Sherman Island, Central Cali, Gettin it?

Macaframa · Since 06 Jul 2010 81 Posts California Delta

Embarking on a Washington to Stockton, Cali roadtrip for 8 days starting tomorrow and I'm hoping to atleast catch a few sessions at Sherman Island, 3rd Ave, or even Woodward Reservoir if it's crackin. Anyone been catching any at Sherman yet? How about any suggestions for areas to keep my eyes open for while heading down I-5 through Northern Cal? Been catching occasional sessions here on the SW Wash/Oregon coast but I'm ready for warmer weather and simpler conditions. Hell, 65'F air temp sounds tropical to me right now. I'll have a 9,11,14 quiver that should hopefully handle the options. Curious to hear what you guys think about where I should be spying, wish me luck. Yea, and since I'm leaving the coast the consensus is that the NW's are going to blow, you know how it goes Wink

Wreck shop..

tonyb · Thu May 12, 11 5:13 pm

Check out Black Butte Lake which is south of Red Bluff and 15 miles or so west of Orland. More info here from Bill and Anna at kitezombies: http://www.kitezombies.com/airwaves/kiteguide_nav.htm. When we stopped last year kiting was at the north end of the lake near the Buckhorn recreation area campground. Call Bill to get all the details.

Tony

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Not sure if its windy there now..but Bodega Bay (tide driven). North of San Fran. There is a camp ground & great restaurant at the campground. I have kite buddies who do 3rd regularly. Facebook me to "freind" status and I''ll get you in touch with them if you want a crew to play with. Super nice people. Met them in SPI. PM me for my info.

I did that trip last summer. It was super great. Love the Sherm! Nat is a guy who knows Sherman well. He's a bit of a salty character. But I like him. He'll really like you if you show up with a bottle of quality tequila....he will tow you up river in his crappy little boat (so rad!) and dump you at his pump/launch area and you can do a sweet down-winder. Stay away from shore. The wind gets funky there. He will fill you in. He has an older motor home next to the boat ramp.

Have fun!

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Love the Zombies! Kited with them a bunch in Floras last season.

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

Sherman is blowing, but not that consistently yet (water is cold, but I guess you guys are used to that). Caught a session at San Luis Resv last weekend (near 5 but south of stockton). Years ago I kited Eagle Lake - a bit off of 5, but a nice lake and good launch.

shred_da_gorge · Thu May 12, 11 10:09 pm

The bay was smoking today, and Third's had consistently inconsistent spring winds. Alameda's been blowing on occasion as well. Haven't made it out to Sherman yet but the fog penetration tells me it's likely been blowing there too. Come on down! Bring your small stuff, and check out http://bayareakiteboarding.com. The cameras have been funky but I think Jack has the pan image working again: http://arbor-studios.com/thirdavecam.html

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

Sherman has been blowing, some days better than others ( if it's not straight W at port Chicago or WSW at sherman it'll be kind of gusty).

Macaframa · Since 06 Jul 2010 81 Posts California Delta

Thanks all for your input team! I'm stoked to be going on this trip, we'll see where I end up actually catching the wind right but the options are incouraging. Anyone ever kite in the interior Delta (boat access only); Franks Tract, Bethel Island, or elsewhere? We'll be mixing it up with wakeboard/surf and kite sessions around there hopefully, yessss Smile

Melo- Thanks for the info, I'll be abalone diving on Thursday and will be passing through Bodega and down the coast on the way home so we'll see whats brewing! I'll be in touch Smile

Yea, and Nat will def. end up with a bottle or two of tequila in exchange for downwinders if allah wills it Wink

San Luis Res?! The idea of striper fishing and kiting in the same day seriously speaks to my soul. I actually prefer O'Neil Forebay for fishing though.
those topwater Striper hits are second to none.

I'll try to share any notable sessions with yall, thanks again Smile

Get Some!

gobagirl · Since 04 Mar 2009 9 Posts Weed, CA Kook

Well, I just don't get on here often enough. But I hope you had a great trip. Eagle Lake has been going off with all the unsettled weather we've been having this month and we've been having some great sessions with NO crowds...it's in the boonies. Anyway, wassup Melissa?!
http://www.kitezombies.com/airwaves/kite_EagleLake.htm

NCKite_Ryder · Since 16 Mar 2011 38 Posts Nor Cal Coast

Sherman sucks lately, it should kick into gear the beginning of June for a solid 60 days straight if its anything like last year.

However the California coast has been absolutely phenomenal!! Blowing 5 days a week at least.

gobagirl · Since 04 Mar 2009 9 Posts Weed, CA Kook

Glad to see I'm not the only "kook" on here...LOL!

DOPEFLY · Since 13 Oct 2007 97 Posts Maui

Dillon, Doran, and Tomales downwinders...you won't regret it!

Macaframa · Since 06 Jul 2010 81 Posts California Delta

Goba-Ever kite Lake Shastina?

I'm back from the trip and despite having kited 3rd Ave for a few hours on one day and Sherman for less than an hour on another I didn't really fair too well. The OR/WA coast weather followed me and didn't allow for what I was hoping. It was the first time I ever hit 3rd Ave and the wind was marginal and gusty but fun anyway. Waay better than a kick in the balls though. First time in months I rode without wearing a hood, gloves, booties and multiple layers of neopreme. Seemed like a nice vibe and everyone that I with spoke was cool. I heard the Leopard Sharks are dying because of all the freshwater coming into the bay from the intense winter and ongoing spring down pours. I saw a few dead ones on the beach at the upper launch site.
Barely caught a session at Sherman but it was late in the evening with the wind dropping. Sherman is one of my favorites, I can't wait to move to Rio Vista, kite often and try not to swallow any microsytis-toxic algae flakes while swimming. Know about it? I launched too late on a 11m w/ a TT and wallowed around for a bit while these guys on race boards ripped around for days on 12's. Made me wanna ditch the board shorts and buy a $1500 boogie board w/ foot straps and giant scags. Dude that I spoke with was quick to explain that they race ALL OVER THE WORLD. I was like, damn, I hate you. Helped launch a fella with problem right near the water only to land his kite, fix a tangle in his bridle, launch him again then pick him up out of the river down wind after the wind died. As a kiter I'm willing to help at all times but I was mostly concerned that he was going to get shanked by the bank fisherman for thrashing around their fishing lines. Rough crowd, that's Cali for ya. After he got out of the water via that slippery, nasty rip rap bank he told me, "I just need to calm down, Everytime I get angry I get stupid" All I did was nod while marveling at how he made it seem so simple. Deep dude, deeep....

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

Yo you should come back! The pattern just set in I think. Rode yesterday in some delta smoothness.