Ep. 62: Frank Vargas of Frank’s Fly Shack on Surf Fly Fishing & Calico on the Fly

Guest: Frank Vargas (Frank’s Fly Shack) | Hosts: Daniel Dahlin ([FISH]rx), El Charly, Luke Dean (Bait Slingers / Artemis Charters)

Frank Vargas runs Frank’s Fly Shack in Van Nuys — the only fly fishing store in LA City. Episode 62, recorded live on October 22, 2024, is the show’s first dedicated fly fishing conversation, and Frank brings a perspective most SoCal bass anglers haven’t considered: calico bass on the fly, surf fly fishing along the California coast, and why the discipline of learning to cast properly transfers to every other kind of fishing.

In This Episode

• Frank’s Fly Shack — the only fly fishing store in LA City, located in Van Nuys. Guide services for surf fly fishing up and down the California coast. Frank’s number on the show: 818-785-7306
• Calico bass on the fly — calico bass are a viable and exciting fly target, particularly in the kelp and along rocky structure. Frank’s experience fly fishing for calico gives him a different read on how the fish use structure and current than most conventional anglers have
• Surf fly fishing along the California coast — Frank guides surf fly fishing sessions up and down the coast, targeting coastal species with fly gear in the wash and trough systems. The reading of wave timing, trough depth, and water clarity translates to better surf fishing with any presentation
• Casting as the foundation — Frank’s core teaching: the cast is the skill. Learning to cast properly — especially mending line in current and presenting flies at the right angle — keeps you working on your technique in a way that conventional fishing doesn’t require. That discipline makes you a better angler across disciplines
• Urban park fly fishing — Frank fishes urban park ponds and lakes for freshwater species with fly gear. The fly community in LA is smaller than in most fly fishing states, but there’s a dedicated core of anglers doing creative things with urban water
• Community connection — Frank’s entry into fly fishing was through a shop — making friends, finding fishy water, bringing other people along. The fly fishing community’s reputation for being welcoming to learners, particularly in an urban environment where dedicated water is limited

Beyond the Rod & Reel on Surf Fly Fishing

The calico-on-the-fly angle is one the show hadn’t touched before, and Frank’s perspective on it was useful. Calico bass are aggressive, structure-oriented fish that hold in kelp — all the things that make them excellent targets on conventional gear also make them excellent fly targets. The challenge is the cast: tight kelp canopy requires accuracy and a weedless presentation. Frank’s approach treats that as a feature rather than a problem.

The casting philosophy Frank laid out is the same thing Daniel talks about from a bait fishing perspective: the delivery matters more than the bait. Frank just applies it to a completely different discipline. The underlying logic — put the bait where it needs to be, move it the way it needs to move — is universal.

Watch the full episode on the Time On The Water YouTube channel. New episodes every Tuesday at 6 PM.