These anglers had a great time trolling for kokanee at Stampede Reservoir this September. These fish couldn’ t lay off pink UV Shasta Tackle Sling Blades teamed with micro hoochies.

Photo courtesy of CHRISTOPHEL’ S GUIDE SERVICE, Mack’ s Lure

“ I didn’ t do as well as I did back on October 5 when I hit the lake this week, but I still managed 9 macks to about 7 pounds. I got most of them in about 150 feet of water while working off Cal Neva Point. Once again, the 2 ounce anchovy colored jig worked the best. I think it looks like a small kokanee,” said Jones.

Mickey Daniels of Mickey’ s Big Mack Charter is also working the north end of the lake. He’ s pulling a variety of offerings including Kok-A-Nuts for macks to 8 pounds.

TRINITY RIVER / LAKE

Chinook and Coho Weir Counts Soar

WILLOW CREEK – The chinook salmon and coho salmon counts showing this season on the Trinity River have improved significantly from those of last year, while the steelhead numbers are also up slightly

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from those of last season, according to CDFW Willow Creek Weir counts.

Chinook salmon numbers are up dramatically from last season. The total trapped at Willow Creek this season to date is 1,846 salmon, including 990 adults and 856 grilse. That compares to 499 fish, including 383 adults and 76 grilse, in 2016.

Likewise, Coho salmon counts are also up significantly from last year. A total of 38 Coho, including 9 adults and 29 adults, have been reported to date this year. That compares to 3 Coho, including 1 adult and 2 grilse last season.

The CDFW reported a total of 582 steelhead to date, including 562 adults and 22 half pounders, have been trapped to date at the Willow Creek Weir. That compares to a total of 563 steelhead, including 519 adults and 45 half pounders, in 2016.

Fishing pressure has been very light on the Trinity River, due to the closure of fall Chinook fishing this year on the Trinity River from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, due to historically low stock projections of fall Chinook in the Klamath Basin by NOAA Fisheries.

“ Steelhead fishing is by no

means red hot, but boaters and bank anglers are hooking steelhead here and there on Trinity,” said Tim Brady of Trinity Outdoors.“ Anglers are hooking adults in the 4 to 6

, the much heralded and often over discussed column # 500 is long gone, it’ s time to start over and # 1000 is not even a mention possibility. I’ d kind of be pleased with just 525. Enough said.

As the soon to be required California BOATER CARD is right around the edge of the dock, perhaps one final mention is in order. There is a phase-in schedule in place beginning January 1st, 2018. No grandfather clause is available as well as no grace period in getting it done. This means that on that date, you must already possess the card.

On that date, the requirement is for all boat operators age 20 or younger who operate a boat, motorized sailboat or paddle craft to have the card.

The fee for the card is $ 10 with a replacement fee for a lost card being $ 5. C’ mon now, you truly didn’ t believe it would be free? Wouldn’ t surprise me if at least 5 people have been hired to handle the onslaught of applications. For particulars, one can check out www. CaliforniaBoaterCard. com.

Information regarding the mandatory taking of the test is available on said website. Progression by age increases through 2025, where all boat operators will be required to possess the card.

My final question... How are visiting nonresidents affected? If my brother visits from Idaho, he can’ t run a boat? It does state“ boat operators”, not just California residents.

We are experiencing a rather late salmon run through Sac this year and our next attempt to fill the freezer, or at least 1 / 4th of a shelf will be this Thursday.

The few fish we’ ve caught have been extremely healthy and excellent table fare. My apologies again to Paulette as I’ m not trying to overstep. Tried this last year and again this season. I’ ll bake a smaller chunk with seasonings, put it in the fridge overnight and then crumble it up with a fork, add the celery, garlic salt, sweet relish and mayo, making tuna salad, except it’ s salmon.

An awesome sandwich is the result, especially served on a bun or roll with lots of lettuce and a cold beverage of choice. Guess what my lunch sandwich was just before writing this column. Can still taste it while recalling the day my daughter caught it last month.

lb. range, along with some larger fish to 8 pounds.”

Bank anglers and boaters using conventional gear are hooking their fish mostly while using plugs, nightcrawlers, spoons and spinners. Fly fishermen are finding success while employing stoneflies, 20 inchers, read copper johns and bird’ s nest patterns, fished below strike indications.

Brady said hardly anybody is fishing for black bass or trout at Trinity Lake. However, fishermen are hooking nice stringers of rainbow trout while using PowerBait, nightcrawlers, spoons, and flies on Lewiston Reservoir.

Trinity Lake is holding 1,8000,638

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

So, salmon is the issue? One would think that after salmon fishing our local rivers since 1959, all ideas would be behind us. Not so sure though, as so many techniques are particular to a specific fishery.

Over the years I’ ve tried some of these in different waters without much success. We used to troll an Apex in the Feather River with decent success. Tried

it in the Sac many times, nothing.

However, on the next trip I’ m already set up to experiment again. It’ s certainly not an original idea, however why not try it? Am going to run a salt water 11-inch flasher off of my downrigger so as to control the depth. About 15 inches back will be a medium sized single bladed spinner, at least to start.

Might again try the Apex as well. Why not go in a different direction? What’ s the worst that can happen? In my opinion, it’ s just as easy to not catch a fish on a gold spinner as to not catch a fish on a smaller plug.

As much as I’ ve railed about the negative effects of the two-rod stamp, I will use it for salmon fishing. Again, it’ s just as easy to not catch a fish with four rods out rather than just two. Right?

Mid October usually means our area lakes will be experiencing the seasonal turnover, bringing trout to the surface to those of us who prefer a shallow troll. Also, the heat of summer has dissipated and some days will require a jacket. Still utilize suntan lotion however, which brings to bear the point, according to the wives, it’ s NOT suntan lotion, it is however, sunscreen. Even when giving in to semantics,

I still use it. Polarized sunglasses, or to some of us, shades, are heartily recommended. When it’ s time for you to use your boat and gear, the appropriate gesture for your passenger is to pick up a launch fee, at least offer to kick in some $$$ for fuel, and most importantly, bring the snacks for morning coffee.

Most anything loaded with butter and cinnamon will be graciously accepted. Oh, by the way, if you should ask your guest to run the boat for 5 minutes while you re-set the downriggers at 5 and 8 feet, don’ t forget about that cash raising card.

After all, our general fund in California is within millions of dollars of being broke. Too much? Next time we just might get into this recent trolling action. It is fun. Seeya then and Tight Lines!

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