I usually make one trip a year to Mexico. For many years we organized fishing trips with Dan Healy and took many happy Napans to Mexico to fish for the big marlin, sailfish, dorado, tuna and many other ocean favorites.

Those good times will always be remembered. As the years passed, taking the family there also became a plus. Three years ago we had all the kids with us at a big villa just north of Puerto Vallarta. That was probably our best trip to date.

I had always heard about Cancun and its clear waters and diving possibilities among the reefs. My wife and I just returned from a trip there. We had a good time. Every inch of the huge shoreline is filled with hotels, and more are being torn down to build bigger ones. We relaxed between rain storms and enjoyed the beach, chasing fish and enjoying the surroundings.

We explored some of the Mayan ruins, surrounding islands, and Cancun’s rich history. The strong winds and rainy mornings canceled our trips for deep water fishing, but we enjoyed the shore beaches and lazy afternoons.

Unfortunately, I must have eaten a bad ice cube; I have had to stay close to the bathroom for the past two days.

 

Lake Pillsbury

This past weekend was our annual family campout. A nice big group of family and friends had a ball eating, singing, telling stories, enjoying refreshments, swimming and fishing.

Life is too short to waste. We enjoyed tent camping and listening to the coyotes at night, along with the wonderful sunsets. A few of us also enjoyed the sunrises before fishing. Lake Pillsbury is a fun spot; this has been our family’s choice for over 10 years now.

 

Napa River

The summer tides and conditions have set in on the river. Not much fresh water is pushing down the river these days. The striper are spread all over, and many of the bigger fish leave the river for the bay. Some sturgeon are being caught, and some striper are also still being caught. This is the time of year when mostly small fish under 18 inches are all over the river. Please be careful when releasing them since they are tomorrow’s 12- to 50-pounders.

I hope to try the river in another week for more of those big striper. I know there is a pattern, but I need to see it for myself.

The last time out, which was three weeks ago, we only caught one fish, but he was 16.9 pounds and over 36 inches long.

One organization that watches the river closely is River Watch. This is a touchy time of the year when there is no runoff to flush the river, just tides.

We understand that the Napa Sanitation District needs to release treated waste water from time to time, but River Watch is monitoring the water, and fishermen know when there has been a discharge since the catching of fish drops way off.

Man’s need for water and increased populations puts pressure on the district to release treated waste water in the summer, and that adds to the toxic problems in our area rivers. The Napa, Petaluma and Russian Rivers remain on the impaired and watch list.

Our river is a lot cleaner today than it was 40 years ago, but even with the waste water contracts with some grape growers near the airport, the cities holding ponds need to be released into the river, causing a more toxic situation.

 

Bass action

In the next four weeks, I hope to fish Berryessa and Clear Lake with some heavy concentration. I love to fish top water, and that is what I plan to do at these lakes. I will also use some big swim baits fished slowly to see if any of those 4- to 10-pound bass want a quick meal. It is amazing with all the pressure these lakes get that there are still a large number of big bass available.

Part of the reason is that many of the good fishermen catch the majority of the bass, and they practice catch and release. I know of some fishermen who know they have caught the same bass two and three times in a two-week period. Bass usually move around a lot, but in summer, many stay within 100 to 200 yards of the same spot for most of the summer.

 

Health update

I am always running into people who know that I have cancer and they look for my comments on how I am doing. Going to Cancun was a big deal. I got clearance from my doctor and she said, “Quality of life is most important now.”

I feel pretty good, a little tired and a little slower, but life is good, and I am stretching out for all I can grab. I can eat and drink anything I want, and even though my leukemia has come back, I am holding my own.

I am having fun and covering the beat as part of my life. Andi and I are making plans for more summer weekend trips; we are even going to try to squeeze in a 10-day cruise during Christmas.

God is watching over me, and I am smelling those roses.