Even if I had known how hot it would be and I could make the decision again whether to go, I wouldn't have hesitated a moment to show up for this one. Even though I'm still guzzling Gatoraid, as I write this, to recuperate.
Meeting up with the fellas (most for the first time) was absolutely grand! The session with KD (Kevin Doran), though, was absolutely invaluable. Even though he only had the time to provide a "glimpse" as he put it, of his approach, he's had me re-thinking my game ever since.
I had thought Kevin would show us how to toss into cover or near gunk and get your fly back without having to swim in after it. To be sure, he's an expert on that and showed us some techniques, but merely throwing into cover is not the point of his approach. He approaches topwater fly fishing for bass the way a technical trout fisherman approaches trout in a stream. It's partly about knowing very specifically where a good fish should be, presenting the fly in the correct manner, and maximizing your chances of a hit on each presentation. This latter point does not mean retrieving all the way back to the boat, but rather, maximizing your chances of a hit within the fish's zone. You really have to spend some time with him in a boat to see and hear it for yourself. He showed us how to approach a tule wall and then he moved the boat to show us how to approach a rock levee wall. I was fascinated.
Not only is he the real deal, but you spend some time talking to him, which is real easy to do, and it becomes obvious how enthusiastic he is about fly fishing for Delta largemouth bass and striper fishing. He loves this stuff! I can only see his already sterling reputation as a premier Delta guide growing by leaps as more folks figure out how much they will learn and have fun in a day with him on the water. Special thanks and commendation to Kevin for getting groups of us in his boat and sharing insights with his rod in hand. By the way, while showing us some casts (again, presentations is a much better word for what he does), he got a blow-up on his fly, which entertained everyone on board.
I only have two regrets from this trip: (1) Somehow, I managed not to be in the same place and time to meet Richard , and (2) there were never enough folks in one place at one time so Rickey could give us a clinic on kayaking. I did get to pepper him with a few questions so not all was lost. Rickey, like KD, is real easy to talk to and he loves to talk about kayaks, so folks should not hestitate to get a hold of him. He has his own website listed in his profile on this board, by the way.
Well, thanks one and all for those who were able to make it. Very special thanks to David Lee for taking me fishing on his jonboat (The Squirrelly ) and cooking up some outstanding barbecue chicken -- that man KNOWS his way around a grill. I can't wait for the October event!!
-- Mike
Chuck Norris has already been to Mars; that's why there are no signs of life.
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