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• Taking stand in his own defense

• Getting Hooked

• 10th Assembly District race

• 10th Assembly District race

• Two Lodi rape suspects arraigned; no pleas entered

• Regional Roundup

• County's grand jury blasts local agencies

February 8th, 2010

• Public Meetings

• Locals pick best, most memorable Super Bowl commercials

• Regional Roundup

February 6th, 2010

• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch

• Meet Larry, Curly and Moe

• Baboon business

• Regional Roundup

• Several Lodi venues let you watch the Super Bowl in style

• Lodi Library celebrates 100 years of serving the community

• Culinary craft

February 5th, 2010

• Kids, teachers help Haiti by collecting pennies for Learning Link

• Lodi, Galt students reach out to help Haiti earthquake survivors

• Tasered suspect claims he is Yosemite Sam

• Hours of sweat and work go into putting on crab feeds

• Things looking up for state's real estate

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Stray bullet strikes Lodi home; police suspect gang activity may be factor

February 4th, 2010

• Managers at Geweke Toyota answer questions about recall

• Lodi City Council votes to replace play structure at Century Park

• Lodi extends ban on pot shops for another year

• Mokelumne River triathlon set for June

• Family, friends to run half-marathon in memory of Galt family

February 3rd, 2010

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• Delta College trustees again collide over stipend committee

• Lodi-area senators Dave Cox, Lois Wolk admit to gifts; Tom Berryhill case pending

• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts

• Galt City Council avoids budget cuts — for now

• New Lodi Memorial Hospital emergency room opens to the public without a hitch

• Bad bugs, weeds are hot topics at Grape Day

February 2nd, 2010

• Big rig plows 7 cars

• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future

• Former Lodian Erica Davis is first paraplegic woman to summit Kilimanjaro

• Jumpers across California

• Correction

• Regional Roundup

• No snow leopards, otters for Micke Grove

• McNerney leads in campaign cash

• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen

February 1st, 2010

• Find cuddly alpacas not too far from Lodi

• Public Meetings

• Patients can expect faster, better service when Lodi Memorial Hospital's new emergency room opens

• Man killed by Amtrak train in Lodi

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (74)
• President Obama's first year (67)
• Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
• Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
• Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
• Writer comments on Neely column (42)
• Many reject the politics of 'no' (42)
• The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
• Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (31)
• Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (31)

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Getting Hooked

Fly fishing fans get reeled into festival at Square in Lodi

Old-timers and newbies were lured to Lodi's Hutchins Street Square on Friday for the Festival of Fly Fishing.

Unlike fishing that requires a high-tension rod, reel and heavier fishing line, fly fishing involves a loose line that's cast into the water with less power. Plus, according to most in attendance, it's more relaxing.

"It's the enjoyment. If you can tie your own fly, present it and the fish takes it ... the fish accepts your fly," said Matt Hyde, a fourth-generation fly fisherman who has been fishing for more than 30 years. He said it's not generic bait that the fish is accepting, but rather the fisher's own handiwork, making it a unique dance between prey and predator.

Hyde, whose company manufactures and sells drift boats, was promoting his product with the help of his daughter, Madison. Though she's still young, Madison Hyde has been on fly fishing expeditions to Canada, Montana and Oregon. And, admits dad proudly, she usually reels in more than anyone else.

By 1 p.m., close to 300 people had shown up for tips on how to cast, tie a fly or even get started in the sport of fly fishing. The event will continue through today with on-the-water demonstrations on Sunday. Organizers may make it an annual event in Lodi if it's successful enough.

Bob Souza, a retired mechanic and member of the Delta Fly Fisherman, based in Stockton, has been tying fly lures since the age of 12. Now, at 67, he says that's pretty much all he does.

"The key to a good fly: practice. Doing it over and over. Repetition," Souza said, while teaching people how to create the colorful lures. "You can fly fish for just about anything. You just have to try hard enough."

Bill Peakes ties the Queen of the Waters wet-fly pattern Friday afternoon at Hutchins Street Square during the Festival of Fly Fishing. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Souza said the largest fish an avid fly fisherman can go after is a sailfish or marlin. Those, of course, take a much larger fly.

Joe Balderston, another member of the group, is a teacher in Stockton. In addition to showing others how to tie flies, he also teaches his students about ichthyology, the study of fish. He raises salmon in his class — last year raising 50 of the fish — then later releasing them into the wild with a 100 percent survival rate, he added.

Back outside, David Ahn was showing off his patented titanium "Titan" fly rods in a casting pool while showing enthusiasts how to cast. Ahn says his rod requires less exertion by the fisherman and is more accurate.

"I can get someone out here that's never been fishing before, and they'll be fishing in five to 10 minutes," Ahn said.

Gene Kaczmarek shows several event-goers different types of materials to use while fly-tying Friday at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

The experienced fly fisher will more than likely find a fishing boat, gear and even artwork to reel in at the festival. And those just beginning or wanting to begin fly fishing will find the gear and know-how to net.

Rick Anderson, of Fly Fishing Specialties in Sacramento and Los Gatos, said that all of his supplies — rods, reels, waders and just about every other item to hook you — is discounted. He went on to say that a basic set up can cost just $129.

And though men dominate the sport, Anderson said there are more and more women getting caught up in fly fishing. However, he said like to see more children, like Madison Hyde, get into the swim of it.

Though she may be skilled with the rod and reel, when it comes to tying her own flies, Madison Hyde isn't quite there.

"Tying flies is going to be a little later," she said.