Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3805 Feb 15- Mar 1 | Page 10

8 Feb 15 - Mar 1, 2019 FRESHWATER REPORTS: CONTINUED FROM PG 7 COLLINS LAKE January Brings Needed Rain OREGON HOUSE – January has brought with it some much needed rain which, to date, has brought the lake up to 14 feet from full. While we still need a bit more there’s plenty of time for it. For now we’re got a week, and probably more, of decent weather and a relatively quiet shoreline and surface temperatures in the low 50’s. I was checking in with folks fishing this morning when I ran into a couple who had just tossed a worm twenty feet out; In seconds a good sized spotted bass snapped it up. There aren’t many people fishing for bass this time of year, or at least they’re not saying much but it goes to show that there is baseline bass activity year-round if either you’re patient and know what you’re doing, or serendipity strikes. In my opinion the best looking and most enjoyable catch in our lake is largemouth, although we normally release them. Most bass guys won’t tell you this, and I’m only going to say because there’s only ever a couple boats out this time of year anyway; In the winter months it is FRESHWATER possible to pick up largemouth bass from DEEP, like 40+ feet deep. When the lake is low pay attention to steep dropoffs, as the lake fills up run a fish finder over those areas and, if you’re looking for a challenge, drop a heavy jig or spoon, bright or silver if the water is murky. Trout is a much easier affair. Although I’ve heard you can catch in any weather we see the most winter trout caught when the sky is at least partially clear and gusts are under 10 MPH. This probably has more to do with fishermen than fish but never the less. A couple weeks ago Andrew, Anthony and Mike limited with 15 trout caught using Kastmasters near Elmer’s cove at the North end of the campground. Emily, Mike, Breanna & Bobby filled their ice chest trolling Kastmasters along the North fork for New Year’s… But since the rain murked up the water last week PowerBait has been a better bet with Khloe catching hers on “Natural Scent Salmon Egg” PowerBait. Clay and his boy brought in 4 on green PowerBait from the North end of the beach, as did Hugo Garcia, whose largest weighted in at 4.5 pounds. Rowan from Marysville split her efforts with PowerBait and a worm and caught a fish on each. Dave McVicker from Roseville started the year off well with a 6.5 pound rainbow trout caught near the beach on chartreuse VOL.38 • ISS. 5 The best steelhead fishing in years has erupted on the American River. This monster was landed and released on January 24 during a trip with Toby Uppinghouse of Edgewater Outfitters. Photo courtesy of EDGEWATER OUTFITTERS, Sacramento. PowerBait. While it’s possible to catch trout trolling the shallows, which is how Zachary Wilson from Vacaville caught his 2 pound trout, typically this time of year you’re better off casting from shore or, if you’re 2019 TOURNAMENT DATES in a boat, casting • FEB. 2nd .................. San Pablo Dam Res. toward shore or along gentle • March 2nd .............. Lake Pardee slopes. Fishing • March 23rd ............. Lake Amador along the dam will • APRIL 13th .............. Collins Lake pick up in a couple months but I’d • OCT. 12th ................ Lake Pardee avoid it until the • NOV. 2-3rd...Tournament of Champions... water settles a bit. Brought to Collins Lake But hey, prove me you by wrong and send a TONS OF FUN FOR YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY! picture. Until springtime it’s not too busy, get out and enjoy these clear days, just a few hours in the cool air and warm sunshine, fishing from shore can help restore your soul. - Ed Palma NorCal Trout Anglers Challenge! For both Bank Anglers and Boat Anglers! Sponsored by WIN A NEW BOAT! Top 50 adult finishers from all 2019 tournaments are eligible for a chance to win the Grand Raffle Prize Top 25 youth finishers from all 2019 tournaments are eligible for a chance to win a Grand Raffle Prize Thousands Of Catchable Trout Planted In Each Lake! Derby hours 7am to 2 pm TOC Entry Fee: $25 per Qualifying Adult Qualifying Kids 15 and under FREE $10 High Roller Side Pot Option (3-Qualifiers Awarded) FREE Raffle after Weigh-in for Eligible Tournament Participants State Fishing Licenses are required and Calif. DFW rules apply ONLINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ANGLERSPRESS.COM GREAT PRIZES FOR THE KIDS DIVISION! Ice Fishing In Full Swing PORTOLA – Lake Davis is completely covered in ice and ice fishing enthusiasts are pulling big, bold rainbows through the ice. “The fishing isn’t red hot, but the fish being caught are nice ones averaging 4 to 5 pounds,” said Jeanne Graham of the he J&J Grizzly Store and Campground Resort. “Anglers are using mostly nightcrawlers, but some fish are also being caught on PowerBait.” “There is crush and flush on 6 inches of ice,” she said. “You can park at the dam and walk down on the rocks to the lake. At Mallard Cove, you will have to snow shoe down to the lake.” There are plenty of rainbows in the lake for anglers to hook through the ice this winter. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked 14,420 pounds of rainbows in the reservoir in August. Davis Lake is holding 63,475 acre feet of water, 77 percent of capacity and 109 percent of average. - Dan Bacher DEL VALLE LAKE Catfish, Trout Feed As Lake Level Rises LIVERMORE – The catfish bite is still on fire at Lake Del Valle, with anchovies or nightcrawlers being the best bait to use out of the muddy water CONTINUED ON PG 11 Entry Fee ONLY $20 and KIDS ARE FREE! Phone Entry Reservations: (916) 768-0938 • Enter Online At www.anglerspress.com Mail Entry To: Anglers Press P.O. Box 601956, Sacramento, CA 95680 EXHIBITOR BOOTHS • HUGE RAFFLE AFTER THE WEIGH-IN • PRIZES • FAMILY FUN & EXCITEMENT! *Prizes and payout are subjected to change without notice A Sheldon Bright Production. LAKE DAVIS • Trout • Bass • Crappie • Bluegill • Catfish CASH and PRIZES for the Adults Division! *Boats shown with options. SPONSORED BY: Largest Trout Stocking Program North of Sacramento Fisherman’s Warehouse Lakefront RV Camping 3804 Call for Reservations 800-286-0576 www.collinslake.com P.O. Box 300 . Oregon House . California 95962 3805