| I was born in St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. While in fourth grade at Jefferson Elementary (now Brooks Institute), I moved to Carpinteria, where I was enrolled at Main Elementary School. Eventually, I graduated from Carpinteria High School in 1981. Kiddy corner from Main School, at 586 Palm Avenue was Reg's Bait Shop. Most kids crossed the street for the candy, I was there to drool over the photos of fish and learn everything I could about how to catch surf perch, halibut and the elusive corbina, and other piscatorial attractions on this rich part of the California coastline. At the time, Reg was cranking out his weekly fishing article in the Carpinteria Herald. I could hardly wait, because the paper came out on Wednesday, it gave me just enough time to plan my weekend. I feel so fortunate as a kid growing up so close to the beach. All I had to do was grab my fishing rod and walk a few minutes. What I really like about Reg's articles was their enthusiasm, and appreciative mystique about the various fish species, their life history, feeding habitats, and how to catch them. They were also a quick introduction to the rythms of nature, and how to apply one's self, accordingly: Get up in the morning when the tide is low to get the bait, fish during the flood tide. Simple concepts indeed, but as I look back on those early years they were poignant, mentoring, and character developing. I was born a fancier of fish, as soon I could hold a fishing rod my grandfather guided me to the angling art. But my encounter's with Reg came at a time that I feel truly initiated my life's direction. With Reg, there was just so much more to baiting the hook and reeling in a fish. I continued on this journey. About the time Reg's health was failing and the articles discontinued, I met Neal Taylor. Neal ran the Fishing section at Pelch's Sporting Goods on State Street in Santa Barbara. Neal loved kids and loved to teach. He had an ongoing fly tying course (free) going on right in the midlde of the store. When he wasn't showing a customer the exquisite back-bone and fish-fighting qualities of a SABRE rod, he was showing us how to make a parachute adams, or a royal coachman, or a Taylor-tied. He also like to show off his Champion casting skills in the store by flip casting a rubber sinker in a coffee cup at 50 feet. He rarely missed, truly phenomenal! When I was a freshman in high school, and before I believed that I'd actually be old enough to go to college, Neal told me that I should go to Humboldt State and study fisheries. I took his advice. Everything has worked out pretty great since then. I am currently a fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and still a fish-aholic.
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