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TOP PICKS
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--This is prime time for sturgeon--depending on the water level. It's probably best to wait for levels to stabilize since the river went up to 63 feet at the Colusa gage, then down to 46 feet over the weekend, but is now expected to crest at 64 feet. Sturgeon fishing is good at various spots from Verona to Colusa, and two of the better ones have been the Old Tisdale Boat Ramp (you have to walk in), the Hog Farm and Winship School about 4 miles upstream of Tisdale. It's bank fishing for now, and the Tisdale Boat Ramp is closed for at least the next couple of weeks because of debris.
AMERICAN RIVER--The river dropped another 100 cfs last week and is now barely above 700 cfs. Steelhead spawning on redds, plus the few salmon stragglers still around, are now even more vulnerable to snaggers and unethical anglers who think it's a kick targeting these fish. There are still some bright fish coming upriver, however, and the best spot to fish for them, for those not minding crowded conditions is Nimbus Basin. Odds are lower, but a much less crowded and better fishing experience by heading downstream below Sunrise Blvd. As long as flows remain this low, it's imperative to fish small baits and lures and to fish slowly. If poaching is observed, call the DFG's toll free CALTIP hotline: 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258).
MARTINEZ--Still the happening port, with quite a few sturgeon stories from the week, including several that involved oversized fish released. "Maybe this slot limit is working," said Captain Bob Monckton on the Reel-lentless. His boat accounted for a couple oversized fish released.
LAKE PARDEE--The weather prior to Sunday's storm attracted more anglers and some good fishing stories resulted including limits from the Recreation Area and some big brown action including a 7 pounder caught by a troller. Top spots for the planter rainbows are Rainbow Point, Tom Sawyer Island and the point directly east of the marina. So far this season, 21,000 pounds of trout have been planted here.
DELTA, SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side-- Anglers have been using Hair-razors for schoolie-sized stripers. Sherman Lake and Sherman Island, Chain Island and the Big Break area were good choices for stripers. The Riverview Lodge and Humphrey's piers were good, using ghost and some grass shrimp for keeper and shaker sturgeon. Chain Island or the Antioch free boat launch by the channel is where anglers found a mix of sturgeon and stripers, soaking ghost shrimp and pile worms.
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--The river received rain and came up, but was still fishable over the weekend for anglers in the Willy Derby, who fished the Chetco and the Smith. A total of 18 anglers caught 42 fish from the two rivers. Call ahead and check flows before coming up here. The last push of steelhead is coming into the river right now. Look for downrunners and fresh steelies.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--High, muddy and totally blown out, according to Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service. It's going to be awhile before it's fishable.
EEL RIVER, South Fork-- It rained 2 inches or more on Satuday alone, and the river is now blown out, with more rain coming. Before that, the south fork Eel was beginning to drop into shape by Friday and was fishable downstream as far as Garberville, although conditions were better upstream above the confluence with the east branch, according to Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Outfitters. "A couple of boats fished all the way down to Miranda but the conditions there were marginal, and I only know of one fish caught there which was a downstream spent fish," Nimitz said. "A few boats fished the river above Benbow with mixed results. Only a few fish caught with a ratio of about 50/50 fresh fish and spent 'downers'."
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SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento--This is prime time for sturgeon--depending on the water level. It's probably best to wait for levels to stabilize since the river went up to 63 feet at the Colusa gage, then down to 46 feet over the weekend, but is now expected to crest at 64 feet. Sturgeon fishing is good at various spots from Verona to Colusa, and two of the better ones have been the Old Tisdale Boat Ramp (you have to walk in), the Hog Farm and Winship School about 4 miles upstream of Tisdale. It's bank fishing for now, and the Tisdale Boat Ramp is closed for at least the next couple of weeks because of debris.
AMERICAN RIVER--The river dropped another 100 cfs last week and is now barely above 700 cfs. Steelhead spawning on redds, plus the few salmon stragglers still around, are now even more vulnerable to snaggers and unethical anglers who think it's a kick targeting these fish. There are still some bright fish coming upriver, however, and the best spot to fish for them, for those not minding crowded conditions is Nimbus Basin. Odds are lower, but a much less crowded and better fishing experience by heading downstream below Sunrise Blvd. As long as flows remain this low, it's imperative to fish small baits and lures and to fish slowly. If poaching is observed, call the DFG's toll free CALTIP hotline: 1-888-DFG-CALTIP (1-888-334-2258).
MARTINEZ--Still the happening port, with quite a few sturgeon stories from the week, including several that involved oversized fish released. "Maybe this slot limit is working," said Captain Bob Monckton on the Reel-lentless. His boat accounted for a couple oversized fish released.
LAKE PARDEE--The weather prior to Sunday's storm attracted more anglers and some good fishing stories resulted including limits from the Recreation Area and some big brown action including a 7 pounder caught by a troller. Top spots for the planter rainbows are Rainbow Point, Tom Sawyer Island and the point directly east of the marina. So far this season, 21,000 pounds of trout have been planted here.
DELTA, SAN JOAQUIN RIVER side-- Anglers have been using Hair-razors for schoolie-sized stripers. Sherman Lake and Sherman Island, Chain Island and the Big Break area were good choices for stripers. The Riverview Lodge and Humphrey's piers were good, using ghost and some grass shrimp for keeper and shaker sturgeon. Chain Island or the Antioch free boat launch by the channel is where anglers found a mix of sturgeon and stripers, soaking ghost shrimp and pile worms.
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--The river received rain and came up, but was still fishable over the weekend for anglers in the Willy Derby, who fished the Chetco and the Smith. A total of 18 anglers caught 42 fish from the two rivers. Call ahead and check flows before coming up here. The last push of steelhead is coming into the river right now. Look for downrunners and fresh steelies.
EEL RIVER, Main Stem--High, muddy and totally blown out, according to Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Guide Service. It's going to be awhile before it's fishable.
EEL RIVER, South Fork-- It rained 2 inches or more on Satuday alone, and the river is now blown out, with more rain coming. Before that, the south fork Eel was beginning to drop into shape by Friday and was fishable downstream as far as Garberville, although conditions were better upstream above the confluence with the east branch, according to Marc Nimitz of Pipe Creek Outfitters. "A couple of boats fished all the way down to Miranda but the conditions there were marginal, and I only know of one fish caught there which was a downstream spent fish," Nimitz said. "A few boats fished the river above Benbow with mixed results. Only a few fish caught with a ratio of about 50/50 fresh fish and spent 'downers'."
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