive vehicles every day and people are literally killed in vehicles every day, but it no longer seems like a risk, and our ability to evaluate that risk is really proportionate to our overall use.

When I ask hardcore surfers and people in the water all the time, I ask if they’re afraid of sharks, it’s, “Well, I have to admit it does cross my mind every now and

“I’ve been working in Southern California for 30 years, and I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be able to go the beach in my front yard, basically, and catch and tag baby white sharks,” says Lowe, a Massachusetts native who received his master’s degree from Long Beach State’s program. “The recovery of the great white population is probably our greatest conservation success story.” (CSULB SHARK LAB)

then.” “Does that keep you out of the water?” “Absolutely not ... My chances of dying driving to the beach so far outweigh my chances of dying while surfing.” So they understand that perspective, but one of the things that I find is people who use the ocean less have a

harder time putting that in perspective.

CC You’re from Martha’s Vineyard off Massachusetts and became an avid fisherman. How has the fishing industry had an impact on the ecosystems?

DCL Growing up recreational fishing and

USING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO TRACK SHARKS Massive upgrades in technology allow shark experts like Cal State Long Beach shark lab director Dr. Chris Lowe to better understand the majestic fish he and his colleagues study.

State-of-the-art robotics sent into the ocean depths allows scientists to get even closer to sharks and analyze their behavior. But with new gadgets come new challenges.

“I work with a roboticist, Chris Clark, at (Claremont’s) Harvey Mudd College, and it’s kind of tricky because an autonomous operation requires a lot of information,” Lowe says. “When we were designing the tracking robots, Chris kept asking me, ‘Well, what do sharks do and how do they behave?’”

Lowe started looking at old shark tracks in search of trends to help estab-

lish a starting point for programming the robot with what the shark is going to do – or at least educated guesses about what it might.

“What we want the robot to do is, while it’s tracking the shark, it never gets within, say, 100 yards of the tagged shark,” Lowe says. “And we know the shark can hear the robot because it has a propeller and it makes a low-frequency sound. So if the shark actually is curious about the robot and starts swimming towards it, the robot’s programmed to move away.”

The thought process is that even if the shark continues to snoop around the device that’s backing away, eventually boredom will sink in and the fish will return to whatever its brainwaves were convincing it to do before the ro-

32 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

bot entered the water, allowing the fish to be followed again by the robotics.

“A lot of that programming is from basic information that we’ve already learned from the patterns that we see in shark movements,” Lowe says. “So now, to get at how do sharks make decisions, we can instrument those robots with all sorts of oceanographic sensors, so while the robot is tracking the shark, it’s moving up and down the water column while measuring (data).

And it has a video camera for us to see schools of fish, other sharks and other species that are around the shark that we’re tracking.”

And as more data piles up from these tendencies, the notion of getting into a shark’s complex head isn’t such an outrageous concept anymore. CC

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33

PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA now my entire life, and having a grandfather and other family who were commercial fishers, I totally understand the challenges of balancing those things.

I’m a fisheries biologist by training; that’s what I teach, and when you look back at how we managed resources, we didn’t do a very good job of it. But I think we’ve turned a corner. We have a better understanding of how things work ecologically in the ocean. We’re regulating fisheries in the ways we need to in order to keep populations sustainable and making the resources accessible for the next generation. That has required some hard decisions and choices over the years.

But I think there are signs that many of those have worked, because we’re seeing recovery in many of our fisheries in the United States. But this gets more complicated because those resources are shared. You have commercial interests with people going out and fishing for those so other people can eat those resources. But there are also those who want to go out there and catch fish themselves, and those resources have to be managed to accommodate both groups.

I think it can be done and we’ve gotten much better at it, but that took a lot of learning and a big investment on our part. We’re starting to see the dividends of that. I’m afraid that one of the ways we went about in solving the problem was we outsourced part of our problem. We now import about 85 percent of our seafood in the U.S. We put a lot of (American) fishermen out of business and increased regulations to try and make our existing fisheries sustainable.

But what we’ve done is increased pressure on stocks outside the U.S. and we’ve made it cheaper to import those, which puts commercial fishers at greater risk. Instead of getting a nice, fresh ecological cod product that was caught

by U.S. fishermen, we’re now importing it cheaper from other countries, where they do it in ways we wouldn’t allow our fishermen to because it’s not sustainable.

Ryan Logan (above) and Connor White try to deploy a CATS tag at Guadalupe Island. Dr. Chris Lowe says that sharks returning to California waters represent promising news, but, “Are we completely out of the woods? Absolutely not; we still have problems with trash and pollution, loss of wetlands and global climate change. But we can solve those problems both regionally and globally. (CSULB SHARK LAB)

And that even gets back to recreational anglers. As somebody who loves to fish myself, a lot of times when I work with (sport) fishers, they’ll say it’s commercial fishers’ fault; commercial guys say it’s recreational anglers’ fault. And the reality of it, it’s all of us. But even recreational anglers can have impacts too.

There is a lot we can do to sustain our fisheries and make that resource available to our kids and grandkids. When I talk about those resources, sharks can be a big part of those. Quite often, conservation groups want to protect sharks

34 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

but to the point where they say no sharks can be harvested, which is where I disagree with them. Shark fisheries can be sustainable but have to be managed differently than others. I think we need to do it smart, use good science, and we need to do is sustainably. And if we do that, there’s no reason why people can’t catch sharks and eat them.

CC So what can we expect on your Discovery Channel show?

DCL It’s based on a hypothesis that we have – that the great white population

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PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA has increased, and I have colleagues who have been studying adult white sharks in the Farallones (just off the Golden Gate in San Francisco) and Guadalupe Island for 20 years. Everything we know about great white sharks comes from those two locations. But if the population is going up like we believe – and we know those places are starting to get a little crowded – researchers are seeing fewer and fewer new individuals coming in there. And there are several possible explanations for that – one is that the population is not growing anymore, which I would disagree with. In Southern California, we see more babies every year. The other is that those places are saturated and there’s no more space for adult or subadult white sharks in those locations.

And that means those kinds of “teen-

agers” coming into that population that can’t compete with the old-school sharks that have been in that location for decades now, have to find a new place to eat.

In Southern California, if you look at locations like the Channel Islands, the numbers of seals and sea lions are maybe some of the greatest densities anywhere on the West Coast. So if I were a white shark and I couldn’t compete (where great whites are known to be) and I wanted to eat marine mammals, where would I go? I would go to the Channel Islands … So our goal for this project was to go out there and tag some sharks.

CC Right off the coast in your backyard, sharks, even great whites, have become common. Is that pretty cool to have that kind of access?

DCL I’ve been working in Southern California for 30 years, and I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be able to go the beach in my front yard, basically, and

catch and tag baby white sharks. I could never imagine that I would ever see this day. So for me it’s really exciting to see sharks come back, white sharks in particular. The recovery of the great white population is probably our greatest conservation success story. Predators are at the top of the food chain, they’re never super abundant and they’re dependent on everything else in the food web. So if your food web is messed up, those predators just can’t come back, so the fact they have is really a sign that we’re doing some things right. In Southern California, when we those success stories, that’s impressive. We have 22 million people who live within 60 miles of the coast, and this is one of the most populated coastlines in the world and heavily urbanized. When you see those animals coming back here, that’s a sign.

Are we completely out of the woods? Absolutely not; we still have problems with trash and pollution, loss of wetlands and global climate change. But we can solve those problems both regionally and globally.

We’ve got to be smart.

CC What’s the feeling like to tag a great white just off the beaches of the Southland?

DCL You should see the smile on my face [laughs]. I love it, and I love doing it with my students. For them, it’s the most exciting thing because they do it for free.

CC Are you still learning something new about sharks all the time?

