BASS FISHINGBass Fishing Sports Blog

MATTHEWS’ PICKS

1. the top picks are all panfish bites. Staying in the top spot is Lake Henshaw because its crappie bite was wide open again this past week. the best bite is on small jigs tipped with meal worms or Crappie Nibbles. most of these fish have been from 3/4-pound to 1 1/2 pounds with some in the two-pound or better class. Many anglers are getting full 25-fish limits on these quality crappie. it has simply been the best fishing in the region. call the Henshaw store at 760-782-3501 for the latest here.

2. the sleeper pick that is nearly as excellent as Henshaw is the crappie action at Piru Lake. most anglers are getting at least 10 to 15 crappie and there are a lot of toads in this bite with fish to three pounds reported. the best bite is on small white jigs tipped with meal worms or red worms fished from Reasoner Cove up through the narrows. For an update on this bite call the main office at 805-521-1500, x208.

3. Yes, it’s been hot (approaching 100 degrees), but the tilapia action at the Salton Sea has been as epic as the crappie bite at Lake Henshaw, and the fish are in the same size range running from 3/4-pound to 1 1/2-pounds. It’s time to fill the ice chest. this is a 100 percent nightcrawler bite. the bad news is that the state recreation area is targeted for closure June 30 as part of the budget crisis. For an update on the action, call the Visitor Center at 760-393-3810.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

Trout: Huge news was a 19-12 brown trout caught in Pleasant Valley Reservoir in the Eastern Sierra. the trout bite throughout this region remains excellent and access to more high elevation waters have opened up this past week (Tioga and Ellery Lakes along with all of the Mammoth Lakes waters). Top picks in a region filled with excellent fishing would be Crowley Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir, the entire June Lake loop, and the Twin Lakes at Bridgeport. the entire Bishop Creek drainage is also a very excellent bet. In urban Southern California plants have finished most places and the bites tank quickly. Top bets are western Riverside County’s Corona Lake and Jess Ranch Lakes in Hesperia (which is continuing to get weekly plants). In the local mountains, Huge Bear Lake remains very excellent along the north shore and in most bays, and Jenks Lake and Gregory were planted last week. Lake Hemet and Lake Cuyamaca have also been excellent, mostly on pan-sized fish.

Black Bass: the bass action remains excellent most places with the fish still in the shallows, but the spawn is winding down or over most places. the bite is hot on plastics, reaction baits, and swim baits. Top bets include Perris, Diamond Valley, Skinner, Casitas (the shad were up for the second week in a row), and the whole lower Colorado River. Cachuma and Santa Margarita, and even the higher elevation waters like Piru, Pyramid, and Silverwood are also excellent.

Striped Bass: with the California aqueduct near Taft slowing to just fair this past week, the top bet for a quality fish is Lake Silverwood and the best bet for volume catches of two to five-pound fish is either Diamond Valley or Skinner. Elsewhere, the striper bites all are very spotty right now. On the Colorado River, the Willow Beach bite looked to be surging during the full moon, with several fish in the 20-pound class caught. Mojave and Havasu are both starting to turn on as the fish start to move around and move upriver for spawning.

Panfish: Henshaw’s crappie bite is the simple top pick, but the crappie bites at Piru and Elsinore are both worth noting. the Isabella bite is no “crappie mania” but there’s a fair bite in deeper water on minnows. Crappie bites at Otay and Hodges tanked this past week, but Sutherland came back strong with fish to nearly three pounds. Casitas has been just fair, but some pigs to three pounds have been caught on live shad. Silverwood remained just fair with some bluegill joining the crappie. the Salton Sea tilapia bite has been excellent with the full ice-chest mode the rule much of the past week. the bluegill and redear bites really exploded in a lot of places this past week. Top bets for nice stringers are Lake Perris, Lake Skinner (a sleeper pick), Diamond Valley Lake, Otay, and Hodges. the bite on the all four of the Central Coast lakes – Lopez, Santa Margarita, Nacimiento, and San Antonio – are excellent, in about that order.

