Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3809 April 12-26 2019 | Page 13

VOL.38 • ISS. 9 LAKE DAVIS cont. “There is no open water on the lake yet,” said Jim Graham at J&J Grizzly Country Store and Campground Resort. “There was about a foot of good ice with 8 to 10 inches of slush on top of it at last report.” Very few people have been fishing on the lake lately, due to the storms moving through the region. “Last week three guys recently stopped in the store to show me 3 rainbows weighing 3, 3-1/2 and 4 pounds. They caught the fish on PowerBait,” said Graham. There are still plenty of rainbows in the lake for anglers to hook this spring. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked 14,420 pounds of rainbows in the reservoir in August 2018. Davis Lake is holding 68,655 acre feet of water, 83 percent of capacity and 109 percent of average. - Dan Bacher LAKE DEL VALLE Reservoir Reopens with Great Trout Fishing LIVERMORE – Lake Del Valle is a finally open again and the trout and bass fishing is heating up with the arrival of spring The lake temperature sits between the upper fifties. The park district planted 750 pounds of rainbows in the lake the week of March 25-29, while the CDFW planted 4,000 pounds the week of April 5. “Trout fishing has been great the last couple of days, with many anglers catching their limits mostly on shad imitations.,” said Captain Jacob. “Smaller Kastmasters are the main lures that people use in the coves in Swallow Bay and slow roll them for the best results. Many trout are getting caught in the shallows!” “Many anglers are also having good luck trolling Rapalas in the long stretches of shoreline in between these coves. Most are trolling at minimal speed in the shallower water by the shoreline. Mice Tails are working excellent right now. We recommend fluorescent colors,” he stated. “The bass fishing has really picked up now that we enter spring with lots largemouth and smallmouth bass being caught along the rock points that jut sharply around the lake. Drop-shotting the Senkos is the most effective way to work them if you have to right kind of gear to do so. Square-bill crankbaits or quickly working jerk baits can be the way to get the attention of these bass hiding in the rock points. If the worm imitations are not working try switching to something with a lot more displacement,” he advised. “The striped bass have also been slow lately with only a few smaller ones caught on jerk baits or shad imitation lures. Nightcrawlers or anchovies are the best bet to entice the stripers. Most of the striped bass will be found around the areas where the trout are because until the shad start to rise to the surface, the stripers mainly feed on the smaller trout in the water,” Captain Jacob tipped. The catfish bite has been slow lately, but they are still out there. “Look for the catfish to start biting more when the temperature starts to warm. Anchovies or mackerel are the best baits to use. The catfish are going to be around the fallen trees near the shoreline around the lake. Catfish like to nest around structure. The 11 Apr 12 - 26, 2019 FRESHWATER tule patches along the shore have carp spawning in them right now if you see carp jump then it’s a good sign that catfish are also nearby,” he said. Big fish honors go to Steven B. of Glen Ellen, who landed a nine- and-a-half pound trout while fishing with a Rapala. Gary W. of Fremont caught a six-pound trout while fishing the south end of the lake with a Kastmaster. Finally, Eric, Will, and Jamie of Livermore caught several trout, including a four-and-a-half pound trout from Swallow Bay while fishing with Rapalas. EAST DELTA Spring Striper Action in Full Swing STOCKTON - It’s all about striped bass in the San Joaquin Tim Wells of Clovis caught the fish of a lifetime at system right now, but the Lake Camanche on March 16 when this 15-pound Sacramento River is starting to largemouth grab his plastic worm. The fish was clear up a bit, and it is only a matter released after the photo. of time before the Sacramento Photo courtesy of the LAKE CAMANCHE RECREATION AREA, Lake Camanche. takes off. Captain Joey Gamez of Golden State Sport Fishing was out in the San Joaquin, and he said, “The striped bass bite was wide open, and you could improve on the San Joaquin side as the call it when you saw the fish on the meter water is clearing and warming. and could tell when you were going to - Dave Hurley get hit. Yozuri Crystal Minnows in sardine were working as the stripers were piled up at 20 feet around the tule side of berms near Frank’s Tract.” Dave Houston of Livermore was EASTERN SIERRA out trolling also and he said, “It was a relatively slow day out there, and we Warm Afternoons Put Trout on caught all of our keepers on the incoming Move tide, which is very unusual for us. We BISHOP - “We’ve had spring conditions fished within a few miles above and below on the upper Owens River in recent days the Antioch bridge for eight keepers and complete with some wind,” reported Tom about 15 shakers. All colors of lures were Loe of Sierra Drifters Guide Service. working about the same and I heard the “When the wind blew, it really blew, and Sacramento River is about 3 degrees when it was calm, the days really heated cooler and starting to hold fish” up and melted a lot of snow off the banks. Kris Huff of Stockton found good Some big rainbows are still holding up action with Brush Hogs for quality Delta in the usual pools and runs. The warm largemouth bass on a recent trip, and the bass action in the Delta will continue to CONTINUED ON PG 20 visit These guys hit Lake Amador in late March and took home 8 heavy cuttbows. Photo courtesy of THE LAKE AMADOR CAFÉ, Lake Amador. LAKE CAMANCHE World-Class Trout & Bass Fishing, year round! Lake Camanche Free Fishing Day For Kids April 21! I f you have kids, grand kids or even nieces and nephews this is going to be a great event. On April 21, the folks at Lake Camanche are hosting a free kids fishing day. The event runs from 9 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon. During the event kids 12 or under fish for free. Entry is free for participants. There will be a free hotdog lunch, raffles, experienced anglers to assist the kids and of course there will be plenty of trout swimming around the South Shore Tule Day Kids Fishing Pond. If you’d like more information about this awesome event call (209) 763-5121 or go online to www.lakecamancheresort.com. 2 for 1 CAMPING Mid Week Camping Special! Your 2nd Night is FREE! CALL 866.763.5121 Camp one night at Lake Camanche and receive your second night free. Offer must be redeemed by calling (866) 763-5121 and mentioning promo code FS14 at the time of booking. offer not redeemeable online. Not valid on weekend, holidays, full hook-up RV sites or for cottage stays. Supplemental fees may apply. LAKE CAMANCHE’S AMENITIES • Guaranteed Weekly Fish plants (OCT. - MAY) • Boat Rentals • Lodging Available • Stores, Cafe & Marina Grill • Courtesy Launch Ramps on both North & South Shores • RV Sites w/ Full Hookups (LONG & SHORT TERM) 3805 www.CamancheRecreation.com