DCL As fast as we’re developing new technology and better tools to answer questions that have been on the back burner for decades, as soon as we answer one, five new ones pop up. Every single day that we go out and do something, I’ll go, “I never expected that,” or, “What does this mean?” It’s nonstop. CS Editor’s note: For more on Long Beach State’s shark lab, go to csulb.edu/explore/ shark-lab. Follow on Twitter (@CSULBsharklab). Check out Discovery’s Shark Week lineup at discovery.com/tv-shows/ shark-week.

36 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

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37

38 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

OUTDOOR CALENDAR JULY 1

California free fishing day; wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/ Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days 1-31 How Big is Big Fishing Derby, West Walker River; northernmonochamber.com 8-30 Archery deer season in Zone A (South Unit 110 along Central Coast) 15 Kiwanis Club Special Olympics Trout Derby, Wishon Lake; kiwanisdivisionfive.com/Special_Olympics.php 15 Stampede Reservoir Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org 16 Sacramento River king salmon opener

Twin Lakes, part of the Mammoth Lakes Basin, will host the Bridgeport Fish Fest tournament the weekend of July 28-29. (USER “NANDARO”/WIKIMEDIA)

28-29 Bridgeport Fish Fest, Twin Lakes; twinlakeresort.com 29 Kids’ Fishing Festival, Mammoth Lakes; (760) 937-2942

AUGUST 5

Whiskeytown Lake Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org 11-13 Size Doesn’t Matter Fishing Derby, West Walker River; monocounty.org/event/size-doesnt-matter-fishingderby/6491 12 Stillwater Classic Derby; crowleylakefishcamp.com 12 Deer season opener for Zone A (South Unit 110 and North Unit 160) 19 Bucks Lake Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org 19 Archery deer season openers in several B and C zones 19 Bighorn sheep opener in Zone 7 (White Mountains) 19 Pronghorn antelope season opener in several zones 26 Zone B-4 deer season opens 30 Archery elk hunt season (either sex) opens in Northeast California

Notes: A list of upcoming bass tournaments can also be found at nrm.dfg. ca.gov/FishingContests/default.aspx. For deer hunting zone information, go to nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=122314&inline.

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39

s e r u t n e v Ad We’re not ashamed to admit it: Todd Kline has the kind of life we wish we could experience. Kline’s a former professional surfer, a successful co-angler on the FLW Tour and a Southern California bass guide, plus he gets to travel the world as a commentator for the World Surf League’s telecasts. Todd has agreed to give us a peek at what he’s up to each month. For more on Todd or to book a guided fishing trip with him, check out toddkline.com, and you can follow him on Instagram at @toddokrine. –The Editor

This was one of the many signs at the beach warning about rip currents. (TODD KLINE)

This past month I went to Japan to announce a World Surf League surf contest. I spent a lot of time there, and this was my 21st visit to the country, but it had been 11 years since the last time. (TODD KLINE)

Here is a traditional Japanese home, this one behind ripening rice. (TODD KLINE)

My son attended a football camp hosted by Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown. (TODD KLINE)

Yep, I made another trip up to fish the Delta and camp with friends. It’s always a good time on the waterways of Northern California. (TODD KLINE) The hotel I stayed at in Japan supplied guests with traditional sandals and robe, so why not pose for a selfie? (TODD KLINE)

Another selfie, this time with a bass that joined me during my Delta trip. (TODD KLINE)

The weather is so hit and miss on the Delta: One day it’s hot and no wind; the next it’s cool and breezy.

Here is a Yamamoto Senko fish caught on one of those smooth, warm days. (TODD KLINE)

California forests are threatened by nonnative insects and diseases. These invasive species can be transported on firewood to new areas where they can become established and kill large numbers of trees.

• Leave firewood at home – buy or collect firewood where you camp.

• Use firewood in the same county or region where it was cut.

• Locate local firewood vendors at firewoodscout.org.

• Bring only what you’ll need, and burn responsibly.

.org

42 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

PHOTO CONTEST

WINNERS!

Megan Billinger’s pic of a great day for the ladies is this issue’s Fishing Photo Contest winner. It wins her loot from the overstuffed office of our editor!

Jared Park’s photo of daughter Ryann and her first turkey, taken this past spring, is this issue’s Browning Photo Contest winner. He wins a Browning hat.

For your shot at winning Browning and fishing products, send your photos and pertinent (who, what, when, where) details to ccocoles@ media-inc.com, or to California Sportsman, PO Box 24365, Seattle, WA 98124-0365. By sending us photos, you affirm you have the right to distribute them for our print or internet publications. calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

43

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NORCAL

FROM FIELD ...

YOUR CLEANEST CLAMS PLANNING ON DIGGING UP SOME TASTY TREATS? HERE'S HOW TO CLEAN THEM

By Scott Haugen

I

n my column here exactly one year ago, I detailed ways to dig for different species of clams along the California coast. Following that, I received a number of emails asking if I had any advice for cleaning clams.

Since some species are cleaned differently than others, here we’ll take a look at options for taking care of some of California’s most commonly dug clams.

CLEANING RAZOR CLAMS Using a thin, small and sharp knife, insert the blade between the shells and slide it along the edge, severing both adductor muscles. Open the shell and remove all contents. You can also place the clam in boiling water for five to 15 seconds or until the shell pops open, then place in cold water and remove the clam from its shell.

Using a knife or scissors, separate the foot and neck, keeping the mantle attached to the neck.

Remove the dark-colored tip from the neck and discard, splitting the remaining portion of the neck lengthwise. Remove the visceral mass from the foot and split the foot lengthwise. Discard the visceral mass and scrape away all dark-colored contents from inside the foot. Rinse the neck, mantle, adductor muscles and foot, and then it’s ready to prepare.

CLEANING GAPER CLAMS Using a thin, small and sharp knife, insert the blade between the shells and slide it along the edge to sever both adductor muscles. Open the shell and remove all contents. Separate the foot and neck, slicing off the dark-colored tip from the neck. Split foot lengthwise, scrape away loose interior contents, and then rinse clean. Peel dark skin from the edges of the mantle. To remove the

Cleaning a clam can take time, but is essential for optimizing the quality and flavor of the meat. Here, a softshell clam is being broken down. (SCOTT HAUGEN) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

45

NORCAL

... TO FIRE

A SHELL OF A CLAM RECIPE!

Tiffany Haugen loves not only the family fun that digging clams brings but how versatile the shellfish are for a variety of recipes. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

By Tiffany Haugen

W

ith such nice weather and so much to do in sunny California this time of year, don’t overlook the great clamming to be had. Digging clams is fun for the whole family, and cooking them up is also a great experience.

Shellfish is one of the quickest meals to prepare, taking just a few minutes on the stovetop or grill. Clams are a high-protein, low-fat, nutrient-dense food that pairs well with many ingredients. From simple steamers to mud clams chopped in chowder or ground into dip, clams are versatile.

If not eaten fresh, preserve your clams by vacuum-sealing them. Clams can be vacuum-sealed when raw or steamed. To get the best seal, partially freeze shelled clams 30 to 45 minutes prior to sealing.

Whole or minced, half-pints of clams can also be steamed and pressure-canned at 11 pounds of pressure for 60 minutes (always follow food safety guidelines for canning clams). If cooking small clams in the shell, here’s a lemon parsley clam recipe everyone will love.

2 pounds clams in the shell 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup sliced leeks 6 cloves garlic 1 cup dry white wine ½ cup chopped fresh parsley One lemon, cut in wedges Black pepper to taste For freshly dug clams, the FDA’s recommendations are to soak them for several hours in seawater (or 1/3 cup coarse kosher salt and 1 gallon water) to which you have added 1 cup cornmeal. Use kosher or sea salt as the iodine in regular salt will kill the clams before they hit the boiling water. One hour before serving, scrub clams with brush or sponge in cold water; rinse with water until free of sand (adding a little coarse salt to the water will help remove the sand from the clams).

Melt butter on medium heat in a large skillet with a lid. Sauté leeks in butter four to five minutes. Add garlic, sautéing an additional minute. Add wine and turn heat to high, bringing wine to

46 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

a boil. Add clams and cover. Cook five to seven minutes or until clamshells begin to open. Remove from heat, add parsley and a few squeezes of lemon. Discard any unopened clams before serving.

