7-17-17 - Fishing
Lucky omen..
Dolich
No Good Bass Before Its Time
--The Phantom Caster

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Largemouth Bass are a perfect pairing for a wonderful weekend in the Napa Valley.

"Uh, Excuse me. I think you might have spent too much time in the tasting room. Did you say largemouth bass? Is that a new millennial varietal?"

No, it's a secret. You can't tell a soul but the irrigation ponds on a number of Napa/Sonoma vineyards are home to some whoppers. Having fished all over, I learned early on that many places you might not think of hold fat, finny creatures and are productive fishing spots.

7-17-17 - Fishing
Path to a pond...

The story began 35 years ago during a round of golf at Silverado Country Club in Napa. My son was a bit young to play but had developed decent enough skills with a rod and reel to hop off the cart for a few casts at ponds on the courses. We were on the hole near the former home of golf legend Johnny Miller. He had a nice pond for a front lawn. I heard my son screaming as he held up a bass that was probably four pounds, before throwing it back. Golf courses all over the country can be teeming with bass, crappie and sunfish. I always carry a mini rod in my golf bag.

I've had the elusive "birdie and bass" combo on more than one course.

7-17-17 - Fishing
TressBassing...

Spending time up in the Valley I became friends with a few vineyard managers who were OK with me walking through the vines to their ponds. Over time I was able to figure out which ones produced.

If you are up to the challenge of giving it a shot, there are a few rules you should follow:
*  Always ask for permission to fish on someone's pond
*  All fishing is catch and release
*  Use barbless hooks
*  Mini rods and reels are preferred
*  No treble hooks.
*  No wine-ing if you don't catch
*  Be ready with your camera phone for great shots of ducks. geese, turtles, bullfrogs, spectacular scenery and sunsets
*  Best lures are spinner baits, small poppers and Rapalas.
*  The water levels in the ponds are key to fishability, with May-July being prime time
*  Remember that these ponds are used to irrigate the vineyards

From time to time there might be some simple "TressBassing going on," but if you want to taste during the day, toss a few of your favorite lures at dusk and end the evening with a great meal. There is no better place to do so than in the Wine Country.

7-17-17 - Fishing
My Walden Pond...

Pops
3-6-17 - Pops

Michael King (left), with an associate from USF (center), and Karla Granadino-King, are pictured at the Olympic Club in San Francisco,  proudly sharing with the world their  Pops Premium Rumpopo. A King family secret, Pops Premium Rumpopo is a  delicious rum cream liqueur recipe brewed in the family tradition.  The award winning recipe is a Belizean family favorite and now available at all Total Wine & More stores in California and Bay Area retailers.
For more information, visit https://www.bzecheers.com/rumpopo

Pops - Original
Pops Back Label