VOL . 37 • ISS . 10

For all the exciting details , check out the ad in this edition of the Fish Sniffer Magazine .

The Rocklin Sportsman ’ s Warehouse is located at 6640 Lonetree Blvd . For more information call ( 916 ) 782- 9900 . In Chico , 765 East Avenue , ( 530 ) 897-0500 . In Rancho Cordova 2344 Sunrise Blvd , ( 916 ) 635-7800 . In Redding , 1659 Hilltop Drive , ( 530 ) 222-5500 . In Fairfield , 1590 Gateway Blvd ( 707 ) 389-7400 . In Fresno , 8468 N . Friant Rd . ( 559 ) 261-2900 . In Rohnert , Park 5195 Redwood Dr . ( 707 ) 585-1500 . In Eureka , 3456 Broadway ( 707 ) 298-6100 . In Stockton , 10536 Trinity Parkway ( 209 ) 851-7400 . In Vasalia , 1650 W . Visalia

Parkway ( 559 ) 308-7100 .

energy . We ended up at an area of the lake on the west shore where a large cement structure pulls water out of Almanor and pumps it up to Butte Lake .

After playing with Lucy in the snow for a while I decided to make a few casts with a spinning rod armed with a countdown Yo-Zuri .

I was about 6 casts in when I noted a dark shadow following the lure . The trout followed the plug right into the rocks without actually touching it and basically ran aground .

The husky brown trout panicked , thrashed and them made a wild arching leap back into open water . From the memory burned into my mind , I ’ m confident that the fish weighed at least 5 pounds and it was likely over 6 !

Of course , I made 956 more casts with zero action , but it didn ’ t matter . We ’ d yet to actually step into a boat and we ’ d already come face to face with a nice brown …

“ Tomorrow might be the day ,” I ribbed Gena on the way back to Chester . Let The Trolling Begin ! Gena , Lucy and I met Bryan at the Canyon Dam launch ramp early the next morning . As Bryan got the rods ready , I got busy setting up my cameras . The plan for the day was to cover maximum ground while top lining 4 inch minnow plugs from various manufacturers .

Bryan and I would tend the rods and cameras and Gena was going to fight all the fish . Bryan ’ s clients had landed fish well into the 7 pound class the previous week and I felt a shiver of excitement when the plugs went into the water the first time .

We trolled for a little while before the first strike came . The fish was hooked initially but quickly tossed the lure . The next fish that came knocking also got away .

Fish No . 3 wasn ’ t so lucky . The hooks were anchored securely to the trout ’ s mouth and Gena successfully brought a beautiful 3 to 4 pound brown to the boat . The fish was quickly unhooked and released .

Gene followed up on the brown with a couple rainbows in the 18 inch class and then lost a brown about 20 feet behind the boat that looked to be a carbon copy of the first trout she landed .

By late morning the bite had slowed

April 27 - May 11 , 2018

19

These folks were trolling minnow plugs at Lake Almanor this spring hoping for big trout , but instead they landed these incredible smallmouth bass ! Photo courtesy of BIG DADDY ’ S GUIDE SERVICE , Lake Almanor .

down a hair but we were still getting hits . I ’ m still scratching my head about one strike in particular .

I happened to be standing next to the rod when it went off . I slipped the rod out of the holder to hand it to Gena . The fish felt really powerful and it was pulling line off the reel against the drag when I handed it over to Gena .

Gena fought the fish for a while and from all appearances it was a big trout , but then Gena thought she ’ s lost the fish . Yet Bryan and I could still see head shaking on the rod tip .

“ Don ’ t stop reeling ,” Bryan instructed . “ There is still a fish on the line .”

When the fish appeared behind the boat I was dumbfounded . It was a king salmon that might have stretched to 14 inches . Hardly the sort of fish that doubles over trolling rods and smokes line off reels .

I ’ m convinced that Gena had a good trout on the line . I think it shook the hook and when it did there was an ambitious salmon loitering nearby ready to grab the plug when it pulled loose . Of course , we ’ ll never know what exactly happened , but I have my theory .

I ’ d like to say that Gena ’ s big bite came at the end of the day , but it didn ’ t . Gena finished up with a total of 2 rainbows , 2 kings and one colorful brown .

Gena hasn ’ t given up on Lake Almanor or Bryan Roccucci . She is already planning next spring ’ s Almanor trophy hunt .

I ’ m confident that Gena will eventually get her trophy trout because she isn ’ t willing to give up !

If you ’ d like to hit the waters of Lake Almanor , Bucks Lake , Eagle Lake , Tahoe or Davis , give Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy ’ s Guide Service a call and he will put you on the fish ( 530 ) 370-1001

OFFICIAL SPONSOR

( similar to illustration )

3710

Complete Center Console package with wider and deeper hull , built in 25 gallon fuel tank , forward fish box , Mercury 90 hp 4 stroke , galvanized swing tongue trailer and much more !

Packages start at $ 33,700 Call for details !

1926 – 2017 Your Bay Area Dealer For 91 Years 333 Kennedy Street Oakland , CA 94606 www . outboardmotorshop . com

All Prices INCLUDE freight & prep , plus tax & license only .

18 Proven Kokanee / Trout Dodgers !

3704

4 All Natural Scents ... Kokanee , Trout , Salmon & Shad

240 different size / color combinations !

82 YEARS of Catching TROUT & KOKANEE 100 % Made in the USA

www . dicknite . com • fs @ dicknite . com