Introduction

Reginald Reynolds owned a bait tackle and candy shop in Capinteria since the 1940's and wrote a surf fishing column for the Carpinteria Herald from 1968 to 1976. Many Carpinterians who grew up during this era have fond memories of "Reg", his bait and candy shop.  I especially looked forward to his weekly fishing column.

Kitty-corner from Main School, at 586 Palm Ave., was Reg’s Bait Shop. Most kids crossed the street for the candy, but I was there to drool over the photos of fish and learn everything I could about how to catch surf perch, halibut and the elusive corbina, and other piscatorial attractions on this rich part of the California coastline. At the time, Reg was cranking out his weekly fishing articles in The Carpinteria Herald. I could hardly wait--because the paper came out on Wednesday, it gave me just enough time to plan my weekend. I feel so fortunate to have been a kid growing up so close to the beach. All I had to do was grab my fishing rod and walk a few minutes.

 

What I really like about Reg’s articles is their enthusiasm, and appreciative mystique about the various fish species, their life history, feeding habitats, and how to catch them. They were also a quick introduction to the rhythms of nature, and how to apply one’s self, accordingly: Get up in the morning when the tide is low to get the bait, fish during the flood tide. Simple concepts indeed, but as I look back on those early years they were poignant, mentoring, and character-developing. I was born a fancier of fish; as soon as I could hold a fishing rod my grandfather guided me to the angling art. But my encounter with Reg came at a time that truly initiated my life’s direction. With Reg, there was just so much more to baiting the hook and reeling in a fish.

   On this site I have included some info on Reg and some of this articles. I am compiling all of them in a book that will be available hopefully in the not too distant future. But for now, I want to share some nostalgia and inspire interest in these 'lost' articles. They cover history, philosophy, biology and of course offer tips on fishing the surf between Ventura and Santa Barbara. I tried to maintain the original published formatting, including spelling errors as much as possible. These articles were an inspiration for me and I must give them some credit for making me who I am - a fisheries biologist and fishing fanatic.

Please contact me, I am always looking for more information and others' stories about their Reg memories. My email address is: muchohucho@ yahoo.com