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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

November 19th, 2009

• Logbook

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Operation: Christmas

• Corrections

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

• Chase ends in crash

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

November 18th, 2009

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

• Regional Roundup

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

November 17th, 2009

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Regional Roundup

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Clarification

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

November 16th, 2009

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Regional Roundup

• Correction

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Public Meetings

November 14th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

November 13th, 2009

• What to expect with new homebuyer tax credit

• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved

• Regional Roundup

• Burglary suspects are under arrest

• Lodi veteran recounts close calls in Vietnam

• Mayor Larry Hansen points out Lodi's economic progress

• First phase of Lockeford park by 2011?

November 12th, 2009

• Logbook

• Correction

• Robotics team at Jim Elliot invited to compete in Israel

• City of Lodi begins annual leaf removal program Monday

• Liberty Ranch construction at standstill as state pulls funds

• Will Lodi adopt a program that will allow volunteers to work at parks?

• With song and speech, veterans are recognized in Lodi

• 20 years later, Acampo man remembers the fall of the Berlin Wall

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

• The country's mess is our fault (130)
• Obama is not a moderate (129)
• Lodi Muslim: Local mosque not involved (94)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (60)
• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise (49)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (45)
• Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs (25)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• The haves should help the have-nots (25)
• Tokay Tigers blow late 27-point lead in loss to Wolf Pack (22)

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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.