Cowboy Cuts Out Supercow
Tom Rothery took PIER founder Tom Pfleger and eight other anglers on a 17-day excursion that started on the inside, visited the outside and came back to the inside to finish off the trip with six cows; tuna over 200 pounds. ("Inside" means off the coast of southern Baja, and "Outside" means the Revillagigedos archipelago and the Hurricane Bank.)
"All our days were good," said Rothery, "except for the time we spent off Clarion Island where there were a lot of krill balls and green water. The wahoo on the Hurricane were a little bigger than usual. The skin fishing was good on all methods."
Tom "Cowboy" Fullam of Oceanside pulled off the coup of the adventure when he decked a tuna that taped out around 280 pounds.  When Rothery hung it on the scales a shout went up from the gathered spectators, as the fish hit 303.4 pounds on the certified scales.
"He bit on the slide," said Cowboy, "and he went down right away. He fought for an hour and a half, and then he came up on the bow. He's my best fish."
Tom said he dropped in a sardine on an 8/0 Eagle Claw hook. He used 130-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon and 130-pound Spectra on a Tiagra 50 W reel and a five and a half-foot Calstar rod.
Roger Foster of Orange won second place for a 261-pounder. Foster got his big cow (his best-ever fish, in only 20 minutes) and a 259-pounder with sardines. He said he used sardines on 8/0 hooks with 130-pound P-line and 130-pound Spectra on one of the boat's rigs, featuring a Penn 50 SW reel and an unidentified rod.
Chugey Sepulveda, senior research scientist for Pfleger's PIER Institute, caught a 228-pounder with sardine on an 8/0 Eagle Claw hook. He used 130-pound line and 130-pound Spectra on a Penn 30 W reel and a Penn five and a half-foot rod.
Pat Jaeger of Bishop, a mountain fishing guide, got a 215-pounder in 40  minutes, after it ate his sardine on a 6/0 Eagle Claw hook. He fished with 100-pound Blackwater fluorocarbon and 130-pound Spectra on a Penn 50 SW reel and a custom Calstar Baja Boomer rod.
Chartermaster Tom Pleger said two of the ongoing projects for PIER are a kelp study and a tagging program. The archival tagging study for white sea bass may provide some answers for questions long in the asking regionally, such as where the fish go and what they do when they're not in local waters and available to anglers.
"We'll offer rewards," said Pfleger, "and we'll put out about 100 archival tags."
Polaris Supreme will be her berth in for boat work for the next few weeks.
February 18, 2025 bow river fly Fishing Report
1137
Hello everyone
We are wrapping up our Beck, Wagstaf and Emerson and Friends 5 day trip today.
This trip the Joe Beck, Mal Wagstaf and Emerson and friends charters joined forces on this summer time five day trip.
We had some great fishing on some great quality yellowtail. Most of the fish were well into the 25 lb class with some pushing 30lbs. The fish were up high and very surface oriented. They were being hooked on the fly line sardine and surface iron.
It doesn't get much better than yellows boiling around the boat and chewing on the surface iron. We had very few small fish mixed in with these biting yellows, the vast majority were great quality fish. It was a great relief getting into these big biting fish after a few trying trips with tough conditions.
The next leg of our trip was spent offshore and lead to fantastic kelp patty fishing. The kelps we found had great sized yellows on them school size tuna and also some trophy Dorado. We were able to top off our yellowtail count and mix it up with some Dorado and tuna as well. The water was blue, the fish were biting, and the weather was flat calm. Everything one would ask for during an offshore fishing day.
We Depart on our Steele 5 day charter tomorrow
Wish us luck,
team Supreme
February 17, 2025 bow river fly Fishing Report
2050
The offshore beat goes on! Funny how things just seem to work out when you try as hard as possible and keep a positive outlook. 2 weeks ago when the fleet received word that we had to check in at Ensenada in order to fish the Mexican coast. Many boat owners including myself were very concerned about the remainder of the 2012 season. With our backs against the wall and very little options we headed offshore. Our first few trips we scratched at bluefin tuna and yellowtail.
In the past five days we have been averaging 20-40 mixed fish, a nice mix of dorado and yellowtail. Today we had a very welcome visit from an 18 lb. albacore. While the political issues concerning the Mexican coast are being worked on we will continue to fish offshore. These offshore trips are 5:30-7:00 and are limited to 50 passengers cost is $115 and includes a fishing license. Past history shows that the offshore bite should only improve for us as we move deeper into the summer and into fall. Come join us!
February 16, 2025 bow river fly Fishing Report
1762
The San Diego out of Seaforth Landing, has proven to be one of the top boats in the highly competitive 3/4 day fishing scene. With many options, passengers are fickle about which boat they select, and fish counts are at the heart of their decision. With the savvy Ryan Bostian at the helm, anglers are assured, that they will have the best shot at putting fish on the deck. The San Diego operates Coronado Islands trips, offshore trips, local rockfishing trips, and is a perfect boat for anglers looking for an introduction to offshore fishing or the local angler who needs to return the same day. With a fairly modest investment anglers are able to consistently land great gamefish like Yellowtail, Barracuda, Bonito, Bass and and in years like this, Tuna and Dorado. For many passengers it is their first time fishing live bait on a conventional reel, fishing a kelp paddy, or trolling. The crew on the San Diego is second to none in creating successful new anglers. In fact, the crew prides themselves on introducing future multi day fisherman to the sport we all know and love.
