I love to fish. Started out fishing for trout in the Sierras using Powerbait. It was too boring and not active enough, so I switched to using lures and spoons. That was fun, but still the same - got a little boring sitting in a boat or on the shore of a lake casting.
Then, I discovered fly fishing on streams and I never looked back.
That's why I love the California mountains so much. I used to be able to drive to Burro Canyon and shoot in the morning, have lunch and then go fish either the West or East forks of the San Gabriel all in the same day. Now, since they closed Burro, I can't do that anymore, although I heard that there is some other range really close by.
Never had the opportunity to fish for bass, but I'd love to give it a go. I've heard that they are really fun to catch. I guess part of the fly fishing thing with me is that I'm able to be outside in the mountains and in beautiful environment. Can't stand to fish in "ugly" places.
If I had to choose between my firearms or my flyrods, I'd be hard pressed to make a decision that I wouldn't later regret.
The best part is that as a fisherman, you get to pack heat when you are on stream. It's a CA law that permits hunters and fisherman to carry concealed while practicing their sport. Obviously designed to allow one to defend him or herself from the many wackos that you can run upon while fishing in the backcountry.
I WOULD NOT, ever go into the backcountry without my pistol.