FRESHWATER
12 July 7 - 21 , 2017 VOL . 36 • ISS . 15
RAIDER OFFSHORE
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GONE FISHING Continued from Pg 1
and let the tackle do its job . Would the tiny hook hold ?
After the jump , the trout dropped down in the water column and bull-dogged in true brown trout fashion . Yielding little line and headshaking occasionally . According the scrolling time on the video camera ’ s view finder , the fight had gone on well over 6 minutes when the trout showed its first sign of fatigue and Larry started gaining ground .
Back and forth the fish swam , coming steadily closer to the boat , but from the angle of the line it was clear that the fish was determined to stay as deep as possible . Larry was now situated in the port corner while Bryan was posted in the starboard corner , where he could command the kicker motor with one of his long-handled nets at the ready .
At first the trout looked like an amber mass through the gun metal colored chop . Ever so slowly that mass transformed into a handsome brown trout , exquisitely gold and adorned with incredible black spots the entire length of its body .
Once the fish was within sure range with its head angled up , Bryan made a textbook move with the net , enveloped the brown and lifted it out of the water .
Simultaneously we all let out a whoop of joy as the trout flipped and struggled against the net . And then the brown plunged back into the water !
The entire bottom of the net had given way under the weight of the fish . For a nano second the trout was swimming about a foot beneath the surface about 3 feet from the stern . The hook was still in place but now the rod ’ s line was going through the hoop of the net and the destroyed mesh .
In the heat of the moment Bryan must have concluded that the fish had jumped out of the net . With catlike reflexes , he made a second stab at the fish . With the line going through the net , the stab moved the fish out of the way causing Bryan to miss and ultimately snapped the light leader .
It was as if we ’ d all been collectively sucker punched . We ’ d put in our time . We ’ d dealt with the cold , the wind , the tough conditions and victory was snatched away from us at the last possible moment in an inexplicable way !
How big was the trout ? Maybe 6 pounds .
How does a seemingly stout net simply let go like that ? The only explanation I can come up with is it broke down due to UV light from the sun .
Have we all learned something ? Oh yes , I expect that the 20,000 plus anglers that read this column will be giving their nets a pre-use tug or two the next time they go fishing ! I know Bryan and I will … LOL !
With the big brown safely “ released ”. We went back to trolling for another hour or so , landing a beautiful brown of about 3 pounds and an equally impressive catfish that just couldn ’ t say no to a Gulp ! Minnow .
How I came to be on Lake Almanor on June 11 was the work of John Crotti of Quail Lodge and Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy ’ s Guide Service . The two had collaborated to create a veterans event where veterans and Norcal fishing guides would be paired up for a day of trout fishing on Lake Almanor as a way of saying thank you to the veterans for their service . Dozens of veterans turned out for the event and a good time was had by all .
Around noon all of us got off the water and headed over to Quail Lodge for a big BBQ lunch courtesy of John Crotti , his wife Deb and their team of volunteers .
About Quail Lodge
Quail Lodge is located in Canyon Dam , California just a few minutes ’ drive from Lake Almanor and is a great headquarters for fishing and hunting adventures in the Lake Almanor region .
“ We have 6 rooms that sleep 2 to 4 people each . The rooms have a rustic décor with log pine furniture and comfortable pillow top queen
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“ We have plenty of room for parking your boat . The Canyon Dam Public Boat Launch is just 1 short mile down the street ,” Crotti continued .
If you don ’ t have a boat or don ’ t know how to fish Lake Almanor , John Crotti can take care of you . He is a fully licensed fishing guide and is ready to take you out on the water to explore the secrets of Lake Almanor ’ s outstanding trout fishing !
If you ’ d like more information about Quail Lodge you can call them at
FRESHWATER REPORTS :
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DAVIS / FRENCHMANS LAKES cont . a half-pound bluegill , but no bass ,” she added . Lake Davis is holding 82,096 acre-feet of water , 99 percent of capacity and 123 percent of average .
DEL VALLE RESERVOIR
Trout , Stripers Lead Summer Angling Parade
LIVERMORE - Rainbow trout and striped bass are dominating the early summer fishing at Del Valle .
“ The weather this week here at Lake Del Valle has been beautiful with temperatures ranging from the high 80s to low 100s ,” reported Cody McGarry of the Rocky Mountain Recreation Company . “ The surface temperature is sitting at about 77 degrees , perfect for swimming . Fishing has been excellent this week with many anglers coming back with fish . The hot bite this week has been trout even with the warm weather .” “ Trout have been on fire this week with
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Bryan Roccucci has been splitting his time between Almanor and Bucks Lake recently . The kokanee bite at Bucks has been incredible and Bryan has been stacking the salmon up while running gear from Paulina Peak Tackle . Photo courtesy of BIG DADDY ’ S GUIDE SERVICE , Quincy .
( 530 ) 284-0861 or check them out online at www . quaillodgelakealmanor . com .
many anglers catching multiple fish . Most anglers are hooking them on either PowerBait or Mice Tails . Anglers have also been catching them on smaller Kastmasters and crappie jigs . I would recommend fishing in the coves and out at the dam ,” McGarry tipped .
Striped bass have been good to target as well . “ Most anglers are catching them on either anchovies , mackerel , or sardines . You might be able to catch them on jerk baits , or chatterbaits . I would recommend fishing in the lower narrows or at the dam ,” noted McGarry . Big fish honors go to Lexi Calloway from Redwood City , who caught a 6 lb . trout . Larry Smith and friends from San Jose caught 4 trout , the largest weighing 4 lbs .
Tim Wood of Livermore landed a striper weighing 4.5 lbs ., while Zack of Tracy bagged two stripers weighing a combined 8 pounds .
DON PEDRO LAKE
Rainbows Bite , Kokanee Few And Far Between
LA GRANGE – Monte Smith of Gold Country Sport Fishing said , “ Trout fishing continues to be solid with custom spoons at depths from 30 to 50 feet .”
Copepods are starting to show up on the rainbows . Kokanee fishing is limited to the occasional large fish to 17 inches , but numbers of the landlocked salmon are absent .
The bass bite has slowed with the absence of a topwater bite as the fish are hugging the bottom at depths to 45 feet .
The lake has risen to 95 percent . - David Hurley
EAGLE LAKE
Limits On Tap For Patient Trollers
SPALDING - What a difference a year makes . At this point last season anglers were struggling to find trout at Eagle Lake . Right now , most anglers are catching trout and those that put in the work have a good shot at landing a limit .
Local sources reveal that the best fishing is taking place in the southern basin . Some fish are being taken in the top 10 feet of the water column , but the best action is in the 15 to 30 foot range .
With daytime temperatures up , the water temperature will be on the rise and the trout near the surface will likely drop into deeper water . Currently the surface temperature is right around 63 degrees at the south end .
J Fair flies in orange or olive colors are working well as are orange No . 2 Needlefish . Some anglers are also reporting success while trolling with grubs .
If you hit the water and the action is slow , about the most effective thing you can do is drop your speed to about 1 mph and troll half a threaded ‘ crawler without blades or flashers . Be sure to rig the worm on a fluorocarbon leader for maximum stealth .
Bank fishing has been a slow at Eagle due