Catfish: while fishing pressure is light, the flathead catfish bite on the Colorado River seems to be getting better by the day. More and more 12 to 30-pound fishing are being landed each week in the lower river from Havasu south. the channel cats are also on a pretty excellent bite. outside of the river, Santa Ana River Lake, Corona Lake, and Hesperia Lake are the top bets for planted fish (all three are planting weekly), and Elsinore is turning on for wild fish.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES

Cucamonga-Guasti: DFG trout plants two and four weeks ago. Final county plant of the season was three weeks ago. no report.

Prado: Final county trout plant of the season was three weeks ago and the most recent DFG plant was four weeks ago. Small boats (non-inflatable with a hard bottom) under 16 feet with electric motors are allowed.

Yucaipa: the final county trout plant of the season went in three weeks ago. DFG trout were also planted three weeks ago.

Glen Helen: DFG trout plant two weeks ago, and the final county trout plant was three weeks ago. no report.

Mount Baldy Trout Pools: the heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. no fishing license is needed.

Puddingstone: the lake level is very high right now, but the fishing has just been fair overall. the best action has been for redear along the east shoreline with some off the north shore and ski beach areas. while most of the redear are small, some to nearly two pounds have been reported. A few crappie are starting to show near the burnt pier. the bass bite has slowed with the spawn pretty much over, but some fish on reaction baits. the trout bite is slowing way down with the heat. DFG plant two and four weeks ago. Catfish remain tough and few carp reported.

Seccombe Lake: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago.

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

Silverwood: the striped bass bite has been excellent with a lot of quality fish caught on huge trout-like swimbaits, cranks, and frozen anchovies over the past week. the hot action has been in the Chemise area, Miller Canyon, and the point at the launch ramp. Top fish reported this week was a 17-pounder caught by Scott Allen, Ontario, fishing a swimbait near the outlet in Miller Canyon. Brandon Ballard, Apple Valley, had three stripers to 10 pounds fishing anchovies at the spillway. the largemouth bass bite is also very excellent with the fish in shallow showing on plastics worms, jigs, and reaction baits. Joe Sahagun, Rialto, caught and released 15 bass to 4-8 on worms fishing the main lake points. Daniel Foxman, Pinon Hills, landed a five-pound bass at the dock on a bungee worm. There were DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago with pretty excellent action on fresh planters and holdover trout to two pounds on small lures and floating dough baits. Miller Canyon Creek, above the lake, was planted by the DFG last week. the crappie bite has continued to perk along with some anglers are still getting catches of 3/4-pound-average fish on small jigs off the marina docks, and the bluegill bite is fair with the warmer weather. A few catfish are also starting to show for anglers fishing nightcrawlers and cut baits at the dam and Chemise area.

Huge Bear Lake: the trout bite slowed a little over this past week, but overall the bite has remained pretty fair. There has been a excellent insect hatch and the trout are feeding on top some of the day whacking the glide-bubble combo and Rapalas cranked on the top, and then trollers are getting fish down deeper fishing Needlefish behind three to four colors of leadcore. most of the rainbows are nice 1 1/2-pound holdover fish. Shore anglers are getting fish along the north shore from Stanfield Cutoff to Windy Point, with slower action closer to the dam. the fish are staying close to the shore and cruising from one to four feet off the bottom, so floating dough baits fished with a sliding sinker rig at that depth have been excellent. the bass bite has been improving with both smallmouth and largemouth showing in fair numbers around docks, rocky areas, and other shoreline structure. the May Trout Classic will be held May 19-20, and there will be a $5,000 tagged trout this season. Applications for entry are available now and only the first 500 entries will be accepted. Cost is $65 per person and all money will go toward the cast payout for the top nine largest trout or into a fund to plant the lake with more rainbow trout, including trophy fish.

Gregory Lake: the county park marina opened this past weekend, and there were DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. the bite has been pretty fair.

Green Valley Lake: First private plant of the season is set for May 18 when the regular trout season opens, but there was a DFG plant last week. Fees for 2012 remain at $15 per adult, $10 for kids, military, and seniors. There is a pre-season special of $10 per day before the first private plant.

