Fishing Articles

Introduction to Fishing 101
by Gary Heffley, JANUARY 20, 2017

Being at the ISE show in Sacramento, I am once again frequently being asked how a person or family can get started fishing. Questions coming from many people new to the state are coming to the realization that enjoying fishing in the outdoors is a great family activity. Many of the questions range from basic tackle set-ups to basic techniques...
Full Story

CDFW Releases New Guide to Heritage Trout Challenge
by CDFW, JANUARY 20, 2017

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has released the Angler’s Guide to the California Heritage Trout Challenge, a new online tool for those interested in fishing for California’s heritage trout. The guide provides anglers with detailed information on how to complete the Heritage Trout Challenge, including information about where to catch native trout, identification tips and a history of habitat...
Full Story

Storms slow solid steelhead action on Smith, Chetco
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, JANUARY 18, 2017
Smith River

North Coast steelhead anglers breathed a collective sigh of relief this week as the first real push of winter steelhead entered the Smith and Chetco rivers. The unusually slow start had anglers a little nervous. Were we finally seeing the effects of the drought? Were the steelhead waiting out the huge river flows? Could be a little of both, but...
Full Story

Lake Oroville fishing report
by Jason Haley, JANUARY 17, 2017
Lake Oroville

My friend and I left southern Oregon Friday to take part in a large bass tournament on Oroville, Saturday. It was the first time I’d been there in two years and what I observed shocked me. The lake is pert’ near full and beautiful! I was able to park in the main parking lot near the spillway ramp and the walk...
Full Story

North State Rivers - It'll be a while
by Gary Heffley, JANUARY 16, 2017

Releases from Oroville and Shasta dams make the popular fishing rivers of the Central Valley and most all points south, unfishable, as regulators struggle to manage reservoir levels to a point where future rainfall and the inevitable snowpack melt can be retained without “uncontrolled flooding”. At this time of year, Shasta should be, at max, 40 feet below full pool. With...
Full Story

Snow melt raises rivers to flood stage
Southern Oregon
by Larry Ellis, JANUARY 14, 2017
Chetco River

What happened last week to northern California and southern Oregon rivers was somewhat similar to Isaac Newton's supposed gravitational quotation where he's been loosely quoted to say, "Whatever comes up must come down." Tada! The law of gravity was explained. Only the phenomenon that happened in the last seven days to local-area rivers like the lower Rogue, Chetco and Smith, which...
Full Story