RECIPE ALTERNATIVE For an Asian flair, add 2 inches of sliced ginger, ½ tablespoon chili sauce and one stalk pounded lemongrass to the leeks.

Mussels can be substituted for clams in this recipe and recipe alternative.

Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s new book, Cooking Seafood, send a check for $20 (free S&H), to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489. This and other cookbooks can also be ordered at tiffanyhaugen.com.

To watch a video on Tiffany cooking clams, visit youtube. com/watch?v=SKyD9nxgxi8&feature=youtu.be.

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Gapers are big clams, so separately preparing the parts is a good idea, since they’ll likely be cooked differently. Briefly soaking the necks in very hot water helps the leathery, outer skin slide right off, a must before cooking them. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

leather-like skin from the neck, either freeze the necks overnight or soak for a few minutes in very hot (near boiling) water. Peel the skin away and the neck is ready to prepare for cooking.

work the clam from the shell, peel the dark skin from the mantle and neck, cut off the black tip of the neck, slit both siphons open to clean out sand, and separate the gut from the neck and mantle.

CLEANING SOFTSHELL CLAMS Smaller-sized softshell clams (also called mud clams) can be steamed and eaten whole, which is how they are commonly prepared on the East Coast, where these clams are from.

Because softshells carry a lot of sand inside – at least compared to other clams – you want to thoroughly clean larger ones prior to cooking.

Many people place clams in saltwater, add cornmeal and let sit two to three hours, which allows the clams to pump the cornmeal into their bodies and pump out the sand. This method can leave gritty cornmeal inside.

Another popular purging method is to add a quarter cup of salt for every quart of freshwater, let sit 30 to 60 minutes – or place them in clean saltwater – which allows clams to pump themselves clean of most of the sand.

Don’t let sit too long or the clams will suffocate, die and become inedible.

They can also be cleaned right after catching them by placing in boiling water for five to 15 seconds. Next, 48 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

CLEANING BUTTER CLAMS Due to the pink-colored meat and its texture, the butter clam is a favorite of many to eat. Simply cut both adductor muscles, remove from the shell and cut away the small visceral mass; what remains is edible and ready to cook.

To separate the gut, pull the neck and mantle away from the visceral mass. Next, separate the gut from the foot, scraping away any remaining internal mass, then it’s ready to prepare.

Note that the foot of butter clams are small and yield limited meat compared to the neck and mantle.

CLEANING LITTLENECK CLAMS When you order steamer clams at a restaurant, littlenecks are what you get. To prepare for steaming, place all clams in a bucket or cooler of clean saltwater and let set overnight (make sure there is plenty of water or an aerator, so the clams don’t suffocate). This will allow the clams to pump the sand out of their system and be ready for

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

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Softshelled, or mud clams, are common along the Pacific Coast, and properly cleaning them is the key to enjoying their delectable meat. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

steaming the next day.

The key to great-tasting clams begins with how well they are cleaned and taken care of. Be sure to keep clams alive up until the point of cleaning and cooking them. Vacuum-seal and freeze clam meat for longer term storage.

Clams can carry toxins, and state agencies monitor them. For the latest reports on clam biotoxins and potential area shutdowns, as well as rule changes, refer to the California Department of Public Health website, (cdph. ca.gov/healthinfo/environhealth/water/Pages/Shellfish.aspx), or call (800) 553-4133, or visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s page (dfg.ca.gov/ marine/invertebrate/bivalves.asp). To learn about current ocean conditions and wave details, check the EPA website (www2.epa.gov/beaches). CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s brand-new pocket guide book, Clamming: A How To Guide, send a check for $10 (includes S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489.

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BAY AREA

SAN FRANCISCO’S TREATS

CITY BY THE BAY’S SKYLINE, GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE AND LOTS OF TASTY BOTTOMFISH MAKE FOR A GREAT DAY ON THE WATER

By Mark Fong

B

ERKELEY–It was a typical Monday morning in the Bay Area. The traffic metering lights were in full force as commuters inched their way onto the parking lot that is the eastern span of the Bay Bridge.

But for me, it was a rare day off, and from my vantage point on the deck of the Happy Hooker, a 56-foot sportfishing boat, it was a welcome relief from the daily grind. The waters of San Francisco Bay are home to a variety of popular sportfish, in-

cluding our quarry for the day, the California halibut.

The Golden State’s version of the halibut is coveted for its excellent table fare potential. A 40-pounder is considered a real trophy, with most fish ranging between 10 and 20 pounds.

Halibut can be taken throughout the year, but the height of the fishery corresponds to the arrival of the anchovies, which historically occurs in the late spring and extends into summer.

A STOP AT THE BAIT STATION All live bait fishing trips here begin with a visit to the bait receiver locat-

With a backdrop like San Francisco’s downtown skyline (finding its way through a foggy morning), a great way to spend a summer day is fishing for halibut, which provide some of the bay’s best table fare and sporting ops, as author Mark Fong found. (MARK FONG/JONATHON SMITH)

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

53

BAY AREA ed on the dock at San Francisco’s Pier 47. For East Bay-based boats, this means a scenic if sometimes congested early morning ride across the bay.

On a clear day, the views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and downtown are spectacular.

Halibut frequent the same locations year after year. To name a few, popular spots include the Berkeley Flats, the Alameda Rockwall, Angel Island, Alcatraz, and Crissy Field.

At the helm of this morning was Capt. Jonathon Smith of Happy Hooker Sportfishing (510-2235388; happyhookersportfishing.net).

Smith, a third-generation skipper, shares responsibilities for running the operation with his father, Chris. The father-and-son team is proud to continue in the footsteps of Jonathon’s father, Jim Smith, who after a legendary career has decided to retire.

With the bait tanks full of anchovies, Smith steered the boat towards the outer edge of the Berkeley Flats.

GEARING UP Drift fishing with live bait is simple and highly effective. The objective is to present your anchovy to the halibut by keeping it close to the bottom as the boat drifts with the tide.

Sounds simple, but it does require specific tackle, from the rod and reel

Steaming through San Francisco Bay with the Bay Bridge and Yerba Buena and Treasure Islands in the background. (MARK FONG)

to the terminal tackle. Halibut are powerful fish, requiring a rod with a soft tip and strong backbone. The rod must also be able to handle heavy sinker weights. A rod like the Cousins Tackle F270 7-footer fits the bill nicely when matched with an Avet SX MC G2 reel filled with 50-pound FINS braided line.

Before we dropped our lines in the water, Smith showed me how to tie the terminal set-up. To one end of a three-way swivel, Smith ties a 36to 48-inch leader of 20-pound fluorocarbon line. To the other end of

Avet makes the kind of heavy-duty reel to handle halibut, which in California waters can go up to 40 pounds. (MARK FONG)

the leader he attaches a No. 2 to 1/0 live bait-style hook using a perfection loop knot.

Leaving nothing to chance, I have had good success using Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon line and a super-sharp Gamakatsu Octopus hook. The second end of the swivel features a 12inch dropper finished with a small snap to attach the sinker. Depending on the depth of the water and the speed of the current, a 4- to 8-ounce torpedo sinker is standard. Heavier sinkers may be required when fishing deeper and in stronger current.

The remaining loop of the swivel is affixed to the mainline.

LET’S GO FISHING Halibut are finicky eaters and a fresh, lively anchovy will increase your odds of success. Rig the anchovy by carefully inserting the hook into the bottom lip of the bait and exiting at the top of the nose.

With our baits dragging and bouncing off the bottom, it was only a matter of time before the fish began to cooperate. Halibut fishing is an exercise in patience. Halibut attack their prey from the tail first. As a result, setting the hook too soon can be counterproductive.

