Catching Fish Isn’t the Hook

For some anglers at Lake Casitas, the fun of fishing isn’t so much about the fish.

“A successful day would be a few nibbles,” said Bob Conklin of Oxnard, as he headed out for a day on the lake. “It’s kind of like going to Las Vegas. You don’t necessarily expect to win.”

The point Saturday of many visitors was just to enjoy a sunny, lovely day on the water with no expectations.

“It’s kind of the ideal summer weekend,” said Laura Schenker of Westlake, watching her nephew splash in the water at the lake’s nearby water playground.

“It’s relaxing,” said Natalie Roberts, who joined her significant other Conklin on the water, “kind of like sunbathing all day.”

Jeremy Bagott of Ventura walked from the boat dock with a rainbow trout and sleepy twin boys who missed most of the action. They have been on the rough Kern River in the past, and Bagott said he was worried the boys would fall in. He brought the boys to the lake for a gentler ride.

“Lake Casitas is a little more controlled,” Bagott said. “They slept most of the time.”

It was plenty of excitement for Bryan Kim of Woodland Hills, who camped out with friends and got up at 6 a.m. for some impromptu fishing--joking that he had never stopped to sleep in the first place.

“I’ve never caught a fish before,” he said. “I got a bite today, though. I was so proud.”

For some visitors there was only one problem with Lake Casitas on Saturday: On such a hot day, a cool, clear lake that is off-limits to swimming seemed almost too much to take.

“It’s a downer,” admitted Eugene Kang, also of Woodland Hills. “They can’t help it. It is a reservoir.”

The only spot for swimming was in the children’s play area. There, Michael Joslin got a sun-block boost from his wife while his kids splashed in the pool.

His Simi Valley church group had spent the night before singing songs around the campfire, and had played some whiffle ball. Even in the heat, Joslin wasn’t sure he could take the chilly water temperature.

“They don’t warm it up at all,” he said.

Rich Burgess’ shivering 4-year-old son, Sean, was proof of that. They had driven up from Oxnard for the day, their first trip to the lake, looking for a little bit of fun.

“He just needs to warm up in the sunshine,” Burgess said as his son dug his head into his shoulder.