14 June 24 , 2022 VOL . 41 • ISS . 10
FRESHWATER REPORTS :
CONTINUED FROM PG 17
STAMPEDE RESERVOIR CONT .
Newton of Willfish Bait and Tackle , “ They were on the water at 7 a . m . at Stampede and were back at the store by 10 a . m . They caught their limits in about 30 minutes .” “ They trolled straight off boat ramp at 30 feet deep with dodgers and hoochies , tipped with white corn ,” said Newton . “ Their fish averaged 13 to 14 inches long . Other anglers have reported catching a few fish over 15 inches .”
What a gorgeous Sacramento River wild rainbow trout ! It ’ s pretty amazing to have this type of fishery right here in Northern California .
Photo Courtesy of Captain Justin Thompson
James Netzel of Tight Lines Guide Service reported after a recent trip , “ With only 3 clients today at Stampede , I tried to stretch the trip out , but with an average of 2 + limits an hour it makes it difficult . It was a different bite than yesterday . Pink and green was the best color combination .” “ When we switched everything to pink and green , couldn ’ t keep up . Today ’ s top producer was Paulina Peak Tackle watermelon UV spinner behind your favorite color P Lite dodger followed by a watermelon UV hoochie ,” he said .
- Dan Bacher
SHASTA LAKE
The Bite Has Slowed Down But Expected To Heat Up
Shasta Lake - Shasta lake is sitting still around the 120 ’ to crest and water is starting to warm up . With the wind , full moon and low pressure fishing has been hit and miss . Some days we ’ re getting limits but the great thing is that the rainbows are starting to get bigger . The fish have moved a little deeper and are around the 45 ’ range and the best baits have been spoons that imitate shad . Hopefully in the next week or two the bite should turn on . Kokanee fishing is still not consistent , but they have caught a few fish in the 17-18 ” range . The Kokanee are clean unlike the rainbows which are starting already with copepods . King ’ s are running around deep and there have been some reports of anglers catching them around the dam .
- Rob Hower , Avid Angler
SPICER RESERVOIR
Bankies , Boaters Score On Feisty Rainbows , Browns
ARNOLD - This Central Sierra gem , located in the North Fork of the Stanislaus River watershed , has for years offered anglers a chance to battle gorgeous square-tailed rainbows grown out from fingerlings or naturally spawned in Hobart Creek , Highland Creek and other lake tributaries . Brown and Lahontan cutthroat trout are also found in the reservoir . This year is no exception , since fishing for trout has been wide-open at the lake since Spicer Reservoir Road opened before the Memorial Day weekend . “ Right now , shore anglers and boaters are both catching a lot of rainbows in the 16 to 18-inch range , along with some 12 to 14-inch browns ,” said Bill Reynolds of Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods . Bank fishing is best near the dam or near the boat ramp for anglers tossing out PowerBait , nightcrawlers , Kastmasters and other offerings . Boaters are also nailing trout while topline trolling with Wedding Rings and Speedy Shiners . Information : ( 209 ) 795-1686 .
- Dan Bacher
GONE FISHING continued from page 2
Ernie Marlan shows off two halibut he caught while drifting live anchovies on a recent trip on the SF Bay with the Lovely Martha . Photo Courtesy of Captain Michael Rescino
right spot we had to triangulate a few landmarks . I remember the FedEx sign , the Mormon Temple , and a pillar on the SF Bay Bridge . If our boat was in line with all of these landmarks we were in the right spot . On one occasion I came home from college and a buddy of mine wanted to go sturgeon fishing and my dad reminded me of this spot . We planned to fish out of my buddy ’ s boat so we didn ’ t have a fish finder . We spent some time putting the boat in the right position using the landmarks that I mentioned above and we ended up catching and releasing nine sturgeon . What a memorable trip ! Another great story is when my dad , a good friend , and I were headed from Alameda to the ocean to target salmon . It was early in the morning and we had just went under the SF Bay Bridge . We hit a wave and my Dad ’ s coffee fell off
Kara Silva traveled all the way from Coeur D ’ alene , Idaho to fish for halibut aboard the Lovely Martha . She proudly holds up one of the halibut that she caught while fishing minutes away from Pier 39 .
Photo Courtesy of Ernie Marlan
the center console . When that happened all three of us looked down immediately to pick it up . It was only a matter of seconds until one of us grabbed it but when we looked back up we were not sure what direction to head because the fog was so thick . We motored slowly until we could see and ended up near the San Rafael Bridge . Way off the mark . Remember , we didn ’ t have electronics or GPS back in those days ! I had been reflecting for weeks about my fishing adventures on the bay and the ocean . That could only mean one thing . I had to book a fishing trip with the Lovely Martha out of San Francisco . I gave Captain Michael a call and the trip was set . As you know the halibut reports on the bay have been nothing short of epic . I am a decent angler and thought that I had a pretty good chance to catch
Mark Mesier , SF Giants fan , got in on the epic halibut action on the SF Bay and enjoyed the battle with this hefty halibut .
Photo Courtesy of Ernie Marlan
some fish and enjoy some fish tacos . Honestly , I was just looking forward to being on the bay and it turned out that I picked the right day . The weather was amazing and although I was wearing pants I should have been wearing shorts . It was such a clear day we had spectacular views of San Francisco , Bay Bridge , Golden Gate , Alcatraz , Treasure Island , and even two fighter jets gave us a nice air show . I was enjoying these views that thousands travel from across the globe to see but I didn ’ t forget that I was fishing . I was using a Phenix Trifecta rod that has a line rating of 8-17lb teamed up with a Daiwa Prorex TWS 400 baitcast reel that was loaded with 50lb braid . I love this setup because it is light but can handle big fish and when you are fishing the bay you never know what you may hook so you have to be prepared . The bait of choice for the day
was a live anchovy on a live bait leader . I am a believer that the key to catching halibut and stripers on the bay is that you need a fresh and lively anchovy . As they say , “ the best bait in the bait tank is the one you cannot catch .” I try and change my bait every ten minutes or so and I definitely change my bait if other anglers are hooking up and I ’ m not getting bit . One other tip I would like to give you is to make sure you are always on the bottom . The bay is not flat and depths are constantly varying so make sure you make adjustments to stay on the bottom . The truth is , if you are not on the bottom you are not fishing . It didn ’ t take long for Captain Michael to put us on fish . It wasn ’ t wide open but fish continued to come over the rail . The first fish I landed was a nice halibut and then I landed a quality sized striper . The bite from a halibut is so much different than one from a striper . The halibut takes it time and chews on it while a striper just slams your bait . Both are fun to catch but which one tastes better ? Well , that ’ s a matter of opinion . What a phenomenal day on the water with the Lovely Martha . I wrapped up the day with catching two halibut and a striper . The boat ended up with 53 fish that included 42 halibut and 11 striped bass . Sometimes as anglers we get wrapped up in how many fish we catch and I think we need to slow down and enjoy the moment as we fish . Remember , some of the best days fishing you may never catch a fish . Fishing is not only about catching , it ’ s about the experience ! I am grateful that I my parents raised me on the small island of Alameda . They taught me how to fish and to enjoy and appreciate the bay and ocean . A lifelong gift from my parents !