Jan 22, 2012 - The BTBFF.com software upgrade is finally done. Things took a bit longer than expected, mostly due to having to put together our own photo gallery (be sure to check out the new format!).

We hopefully won't have to do that again for a while! There is some fallout from the upgrade, however, and we will be launching a contest shortly for everyone who helps us do a little post-migration cleanup.

After we're done tying up loose ends, we'll be rolling out some new look-and-feel changes, plus adding more content (at last!).

THANKS again for your continued support!

Jan 22, 2012 - The BTBFF.com software upgrade is finally done. Things took a bit longer than expected, mostly due to having to put together our own photo gallery (be sure to check out the new format!).

We hopefully won't have to do that again for a while! There is some fallout from the upgrade, however, and we will be launching a contest shortly for everyone who helps us do a little post-migration cleanup.

After we're done tying up loose ends, we'll be rolling out some new look-and-feel changes, plus adding more content (at last!).

THANKS again for your continued support!

August 1, 2011: Michael Schweit, president of the Southwest Council of the Federation of Fly Fishermen, caught a pending white seabass world record at Santa Cruz Island in mid-July. Click HERE to find out more…

Click for larger image

Michael Schweit, president of the Southwest Council of the Federation of Fly Fishermen, caught a pending white seabass world record on 8lb tippet at Santa Cruz Island on July 13. Captured in the eastern end of China Harbor, the fish weighed 11lb 13oz, and took approximately 10 minutes to land.

Michael was fishing aboard the SeaJay, skippered by Capt. John Fuqua. This was a private charter trip, organized biweekly by Michael during the summer months, and was a mixed fly/conventional trip.

“We were catching a mix of big and small fish on conventional gear, so we didn’t really know what to expect,” Schweit said, “When I hooked the fish, we weren’t sure if it was a 6lber or a 40lber.” He played the fish conservatively at first, but once he realized it wasn’t one of the giants, he put a lot more pressure on the fish and brought it to boat-side fairly quickly.

Michael was using a shooting head of LC-13 with Amnesia shooting line. His tippet was 8lb Ande Tournament monofilament, which is IGFA-rated . His fly was a white streamer. Schweit described the fly: “It’s a no-name fly I received some time ago. It has a long-shank hook wrapped in chenille, with white saddle hackle at the tail, and eyes close to the bend of the hook. Definitely a squid simulator.” He fished it by making a long cast and letting it sink. He used a slow, erratic strip to retrieve the fly.

The current 8lb tippet record is 9lb 4oz. “I targeted the 8lb tippet record specifically because of the size of the fish. I thought I had a pretty good chance at the record on 8lb tippet,” recounts Schweit. As it stands right now, Michael has submitted the necessary forms, photographs and other materials to the IGFA, and is waiting to hear back on the outcome. We wish him good luck!

courtesy
Bill Matthews

May 7, 2011 - Capt. Bill Matthews reports that barracuda pushing 8 pounds have shown up off El Segundo, and the calicos are on the chew as well.

The fish were found by following birds that were working schools of bait. Six- and eight-weight rods, using blue and white Clouser Flashtails in 3/0, with stripes ala mackerel.

Could winter finally be over?

courtesy
Bill Matthews

May 7, 2011 - Capt. Bill Matthews reports that barracuda pushing 8 pounds have shown up off El Segundo, and the calicos are on the chew as well.

The fish were found by following birds that were working schools of bait. Six- and eight-weight rods, using blue and white Clouser Flashtails in 3/0, with stripes ala mackerel.

Could winter finally be over?

We have a special class for private boat conventional gear fishermen that want to try fly-fishing, and a "Grill the Guides" track for experienced fly-fishermen. Free drawings for a TFO BVK rod and an Abel #4 pliers/holster, and a Sea Level Fly-fishing demo day as well!. Click HERE to learn more...

We have a special class for private boat conventional gear fishermen that want to try fly-fishing, and a "Grill the Guides" track for experienced fly-fishermen. Free drawings for a TFO BVK rod and an Abel #4 pliers/holster, and a Sea Level Fly-fishing demo day as well!. Click HERE to learn more...

Beyond The Breakwater will be doing two seminars ("Nearshore and Offshore Opportunities") at the Pasadena FF Show, Feb 19-20.

We are scheduled for 11:00a on Saturday, and 10:00a on Sunday, both in Destination Theater Room B. Plus I'll be hanging out at the show, most likely in the FFF booth.

This is a high-level intro overview of what you can expect when fishing the kelp beds and offshore: what you'll catch, equipment needs, resources like guides, etc., and is meant for the fly-fisherman who doesn't know exactly where to start.

I know there are a lot of other great seminars going on, but to tempt you into attending this one, I am having the following giveaways:

• Each session will have a drawing for a Scientific Anglers Streamer Express fly line.
  
  
• The first 3 people that sign the attendance list will receive their choice of a 30' section of Scientific Anglers T10+, T12+, T14+, OR T18+ shooting head line, for the "roll your own" shooting head fan.

Hope to see you there!

Beyond The Breakwater will be doing two seminars ("Nearshore and Offshore Opportunities") at the Pasadena FF Show, Feb 19-20 (http://www.flyfishingshow.com/Pasadena.html).

We are scheduled for 11:00a on Saturday, and 10:00a on Sunday, both in Destination Theater Room B. Plus I'll be hanging out at the show, most likely in the FFF booth.

This is a high-level intro overview of what you can expect when fishing the kelp beds and offshore: what you'll catch, equipment needs, resources like guides, etc., and is meant for the fly-fisherman who doesn't know exactly where to start.

I know there are a lot of other great seminars going on, but to tempt you into attending this one, I am having the following giveaways:

• Each session will have a drawing for a Scientific Anglers Streamer Express fly line.
  
  
• The first 3 people that sign the attendance list will receive their choice of a 30' section of Scientific Anglers T10+, T12+, T14+, OR T18+ shooting head line, for the "roll your own" shooting head fan.

Hope to see you there!