Ryan Bostian the Owner Operator of the San Diego has excelled through the sport fishing ranks and continues to put out impressive numbers almost everyday. Bostian aka "Booger," the character from the movie "Revenge of the Nerds", (Bostian's favorite movie as a kid), began his career aboard the Dolphin as a Pinhead for Captain John Glawson. Like many of the young Pinheads, Ryan dreamed of one day moving up to a full time deckhand and eventually a Captain. He had no idea how quickly his dream would become a reality. During High School Ryan was able to secure a steady deckhand position on the New Seaforth and worked towards getting his Captains License. After High School he moved over to the Pacific Queen then owned and operated by Ed McEwen. He worked on the Pacific Queen for two years and also acquired his Captains License before leaving sportfishing to go to college. Ryan spent three years at Santa Barbara City and UCSB respectively. He enjoyed the University experience, however, according to Ryan, his skiff, was his favorite class and he often chose to fish while his actual classes were in session! It was obvious to Ryan that his passions were in sportfishing and he decided to return to Southern California. He returned to San Diego and started back as a deckhand on the Mission Belle for Captain David Ikeda. Ryan quickly proved himself, and was soon running the vessel. It was on the Belle, that he truly honed his skills as a Captain and spent three years as a hired skipper. When Ryan was just 23 years old, he had the opportunity to purchase the Mission Belle. He bought the Mission Belle in late 2001 and was the owner operator for 2 very successful years. During his tenure on the Mission Belle, The San Diego, a boat Bostian has often noticed for its great lines, came up for sale at Seaforth landing. He knew that didn't want to let The San Diego get away, so he purchased it as well in 2004. He owned and operated both boats for one year, with the help of Captain Ray "Stinger" Montera, but eventually sold the Mission Belle so he could fully focus on the San Diego. In 2005, Ryan did just that and did a full overhaul of The San Diego. He installed a new RSW system, new John Deere Engines, all new galley, and the coatings were replaced top to bottom. He moved the San Diego to the 5:30 to 5:00 run and has been able to not only keep up the success from the Mission Belle but has even increased his performance on the water.
The offshore scene in 3/4 day range is as good as its ever been in recent years. I was able to join the crew of the San Diego on a trip last Thursday 8/15 and had a chance to see the great amount of life that is within 10-30 miles of San DIego. A huge biomass of bait was supporting all forms of life and made for an impressive view of the fantastic fishing San Diego has to offer. Last year was a banner year for the 3/4 day boats and this year seems to be even better with many exotics seriously on the chew. On our trip we landed 16 dorado and 46 yellowtail for the day. Ryan was very optimistic about the overall scene and looks for fishing to keep improving. If you are an angler and want to start your experiences offshore, or are an angler who needs to return the same day, the San Diego is the perfect boat to fish. Do yourself a favor and jump on board The San Diego and experience the best the the local offshore scene has to offer.
February 14, 2025 bow river fly Fishing Report
1136
Hello Everyone,
We just returned from our annual Steele 5 day charter. Hosted of course by the one and only Archie Steele. Two things come to mind when this trip rolls around, central valley anglers that love to put fish on the boat and a whole slew of summer produce that we don't normally get our hands on.
Yellow Peaches and Asparagus aside we rolled into the yellowtail zone bright and early. There was good sign there and we began fishing. To our pleasant surprise we began landing beautiful 15-20lb yellowfin tuna! A welcome sight, especially because the average size recently was on the smaller side. As we settled in the Yellows got on us pretty good. Helping get the rust off for most of these anglers. Around late morning our current died and we went into a sort of midday lul. We were still able to hang a fish every now and then but not like before.
Thankfully it did fire up again around 330, and this time it was hot and heavy. Very steady yellow tail action, had one going the whole time with flurries of 5-7 at a time. All large 20-28lb beautiful yellowtail. Couldn't ask for a better average!
We spent the latter part of the trip trying to top off our yellowtail counts and also catch a few exotics. We spent the day searching high and low for Yellows and Dorado. Never got the boomer hit that we were hoping for but we were able to scratch up a handful of Dorado and some more great sized yellowtail.
That concluded our five day adventure. Good fishing on great sized Yellowfin tuna, Yellowtail, and Dorado. A great variety trip that kept us on our feet the whole time.
Id like to thank Archie again for putting this trip together and look forward to fishing again next year.
We are headed out today for five.
Will report again soon,
Team Supreme
Weekly Fishing Reports
Fishing reports for bow river fly are updated each week, usually by
Thursday morning. The reports are compiled by an outside contractor who receives the
information from bait shops, marinas and fishing guides.
