Tips & Techniques: This list of tips is just the beginning. The editors, reporters and readers of MyOutdoorBuddy.com will be adding tips regularly. Please share with our readers what you know that will enhance the experience of others who come here to fish, hunt or enjoy nature. What have you learned? Your expertise, no matter what you do could be invaluable to others. What not to do is just as important as what to do. Please send your strategies, ideas, tips, techniques and personal experiences to myoutdoorbuddy@frontiernet.net. Please include you name and hometown.
Tips & Techniques
| Northern California How To’s & Tips Cure eggs like the pros Full Story By Kenny Priest, author of Fishing the North Coast Since using roe for river salmon fishing is very popular I asked a few of our local fishing guides to share their favorite roe cures for salmon. Here’s what they had to say... |
[Editor’s Note: This list of tips is just beginning. The editors, reporters and readers of MyOutdoorBuddy.com will be adding tips regularly.
Please share with our readers what you know that will enhance the experience of wetting a line in northern California waters. What have you learned? Your expertise, no matter where you fish (fresh or saltwater) or what species you target, could be invaluable to other anglers. What not to do is just as important as what to do. Please send your strategies, ideas, tips, techniques and personal experiences to MyOutdoorBuddy (see email address at bottom of homepage). Please include you name and hometown.]
1. Boat Accessories -- Always check to make sure your boat’s vital equipment is operational. Discovering that your boat’s live well aerator, bilge pump, lights (internal, running and navigation), radios, or direction finders (compass or GPS or radar) are not in proper order AFTER you have launched can ruin a day or more. – Frank Galusha, Editor
2. Boat Safety Equipment – Always check to see you have proper life jackets for each person who will be in your boat. Wear them and ask your passengers to wear them. Make sure children under age 13 are wearing life jackets at all times. Have at least one life-saving device you can throw to someone who has fallen overboard. Have a rope handy you can throw to a person in the water. Have a spare motor and check it frequently to see that it is working properly. Make sure you have an anchor in case your motor(s) fail, or oars if your boat is equipped with oarlocks. Carry flares, air horns, extra water, a first-aid kit and, if you are on medications, put your vital pills in a small box and store them inside the boat or your tackle box. If your boat is equipped with an automatic shutoff lanyard switch, always clip it to your belt or wrist while underway. If you are thrown overboard your engine will stop and you may be able to swim back to it. If your plans include going offshore in north coast waters, see Tip #5 – Frank Galusha, Editor
3. Coast Guard Advisories/Marine Safety – The following are not “Tips” but essential rules or recommendations, some of which will be strictly enforced by the Coast Guard to ensure safe boat at sea.
There should be a personal flotation device on the vessel for each person, sized accordingly. Children under the age of 13 are required by law to wear a lifejacket.
The Coast Guard strongly recommends that boaters equip their vessels with immersion suits or other full-body protection, as water temperatures will be cold, and hypothermia can quickly overtake the average person.
Boaters should have flares and an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon with 406 MHz capabilities to enable a faster response by the Coast Guard in the event of an emergency.
Boaters should have an operational marine VHF radio on their boat in order to contact the Coast Guard on channel 16, in the event an emergency. Due to the high mountainous areas throughout the region, boaters should not rely on thier cell phones as a means of communication. In order to expedite the Coast Guard's response in an emergency, mariners should have a GPS unit onboard or, at a minimum, maintain a knowledge of local waters and know your location at all times. The Coast Guard reminds radio operators that VHF channel 16 is an emergency channel, and that improper transmission on channel 16 not only hampers Coast Guard response, but may be punishable under federal law.
The Coast Guard strongly recommends that all boaters file a float plan with a friend or family member on land, with an approximate time of return and location to which you will be heading. It is also recommended that you regularly check in with those who are aware of your plan, especially if your plan should change.
Mariners should check current and forecasted weather conditions prior to getting underway, and remain aware of changing conditions once on the water. The National Weather Service broadcasts weather conditions throughout the day on VHF channel WX2. The Coast Guard broadcasts weather conditions on VHF channel 22A at 9:30 a.m., noon, and 4:30 p.m.
It is against the law for anyone to operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol. Consumption of alcohol by anyone else aboard is also strongly discouraged.
Prior to taking to the water, boaters are encouraged to go to http://uscgboating.org/ for more complete information on safe boating. The Coast Guard also highly recommends boaters get a free vessel-safety inspection from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. More information on these inspections can be found at http://www.vesselsafetycheck.org/. A few minutes now could save a life later.
