Posted on April 29 2004
Mas Okui accepted his first fishing gear from the military police guarding the Manzanar War Relocation Center, an infamous California detention camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II. He also caught his first trout there (Bair’s Creek ran through it) and evolved into an expert fly fisher with a self-taught and highly effective technique — large loops well-mended, and long leaders. According to an article by Bill Becher in today’s Los Angeles Daily News, Mr. Okui’s accomplished and effective style has earned him the title “Master of Hot Creek.”