SLO County News BlogGolf, Wine, Real Estate, Business & Travel NewsSLO's Saltwater Fly FishingTuesday, May 31, 2005San Luis Obispo County fly fishers in search of that whopper fish won't have to venture far to satisfy their desires. The Pacific Ocean may be considered a jackpot for fly fishermen. Who says fishing in the surf zone is limited to traditional surf fishermen with conventional tackle?The fish are there; you just have to know when and where to find them, according to Britt Phillips, owner of Hole in the Wall fly shop in Grover Beach. Phillips is a certified casting instructor and lifetime member of the Federation of Fly Fishers, where he also serves as a regional and national director, a member of the Santa Lucia Fly Fishers Club and a fly-tying instructor. He's also a mentor to novice fly fishers. What Phillips enjoys most are newcomers willing and eager to take a crack at fly fishing. It gives him the opportunity to pass on advice acquired through more than three decades of angling in local waters. He prefers the hands-on approach of personal, sage supervision as opposed to book or video instruction, and the customers benefit. "Unlearning is very hard," he said. "Developing bad habits isn't a good way to start." The ocean, bays and estuaries can be volatile areas. Being aware at all times is a practical starting point for anyone considering fly fishing in saltwater. That includes safety gear like polarized sunglasses, a brimmed hat, sunscreen, waders, booties, a first aid kit and a personal flotation device. Learning the basics of casting from one of the eight certified casting instructors countywide might help. Proper equipment will cost around $300 for a basic fly fishing outfit composed of a rod, reel, flies and line. As summer approaches, local saltwater fly fishers head to the beaches in search of barred, rainbow, shiner and walleye surf perch, California halibut, juvenile striped bass, jack smelt and other seasonal species lingering in the breakers. While freshwater fly fishermen confront challenges of high mountain traversals, wild animals and altitude sickness, Central Coast saltwater fly fishermen confront another hurdle -- finding suitable waters to satisfy their appetite for a day of whipping lines and rising fish, and they're finding it in the surf zone. But catching and landing fish isn't always effortless, Phillips noted. "There's a big difference between fishing and catching," Phillips explained. Fishing means you could go days without catching anything, and other times the fish simply won't stay off the hook -- or fly, for that matter. "Otherwise, where's the challenge?" he said. To learn more about saltwater fly fishing, read entire article at: Central Coast a haven for saltwater fly fishermen Times Press Recorder, Josh Petray To see more of the Times Press Recorder, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to www.timespressrecorder.com. (c) 2005, Time Press Recorder. Read More
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