Current weather information and advisories can be found on the National Weather Service website. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zone/west/mtrmz.htm
Obtain a copy of the “rules of the road” about how to handle your boat in harbors or at sea be sure you understand all navigation signs, signals and lights, especially fowl weather warnings or warnings about dangerous bar crossings.
4. Licenses and Regulations Booklets -- Always make sure you have your license and current regulations with you when you are going fishing. Seems simple but many forget one or both and have the dilemma of fishing without the license ( illegal) or not fishing at all and taking a chance of not knowing and guessing what, if any, size, method of take or limit restrictions a body of water may have. Keep a copy of regulations in your vehicle, boat, vest, tackle bags and boxes so you always have a copy handy. It will save you money in the long run plus the regulations are free at most dealers that sell bait and /or tackle. Hang your license where you can’t miss it and keep a checklist to insure you don’t forget it. – Gary Heffley, Anderson, reporter
4. Boat Drain Plugs -- Remember to check your boat’s drain plug before launching. Make sure it is in place and screwed in tightly. The proverbial “fire drill” at the ramp of someone who forgot to put it in is often funny but can ruin an outing or result in costly repairs if not caught soon enough.
Develop a pattern that forces you to check your drain plug; e.g. make it part of a checklist for launching such as removing transom savers, trailer tie downs, winch and safety hooks and checking depth finder sensors.
When you remove a drain plug always store in the same place or in the same manner so you won’t forget to put it back in or can find it quickly.
Some boats give the angler access to the drain plug from inside. In that case perhaps you can develop a way to hook your drain plug to your boat through the drain plug hole with a small but sturdy key chain, wire or cord. That way, if you forget to check the drain plug perhaps you will be able to pull it back into the hole from inside your boat or reach over the back of the transom and put it back in before your boat has taken on much water. Always carry a spare drain plug or two in your boat tool box or tackle box. Then, if you lose your plug, the day won’t be ruined. – Frank Galusha, Editor
5. Avoiding Monofilament Snarls
Now for a fairly valuable tip for those of us who use spinning tackle and often suffer from loops becoming tangles in the reel. I overheard Tim Brady at Dragonfly Outfitters in Weaverville offer this advice to a customer who was asking about spinning reels. Although I had heard this years ago I had forgotten this tip and was not able to help my nephews when they were encountering the loop / tangle issue on our recent trip.
When casting a spinning reel use your fingers to manually close the bail bar instead of using the reel to do it by engaging the reel by turning the handle. This will all but eliminate the loops. This can save snagged lures, missed fish and time spent dealing with line knots and tangles. – Gary Heffley, reporter
6. Carry portable radios and GPS units if at sea
You may think you have a communications link when you don’t! A dead boat battery may leave you without a way to reach the Coast Guard on VHF Marine Channel 16, so try carrying a small battery-powered, hand-held Marine Radio and a GPS such as you might use while hiking. A hand-held radio may not reach out far enough to make contact with the Coast Guard but since many vessels are required to monitor Channel 16, a nearby ship may hear your distress call. Also, a portable GPS allows you to give your position – an absolutely vital piece of information if the Coast Guard, including helicopters, or any other rescue vessel is to know exactly where you are in the ocean. Needless to say, make sure you have spare batteries on hand for such portable devices. Note: Marine Radios and VHF receivers have channels for weather reports. -- Frank Galusha, Editor
Northern California Fishing: quality and diversity
Pot Luck Fishing- Lake Style
By Gary Heffley
When most fishermen think of pot luck fishing, they think of live bait fishing on party boats in bay and ocean waters where the skippers target multiple species, rockfish, salmon, halibut and stripers all on the same outing. These boats make stops at likely locations depending upon tides, winds and seasonal migrating patterns of the fish. It is a lot of fun because you literally never know what you may hook into.
That same type of fishing is available on many lakes in the North State such as Berryessa, Shasta, Trinity and Oroville. I am sure Lake Almanor would also fit this description, but I have yet to fish it. These lakes hold multiple species of both cold water (trout and salmon) and warm water (bass and crappie) varieties of fish...
Full StoryFishing: Getting started
By Gary Heffley
Many people young and old did not have the opportunities that I had early in life to enjoy the outdoors, to learn how to fish; how to cast, how to bait a hook, what type of gear to use and where. Some of these people grew up in an urban environment where options were limited or their families just didn’t enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Many native Californians have never seen Yosemite, Mt. Lassen or have even heard of Burney Falls. Vacations are spent at Disneyland or Sea World. The only fishing some children now know is from their couch on a video game.
