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28 April 13 - 27 , 2018 VOL . 37 • ISS . 09
Just under 1000 anglers participated in the SMUD Spring Trout Derby at the Rancho Seco Recreation Area on March 17 and 18 . Photo by DAN BACHER , Fish Sniffer Staff .
SMUD Rancho Seco Derby Delivers Lots of Large Rainbows
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District ’ s Rancho Seco Reservoir ,
a scenic 160-acre year-round recreational facility nestled in the rolling countryside of Sacramento County between Galt and Ione , has hosted trout derbies every spring since 1993 – and I ’ ve covered all but a couple of them .
The 25th Annual SMUD Trout derby on March 17-18 , 2018 was another event to be remembered as just shy of 1000 participants took advantage of a break in the weather , to “ throw down ” on some of the quality Mt . Lassen rainbow trout the lake is producing at this time , according to Sheldon Bright of the Fish Sniffer and Vince Harris , owner of Angler ’ s Press .
A record 71 people brought fish to the scales that topped the 3 pound-plus mark , which for most trout anglers , according to Harris . The derby , like previous ones , featured three divisions : adults ( 17 +), youth ( 11-16 yrs ) and lids ( 10 and under ).
Chris Martinez took first place honors in the adult division on day one with a giant 7.93 lb . trout , and received a new boat , motor and trailer package for his efforts .
“ I was jigging mice tails from my kayak when I hooked the fish ,” said Martinez . “ I caught my limit of five fish .”
He was fishing with Jose Rojas of Galt , who caught a 5.63 lb . rainbow while using a Mice Tail from his kayak . He also landed his limit of fish .
The second through tenth place adult division winners
were ( 2 ) James Davi , 7.68 ; ( 3 ) Kurt Rohrbach 7.21 ; ( 4 ) Tau Hang , 6.74 ; ( 5 ) Tim Meeks , 6.47 ; ( 6 ) Tony Phanthauong , 6.4 ; ( 7 ) Kevin Coughlin , 6.2 ; ( 8 ) Pat Blewett , 6.17 ; ( 9 ) Tang Thao , 5.93 ; and ( 10 ) John Moua , 5.92 .
6-year old Gonzalo Roberts took 1st place honors in the kids division side on day one with a 5.33 pound trout and received a new kayak . He was fishing Power Bait from shore with his dad , Gonzalo Sr . and his uncle , Carlos Nazaro , when he hooked the giant fish .
Ethan Curtis placed second in the division with his 3.54 lb . rainbow , while Issac Ferkin finished third with his 1.74 lb . fish . Mick Fritzsche won first place in the youth division with his whopping 5.13 lb . rainbow trout , winning the first place plaque .
The second through tenth place division winners were ( 2 ) Miles Tanzi , 5.02 ; ( 3 ) Steven Holt ,
The adult winners of the SMUD Spring Trout show their trophy plaques behind the boat , motor and trailer package won by Carlos Nazario for his winning day two trout .
Photo by DAN BACHER , Fish Sniffer Staff .
4.8 , ( 4 ) Paul Sokryko , 4.72 ; ( 5 ) Payton Brudk , 4.47 ; ( 6 ) Anthony Castillo , 4.28 ; ( 7 ) Justin Lee , 3.9 ; ( 8 ) Cameron Ringler , 2.87 ; and ( 9 ) Alex Chavez .
On day two of the event , Carlos Nazario took first place honors in the adult division on the strength of a 6.36 lb . trout . He received a boat , motor and trailer package for his efforts . “ We were fishing Power Bait on day one just as we were fishing the day before ,” said
Nazario . “ We each just caught one fish during the day .”
The second through tenth place winners were ( 2 ) Mildrid Jacks , 5.83 ; ( 3 ) Kurt Rohrback , 5.8 ; ( 4 ) Todd Claerbout , 5.53 ; ( 5 ) Eric Dornback , 4.92 ; ( 6 ) Ericka Harden , 4.46 ; ( 7 ) George Nakawatase , 4.42 ;
( 8 ) Frank Witte , 4.35 ; ( 9 ) Miles Wyzanowski , 3.85 ; and ( 10 ) Mark Ferta-
Keegan Vasconcellos won first place in the youth division on day two with his gigantic 5.73 lb . rainbow .
Photo by DAN BACHER , Fish Sniffer Staff . da , 3.83 .
Keegan Vasconcellos won first place in the youth division on day two with his gigantic 5.73 lb . rainbow . He won a kayak for his efforts .
Cameron Ringler placed second with a 3.45 lb . trout , while James Hairman finished third with a 1.41 pounder .
Aiden Wyzanowki wont the kids division with his 3.25 lb . rainbow .
The lake was planted with 2,500 pounds before the derby , with a lot of fish over 5 pounds planted , as evidenced by the catches on both Saturday and Sunday . The fishing was best on day one , when a bunch of large trout were caught . A number of anglers reported catching their limits . Fishermen caught fish from shore , from kayaks and from other small boats while tossing out Kastmasters , Rooster Tails , small jigs and other lures . Anglers also landed trout while bait fishing with PowerBait , Power Eggs and nightcrawlers .
“ On behalf of the SMUD and Angler ’ s Press Outdoors organizations , a big THANK YOU to everyone that participated , and we look forward to seeing - and serving you all at another great event in 2019 ,” said Bright and Harris after the event in an email to all of the participants .