18 Feb 2 - 16 , 2018
FRESHWATER
VOL . 37 • ISS . 04
FRESHWATER REPORTS :
CONTINUED FROM PG 14
KLAMATH RIVER / SISKIYOU RESERVOIR
Drift Boaters Find Top-Notch Steelhead Action
YREKA - For consistent steelhead action , the upper section of the Klamath River is hard to beat this winter .
“ On my latest trip to the Klamath , we caught and released a half dozen fish to 6 pounds ,” said Scott Caldwell of SC Guide Service . “ We trolled with Rapalas in the stretch below the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery .”
He has also been experiencing top-notch trout fishing on Lake Siskiyou .
“ It was day 2 with Bob and Tom on Lake Siskiyou and we decided to target brook and brown trout .,” said Caldwell . “ On day 1 we caught over 40 fish , most of which were rainbow trout . Over the 2 days , the guys were catching keeping , releasing , casting , and using downriggers , flies , side planners and the kitchen sink . You get the idea ; we caught a lot of fantastic trout .”
“ These are some of the best-eating trout in Northern California and part of the reason we chose to target the brookies and browns on day 2 . Bob Tom and I all agreed that these two fish taste better ,” said Caldwell .
“ Lake Siskiyou did not disappoint , as we put together a tasty stringer of brookies with a sprinkle of browns and rainbows . We literally had the lake to ourselves . The weather was mild for winter ; last year we had crazy snow at this same time and could not fish .”
NEW MELONES RESERVOIR
Bait Soakers Entice Big , Bold Rainbows
ANGELS CAMP - If you want to catch a huge rainbow trout at New Melones , try fishing Power Bait from the bank . Don ’ t expect numbers – just quality .
“ January 2018 has showed that if 2017 was a great year for trout , then it should carry well on into this new year ,” said Gene Hildebrand of Glory Hole Sports . “ Midwinter , atmospheric changes can have
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Captain Hayden Mullins gives young Van Brian a helping hand showing off the monster 37 inch striper that he reeled in during a Delta fishing trip on January 2 .
Photo courtesy of DRAGON SPORTFISHING , Pittsburg . an impact on the bite , as the number of trout has dropped off some with anglers having single fish outings . However ,
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Peter Smelser of Fallbrook was out out fishing Angels Cove after stopping in Glory Hole Sports for some good advice after not having any luck the prior days of fishing .
“ After Dawn set him up with a fishing hole and some Garlic PowerBait , he ended up a happy bank angler with two trout weighing 4 pounds , 7 ounces , and other a 4.1 oz . the following day ,” said Hildebrand .
Steve Camilleri of San Mateo landed a beautiful 5 lb . 10 oz . rainbow off the bank in Angels Cove . Yes , he also landed the trout while soaking PowerBait .
Anglers report bass fishing has been just so-so . Bass have been caught down to 40 ft . using finesse setups , ned rigs and brass spinner blades with chartreuse skirts .
The catfish action has been slow , but that didn ’ t stop Greg Dunn of Sonora from landing and 11 lb . 15 oz . channel cat . He reported using a pink mallow / worm combo in 15 ft . of water in Angels Cove .
“ Crappie has been slow for the most part , not the time of year for a good bite on these sunfish ,” said Hildebrand .
Gary Burns went out rolling shad on New Melones and hooked up a hefty 6 lb . hog of a bow . Gary reports the bite has been a bit quirky with some good days and some not so successful .
“ The bite is getting better , but there are days where we came in without a take down . We trolled fast this week around 3 mph with Rapalas F11 in rainbow color . You can also try Cripplures or Kastmasters in chrome ,” said Burns .
“ Our depth this week was from the surface down to 18 ’. Where we found shad , we fished . We saw a lot of shad down deep and did not hook up at all ,” he added .
The New Melones Lake level is currently at 1051.25 ft . and 36.75 ft . from full . The water level had dropped to the year low of 1050.00 ft . before rising to the current level . The water temperature is 54 degrees .
- Dan Bacher
OROVILLE LAKE
Spotted Bass Provide Cold Water Sport
OROVILLE – Fishing pressure is very light on Lake Oroville , although that should change as the water temperature warms up and the spotted bass become more active . The good news is that the water level has risen over 5 feet from the recent storms .
Boat launching is available only on the gravel at the Bidwell Canyon Recreation Area . You must have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle