There's a salmon season this year! Not the one you want, but hopefully the one you need. What does that mean here? Well, not much or a lot, depending on a lot of variables. The San Francisco season, which includes Bodega and Tomales Bays, will be from June 27 to July 22, and August 1 to August 31, depending on the outcome of the 34,900 fish limit for the area. Early limits equals early closure, so be careful what you wish for. I always want to do better than the boats around me, but this year the competition is on for real. Cool. That seems like a big number but when you see how many fish were caught in a few days last year the number gets smaller. Maybe more days equals less effort? Pro. bably not  after three years of pretty much no season at all. There's a separate season in September but i fear that this year's prediction for a super-El Nino may screw up a September and October salmon season. For catching salmon, at least. Smart people are calling for a repeat of 2015. San Diego sportboats are just now catching August fish in April, namely yellowfin tuna and dorado,. Seems like the guys that are paying attention might be right. White seabass! Bluefin! Even a few very scattered yellowtail! What a year! I've never learned as much about fishing as I did in 2015, and I learned not nearly enough. I didn't know what I was seeing most of the time. Pay attention to what is going on around you. Read SoCal fishing discussion boards. We will be SoCal. Learn it. I'll give tips but I ain't gonna give up everything I learn. Why should I steal your joy from learning the same things? This year is a big opportunity. Treat it as such. 

   This poor little feller washed up on Dillon Beach today. This young California sea lion died of something probably besides a shark, but was nibbled on nonetheless. How do you know you don't like it until you've tasted it? Well, now we know. If it ain't wiggling it ain't as yummy. Or so it would seem. But those are teeth marks. So surfers, beware. We all know that Uncle Bigbite is out there, and he's been noshy lately, but this year he's been really hungry. Please don't be that guy. Or this guy in the picture.