A few ideas... — California Bass Union

Alright so what ever your take on the current situation or what your local situation or rules are fishing is starting to become a reality for people…that maybe a full on fishing trip on a plane to some remote destination or a mask and glove clad journey to the closest possible piece of water to you with the hope of not seeing another human…

Either way the Union has been busy…We fish, that is what we do, and many of us are lucky enough to live where even during a quarantine we can get out on the water. John has been out on the Delta via his back yard boat dock…Alex has been socially distancing on the ocean or SD county lakes AS WELL as getting web orders filled and getting the Fly Stop back up and swinging…Ryan has been driving North to Lake Shasta as Lake Oroville and Clear Lake have been closed. Though I don’t think he would complain as he has been smashing fish on Shasta….Matt “the Sorcerer” Callies has been burning gas in his bass boat on local redding CA lakes with his kids as well as shaking off Reddings homeless population while fishing secret ponds placed within various homeless encampments….Myself and Chuck have been getting out locally with our boys and have gotten back to guiding the last few weeks. Chuck spending most of his time guiding Shad, myself doing some trout guiding and striper guiding as things get going. Oh and Chuck and I have been exploring some new water on various ditches…Costello is a ghost, if he was home quarantined I am sure he would be blowing up our phones as he can’t sit still so I assume he is out on the Delta moving within the fog like a delta ghost.

John Sherman Getting our dear friend and Cast Hope board member Darrin Wood out on the delta…

Good things happen when you wear CBU Gear…

Grady Ragan getting it done…top water, sub surface, you name it…

Sorcerer apprentice shows dad how it is done.

All of us have been doing various online Zoom seminars and Instagram lives that we have tried to archive the best we can. One highlight was John, Chuck, and I did an online Zoom seminar with George at Lost Coast Outfitters you can find archived in our video section if interested but most of us are getting back on the water now.

So here is a few things that we have been brain storming on that may help get you back out there….

So, bass are everywhere around us and one thing that we as the Union always preach is how many great bass fisheries or great bass fishing spots people drive by on the way to trout fish. With everyone is staying close to home and feeling skittish about driving long distances there is no better time to explore spots CLOSE TO HOME…Go check out that pond, ditch, lake, or creek. Hit a golf course pond in the evening, a local park pond early AM before people get out, ANYTHING you see around you that may have some bass, carp, panfish, or catfish in it.

Most waters this time of year have not gotten “weeded” up yet so RIGHT NOW is when anglers will have the best bank access they will have this Spring/Summer season. Get out there and walk the banks somewhere…OR slide a kayak or float tube in to that pond or lake you have been eyeing.

OR book a guide trip. There is tons of guides that are working close to the major population centers and that have taken great steps to keep everyone safe and healthy. There have been CDC/AFFTA guideline released for guides and many have put these practices into everyday use to get back on the water.

Here is the Outdoor Industry Association Recreate Responsibly Recommendations.

· Know Before You Go: Check the status of the place you want to visit. If it is closed, don’t go. If it’s crowded, have a plan B.

· Plan Ahead: Prepare for facilities to be closed, pack lunch and bring essentials like hand sanitizer and a face covering.

· Stay Close to Home: This is not the time to travel long distances to recreate. Most places are only open for day use.

· Practice Physical Distancing: Adventure only with your immediate household. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth and give others space. If you are sick, stay home.

· Play It Safe: Slow down and choose lower-risk activities to reduce your risk of injury. Search and rescue operations and health care resources are both strained.

· Leave No Trace: Respect public lands and communities and take all your garbage with you.

Here is the program that I came up with that many of the Union guides have adapted …
- I ask that anyone who books a trip be healthy and have not been exposed to anyone that is sick or has been heavily exposed.
- Clients can cancel at any time without penalty if they are not feeling well, feel they have been exposed, or are not comfortable with coming or traveling.
- I will not be providing lunch, I will ask that clients provide their own lunches.
- Water will be provided in disposable water bottles. While this pains me, I think it is the safest thing and is the recommended thing to do.
- I will sterilize all gear and my boat everyday based on recommendations.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided in the the boat for clients to use.
- Face covers in the form of "Buffs" is recommended but not required, and if it makes clients more comfortable I am OK wearing my own N95 mask.
- Clients will be met at boat ramps and not transported in my vehicle from hotel/motel with drift boat trips shuttles are TBD.
- I will be offering half day, full day, and evening trips with flexible meeting times to allow for same day travel.

Whatever your situation or take on the current state of things is make the best of the situation know there are many takes on the current state of things and we all are here to stay healthy and FISH! The Union is active and we are looking towards fall 2020 and winter 2021 for more in- person events – If there is any content you want to see from us let us know. We are all here to instruct and share so hit us up!

Be Safe, Be healthy, and Fish On!

hogan