Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3719 Aug 31- Sept 14 | Page 19

VOL . 37 • ISS . 19

FRESHWATER

Aug 31 - Sept 7 , 2018
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Fall Trout Notes

^Fish Sniffer editor Cal Kellogg shows off a pair of handsome French Meadows Reservoir brown trout . Fall is prime time for plying High Sierra lakes such as French Meadows from the bank .

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Bank bait fishing for high country lake and reservoir trout is a pretty simple proposition . In terms of end tackle all you ’ ll need is a small compartment box sporting sinkers , split shot , beads , swivels , snaps , bait holder and octopus hooks .

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For the bank bound bait angler looking for a larger than average trout , one of the best baits you can soak is an inflated worm teamed with marshmallow or two . The orange marshmallows shown here are cheese flavored Atlas Glitter Mallows

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A variety of lures will produce results from the bank . Shown here are three of Cal Kellogg ’ s favorite trout offerings including a Kastmaster spoon , a Vibric Rooster Tail and a Yo-Zuri L Minnow .

Summer Ends in One Month : Are You Ready for Fall Trout Fishing ?

F all is such a wonderful time , perhaps the best time of the year for anglers

and hunters . For starters , the weather here in northern California is generally fantastic with cold nights , chilly mornings and comfortable afternoons . Sure , we usually get a storm or two during October and November , but we also get plenty of blue bird days . “ I wish fall was six months long ”… I ’ ve made this statement many times because with the outstanding trout , bass , striper and lingcod fishing that takes place during the fall

FISH SNIFFER HOW – TO by Cal Kellogg combined with deer , bear , quail and duck hunting there simply isn ’ t enough time to sample everything ! Fall trout action is great for both trollers and bank anglers because the holdover trout that spent the summer months lurking in the depths of our lakes and reservoirs move to the surface spurred on by cool water temperatures and an abundance of bait . On an instinctive level at least , the trout know they ’ ve got to take advantage of the feeding opportunities offered during October and November if they are going to survive the lean winter months . This being the case , fall trout feed heavily , making them prime targets for anglers . One of the quirks and really wonderful things about fall trout fishing is that bank anglers do as well if not better than boaters . Fall trout gravitate to the shoreline and often the hot fishing zone is within a few yards of dry land . This territory is tough to work for boaters using standard trolling tactics , but for bank anglers it ’ s home sweet home . Excellent fall bank fishing can be had at any of our large reservoirs including New Melones , Don Pedro and Shasta and I ’ ve

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written about these opportunities many times in the past . Yet , in many ways I think the most satisfying fall bank fishing opportunities take place at the scores of small lakes that dot the upper foothills and lower Sierras . Whether you are talking about Scotts Flat Reservoir near Nevada City , French Meadows Reservoir on the Foresthill Divide , Spicer Reservoir off Highway 4 or Kangaroo Lake way up north near Mount Shasta , small lakes offer the bank bound fall trouter excellent fishing , solitude and inspiring scenery . If you want to get away from it all for a day or a weekend during the fall , a small lake foray is a great option . Bank fishing for small lake trout can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it , but for me part of the charm is keeping things simple . You can do well by driving up to a lake , walking a short distance , plunking down in a chair and staying in that location all day long . I ’ ve done plenty of this , but as a general rule I like to stay on the move when working a small lake . For me exploring a bit is part of the fun of the small lake fishing experience . This being the case I like to travel light . My bank fishing gear consists of two spinning rods , a daypack or large fanny pack and hiking boots . Just about any sort of spinning rod will work for bank fishing , but the right rod will enhance both your enjoyment and effectiveness . A 7-foot fast action rod rated for 4 to 10 pound mono is the way to go . The rod should be matched with a decent quality reel capable of holding about 200 yards of 6-pound test line . What you are really looking for in the reel is a smooth drag . A sticky drag will hang up and that ’ s the last thing you want when
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