DAY: 1-06-02

TIME: 7:00 AM t0 10:30 AM

PLACE: Santa Clause Lane

CONDITIONS: 2-3 ft waves 5-6 knots breeze

BAIT: 1” curly tail grubs

FISH COUNT: 4- 7 Perch per Rod

COMENTS:

My buddy Dave and I showed up at first light and rigged up the spinning rods started fishing behind the Padaro Grill, first cast and I caught a nice perch about 11/2 lbs after that all of the fish were smaller about palm size.
The bight slowed down and I noticed there was this guy down the beach Fly fishing. I got an 8 ½ foot 5wt combo from Orvis for Christmas. (Thanks Furman ) I brought the rod down and had it in the car. I went over and talked to the Fly fishing guy, his name is Chris I asked a few questions and watch him catch a few fish I decided to go back to the car and rig up the fly rod.
I know jack about fly fishing, or fishing in general but I figured what the heck, so I tied a #6 bait hook and rigged up a Purple motor oil Grub I tied right to the 6X leader, guess I was kind of lazy…
Any way within three minutes of fishing I had a fish on. What a blast, a Barbed Surf Perch a little bigger than my hand. Even a blind pig finds a Truffle some days…
Then I started getting sloppy with my casting and stripping. Chris came over and showed me how to strip my line so the tail was down current from me and that helped a lot, but I still suck. He also said I needed to get “sinking line”. Does any one know of a fly shop close to Santa Barbara? I spend most of my money at either Hook Line and sinker or Harbor Tackle
My wife bought me Casting Lessons from Neal Taylor that start the middle of the month and I plan on checking out the SB fly fishers meeting this Tuesday. So hopefully I will get some answers then.
Boy I can see this fly fishing turning into a money pit, starting with Waders, there is nothing like three hours in the surf in January too sell me on the idea of some warmth for my skinny bow legs. What are the benefits of Neoprene Waders? I am leaning towards buying something breathable like the Orvis Clear water stocking foot and then wearing ether Tevas or aqua socks.

Matt Wilson
Fly fisherman since 2002