If your dad is an angler, then this is a great time for a Father’s Day gift of a day’s fishing. The choices are plenty and here are some of my favorites.
Close to Sonoma, I suggest full or half day fly-fishing for striped bass on the Napa River with local guide Capt. Patrick MacKenzie. Patrick lives right here in Sonoma Valley and knows where the fish are on the Napa River and Bay waters. He’s a nice guy and a lot of fun to fish with.
And, you don’t have to be an experienced fly-fisher, because Patrick is also an excellent teacher and will show you all you need to know to catch fish. A full day’s trip for one to two anglers is $550 and includes all necessary rods, tackle, etc. plus lunch and instruction (7 to 8 hours). A half day trip (4 to 5 hours) is $425 for 1 or 2 anglers and includes all the same stuff as the full day, expect, snacks are substituted for a full lunch.
His boat is very nice and comfortable for two anglers. For more information go to mackenzieonthefly.com, or all Patrick at 707-721-6700.
If you’d like to spend a little time in Southern Oregon and possibly take in some Shakespeare in Ashland, then go to andrasoutfitters.com and consider giving you dad a day or two fishing with Jim Andras. I just returned from two days fishing for trout on the Rogue River with Jim, and as usual, it was a very enjoyable experience. Jim is a really great guy and the best guide I’ve ever fished with. His full-day rate is $495, for one to two anglers and includes all you’ll need plus lunch. You don’t have to be an experienced fly-fisher to catch fish with Jim.
If you’d like a fly-fishing lesson, his wife Rachel offers lessons by the hour. Call them at 800-488-5794.
The cool thing about fishing with Jim or Rachel is that you can stay at a really nice place in Ashland and enjoy that town’s renowned Shakespeare Festival and many excellent restaurants nearby. Rachel can even help you with those reservations.
If your dad likes casting flies to large, hungry fish, then the gift should be day’s fishing with guide Hogan Brown on the Sacramento River. He specializes in fly-fishing for striped bass in the Sac near his home base in Chico. His full day rate is $550. Half-day trips are $425 and he offers evening trips for $325. For more information go to Hogan’s website at hgbflyfishing.com.
One of my favorite spots for a day’s fly-fishing is the Sacramento River near Redding, which is only a three-hour drive from Sonoma. I recommend Anthony Carruesco’s AC Flyfishing as the guide service to use for that part of the Sac. Anthony also guides on the McCloud, Pit, Fall, Klamath, Trinity and other rivers. For more information go to his website at acflyfishing.com.
Finally, if your dad prefers fishing on the ocean, then give him a day with Capt. Rick Powers Bodega Bay Sportsfishing. Starting June 23, Rick will be offering combo day trips out of Bodega for salmon, rock and ling cod. He does offer gift certificates. Call him at 707-875-3344.
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