Many people and families are interested in taking advantages of the recreational opportunities and family building experiences that the outdoors and fishing in particular provides. The biggest question is how to get started?
The best option is to have a family friend who enjoys fishing take you out and show you the basics, most fisherman are willing to help introduce someone new to the sport. Another option is to hire a guide, selecting an area where you are likely to fish. This will give you equipment and gear introductions without jumping in with both feet and have expenses that you may not initially need. Most guides are excellent teachers and are happy to give novice anglers patient instruction but at a cost.
For those who just want to give it a try on the next family vacation with little fanfare here are some basic starters; from rods and reels and equipment to handling your catch.
Full StoryGary Miralles and Shasta Tackle Company: A Northern California Success Story
By Gary Heffley
“Are you catching all the fish you should be catching?” That is a question that Gary Miralles, founder and owner of Shasta Tackle Company, often asks fishermen and guides. Proof as they say is “ in the pudding” or on the stringer as the case may be and Gary and his ever expanding lines of Trout, Kokanee, Salmon and now salt water tackle never fails to produce both fish in quantity and quality.
Gary’s lures have held or hold a line class world record and multiple lake records from many waters west of the Rockies. As a guide Gary would offer a guarantee of catching fish or the client would not pay and even with the toughest of fishing days Gary has yet to have to make good on the guarantee. Having personally used many of the lures made by Shasta Tackle I can speak well of their effectiveness.
Full StoryUseful information about strength of spinning reels
By Jack Young, Qualia Fishing
Most descriptions of reels we’ve seen are made in terms of the fishing experience they provide; this seems right and proper. Sometimes those descriptions include technical explanations of mechanisms that help provide that experience. But we’ve also noticed that in the middle of a lot of hype, often the obvious is missed.
The backbone of every spinning reel is its mainshaft, and, as is true with your own backbone, the better that mainshaft is supported, the better the reel operates.
To us this seems obvious, but we’ve never once seen it mentioned elsewhere.
Consider these points:
Full StoryHumboldt Area Saltwater Anglers Newsletter, Summer 2010
[Editor’s Note: The following articles are being reprinted with permission from HASA in the public interest, especially the interests of all saltwater anglers in northern California]
HASA: A VOICE FOR SALTWATER SPORTSMEN
Representing North Coast fishermen’s historic and ongoing right to sport fish along the Northern California coast; advocate reasonable and rational sport fishing seasons and regulations; educate our members and the general public about the economic and cultural contributions of sport fishing to our local economies; and promote sustainable stewardship of the resource.
Full StoryStream fishing and cell phones: A tip for recovery for soaked cell phones
By Gary Heffley
I know that while I may be a bit clumsy, I am not the only wader who has taken that fateful step, began the slow stumble backwards knowing that the next second will be a wet one. And of course you knew that would never happen to you, so you left the cell phone in your pants pocket under your waders. You may catch a nice fish and take a cell phone picture, or just use it to check the time, but did you put it in a plastic bag -- of course not...
Full Story
Major highway project delays could affect anglers/hunters
Lack of a state budget is delaying $3.0 billion in transportation projects in the state, putting payments to contractors at risk and will affect travelers in District 2, which covers Shasta, Trinity, Tehama, Siskiyou, Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, as well as parts of Butte and Sierra counties...
Full StoryFree Fly Fishing Fair open to the public October 2
By Gary Heffley
Have you ever been interested in learning how to fly fish? Ever wondered how to get started? The Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers will be holding a Fly Fishing Fair at Caldwell Park in Redding on October 2, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. There will also be a swap and sell of fly fishing gear and equipment. The event is open to the public and admittance is free...
Full StoryDidymo Alert: Another invasive species threatens our trout waters
By Ken W. Davis, Aquatic Biologist, ken@creekman.com, (916) 747-8537
[Editor's Note: Jon Baiocchi, a fly fishing guide has reportedly seen this disease in the Middle Fork Feather River in the Graeagle area.]
Sections of the Bear River in Central California are infested with the algae Didymosphenia geminata, also known as “Didymo” or “Rock Snot.” Dr. Sarah Spaulding, with the USGS in Boulder, Colorado, has confirmed the initial identification made by aquatic biologist, Ken W. Davis. A concerned angler asked Mr. Davis - a consultant to the fly-fishing industry and various governmental agencies - to look at the river and the algae. The images on the left were taken 8/14/10 on the Bear River near Auburn, California...
