VOL . 42 • ISS . 3 |
FRESHWATER |
March 3 , 2023 |
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FRESHWATER REPORTS :
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AMERICAN RIVER
steelhead that predominated on the river before the dams were built .” “ They normally spawn in March and April but this year they are early . They put up a much better fight than the winter fish . There was kind of a lull this past week , but fishing picked back up a little this weekend . Most positive results from the wading fishermen came from between Sunrise and Sailor Bar . Guides have been getting 3-6 fish to the boat on drifts between Sailor Bar and Rossmoor ,” the report continued . “ Try a large black Rubber Legs , with a peach egg or a bright orange San Juan worm on the dropper . If the egg pattern or worm doesn ’ t work , try a caddis larva pattern . Early in the morning work the fish are holding close to shore ,” the report concluded .
“ Two of us caught and released three steelhead weighing 3 , 6 and 10 pounds on a recent trip ,” said Kyle Keith , fishing guide . “ We backtrolled with Mag Lips 3.4 and 3.5 lures from Sunrise Bar to Rossmoor Bar . One fish was wild and the other two were hatchery fish .” Information : ( 916 ) 757-3455 . Bank fishermen are also hooking steelhead while using bobbers and soft beads and Little Cleos in the river below Nimbus Fish Hatchery . Austin Wilson , manager at Fisherman ’ s Warehouse , said he and his father hooked seven steelhead , but only managed to bring one 7-pounder in , while fishing in his drift boat from Sailor Bar to Gristmill on a recent trip . They backtrolled with Mag Lips 3.5 in chrome and pink / black . On a previous trip , Wilson and his two fishing buddies caught and released 10 steelhead ranging from 3 to 11 pounds while fishing the same lures in the same stretch of river . Fly fishermen are also reporting hooking a few steelhead every day , he added . Information : ( 916 ) 362-1200 .
- Dan Bacher
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Chelsea Zin was fishing at Lake Amador when he landed this big 7.12 pound Amador Gold . Chelsea ’ s bait of choice was PowerBait and her lucky spot was near Jackson Creek .
Photo Courtesy of Lake Amador
Cash , according to Vince Harris , President of Angler ’ s Press . The team of Lobo and Gendreau placed second with a limit weighing 10.51 pounds , winning $ 2200 . The team of King and Johnson placed third with a limit weighing 10.01 pounds , taking home $ 1200 . Few trout , king salmon and kokanee salmon enthusiasts have been out on Berryessa , but that should change soon as the water clears from recent storms and water temperatures warm up . Lake Berryessa is holding 1,079,237 acre feet of water , 67 percent of capacity and 83 percent of average .
- Dan Bacher
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BULLARDS BAR / ENGLEBRIGHT LAKES
Hit Bullards for Feisty Kokes
DOBBINS – Want to catch kokanee salmon ? Then head to Bullards Bar Reservoir . “ Bullards Bar is providing decent fishing for kokanee now ,” said Craig Newton at Willfish Tackle . “ Most of the fish are hitting in Willow Creek or up the Yuba River Arm .” “ The fish are at two depths – at 30 feet and then at 70 feet . A big
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fish is 12 to 12-1 / 2 inches , while the fish average 10-1 / 2 to 11 inches long . Anglers are getting the fish on dodger / hoochie and dodger / spinner combinations .. The top colors are orange and pink .” Bullards Bar Reservoir is holding 664,379 acre feet of water , 82 percent of capacity and 119 percent of average Trout remain the main target for anglers at Englebright Reservoir . “ The best area to fish is above the 5 mph buy ,” advised Newton . Boaters are catching rainbow trout to 18 inches while trolling in the top 15 feet of water with T-Rex spinners , Needlefish and other lures or nightcrawlers behind flashers and dodgers . Englebright is holding 65,387 acre feet of water , 93 percent of capacity and 99 percent of average .
- Dan Bacher
CAMANCHE LAKE
Trolling for Trout Shifts Into High Gear
BURSON - Mary McQueen- Dunham and Chris Dunham of Sacramento fished Lake Camanche on Feb . 20 and found solid action on some chunky rainbow trout .. “ The first fish of the day hit a green and orange grub on the side planer ,” said Dunham . “ The bite was a little slow for us at first . I tried a white Apex and 10 minutes in the water got bit .” “ We also , had good luck with Fire Tiger and Perch Rapalas on the side planers . Fire Tiger Apex lures did well on the downriggers . We caught 10 fish total , but only kept 8 ,” he said . All lures were tipped with white Power Maggots trolled in the top 15 ft of water and 150 setbacks . 1.7 to 2.2 mph . The bite slowed the couple after noon – and they left at 2:30 pm .. Nate Kelsch of Big Nate ’ s Guide Service also reported trout success at Camanche on his most recent trolling adventure . “ Today I had Ben and Mark out for a fun day of trout fishing on Lake Camanche ,
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their first ever trolling trip . These two guys had me rolling all morning and I look forward to fishing them again ,” he said . “ We started off with 3 fish hooked up right away and lost 2 BIG fish right at the boat ,” he continued . “ I told them these things happen ; don ’ t worry there will be more opportunities , and boy did they capitalize right away , They proceeded to put the next 7 fish that we hooked in the bag .” “ Then the water went glass for a while , and I had to switch up tactics , which paid off , but the next 5 popped off . We decided to take pictures and , of course , we hooked up right away . This time it was a nice crappie and we ended on a high note ,” he stated . “ Fish are still scattered throughout the lake and the name of the game is to cover a lot of water . Depths varied from 5 to 25 feet today and we had to throw the whole box at ‘ em to get bit , with no particular lure doing better than the other , but the faster the better ,” Kelsch concluded . Trout plants continue at the reservoir . The latest plant by Mount Lassen of 1800 pounds included 900 pounds of rainbows att the South Shore Ramp and 900 pounds of rainbows at the North Shore Ramp .
- Dan Bacher
COLLINS LAKE
Bait Tossers Battle Big Rainbows
OREGON HOUSE – Collins Lake has been 100 % full for over five weeks . Currently we ’ re still gently spilling a couple of inches . Over winter , rain or shine we ’ ve continued our trout planting program with a bi-weekly cadence . Next week we ’ re returning to a weekly plant schedule which we ’ re hoping to continue through February , March , April and into the
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