Fresh Fish

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More About

• Kirk Lombard
• Rube Waddell
• California Department of Fish and Game

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“Rules and regulations,” says Kirk Lombard, the absolutely fearless leader of the Wild Seafood: San Francisco Fishing Tour. Lombard is a man who wears many hats, including California Department of Fish and Game guy (he's the one who'll tell you to throw that fish back if it's too small, buddy), punk rock tuba player of Mission District cult band Rube Waddell, Wholphin star, storyteller of grand proportions, and holder of the record for the largest monkey-faced eel ever caught on hook and line. He's also really loud. In his own words, “It's a fishy talk, and it's me talking about it, so the detail is insane.” Suffice to say it's a fun tour but don't forget those rules and regs, since they're for your own damn good. The walking and talking starts with an exposition on the types of local crabs and the “advisability of eating them,” as Lombard puts it. Then it's on to mussels, what kinds live here, and “what time of the year they'll kill you.” Sustainability is covered, as is kelp. Overall, for foraging in the intertidal habitat, look for “a really good flow from the Golden Gate. If you were to eat something from there, it wouldn't kill you. At least not right away.” Then he encourages everyone to turn over a rock near the shoreline, because “Right now there's lots of little baby monkey-faced eels.” Awww! Finally, he shows you what a “poke-pole” is and tries to nab a fine fat eel or ugly cabezon, all while following the rules and regulations.
Sun., Jan. 16, 3 p.m., 2011