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Göran Andersson at Leland today, Saturday

Fishing and hunting

While Steve Kyle referred to him this week as “The Elvis of fly-fishing,” Göran (pronounced Yoran) Andersson is more of a creative virtuoso and inventor than a entertainer.

Well-known in Europe as a fly-fishing grand master and creative genius who advanced the “science” of fly-tackle development and fly-casting, and also invented the underhand cast, Andersson will be appearing today (Friday, Oct. 14) and tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 15, at Leland Fly Fishing Ranch as part of a LOOP equipment and casting demonstration event, open to all interested fly-fishers.

While Goran will be there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, he will offer casting demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, and all LOOP gear will be offered by Leland at 35-percent-off retail as a special introductory offer.

The event is a kickoff to Leland's introduction of LOOP fly-rods, reels, lines and other gear as part of its offerings both at the Ranch and via its online fly-fishing tackle enterprise.

Many of the modern innovations in tackle, adopted and perfected by LOOP, are the result of Goran's lifelong dedication to the craft (and art) of fly-fishing, and while LOOP equipment is not widely known in the U.S., it is everywhere else in the fly-fishing world, which is why Leland is re-introducing it to the country, starting right here in Sonoma at its showcase facility.

James Park, who recently joined Josh Frazier's team of fishing pros at Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters, after a year-long odyssey fishing around the Pacific Rim, is Leland's liaison with LOOP as its product manager for the U.S., and is in charge of this weekend's event.

Also expected to make an appearance as Leland continues its LOOP introduction is Christer Sjoberg, the co-founder of LOOP. To get a better idea of the size and history of his company go to www.looptackle.se/website.

Fishing close to home this week will be good in the San Pablo and San Francisco bays for striped bass and halibut, and off the Sonoma coast for rocked and lingcod.

Keith Fraser, at Loch Lomond Bait Shop in San Rafael, said drifting live shiners off the Brothers, Sisters and Whaling station will produce excellent striped-bass fishing, while the same method off Paradise, Red Rock and South Hampton will connect you with halibut and stripers. Cal City waters will be good for salmon action this weekend.

Joel Sinkay, at Leonard's Bait Shop at Port Sonoma, said the striper fishing from shore at Port Sonoma has been excellent, with lots of nice-sized stripers caught on live bullheads. Valerie Lightbourne caught an eight-pounder this week right in back of the bait shop. Joel said there is also good fishing near the mouth of Sonoma Creek and off Sears Point.

Capt. Rick Powers, of Bodega Bay Sportfishing, continues to offer his clients outstanding full limits of rockfish, plus large numbers of lingcod and an occasional salmon. Call Rick at 875-3344 to book a trip.

Local lake fishing is also improving, with Clear Lake, Berryessa and Lake Sonoma all offering good action for anglers who know those waters.

Fly-fishing on the upper Sacramento River is good right now, said Bob Grace, at the Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir.

Jim and Rachel Andras, who spend their summers here as part of the Leland staff, are back at their home base in Ashland, and guiding the Rogue, Klamath and upper and lower Sac with good results. Call them at 530-227-4837 to book a trip.