Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3826 Dec 6-20 | Page 11

VOL.38 • ISS. 26 Dec 6 - 20, 2019 FRESHWATER 9 FRESHWATER REPORTS: CONTINUED FROM PG 7 “It’s a really, to 5 have been pretty common. really good Boat launching remains solid at year at the Gallatin. There has been some hatchery, surface ice, but overall, it’s been DEL VALLE LAKE cont. although a pretty mild fall in the Eagle weighing 6.5 pounds while soaking the fish are Lake Basin so far. PowerBait south of the marina. later than “We are doing really well Since the water level is dropping, normal,’ said with flies. Much of the time we the stripers have been pressured off Ana Kastner, troll them, but we are starting the shallow bait balls and are now hatchery to get them from the shoreline concentrated in Heron Bay. For the best manager. “ on traditional fly gear too. Both success, fish anchovies in the mornings The facility orange and natural colored flies and evenings. has trapped are working well. We are seeing Big fish honors go to Jesus Figueroa of a total of lots of hard fighting rainbows in Clayton who landed a 6.5 lb. striper and 18,576 fall-run the 3 and 4-pound range and it’s two catfish weighing 5 pounds each while Chinooks this been pretty easy to round up a using anchovies across from the jumping year, including limit,” said Bryan Roccucci of Big rock in Swallow Bay. 8,635 males, Daddy’s Guide Service. Panfish are showing in good numbers. 4418 females Fish Sniffer publisher Paul Bluegill and crappie are hitting redworms, and 5523 jacks Kneeland just got back from minicrawlers, panfish jigs and small (two-year-old visiting his cabin at Eagle Lake Kastmasters in a variety of colors. Target fish). and experienced very good the main lake trees and beaches for the The facility fishing. top action. also trapped a “We caught fish on spoons and The catfish have been becoming more total of 3,095 Rapalas, but flies worked the lethargic during the day, with the peak spring run fish best. Our top fish was upwards of biting times in the mornings and evenings. 20 inches and of course they all to date. Due to the colder water the catfish are The hatchery fought really hard. The first day going into even deeper water. The most has taken were at the lake there was some effective baits are cut baits like anchovies, ice at the launch ramp, but my 13,000,000 sardines, mackerel, and chicken liver. eggs to date. boat broke right through it. The The hatchery’s next two days the temperature Big trout are on the bite at Eagle Lake. This impressive rainbow was landed on goal is to came up and there was no ice November 14. produce 6 in evidence. For Eagle Lake in Photo courtesy of BIG DADDY’S GUIDE SERVICE, Quincy. million juvenile November the weather was really salmon this comfortable, cold in the morning season. and crisp in the afternoon,” said DON PEDRO LAKE A few steelhead are also starting to Kneeland. been chasing a group of stripers, and the show, noted Kastner. Black Bass Bite Still Tough other day we lit them up in front of Big The only section of river open to salmon Break, but the next day, they were gone.” but Improving fishing now is from 200 yards above “For largemouth bass, I took out an LA GRANGE - The bass bite remains the Live Oak boat ramp to the mouth at older couple, and we punched and flipped tough at best at Lake Don Pedro but it is Verona. The salmon fishing will remain for 23 largemouth bass to 4 pounds with showing some signs of life as the bass EAST DELTA open through December 16. the 6-inch green pumpkin/red worm has remain suspended at depths from 55 to 65 Anglers can continue to target been working best,” he stated. Striper Fishing Best in Back feet with jigs or plastics on the drop-shot - Dave Hurley steelhead, striped bass and other species, or shakey head at depths from 30 to 60 Sloughs but not salmon from the Highway 70 feet. STOCKTON – Randy Pringle, the bridge to the unimproved boat ramp The shad are scattered out, and you Fishing Instructor, stayed off of the main above the Thermalito Afterbay Outfall and have to be willing to try a variety of river channels during the recent windy from the unimproved boat ramp above the techniques to get bite. Finding the shad weather, and he went to the back sloughs Thermalito Afterbay Outfall to 200 yards FEATHER RIVER schools is essential as both the bass and were the winds went over the top of the above the Live Oak boat ramp, the rainbows are holding near the shad. Another Good Salmon Year on levees and kept from creating whitecaps. The river is difficult to navigate by boat Wind, weather, and rain are needed He said, “The water on the main river now, due to low flows. Combined releases Feather to stabilize the lake as the water was stirred up like an egg beater, but we to the Feather River below the Thermalito YUBA CITY – Large numbers of salmon temperatures remain above 60 degrees. were focusing on the sloughs. Everything Afterbay Outlet continue to be 2,450 cfs. are showing this fall at the Feather River The lake is currently 79 percent of is slow and methodical with the ima Flit - Dan Bacher Fish Hatchery in Oroville. capacity. in Olive Herring or Rock N’Vibe Suspend CONTINUED ON PG 11 - Dave Hurley using a retrieve with a pause. The Berkley Bottom Hopper on a Zappu head on 8-lb. fluorocarbon is also working, but a slow presentation is necessary on the outside of the weed lines. There have been a few striped bass on the Little Stick topwater EAGLE LAKE lure, and I have been using the Little Stick instead of the Big Stick since the area we Flies, Spoons & Plugs All have been fishing aren’t holding the larger Draw Strikes! grade of striped bass.” There are schools of striped bass taken SPALDING - It’s trophy time at Eagle on spoons along the shoals at depths Lake. Limits are the rule. The average from 19 to 30 feet with 1.75-oz. Blade keeper rainbow goes 3 pounds and fish Runner or 3-oz. P-Line Laser Minnows. It is a matter of locating the schools of stripers, and these are normally school-sized stripers. In the San Joaquin River, Dan Mathisen of Dan Mathisen Outdoors Camp one LAKE CAMANCHE’S AMENITIES said, “The night at • Guaranteed Weekly Fish plants wind played Lake Camanche (OCT. - MAY) havoc on the and receive • Boat Rentals river as it your second night free. Offer must be • Lodging Available was muddy redeemed by calling (866) 763-5121 and • Stores, Cafe & Marina Grill in the main mentioning promo code FS14 at the time • Courtesy Launch Ramps on channels. of booking. offer not redeemeable online. both North & South Shores The stripers • RV Sites w/ Full Hookups are here Not valid on weekend, holidays, full hook-up RV sites (LONG & SHORT TERM) one day and or for cottage stays. Supplemental fees may apply. 3805 gone the Mark Langridge used a crappie jig from the Lake Amador dock to foot these next. 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