Hello

[Nick Velvet]

Well I have been lurking here long enough so I figure I should introduce myself and give a little background before I start posting. My real name is Jeff. "Nick Velvet" is a pseudo name but thats another story. Maybe I should have come up with something fishing related and witty such as, FshnNOTcatchn. I live in Huntington Beach and pretty much grew up there. Anyway this is a great site.I think I have pretty much read everything and there is lots of good info. I've been out of fishing for awhile and realized how much I have missed it so here I am.

Most of my experience has been freshwater. I've fished most of the local lakes and have spent some time on Lake Shasta during family vacations and some time in Oregon as well. I remember fishing LNL (yes I will date myself now) back about 15-20 years ago when it was just another regional park with a lake. Not what it is today. I look forward to getting back there again. Lately been to Mile square and Huntington lake because there close and just wanted to get the feel for everything back. And no I didn't catch anything.

One of my goals is to try fly-fishing. Got a nice Fenwick rod and a couple of Hardy reels which I know back in the day were top of the line. I have quite a few flies as well. Since I haven't had much of the opportunity to use them they are in pristine shape. Would love to try some of the local streams, and maybe some of the N. Cal areas as well, although my casting has alot to be desired. Sounds like there are quite a few members on here that can give me some pointers.

Id also like to try float tubing. That is providing I can get over my phobia of floating in a lake. Always felt uncomfortable swimming in lakes for some reason. Go figure, I have scuba dived and surfed for more than half my life and rarely worried what was below me...well there was that one time lol. Something about the thought of a large catfish coming up and grabbing my foot lol.

Now saltwater I am pretty much a newbie. Most of my saltwater experience has been spearfishing and diving for lobster during there season. Many years ago I fished from the pier but never really caught anything worth mentioning. I plan on spending some more time on the pier being that I am 5 minutes away. Also want to do some surf fishing. I've been reading all the articles regarding this and picked up some items. Just need to know where the hot spots in HB or Bolsa are. Yeah I know I will have to find out on my own since fishermen do keep their secret spots a secret. Never fished from a boat really, and dont have the tackle for that just yet. I tend to find things I like and what others are saying and research the hell out of it before buying.

Well I think i have rambled on long enough, which I tend to do. I know you all didn't want my life story. I look forward to being pretty active on the site, and maybe spend some time fishing with everyone. Look forward to learning alot, as I tend to ask alot of questions, and maybe I may have something to offer. You guys are pretty good though, lots of experience. Now everyone write a nice "Welcome Jeff" post.

[Wahoo!]

Welcome to the board Jeff!!!

Thanks for introducing yourself. I think you'll really enjoy becoming part of group and getting to know everyone. Let us know if you have any questions and we'll help you out. I'm looking forward to reading your reports!

[Heather]

Here is your nice "welcome Jeff" post!!

Originally Posted by Nick Velvet

Now everyone write a nice "Welcome Jeff" post.

[TroUtOlogIsT]

welcome to the board, fellow fisherman!!!!!

[Local Rookie]

Welcome aboard! Tight Lines!

[IncredibleHuck]

Great to see you on the boards Jeff! If you ever out my way in the Inland Empire maybe we could meet up and fish sometime. There is some great trout fishing lakes up here, and some really good lakes to try float tubing and fly fishing as well!

[DementedFish]

Glad to have ya here Nick! I noticed you said you were interested in fishing LNL again. Well, this saturday, we're having our get together at LNL. Alot of us are gonna be going, and we'd be glad to meet and fish with you! If you havent seen the link to the thread yet, here it is:

**LNL Get together on the 26th details**

[Nick Velvet]

Originally Posted by jbyrd23

Great to see you on the boards Jeff! If you ever out my way in the Inland Empire maybe we could meet up and fish sometime. There is some great trout fishing lakes up here, and some really good lakes to try float tubing and fly fishing as well!

I will definatly take you up on that. If the fishing is good im willing to go anywhere. Ive been looking at float tubes, waders etc based on what people on here have recomended. Really want to try some fly fishing...just keep me away from any trees.

[Nick Velvet]

Originally Posted by DementedFish

Glad to have ya here Nick! I noticed you said you were interested in fishing LNL again. Well, this saturday, we're having our get together at LNL. Alot of us are gonna be going, and we'd be glad to meet and fish with you! If you havent seen the link to the thread yet, here it is:

**LNL Get together on the 26th details**

Been lurking on here for about a month and yes I have been keeping up on the info. Actually thats the reason I figure I better intorduce myself now instead of show up and everying going "hey whos this guy". Sounds like alot of fun and look forward to meeting everyone, and getting a chance to see what others are using especially those that are float tubing since I really am interested in that. It will be nice to fish there after so long and actually have a shot at catching something. Back in the old days you were lucky if you got a small crappie or bluegill. I dont even know if it had trout in it. At least I never saw one. I tend to fish alone since none of my friends fish...come to think of it they dont do much of anything sports wise. So it will be nice to have some others to fish with. I definatly plan on being there.

[DementedFish]

Originally Posted by Nick Velvet

Been lurking on here for about a month and yes I have been keeping up on the info. Actually thats the reason I figure I better intorduce myself now instead of show up and everying going "hey whos this guy". Sounds like alot of fun and look forward to meeting everyone, and getting a chance to see what others are using especially those that are float tubing since I really am interested in that. It will be nice to fish there after so long and actually have a shot at catching something. Back in the old days you were lucky if you got a small crappie or bluegill. I dont even know if it had trout in it. At least I never saw one. I tend to fish alone since none of my friends fish...come to think of it they dont do much of anything sports wise. So it will be nice to have some others to fish with. I definatly plan on being there.

