I have often skipped this large wash of a creek in the past. Not anymore, after these exploratory creeks have turned out to be successful! Large, infrequent but bruisers of rainbows have been my rewards. Check these fellers out (All safely released).
Avid readers may recall my interest in fishing video games. It's a niche, quirky genre that I've enjoyed for years - and now I've produced my own!
As a child, I spent hours playing Trophy Bass and other angling games. While certainly not a replacement for "real" fishing, such games provided plentiful enjoyment when weather/circumstances prevented getting outside.
I also dipped my toes into the world of video game development. I worked on a few small role playing games (RPGs), strategy games, and even a mobile game for Palm Pilot devices. I was often the artist, producing retro pixel art. This was fun but few projects actually led to finished products (the Palm Pilot app was a nice exception, resulting in a Mech Warrior-esque Turn-Based Strategy game).
Fast-forward several years and all of that had mostly stopped - aside from "real" fishing. It was until I read an interesting article about fishing video games at Rock Paper Shotgun (aptly titled "A River.Exe Runs Through It") that I started looking into what was currently available. Fishing Planet and Fly Fishing Simulator HD helped scratch the fishing "itch." However, I still wanted something with a bit of exploration to it, something more consistent with old RPGs rather than modern fishing games. I thought back to my old attempts at video game development and started mentally bouncing ideas around about making a fishing game, thinking of what would make it truly "fun" and capture the "what's-around-the-corner" excitement of wild trout fishing.
A pixel art forest
Around this time, I came across a post on a popular fly fishing website talking about how Far Cry was the "Best" fly fishing game currently available. It was humorous and inspiring at the same time - and made me think why not make a fly fishing video game? I posted some of my thoughts on the topic here, specifically when it came to a fly fishing virtual reality game. Since I had no idea how to make a VR game, I dove into a more manageable project - a retro fly fishing game with pixel art graphics. I found a very talented programmer that was familiar with fishing and the game development took off. After many months of intensive development, I finally had a playable product for mobile devices (Android). There were several rounds of testing, making changes along the way based on feedback, and, after 9 months, released River Legends: A Fly Fishing Adventure on PC and Androidin August 2019.
Trailer for River Legends: A Fly Fishing Adventure
I learned a lot through this process, not only about game development and design but also interesting insights into the video game and outdoor industry relationship. I'll be sharing these in coming posts. Making River Legends was a great learning experience and the game has been well received, garnering praise from a variety of media outlets, and positive reviews from players on both platforms.
For now, if you would like to check out River Legends, take a look at the following links:
I'm back! Changing responsibilities have altered my fishing adventures but I'm still out on the water.
Went back to a favorite local wild trout stream in the local San Gabriels. Fly fishing and conventional fishing for a few hours after a rugged hike.
As I have explored the world of fly fishing, I am also getting to re-learn an old hobby - entomology. Identifying insects that serve as valuable forage for local wild trout is part of the fun.
These small beetles were plentiful along the stream. Feeling smart, I tied on a similar pattern as the "dry" on a "dry/dropper" rig, only to see the fast-moving stream whip it as an unfishable pace. Oh well, it was a good thought.
Managed to land this beautiful wild rainbow trout:
Also encountered this large rattlesnake along the streambed. Grateful that I had snake gaiters on, but it was too close for comfort!
California's received much-needed rain. Now the fishing cycle should start again.
This was my second trip to the Island of Hawaii, aka the Big
Island. It's my favorite island out of the bunch - I love the pristine beaches,
the relaxed pace (no thanks, Waikiki), the scrumptious food, and the fishing.
On my first trip, I caught loads of reel dwellers - many of
the same fish you see snorkling, in addition to a nice cornetfish. Swam with
dozens of papio, but never hooked one. Really wanted to tie into these freight
trains on this trip. Packed several topwaters, grubs, jerkbaits, and
kastermasters.
We were greeted with a High Surf Advisory on the first day -
and this persisted through the entire trip, frustratingly. The stretch of ocean
in front of our condo looked absolutely superb for fishing, but the 8ft+ waves
made fishing nearly impossible. Further north, in a variety of protected bays,
I was able to fish with a bit more control. A small cut in the lava rocks ended
up resulting in the majority of my catches -- all on grubs fished whipping
style or just on a jighead, except for a few on shrimp and on a jerkbait.
Stocky Hawkfish
Sergeant Major fish
Final tally for the trip ended up being 15+ stocky hawkfish,
1 tiny peacock grouper, 2 colorful wrasse, and one aggressive sergeant major fish.
The hawkfish appear almost comical - large bellies, rotund, with plenty of
teeth to prevent lipping. I released all the fish to be caught another day.
'Cuda country
I also tied into a couple of needlefish, didn't stick, and
had a few swirls at my poppers but no hookups. Spotted an enormous peacock
grouper while snorkeling too, as well as
a nice 2ft barracuda patrolling the depths.
My poppers barely even showed up in this chop
Unfortunately, the main predators - papio- that I was
interested in, continue to elude me. I've tied into what was likely one on the
Island of Kauai - drag screaming run and all, but never landed one. My game
plan for fishing next time on Hawaii will be (1) larger reels with heavier line
to get beyond the breakers (2) larger poppers and jerkbaits to attract
predators attentions, even in choppy surf and (3) plenty of backup lures --even
a simple popper cost $10 at Kona's WalMart, something I would pay a couple of
bucks for here at Bass Pro Shops. Shrimp as bait didn't work nearly as good as
it does here in SoCal.
For anyone interested in shore fishing and/or surf fishing
on Big Island, you have two options. Either pack a travel rod and tackle, or
stop by WalMart in Kona - Kailua and grab everything you need.
Picked up the Matzuo popper locally. Looks very cool
If you just want
to cast plastic grubs and bait, WalMart has you covered. I'd recommend bringing
your own lures though, and bring plenty, as the coral and rocks will claim many
of them. Getting snagged is basically going to happen, so avoid popular
snorkeling spots - you don't want to leave hooks around where people are
swimming. Respect the environment and the locals, don't crowd other anglers. Anywhere
you can find some depth, you'll find fish, catching is another thing.
Someone got nice sunrise footage with a hexacopter - not mine
There are
plenty of fish hanging around the coral reefs, but many of these are not
interested in your lures. I found the following websites to have the best tips
for shore fishing Big Island:
Be sure to check the state regulations too, some of the
above locations may not be legal to fish from updated regs.
Another hawkfish
All in all, high surf advisory notwithstanding, fishing
while surrounded by jaw-dropping beauty and snorkeling amidst coral forests was
amazing. I'll definitely be back. Mahalo.
