This is the fishery that got me hooked, so to speak. The first fish I ever caught as a kid was a striper in SF Bay and spent a ton of time fishing here as a kid but once I left I stopped paying attention.
Fast-forward many decades and I'm back in the area more frequently for family stuff. Usually my CA time is stressful because I don't have easy access to any of my usual stress-busters (like fishing) but earlier this summer, I bumped into Capt. Gregg Holland of Feather Dog Outfitters at the dock when I was visiting the bait and tackle shop I "worked" at when I was a kid. We chatted for a while and I told him I'd get in touch the next time I was back.
I've now had three outings with FDO and every time has been a total blast. He provides TFO Axiom II-X + Galvan + OBS gear and light spinning gear but I usually use my 8wt. We hit all the spots that I remember from my childhood and have yet to have a day with fewer than a dozen fish to hand.
Yesterday was no exception. The "World Series" bite is on. I think I landed 20 or so stripers ranging from little juniors to ~8lbs in a few hours.
We were motoring from one spot to another and came across a bird pile with a bunch of seals, so we stopped to investigate. Turned out to be our best stop of the day.
Capt. with a nice one. None of the fish earned the reel but they definitely put a bend in an 8wt! Notice fish on the sounder, and Riley the lab keeping watch from the bow. She's a great fishing buddy!
One of the juniors. These guys would have been super fun on a lighter rod but when there are bigger ones mixed in with the little ones it's better to be prepared.
It was around this time when we found out that Phil Lesh passed so we spent the rest of the afternoon listening to the Grateful Dead. The day was nostalgic in so many ways.
Motoring back to the harbor where it all began for me.
Beautiful sunset behind Mt. Tam.
Capt. filleted the catch and we found these in the stomach of one. Anchovies and a pompano (ID by @Cabezon) which was the first that the Capt. had ever seen.
The bottom Adachi Clouser was responsible for ~18 of the 20 fish caught. A pink one got the remainder but was lost in the field of duty.
Fast-forward many decades and I'm back in the area more frequently for family stuff. Usually my CA time is stressful because I don't have easy access to any of my usual stress-busters (like fishing) but earlier this summer, I bumped into Capt. Gregg Holland of Feather Dog Outfitters at the dock when I was visiting the bait and tackle shop I "worked" at when I was a kid. We chatted for a while and I told him I'd get in touch the next time I was back.
I've now had three outings with FDO and every time has been a total blast. He provides TFO Axiom II-X + Galvan + OBS gear and light spinning gear but I usually use my 8wt. We hit all the spots that I remember from my childhood and have yet to have a day with fewer than a dozen fish to hand.
Yesterday was no exception. The "World Series" bite is on. I think I landed 20 or so stripers ranging from little juniors to ~8lbs in a few hours.
We were motoring from one spot to another and came across a bird pile with a bunch of seals, so we stopped to investigate. Turned out to be our best stop of the day.
Capt. with a nice one. None of the fish earned the reel but they definitely put a bend in an 8wt! Notice fish on the sounder, and Riley the lab keeping watch from the bow. She's a great fishing buddy!
One of the juniors. These guys would have been super fun on a lighter rod but when there are bigger ones mixed in with the little ones it's better to be prepared.
It was around this time when we found out that Phil Lesh passed so we spent the rest of the afternoon listening to the Grateful Dead. The day was nostalgic in so many ways.
Motoring back to the harbor where it all began for me.
Beautiful sunset behind Mt. Tam.
Capt. filleted the catch and we found these in the stomach of one. Anchovies and a pompano (ID by @Cabezon) which was the first that the Capt. had ever seen.
The bottom Adachi Clouser was responsible for ~18 of the 20 fish caught. A pink one got the remainder but was lost in the field of duty.