You will meet ALOT of good friends on this board. I have met 3 awesome people through this board, and we are very close friends.

I'm glad you're coming to the get together! I'll add you to the list!

[PlatinumHooks]

Hey Jeff (Nick V),

Glad you're aboard. Whether your a "Hardcore", intermediate or beginner, everyone on this site offers great story's, great posts and great reports. Even with the more experienced guys; we have no problem sharing our information and involving you in whatever we're doing. Anyway I can help, just let me know. Glad you've decided to get back into the best sport in the world.

Hope you stick around.

[jstcrzyengh]

Welcome aboard. Since I grew up in HB (Slater and Newland, No not slater slums I lived on the OTHER side ) a place I always liked to go is to the dock in huntington harbor. Take Warner all the way down towards PCH, just before PCH you will get to the bay and a small parking lot on your right hand side. Pull in there and you will see a small dock, now you can park across the street for free at the habitat area and than just walk across the street if you dont want to pay, but to be honest I never paid for parking there Use squid, anchovies, there is a ton of live smelt there. If you can catch them that is the way to go. I have caught everything from legal halibut to 4ft grey sharks there. You can also go down to PCH make a right and go down just past the simple green building. Really good spot you will see a lot of guys fishing at the base of the bridge. They catch more things like skates, halibut, sand bass, the occasional calico and back in what 97 98 el nino there was a school of legal size barracuda that came through...

I also know a couple of other close spots. You can fish mothers beach which is just past the interchange from the 405 and the 22, fish the SECOND lake at mile square park, centennial park after they stock, greer after they stock, etc... Ever need any help let me know

Your favorite neighborhood moderator
James

[FishSlayer]

Originally Posted by jstcrzyengh

Welcome aboard. Since I grew up in HB (Slater and Newland, No not slater slums I lived on the OTHER side ) a place I always liked to go is to the dock in huntington harbor. Take Warner all the way down towards PCH, just before PCH you will get to the bay and a small parking lot on your right hand side. Pull in there and you will see a small dock, now you can park across the street for free at the habitat area and than just walk across the street if you dont want to pay, but to be honest I never paid for parking there Use squid, anchovies, there is a ton of live smelt there. If you can catch them that is the way to go. I have caught everything from legal halibut to 4ft grey sharks there. You can also go down to PCH make a right and go down just past the simple green building. Really good spot you will see a lot of guys fishing at the base of the bridge. They catch more things like skates, halibut, sand bass, the occasional calico and back in what 97 98 el nino there was a school of legal size barracuda that came through.

SSHHH!!!!! dont give away one of my favorate spots dude!

Originally Posted by jstcrzyengh

You can also go down to PCH make a right and go down just past the simple green building. Really good spot you will see a lot of guys fishing at the base of the bridge. They catch more things like skates, halibut, sand bass, the occasional calico and back in what 97 98 el nino there was a school of legal size barracuda that came through

The North side of this bridge has been closed since 9-11, stupid terrorrists!

[Nick Velvet]

Originally Posted by Tony"PltnmHooks"Z.

Hey Jeff (Nick V),

Glad you're aboard. Whether your a "Hardcore", intermediate or beginner, everyone on this site offers great story's, great posts and great reports. Even with the more experienced guys; we have no problem sharing our information and involving you in whatever we're doing. Anyway I can help, just let me know. Glad you've decided to get back into the best sport in the world.

Hope you stick around.

Tony, Thanks for the welcome. The one thing that impressed me about this board was how friendly everyone seems. I checked out some others and they had good info as well, but this one seems alot more active and covers a wider range of topics and different skill levels. Its been about 5 or 6 years since I fished on a regular basis and what has amazed me is how much the technology has changed in that time. Years ago...well 20ish I worked at Sport Chalet in HB. I worked in the dive shop, but also split time in the camping and fishing dept, so ive seen alot of changes over the years. Id say the basic tecniques are still prevelent but the advances in equipment have really changed. I mean I had no idea what flurocarbon line was until now. I look forward to learning alot more from everyone.

[Nick Velvet]

Originally Posted by jstcrzyengh

Welcome aboard. Since I grew up in HB (Slater and Newland, No not slater slums I lived on the OTHER side ) a place I always liked to go is to the dock in huntington harbor. Take Warner all the way down towards PCH, just before PCH you will get to the bay and a small parking lot on your right hand side. Pull in there and you will see a small dock, now you can park across the street for free at the habitat area and than just walk across the street if you dont want to pay, but to be honest I never paid for parking there Use squid, anchovies, there is a ton of live smelt there. If you can catch them that is the way to go. I have caught everything from legal halibut to 4ft grey sharks there. You can also go down to PCH make a right and go down just past the simple green building. Really good spot you will see a lot of guys fishing at the base of the bridge. They catch more things like skates, halibut, sand bass, the occasional calico and back in what 97 98 el nino there was a school of legal size barracuda that came through...

I also know a couple of other close spots. You can fish mothers beach which is just past the interchange from the 405 and the 22, fish the SECOND lake at mile square park, centennial park after they stock, greer after they stock, etc... Ever need any help let me know

Your favorite neighborhood moderator
James

I live at Beach and Main and yes I know about the "Slater slums" lol. I know exactly where those spots are and I will definatly check those out. Never been to mothers beach but my mother in law who lives in that area used to take my daughter when she was a little tot. Been to Mile square a couple of times but my luck it always rains the week before. Actually was out there once when it was raining, so not much of a bite. Im pretty much hardcore and will fish rain or shine. Anyway I look forward to getting to know everyone.