• Posted on 02/03 at 09:28 AM
The Rivers of a Lost Coast production team is saddened to learn about the passing of legendary angler, shop owner, and innovator Len Bearden. A south bay resident most of his life, Len helped popularize the use of float tubes and was integral in the rising popularity of striped bass fly fishing in the O’Neil Forebay and San Luis Reservoir in northern California. Friends with Myron Gregory, Dan Blanton, Steve Rajeff, Bill Schaadt, Hal Janssen, Grant King, Andy Puyans, Bob Nauheim, Mike Fong and nearly all other well-established fly anglers of the golden state in the 1970s and 80s, Len was an integral part of California’s fly fishing history. Owner and founder of the Mill Pond, a forward thinking fly shop in the San Jose area, Len sold many south-bay anglers their first fly rod outfits.
During the making of Rivers of a Lost Coast, we spent an afternoon with Len in his upstairs fly tying room. Two giant fly caught stripers hung mounted on the wall above a long book shelf crowded with classic angling literature. He maintained a complete collection of Angler magazine, and held onto hand-written letters from Leon Martuch and Myron Gregory. He shared stories of the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club and the glory days of the San Lorenzo river estuary.
Len will be dearly missed. A thread on Dan Blanton’s message board reflects on Len’s contributions to the sport: Dan Blanton’s message board
Posted by Justin on 02/03 at 09:28 AM in
(0)
Comments •
Permalink
• Posted on 01/27 at 09:47 AM
The upcoming November election will include a bond measure aimed to increase the reliability of water deliveries and to restore the delta ecosystem for plants, animals and fish. Governer Schwarzenegger believes the movement to repair California’s Delta is the largest environmental restoration project since the federal effort to save the Florida Everglades.
Journalist Samantha Young of the Associated Press noted, “Critcs say the bills fall short in several key areas:
1) The Delta Stewardship Council, to be formed this year, lacks the clout it needs to implement change. For example, major decisions about wildlife habitat and water pumping still need to be approved by state and federal agencies that often have competing priorities.
2) The state Water Resources Control Board will determine how much freshwater ought to flow into the delta, but it will not be required to follow its own guidelines when reviewing permits to divert water.
3) The legislation fails to identify ongoing funding for the delta council, restoration efforts, a new science panel and enforcement of the state’s water laws. The $11.1 billion bond before voters would provide only a portion of the money needed.”
Scientists, fishermen, environmentalists and some lawmakers long involved in California’s water disputes question whether the environmental problems can be solved under those circumstances.
In Samantha Young’s piece Rivers of a Lost Coast star and UC Davis Fish biologist Peter Moyle was quoted saying, “There are a lot of grand ideas and a lot of things that don’t seem to have a lot of authority behind them.”
Many critics believe until strict guidelines are implemented to ensure high volumes of high quality water are pass through the delta, the ecosystem and fish will be unable to make much of a recovery.
Posted by Justin on 01/27 at 09:47 AM in
(2)
Comments •
Permalink
• Posted on 01/18 at 09:17 AM
Congratulations to Hal Janssen for his recent introduction to the California Outdoor Hall of Fame. This past Saturday, January 16, Hal was honored alongside outdoor hiking duo Ken and Marcia Powers and saltwater angler Steve Carson. The induction ceremony occurred at the International Sportsmen’s Expo at the San Mateo County Event Center over the weekend.
In Sunday’s SF Chronicle Tom Stienstra wrote: “Janssen is a world-renowned fly fisherman who invented many concepts and equipment now in use. He has caught nearly every species of freshwater and saltwater game fish, totaling in the hundreds, and has entertained, informed and inspired thousands at seminars, at schools and in videos. Among his inventions are many fly lines and 70 fly patterns used throughout the world. As an illustrator and painter, he has created fishing art for calendars, magazines and prints. He is a consummate authority who was sought out by Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and others as a guide and friend, and has also served many fishing clubs and conservation organizations. Janssen’s fly-fishing catches include 20-pound trout, 100-pound tarpon, 40-pound salmon, and hundreds of other trophy-quality specimens from around the world - virtually all that he released unharmed.
Congratulations Hal on your well-deserved honor.
Posted by Justin on 01/18 at 09:17 AM in
(0)
Comments •
Permalink
• Posted on 01/05 at 08:59 AM
James Swan, writer for several outdoor publications and nationwide television programs, recently reviewed Rivers of a Lost Coast for ESPNoutdoors.com. Last year, James and his son produced the feature documentary Endangered Species: California Fish and Game Wardens. The film sheds light on the severely under-manned CDFG warden pool.
From the film’s website: Working from a home office, covering huge remote areas alone, and normally without backup, game wardens enforce a wider range of law - wildlife, criminal, civil, and traffic law - than any other state law enforcement officer, as well as performing search and rescue, homeland security, hunter education instruction, and combating drug manufacturing. Being a game warden is among the most dangerous of all law enforcement jobs, as well as the lowest paid. But, for those who stick with it, they would not have it any other way.
Check out the in-depth Rivers of a Lost Coast ESPNoutdoors review here: ESPN review
Check out the Endangered Species: California Fish and Game Wardens here: Endangered Species
Posted by Justin on 01/05 at 08:59 AM in
(0)
Comments •
Permalink
Page 2 of 35 pages < 1 2 3 4 > Last »
<< Back to the blog.