Jenks Lake Region: the first DFG plant of the season went in last week, and this perked things appreciably. the parking area is not slated to open until June 1. Anglers should check with the Mill Creek Ranger Station about this. the parking area typically opened the first week of May. the Santa Ana River and the South Fork were planted with DFG trout this week and two weeks ago.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

Hesperia Lake: the catfish action has been excellent with weekly plants. the best action has been in the morning and evening, with shrimp and inflated nightcrawlers the top baits. some fish topping 10 pounds. the trout action has slowed way down and no sturgeon reported.

Jess Ranch: the trout bite was very excellent again this week with anglers using Power Bait in salmon peach, rainbow, garlic and orange, nightcrawlers, jigs, and small trout lures to catch a lot of limits and fish near or over two pounds. Patrick Mathis, Burbank, landed a 4-5 rainbow on a gold Kastmaster, while Dave Ochoa, Hesperia, landed trout at 3-11 and three pounds. the catfish bite is picking up with anglers using shrimp, mackerel and nightcrawlers. Xavier Barriga, Hesperia, landed a 7-1 cat on shrimp. Bass showing on Senkos, spinnerbaits, and nightcrawlers with fish to seven pounds reported.

Mojave Narrows: DFG trout plant last week. Horseshoe Lake is still closed due to flood damage. Pelican Lake is remains open.

SELECTED LAKES

Diamond Valley: Continue excellent largemouth bass action with the fish still showing anywhere from the surface down to 20 feet. the majority of the fish are showing on Senko-style baits or drop-shot plastic worms. Evan Davis, San Diego, landed a 5.79-pound largemouth on a plastic at the east dam. the striper bite has been fair to excellent on school-sized fish from three to five pounds on sardines with some limits reported, but overall this bite has slowed since last week.

Catfish are starting to show in better numbers as the water warms, but still little pressure on the cats. the trout are slowing very quickly as the fish head deep, but some are still showing in the shore fishing areas near the marina on PowerBait, small trout jigs, and nightcrawlers. DFG plant slated for next week of May 21 and the final Lassen plant of the season was three weeks ago.

Perris: the bluegill and redear bites are excellent with a lot of anglers posting full 25-fish limits of these fish up into the 1 1/2-pound range. the best bite has been on small jigs tipped with bait or deeply fished meal worms, wax worms, or crickets. the fish are schooled up in three to 15 feet of water along most shoreline, but the Bernasconi Beach area has been best. Lorenzo Martinez, Moreno Valley, had 25 mixed bluegill and redear to 1-8 on red worms and small trout worms. the largemouth bass bite also remains pretty excellent with the best bite on plastics and reaction baits, including surface lures, in the northeast end of the lake. Raul Gaytion, Ontario, landed a 7.3-pound bass at lots 11 and 12 on a drop-shot plastic worms. A few trout continue to show with the best action in the mornings. DFG trout plant this week.

Skinner: the largemouth bass bite has continued to be very excellent in the east end on reaction baits, plastic worms, and nightcrawlers with quite a few fish to frou pounds reported. the striper bite is also pretty excellent at the inlet on chicken liver and anchovies with most of the fish from two to three pounds with some to five pounds. the bluegill bite is breaking wide open, especially at the inlet. Nightcrawlers, meal worms, wax worms, and crickets are the top baits.

Elsinore: the crappie and bluegill bites came back on with the warmer weather and full moon phase this past week. the crappie are not being landed in fantastic numbers, but they are mostly over 1 1/2 pounds and up into the three-pound range. the bluegill are also nice-sized fish up to nearly a pound. the catfish bite has remained pretty excellent for anglers fishing shad or cut baits in less than 10 feet of water and tight to the flooded trees and brush. the cats have been averaging from five to 13 pounds.

Corona Lake: the trout action continues to sizzle with anglers scoring both limits and quality fish in the deeper water at the dam and mid-lake. the warm weather has driven the trout out of the shallows except for a brief period in the morning, but they continue to show up in excellent numbers in the cooler, deeper water much of the day.Jeffrey Chadkowski, Pomona, loanded five rainbows to four pounds for a 14-pound stringer fishing Lip RipperZ jigs from shore.

Fisherman’s Retreat: Catfish season kicked off with a plant last week. the catch-and-release bass action has been excellent, and the bluegill bite is also starting to take off. the trout bite has slowed way down, but a few fish are still showing with the final plant of the season four weeks ago.

