There is big excitement lately among the members of the local 4-H clubs – the Santa Cruz County Fair is being held on September 16–20, 2015 at the Fairgrounds outside of Watsonville. For the next two weekends, local 4-H groups are building booths and getting ready to participate in equestrian as well as various other events. They will also participate in presentations, entertaining, and leadership opportunities. These kids love their involvement in 4-H projects and community service and this is their chance to show off their talents and shine!

Trail cameras belonging to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife captured evidence that the grey wolves are back in California. It has been almost 100 years since grey wolves have lived in this state even though some had temporarily wandered down from Oregon.

Who knows what the weather this winter will bring? It's not that unusual for our area to get 8" of rainfall during a storm and the havoc it can create to an unprotected hillside. We are talking major erosion of your precious land. Fortunately, September and October are a good months to do something about it.

Each time I prepare salmon for dinner I am reminded of my home town and the years spent enjoying the ‘fruits de mer’ from the ice-cold waters of NeahBay in Washington. In 1940, this small town was surrounded by forests on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. It was there that I learned my first ‘swear words’ from my Uncle Louie, a tough and hard-working logger who I stayed with one summer. My Aunt Ardis was a gentle soul, always busying herself with her garden and cooking some of the best fish from the ocean that I still remember fondly.

The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf may be the most over looked fishing opportunity we have. It has easy access, parking, bait tackle restaurants and you are not required to have a fishing License.In 1914 this 3,000 feet Pier was constructed and is the sixth pier that has been built in Santa Cruz. It is referred to as our Wharf although its true definition is “Pier.” A wharf is referred to as a platform that parallels the shore a Pier heads out from shore. The original City bond was written as “Wharf” and has remained the term to use.The Wharf may not have the best ocean fishing our Bay has to offer but does host chances at fish and at times can be very good for small game fish. Perch can be caught here year around. The winter months are bets for barred surf perch. The current usually runs towards the River mouth from the Wharf so most people cast for perch just outside the breaking waves on the Boardwalk side. Pile, black and rubber lip perch, can be caught along the pilings all around the Wharf. These perch like shrimp, mussels, and pile worms for bait. During the summer months small shiner perch are more common and may work for live bait while pursuing larger game like halibut or striped bass.Jack smelt and mackerel are common during the summer months and at times are very easy to catch. Mackerel are one of my favorite fish as they are speedy, and have beautiful colors. The most common are pacific mackerel with a blue striped back, and they are a real crowd pleaser because they resemble small tunas! They are all edible with jack smelt at the bottom of my list for table fair. Jack smelt and mackerel can be caught with a small “sabiki” or bait catching jig set-up. They are rigged with a weight at the bottom and sometimes tipped with squid for bait. Some anglers prefer this rig fished under a large float or bobber casted away from the Wharf.The chance at larger game is always a possibility while fishing from the Wharf. When I was younger we would catch coho or silver salmon from the Wharf during the fall months as they would stage looking for the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Lately there have been a few legal sized halibut caught. Halibut are caught using live bait like anchovies, sardines or small mackerel and jack smelt. While catching larger fish like halibut is less common, it can happen. If so, you will need a landing net. The landing net is a crab hoop net and you have to lower it to the water and get your prized catch to swim into it to hoist it to the Wharf.You never know what you may catch from the Wharf but I guarantee it will be fun and easy. You may also have a chance at a chowder bowl or some fried calamari while you fish. You will see Sea Lions; you can even rent a boat or Kayak from the Wharf if you are more adventurous. The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is a fun place and easy access to fishing in the ocean.