REPOST: Lighthouse Yardbirds

Dave Lear of World Fishing Network describes one fishing trip where he and a fishing partner managed to catch the peculiar roosterfish and other saltwater game fish.

Image source: worldfishingnetwork.com

The morning started full of promise. As the pink hues of dawn slowly turned golden across a tranquil Sea of Cortez, my fishing partner, Mike Kelly of The Billfish Foundation, and I made our way through the soft sand to the narrow floating dock. Waiting there was one of Hotel Buena Vista Resort’s senior guides, Capt. Juan Garcia, in a well-equipped 20-foot panga powered by a 115 Suzuki four-stroke. After stowing our gear and lunch, Garcia asked us what type of fishing we had in mind. In unison, we both answered, “Roosters.” The veteran skipper grinned, told us to hang on and zipped south along the scenic Baja coastline.

Kelly and I had come to Los Barriles to cover the Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Tournament, a big-game contest targeting marlin, tuna and dorado. On this day, though, we were hunting a different game, one of the region’s more unique residents. We hoped to tangle with the powerful roosterfish, a type of jack named for its distinctive comb-like dorsal fin. But before we could start our quest, we needed ammunition. Garcia waved over a bait panga and after a couple quick dips of the net in exchange for a $20 bill, our live well was loaded with 10 frisky cabellito.

Image source: worldfishingnetwork.com

Using a rigging needle and a loop of dacron line, Garcia swiftly bridled two of the horse mackerel to 8/0 stainless steel circle hooks and dropped them overboard. One was connected to a Penn 309 conventional reel mounted on a Slammer, while the other was tethered to an electric blue Okuma Cedros reel on a matching stand-up rod. The 30-pound running line on each was connected to 40-pound leaders by a blood knot. We engaged the drag clickers to keep the baits in check as they swam 60-75 feet behind. Despite diving pelicans and the occasional shower of glass minnows, the cabellito went unmolested. After 30 minutes without a strike, Garcia was ready for another spot.

“Reel them in amigos. We’ll run to the lighthouse and try there,” Garcia told us as we stowed the rods. “It has been very good lately.”

Located approximately 15 miles south of the Hotel Buena Vista Resort, the Punta Arena Lighthouse is a small beacon atop a rocky mound. It warns mariners of the shallow shoal sticking out like an index finger into the aqua-blue water. As we rounded the sandy spit and came off plane, Kelly and I looked at each other in silent affirmation. Yes, this spot definitely looked fishy. Almost as soon as our baits were again swimming in the 40-foot depths a wad of frantic bait chased by a free-jumping rooster confirmed our optimism. It was only a matter of time. And, as it turned out, blue would be the hot color.

Image source: worldfishingnetwork.com

The clicker on the starboard combo went off like a burst from a machine gun. Kelly grabbed the blue Okuma and waited. Another short burst, another agonizing wait. Finally, Kelly counted silently as the bait was swallowed and the big circle hook rotated into position. He wound in the slack, met resistance and the fight was on. With their broad bodies and powerful forked tail, roosterfish can really exert serious pressure. But Kelly pumped the fish to the surface following several stubburn runs and a 15-minute battle. After a couple quick photos, his first-ever 35-pound rooster swam back below the surface. A celebratory cerveza toasted the catch.

As the sun and temperatures rose higher and the moon dipped closer to the horizon, the fish stayed deep. Still, there was only a brief lull before Old Blue went off again. This time Kelly didn’t get quite as strenous a work-out, although he was rewarded with a colorful 12-pound pargo. The mojo in my Penn outfit remained on siesta.

With fresh baits, Garcia swung the boat around for another loop inside the spit. Okuma Blue ripped off another clicker rap and Kelly settled into a serious tug-of-war. I swapped sides with him several times to keep the lines from tangling when a clicker burst of my own signaled another fish. I gave a long count, reeled in the slack and a powerful force telegraphed up the line. Cock-a-doodle-do! Rooster double-header.

For the next 20 minutes Kelly and I danced around the narrow cockpit as our adversaries sprinted from one side of the panga to the other. Going pound for pound against the monofilament, the two of us were soon drenched with sweat. Slowly, the runs got shorter and the lines angled upwards towards the surface until finally, the two trophies were hoisted aboard. Kelly again had the hot hand, as Garcia said his monster would push 60 pounds. I happily settled for another 35-pounder.

With the sea breezes building and tournament chores awaiting us, we reluctantly returned to the resort. Walking back across the beach, Kelly and I both agreed. There’s no better way to start the day than with a flock of lighthouse yardbirds.

A banker and former Olympic athlete, Chris Havlicek is fond of fishing in his spare time. Visit this Facebook page for more updates on fishing.

REPOST: Conservation key for fly fishing club

Members of the Northern Waters Flyfishers have a unique philosophy that they believe will help preserve what they love. Prince Albert Daily Herald has the report:

Image Source: www.paherald.sk.ca

To the layman, fishing might appear to be an activity that revolves solely around taking from nature’s bounty.