Jean’s Channel Cats: excellent catfish action with most of the fish from 1-8 to two pounds. Nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and dough baits have been the best bet. the lake is open only on weekends.

Lake Hemet: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. the plant two weeks ago included 150 tagged trout, including some wearing $10 reward tags. quite a few trout limits for both shore anglers and for boat anglers.

Santa Ana River Lake: Warm weather is accelerating the transition from trout season to catfish season, but there continues to be a pretty fair bite on the rainbow trout. Richard Guzman, Diamond Bar, landed three trout averaging just over two pounds each at Levitz on rainbow floating bait. the catfish grand opener is set for Memorial Day weekend with fish to 20 pounds planted for this event, and catfish plants are going in every week now, kicking this bite into high gear.

Irvine Lake: the trout bite is still pretty excellent for anglers fishing 20 feet or deeper water along the west shore or on Santiago Flats, with some limits reported on PowerBait or for anglers trolling small Rapalas. the catfish bite has really started to turn on with the warm weather, especially on the flats.

Laguna Niguel Lake: the bass action has been excellent over the past week with the best bite has been on plastic worms, cranks, and even some on topwater baits. Crappie have also taken off with small fish.

Cachuma: the bass bite has been very excellent all around the lake this past week on plastics and reaction baits all excellent. most of the fish are still in one to five feet of water but the spawn is pretty much over, and most of the fish being caught are under three pounds. the trout bite has also remained excellent for trollers working one to three colors of leadcore with Rapalas or the nightcrawler-dodger combo. the crappie bite is pretty excellent in the narrows and Cachuma Bay on slow-trolled minnow imitations and small jigs.

Casitas: For the second week in a row, threadfin shad have been showing up around the marina and in the backs of a number of coves. Anglers dip-netting this bait have had exception action on largemouth bass to four pounds, along with getting an occasional trout or catfish. Bass are also being landed on plastics and reaction baits in pretty fair numbers.

Castaic: Continued excellent to excellent bass action here throughout the Fish Arm with Pete’s Point a hot spot. also excellent action at Hawk’s Nest for the bass and some trout. the best bass action has been on plastics, nightcrawlers, with increasing numbers of fish on reaction baits. Catfish are excellent at Suicide Point and the cliffs in the Ski Arm with the best bite early in the morning. overall, the stripers are still tough with few fish reported.

Piru: very excellent bass and crappie action. the crappie are running from a pound to three pounds and they are showing on small white jigs tipped with meal worms or red worms fished from Reasoner Cove up through the narrows.

Pyramid: the catfish bite has been excellent from shore and for boat anglers fishing cut baits in deeper water. the striper bite has been fair to excellent for trollers, but the bait bite has been nearly as excellent with the fish still in deeper water. most of the fish are from two to four pounds. the black bass action has been generally excellent with the fish stacked up in the shallows as the spawn winds down. Both smallmouth and largemouth have been showing in this bite.

Barrett: the opening week bass action was exceptional. There were 276 anglers and they reported catching 7,810 bass, 358 bluegill, and 114 crappie. Reservations are sold out for May.

Hodges: There were 146 anglers checked this past week who caught 264 bluegill, 127 bass, eight crappie and five channel catfish. the lake is open to fishing on a Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday schedule.

TROUT PLANTS

San Bernardino: Huge Bear Lake, Santa Ana River, South Fork Santa Ana River, Seccombe Park Lake, Silverwood Lake.

Riverside: Lake Hemet, Lake Perris.

Ventura: Reyes Creek.

Orange: Trabuco Creek.

Inyo: Bishop Creek (lower), Owens River (Stewart Lane to Laws Bridge), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake.

Mono: Bridgeport Reservoir, Buckeye Creek, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Deadman Creek, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, little Walker River, Lundy Lake, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Mill Creek, Molybdenite Cree, Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (sections 1 and 2), rush Creek, Sherwin Creek, Silver Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (Upper and Lower), Virginia Creek, West Walker River (section 2 and 3).

Kern: Alder Creek, Cedar Creek, Cuddy Creek Pond, Kern River (Section 0 through 6).