COVER STORY: Trolling Flies, Jay Fair’s keys to success
By Gary Heffley
Jay Fair gained his fame and reputation as a fly tier, guide and innovator on the use of trolling flies to catch trophy trout on Eagle Lake and other Northern California and Southern Oregon Lakes. Jay shared some of his secrets, formulas and techniques with me recently when we sat and talked about his Hall of Fame career. Jay and his son Glen also graciously sent me home with a DVD titled “Jay Fair’s SURE FIRE Trolling Flies For Big Fish The No-Nonsense Approach to Fishing” as well as some trolling flies to try out. The DVD outlines Jays flies, techniques, unique terminal set up and thought processes that have proven so effective that numerous publications have proclaimed Jay as the “Sage of Eagle Lake” or call him simply, “Mr. Eagle Lake.” To watch Jay put his techniques to work on the video just reinforced the tips I had received in person...
Full StoryReal Fish Bait Co. adds five bluegill colors to swimbait line
Real Fish Bait Co. of Modesto recently announced the addition of five new bluegill colors to its line of realistic-looking swimbaits...
Full StoryAntelope & Almanor: Proof is in the photos
A guide that knows his reports may sound exaggerated has one sure fire out: He can send pictures with captions. That's hard for Roger Keeling of Keeling's Guide Service in Canyon Dam. Keeling doesn't have a computer and he doesn't own a digital camera but now and then he picks up a one-time use camera at the drug store and fills its memory with snapshots...
Full StoryAnother great day to be a kid: Free Kid’s Fishing Day at Mt Shasta Hatchery
By Gary Heffley
On Saturday August 21, kids from far and wide, of all ages under 15 and some for the very first time had the thrill of catching trout courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Game and the Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery. This was the third and final event of its kind for the year and none of the kids left disappointed. Spread out over three ponds behind the hatchery hundreds of kids were allowed to catch two fish each to take home. Fishing was limited to fishing with bait as no lures or flies were allowed due to the amount of people involved and there was no catch and release allowed. For those who did not wish to take the fish home they were allowed to donate their catch to a local organization...
Full StoryLong range dreams
By Gary Heffley
Sweat pouring from under your broad brimmed hat, biceps screaming for oxygen and relief, hands cramping in pain, shouts and commotion all around you. Then it’s over, first the sight of color, a few more cranks of the reel, deckhands lifting the gaffed fish onto the deck and before you a gorgeous 200 pound Yellowfin Tuna. You are barely able to smile as you try to regroup; you’re at the fine line between ecstasy and agony. And you can’t wait to do it again. This is the appeal of Long Range Fishing.
Full StoryAnglers going deep at Lewiston
By Gary Heffley
With the weather hanging around the 95 plus mark, the trout cruising the upper end of Lewiston Lake are suffering from lock-jaw. Not the kind that causes permanent damage just the kind that drive anglers crazy. A bait or lure is thrown right in front of them or amidst a school and not one will open their mouth and offer a take...
Full StoryStillwater fishing dilemma: The trout are hitting flies, but I don’t have a fly rod!
By Gary Heffley
A multiple choice question for all the non-fly fishing anglers, you are at a lake and the fly rod anglers are just picking up trout one right after another as a massive hatch is on the water.
Do you?
- ontinue your plan to troll or cast lures, like spoons or hard plastics?
- Look in your tackle box for your closest thing to a fly, a feathered spinner like a Mepp’s, Roostertail or Panther Martin?
- Just go ahead and dunk the worms or PowerBait?
- Or do youjoini in on the fly fishing and catch yourself a mess of fish?...
Collins Lake, Aug.26: 6 lb trout; 12 lb catfish top catch
By Kathy Hess, Lake Fish Reporter
Almost all the catches this week were Catfish! Katie Freeman of Live Oak started the week off with her two cats that weighed four pounds and 2 lb. 8 oz. Katie used live crawdads and chicken livers. David Jamison of Yuba City used sardines for bait and fished near the dock and hooked a 9 pound catfish...
