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the reel baja identity

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© 2012 copyright jeff debrown

This is my latest fly fishing logo that I just completed for friend and guide, Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja fly fishing outfitters. We wanted to create a mark that was simple and clean. I always believe less is more when creating an identity. We chose the rooster fish simply because it is, in my opinion the poster child for a trophy catch on fly, especially from the surf, which separates the men from the boys. If feel the need to meet a rooster fish face to face give Mr, deBrown a ring. www.thereelbaja.com

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dyi stripping basket – work in progress

photos by Al Q.

here is a little diy project for anyone wanting to make a simple stripping basket for under $20. i found this cool woven plastic basket (31.5″ long, 11″ wide, 8″ deep) at target last weekend. they came in red or black and cost $9.99 each. The fact that the plastic was woven on the sides, eliminated me wanting to put holes in the bottom for drainage, although you can if you like! I prefer stripping baskets to be on the deep end, often times dish pan baskets tend to be shallow and your line will blow out on a windy day. then i took a trip to my local hardware store and purchased 5 – 1/4″ , 4.5″ hex bolts, washers and nuts ($3.20). i drilled five holes through the bottom of the basket and attached each hex bolt with two washers and a nut. the stiffness of these sturdy spikes will really keep your line in place when you move up and down the beach. these stiff spikes eliminate overlaps and shifting causing less tangles when you shoot line.  the last  component i found was an adjustable wide bungee strap – two pack for $6.49, cost for one ($3.25)  the total material cost for this project was $16.44 for a  bad ass basket!

NOTES: Just got some R&D on this basket from a good friend who fished it the other day.  the size was perfect, light weight. the spike threads are causing some friction problems when shooting line, which we need to address. We are dropping  the size of the bolts/spikes to 4″ instead of 4.5 This is obvious but one should note: when you clip the bungee cord it is important to clip from the inside out so your line don’t catch on the bungee hooks. The best solution to the threads may be plastic spikes (no friction) that can be threaded so you can use a washer and nut system to secure in place. I still will try to find a solution to the hex bolt system which is a simple build. Suggestions are welcomed…more to come! It’s almost there…

-Al Q

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a fisherman’s view

© illustration by Tim Gunther

Fly fisherman, biologist, diver, lifeguard and artist extraordinaire, Tim Gunther puts his touch on some of California’s best known species. I have been an admirer of Tim’s work for many years.

” I have been drawn to the outdoors for as long as I can remember. The complex beauty of the natural world continues to amaze and inspire me.”  –Tim Gunther

Check out some more of Tim’s work on his website! Click Here!

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yucatan booty for the paradise boyz

Qs nacho crab and squimp. photo by Al Q

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victory at sea…

I am exaggerating when I say this,the video below reminded me of the first time I ever went on a party boat fishing. It was March in New York and I was itching to go fishing, so I decided to rally up the boys for a nice fishing trip out of Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn. We were all around twelve or thirteen at the time and Sheepshead Bay was a ten minute bus ride from the neighborhood. It was blackfish, ling and whiting season. I grabbed the Daily News, which listed all the party boats in the bay. Back then, there was a page full of party boats to choose from. Of course, I chose Captain Sparky’s Atomic, a round hulled boat that rolled like a cork. The bay was calm and beautiful but once we passed the jetty and we were in open water, the Atomic started to rock n roll. We immediately watched a wave clear the deck and wash a bushel of clams clear overboard. This was going to be an adventure. We were all sitting in a line on the wooden bench that ran the length of the boat bundled up in our winter parkas. The first to fall was Frankie. He was sitting in the first position and started turning green. We asked him if he was ok. He lifted his head, looked at us and projectile barfed, which the wind conveniently blew down the line. Hence the seasickness succumbed all of us as we retreated into the cabin. Lying on the floor of the cabin like logs of wood, we looked up through the window, only to see  sky, water, sky then water. I truly thought I was going to die. Like a bad movie, I remember an old black fisherman laughing out loud, drinking bourbon out of his flask and singing, “Ain’t no women like the one I got”. Captain Sparky eventually felt pity and turned the Atomic around when he realized there were only two people able to stay on the rail and fish. It was the first and only time I ever got that sea sick, but I will never forget it. This footage of the Bering Sea is awesome and reminded me of that winter day on the Atlantic! It was obviously not as bad, but as a kid you always remember it to be! Hope you enjoy this footage and turn up the volume!

Click Here!

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winter perchin…

Bryan Ida with a fine barred perch caught off Santa Monica. Photo by Al Q

Jim Solomon with a perchzilla!

another fat perch landed last weekend. photo courtesy of Michele Pardon

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eye candy

Like being in a church under the sea, the afternoon light shines through the windows of Paco's Tacos, a neighborhood mexican restaurant located at 4141 S. Centinela Ave in Los Angeles. © 2012 photo by Bernard Yin

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game changer…shoot now, focus later?

It’s a new camera technology called the Lytro and it sort of shoots pictures in three dimension so you never have to worry about focusing or missing that perfect moment. Check out this story from the fine folks at NPR and don’t forget to click on the pictures to understand how this works. I can see many possible uses in the surf or boat when all hell breaks loose…LOL

Click here!

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leos in the wash…

congrats to my buddy, Jeff Priest who subdued this nice 50lb. leopard shark last weekend on the fly. there have been many nice sized sharks beginning to spawn on our local beaches. i have seen many in close. yes, they can be sight fished. they are beautiful creatures, so please practice catch & release. she was released unharmed…

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the story of sushi

This is a wonderful stop action video on the story of sushi by Bamboo Sushi taking 7 months to complete.
Please take the time to watch this amazing video, it will change the way you see the fish market….Click here to View!

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