Sunday July 16, 2006.
We just got back from our camping trip at Mercy Hot Springs, a hot way-out of the way place off hwy 5, not too far from Casa del Frutta. There was a small reservoir there, on the way after we got off hwy 5; little Panoche reservoir. Driving by, I saw it was lined with reeds and looked difficult to fish. Figuring 'what the hey', I drove over there with Dominic on sunday morning to check it out. I filled out the permit slip and we scrambled down the somewhat steep side (no path) to where the reeds were. Lots and lots of dragonflies, and I was wishing I had the telephoto lens with me. As it was, I got a nice picture of the one opening we found, through which I could cast. Rod rigged, and we were set to try it out with a small popper. 3 casts later Dominic says "ooh, I gotta go poo-poooo"... and that turned out to be the end of that outing. Hehe. Good thing I wasn't really attached to fishing there.
So anyway, we got back from the trip, and I'm still hankering for a fishing outing; besides, I really have to give my new rod a test run at the beach, so after getting the boys into their jammies, and teeth brushed I get permission to go for an evening fishing trip. Driving down to Manresa it alternates between socked in fog (ooh, that feels good after the hot hot valley) and sunny. Manresa however is completely socked in. And the new perch stick; well, its a Sage TCR 691, so the 9' 6wt with the saltwater reelseat and full- wells grip. An ebay purchase -- still expensive but not like retail.. but I'm kindof embarrassed about it anyway -- but boy what a nice little rod and an absolute T-8 catapult! I was easily throwing significantly longer casts with this setup. Very very cool. I also caught a perch on the first cast, which I take to be a good sign from the fishing deities, and another a few casts later. After that I couldn't find any more fish.
The conditions were kinda rough; pretty tall surf, creating an almost-good foamy flats area. I was a bit worried about closing time on the beach, so I didn't walk too far from the parking lot. Lots of beachgoers out, including some teenage girls who paid me some attention; "got any fish?? (giggle, giggle)". Err.. ok.. whatever..
I tried another spot, but didn't see any good looking water. Packed it and drove home.