Fishing

Eleven members of the fishing group attended the annual Sportsman's Exhibition show at the Cal Expo State Fairgrounds in Sacramento early January. Lots of gear and boats to view. No one from the group purchased a new boat  but other  trinkets (necessary fishing items) were brought home. Next show is the March Pacific Coast Sport-fishing Festival in Costa Mesa. Already six members have signed up to attend. Should be a great show.

 

Members are still fishing  the ocean and bays with mixed results. If one wants crab, it's still limits with a party boat!

 

Numerous fishing adventures are planned for 2026. Trips to Mexico, Alaska and  Canada are in the mix. A new trip for the group will be a Dory fishing adventure out of Pacific City, Oregon. What does that entail you might ask. Well, you launch into the surf on a specialized Dory boat and out into the Pacific! Yup, I signed up for it! Check google for Dory fishing for more info.

The fishing group (FG) hopes everyone had a wonderful holiday season! The group held its annual Christmas dinner at Zio Fraedo's Restuarant in Pleasant Hill early December. Sixty plus members and guests attended. Prime Rib was the meal of choice while salmon was the second option followed by a pasta dish. Gee, you would think salmon would have been the primary choice! Now, back to serious stuff, FISHING!

 

The annual fishing shows are just around the corner. The ISE in Sacramento will occur mid-January. The FG caravans to the show on the first day to view and buy all the items needed for the coming year. Hopefully our significant others left some room on the credit cards! The FG will also travel to Costa Mesa for the Pacific Coast Show (PCS) in early March. Numerous other adventures are available!

 

At our December meeting we were joined by the SIR'S State Activities Director, our own Michael Lee (pictured) from branch 128. Mike had an interesting fishing story of catching salmon......at Safeway! Hard fought battle I understand LOL. Also, at the meeting I was selected to be the "Big Fish" for the next two years. Should be fun and most likely some work.

 

The fishing group (FG) is still fishing hard chasing both fresh water and salt water species! A group of 6 headed out to New Melones reservoir fishing with guide Kyle Wise for trout. Well, it wasn't only trout caught but bass as well! I'm below  with a nice little bass caught on the troll. 

 

Other members headed out on party and private boats for crab and rockfish. Limits were the rule on the party boats for those who boarded. Several members joined  me on  my boat for limits of crab as well. 

 

Happy Holidays to everyone and tight lines!

 

In December, the fishing group meets the 3rd Thursday of  the month, December 18th, 8:30 AM, at The Legends, Diablo Creek Golf Course located at 4050 Port Chicago Highway in Concord. In January the fishing group reverts back to it's regular schedule of meeting the 4th Thursday of the month. 

As fall and winter approach, you would think fishing opportunities diminish, but you would be wrong. Members brave the elements to pursue their past time. Recently, a hearty group of 8 ventured to Lake Almanor to fish for trout. The pictures I've seen show that they were successful. Pictured is Brion Beetz, Big Sir of branch 2, with one of several healthy trout caught by members. I don't have an exact count at this time but based on past reports, Almanor is always a very succesful outing. It may have been a little on the cold side but a nice campfire warms the soul along with a little refreshment!.

 

Next up for the group are dungenous crab and rockfish trips starting November 1. Most members will fish aboard party boats from the Emeryville and Berkeley fleets. Some will join me on my boat if the weather and swells cooperate for a crab only trips. Can't wait to catch some fresh dungenous crabs!

 

It's was a busy September for members of the Fishing Group (FG) with a lot of traveling involved. Sirs Nic Jabuka #146, Dennis Lee #8 and Geno Calhau #88 trailered  Nic's boat south to Long Beach and San Diego to fish for whatever they could find. They ventured to Catalina Island and spent a few nights there fishing. They caught several Calico bass. In San Diego, they launched from Pt. Loma and headed out into the Pacific to see if they could find some tuna or yellowtail. Well, without local knowledge of hot spots, it was hit-and-miss adventure for them. No tuna or yellowtail but some smaller species were caught. Overall they indicated a very fun trip!

 

In the meantime, Sirs Brion Beetz #2, Steve Paulick# 95, Jim DiPippo#2 and I boarded the FV Red Rooster 3 for a 6 day trip to an area known as the "Ridge" off  the Mexican Coast. Approximately 2 days of travel to get there and we weren't disappointed! Fishing was wide open for all the Yellowfin Tuna anyone wanted. Steve is pictured below with a nice Yellowfin.

 

Other members of the Fishing Group fished the limited salmon opener and were not disappointed. Limits were brought in by members who managed to get out. Others also fished the delta successfully for black bass.

If  you want to catch salmon, head to Alaska young men! That is what Sirs Tom Chapman #34 and Brione Beetz #2 did. They fished in Ketchikan Alaska for King and Silver salmon. Pictured above is one days catch. They also caught some halibut to add to their bounty!

 

Locally, Sirs Ken Bellindir #19, Tom Reese #128 and Geno Calhau #88 joined me on my boat for a day on the bay. Both Tom and Geno managed a shaker halibut apiece while Ken landed the striped bass in the photo.  Me, I struck out!

 

Other members of the fishing group fished local lakes and the delta for bass and trout. The annual barbecue was held on 8/17 at the home of Brione Beetz, the club secretary. It was well attended by members and significant others. 

 

Lots of trips are still planned for the fishing group for the remainder of the year. Next up in September is the 6-day long range fishing trip aboard the Red Rooster 3 out of San Diego for 4 members. Always a lot of fun!

 

Come to a meeting and see what the group is about. It's not only fishing but other interesting  travels as well.  

