These anglers had a great time trolling for kokanee at Stampede Reservoir this September . These fish couldn ’ t lay off pink UV Shasta Tackle Sling Blades teamed with micro hoochies .

Photo courtesy of CHRISTOPHEL ’ S GUIDE SERVICE , Mack ’ s Lure

“ I didn ’ t do as well as I did back on October 5 when I hit the lake this week , but I still managed 9 macks to about 7 pounds . I got most of them in about 150 feet of water while working off Cal Neva Point . Once again , the 2 ounce anchovy colored jig worked the best . I think it looks like a small kokanee ,” said Jones .

Mickey Daniels of Mickey ’ s Big Mack Charter is also working the north end of the lake . He ’ s pulling a variety of offerings including Kok-A-Nuts for macks to 8 pounds .

TRINITY RIVER / LAKE

Chinook and Coho Weir Counts Soar

WILLOW CREEK – The chinook salmon and coho salmon counts showing this season on the Trinity River have improved significantly from those of last year , while the steelhead numbers are also up slightly

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from those of last season , according to CDFW Willow Creek Weir counts .

Chinook salmon numbers are up dramatically from last season . The total trapped at Willow Creek this season to date is 1,846 salmon , including 990 adults and 856 grilse . That compares to 499 fish , including 383 adults and 76 grilse , in 2016 .

Likewise , Coho salmon counts are also up significantly from last year . A total of 38 Coho , including 9 adults and 29 adults , have been reported to date this year . That compares to 3 Coho , including 1 adult and 2 grilse last season .

The CDFW reported a total of 582 steelhead to date , including 562 adults and 22 half pounders , have been trapped to date at the Willow Creek Weir . That compares to a total of 563 steelhead , including 519 adults and 45 half pounders , in 2016 .

Fishing pressure has been very light on the Trinity River , due to the closure of fall Chinook fishing this year on the Trinity River from Sept . 1 through Dec . 31 , due to historically low stock projections of fall Chinook in the Klamath Basin by NOAA Fisheries .

“ Steelhead fishing is by no

means red hot , but boaters and bank anglers are hooking steelhead here and there on Trinity ,” said Tim Brady of Trinity Outdoors . “ Anglers are hooking adults in the 4 to 6

, the much heralded and often over discussed column # 500 is long gone , it ’ s time to start over and # 1000 is not even a mention possibility . I ’ d kind of be pleased with just 525 . Enough said .

As the soon to be required California BOATER CARD is right around the edge of the dock , perhaps one final mention is in order . There is a phase-in schedule in place beginning January 1st , 2018 . No grandfather clause is available as well as no grace period in getting it done . This means that on that date , you must already possess the card .

On that date , the requirement is for all boat operators age 20 or younger who operate a boat , motorized sailboat or paddle craft to have the card .

The fee for the card is $ 10 with a replacement fee for a lost card being $ 5 . C ’ mon now , you truly didn ’ t believe it would be free ? Wouldn ’ t surprise me if at least 5 people have been hired to handle the onslaught of applications . For particulars , one can check out www . CaliforniaBoaterCard . com .

Information regarding the mandatory taking of the test is available on said website . Progression by age increases through 2025 , where all boat operators will be required to possess the card .

My final question ... How are visiting nonresidents affected ? If my brother visits from Idaho , he can ’ t run a boat ? It does state “ boat operators ”, not just California residents .

We are experiencing a rather late salmon run through Sac this year and our next attempt to fill the freezer , or at least 1 / 4th of a shelf will be this Thursday .

The few fish we ’ ve caught have been extremely healthy and excellent table fare . My apologies again to Paulette as I ’ m not trying to overstep . Tried this last year and again this season . I ’ ll bake a smaller chunk with seasonings , put it in the fridge overnight and then crumble it up with a fork , add the celery , garlic salt , sweet relish and mayo , making tuna salad , except it ’ s salmon .

An awesome sandwich is the result , especially served on a bun or roll with lots of lettuce and a cold beverage of choice . Guess what my lunch sandwich was just before writing this column . Can still taste it while recalling the day my daughter caught it last month .

lb . range , along with some larger fish to 8 pounds .”

Bank anglers and boaters using conventional gear are hooking their fish mostly while using plugs , nightcrawlers , spoons and spinners . Fly fishermen are finding success while employing stoneflies , 20 inchers , read copper johns and bird ’ s nest patterns , fished below strike indications .

Brady said hardly anybody is fishing for black bass or trout at Trinity Lake . However , fishermen are hooking nice stringers of rainbow trout while using PowerBait , nightcrawlers , spoons , and flies on Lewiston Reservoir .

Trinity Lake is holding 1,8000,638

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

So , salmon is the issue ? One would think that after salmon fishing our local rivers since 1959 , all ideas would be behind us . Not so sure though , as so many techniques are particular to a specific fishery .

Over the years I ’ ve tried some of these in different waters without much success . We used to troll an Apex in the Feather River with decent success . Tried

it in the Sac many times , nothing .

However , on the next trip I ’ m already set up to experiment again . It ’ s certainly not an original idea , however why not try it ? Am going to run a salt water 11-inch flasher off of my downrigger so as to control the depth . About 15 inches back will be a medium sized single bladed spinner , at least to start .

Might again try the Apex as well . Why not go in a different direction ? What ’ s the worst that can happen ? In my opinion , it ’ s just as easy to not catch a fish on a gold spinner as to not catch a fish on a smaller plug .

As much as I ’ ve railed about the negative effects of the two-rod stamp , I will use it for salmon fishing . Again , it ’ s just as easy to not catch a fish with four rods out rather than just two . Right ?

Mid October usually means our area lakes will be experiencing the seasonal turnover , bringing trout to the surface to those of us who prefer a shallow troll . Also , the heat of summer has dissipated and some days will require a jacket . Still utilize suntan lotion however , which brings to bear the point , according to the wives , it ’ s NOT suntan lotion , it is however , sunscreen . Even when giving in to semantics ,

I still use it . Polarized sunglasses , or to some of us , shades , are heartily recommended . When it ’ s time for you to use your boat and gear , the appropriate gesture for your passenger is to pick up a launch fee , at least offer to kick in some $$$ for fuel , and most importantly , bring the snacks for morning coffee .

Most anything loaded with butter and cinnamon will be graciously accepted . Oh , by the way , if you should ask your guest to run the boat for 5 minutes while you re-set the downriggers at 5 and 8 feet , don ’ t forget about that cash raising card .

After all , our general fund in California is within millions of dollars of being broke . Too much ? Next time we just might get into this recent trolling action . It is fun . Seeya then and Tight Lines !

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