“Leave your rod in the rod hold54 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

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Ian Rigler with a halibut double caught in San Francisco Bay. (MARK FONG)

er,” Smith tips. “Wait until the rod loads up before you take it out of the holder. By holding the rod, you will tend to react too quickly. Anchovies that are ‘scratched’ or mouthed need to be discarded and replaced.”

Halibut are very responsive to tidal movement. Big tides can muddy the water, making smaller tidal swings optimal for fishing. Once the tide reached its key period, the halibut started to bite as if a light switch went on. Smith and his deckhand were busy as the halibut hit the deck. Once the tide stopped, so did the flurry.

Seeking a better bite, Smith made course for the Alameda Rockwall.

The undersized fish were on a good bite, though legal-sized halibut were harder to come by. Before returning to the dock, Smith returned to our morning location, and the move paid off with several more keepers.

By nature, fisheries are cyclical, and the halibut population in the bay’s waters is on a strong upswing.

According to Smith, this is the best halibut season in 10 years, and with all the shakers in the system he expects the fishing to be good for years to come. CS

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NOTES San Francisco Bay anglers are in the midst of some of the best halibut fishing in more than a decade. One of the most effective ways to catch these prized flatfish is with live bait. Drift anchovies close to bottom structure using this simple set-up.

To construct the rig, start with a three-way swivel. Tie a 3- to 4-foot length of 20-pound fluorocarbon leader to one end of the swivel. On the opposite end of the leader, attach a No. 2 to 1/0 Gamakatsu octopus hook using a perfection loop knot. On the second end of the swivel, attach a 12-inch length of 10-pound monofilament, creating a dropper to attach the weight.

Tie a small snap to the end of the dropper for a quick weight change or to remove the sinker while in transit. A 4- to 8-ounce torpedo sinker is standard. Match the sinker weight to the depth, current and wind. Tie the mainline to the third end of the swivel. Pin a lively anchovy through the jaw and the rig is ready to fish. –Mark Fong

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58 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

SIERRA

LEFT AT THE ALTAR

IN THE SIERRAS FOR A WEDDING, A FLYRODDER’S HOPES FOR MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN FACE HIGH-WATER TEST

The author’s sidetrip to the Sierra’s Truckee and Yuba Rivers was supposed to make for a fun stopover for a few trout on his way to a wedding, but snowpack runoff did not lead to fly fishing bliss. (JEFF LUND

By Jeff Lund

I

t was either absolute skill, or absolute luck. Or maybe one of those times you have enough skill and experience to put yourself in the position to be lucky. Well, then maybe that’s not really luck…

Anyway, the Truckee River was big and fast – almost angry. Still, I had been dreaming about fishing it on the way to my cousin’s wedding, so its mood didn’t matter.

The plan was to hit the Truckee on my way to Sierra City, where I’d stay in a cabin on the North Fork of the

Yuba River. Perfect. Runoff from the epic winter would make it difficult, but I reminded myself that some of my best days have come when the water was raging.

My first silly-good day fly fishing was on the Upper Sacramento about three years into my fly fishing experience. At that point I was good enough to know what I was doing and could identify fishy water and how to get my fly into it. I worked the slowest water I could find, doubled the weight I thought I needed to get the flies down and proceeded to catch a half-dozen 18-inch trout – three

browns, three rainbows – in two hours. I couldn’t believe it. It totally made sense, but my fishing stories are usually based on some sort of chaos or stupidity, not success, especially at that point of my angling career.

THINGS CHANGE As I pulled into my favorite turnout off Interstate 80, I rigged up and looked for the slowest, deepest water I knew could work well. I didn’t have sinking line, but I still chose a medium-weight streamer. I cast on the edge of the fast water with a bit of a high-stick method, let it drift,

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59

SIERRA

then dropped the rod tip and started stripping in the fly. Sure enough on the third cast, about 10 feet downriver from the rock on which I stood, boom. Fish on.

The streamer had swung directly downriver from me and the few rocks that were blocking the current, creating a break from the fast water.

The fish was no more than 4 feet from the shore.

It was a 17-inch rainbow shaped like a bus. It wasn’t one of those pretty, torpedo-shaped fish built for efficiency; this thing meant business.

I had allotted 30 minutes to fish the Truckee before I would continue to the North Fork Yuba, so I fished a few more pockets haphazardly, probably because I had scored such a great fish in conditions that were less than ideal. I had already won.

Feeling really good about myself and contemplating that whole skill versus luck thing, is having a good plan luck? I proceeded to get shut out on the Yuba as well. I shrugged it off and counted the first hour a scouting mission and nothing less. No big deal.

ANOTHER FAILURE The next morning I got serious. And got seriously skunked. Again.

I adjusted my methods to the water – super-fast water, but churning white and relentless, unlike the Truckee. I tried the edges and pockets with varying amounts of weight and patterns. Nothing.

As awesome as I felt about scoring a fish when I was more focused on the fact that I was fishing rather than really hardcore fishing, I felt equally as disheartened about not catching a

60 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

The Truckee River is usually a good spot for anglers to catch a few rainbows. Not this time. An alert local observer (inset) may or may not have mocked Lund as he kept leaving runs empty-handed. (JEFF LUND)

fish when I really tried to catch a fish.

It’s hard to know what to do with that. I guess it was humbling, but I didn’t feel as though my ego was out of control after that bruiser on the Truckee. I didn’t feel like I deserved a heat check. I’d posted a picture on Instagram, of course, but since when does that necessitate a thorough beating like I took on the Yuba?

SILVER LINING? I ended up getting a fish, 10 minutes before I changed for the wedding – by the river, of course – but it was of such insulting smallness it would have fit through the web of the rub-

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A long drive from Reno to Montana’s Madison River to fish with friends eventually led to some nice trout for the author – who only got skunked again when he returned to the Truckee. Fishing’s never a sure thing. (JEFF LUND)

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ber net. So it goes with fishing: Some days are good, some days aren’t, and as the horribly cliché phrase goes – you know where I’m going with this.

The good thing about it all, though, is the more frequently you fish, the more likely you are to see the pendulum swing in the other direction. The morning after the wedding, my buddy Kurt, his wife and her cousin picked me up in Reno for a drive to West Yellowstone for four days and five nights on the legendary rivers of southwestern Montana.

The blue-ribbon Madison River was everything I could have wanted it to be. It supplied plenty of goodsized brown and rainbow trout. Maybe that’s because I was good again, or maybe because it just has that many fish and only an amateur would not catch trout there.

Well, consider this: Kurt and I returned to California few days later, feeling like exceptionally proficient anglers for having had such success on new water.

The day before I headed back to Alaska, we did a day trip to the Truckee, where I’d started my trip south with that big, confidence-boosting rainbow.

We fished for four hours and caught absolutely nothing. CS Editor’s note: Jeff Lund lives in Ketchikan, Alaska and grew up in that corner of the Last Frontier, but he’s also an adopted son of Central California in Manteca. He’s the author of the fishing book Going Home, which you can find on amazon.com.

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CENTRAL VALLEY

HERE COMES THE COTTONTAIL

JULY’S OPENER FOR RABBITS SIGNIFIES UNOFFICIAL KICKOFF TO HUNTING SEASON

By Tim E. Hovey

W

ith summer in full swing, my family and I try to make the most of our free weekends. Fishing trips to the coast, camping with friends and the occasional barbecue are all frequent family activities for us when the weather warms and the days get longer.

Despite these good times and summer plans, my family and friends know to not plan anything that includes me on the first day of July: the cottontail rabbit opener.

For me, it’s a holiday and I will take the day off of work should the first fall on a weekday. Even though the opener sits smack dab in the middle of summer, it’s the time of year that begins to stir the hunter in me once again. To be honest, after months without a game season to hunt and look forward to, July 1 is more important to me than Christmas.

No one suffers this interruption in all space and time more than my mother, who had the misfortune of being born on the cottontail opener, or what she likes to call her birthday. She has become used to receiving a morning call from me in the wild, usually after I’ve scored a limit, wishing her a happy birthday. It has become our “thing,” and, in all seriousness, she really didn’t have a choice.

