Fish Sniffer Magazine Volume 42 Issue 10 | Page 6

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FRESHWATER

6 July 14 , 2023 VOL . 42 • ISS . 10
FRESHwater reports
Lake Amador
18.36 Lb . Catfish Tops Summer Catches
IONE - Both channel catfish and trout have been caught by anglers fishing at Lake Amador in recent weeks . Tyler Taylor and Dayton Taylor landed a huge 18.36 lb , catfish at their campsite in Carson Arm cove on a Speedy Shiner ., of all things . Big fish honors also go to Shawn McPherson from Sacramento who caught four catfish weighing a total of 16.62 pounds . He was using nightcrawlers and chicken livers off the boat dock , reported Lee Lockhart at the Lake Amador Resort . Trout plants are over until the surface water temperature cools down in mid to late October , but trout continue to be landed by shore anglers and boaters fishing Lake Amador . “ Cold Mokelumne river water is flowing into the lake and the trout are biting ,” reported Lockhart . “ TJ and Kody Dickens from Hollister used PowerBait from shore to catch four trout in the Carson Arm cove . The biggest fish was just under 5 lbs .”
- Dan Bacher
American River / Sacramento Area
Target American Shad In Upper Section
SACRAMENTO – Shad fishing has slowed down on the lower American River as it normally does this time of year , although anglers are still catching fish while using flies and plastic grubs in the upper section of the river at Sailor Bar . “ Anglers are still catching quite a few shad in the upper section of river while throwing out 1 inch champagne and chartreuse plastic grubs ,” reported Alan Fong at Fisherman ’ s Warehouse “ Drift boaters are also picking up some schoolie stripers while throwing jerk baits and S-Wavers in the lower river .” Kene ’ s Fly Shop reported “ fair to good ” shad fishing for fly fishers on the lower American . “ Flows seem to have settled down to their usual summer rate , which can only improve shad fishing , Guides are reporting that most of the fish seem to be upstream from Sunrise access . There is
relatively little wading access , but if you have a boat and are willing to search for them you will possibly catch a lot of fish ,” the shop stated . The CDFW ’ s Fishing in the City Program is now planting Sacramento Area park ponds with channel catfish . For more information , contact : r2fishinginthecity @ wildlife . ca . gov .
- Dan Bacher
Berryessa Lake
Top Water Lures Entice Bass
SACRAMENTO – The top water bite for black bass is heating up on Lake Berryessa . “ I caught and released ten fish to 3 pounds – all spotted bass – in the first three hours on my latest trip to Berryessa ,” said Don Paganelli of Paganelli ’ s Bass Fishing Experience . “ The fish hit Zara Spooks in the Narrows . After the top water bite was over , I caught and released a couple small bass while using Morning Dawn Keitech lures in 25 feet of water , also in the Narrows .” King salmon fishing slowed down on the latest two trips to Berryessa by Nate Kelsch of Big Nate ’ s Guide Service . “ Today Milani and I had an awesome crew out on Berryessa for a king salmon trip . It was pretty special as this was Milani ’ s soccer coach , and his family for a father ’ s day trip ,” reported Kelsch . “ We
encountered a tough bite , and had multiple lost fish , and short strikes and our bite windows were few and far between . At the end of the day we managed some nice fish , and look forward to an improved bite next week ” On a previous trip , Kelsch reported , “ Today we had returning clients Art , Bill and Bob out for a potluck trip on Berryessa for what turned out to be our toughest bite this year . Glassy water conditions were against us , but at the end of the day our crew still managed to get some Donkeys to the boat , with some other good ones lost in battle . Total for the day was 6 for 10 with a couple that didn ’ t stick .” On a trip before those two , Kelsch reported top-notch fishing . “ Today I had returning clients Dan and Bill out for a potluck trip on Lake Berryessa and we got into some gorgeous fish !!! We had 18 hookups with 12 fish making it to the boat , that included some nice king salmon , Eagle Lake Rainbows largemouth , smallmouth and spotted bass , and a very large pike-minnow . We fished our presentations fast and from 20 to 70 ft wherever we could find bait . It took a couple hours to locate fish , but when we did it was game on !” “ These fish are pushing the bait all over the lake , so be ready to burn some fuel and make long
Continued on Pg 7
Mark Sill of Castro Valley with a fat 3 lb . 6 oz Eagle Lake rainbow taken trolling with a red / gold Thomas Buoyant spoon .
Photo courtesy of Fish Traveler Guide Service
The THOMAS

SPEEDY SHINER

The Speedy Shiner is a highly effective trolling bait for all types of gamefish , especially rainbow and brown trout , lake trout or mackinaw , and landlocked
King and Coho Salmon . The Speedy Shiner has a very effective action up to 4 mph .
It is constructed of quality solid brass , stainless steel rings and extra strong hooks VMC hooks . The light reflecting embossed scale design creates an enticing flash that attracts fish and triggers them to strike !
The Speedy Shiner is available in 2 1 / 2 ”, 3 1 / 4 ” and 4 ” sizes and 30 fish catching colors . Proudly Made in USA .
www . thomaslures . com •
( 800 ) 724-6768 • info @ thomaslures . com
AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL TACKLE DEALER .
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LAKE AMADOR

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Sacramento & Feather River

Striped Bass & Rainbow Trout Fishing Trips !
24ft Alumaweld Jet Boat G-Loomis & Shimano Gear Provided
Salmon • Trout • Stripers Shad • Steelhead • Sturgeon
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