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.

Captain Ray Chandler and Friend
(click for larger image)

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: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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.