6 May 5 , 2023 VOL . 42 • ISS . 7

FEATHER / SACRAMENTO RIVERS

Shad Show At Discovery Park

SACRAMENTO – Boaters and bank anglers are now catching shad at the mouth of the American River at Discovery Park . The fish are hitting darts and plastic grubs in chartreuse and other bright colors , according to Alan Fong at Fisherman ’ s Warehouse . He hasn ’ t heard of any shad caught yet on the American River , but fishing in the lower river should begin soon . Fisherman are catching some striped bass while throwing out top water lures , swimbaits and others lures in the American . Fong made a video on bait fishing at Garcia Bend on the Sacramento and found success there while fishing with sardines in 12 feet of water . “ The top action is on the Sacramento around Colusa , but fish are also being caught in the metropolitan area ” he stated . “ We landed a total of three stripers and lost a big fish that took over 50 yards of line before it came off .”

- Dan Bacher

LAKE ALMANOR

The Bite Picks Up As The Water Temperature Rises

Chester - Spring has finally sprung in Plumas County , we will see sixty-degree temperatures for the first time in months with overnight lows in the thirties a couple of days this week . While

there remains large amounts of snow at lake level in the shaded areas , snow is beginning to melt . Lake level is up slightly currently sitting at 4483.14 up a foot from last year on the same date and fractionally from last week . Bayley Creek is picking up pace , the north Fork of the Feather through Chester has a solid flow and Hamilton Branch is depositing large volumes of water into Almanor . AFA volunteer Phil Datner has collected data from previous year ’ s and according to his calculations we should see water flowing into the Super Ditch by the end of the week . After a slow start to the season , and water temperatures rise , we should finally start to see fishing pick up for trollers . Fish are beginning to move out of the south end of the lake . Fast trolling hardware , flies and / or Rapala ’ s remain your best shot at finding and catching fish . Cover ground until you find a concentration of fish ( which has been tough to do ). Begin your day at Canyon Dam and move around the lake as the sun comes up . Winds early in the week will make slow trolling difficult if not impossible . Bank fishermen are finding quality fish around the coves by the dam , the increased water flow down the branch is making for tough fishing conditions .

Highway 70 through the canyon remains closed , there are tree removal and construction projects on 32 and you can expect minimal delays , 36 is clear . Canyon Dam

remains the only usable public boat ramp . All of our campgrounds remain closed , lodging options are limited , AFA supporters Cedar Lodge are open for business and conveniently located on the west side of Chester just before the 89 / 36 intersection and a short drive to the

Canyon Dam boat launch . - Quail Lodge Lake Almanor

Lodging & Guide Service

BULLARDS BAR LAKE

Boaters Lay Into Kokanee Salmon

DOBBINS – If you like to hook kokanee salmon , Bullards Bar continues to offer some of best fishing for landlocked sockeyes in California . “ On last Sunday , a little change from striper fishing was nice ,” reported Brett Brady of Bare Bones Guide Service . “ I headed to

Bullards Bar for kokanee fishing and it ’ s pretty damn good . We caught over 40 fish - and pretty much

Kokaneemart . com

NOW BOOKING Sacramento River STRIPER & STURGEON trips

Professional Guide DAN PONCIANO

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24 ’ North River sled G Loomis Rods Shimano Reels

Call Dan for a Great Striper or Sturgeon Trip

( 360 ) 607-8511

Also Specializing in Columbia River Sturgeon Trips www . columbiariverfishing . com

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