|
Just as Jim Day was the logical choice for our
first Reader Boat profile, Captain Ray Chandler,
based out of Dana Point, California, was a logical choice for our
first guide boat profile. Why? Because Capt. Ray's boat, Rayc (pronounced
"Racey") is an Edgewater 175 CC, the same hull as our project boat, Toy
Boat 2.
Ray is an oddity in Southern California. His guide service, "Pescandos
con Mosca" specializes in salt water fly fishing, which
has never really taken hold in SoCal like it has in places like South
Florida.
But while fly fishing is his first love, Ray is also an experienced light tackle
fisherman, and both types of techniques are welcome on board his boat.
Ray started guiding 27 years ago in Northern California. An officer in the
Eureka Police Department at the time, Ray guided part-time until he retired and
moved back to Southern California. He's been guiding salt water fly
fishing since his return 17 years ago.
Ray's first ocean guide skiff was a Hydrasports 17' CC. This
worked well near-shore, but as he started to venture
further offshore, it became apparent that the Hydrasports hull was not
going to cut it. It needed more freeboard, for one thing.
Like us, he wound up at Boat Depot looking at the Edgewater 175 CC,
although he ultimately purchased the boat from Johnston Yacht Sales in
Newport Beach. He chose the EW 175CC for the same reason we did: superior
seaworthiness wrapped up in a fairly small package.
Ray chose a
Yamaha 115 HP 4-stroke to power his skiff, and also
has a Motorguide Lazer radio frequency (RF) remote control
electric motor on the bow. Ray usually drifts rather than anchoring, and
the electric motor helps keep the boat oriented correctly for
his clients.
Unlike many in Southern California, Captain Chandler does not use much, if
any, live bait for chum. He depends instead on frozen chum buckets
from New Fishall to excite fish. As a result, his boat does not have a
large live bait tank, so common in this area.
|
|
The boat sits on a Pacific galvanized trailer with a swing-away tongue.
No brakes are required for his tow vehicle.
Ray has the motor serviced regularly by Maurer Marine in Costa Mesa,
and speaks highly of their work. Maurer Marine can be contacted
at: (949) 645-7673. They are located at 873 West 17th Street, Costa
Mesa, Ca., 92627. Gonzalo Foguet is the Service
Manager.
There are a bunch of things Ray has done to improve
fishability, which we'll talk about in the other sections of this article.
Captain Ray Chandler's can be reached in the following ways:
Phone: (800) 914-4094
E-mail: CaptRayC@cox.net
Snail-mail:
Pescandos con Mosca Fly
Fishing Guide Service
273 Avenida Adobe
San Clemente, CA 92672
His full day trips currently run $375 per day for 1 or 2 anglers, which
includes lunch, drinks, and all fishing gear (prices may change, depending
on fuel costs). He is sponsored by
Lamiglas rods, Teton reels,
Airflo and
Scientific Anglers fly lines.
|