Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3901 Dec 20-Jan 3 | Page 9

FRESHWATER VOL.39 • ISS. 1 Dec 20, 2019 - Jan 3, 2020 FRESHWATER REPORTS: CONTINUED FROM PG 4 BERRYESSA LAKE LAKE CAMANCHE cont. Trout and Bass Lead December Angling Parade spotted and largemouth bass, with a lot of smallmouths showing now.” The rainbow trout fishing is still going strong, but like the bass, the fish are going deeper on the reservoir. “My friends have been catching easy limits of rainbow trout on Berryessa every time they get out,” said Fong. “They are trolling Shad Raps and Scatter Raps for holdover rainbows in the 14 to 20 inch range in the main body at 30 feet deep.” Bank fishermen can also pick up some beautiful rainbows now while tossing out minnows and nightcrawlers under bobbers in Markley Cove and other coves throughout the lake. Burson – Trout plants continue at Lake Camanche, and last week’s plants of 3600 pounds of Mt. Lassen rainbows split between the North Shore Marina, South Shore Marina, and the South Shore Pond bring the total to 14,400 pounds since October. In addition, the South Pond received 500 pounds of the popular Lightning trout in addition to 700 pounds of rainbows. Robbie Dunham of Koke Machine BULLARDS BAR/ Guide Service took Thanksgiving Week ENGLEBRIGHT off with the inclement RESERVOIRS weather conditions, but he will be on Trollers Bag Mixed Grade the lake in the coming Kristy Carpentier took a trip to Lake Berryessa this November and of Kokanee weeks with clients. He battled this athletic rainbow. DOBBINS – Although few anglers Photo courtesy of MIKE CARPENTIER, Walnut Creek. said, “There are plenty have been out kokanee fishing of trout in the lake, and lately at Bullards Bar Lake, Justin I plan on concentrating Leonard of Outcast Guide Service on either working the has reported success fishing there for fish with mostly smaller spotted bass showing. Narrows with grubs near the surface or ranging from 9 to 15 inches long. Anglers are using soft plastics to entice Speedy Shiners near the dam in the open “There are still left over fall run kokanee the spots. water.” in the 14 to 15 inch range holding near Fishing pressure remains very light at “The trout should be near the surface, the dam,” he said. “Most are getting dark, Englebright Reservoir. Rainbow trout and a planer board is helpful to get your but there are some chrome fish available. are available for anglers trolling with lure away from the boat wash. No one There are also bright fish in the 11 to 13 nightcrawlers, spoons and spinners location is holding more trout, but they inch range, what I call next spring’s fish, behind dodgers or flashers. You can also are scattered with the best concentration holding there, along with lots of 9 to 11 hook an occasional wild brown while in the Narrows or near the dam. The inch fish, next fall’s kokanee.” trolling with Rapalas and other stickbaits river arm should remain clear despite the “During my latest trip to Bullards Bar, I in the river arm. inflow, and even if the water is stained, landed between 20 to 25 fish in 3 hours of Bullards Bar is holding 609,477 acre feet the trout fishing should remain solid. fishing. Although I caught a couple of fish of water, 63 percent of capacity and 115 From now into February is the best time on the surface, I landed the majority of percent of average. to experience topwater trolling at Lake the fish deeper down to 40 feet. I used all Englebright Reservoir is holding 64,778 Camanche,” he stated Paulina Peak hoochies and flashers, with acre feet of water, 93 percent of capacity There was a traditional local Turkey pink being the best color,” said Leonard. and 107 percent of average. Shoot for area bass fishermen on the day Leonard said the bass fishing is slow, - Dan Bacher after Thanksgiving, and swimbait expert, Alex Niapas of Angels Camp, participated in the event. He said, “The best bass action took place at depths from 20 to 45 feet with plastics on a shakey head. The winning team came in with over 16 pounds including a big fish at 7.19 pounds on a swimbait.” - Dave Hurley visit LAKE CAMANCHE World-Class Trout & Bass Fishing, 7 shad. I caught and released five catfish in 2 to 3 lb. range on drop shot rigs tipped with shad during my last fishing adventure. I fished the mid-lake at Shag Rock and Henderson Point.” He also landed 4 bluegill and two bluegill while using crappie jigs. “Things are slowing down with the arrival of winter,” he said. “Minnows are the key bait to use now because the water is getting cold.” To book a bass fishing adventure with Tom Guercio, call (925) 813-0792. - Dan Bacher COLLINS LAKE Cold Weather Doesn’t Slow Down Trout OREGON HOUSE – The cold weather hasn’t slowed down the trout at all. We’re not seeing many limits caught but a couple trout in the boat by 11am seems to be the rhythm. Thanksgiving morning, after a dusting of snow that didn’t quite stick there were families and fishermen down on the shoreline for sunrise with a couple fish already on the stringer. With trout surfacing ~50 ft. from shore Kastmasters and PowerBait are a good bet. The weather seems to have excited bass as well, I’ve seen a good number caught up at the north end of the lake near the powerlines, mostly with rubber worms and most people fishing from a boat, although that likely has more to do with the limited shoreline accessibility along the northern fork than the depth folks are fishing. The winter season is off to a good start and we’ll be keeping an eye out for the cool calm sunny days to get out and take advantage of it. I was walking along the rocks in the Open Area when I ran into Bryan who in March had caught an 8.25 pound trout on the same shoreline. Well, this time he showed off an 8.75 pound, 26 inch long rainbow trout caught at noon on white colored power eggs. Jason Koen caught his 20 inch fish on corn yellow PowerBait.. Robby Jellsey’s 7 pound trout came from the North Fork up by the bridge. CONTINUED ON PG 8 year round! CLEAR LAKE 2 for 1 CAMPING Mid Week Camping Special! Your 2nd Night is FREE! CALL 866.763.5121 Camp one night at Lake Camanche and receive your second night free. Offer must be redeemed by calling (866) 763-5121 and mentioning promo code FS14 at the time of booking. offer not redeemeable online. Not valid on weekend, holidays, full hook-up RV sites or for cottage stays. Supplemental fees may apply. LAKE CAMANCHE’S AMENITIES • Guaranteed Weekly Fish plants (OCT. - MAY) • Boat Rentals • Lodging Available • Stores, Cafe & Marina Grill • Courtesy Launch Ramps on both North & South Shores • RV Sites w/ Full Hookups (LONG & SHORT TERM) 3805 www.CamancheRecreation.com Largemouths, Catfish and Crappie Feed on Shad CLEARLAKE – Tom Guercio of Tom’s Guide Service reported tough bass fishing on his latest trip on Clear Lake. He reported that the anglers hooking the most largemouth bass are drifting jumbo minnows. “Lots of shad are showing in deep water,” he said. Jason was bank fishing at Collins Lake this November when he scored “Anglers are also this huge rainbow. hooking catfish Photo courtesy of the COLLINS LAKE RECREATION AREA, Oregon while fishing with House.