WITH LITTLE TO PURSUE in the offseason (pigs are one of the few options), July signifies the beginning of hunting season to me. Using information gathered during a handful of scouting trips, I’ll arrive at my chosen spot before day-

Jose De Orta and his son, Adrian, show off a haul of cottontail rabbits. Not only does this small game provide a great opportunity to introduce a young hunter to the sport, the July 1 opener kickstarts the hunting season. (TIM E. HOVEY) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

65

CENTRAL VALLEY

Rabbits are more active in the early morning and late evening. They usually can be found near a water source, but finding cover where the animals can hunker through midday’s heat is also something for hunters to consider. (TIM E. HOVEY)

break on the day of the opener. As the sun peeks over the horizon and things begin to move, I begin the hunt.

Earlier this year, I planned a late-season hunt with my good friend Jose De Orta and his son, Adrian.

During the dove season opener, we had noticed that the area also held a tremendous number of cottontails, as the wide, dry drainage held great timber and cottontail habitat on both banks. We could easily walk the dry river and kick up rabbits. On a rare open weekend for both Jose, and myself we made plans to kick the bushes for bunnies.

Arriving early, we instantly noticed a problem: The riverbed that had been nothing but dry sand and gravel in the seven years we’ve been hunting it, now was a raging river

and running bank to bank. Runoff from late-winter rains, enough to essentially end the California drought, had found their way to the Central Valley flatlands; every drainage was now flooded.

We didn’t expect much success with the surrounding rabbit habitat under several feet of water. We drove around to the far side and kicked through the bushes. We spotted a few rabbits, but I knew scoring limits on this hunt would be tough.

By noon we had three rabbits, 12 short of our three-person limit, so to increase our chances, we split up.

Jose and Adrian hiked through some new territory we had never hunted before; I kicked around our old dove hunting grounds.

Within an hour I knew I was in

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match for me.

July 1 is also essentially the very first day of the hunting season. Before you head out, make sure you pick up your new hunting license. Wardens will be out checking hunters during the first day of the season. In fact, I have been checked by enforcement during the cottontail opener more than any other time of year. TH

Cottontail rabbit season is the longest of any game species available to California hunters. From the July 1 opener, the season runs for the next seven months, ending January 28. The daily limit is five rabbits, and they are one of my favorite game animals to eat, so it’s a pretty good

66 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

the wrong spot. I had heard no less than 20 shots from where Jose and Adrian were hunting. I had seen one rabbit in my area and he was way out of range. I decided to turn around and hunt where the game was.

When I reached the truck where we had separated, I saw six rabbits hunkered in the shade underneath the rig. I loaded the rabbits into the cooler and drove over towards the top of the hunting area. Jose met me at the road and told me the vegetated strip next to the raging creek was loaded with bunnies.

We spent the last few hours of the day working the elongated section of habitat next to the river. With some considerable effort, we were each able to scratch out limits, with Adrian killing his first limit of cottontails as a new hunter. After a few great photos, we taught Adrian how to clean his game.

COTTONTAIL RABBITS ARE FAIRLY easy to find. They live in a variety of habitats and can be abundant in areas where they persist. Essentially, if you find one or two rabbits in an area, chances are good that many

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CENTRAL VALLEY

While waiting for fall seasons and bigger critters to open, rabbits take center stage this month. Bagging a limit should help build your appetite for big game hunts, not to mention fill your belly with delicious wild game meat, as the author and his buddies (above) and daughter Jessica (left) experienced. (TIM E. HOVEY)

occupy the location.

They have adapted well to the presence of man and are often spotted in suburban gardens or manmade debris piles. They usually create burrows next to or beneath outbuildings or sheds, using these structures to escape predators.

Rabbits inhabiting wild areas will occupy habitat near a water source.

Sage, rabbit bush and other native vegetation is where they call home. If you find their tracks or small, round scat in an area, that’s where I’d start hunting.

Rabbits are more active in the early morning and late evening. During the heat of the day, they will usually hunker down or head underground where it’s cooler. Hunters hoping to put meat in the cooler will have more success if they hunt early or later in the day.

Small-caliber rifle hunters can do well sitting above a drainage in the early morning and glassing the shadows for feeding rabbits. A scoped .22 is

an ideal firearm for this type of hunting. If you wish to extend your range, try using the recently introduced .17 HMR. This is a smaller, faster cartridge than the .22, and it’s very accurate on a rabbit-sized target out to 200 yards.

Just keep in mind that the speed of the .17 HMR makes it a less than meat-friendly round at close range.

Walking through good habitat and kicking the bushes with a shotgun is also an excellent way to hunt rabbits. Shots are usually quick, and swinging a shotgun in rabbit country will definitely sharpen your snapshooting skills. Scatterguns in .410, 20 or 12 gauge loaded with shells in 7s or 8s are perfect for anchoring bunnies on the run.

After the hunt, make sure you take care of the meat. Rabbits are relatively easy to clean and the meat should be put on ice as soon as possible. It’s a cliché but accurate: Rabbit meat does cook up just like chicken and will pick up the flavor of just

68 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

about any marinade. We’ve enjoyed preparing it fried, baked and slowcooked in a stew. The meat is very lean, so be careful not to overcook it.

IF YOU’RE NEW TO hunting or know someone who is, chasing cottontails is a great way to expose budding hunters to the outdoors. If you pick the right area, shot opportunities will be abundant, and with a little practice the chances for success are high.

If you’re an experienced hunter and are planning to hunt the cottontail opener, take a new hunter with you. It’s a relatively easy hunt and hiking can be tempered to the condition and experience of those just getting into the activity. We need to engage those interested in our passion as frequently as possible, and the cottontail opener is the perfect time to do so.

Besides, I’m willing to bet that most of us started along the hunter’s path chasing rabbits; I know I did. CS

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

69

BEST OF LAKE ISABELLA CROSSROADS MINI MART AT LAKE ISABELLA

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All campgrounds are open with some reservable and many on a first-come basis.

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SOCAL California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists work Castaic Lake with an electroshock boat for research purposes. Charting the popular fishery’s piscine populations provides trends and other data to study. (TIM E. HOVEY)

KEEPING TABS AT CASTAIC ELECTRO-SHOCKING SURVEYS HELP MONITOR POPULAR SOCAL LAKE

By Tim E. Hovey

E

ach year, environmental scientists evaluate populations of fish and game species throughout California.

These population estimates are compared to harvest numbers, information supplied by hunters and anglers, and adjusted if needed for the upcoming fish and game season.

Wildlife numbers are frequently adjusted – up or down – for each hunting season, depending on these population estimates.

Fisheries limits, size restrictions and seasons are more consistent year to year, but are adjusted accordingly when field

information warrants it.

While my position with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife involves nongame species, I frequently assist other scientists with their population assessments of our state’s inland freshwater sport fisheries.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE To properly survey a body of water, scientists must take a snapshot of the size, number and weight of each species in it. The easiest and most efficient way to do this is by spotshocking with an electro-shocking boat. Randomly selected sites are surveyed for a specific amount

of time, and this site data can be extrapolated to represent the entire lake’s population.

The specialized craft is a 20foot pontoon boat with a generator mounted at the back. The generator produces the electrical current needed to shock fish during the survey. Just prior to the survey start, two electric arrays are swung into position at about the 10 and 2 o’clock position at the front of the boat. This focuses the current near the front of the craft.

A high-capacity livewell is mounted in the center of the craft and serves as a work area while data is collected. During sampling, fish are netted and placed in the livewell. The

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

73

SOCAL two-person data team will record the species, measure and then weigh each fish before releasing them near the back of the boat.

The front of the boat has a wide bow platform for the netters to stand on. The bow area is also rigged with a rail to keep the crew at the front safe.

The netters initiate the current and are responsible for collecting the stunned fish and transferring them to the live well. Stunned fish will usually turn belly-up in the water column and are easy to collect with long handled nets.