Full StoryFishing the North Coast, Aug. 27: Eureka salmon best bet for the weekend
By Kenny Priest
Top guides share their roe cures
If the weekend forecast holds true, salmon may be the only option for offshore anglers headed out of Eureka. Not that it’s a bad thing, as I’ve heard a few of the charter boat captains say they have a good idea where some salmon are located. There’s a huge amount of krill straight out of Eureka about 10 nautical miles on the 50 line in 500 feet of water, and that seems to be where the action is. That’s not to say they’ll be there tomorrow, but it’s a good place to start. The halibut continue to be off the bite, and with a sloppy ocean, it may be tough to fish effectively for them this weekend. The rockfish action is still wide-open down at the Cape, but getting down there may not be an option. If it’s rockfish you’re after, Trinidad is your best bet...
Full StoryClear Lake – Night fishing was paying off
By Frank Galusha
Bob Rider, owner of Lakeshore Bait and Tackle in Clearlake, was back in the store on Friday to provide some input on fishing Clear Lake, which has been a challenge due to the hot weather and other factors...
Full StorySteelie-trout out and active on balmy Upper Klamath
Scott Caldwell of SC Guide Service (530) 905 0758 in Montague did a little steelhead scouting on the Upper Klamath River on Sunday (8/29) and found the steely-trout fishing to be excellent with the temperature a balmy 75ºF. Even the turtles were basking themselves in the warm sun...
Full StoryAnglers Going Deep At Lewiston
Anglers Going Deep At Lewiston
By Gary Heffley
With the weather hanging around the 95 plus mark, the trout cruising the upper end of Lewiston Lake are suffering from lock-jaw. Not the kind that causes permanent damage just the kind that drive anglers crazy. A bait or lure is thrown right in front of them or amidst a school and not one will open their mouth and offer a take. A few fish are being caught and fly anglers are producing fish early and late using Zebra Midges and Psycho Princes.
Update August 30: Lake Almanor and Antelope Lake
Roger Keeling is a very busy fishing guide. In the past week he has booked four trips, three to Lake Almanor and one to fish Antelope Lake SE of Susanville, and all have proven to be productive as usual...
Full StoryPardee/New Hogan Captain's Log, 8/29-30/2010
By West Guin, Guin Fishin’ Tackle Co.
I got off of work a little before 4:00 p.m. and headed for Randy Berquist's house. Kevin my normal fishing partner had prior engagements plus Pardee will not allow any out of state boats on the lake so I hitch-hiked a ride with Randy.
Randy and I left the Sacramento area and headed for Pardee. We got there around 8:00 to meet up with some good friends Kathy Johnson, John Lico and Gary Coe President of Kokanee Power.
We set up camp. Not to hard as I was graced with Randy's motor home. Set up the boat for the next mornings Derby. After a couple of the usual it was off to bed for an early start...
Full StoryChesbro votes “Aye” on measures detrimental to fishermen
By Frank Galusha
Karen Brooks, candidate for the 1st District Assembly seat now held by Wesley Chesbro is notifying all voters that their representative for the North Coast is voting for measures that could further restrict our fishing rights and hurt the economies of our already hard-hit coastal communities from Ft. Bragg to Crescent City...
Full StorySacramento salmon season not likely to satisfy anglers
If commercial catches off California’s coast this year are any indication, the opening of the 2010 salmon season on Sac River (September 4) is likely to bring much disappointment...
Full StoryInter-mountain choices, crappies, bass or trout
By Gary Heffley
The waters around Burney continue to produce nice catch rates for anglers trying their luck at Baum Lake, Cassel Forebay and Lake Britton according to Steve and Janet Vaughn of Vaughn’s Sporting Goods in Burney...
Full StoryUpper Hat Creek, Big brood stock in the mix
By Gary Heffley
Reports out of Burney and from anglers fishing Upper Hat Creek are reporting good numbers of trout hitting night crawlers, salmon eggs and PowerBait products especially Power Eggs which tend to last on the hook longer in the heavy current flows than the paste baits...
Here is where to fish on Labor Day Weekend
Here is a list of Northern California Waters being planted the weeks of 8-22 and 8-29 by the Department of Fish and Game. The Upper Sacramento River is being stocked between the Scarlett Way Bridge in Dunsmuir and the Sweetbriar Bridge in Shasta County. General regulations are in effect on this portion of the river. All other areas are subject to special gear and take restrictions. Always check the DFG regulations before fishing new waters...
Full StoryHeenan Lake Fishery to open for Labor Day Weekend
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will open the Heenan Lake fishery for Labor Day weekend. The lake is located on Monitor Pass - Highway 89, just south of Markleeville in Alpine County...
