Thanks to Robert Ketley for his article "California Rock Hounds" in
the Nov/Dec issue of "FlyFishing in Saltwaters. Makes me want to
venture away from the sandy beaches of San Diego on occasion.
Thanks again, Robert.
Larry S

Thanks Larry:

I just got my slides back yesterday and haven't even seen the article yet. Guess I better stop by the fly shop and get a copy. Hopefully the piece in the upcoming edition of CFF will make you want to tie on a "Rattlin Hollywood Gurgler", too.

Best wishes,

Rob

_________________
The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.

Rob:
Have done well on Michigan smallmouths using size 6 freshwater
Gurglers. Anxious to see what your version is like. Understand
that one can use them successfully with a sink(tip) line, as well.
Larry S

Larry,

Gurglers work like a champ on breakwater kelp bass in Outer Long Beach Harbor and they ought to work well down your way, too.

-JP

_________________
"I fish, therefore I am."

JP:
Are we talking floating or sinking? Always look forward to your
postings as well as articles. Thanks. Especially enjoy reading about
the individual species one is apt to encounter in the surf zone.
Larry S

It's not my version of the Gurgler! The demented mind behind the Rattlin Hollywood Gurgler is Lee Haskin. When Lee first showed me the fly, I thought he was joking. The thing looked like something a rebelious encyclopedia girl might add to a Barbie doll to make her look like a whore!

The bug has the basic Gurgler platform, but has some very unique design elements incorporated into it. The end result is something that would probably make Halford vomit! However, Halford had no concept pulling 20 lb Striped Bass off the bottom, in 20+ feet of water.

I also wrote about it because it seemed like a neat story about fly tying creativity. Hopefully, the next issue will be out soon and you will see what I mean.

_________________
The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.

Larry,

I'm using these things for kelp (calico) bass and fishing them on a fast sinking shooting head -either 300 grain Airflo Depthfinder with intermediate running portion, 300 grain Rio Deep Sea, or 30 feet of LC 13 with Amnesia for running line.

They work great when fishing for kelp bass on the first kelp stringers on the seaward side of the break line, too. That's actually the environment that I use them in the most. I just paddle my kayak through the surf, park it on the first kelp that I come to, and start fishing. I don't get to fish the Outer L.B. Harbor Breakwall much these days because I don't have a skiff anymore and have to rely on boat-owning friends that I can bum rides with.

If you've got a boat and fish for calicos off the kelp forests down your way, you might want to give fishing these things with a sinking shooting head a whirl. The bass love 'em.

-JP

_________________
"I fish, therefore I am."

JP:
Thanks for the tips and advice. Look forward to trying this.
Larry S

For those of you waiting for Rob's Gurgler article, the latest ish is in the mail as of yesterday morning (Wed the 10th), and should be in the stores by the middle of next week.