NORCAL FRESH REPORTS

Trout fishing still good at Lake Chabot, but transitioning to warm water species Reports by JIM JONES/WON Staff WriterPublished: Jul 02, 2009

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CASTRO VALLEY —Trout fishing remained good at Lake Chabot last week, even as the emphasis — on planting anyway — shifted to catfish. “Trout fishing is still pretty decent, but they’re not catching quite as many limits,” said Stan Wong of Lake Chabot Outfitters. “They’re still stacked up back by Bass Cove, and they’re being caught trolling with Rapalas and Shad Raps from 12 to 25 feet deep, and by drifting Power Bait. Wong said fishing for bass was good, and an 8 pounder was caught by the swim float by employee Patrick Anderson on a swimbait. They’re also taking Senkos, flukes, and Texas-rigged plastic worms off points and in coves. Water clarity was 8 to 10 feet and the lake was about 80 percent full. Wong also said fishing for catfish was good, since the inaugural plant, especially at night from the First Dock (fishing is allowed until 10 p.m.). Mackerel has been the bait of choice, since it seems to produce all other baits — at Lake Chabot, anyway. Bright spring run Chinook showing in Trinity River, salmon still entering the Klamath — steelies, too DOUGLAS CITY — The Trinity has dropped to summertime flows and is in great fishable shape, with fishing being called “average” for beautiful spring run Chinook salmon. “We’ve been getting 2 to 3 a day, real nice, beautiful fish,” said Liam Gogan of Trinity River Outfitters. “I just saw the most fish I’ve seen so far at the Junction City Weir, so I think we’re starting a nice little push.” Gogan said that Gary Ecklind from Napa caught 2 springers weighing 10 and 12 pounds. Both were caught on roe in Douglas City. Gogan said that nothing seems to be dominating, though, neither roe or Kwikfish. Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service reported similar results while fishing the Del Loma area, with his clients averaging a couple of fish per day. He said Mike Scriven caught a 10-pound Chinook, and Tom Schlobohm caught an 11 pounder, both on roe. Farther downstream in the Falls area, Ed Duggan of “D” Guide Service said that anglers were catching around one salmon for every two anglers making the trek into the falls. Over on the Klamath, Rich Mossholder of Rivers West Guide Service said that there were still salmon entering the lower end of the Klamath, and the few boaters still trying (pressure is much reduced from its peak) were scoring anywhere from 1 to 4 per boat, plus the occasional steelhead. He said that fishing for summer run steelhead has improved significantly with fly fishermen hooking steelies in the 8-pound class while swinging assassins and brindle bugs. 21-plus-pound striper caught - Trout still going, but center of action shifts at Lake Del Valle LIVERMORE — With temperatures finally moving consistently higher, it seemed logical to pose the question to Rosie Buckner of Lake Del Valle Recreation Area, where the trout fishing has been great all spring, “Isn’t trout fishing starting to slow? “No,” she said. “The only thing is that it seems to have shifted toward the dam.” She said limits were still being caught with some regularity, and there were some nice whoppers being taken, such as the one which weighed in at 10 pounds, 3 ounces caught by Michael Mancebo by the dam on Power Bait. Buckner said that the striped bass fishing had really turned on, and while most were from 18 to 23 inches long, a real giant was caught by Trevor Lemp weighing in at 21 pounds, 10 ounces. He caught it in the Lower Narrows on a whole anchovy. The dam was another good area to soak bait for stripers and they were also taking trolled Hair Raisers with fluke trailers and Rapalas at the mouth of Heron Bay. Flows increased in Feather River to attract fish —it’s working! OROVILLE — The fact that fish need water seems to have been a concept lost on Feather River water managers over the past several years, as longtime Feather River fishing experts such as former WON staffer Craig Bentley of Huntington’s Sportsmen’s Store would repeatedly point out when flows would be cut at a critical time for Chinook. But, in a welcome, if not belated turnaround, Bentley reported last Sunday that flows have been increased in both the main river below the Outlet as well in the Low Flow Section —to attract fish. “DWR is on a fisheries enhancement program, and in an effort to entice anadromous fish, such as salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, shad up into the Feather, they have been increasing flow releases to the Low Flow, reportedly as high as 1,800 cfs, while releases below the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet were increased to 6000 cfs.” It seems to be working, because Bentley has been finding steelhead in the Low Flow Section, early in the morning until about 10 a.m. when it becomes too sunny and hot. Outhouse riffle has been a productive spot for fishing nymphs like No. 16 tan La fontaine sparkle caddis pupae emerger underneath an indicator, and even a bit of dry fly action near the hatchery in the late evening on small Elk Hair caddis. He also noted that bass have been biting in backwater areas around the Outlet on Rapalas, Clouser-type streamers, and sculpin patterns. Farther downstream, Derek Smith of Johnson’s Bait and Tackle said that catching a keeper striper is possible, but only if you are willing to put up with bunches of bait-stealing shakers. He also said that shad fishing had slowed around Shanghai Bend, with most of those which had been hanging around there apparently moving up into the Yuba River. Try the Yuba for shad and trout YUBA CITY — Anglers have been facing a nice dilemma on the Yuba River lately — go fishing for shad in the lower part of the river, or, go farther upstream for some pretty good trout action. Although shad jump like little tarpon when hooked, they don’t like to go over barriers, so some years, like last, very few show up in the Yuba because they are stopped by the rapids at Shanghai Bend. Not this year. High flows in the Feather — at least compared to those of the past two years, smoothed out the drops and allowed them access to the Yuba. “The shad are still going pretty good on the Yuba above Hallwood,” said Derek Smith of Johnson’s Bait and Tackle. “It’s been a