The fast-moving wildfires and foul, smoke-filled air made us Sonomans wonder if there was any place with blue sky to which we could flee. Surprisingly, it might have been north of us in southern Oregon, where my friends, and former Sonomans, Jim and Rachel Andras, run a fishing outfitter business from their home in Talent live.
They evacuated their home on Sept. 8, finally returning last week, after a fire destroyed most of their little town. The good news is the fire and smoke have passed and their home survived, barely. But, while the skies may be clear, the devastation around them is heartbreaking
Here is part of their report:
“On Tuesday Sept. 8, over 2,500 homes were lost in the Almeda Fire. It was terrifying! I have nothing but respect and gratitude for the brave police officers, fire fighters, pilots, and others who saved so many lives.
“Eighty percent of our Phoenix/Talent School District where our children, James and Brechin, attend was evacuated and 40 percent of the homes were lost. Already with a shortage of affordable housing, this makes our challenges ahead even harder. Yet our community is worth rebuilding. Leaders are currently trying to bring back all the families to our towns so we can support them. Yesterday they opened up Phoenix Elementary as a shelter for families. They need familiar, safety, and a space to be.”
If you want to help, Rachel said you can donate to the Phoenix Talent School District Relief Fund for families at phoenix.k12.or.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=2631.
Some members of the fly-fishing community including guides who make their living taking people fishing up there, lost everything; rods, reels, waders, boots, etc. Most of us have extra gear and apparel stashed in our closets; if you do, consider sending it to Rachel who will see that it gets to the people in need.
Here’s a partial list of what she says is needed:
Women’s waders (med), Women’s wading boots (size 11), Women’s rain jacket (med), Men’s waders, XL; rain jacket and fleece jackets. It’s best to check in with Rachel at andrasoutfitters@me.com before sending anything. Mailing and shipping address is: Rachel Andras, 365 Schoolhouse Road, Talent, OR 97540.
If you have other ways of helping contact Rachel at that email address. Or book a trip with them at (800) 488-5794, or (530) 722-7992.
Residents of the North Bay Area not directly affected by the fires have managed to get out fishing some days. The best action remains the Marin Shoreline where anglers are catching lots of striped bass and halibut. Call Keith Fraser at Loch Lomond Bait Shop in San Rafael for the latest reports and tips on where to fish. He also has plenty of live bait.
Capt. Rick Powers of Bodega Bay Sportsfishing is finding lots of rock cod and ling cod for this clients. In between he is also booking whale and bird watching trips. On one trip this week, he found lots of humpback whales, orcas and all kinds of sea birds for a group of ornithologists. Call Rick at 875-3344.
Bob Grace at the Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir near Mt. Shasta says the skies are clear and the fishing is pretty good on the upper Sacramento River right now. The fall caddis hatch is just beginning and fishing should improve as we move into October.
Anglers thinking of heading for the mountains should check conditions before going. Many national forest areas, state parks and access roads are closed due to the high fire danger. And fishing at Clear Lake, Lake Berryessa or Lake Sonoma is probably not available right now.
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