Fishing Report

Fishing: Three Dog Night founder also turned out a fishing record

In 1981, Cory Wells set a white bass fly fishing record at Nacimiento Lake; the record appears to have been broken recently by a Missouri man

By Wayne Shaw

While packed venues have been a good thing for Cory Wells while he’s at work, they are not to his liking when it’s time for recreation and his passion, fly fishing

That’s what led him away from his Southern California home and lured him to Nacimiento Lake and eventually an international record.

If you are a rock and roll fan, the name Cory Wells no doubt is familiar. He’s a co-founder, guitarist and a lead singer in Three Dog Night. Brought together in 1968, no other group achieved more top 10 hits, sold more records and concert tickets than Three Dog Night from 1969-74.

Last month when I received the 2008 World Record Game Fishes book published by International Game Fish Association, I identified six marks that had local connections. When I tried to track down Wells, I received a huge assist from Pete Johnson, the public relations counsel for IGFA.

Thanks to Johnson, I caught up with Wells on the phone between concert dates at his home in western New York. Now, after nearly 40 years on the road, Three Dog Night is pursuing an extensive concert schedule this year.

Wells said that 27 of his 33 years in Southern California were spent in Malibu.

“You have wall-to-wall people fishing L. A. area lakes and that’s not my idea of fun,” he said.

Cory met Ed Gwen, a field editor for Outdoor Life, at sports shows. Gwen lived in Monterey and was well aware of the exploding population of the feisty white bass at Nacimiento Lake.

“I just love fly fishing for white bass,” Wells said. “Some days they don’t hit at all no matter what you put out there. Other days you can’t keep them off.”

Wells etched his name in the IGFA record book while fishing Nacimiento Lake on March 6, 1981. At that time, only one fly rod record for white bass was in the IGFA book.

“That day I kept losing 2 and 2 1/2-pound whites while using 4 and 6-pound tippets. After switching to an 8-pound tippet, I caught the 3-pound, 8-ounce white that set the record.”

It wasn’t until the next day at home in Malibu that Wells had the weight of the fish certified. The prized catch had been packed in ice for the trip.

“It probably weighed more when I caught it,” Wells said.

It appears Wells’ record may be gone. On March 26,Michael Kyle of Springfield, Mo., caught a 3-pound, 12-ounce white bass on an 8-pound tippet on Beaver Creek on Bull Shoals Lake in Missouri. Perhaps Wells will revisit Nacimiento Lake one day and cast for another record white. He’s been known to travel armed with his fly rod.

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Bass Tournaments

Pro bass fishermen Gene Gray of Atascadero, Louis Fernandes of Santa Maria, Dan Barrios of San Luis Obispo and perhaps Casey Langley and Shawn Lee, both of Arroyo Grande, will be at Clear Lake Saturday and Sunday competing in the W. O. N. Bass Pro-Am tournament.

Arroyo Grande’s Jared Lintner begins his fourth Bassmaster Elite test starting today at Lake Amistad in Del Rio, Tex. He has earned $31,000 to date placing 33rd, 27th and 47th in fields of 109 pros.

The only local bass tourney on Saturday will be the American Bass Pacific Coast competition at Santa Margarita Lake. Cachuma Trout Derby

The 13th-annual Cachuma Nature Center Trout Derby is scheduled for April 19-20. Entry fee is $35 for adults and $10 for children age 10 and under. Anglers 16 years and older must have a California fishing license which is available at the marina tackle shop.

The Derby begins at 6 a. m. April 19 and ends at noon April 20.

Registration packets may be picked up at Derby Headquarters at the lake beginning at noon April 18.

Approximately 250 tagged trout will be planted in the lake prior to the event.

Participants are urged to bring their boats to the lake several days in advance for inspection, treatment and dry storage. For more information, go online to www.cachuma.com or call the Trout Derby Hotline at 693-8381. Santa Margarita Lake Last week, San Luis Obispo’s Austin Buckley landed an 11.1-pound largemouth bass, and Paul LaPointe of Paso Robles bagged a 9.7 bass.

Butch Phillips, who was subbing for marina operators Don and Sandra Lopez, reported a few crappie are being caught.

Trout fishing hasn’t taken off although two plants were made last week. Lopez Lake

Jean Usilton of Morro Bay caught a 2-pound trout with a Kastmaster lure while fishing in the Lopez Arm of the lake.

This season’s trout plants total 46,835 fish. Marina spokesperson Jadon Marshall said two plants were made last week. The Calaveras Trout Farm plant March 31 was for 1,000 pounds (800 fish). The DFG planted 1,500 pounds (3,600 fish) on April 3. Lake San Antonio

Dallas Wheeler would have preferred not getting this report at the marina. An angler showed him two crappie and a smallmouth he caught in the shallows. Actually, the catches were made in the off-limits area of the lake. The shallows have been cordoned off to allow bass to spawn without being disturbed

Wheeler said smallmouth and crappie plus a few catfish are being taken in Harris Creek. Nacimiento Lake

Water clarity is good and fishing is improving,” marina spokesman Dana Smith said. White bass are being caught in The Narrows.

Crappie jigs dunked at a depth of 15 feet are working for the panfish. Las Tablas and Dip Creek are the best sites to catch spotted bass. Cachuma Lake

The new launch ramp is in place and has been used since March 28.

New inspection and treatment protocols are being observed for all boats prior to launch to help prevent the possible introduction of Quagga or Zebra mussels into the lake.

Boats and trailers must be clean and dry upon entry to Cachuma Lake. Drain plugs must be removed prior to transport. Boats and trailers will be inspected and treated by hot water pressure wash after passing a visual inspection.

“Fire Pearl and Brass Bikini Needlefish, Rapalas, PowerBait and nightcrawlers are working for trout from Cachuma Bay to Arrow-head Island,” the marina’s John Davis said. “The best crappie and bass action is in Cachuma Bay and The Narrows.” Virg’s Landing

Weekend whale watching trips are still being offered. Call 772-1222 for details. Reservations are being taken for rockcod trips beginning May 1. Patriot Sportfishing

Whale watching trips are being offered weekends. Reservations are being taken for next month’s rockcod season. Call 595-7200 for reservations or more information.