Wet and wild trout on Shasta Lake!

Cheryl Way with her personal best brown trout. Not a giant, but still a very special fish for a special client!
Photo Credit: Captain Jeff Goodwin

by Jeff Goodwin
3-21-2019
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Yesterday I had the pleasure to spend a day on Shasta Lake with new clients, Jody and Cheryl Way.  Jody had booked the trip last year but fell ill and had to re schedule his fishing trip.  I waited over a year to meet Jody and Cheryl, and as I reflect on our day, I'm so grateful to have had the experience to meet such fine people.  This is a feeling I get to reflect upon continuously, as I get to fish with so many amazing people who love the sport of fishing.  We were pounded by wind, rain, and a fairly slow bite, yet we finished the day with another fulfilling fishing experience.  Thank you Jody and Cheryl!

Shasta has some big browns cruising bothe the shorelines and open water channels.  The fish are up very high in the water column and side pleners are a top producer.  Fishing away from the boat is criticalWater temps are fluctuating dramatically in the top foot of the lake.  Most of the life in the lake is living on top in the warmer water.  2.5-3.5 mph has been a good trolling speed range.  Stained water has me trolling bright colors and I'm getting bites with them.  Copper or bress plated spoons are also a stand out for me this week so far, although opaque color spoons are a great option as well.  I think a 15 lb brown will be caught this year.  Who's that lucky angler going to be?  I can't wait to find out!

Jeff Goodwin is a full time Northern California fishing guide.  He guides year round for salmon, trout, steelhead, Kokanee, and bass on Northern California rivers and lakes. He fishes many bodies of water in the Redding area, but also guides the Sacramento River and Feather River during certain times of the year. Jeff can also be found on the California coast chasing ocean fresh King salmon and steelhead each year. To learn more about the fishing trips Jeff has to offer, please visit Jeff Goodwin's Guide Service.  You can also find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or please feel free to call him anytime at (707) 616-1905.