TRASHED AGAIN

Just received this photo from Heal the Bay as part of their membership campaign.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this pretty much sums up the tension we SoCal urban fisher-folk face throughout the winter months.

On the one hand, the rougher, colder weather and conditions draw far fewer people to this world famous stretch of sandy beach – That’s a good thing, especially when you’re flinging a # 6 Clouser imitation some sixty feet behind you for hours on end.

On the other hand, the need for needle resistant wading boots and the fact that simple contact with the water during this time can leave you with a rash and an annoying case of the trots… well, that’s not such a good thing. It definitely complicate the decision to wear those new Simms G4 waders despite the 56 degree F water temp.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t not fish under these conditions – I am an urban angler, I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for this gig. It’s just that it does detract from the joy of the sport.

All that to say, let’s make a difference and let’s pledge to be part of the solution.

I, for one, am going to make a trash bag part of my standard gear. Even snagging a few pieces of trash from along the shore – any shore that you happen to be fishing – can make a difference.

I’ll climb down off my soapbox now, mostly because I…have… to…get …out of…these waders…rather quickly…butI’llBeRightBack…

I love this addiction, called urban flyfishin’.