FRESHWATER
12 July 21- August 4, 2017 VOL. 36 • ISS. 16
GONE FISHING Continued from Pg 1
dates. The lake has been deemed pike free, and the state is trying like hell to turn Davis Lake back into the blue ribbon fishery it once was.
We had some good fishing up there; catching a lot of spunky rainbows to about 2 pounds and 18 inches or thereabouts. It was fun stuff, but something was definitely missing. There were no brutes in the mix. The fish, although healthy, just didn’ t have the same Davis Lake panache I was used to seeing.
I lost interest in Davis Lake after that summer. It was an also-ran kind of deal. I’ d hear of guys up there ice fishing catching a bunch of fish in the 2-3 pound range, but that was seemingly about as big as they were getting. In the fall of 2016 things started to change. I began hearing about some real slabs being caught; a lot of 3-5 pound fish. It was even rumored that rainbows to 6 pounds were showing in the catch. Could it be?
This spring the rumors continued to persist. I have no idea if the tumultuous and extremely wet winter of 2016-2017 allowed for any ice fishing, but I do know for a fact that some big rainbows were caught this spring.
There was also something very different in the way locals were talking about Davis Lake. In the years after the poisoning of the pike, guys seemed to overhype the lake.“ Yeah, it’ s awesome. We caught a bunch of fish up there.”
I’ d reply,“ Any size?” The answer would always be the same,“ Nah, not really. A lot of 14-16 inch fish … nice fish.” They seemed almost too eager to dispense with the good news.
Of course, my Spidey Senses were tingling. Beware of fishermen bearing gifts or something like that. However, this spring things really changed. I’ d hear tales
This beautiful Lake Davis rainbow jumped all over a small gold Kastmaster.
Photo by MIKE MCNEILLY, Fish Sniffer Staff. of so and so catching some really nice rainbows somewhere, and nobody seemed to want to divulge the location.
I’ d also hear the story of old what’ s his nose catching a 5 pound rainbow from the lake, and my mind would automatically go into skeptical and critical fisherman mode. I’ m quick to doubt until someone I trust dishes the real dirt. Eventually, the big fish news was verified, and I had to make a trip.
I think I missed the hottest action of the spring, but I was able to mop up a few of the crumbs on a recent fishing adventure. I didn’ t head out with super high hopes. I’ ve become jaded and callused from a lifetime of fishing disappointment.
It’ s easier to be pleasantly surprised than let down hard. The driftboat needed to get wet. It never left my driveway this winter with all the rain on the coast and blown out rivers.
The leadcore rods were loaded up, and my favorite selection of Davis Lake tiny trout lures were gathered. Davis Lake’ s rainbows are notoriously“ buggy fish” making a living off of eating mayflies, damselflies, snails and probably scuds( the latter is deduced from their orange meat.)
What they don’ t really eat are minnows. This was explained to me by a professor acquaintance of mine from UNR. Therefore, don’ t bring the Rapalas, but they definitely like little tiny Dick Nite spoons and Needlefish. For years the hot lure at Davis has been a Red Headed Wee Dick Nite. Allow me to translate: the smallest size Dick Nite spoon with a red butt or head and a gold body.
In the last paragraph, I referred to the fish as crumbs. In actuality, the fish were more like biscuits than crumbs. They were big brawling 21-22” rainbows in the 3.5-4 pound range. They cut bright orange like an ocean salmon.
Their fins were as full as a Smith River steelhead’ s. They fought like bucking broncos. I didn’ t light them up. It was a slow and steady grind with each fish being a nice pay day.
The satisfaction each of those healthy and mature fish brought, along with the knowledge that the next one could be twice as large, caused me to ponder and reflect.“ It’ s really back. This is the lake I remember. This is the way it should be.”
STRONGER • THINNER • MORE ABRASION RESISTANT
NEW! Yo-Zuri TopKnot™ 100 % Fluorocarbon Leader is extremely abrasion resistant and super durable. It maintains its clarity even after extended use. This allows the angler to get even more strikes on the same line. Outstanding diameter to strength ratio offers the strongest possible breaking strength, even with a smaller diameter. This is a must have for any angler! Available in Natural Clear and Disappearing Pink. 8 # – 200 #
These young ladies were fishing at Collins Lake in late June when they teamed up to battle this heavy rainbow trout.
Photo courtesy of the COLLINS LAKE RECREATION AREA, Oregon House.
FRESHWATER REPORTS:
CONTINUED FROM PG 9
EAGLE LAKE
Anglers Land Limits Of Rainbows
SPALDING- The fishing has gone from fair to red hot at Eagle Lake. In the last issue of the Fish Sniffer we reported that some anglers were scoring limits and most were averaging about a fish per rod.
What a difference two weeks makes! These days most anglers are rounding up limits of Eagle Lake rainbows while working the lake’ s southern basin.
The lake has transitioned into a summer mode at this point and the surface temperature is well above 70 degrees in most areas. As a result, the trout have dropped down in the water column.
The best fishing is taking place in depths that range from 20 to 35 feet deep. Top performing lures include Thomas Buoyants, Phoebe’ s, Needlefish and Mack’ s Wedding Rings. Gold and orange or red color combinations are working the best. Sep’ s Grubs and small Rapalas are also drawing some strikes.
Most of the fish are currently being caught by trollers, but bait anglers using slip bobbers should see and uptick in the fishing soon.
The average trout is running about 2 to 2.5 pounds, but rainbows pushing 4 pounds are possible.
If you’ re planning a trip to Eagle Lake and would like to take your RV, get in contact with the team at the Eagle Lake RV Park and ask them about the Fish Sniffer Special!
EAST DELTA
Top Water Bass Bite Begins On San Joaquin
OAKLEY- Largemouth bass remain the top species on the San Joaquin side of the Delta as striped bass have mostly vacated for cooler waters.
Dan Mathisen of Dan’ s Delta Outdoors in Oakley has been giving instructional session on using frogs in preparation for the upcoming Snag Proof Open out of Russo’ s Marina, and he has been finding action by customizing the Pro Z frog.
Alan Fong of the Fishermen’ s Warehouse in Sacramento confirmed the top water bite with the bass holding in the weeds, and he said,“ The punch bite should be coming soon.”
Neil Simpson of Lodi said,“ We’ ve been catching bass on just about everything, but there haven’ t been any large fish. The best I have landed recently are two 4 pounders with one on a River2Sea Whopper Plopper and one punching a Sweet Beaver. The water temperature is back down in the mid-70’ s after rising into the upper 80’ s in a lot of places from the recent heat water. There are loads of recreational boaters on the water during the holiday weekend.”
H and R Bait in Stockton reported decent striper fishing from the banks along Inland Drive, Eight Mile Road, and Whiskey Slough with frozen shad or anchovies. Bluegill fishing is decent with red worms in the sloughs. Fresh shad is not available.
- Dave Hurley
Yo-Zuri. com
JOSEPH TUTELIAN- Yo-Zuri Pro Staff
3616
EASTERN SIERRA
Mid-Summer Trouters Score!
BRIDGEPORT-“ Bridgeport Reservoir is fishing excellent from boats and though it’ s a bit tougher from the shore, there are still some fish being caught that way as