March: always a special month.
Those who know California bass fishing history remember the significance of March 4–and not because it’s my birthday. It was exactly 30 years ago this Thursday, that Ray Easley set the California record for largemouth bass at 21-3 at Lake Casitas. It came on a live crawdad, a bait that was feared to one day be responsible for catching a new world record in the decade that followed. Of course, it never happened.
And what about tomorrow? The Fred Hall Show at the Long Beach Convention Center March 3-7) marks a kind of seasonal right of passage. Figure the place will be hopping, even at $15 a ticket, plus parking and if you have planned your finances, you should do very well on some show bargains.
Doors open at 2 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on the weekend and stays open until 9:30, except on the last day. This is a great time for renewal among fishermen–plus a time to see the latest and greatest.
Similarly, at the end of the month, the Hall Show resumes at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, March 24-28. The San Diego version has a slightly different flavor, but well worth the time. When the opportunity as arisen in the past, I try and hit them both.
FINALLY… on a more personal note (with a public invitation) friends, colleagues or acquaintances of the late Pat Marley, long-time counsel for the Southern California Bass Council, are gathering on March 17 in La Mirada for a casual time of remembrance.
According to Pat’s life partner Maureen Mann, the activity will take place at Northwoods Restauarant at 14305 Firestone Blvd. It’s located just off the I-5, north of the 91 on the Valley View exit. Maureen says, “It’s on the right if you are heading north on the 5.”
It’s no accident that St. Patrick’s Day was date chosen, and guests should arrive beginning at 3 p.m. Says an upbeat Maureen, “There will be a microphone set up in case anyone has stories they want to share.”
I know she would be pleased to see you.
3 Responses to “March means renewal, remembrances”
I also spoke to Maureen, and she said that they will have a board to post any old photos you have of Pat,,, so if you have any to share, please bring them… I have a great one of Pat at Lake Alamo… and guess what he is holding??? No, not a fish,,, a pitcher of Margarita’s !!! Perfect…
Dennis Taylor
Original “No Name Bass Club Member”
Sadly, that will likely be the biggest bass ever caught from there, what with the whole ‘planted trout’ fiasco going on with the Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game being run over by the uber special interest group lawsuits….. I’ve been following the drama on Calfishing.com , and it isn’t at all pretty. Best of luck with all that. Now that it’s almost ‘ice out’ in Illinois, I should be hoisting that ‘THANKS Pat Marley’ bass aloft within days… oh yeah, HAPPY BIRFDAY, and we ‘preciate all YOU’VE done.
Thanks George…..you just made me feel really old.
I remember March 4, 1980 very well. I walked into work that day (Bob’s Tackle in Norwalk, CA) and Bob said to my mom, “You better hold on to Terry, a big fish was caught at Casitas today.”
I was 15 and had been fishing Casitas every week since December. Before Ray caught that fish, there might have been 25 boats on the water Saturday and Sunday. That next weekend there were probably 500 boats on the lake and the line to get in was 3 hours long. The weekend after that there were boats from Florida, Georgia and all sorts of other states. You needed a number to get on the rock pile, Deep Cat, the sunken island etc.
As for Pat’s remembrance, please give my regards and thanks for all he did for the SCBC. He was a great man and his legacy will live for a long time.
Terry