But for members of the Northern Waters Flyfishers (NWFF), the reality is quite different.

A local club dedicating to fly fishing, the group’s passion for their sport has encouraged members to become conscientious stewards of the environment.

“On conservation, a lot of us, we practise catch and release,” new club president Kendall Kerr said. “We will put back the fish that we catch so it’s there for the next day.”

Conservation is just one of the regular topics discussed by the Northern Waters Flyfishers, who held their annual general meeting last Thursday.

Aside from electing Kerr president and going over finances, the meeting served to reinforce the club’s mission of serving as a forum for the exchange of fly fishing techniques and ideas, the preservation of fish habitats and the promotion of fisheries research and conservation.

Kerr described the essence of fly fishing as imitating the food source of the fish one is trying to catch.

“You’ll quite often see fly fishers catching a lot more fish than … regular fishing, because what we’re doing is we’re observing the food source as to what the fish are feeding on and then we’re trying to imitate that,” Kerr said.

Where the weight of the lure is paramount in regular fishing, fly fishing is chiefly concerned with the weight of the line that takes the hook out.

The fly itself is very light, consisting of a hook onto which the fisher will tie on different materials -- feathers, fur, wool, plastic, mylar -- depending on what one is trying to imitate.

The range of species fly fishers can catch, Kerr noted, is quite broad.

“If it swims, you can catch it on a fly,” he said.

“We do have guys that will go after jack, bass, perch … We do enjoy the trout because they’re unique.”

Unlike many other species of fish, trout cannot survive when there is insufficient oxygen in the water.

As a result, any fly fisher who seeks to catch trout has an interest in minimizing water pollution.

“If you’ve got trout in water, you’ve got healthy water, where … pike or jackfish … can live in water where the oxygen level’s a lot lower,” Kerr said.

Besides educating members on proper catch-and-release techniques, the Northern Waters Flyfishers also dabble in conservation projects such as garbage pickup.

Education in general is a major focus of the NWFF, which was first established as a non-profit organization in Prince Albert approximately 10 years ago.

At its monthly meetings between September and June, which take place on the second Thursday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the basement of the Prince Albert Daily Herald building, the group regularly hosts speakers who discuss new developments and tips for fly fishing.

Often the speakers are members of the NWFF’s sister organizations in Saskatoon and Regina. Kerr pointed to one Saskatoon member who talked about “fingerprinting” brown trout by identifying them through body markings in order to avoid repeatedly catching the same fish.

“We’ve had a biology student come in and talk to us about his projects that he’s been doing down in the Cypress Hills … We’ve had a guide come in from northern Saskatchewan from one of the fly fishing camps to talk about fishing for jack, pike fishing, and the flies that he’s done,” Kerr said.

NWFF members also discuss prime locations for fly fishing both inside and outside Saskatchewan.

Some of the more popular spots for rainbow trout include Pear Lake and Steep Creek. Meanwhile, Prince Albert National Park is a frequent destination for fly fishers aiming to catch walleye and pike.

As a source of knowledge on fly fishing, the Prince Albert club boasts the largest resource library of topical books and DVDs in the province.

For fly fishers suffering from the winter blues, the NWFF has some upcoming activities planned.

In addition to the 30 estimated club members, the public is also invited to attend three indoor fly casting sessions this winter at the Alfred Jenkins Field House, with the first taking place on Friday, Jan. 24 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Asked to name the most appealing aspect of fly fishing from his perspective, Kerr noted, “It’s just relaxing -- and if I can catch fish, it’s a bonus.”

Chris Havlicek is an avid golfer, fly-fisherman, and benefactor for community endeavors. Visit this Facebook page and learn more about his activities.

Family Success: The Life of Chris Havlicek

The fame brought into the Havlicek family is fondly remembered by Boston natives and Celtic fans around the country. John Havlicek was a household name during his Hall of Fame career with the Boston Celtics, during which the team won eight NBA championships. However, his son, Chris Havlicek, has become a star after moving on from his father’s world of basketball.

Image Source: www.nba.com

Havlicek started his early career by following in his father’s footsteps and became a basketball expert quickly. His skills earned him spots on the University of Virginia basketball team, even becoming captain while obtaining his B.A. He then moved onto professional basketball and the Olympics, as he proudly played for the United States during the 1996 games.

Image Source: www.kravis.org

Chris acts as a board member for many clubs and organizations that promote the arts, athletics, and development of children across the country. His direct involvement with the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, and the New England based Genesis fund, has improved the lives of countless children. Havlicek’s community outreach is an indication of his sincere dedication to the betterment of children and families.


Chris Havlicek may not be as well known to the general public as his father, but his influence has been profound throughout his life and his success is equal to the high standard set by his father.