FishwithJD

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Big Salmon Run Helps Northern California Economies

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Big salmon like this Smith River king are great for the economies of coastal towns!

Hhey all you politicians that don’t give a rat’s arse about fish, it’s time take note: Healthy salmon runs are good for the economy. Need I break it down further? Okay, here’s one you might understand: Salmon = Money. Got it?

Read all about how the Smith River’s epic king run last fall provided the a good boost to several downtrodden economies of Northern California in the WALL STREET JOURNAL Also, check out the cameo from our pal John Klar.

And for every one of you who benefited from the Smith’s kings (guides, tackle shops, gas stations, hotels and restaurants), it’s time to bust open the wallet and give a donation to the non-profit Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery…Without it, you’re probably out of a job!

A good start to 2011: A 20-pound steelhead!

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Klar (left) and Moore with a little New Year's Magic!

Talk about a way to get your year kick-started! Curtis Moore of Healdsburg, CA (fishing with guide John Klar) just this morning, Jan. 4 at 9AM, caught and released this beautiful 20-pound wild steelhead in the Smith River.

Klar, via “boat phone,” said that they hooked the beast at the top of Jed Smith Park. “It was an epic fight,” say Klar. The fish jumped several times and just tore holes in the water.” You can tell what Klar was talking about when he called the fish “flawless.”

Moore hooked the big daddy on a peach Fish Pill, some orange yarn and a small cluster of eggs. Nice work!

Goliath on a Fly!

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Toe-to-toe with a tarpon
So, I’m not sure who originally thought it was a good idea to go spend all day in the blinding tropical sun, hunting for fish that are only slightly smaller than the low-freeboard skiff you’re in and then trying to hook said monster with a wad of feathers and glue, but they tell me fly fishing for tarpon is a blast!

Our pal and Northern California fishing guide extraordinaire, John Klar is officially a tarpon fishing junkie these days and has been making annual treks down to Marathon Key…the epicenter of South Florida silver king fishing.

Though the cold water denizens of Nor Cal’s Redwood Coast are what put grub on Klar’s table, it’s tarpon on flea flickin’ gear that really tickles his Toad (the fly pattern, Tarpon Toad, that is!). Is it the art of the stalk? The act of making a perfect cast to a fish and seeing him turn? Does the rush come from the instant you stick one with some steel? Or when a fish the size of Rhode Island goes airborne?

Alll bow to the king!!!

Alll bow to the king!!!

Perhaps it’s all about getting up close and personal with a fish…touching it…and then letting it go…

Definatley bigger than a steelhead...and the water's warmer too!

Definatley bigger than a steelhead...and the water's warmer too!

Or maybe it’s something else… Click here to read more…