Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by Roger George, a central San Joaquin Valley native and local fishing expert.

BEST BETS

San Luis striper bite continues, Ly Tu said. Eastman bass on the upswing, Adela Lint said. New Melones trout fishing excellent, Melanie Lewis said. Kaweah bass fishing good — topped by huge lunker, Sierra Sporting Goods reported. McClure rainbows hitting, Bill Holbrook said.

ROGER'S REMARKS

Someone asked me about taking a good friend of his, an avid flyfisherman, out fishing sometime. This got me thinking about the subcultures of fishing that are unique and distinctive in how they approach and execute the sport — as well as the kind of aura they tend to exude. Here’s my (obviously) prejudiced andslightly slanted view on some of the major iconic angling cultures out there. Fly anglers: Many people look at flyfishing as an almost mystical experience where you need expensive equipment and years of on-the-water experience to be successful. It’s no wonder lots of folks think it’s too complex and avoid it. Flyfishing and it’sis a deadly technique in many situations and I think more anglers need to try it. The one drawback (and the reason I think more anglers don’t try it seriously) is that many folks perceive flyfishing as a hierarchy, where you’ve got to have the right stuff and everyone that’s any good is going to look down on you. Some have tried to convince me there is no other true form of fishing — and if you're not doing it, you’re not fishing. I disagree, and using earthworms under a bobber isn’t beneath me when it’s working. It would be safe to say that this group could be characterized as anglers who practice stealth, are heavily into technique, believe in catch and release, and always wear the right vest and hat! Bass anglers: I regard this group as the meat-and- potato anglers — the ones out to “get ’er done.” Speed, power and guts, as well as competition, fuel these NASCAR-type adrenaline junkies who’ll run over you to make it back to a weigh-in, if needed. As in most fishing circles, this bunch has made an art out of bragging rights, with closely contested competitions that are usually hard-fought secretive affairs. Addicted to fast boats, hot swimbaits and big weights, they are the hot rods of the “mano-a-mano” fishing world we watch on TV. Striper and big catfish anglers: These anglers are always looking for the next monster. Fishing with big equipment that is powerful enough to land an epic-sized fish, they will walk miles to fish a good spot, as well as fish all night in freezing or rainy weather for a single bite. Many practice their art alone or with only trusted friends or family members-keeping the key secrets of their success very close to the chest. It’s always about the last “big one” you got in this world of size. I’ve found that really big fish can cause anglers to get a little paranoid, and these guys are just that. I know — because I’m one! Unfortunately, this group also tends to have more meat hunters, those who so far seem oblivious to the long-term consequences of overharvesting fisheries. (I know, I’ve left out trout, Brown trout, crappie, sturgeon and ocean anglers, but I wanted to cover the most defined groups that are kind of worlds into themselves.) Funny, it seems every group thinks it’s the real deal and that others just haven’t figured it out yet. Maybe that’s true to a point, because each faction has major advantages. However, a true angler is always looking for any crossover unorthodox ideas that can help solve the riddle of getting a fish to bite. An attitude that tries to take the best of each world, rather than just entrenching yourself in the traditional techniques of one discipline, is what the best anglers I’ve fished with have always done. Keep learning!