After the data is recorded, the fish are released unharmed.

A SHOCKING INVITATION Reservoir biologist Russell Black frequently conducts these types of population estimates annually in many Southern California lakes.

Randomly selecting survey sites and strictly adhering to the effort seconds of the survey, Russ can accurately estimate population health and overall fish density of any lake.

Last month, Russ contacted me asking if I was interested in helping out on a nighttime population estimate of Castaic Lake in Los Angeles County.

Before I could answer, he wanted to make sure that I also invited my daughter, Alyssa, along as well. She first volunteered in 2016, and at the end of the trip Russ mentioned that her work ethic and positive attitude earned a return trip anytime.

Alyssa and I drove to the launch ramp an hour before sundown. We met the rest of the group and got aboard the shocking boat. We suited up in slickers and personal flotation devices and slowly pulled away from the dock. A second shocking boat would focus their efforts near the launch ramp. We headed to the other end of the lake for our survey.

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT Upper Castaic Lake was as flat as glass as we made the 30-minute run to the east side of the lake. By the time we pulled into the randomly selected

An evening shift at Castaic means searching for everything from largemouth bass (below) and catfish to carp and bluegill. (TIM E. HOVEY)

cove, it was dark. The floodlights lit up the rocky shore and baitfish scattered near the bank. Recent heavy rains and a major lake level increase left most of the coves choked with floating debris. These areas were not ideal for spot shocking.

After a bit of searching, and referencing some backup spots, we found a section of the lake we could survey. Our four-person team was split up into two groups; Ian and Mike would be on the bow netting fish first, and Alyssa and myself would be on the data team. Russ would pilot the boat and man the generator.

The surveys involve running close to shore and shocking for a period of 600 effort seconds. The netters would collect all stunned fish within reach and transfer them to the holding tanks, where Alyssa and I would take

74 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

down the data.

Once we got started, it wasn’t long before largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish were swimming in the holding tank. Without hesitation, Alyssa netted a 4-pound bass out of the live well, grabbed it and placed it on the measuring board. After a brief struggle, she read off the length and gently placed the fish on the scale. After recording its weight, she released the bass.

For the next two hours of the survey, Alyssa wrestled all the fish from the livewell and I took the data while the netters kept the fish coming.

MONSTER CARP OF THE DEEP At the halfway point, we decided to switch the team tasks. Alyssa and I moved to the bow to net fish for the next three stations.

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SOCAL

This is a team effort, with two members in the front of the boat who net the fish and put them in a livewell, while another pair records the various species and sizes. (TIM E. HOVEY)

Russ slid the boat, bow first, into a dark cove. He fired up the generator and the floodlights lit up the shore instantly. Alyssa and I leaned over the bow rail with the long nets and waited. Once the boat was in position, Russ gave the word and we hit the charge pedals at the front of the boat.

As soon as the water was charged, a large carp flipped sideways right in front of Alyssa. “Big fish!” she screamed, getting the front half of the 25-pound monster in her net.

I raced over and put the back half of the large carp in my net, and together we hoisted it on board.

We stopped sampling and took some photos of the beast. We released the carp after it was weighed and measured. Russ mentioned that it was one of the largest he’s sampled in any lake.

Alyssa did great at the bow and hauled in her fair share of fish. Our survey crew was able to complete the six random stations on Castaic in about three and a half hours. After combining the data we collected with that collected on the other boat, Russ could develop a great understanding of the lake health for this season.

We stowed all the shocking gear and headed back to the launch. It had been a great evening survey and I was proud of how Alyssa had again jumped in and helped wherever she was needed.

A few days later Russ called to ask if I could send him the photos I’d taken during the survey. He again thanked me for bringing Alyssa and told me she is welcome on the boat anytime.

“I’ll be honest with you, Tim: Alyssa is better on the surveys than

76 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

95 percent of the people who are paid to be there,” he said.

KEEPING TABS ON FISHERIES The data we collected is important in understanding the health of Castaic Lake. The size classes of each species observed during the survey gives fisheries scientists a great idea of how healthy each is. The absence or presence of forage fish also gives biologists an idea of the health of the entire ecosystem. Finally, maintaining a regular annual data set on fish health in a particular lake can give biologists a heads up when shifts in data may indicate an issue.

Our diverse fisheries program here in Southern California is responsible for managing and monitoring all freshwater species, both game and nongame. We conduct routine surveys to make sure we maintain a pulse

The author and his daughter, Alyssa Hovey, were part of this expedition at Castaic and managed to collect some big bass and carp. (TIM E. HOVEY)

on the health of the resources we’re responsible for. Whether it’s a stocked trout, a threatened frog or huge carp, our fisheries team helps keep these resources healthy and available for all Californians to enjoy. CS Editor’s note: At press time, CDFW biologist Russell Black had yet to crunch Castaic survey results, but said the overall health of the lake looks good and it’s unlikely any management suggestions will be made. calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

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SOCAL

THE BEST OF THE BAY

THE HARBOR SURROUNDING SAN DIEGO OFFERS MANY FISH SPECIES JUST WAITING TO BE CAUGHT

Shovelnose guitarfish and needlefish are just two hard-fighting exotics that anglers who head out onto San Diego Bay can get into. (BILL SCHAEFER)

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

S

an Diego’s harbor is known for being home to one of the largest sportfishing fleets in California, with scads of boats venturing out from this secluded bay to chase many different species of fish.

That said, the waters inside San Diego Bay are also home to several varieties. It is a great place to take on a lot of fish with light tackle, as well as test your skills if you hook a giant. Don’t be fooled, big fish of many species and unique ones too live here.

The bay has all three species of bass: calico, sand bass and spotted bay bass. But if you head south of the Coronado Bridge, this is where the odds of catching something unique increases exponentially. The bay is also home to corbina, shortfin cor-

vina, halibut, croaker, bonito, barracuda, and various bat rays. You may also get lucky and land a needlefish or jack crevalle. Although the latter has been not seen in years, they have been here. And the trophy of the southern end of the harbor is the elusive San Diego Bay bonefish!

So what can you do to catch these exotics? Well, a lot of these fish will come as incidental bites while fishing for bass. In fact, if you just go fishing for spotted bay bass, every species I’ve listed and even some I forgot to mention will eat the same artificial baits.

If you’re a lake fisherman just starting out, you can even use your same gear down here. I’ll use a Daiwa medium-action 7-foot spinning rod with 20- to 30-pound braided line to keep the twist down, plus a Maxima fluorocarbon leader in about 8- to

12-pound test. For a great all-around bait, small, 3- to 4-inch swimbaits work well. A favorite color of mine is chartreuse or some variation that includes it.

If you just go bass fishing, you will catch everything above and then some. It could be giant halibut to test your skills, corvina that take to the air at times, or bonefish that will pull drag like no other fish you will hook.

The south bay is a giant flat that is about 12 to 15 feet deep, wide and long. Half the fun will be exploring it, but remember that the tidal movement does make a difference, and a nice, medium 3- or 4-foot swing, in or out, is best. If you make this area one of your regular fishing haunts, then you will start catching all the different species there for the taking. CS

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80 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

TOP-SHELF CHOICES

With summer temperatures heating up, bass are likely to strike various versions of topwater lures.

(BILL SCHAEFER)

WITH TEMPS HEATING UP, TOPWATER BASS ACTION SHOULD SIZZLE

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

A

s water temperatures heat up now that summer has arrived, the morning topwater bite at most Southern California lakes should rise along with the thermometer.

Bass are schooling up after the spawn into wolfpacks, roaming the shallows and eating everything in their path. These hungry fish will swallow up schools of bass fry and

fingerlings, along with shad and bluegill. A trip down the bank in the gray light of morning could produce some fun action and hopefully a few larger bass at the end of your line. In the shadows and low light, bigger bass will venture into the shallows to feed.

There are so many lures for fishing the shallows, with every angler tying on his or her favorite, but sometimes it takes a noisy bait and others a more subtle presentation.

