Mississippi, San Francisco & Texas

Once again I come to the board for expertise...(maybe someday I can offer some). I'm being shipped off to Gulfport, Mississippi next week as part of a relief team, and while I'll toss a rod in the car just in case, I doubt I'll have much time to fish.

But I'll be in San Francisco the first week of November, and would appreciate a headsup from the board to any guides in the area for either fresh or saltwater. I'll probably be able to get at least a half-day's fishing in, and maybe an entire day.

Next I'll be on the Texas gulf coast in Matagorda county during the first week of December for a hunting trip, but figured I'd take a flyrod along and see what there is to offer. Two years ago I watched the redfish tailing in front of our duck blind. Any suggestions for a flyguide?

As always, thanks in advance!

Good luck in Gulfport Bill.
I doubt you'll have a chance to fish by the looks of things.
I see on your profile you're involved in predator controll.
Does your assignment there have anything to do with (eeekk) snakes and 'gators?

I believe you're correct....not much to do out there but hard work for a while. But thanks for your thoughts...

My profile is just my slightly twisted sense of humor at work. I'm actually a law enforcement officer for the State of Florida. I'll be going out as part of the 2nd wave of relief efforts.

But the San Francisco trip might be scarier....that one is part of my honeymoon.

Bill:

Just from my experience as a soldier...

You are going into an area, where everything has been destroyed. There will not be any corner grocery stores, you will need take some stuff, here is some that I think are important, there maybe more that you want to add to the list....

lots of Batteries for Flashlight and Portable Radio.

First Aid Kit (for yourself) with extra bandages and alcohol and antibiotic ointments.

Insect Repellent (lots)

Sunscreen (lots)

Towels, at least a couple, they have many uses.

Pain Killer (Advil, Aspirin, etc)

Baking Soda (great for upset stomach, brushing teeth, paste for insect bites).

Water Containers (notice the plural) never enough container for holding water.
(Best way to disinfect a container to make it safe to drink from,pour some soapy water inside container shake (then drain) then rinse (couple of times)with clean water (then drain. Finally pour a couple ounces of whiskey into the container, shake and then drained. You now have a container that is usable for storing drinking water. The whiskey will also seal the inside of the container (if it is plastic) so your water does not take on a plastic taste when it gets warm.

Lots of socks, and as many pairs of boots and/or shoes (rotate shoes and/or boots)
Change socks every 4 hours, towel feet dry with towel and use foot powder. Once a day apply Lotrimin. If boots/shoes get wet, switch to another pair that is dry.

Make Time to take time of your feet, medical staff will be overloaded with helping the victims of Katrina...

Foot Powder, and Lotrimin Ultra.

If you wear prescription glasses, take extra pair along, also any prescription medicine you take (in their original vials, so you can get refills if needed)

Also take a container that you can stash you stuff inside and lock it up.

PSG Steven H. McGarthwaite
US Army, Retired

Hey there Bill;
Congrats on marriage. In SanFrancisco,you can kill two birds with a single stone. Right there at fishermans Wharf there is SCOMAS Restaurant where you and your bride will enjoy a great seafood ( fresh) meal and just a short walk from there is the dock where all the charter boats tie up. Freshwater fishin is a bit too far away from SF. Do stop in at the Cafe Buena Vista at the Powell St. cable car turn around close to Ghirardellis on the wharf for the best Irish Coffee on earth. That's where they invented it.

Mark

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I'd rather be in Wyoming!

Great post, Steve. Here are some other items to pack as well:
Toilet Paper
Baby Wipes
Beef Jerky and other non perishable low bulk, high energy foods
Water Purification tablets and/or a water filtration system
Powdered Gator Aide
Sterile alcohol wipes
Multi-purpose tool
Disposable razors and soap
Travel tooth brush
Great point about the feet. No one knows more about foot care than a foot soldier or Marine. I prefer Gold Bond Medicated Powder. Carry extra boot strings or a small spool of parachute cord. I use Zip Lock freezer bags to keep some of my gear dry. Don't forget cash and any meds that you are on. Antibiotics can be a life saver in these situations. I have some Castrol hand cleaner that doesn't even require towels to wipe it off. Simply rub it on the part of your body that needs cleaning and it flakes off as a powder. Comes in a nice little packable tube. If you want I will send it to you, just shoot me an email at eabridges222@hotmail.com
Since I work for DoD and the Defense Logistics Agency there is a chance I will be joining you there.
God Bless you and keep you safe.

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Eric "nighthawk"

When asked how he felt during his first American space walk Astronaut Edward White responded "I feel red, white and blue all over".

[This message has been edited by nighthawk (edited 31 August 2005).]

Eric (Nighthawk):

Does the Military still have some of the old style insect repellent, the liquid type (that we used to melt our camo sticks for application), instead of the cream style?

That stuff was 74% DEET, and no bug comes within a country mile of you, when you had it on your clothing. I am down to my last bottle of the stuff!

Like to get some if it is still around.

~Parnelli

Thanks for the advice, guys - both supply and fishing. Anyone heard of Putah Creek? It's supposed to be a little further north from SanFran and have some trout.

I've been using the Sawyers MaxiDeet repellant - not sure of the content, but it seems to work ok in the Everglades. There used to be a repellent that came in an orange bottle that was 100% DEET, but the first time you spilled it, it took the label off...."Ben's" rings a bell. I recall it ate the finish off a shotgun stock once.

I'm packing as we speak...(lemme see now, Irish Whiskey, batteries, socks, rain gear, 8 wt and some streamers...)

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"Not the prettiest rod, best casting technique, or fanciest duds....but I'm usually having more fun than words can describe!"

Early November is often prime time for Stripers on the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta

All of the guides you will see at the following link are excellent:
[url=http://www.danblanton.com/c2c.california_bay.html:e36cd]www.danblanton.com/c2c.california_bay.html[/url:e36cd]

Putah Creek is a bit over an hour from San Francisco and has fair fishing. I have never fished it myself. If you fish Putah, you need to be aware of the newly recommended procedures for preventing the spread of the New Zealand Mud Snail.
[url=http://www.flyline.com/environmental/nzms/:e36cd]www.flyline.com/environmental/nzms/[/url:e36cd]

Bill - There are several other FF guides, but the top, the very bestest, A #1 FF guide in the general area where you'll be in Texas is Tom Horbey.
His phone is 361-983-2263. He's in Port O'Connor.

Cary

Whew! Back for a week before cycling back out again...Mississippi is coming back strong, but there's still lots of work to do. We supported the Jackson County SO, who were an amazing group of people to work with. Some had homes destroyed, families sleeping at the station or city hall, and never missed a shift. Got back last night and am just now staggering in circles, making coffee, and sorting laundry and gear.

Thanks for all the tips. We used just about everything on your lists...and then some.

Also thanks for the guide advice. I've hunted ducks in Port OConnor...that's where we saw redfish tailing just past the dekes. I will definitely be calling that guide.



[This message has been edited by bill santner (edited 10 September 2005).]

Bill,

They just did a complete show on Putah Creek not too long ago. Its supposed to have some fine fishing. I cant remember which show it was maybe Flyfish T.V. or something like that. Im sure if you do some research and ask around you will find what you need.

Seege