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TOP PICKS
LAKE PARDEE--More big fish stories from week two of the 2009 season, with trout to 6 pounds reported, and many hefty limits of rainbows. Shore action has been good with planters sticking around the Recreation Area cove, with the launch ramp, Rainbow Point and Tom Sawyer Island all producing for anglers throwing Kastmasters and soaking baits like Power Bait, Power Eggs or nightcrawlers. Not as much trolling effort, but good bets are the narrows, the face of the dam and the river mouth on upstream.
AMERICAN RIVER--More fresh steelhead ascended the river last week, and, although they are outnumbered by the spawners on redds, there are enough chromers to make a trip worthwhile. Unfortunately, unethical targeting of spawning steelhead is occurring in the low flows as well as outright snagging. DFG wardens are stretched thin, but they are conscientious and WILL respond to a call if poaching is observed. The DFG's toll free CALTIP poaching hotline is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258). Nimbus Basin has been one of the better areas to have a chance at a fresh steelie. Go small and light, using just enough weight to barely tick the bottom.
CAPLES LAKE--Lots of people ice fishing here, and they are catching good numbers of fish, both Mackinaw and brown trout. John Voss at Caples Lake Resort said the ice is still about 1 1/2 feet thick, and covered with about 1 1/2 feet of snow. He said the lake level is up now to 17 or 18 feet from the 12-foot level at the time the lake was drained for dam repairs. The increasing water level gives hope for the winter survival of those fish that remain in the lake.
DELTA REGION--SACRAMENTO RIVER side--The bite improved with a few more sturgeon reported. A combination of eel and grass shrimp worked for some, while roe was a better bet for others. Try the outer edges of Grizzly, Honker Bay or the flats below Chain Island, as fish are spread out. The rains will "freshen" flows and turn the sturgeon on big time.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--Most folks were staying home, but anglers willing to venture forth in the lousy weather found improving sturgeon fishing. South of Sacramento, Cache Slough was the place to try. Upstream, the prime spot was the Old Tisdale Boat Ramp where even bankies fishing daylight hours managed to catch some nice sturgeon. Reports of angler success were also coming from between Meridian and Grimes. The river had gone up 3 feet from Saturday to Sunday and was expected to potentially go up another 10 feet or more from Sunday on. This might put a temporary crimp in fishing, but it's good news for later on. Not much word on striped bass.
GENERAL
NORTH COAST RIVERS
North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures, and you should always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed by low flows. The DFG's Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is 707) 822-3164. For the Russian River and counties of Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin, call (707) 944-5533. South Central Coast streams number is (831) 649-2886. For the Eel and other North Coast rivers, call (707) 822-3164.
CHETCO RIVER--Rains brought the river up to excellent conditions and cold weather held the snow to keep it from blowing out. New fish came in and downrunners are still plentiful. Anglers are landing 3 to 4 fish per boat, a mix of fresh and spent fish. The river has good flow, and this is expected to be the last push of fresh fish.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--High, muddy and blown out on Sunday with more rain on the way, according to guide Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service.
EEL RIVER, South Fork--A "gullywasher" came in Saturday night, according to Darrell Brown of Brown's Sporting Goods in Garberville, and brought the river up another 4 feet, plus holding 1 1/2 feet of snow in the foothills. He expects it to be out for at least a week with the holding snow. There was a big run of bluebacks in the river earlier in the week, and Brown's son, Darren, caught and released 10 one day using worms and marshmallow.
More...
LAKE PARDEE--More big fish stories from week two of the 2009 season, with trout to 6 pounds reported, and many hefty limits of rainbows. Shore action has been good with planters sticking around the Recreation Area cove, with the launch ramp, Rainbow Point and Tom Sawyer Island all producing for anglers throwing Kastmasters and soaking baits like Power Bait, Power Eggs or nightcrawlers. Not as much trolling effort, but good bets are the narrows, the face of the dam and the river mouth on upstream.
AMERICAN RIVER--More fresh steelhead ascended the river last week, and, although they are outnumbered by the spawners on redds, there are enough chromers to make a trip worthwhile. Unfortunately, unethical targeting of spawning steelhead is occurring in the low flows as well as outright snagging. DFG wardens are stretched thin, but they are conscientious and WILL respond to a call if poaching is observed. The DFG's toll free CALTIP poaching hotline is 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258). Nimbus Basin has been one of the better areas to have a chance at a fresh steelie. Go small and light, using just enough weight to barely tick the bottom.
CAPLES LAKE--Lots of people ice fishing here, and they are catching good numbers of fish, both Mackinaw and brown trout. John Voss at Caples Lake Resort said the ice is still about 1 1/2 feet thick, and covered with about 1 1/2 feet of snow. He said the lake level is up now to 17 or 18 feet from the 12-foot level at the time the lake was drained for dam repairs. The increasing water level gives hope for the winter survival of those fish that remain in the lake.
DELTA REGION--SACRAMENTO RIVER side--The bite improved with a few more sturgeon reported. A combination of eel and grass shrimp worked for some, while roe was a better bet for others. Try the outer edges of Grizzly, Honker Bay or the flats below Chain Island, as fish are spread out. The rains will "freshen" flows and turn the sturgeon on big time.
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--Most folks were staying home, but anglers willing to venture forth in the lousy weather found improving sturgeon fishing. South of Sacramento, Cache Slough was the place to try. Upstream, the prime spot was the Old Tisdale Boat Ramp where even bankies fishing daylight hours managed to catch some nice sturgeon. Reports of angler success were also coming from between Meridian and Grimes. The river had gone up 3 feet from Saturday to Sunday and was expected to potentially go up another 10 feet or more from Sunday on. This might put a temporary crimp in fishing, but it's good news for later on. Not much word on striped bass.
GENERAL
NORTH COAST RIVERS
North Coast streams and rivers are regulated by low flow closures, and you should always call ahead to determine the condition of the river you want to fish. If not mentioned, the river is closed by low flows. The DFG's Low Flow Closure Hotline for north coast rivers is 707) 822-3164. For the Russian River and counties of Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin, call (707) 944-5533. South Central Coast streams number is (831) 649-2886. For the Eel and other North Coast rivers, call (707) 822-3164.
CHETCO RIVER--Rains brought the river up to excellent conditions and cold weather held the snow to keep it from blowing out. New fish came in and downrunners are still plentiful. Anglers are landing 3 to 4 fish per boat, a mix of fresh and spent fish. The river has good flow, and this is expected to be the last push of fresh fish.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--High, muddy and blown out on Sunday with more rain on the way, according to guide Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service.
EEL RIVER, South Fork--A "gullywasher" came in Saturday night, according to Darrell Brown of Brown's Sporting Goods in Garberville, and brought the river up another 4 feet, plus holding 1 1/2 feet of snow in the foothills. He expects it to be out for at least a week with the holding snow. There was a big run of bluebacks in the river earlier in the week, and Brown's son, Darren, caught and released 10 one day using worms and marshmallow.
More...
