28 April 13- 27, 2018 VOL. 37 • ISS. 09

Just under 1000 anglers participated in the SMUD Spring Trout Derby at the Rancho Seco Recreation Area on March 17 and 18. Photo by DAN BACHER, Fish Sniffer Staff.

a scenic 160-acre year-round recreational facility nestled in the rolling countryside of Sacramento County between Galt and Ione, has hosted trout derbies every spring since 1993 – and I’ ve covered all but a couple of them.

The 25th Annual SMUD Trout derby on March 17-18, 2018 was another event to be remembered as just shy of 1000 participants took advantage of a break in the weather, to“ throw down” on some of the quality Mt. Lassen rainbow trout the lake is producing at this time, according to Sheldon Bright of the Fish Sniffer and Vince Harris, owner of Angler’ s Press.

A record 71 people brought fish to the scales that topped the 3 pound-plus mark, which for most trout anglers, according to Harris. The derby, like previous ones, featured three divisions: adults( 17 +), youth( 11-16 yrs) and lids( 10 and under).

Chris Martinez took first place honors in the adult division on day one with a giant 7.93 lb. trout, and received a new boat, motor and trailer package for his efforts.

“ I was jigging mice tails from my kayak when I hooked the fish,” said Martinez.“ I caught my limit of five fish.”

He was fishing with Jose Rojas of Galt, who caught a 5.63 lb. rainbow while using a Mice Tail from his kayak. He also landed his limit of fish.

The second through tenth place adult division winners

were( 2) James Davi, 7.68;( 3) Kurt Rohrbach 7.21;( 4) Tau Hang, 6.74;( 5) Tim Meeks, 6.47;( 6) Tony Phanthauong, 6.4;( 7) Kevin Coughlin, 6.2;( 8) Pat Blewett, 6.17;( 9) Tang Thao, 5.93; and( 10) John Moua, 5.92.

6-year old Gonzalo Roberts took 1st place honors in the kids division side on day one with a 5.33 pound trout and received a new kayak. He was fishing Power Bait from shore with his dad, Gonzalo Sr. and his uncle, Carlos Nazaro, when he hooked the giant fish.

Ethan Curtis placed second in the division with his 3.54 lb. rainbow, while Issac Ferkin finished third with his 1.74 lb. fish. Mick Fritzsche won first place in the youth division with his whopping 5.13 lb. rainbow trout, winning the first place plaque.

The second through tenth place division winners were( 2) Miles Tanzi, 5.02;( 3) Steven Holt,

The adult winners of the SMUD Spring Trout show their trophy plaques behind the boat, motor and trailer package won by Carlos Nazario for his winning day two trout.

Photo by DAN BACHER, Fish Sniffer Staff.

4.8,( 4) Paul Sokryko, 4.72;( 5) Payton Brudk, 4.47;( 6) Anthony Castillo, 4.28;( 7) Justin Lee, 3.9;( 8) Cameron Ringler, 2.87; and( 9) Alex Chavez.

On day two of the event, Carlos Nazario took first place honors in the adult division on the strength of a 6.36 lb. trout. He received a boat, motor and trailer package for his efforts.“ We were fishing Power Bait on day one just as we were fishing the day before,” said

Nazario.“ We each just caught one fish during the day.”

The second through tenth place winners were( 2) Mildrid Jacks, 5.83;( 3) Kurt Rohrback, 5.8;( 4) Todd Claerbout, 5.53;( 5) Eric Dornback, 4.92;( 6) Ericka Harden, 4.46;( 7) George Nakawatase, 4.42;

( 8) Frank Witte, 4.35;( 9) Miles Wyzanowski, 3.85; and( 10) Mark Ferta-

Keegan Vasconcellos won first place in the youth division on day two with his gigantic 5.73 lb. rainbow.

Photo by DAN BACHER, Fish Sniffer Staff. da, 3.83.

Keegan Vasconcellos won first place in the youth division on day two with his gigantic 5.73 lb. rainbow. He won a kayak for his efforts.

Cameron Ringler placed second with a 3.45 lb. trout, while James Hairman finished third with a 1.41 pounder.

Aiden Wyzanowki wont the kids division with his 3.25 lb. rainbow.

The lake was planted with 2,500 pounds before the derby, with a lot of fish over 5 pounds planted, as evidenced by the catches on both Saturday and Sunday. The fishing was best on day one, when a bunch of large trout were caught. A number of anglers reported catching their limits. Fishermen caught fish from shore, from kayaks and from other small boats while tossing out Kastmasters, Rooster Tails, small jigs and other lures. Anglers also landed trout while bait fishing with PowerBait, Power Eggs and nightcrawlers.

“ On behalf of the SMUD and Angler’ s Press Outdoors organizations, a big THANK YOU to everyone that participated, and we look forward to seeing- and serving you all at another great event in 2019,” said Bright and Harris after the event in an email to all of the participants.