Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3705 Feb 16- Mar 2, 2018 | Page 9

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

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AMERICAN RIVER cont . production goals of 430,000 yearlings ,” said Novak .

“ Almost all of the fish are three-year-old Eel River strain fish , although we ’ ve seen a couple of Central Valley strain fish this week ,” said Novak .

The anglers getting out are hooking some 2 to 6 lb . steelhead , along with a lot of 12 to 13 inch fish . They are fishing nightcrawlers and salmon roe from below the hatchery down into the lower river , reported Alan Fong of Fisherman ’ s Warehouse .

Current water releases to the American below Nimbus Dam are 2,000 cfs .

- Dan Bacher

BERRYESSA LAKE

Trollers Battle Fat , Hefty Rainbows

WINTERS – Trolling for big , bold holdover rainbow trout continues to be excellent at Lake Berryessa .

Matt Frazier landed and released this big largemouth bass while fishing Lake Camanche on January 16 .

Photo courtesy of MATT FRAZIER , Mercury Marine .

“ Anglers are still hooking limits of trout in the 16 to 22 inch range ,” reported Alan Fong of the Fishermen ’ s Warehouse . “ They are trolling with Shad Raps and other Rapala lures in shad patterns are 3-1 / 2 to 4 mph in the Putah Creek and Pope Creek areas in the top 20 feet of water .”

Black bass fishing was also been “ really good ” at Berryessa , said Fong . Anglers are using drop shot rigs with Robo Worms and Pro Worms in crawdad pattern off the main body points .

“ The best depth is from 15 to 30 feet deep ,” said Fong . “ Boaters are hooking mostly spotted and smallmouth bass , with a few largemouths mixed in .”

Anglers continue to hook crappie while using jigs and medium minnows in the deep water of coves and around docks . “ Most of the fish anglers are hooking now are smaller ones ,” said Fong .

- Dan Bacher

BULLARDS BAR RESERVOIR

World Record Class Spotted Bass On Tap

DOBBINS - Yearround fishing is available at Bullards Bar Reservoir , the home of the all tackle IFGA record for spotted bass .

Although few reports from the lake were available at press time , the lake ’ s monster spotted bass can be found early in the season near the mouths of creeks and rocky points . Spinnerbaits and weighted plastic worms work best . Try grubs and jigs later in the year . Topwater baits are effective early in the morning or during twilight . Bass are also found in shallow areas during spawning season , according to the Emerald Cove Resort .

“ I travel all over the country chasing fish for a living ,” said Skeet Reese , 2009 BassMaster Classic Champion . “ I have

Lakefront RV Camping

been on a lot of beautiful lakes , but few are as scenic as Bullards Bar Reservoir . One of my favorite things to do during the off season is to take my family to Emerald cove marina and rent a houseboat for the week . The fishing is great the water is clean and we have a blast ! So if you are looking for a great vacation , book one of their houseboats and have a trip of a lifetime .”

Kokanee salmon is the primary cold

water fishery at Bullards Bar . Kokanee and trout fishing generally picks up in the spring . Sizeable catches can be often found near the dam , up the north fork arm of the lake , near the Willow Creek inlet and Mill Creek Cove .

As the water clears , begin trolling in 35 to 45 feet of water . As the water becomes warmer , the fish begin to move into deeper water even up to 90 feet .

Kokanee fishing is excellent in the fall during the spawning season . Wedding rings , needlefish , flings , and triple teasers are preferred on the end of flashers and dodgers . Bait anglers find success using nightcrawlers and powerbait .

Crappie and bluegill are usually found in 10 to 20 feet of water in coves and around submerged brush and debris . Try white or yellow mini jigs , bread , or worms .

LAKE CAMANCHE

Trout Action Is Up & Down

BURSON - Lake Camanche Recreation Company is releasing Mt . Lassen rainbow trout into the lake on a weekly basis , and this week ’ s plant was 1200 pounds at the South Shore Pond and 1200 pounds at the

Largest Trout Stocking Program North of Sacramento

Tim Legrady bagged this impressive 4.5 pound rainbow while trolling Collins Lake recently .

Photo courtesy of THE COLLINS LAKE RECREATION AREA , Oregon House .

Call for Reservations

North Shore Marina . Trout action has been up and down , but there is the opportunity for a quality rainbow on every trip .

Robbie Dunham of Koke Machine Guide Service reported a tough bite on Friday , saying , “ I had seven grabs total , only landing three working in the top 8 feet of the water column with grubs , Rapalas , or Speedy Shiners . I trolled from the ramp upriver to past the bridge and back to Big Hat and the Causeway , and I should have landed a limit but it ’ s hard to bring in these crazy Mt . Lassen rainbows by yourself . My biggest weighed 6.2 pound with the next largest at 3.8 pounds . I also released a crappie . After a couple of days of rain , it normally takes a couple of days for the lake to settle down .”

Beau Coutroul of the Camanche Recreation Company said , “ It has been packed at the pond over the weekend with anglers finding some success with Kastmasters or trout dough bait in rainbow or chartreuse .”

Kimball Lemaux of the Lake Camanche Recreation Area said , “ Most trout fishermen are concentrating around the dam or upriver , and some are bait fishing below the bridge past the Narrows . Bass fishing has been slow with most anglers focusing on the main lake and in the coves by the dam .” The best fishing remains in deep water with shad-patterned plastics on the drop-shot .

The lake will host several bass tournaments in the coming months including Kayak Bass Fishing on February 17 , the Sacramento Bass Wranglers on February 24 , and the California Bass Federation on March 18 .

- Dave Hurley CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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