June and July were very busy months for the fishing group. Besides fishing the SF Bay, the Pacific and the delta, members ventured out of state.

 

Five members fished the world renowned Pyramid Lake just north of Reno for Lahontan cutthroat trout. This fishery is known world wide for it’s large trout. It's a fly fishermans dream to catch a 20 pound trout on a flyrod. For others, trolling or casting from shore is the ticket for these monters. Our group of anglers were guided by Joe Molino of Cutthroat Charters aboard his boat. We managed 9 healthy trout which were released safely back in to the lake.

 

 

The SIRs members pictured, Tom Chapman #34, Pete Gates #146, Brione Beetz #2 and Bob Stein #8 traveled to Vancouver Island Canada for a multi day trip. As seen, they were very succesful in catching limits of salmon. They also caught rockfish.

 

Lots of trips are still planned for the rest of the year. Next up in September is the 6-day long range fishing trip aboard the Red Rooster 3 out of San Diego for 4 members. Always a lot of fun!

 

Come to a meeting and see what the group is about. It's not only fishing but interesting other travels as well.

A brief history: The SIRs fishing group (FG) was founded in 1997 by four members of branch 8. They were Rich Fish, Richard Bal, Ed Djikman and Bill Hooey. Those founding members are no longer with us. The FG was to be an area group to attract additional interested fishermen. First meetings were held at Coco's Restaurant in Concord and subsequently moved to the Legends Restaurant at the Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord.

 

Currently the FG has 97 members from 12 Sirs branches. Members come to meetings from as far as Folsom, Napa and San Jose. 

 

 

 

Salmon season opened for only TWO days at the beginning of June this year. Only one member was able to have access to fish both days and had easy limits. From what I read, it was a feast for those who managed to get on the water. On the other hand, it was CHAOS at the launch ramps for private boaters which is the reason I opted not to participate in the opener. The Department of Fish and Wildlife was out in force and many anglers were cited for having silver salmon in their possession. I surmise that in the excitement of fishing for salmon for the first time in 2 years anglers were forgetting to check for the species difference. An expensive lesson for those who did not know the difference between a  silver (coho) and a king salmon.

May was a very successful month for the fishing group as you can see from  the photos.

 

It started with a trip to Lake Almanor where 8 Sirs fishing group members enjoyed 2 days of guided fishing. Lee Clark #146 (red jacket) landed a very nice rainbow trout while trolling. Other members of  the group did just as well. Weather was brisk but beautiful.

 

Then came La Paz where another group of 8 Sirs fishing group members jumped on to pangas for 4 days of fishing. Steve Paulick #95 caught a huge rooster fish while fishing live bait. Other members caught a variety of  fish including a Wahoo and a Dorado (Mahi-Mahi). Steve did say the variety was amazing. 
 
Wind in the SF bay limited fishing opportunities for members with small boats. Those who jumped on to party boats managed to scratch up some stripers and halibut. 

 

 

 

Forty five members attended the April fishing meeting where Scott Artis, Executive Director of the Golden State Samon Association, made a presenation regarding the latest news on the status of Salmon in California. The news wasn't good as efforts to increase the the salmon population havenot been very fruitful. On a positive note, the state Mokelumne hatchery has had good success with their raising and planting of salmon fry. The Coleman federal fish hatchery on the other hand has had poor results. There are a lot of reasons for this but it basically boils down to politics and water. Scott also told the group of a plan to install net pens in Richmond to facilitate the release of salmon fry closer to the Golden Gate, away from predators such as striped bass. The removal of several dams has been positive for the north coast. Sampling has shown an increase in salmon returns. Maybe next year there may be a commercial season. That industry is dire straits because of the commercial closure. Recreation opportunities are very limited this year with a few days here and there. 

 

Members have been out fishing for trout, halibut and rockfish with varying success. Two major trips are set to begin in May. One is the bi-annual trip to Lake Almanor and the second to La Paz, Mexico!

It's show season! The annual Sacramento International Sportsman Exhibition saw several groups of Sir's fishing club members in  attendance. The first group hit the show on opening day, Thursday 1/16 and struggled to keep money in their wallets. The next group which included myself attended the next day and yes, money came out of my wallet but don't tell the wife! The next two shows scheduled are the Bart Hall Show in Long Beach and the Pacific Coast Sportfishing show in Costa Mesa. The Bart Hall show next week is quetionable because of the massive Southern California fires. Fishing group members will be attending the PCS show in March.

 

It has been COLD so not many members have ventured out. A group of hardy members did fish the Delta for 1 flounder. Like I said, COLD!!!!! Even if your not a fisherman come and join us, the group is welcoming to all. You might even want to break out a pole after discovering what the group is all about.

 

 

 

 

 

What are those Sir's fishing group members up to? Well, it is Brione Beetz #2, Steve Paulick #95, me, and Stan Wong #8 in San Diego for the fishing groups 6-day long range trip on the Red Rooster 3. We boarded the RR3 shortly after this photo was taken. The vessel headed south into Mexican waters in search of Yellowfin tuna, Yellowtail, and exotics such as Dorado and Wahoo. We were not disappointed as limits of Yellowfin and Yellowtail were caught by all onboard. It was wide open fishing as the Captain of the RR3, Kevin Underwood, found schools of tuna and yellowtail that were more than willing to jump on our hooks! We were 2/3 of the way to Cabo San Lucas when we encountered the first school of tuna. It was pure mayhem for the 21 anglers onboard as we fought and landed fish. Fly lining, dropper loop and iron techniques all worked. I am biased to fly lining a live sardine. The excitement of a fish taking the live offering and peeling line off your reel is an adrenalin rush!