Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3811 May 10-24 2019 | Page 6

4 FRESHWATER May 10 - 24, 2019 VOL.38 • ISS. 11 FRESHWATER REPORTS ALMANOR LAKE AMADOR Almanor Anglers Go Big! CHESTER - “The spring bite continues to roll on here at Lake Almanor,” reported Capt. Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy Guide Service. “We continue to see some pretty fantastic fishing for all three of the major species here in the lake, browns, ‘bows and king salmon.” “The weather has continued to be a little up and down but the grey skies cant dampen peoples spirits when they set out to strike Almanor Gold. Recent charters have seen browns from 2.5 to 8 pounds and some even larger, ‘bows tipping the scales to 6 pounds and a few of the kings running 3 to just over 5 pounds. These are quality fish, trophy trout for sure, with the rod bending, drag screaming attitudes to match,” Roccucci exclaimed. “So what is the outlook for the near future? Look for the spring fishing to continue as we are, in some respects, three weeks to nearly a month behind with conditions. Water temps are cool still in the low to mid 40’s depending on where you are in the lake. Good run-off of the surrounding snow in the watershed has really just begun, Hamilton Branch is flowing at a good clip and the super ditch in Chester has just started flowing,” said Roccucci. “The lake is on the rise, and the good supply of water should keep the fish happy for the whole season. Interested in getting out and hunting some of these trophies? There are some open dates the next few weeks, contact us as soon as possible to lock down your date,” concluded Roccucci. FISHING DERBY! June 8 & 9, 2019 $1000 in Prize Money Must pre-register • Call for details! [phone] 40800 Highway 88, Pioneer, CA 95666 www.bearrivercampground.com 3811 Now Booking Folsom Lake Trophy Trout Parade Continues IONE – Trout plants continue at Lake Amador – and the big parade of trophy catches continues. “We stocked 600 lbs. of a Rainbow/ Lightning mix during our last plant,” said Elizabeth Lockhart of the Lake Amador Resort. “Half the load went to the middle of the dam and the other half to the Dry Camp point.” “There sure are a lot of big trophy trout going in the lake; a couple of those Lightning are close to 10 pounds. The surface temperature is around 62 degrees and water clarity is around 8-10’,” said Lockhart. Young Colton Herrera of Pittsburg landed a 7 lb. 9-oz. Lightning trout while fishing from the bank. Billy also bagged a 5.98 Lightning trout while using a nightcrawler. The largemouth bass are in all stages of spawning at Amador – and anglers are requested to leave the bed fish alone. The lake is completely full and the boat ramp facilities are in full operation. - Dan Bacher including 258 half pounders and 2754 adults this season, according to Gary Novak, hatchery manager. It was the second best year run The striper bite continues to heat up. This awesome keeper was caught on an April 9 outing with Capt. James Netzel. Photo courtesy of TIGHT LINES GUIDE SERVICE, Loomis. AMERICAN RIVER Anglers Gear Up for Shad SACRAMENTO – The Bureau of Reclamation decreased releases into the American River below Nimbus Dam from 7,500 cfs to 7,300 cfs. on April 21. The change was made for “storage management,” said Peggy Manza of Reclamation. These high flows are expected to draw large numbers of American shad into the river. Expect shad fishing to be in full swing by mid-May, although there are probably already schools of shad in the river. Target the shad with Teeny Rounders, darts and an array of plastic grub tails and jigheads. Expect the shad to first show at Discovery Park and the lower river below Watt Avenue first, then move upriver into the Sunrise and Sailor Bar Bas. The steelhead season is in its tail stretch on the American. However, bank anglers and drift boaters can hook spring- run steelhead in the 2 to 8 lb. range while fishing plugs, drifting nightcrawlers and tossing out spinners and spoons throughout the river. The hatchery Trout & Salmon! trapped a total of 2912 steelhead, over the past decade, only exceeded by the 3409 steelhead that they counted in 2018. - Dan Bacher BERRYESSA LAKE Anglers Bag All Three Bass Species WINTERS – Larry Hemphill, fishing guide, reported tough fishing on a Berryessa trip with two excellent bass fishermen. “The day started out with a beautiful morning, clouded up at noon, and rained a little in the afternoon,” said Hemphill. “Then, post-front. Not sure if that was the reason, but the bite was slower than previous trips - and - the bass were a little smaller. Again, we stayed in the narrows as there was a lot of afternoon wind. “ “They caught all three species – largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass - and they were all caught in deeper water. Those shallow bank bass that were so willing in recent trips seemed to be less active - lots of pressure bites. They were drop-shotting their favorite baits I tried to get a jig bite going - no luck. I was really surprised at the slow bite, but that is what a weird weather event can do,” he stated. “ Nothing much to offer as a tip because the bite was really off compared to previous trips. It is very interesting to see how the bass react in the spring to various weather patterns. One little weather change and they will change in a hurry! Still, overall a good day for numbers, not size,” he stated. Trout fisherman are hooking rainbows in the 2 to 4 pound range while trolling near inlets, coves, and deep point, according to Tom Dudenhoeffer at Sweeney’s Sports in Napa. Expect the trout fishing to bust loose as the surface water warms up, the water stratifies and the thermocline forms. BULLARDS BAR/ ENGLEBRIGHT RESERVOIRS Big Spotted Bass Top Bullards Bar Catches DOBBINS – Larry Hemphill, fishing guide, took Clara Ricabal on April 16 to Bullards Bar Reservoir, where she caught and released a 7 lb. 2 oz. spotted bass. Continued on Pg 10 Custom 23’ Rogue Jet PETER T’S Fishing Guide Service Cpt. Jerry Lampkin – 25 years of experience fishing Salmon, Steelhead, Stripers, Trout & landlocked Kings on the Feather, Sacramento, American Rivers and Folsom Lake 3809 TROUT-SALMON-KOKANEE Sierra Foothill & Central Valley Lakes [phone] T.N.G Motorsports Guide Service [phone] • www.tngmotorsports.com LAKE AMADOR Salmon • Striper • Trout • Kokanee 3803 Docks and Boat Slips Available Trout Planted Seasonally! • Cafe • RV Park • Waterslide • Campground • Disc Golf • General Store Cafe Open Seasonally On Friday, Saturday & Sundays RV Sites • Cabins • Tent Sites Free WiFi • Rec Room • Grocery Store • Gas • Diesel • LPG • Laundry 7500 Lake Amador Dr., Ione, CA 95640 Corner of The Strand and Palmetto Way Spalding, California • Stripers • Oroville Kings • Stampede Kokanee 209-274 -4739 [phone] • [phone] www.fishbarebones.com Capt. Peter T E-MAIL: [email protected] Join us for a unique experience that will keep your family coming back year after year! 3807 WWW.LAKEAMADOR.COM www.EagleLakeandRV.com 3809