sketch: pro bass fishing

With the dog days of summer upon us, it is definitely a good time to get outdoors. My sketch today shows a bass pro angler in action, getting on a lunker of a fish.

Happy 4th of July everybody!

illustration: rainbow trout

Rainbow trout were originally abundant only in North American rivers, then they were introduced to other waters around the world due to its delicious taste and challenge as a fighting game fish. Rainbow trout are generally a smaller cousin to the Salmon fish. They thrive in cold clear water. When you see the presence of trout in a river by you, it is a good indicator that the river is healthy, clean and pristine.

My rainbow trout illustration is done in watercolor.

illustration: crappie

Crappies are a popular North American game fish in the family of sunfish. They can be sought by recreational fishermen and women all year round, even in the winter time because crappies can be active in the cold, unlike bass which become lethargic. The meat of crappie is quite tasty and flaky for a freshwater fish.

The biggest one I caught this spring was 3 pounds at 17-inches in length which is a really good size, though they can be as heavy as 5 pounds. I did release it, so that it could grow that big, someday. I illustrated the species in celebration of my cute crappie.

The summer has begun. Happy Memorial Day all!

cartoon: salmon (part 6 of 6)

After a full life of many challenges, Salmon successfully returns home, back upriver where he was born.

Happy Earth Day!

Have you hugged a salmon today?

cartoon: salmon (part 5 of 6)

Our salmon has another near brush with danger.
Will he make it to his destination?

I wasn’t sure whether to include this moment in Salmon’s life, but I wanted to be as candid as possible. Sorry. I don’t want to be a downer. I just want to share awareness and the importance of sustainablility on our precious planet. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a very good chart, detailing which kinds of fish are threatened and which fish are okay to harvest.

cartoon: salmon (part 4 of 6)

Down swoops a bald eagle. Salmon is not safe even from the air!

cartoon: salmon (part 3 of 6)

Otters are such cute furry mammals but don’t be fooled, they are very agile hunters in the water. Normally, seen floating on their backsides, shucking and eating oysters, otters predominantly eat fish. And Salmon are on top of the menu.