Fish Sniffer Magazine Volume 42 Issue 12 | Page 16

16 August 11 , 2023 VOL . 42 • ISS . 12

FRESHWATER REPORTS :

CONTINUED FROM PG 15

RIO VISTA / DELTA

of Three Mile Slough . The green colors are working best and the outgoing tide is the most productive .” On his latest trip , Bob Reinhart of West Sacramento , his friend , James of Clarksburg , and Wilson caught 15 keepers and one shaker , keeping six fish from 4 to 8 pounds . On a trip the previous day , Ron Retzlaff , Mike Steer and Justin Leonard caught over 30 keeper stripers , with the two largest fish weighing 15 and 13 pounds . “ We experienced three triple hookups and five double hookups ,” he noted . For smallmouth bass , Wilson recommended fishing Robo Worms , rigged wacky style , on the Sacramento River from Sacramento to Isleton and in Steamboat , Sutter and Miner Sloughs . The fish range from 6 to 16 inches long . “ You got to be on the riprap ,” he added . “ The fish are right on the bank out to 6 to 7 feet . You can anticipate a lot of action when you fish this area of the Delta .” Some sturgeon are being caught at Pirrsburg when the wind isn ’ t blowing . Anglers are using salmon roe , shrimp baits and lamprey eel , according to Wilson .

- Dan Bacher

SHASTA LAKE

Find The Bait And You Will Find The Fish

SHASTA LAKE - Shasta Lake is sitting around 25 ’ from crest and the water temperature is around 82 ° in the morning . Fishing is still

Charlie King was using a FishLab Popping Rattle Toad while fishing the Ultimate Frog Challenge and took these two nice bass to the scales .

Photo Courtesy of Charlie King

good to very good depending on the day . We are fishing the main body of the lake and catching limits of rainbows and some browns . Other anglers are fishing the dam and the arms of the lake and they are doing pretty good as well . The morning and mid-morning are the most productive time to catch fish and the bite tends to slow down after 10am . We are still getting fish after that , but it might be a one fish every 30-40 minutes . There are a lot of bait balls on the lake and once you find them you also find the fish . We have been using spoons that are silver backed , but I ’ ll run a copper or gold backed with great luck as well . The fish aren ’ t picky right now and will almost hit any lure you put in the water but I like to change out one or two of my lures to a different color every few passes so they see

different presentations . I ’ m also adding a sling blade about 4 ’ -5 ’ in front of my lure , but only one out of 4 rods . We are trolling in 45 ’ -55 ’ of water and 2.3-2.4 mph . Once we hookup we drop down to 1.7-1.8mph which has produced some big fish and even some double and triple hookups . Some fish have copepods but not very many and nothing horrible . The fish are really starting to get fat and put the weight on with the average fish weighing 1.5 to 2 lbs . However , we are landing a 3-4lb fish on each trip out . The kings and kokanee bite still isn ’ t happening at Shasta Lake so if you want to catch kokanee , try fishing Whiskey Town Lake . Good luck .

- Rob Hower , Avid Angler

STAMPEDE RESERVOIR

Kokanee , Smallmouth Bass Lead Angling Options

TRUCkEE – The kokanee fishing has been up and down at Stampede Reservoir as anglers were pre-fishing the lake for a Kokanee Power Derby . Captain James Netzel reported great kokanee fishing on his latest trip to Stampede . “ Well , that was easy ,” said Netzel “ We had boat limits of great kokanee by 9:30 at Stampede Reservoir .. Paulina Peak Tackle UV pink and green spinner and watermelon UV hoochie behind various P lite dodgers are still my top presentations .

We ’ re using ahort leaders . 8-10 ’ long .” On a previous trip , he reported , “ Today started off crazy good for a couple hog bows and big kokes . Then the fleet found me and bite slowed but did not stop . When the wind died down , a few skiers and boarders came to stir up the water and the bite picked back up . Paulina Peak Tackle watermelon UV hoochies and UV pink and green spinners were tops again .” Meanwhile smallmouth bass fishing on Prosser and Stampede is still some of the most consistent action in town for fly fishing enthusiasts . “ The smallmouth bass are hard fighting and lots of fun to catch on a fly ,” revealed Miles Zimmerman at Trout Creek Outfitters “ With a little casting practice , this can be a great way to introduce your kids to fly fishing as it is less technical than fly fishing for trout in the river .” “ Small balanced leeches and chironomids fished under an indicator will produce a good bite . We are also very well stocked with all things Stillwater , including float tubes and boats from Outcast and Truckee Raft Frame Co inflatables ; kick fins ; pumps ; anchors ; switch rods ; and all the tackle and flies needed . Not to mention the knowledge of the area and techniques to find the fish ,” he added .

- Dan Bacher

Scotts Flat Lake Recreation Area is the gateway to the Tahoe National Forest . At an elevation of 3,000 feet , the lake is an ideal headquarters for a complete vacation and family fun !

Rancho Seco Recreational Area

Open year round with RV sites , waterfront campsites and BBQ ’ s . You can rent electric and row boats , kayaks , and paddle boards for more water fun !

• Wet a line

• Hike a trail

• Pitch a tent

Visit smud . org / RanchoSeco or call 1-800-416-6992 .

Park Operator

• Launch a boat

• Have a picnic

© SMUD 0407-4 / 23 ® A trademark of Sacramento Municipal Utility District , Reg . U . S . Pat . & Tm . Off .

Rancho Seco Recreational Area is located 25 miles south of Sacramento at 14960 Twin Cities Road in Herald , CA .

80

1-5

Sacramento

99

Vicinity Map

Clay

N

Twin Cities Rd . Herald

104 Rancho Seco Recreational Area

From Sacramento , take Highway 99 South to the Highway 104 exit . Go East on Highway 104 , 15 miles , to the Rancho Seco Park exit .

Clay Station Rd .

Park Entrance

Powering forward . Together . www . nidwater . com

Handicapped barrier free fishing access Fish cleaning station Restrooms at marina Improved launch ramp facilities . Fishing ❂ Camping ❂ Boating

23333 Scotts Flat Rd ., Nevada City , CA 95959 Just 5 Miles East of Nevada City on Hwy 20

EXCELLENT FISHING FOR : Rainbow Trout German Browns Kokanee Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass

Owned and Operated by the Nevada Irrigation District

4105

Salmon • Trout • Kokanee • Striper

it ’ s all about NOW BOOKING fishing

Brett Brady

USCG licensed bonded & insured

( 530 ) 272-7137 • ( 530 ) 263-4451 www . fishbarebones . com 4207