SOCAL Examples are as simple as a classic Pop-R or a Zara Spook, pitting popping action versus gliding action.

At times you can go with a lot of commotion and use a buzzbait, which calls the bass out of their lair.

The type of shoreline will also dictate what bait to throw, but you can be as aggressive as you want in any situation, even if you do have to go in and retrieve your bait off a tree branch.

I personally love throwing a buzzbait, especially if there are stickups and/or young tule growth scattered in the water. Bouncing baits off those stickups seems to excite the bass and call them up for dinner. There’s also the exciting topwater explosion and taking of the bait. Frequently, the best situation can be a little ripple on the surface in the morning, which breaks up the bass’s view of what’s above the water and when they are not as wary. If there is any structure, you want to bounce baits off of it or pass lures as close by as possible.

As the sun rises, the topwater bite always seems to drop off, but you just need to fish the right shoreline as long as you can. You still need to think about the structure along the shore. Is it casting shade or is it thick cover for the bass?

Fish may just be hunkered down in some thick shoreline grass that you can call them out of with a buzzbait or popping bait. Think about presentation as you troll down the shore. Remember that passing your lure as close to structure as you can should cause a strike as you enter the fish’s zone.

Equipment is important too, and you want to be able to pull the bass out of that cover. I fish with a 7-foot Daiwa Tatula rod and reel loaded with either Daiwa or Maxima 50- or 60-pound braided line. If I feel the need for a leader, Maxima fluorocarbon line is the way to go. You can also go to spinning gear if that is your preference and maybe drop to 25-pound braid. It lets you throw light topwater lures a little easier.

Now go get them! CS

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SOCAL

ARCHERS GO TO SUMMER SCHOOL AS HUNTING SEASONS LOOM, HERE’S HOW BOWMEN SHOULD PREP

By Albert Quackenbush

A

s the temperatures rise and antlers develop, deer hunters are looking to fall seasons. The deadlines to put in for our tags have passed and we know the units we want to hunt. We look over our gear, make new purchases and spend more time at the range.

Now it’s time to start scouting, set up trail cameras and look hard at maps to find that honey hole. Let’s face it: We all don’t get out as much

as we would like to, but now is a great time to change that. We need to make it more enjoyable, and there are many ways to do that.

New bowhunters are usually quick learners who simply need guidance and encouragement. Just a few weeks ago, I got a message from a young gentleman I met at Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga during one of my seminars. He wanted to see if I would like to get together to practice. My answer was simple: “Sure!”

Practice makes perfect! The author dresses in his usual hunting attire and gets in some offseason archery practice to get ready for the coming seasons. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH)

We met up at the local range to not only practice but get to know one another a bit.

Another time, a seminar attendee brought his dad out to shoot. The father is just starting out, but he did the right thing and shot many bows before choosing the one that fit him

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SOCAL the best. We shot a lot of rounds and had a great time getting to know one another. Plus, his dad nearly outshot us at the end of the day!

HONING YOUR SKILLS It is quite an enjoyable experience sharing the practice range with like-minded people. Practice as often as you can and invite your friends!

Like we did, make it a friendly competition and see who can hit the smallest target at a specified distance. You may not be the best, but it will make you focus more and challenge you. Here’s a quick tip: Bring your own target to the range. Typically, straw bales are not meant to withstand arrows shot from high-powered compound bows.

The arrows will embed in the rubber backstops. You’ll thank me later.

BE A GOOD SCOUT Now that you are practicing more, you need to figure out where the deer are. You need to start scouting – and you’ll need the right gear to do it well.

Last month at Bass Pro Shops, I talked about scouting and optics. It is one of my favorite topics to discuss because there is no right or wrong way to do it, but if you follow some simple rules it can be highly enjoyable.

It was a pleasure talking with other hunters and sharing my experiences. I cannot wait to hear about their successful hunts this year! That being said, scouting involves more than just buying a pair of binoculars and searching hillsides for deer.

Shed antlers can tell you if you’re in the right spot for nonmigratory deer. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH)

EYES ON THE HILLS – AT HOME AND AFIELD Knowing where to start scouting can be difficult at best because of the drought we’ve had in the last few years. This year should be great for scouting due to all the rain and greenery on the hillsides. It will also make hunting a bit more enjoyable than past years, but it’ll take a couple years for the deer to rebound. Let’s hope for more rain over the next few years.

For now, start scouting by looking at Google Earth satellite imagery,

Buy the best binoculars you can afford, even if you have to skimp a bit on the trail cameras. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH)

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It will take awhile for game to recover from the long drought, but better days are ahead, thanks to the plentiful moisture greening up California.

(ALBERT QUACKENBUSH)

topographical maps and onXmaps for water holes, deep gorges or high points with good food sources. That’s your starting point, but be sure to talk to biologists and other hunters and get on the online forums. Good information on where to scout can be found all around; you simply have to be willing to make an effort.

GEAR TIPS Quality optics and trail cameras are a hot topic, and while I recommend buying quality, you have to evaluate your situation. It involves evaluating what your budget is. Buy the best binoculars you can afford and, if you have to, skimp a bit on the trail cameras. Along with the binoculars, get yourself a decent tripod and a binocular mount that will fit your optics.

As far as I am concerned, you can pass on the spotting scope for hunting in SoCal and focus on utilizing two eyes versus one. Trail cameras are great, but having quality optics should be your first priority.

No matter how often you practice or go scouting, each time is better than sitting on the couch and hoping luck will find you when the season rolls around. Make the effort and you will be rewarded. The harder you work, the better off you’ll be. Enjoy the process, have fun and prepare yourself to be as successful as possible. That will make all the difference. CS Editor’s note: For more on the author, check out socalbowhunter.com.

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Joel Harris from Zeiss optics helps a student sight in her rifle during the She Hunts Skills Camp, which author Brittany Boddington co-founded to help women get “a strong foundation to become confident and independent hunters.” (AUGUST PETERS)

THESE GALS GOT SKILLS! THE SHE HUNTS SKILLS CAMP BRINGS TOGETHER OUTDOOR VETERANS AND NEWCOMERS

By Brittany Boddington

I

’ve always known that I was lucky to have had my father as a mentor to guide me into the hunting world, but over the years I’ve realized some women are not as lucky.

The She Hunts Skills Camp that we recently held in Texas was born to help give these ladies a strong foundation to become confident and

independent hunters. It was just an idea of mine for a long time until I joined up with Shannon Lansdowne as my partner, and we took off running with it.

Lansdowne is an accomplished hunter with a dad who mentored her in the same way mine did for me, but from the opposite perspective. Her dad was an outfitter in British Columbia for the better part of 40

years. She started guiding at an early age and her dad taught her everything he knew. We decided to make this camp into a fun and educational place for women to come and learn about hunting.

THE BASICS We brainstormed for months about what to include and narrowed down the massive list to a plethora of do’s

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Camp co-founder Shannon Lansdowne teaches field dressing to the youngest student at the Texas-based camp, 11-year-old Gracie. (AUGUST PETERS)

and don’ts covering gun handling, safety and maintenance, mounting a scope, sighting in a rifle, shooting rest methods, basics of hunting and stalking, wild game cooking, field dressing, shotgun shooting, and wilderness medicine. We threw in some fun additions, like a wine-pairing seminar and some sunset game tours, to keep everyone relaxed and ensure they have a good time. One key element that we decided early on was to make sure that we equipped all the participants with top-of-the-line gear that they could actually use in the field once they got home. The bag of goodies that we named the “swag bag” ended up with a value around $1,500, which everyone absolutely loved.

The first camp was a huge success, and we also learned a ton. We didn’t completely understand our demographic in the beginning, but it became clear that there are a ton of women out there who would love to get more comfortable with firearms and the outdoors.

We had some very experienced hunters who were interested in sharpening their skills, and some ladies who had never been hunting but liked the idea. We had ages rang-

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING A selection of comments from participants from the first She Hunts Camp: “I loved everything about this camp!”