Full StoryHead to the lake (or River or Ocean) on Free Fishing Day
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) invites all anglers to celebrate Labor Day by fishing in California’s spectacular waters – even without a license...
Full StoryUpper Sacramento River full of options
By Gary Heffley
The Upper Sacramento River offers a little bit of everything for anglers this time of year according to Bob Grace at the Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir. Fly anglers can look for native fish above the Scarlett Way Bridge in Dunsmuir, try to entice a trout traveling upstream from the depths of Shasta Lake in the lower reaches or enjoy a day fishing for planters including some large brood stock trout from between the Scarlett Way Bridge and the Sweetbriar Bridge downstream. In the latter stretch of river fly anglers will be joined by families fishing under general regulations with a 5 fish limit and bait and lures allowed. This stretch has been stocked for the last 3-4 weeks so good numbers should be available...
Whiskeytown Kokanee and Shasta Trout
By Gary Heffley
Mike Elster of Mike’s Fishing Guide Service has been putting clients onto some excellent limits of Kokanee at Whiskeytown Lake and for trout on Lake Shasta on recent outings...
Lake Oroville Coho bite returns
By Gary Heffley
Craig Bentley of Huntington’s Sportsman’s Store in Oroville is reporting that while the bass bite has been slow with anglers scratching slot sized bass on drop shots, the Coho bite has returned. Many anglers are scoring the Coho trolling hoochies at depths ranging from 35 to 60 feet deep. Stack the lures on the downriggers to cover the various depths, working in coordination with electronics for the best success...
Full StoryFeather River Steelhead in Low Flow Section
By Gary Heffley
There are quite a few steelhead in the Low Flow section of the Feather River, which is fantastic news. But, the abundance of salmon, also great news, in the same waters is making angling for the steelhead problematic...
Full StoryShasta Lake Bass: Slow
By Gary Heffley
Speaking with Tony at Phil’s Propellers in Shasta Lake City, he is reporting that bass fishing on Lake Shasta is in a word, slow. While last Saturday’s rain at the lake produced a good day for many the overall picture the rest of the last week and the last few days has shown little results. Some very knowledgeable local anglers have been skunked or just barely scratching a few fish. Drop shotting or using tube baits in shad colors are the best bet with a spook topwater bite early mornings before the sun hits the water.
Full StoryTrinity River and Lake Report
By Gary Heffley
Bill Velasquez of Trinity Outdoors in Weaverville is reserved on his report of Salmon and Steelhead fishing on the Trinity River. There are few steelhead being caught at this time. While it is still early in the season for steelhead to be in the river, the fact that most anglers are targeting salmon may also influence catch rates.
Full StoryDavis Lake Report
Marty and Jeannie at the J & J Grizzly Store and Camping Resort at Davis Lake are reporting that the trout are holding at 15 to 18 feet deep. Trollers are finding cooperative fish using a small Dick Nite Copper Red Head Spoon, a standard for anyone who fishes Davis Lake. Other color combos that are producing is a yellow/watermelon spoon and Red Dot Frog Needlefish...
Full StoryFishing the North Coast, Sept. 2: Lots of angling options for holiday weekend
By Kenny Priest
Ocean sport salmon season closes Monday
As we officially head into fall, the Labor Day weekend offers for some, the last chance to get on the water and explore a few of our local angling options. And it looks like we’ll have some decent weather. The coastal forecast is calling for early morning fog with mostly sunny skies in the afternoon. Further inland, you can expect temperatures in the high 60s after some early morning fog. It’s definitely time to get out and enjoy all that the North Coast has to offer.
Here is a partial list of options to consider...
Full StoryWaters released for trout stocking by DFG
In response to many inquires, here is a list of the current waters that the California Department of Fish and Game has completed the EIR/EIs reports and are now available to be stocked with catchable trout. This list is updated by the California Department of Fish and Game weekly usually on Fridays and can be viewed through www.ca.dfg.gov.
DFG Catchable Trout (1/2 lb fish) release waters as of 8/26
DFG recently responded to a legal action challenging its hatchery and stocking operations, and completed an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) that considers species and habitats affected by hatchery-raised rainbow trout. One of the conditions of the EIR/EIS is that every water planted throughout California must go through a Pre-Stocking Evaluation Protocol. This evaluation requires DFG to consider each sensitive or listed species in every water relative to the stocking of trout. The waters listed below have been approved for stocking.
(Viewers are also invited to visit the “Fingerling Trout Release Waters” and the DFG “Fishing Guide”' web pages)...
Full Story