Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3611 May 12-26, 2017 | Page 23

VOL.36 • ISS. 11 21 May 12-26, 2017 FRESHWATER WHAT’S HOT Pg 1 Continued from I’d taken tours around the lake and hiked the mountains surrounding it, but I’d never fished there… Naturally I was pretty excit- ed. Paul fishes Pyramid a good deal, seduced by the idea of landing a 20 plus pound trout. his When I asked him what I trout should bring in terms of tackle season I’m he basically told me to think going to try big and related that we’d be something I haven’t done trolling from 2.5 to 3.5 miles before, but have always had per hour most likely. on my mind. A few days ago, I was With these clues in mind When I was a youngster ordering some Panther I grabbed a box of salmon I had an old-time fishing Martin Spinners. Basically, spoons from Silver Horde, book written by Ray Berg- I was re-supplying with my some ½ ounce Hum Dingers man. Ray was the fishing beloved black/yellow spot and a few Sling Blade Dodg- editor of Outdoor Life spinners in the 1/8 and ¼ ers. Magazine in the 1940’s. The ounce sizes, but then I spot- After a predawn drive book was called “Fishing ted some beautiful metallic from Colfax, California, over With Ray Bergman” and I finish spinners from the De- Donner Summit and into read it multiple times. luxe Regular “Brass Body” Nevada we found ourselves on In one of the passages line of spinners. the shoreline of the big lake, Ray talks about fishing spin- Long story short, there just after dawn. The breeze Cal Kellogg caught this limit of quality Delta stripers ners for stream trout and the are now a selection of all was blowing and the forecast while trolling a red head/white body deep running utility of metallic colored brass, chrome and copper called for it to strengthen Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow this April. spinners. He outlined when colored spinners in my trout throughout the day, so we Photo by JACK NAVES, Fish Sniffer Staff he’d use chrome, copper gear. wasted no time getting the and brass colored offerings. The first chance I get I’m boat prepped and dumping it fish of the day. During bright conditions going to show them to some into the lake. While we didn’t get one of the jumbo trout when the water was clear trout and see what the fish As we motored north from the Pyramid is famous for producing, I felt the trip he recommended chrome. think! launch ramp amid dozens of fly an- was a great introduction to the lake and I’ll cer- During low light periods, If you’re interested in glers atop ladders, I saw two of them tainly be back out there next fall. I really want to he opted for brass and if the getting back to basics and hook up, so I was chomping at the try my hand at hiking and casting spoons from water was stained he leaned would like to check out bit to put the gear into the water. the bank amidst the stark desert backdrop. toward copper, but confided some dandy looking me- Paul put two rods out. On one he A few days later and I was back on the water that these were guidelines tallic finish spinners, visit toplined a magnum size Tasmanian in the West Delta with Fish Sniffer field ed- rather than hard and fast Panther Martin online at Devil. On the other rod, he snapped itor Jack Naves. Stripers were the target and rules. panthermartin.com. on a 4.75 inch Silver Horde/Gold we were fishing aboard Jack’s beautiful North -by Cal Kellogg Star Topcat spoon in a watermelon River. pattern and sent it down 25 feet on After launching at Brannan Island we started the downrigger. the day fishing chicken livers off the anchor I went with a watermelon pattern along the West Silver Horde/Gold Star Kingfisher Bank in the Sac- Lite spoon fished using an Abu Gar- ramento River. cia line counter reel and a Vance’s We had a fair Tackle trout rod. I dropped the amount of action spoon down 15 feet on the downrig- and caught several ger. shakers and one Paul set a course for Windless quality keeper, Bay, but we didn’t get far before but there was a lot the Tasmanian Devil got hit hard. of debris coming Paul fought the trout expertly and down the system presently I was looking at a Pyramid including some Lake cutthroat up close. The fish Rancho Seco giant logs. was gorgeous with awesome colors. Recreational Area When the outgo- It measured 23 inches long. After ing tide started to Rancho Seco Recreational Area is located 25 miles south of quickly releasing it, we were back die, we pulled our Sacramento at 14960 Twin Cities Road in Herald, CA. on the troll. gear and headed As the morning went on the Tas- Sacramento back through 3 Open year round with RV sites, Vicinity Map manian Devil produced the lion’s Mile Slough. Our waterfront campsites and BBQ’s. You share of the fish, but then around Cl plan was to spend can rent electric and row boats, kayaks, Park 10:30 our spoons started producing. Entrance the afternoon troll- and paddle boards for more water fun! Paul caught several 16 to 19 inch- ing the sand shoals Clay ers on his Topcat spoons, while I • Pitch a tent • Wet a line N in the San Joaquin Herald Twin Cities Rd. started hooking up consistently with Rancho Seco with Yo-Zuri deep • Launch a boat • Take a swim Recreational Area a chrome and blue ½ ounce Hum running Crystal • Have a picnic • Hike a trail Dinger pulled behind a 6 inch red From Sacramento, take Highway 99 South to the Highway 104 exit. Minnows. Go East on Highway 104, 15 miles, to the Rancho Seco Park exit. UV Sling Blade. After looking Visit smud.org/RanchoSeco or By the time we called it a day, around for a few call 1-800-416-6992. we’d landed at least two dozen minutes Jack trout. Our smallest fish was about 14 found a bar he inches, but most were over 18, with liked. While he Park Operator Paul’s 23 incher being the largest ©SMUD 0520-17 ALL THAT GLITTERS: SPINNER SELECTION FOR TROUT T Stay and play! 80 99 1-5 104 CONTINUED ON PAGE 29