“I can’t wait to do it again!”

“An amazing experience at a fantastic location put on by wonderful, caring women!”

“It was a great experience and one I look forward to participating again.”

“I enjoyed meeting other women and building relationships and skills that we can apply together. I made some friends that I will plan hunt trips with.”

“I feel more confident shooting and even more proud to be a hunter as a woman.”

The campers enjoyed themselves, but what pleased the author so much was how eager everyone was to learn about hunting and how to handle a gun. “We had some ladies who were afraid of guns,” Boddington wrote, “but they ended the camp saying that they were going to go to the range on their own now.” (AUGUST PETERS)

“It was amazing.”

“I learned more than I thought I would.”

“Learning useful skills that I will be able to apply during my time in the field. Making memories with like-minded people who share the same interests.”

“I walked away from each seminar with something new and useful.”

“An amazing, confidence-boosting experience. I feel much more independent and knowledgeable about hunting, sighting, skinning, gun rests, etc., than I did before I came to She Hunts.

I would absolutely recommend She Hunts to every level of female hunter!”

“Thank you for a wonderful experience!”

88 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

“If they want to be around industry professionals, learn, have fun, and walk away with a hands-on experience, then they should sign up” “Being an avid hunter, I still learned many new things” “I learned a lot; even though I am an avid hunter and have done most of the things, I still found value” “Meeting other ladies that are interested in similar activities. It provided an immediate comfort level that you don’t always get with other groups.”

“I am new to hunting so I wasn’t sure what to expect. After this week I would feel more comfortable hunting.”

“It is a fabulous camp and I would highly recommend it.”

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ing from 11 to 65 with us, and the most amazing part was that they all got along. Somehow the desire for knowledge and the passion for the outdoors brought them all together.

A DEVELOPING BOND

The hosts and professional hunter Steve Rann greet camp guests, and Rann (below) leads a seminar on gun cleaning. The camp was held at the 777 Ranch in Hondo, Texas. (AUGUST PETERS)

We watched in astonishment as the ladies developed friendships that may last a lifetime. The more experienced hunters would jump in to help the newer ones, and there were no stupid questions, so everyone felt safe asking things that they said they had always wanted to know but were too afraid to ask in the past.

The results continued to astonish Lansdowne and myself as the camp went on. We had some ladies who were afraid of guns, but they ended the camp saying that they were going to go to the range on their own now since they had enjoyed shooting for the first time ever.

We also had a non-hunter take not only her first animal but then she took her second! We had ladies who had never hunted leave the camp saying that they had decided that they were now bonafide hunters.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED For my partner and I, it was a dream come true – a vision that really pulled at our heartstrings since we are both so passionate about bringing women into the outdoors. Besides our personal enthusiasm we now realize that this is our mission and that there is a need.

We are already busy planning the next few camps for 2018 and we hope for a long future for She Hunts.

If you would like more information, or to join us, please visit SheHunts. com for all the current information, as well as tons of photos and videos from the last camp. We can’t wait to see what She Hunts can do!

Editor’s note: Brittany Boddington is a Los Angeles-based journalist, hunter and adventurer. For more, check out brittanyboddington.com and facebook.com/brittanyboddington. CS 90 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

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Wing Training

HUNTING

S

tarting at eight weeks of age I like introducing a wing to a pup.

If this happens at nine or 10 weeks, GUN DOGGIN’ 101 that’s fine, but you

By Scott Haugen want to introduce it at a young age so they learn what a wing smells like.

When introducing a wing for the first time, do it calmly. You don’t want the pup getting all fired up and out of control. Remember, in last month’s column we keyed on teaching the sit, stay and come commands. Introducing a wing is done while simultaneously reinforcing these control commands, as the pup, even at this young age, must learn what restraint is and what it looks like in various situations.

INTRODUCE THE WING by holding it in your hand. Don’t toss it on the ground or throw it where the pup has to run after it. You want to be in control and make sure the pup is comfortable with the new object.

Some pups take the whole wing in their mouth right away; some may be wary of big primary feathers.

Make sure the wing is cut at a joint, not broken. Bird wing bones are hollow, and if a pup chomps down on sharp, broken edges of a bone, it can be a setback.

Hold the pup in your lap and bring the wing to it. Let the pup smell the wing; if it wants to mouth it, great, let it. If the pup takes to it right away, then set the pup down and move the wing around to see if the pup will follow it. This builds interest and capitalizes on the pup’s natural desires, while at the same time teaching restraint.

If the pup will take the wing in its mouth, let it have it. It’s OK to

Tying a bird wing to a fishing pole helps the pup focus on the wing so it doesn’t associate it with you, the trainer. It’s a good way to bring out the pup’s instincts to stalk, pounce, point and track objects in the air.

(SCOTT HAUGEN)

initially let the pup run with the wing. This is how it learns to run with the object and carry it so as not to trip over any long feathers.

Starting with a wing from a smaller game bird, like a dove, quail or teal, can be good, especially while the pup is gaining its coordination.

Let the pup have the wing for 30 seconds or so, and as you approach, calmly say “Sit ... stay.” Again, this builds on last month’s column’s objectives, while letting the pup know you’re the boss. If the pup tries to run off, be more stern with your voice.

When the pup gives up the wing to you, praise it. That’s it for training session number one.

Repeat the same thing two days later. Each session is less than two minutes. The two objectives are to

take the wing away from the pup while it still desires it, and to let it know you are in control. As a result, the pup is learning restraint while still having fun with the wing.

KEEP WINGS FROM several of your game birds. I keep a collection in the freezer just for wing introduction and training. Doves, pigeons, quail, pheasant, chukar, a variety of ducks – even geese – are all good to have on-hand, and carry different smells.

Bigger wings can be introduced as the pup grows.

As the pup gains more interest, tie a wing to a fishing pole. I’ll usually do this on training session number three or four. The goal is to move the pup’s focus away from you and your hand, and put it on the wing.

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HUNTING Put the wing on the ground where the dog can see it, then twitch the rod to see the pup’s reaction. Most likely the pup will respond by either jumping on the wing or stalking it.

The instincts a pup has are impressive. You’re job is to simply bring them out at a young age.

Once the pup starts chasing the wing on the ground, dangle the wing in the air. This will teach the dog to look up, a skill that will be invaluable when it comes to locating the birds you’re hunting in the air, and marking them once hit and falling to the ground.

As the pup grabs the wing on the fishing rod, avoid getting into a tugof-war match. Of course the pup will want to run off, but calmly restrain the pup and let it know this is not a toy. Keep it fun, but also maintain control of the pup with your sit and stay commands. Keep communication simple and sharp, and not too wordy, as this will only confuse the pup.

I only work with wings about three times a week, less than two minutes each session. The dog’s instincts are there, you just want to accentuate them and build the pup’s confidence.

AS PUP MATURES, the progression to fetching the wing comes next. In a future column we’ll take a look at different ways to introduce wings for retrieving. Until then, have fun with it, build on the pup’s innate behaviors and stimulate its developing brain as much as you can. You’re on the way to developing a good gun dog. NS Editor’s note: To watch some basic dog training video tips by Scott Haugen, check out his Facebook page, or visit the blog at talltimberpudelpointers.com.

It’s OK to let the pup run off with the wing the first time it’s introduced, as this will develop its confidence and build familiarity with the object.

Be sure not to let the pup run too far, using your sit and stay commands to control the dog. While it’s new and fun, the pup needs to know you are in control. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

94 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com

Custom Guns

“Longslide Hunter” This is the new LONGSLIDE HUNTER in 10mm from Gary Reeder Custom Guns.

Built from the ground up and full custom all the way.

“Trail Gun” This is a new special revolver from Gary Reeder Custom Guns, a special TRAIL GUN. This beauty is chambered in .44 Special and is full custom from end to end.

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2017 California Sportsman

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96 California Sportsman JULY 2017 | calsportsmanmag.com