Phil Friedman Outdoors

Don Ashley. A father and son's war story.

 
Don Ashley has been in the sportfishing business for decades. The owner of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach comes from a family of fishermen and his sons Jamie and Ritchie follwed in his footsteps and currently operate Long Beach Bait Company.

Ashley's youngest son JD decided to take a different direction with his life. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the army and did a tour in Iraq. He recently reenlisted and shipped out to Jalalabad Afghanistan. Jalalabad is the largest city in eastern Afghanistan as well as its social and business center of activity. Jalalabad is connected by roads with Kabul and Peshawar in Pakistan. All the trade between the two nations pass through this city. Because of the many traffic accidents, the highway between the city of Jalalabad and Kabul is considered to be one of the most dangerous in the world.

On JD's first day on Patrol, a vehicle behind him was blow up by an IED (improvised explosive device). JD and his fellow soldiers came under heavy fire. "Bullets were flying everywhere," he said. " Fortunately,  there were no fatalities this day.

There isn't a moment in the day when I don't think of him (JD)," said Don Ashley. In fact, I think and am grateful for all the men and women who are sacrificing for our freedom."

Last Monday, Ashley received the following e mail from his son:

"Hey dad, haven't heard from you in awhile. I hope everything is ok. Life basically sucks pretty bad over here right now, we just had 4 guys die on the 23 rd........really sucks, everyone is really bummed out and angry about it. I really miss you and everyone else back home. please tell grandma, Ritchie and Jamie that I said hello and I hope they are doing well also."

JD's wife Samantha sent an e-mail to Don this morning saying that JD said he had something to do and that he would not be communicating with him for a while.

"It's hard; I know he is in harms way doing what he has to do for you and I to have our freedom, said Ashley.

JD's hope is that what he and his fellow soldiers are doing makes a difference and that the US will see it through to the end. "There is nothing worse than loosing a son or daughter for a cause that is left unfinished or seems like it was for nothing," said the elder Ashley.

So while you and I go fishing or barbeque with our family and loved ones today, JD and thousands of soldiers like him will be on patrol guarding and ensuring our freedom.

Don Ashley reminds everyone to stop what they are doing at 3 pm today for one minute and remember all those, past and present who have sacrificed so much. One final thought from Ashley, "I do feel sorry for the bad guys with JD on Patrol today."  

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First Albacore of 2011 caught on the American Angler

Captain Sam Patella of the American Angler just caught the first couple albacore of 2011. Two 15-18 pound longfins were caught approximately 239 miles from Point Loma. The weather is up and nasty but spirits are high.

 

It is not clear whether these are resident albacore that year long around Guadalupe Island and other parts of the Baja California offshore waters or the beginning of the 2011 migratory season.

 

In either case, it helps to raise expectations as the San Diego offshore season up until now has been very poor. "This is right where you might like to see them (albacore) at this time of the year," said Buzz Brizendine from Prowler Sportfishing.

 

The San Diego fleet and tuna fishermen alike will be monitoring this situation to see if this is a flash in the pan or just the tip of the iceberg.

 

Philip Friedman Jr. caught this albacore last year fishing out of San Diego. The first albacore 0f 2011 were just caught on the American Angler giving hope to Southern California anglers

Photo courtesy of Philip Friedman Outdoors

Gale warning has Southern California boats headed for the docks

Wow. The weather is up and nasty along the Southern California coast. Josh Solis just shot this photo form the 1/2 day boat City of Long Beach. Can anyone say Gale warning ( 34–47 knots (39–54 mph). Most boats are headed home.

Hopefully, the weather will come down as there has been good white seabass fishing at Catalina as well as some local barracuda.

 

 
Photo courtesy of Josh Solis this morning from the City of Long Beach

Memorial Day Weekend Fishing On The Toronado

Captain Andy Siratt is reporting excellent barracuda fishing and big areas of fish on the Horseshoe Kelp Saturday morning. The barracuda bite took off  on Friday with boats form Newport Beach to San Pedro catching good numbers of the toothy critters. 

“It’s great to see them back,” said Captain Ray Lagmay from the Toronado. The 32 passengers on board had 150 barracuda, 112 sculpin, 55 rockfish, 2 octopus, 4 sands dabs, a treefish, and a jackpot ling cod. 

White seabass fishing also broke wide open at Catalina Island on Friday with the Big Game 90 out of Long Beach Marina Sportfishing and the Outrider out of 22nd St Landing in San Pedro catching limits (1 per angler) to 40 pounds. 

Reports from Catalina Island on Saturday were for much slower seabass fishing due to some high surf and winds. Philip and Patrick Friedman from Patch were on board the Toronado on Friday and shot this fishing video.     

Redondo Sportfishing Reopens

 
The Redondo Sportfishing Pier is under new management and is open for the first time since December. Larry and Lisa Derr say they are going to bring a new attitude to the landing. “We are all about making people happy,” said Larry Derr.  “I have found in business that if you treat people like you’d like to be treated, you have a winning recipe.”  

The Pier office has been completely remodeled with new floors, paint, snacks and sodas for sale along with T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats.  

Derr has operated In Seine Bait out of Marina del Rey since 1995. The bait company now has two locations with the addition of King Harbor. Live bait is now available not only for the sport boats, but for private boaters and pier fishing as well.  

“This is a great day for us,” said Redondo Special skipper Eric Hobday. “Larry is the breath of fresh air that we need.” Jimmy Bass from Tradition Sportfishing is equally excited. “We want to bring back great service to the public here,” said Bass. “If anyone can do it, it’s Larry.” 

Redondo Sportfishing’s phone number is 310 372 2111 or you can visit www.RedondoSportfishing.com.

Barracuda action was red hot in the Santa Monica Bay in May of 2011. Philip Friedman Outdoors was on the Redondo Special to bring you some of that action.

Anglers seeing yellow at the Coronado Islands

 
 
The best yellowtail bite of 2011 got underway for San Diego based sportfishing boats today while fishing at the Coronado Islands. The 3/4 day boat San Diego out of Seaforth Sportfishing in San Diego caught 103 yellowtail in the 16 to 22 pound class.

Copious amounts of the hard fighting jacks were seen chasing baitfish on the oceans surface and providing anglers with the first big bite of the year. “There are a lot of fish around and with some good weather, there is no reason why this is the beginning of lots more to come,” said Bostian.

The Southern California Sportfishing season had been off to a slow start so this is a welcome sign for anglers and boat owners alike. The yellowtail were taken on the yo-yo iron which is a small, heavy jig that you sink down to 150 feet and wind back fast. You set the hook by turning the handle of your reel until the fish pulls line against the drag. Yellowtail were also taken on live sardines with 25 pound test, a ¼ ounce sliding egg sinker and a 2-O hook.

Several San Diego boats immediately announced that they would be running nightly trips to the Coronado Islands.

Photo
Earl McVicar shows off a yellowtail caught at Catalina Island. Yellowtail busted loose today at the Coronado Islands today as the 3/4 day San Diego caught 103 of the hard fighting jacks. Photo credit- Philip Friedman Outdoors