OCEAN FISHING

General Update: the spring bites are about to break wide open all along the coast. Surface water temperatures have surged from 58 degrees to 62 to 65 degrees in some areas all along the coast in just the past week. There was a taste of the excellent spring fishing coming late this past week during the excellent tides of the full moon. the next new moon (May 20) period should mark the first wide open action of the spring barring any unforeseen condition changes.

Yellowtail: There was a very gooid flurry of yellowtail action out of San Diego with the fish showing in pretty excellent numbers from Ensendada to Coronado and stacking up off La Jolla. the best day in the past week was last Thursday when the San Diego out of Seaforth Sportfishing was out with 22 anglers and they landed 48 yellowtail. Since then and in the wake of the full moon, the bite has slowed some but the volume of fish has continued to grow. And these are all quality fish running up to 30 pounds. There are also a lot of barracuda moving up with the yellowtail. On Tuesday this week, the San Diego was out with 28 anglers and they caught 12 yellowtail, four calicos, three rockfish, and two ling cod. On Monday, there were 35 anglers who had four yellows, 12 barracuda, 15 rockfish and three lings.

The poorer tides this week has this bite off some, but most skippers and veteran anglers think this bite will break wide open by sometime next week as we move into the new moon and there will be brief flurries of excellent yellowtail and barracuda action heading into the wide open action.

Barracuda: the barracuda are starting to flood into local waters in excellent numbers. Fish are being reported from San Diego into the Los Angeles and Orange County region and all the way up to Ventura. while this bite hasn’t broken open yet, there have been brief, limit-style flurries when anglers are in the right spot at the right time. We’re finally heading into spring, and this bite should bust any day.

King Salmon: King salmon are showing in schools throughout the Southern California region and feeding on surface schools of bait. A king was landed on Saturday by an angler on the Jig Strike out of H&M Landing in San Diego. the salmon action slowed a little in the Morro Bay region on the Central Coast, but the fish are still there in excellent numbers, and the bite remains wide open in the Santa Cruz region.

Halibut: the halibut action has been very consistent this past week going into the full moon and on the grunion runs as the moon turned.

Local Islands: San Clemente is still having an excellent rockfish bite, but the surface bite has been very spotty in spite of the improving conditions. Catalina Islands has been another story with private boats seeing a very excellent bite on the white seasbass this past weekend with fish to 38 pounds reported. some squid went back into Catalina and the candy bait helped this bite. There are also more and more yellowtail showing at Catalina, and barracuda schools are starting to move in around the island.

San Diego: this is like a broken record, but the San Diego long-range fleet continues to hammer the huge yellowfin tuna south off the cape of Baja. the Royal Polaris is not putting anything on the boat less than 150 pounds, and they have been into excellent action on 200 to 240-pound fish this week. this bite just remains awesome. the spring season on the Ridge and at Cedros and Benitos islands for yellowtail and smaller yellowfin is also about to start, and the glide-in skiff trips off Cedros Island will be starting soon.

This year, as they have done for many years, members of the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club will host their free Youth Fishing Derby at Mittry Lake.Kids in Yuma and surrounding areas will be able to come out and enjoy the fishing fun on Saturday, April 28. It’s really a great event for the whole family, with plenty of camping areas along the shorelines. Signup will be held at the boat launch from sunrise (6:30 a.m. or so) throughout the morning, until the final weighin at noon.the youngsters’ age groups will be 1-5, 6-8, 9-12 and 13-17 years old. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to all the kids according to apge groups, with free T-shirts and fishing poles presented to the first 200 who sign up. Free hot dogs, chips and bottled water will be on hand for all. Parents: If you’ve never brought your kids to this event, don’t miss it. the camping is great for the whole family this time of year and a really super time for the kids to enjoy. If you’ve never been to Mittry Lake and need directions or have questions, call Brian Shadd at 271-1234 or Debbie Power at 259-0969 or call me at 247-4450. please bring your own bait. Volunteers will will be on hand to help with knot tying and pole set up if needed. Hope to see you there!Fishing clubs• Desert Bass Anglers: 30 boats enjoyed a windy but fun day of fishing in spite of the water being the same color as chocolate milkshakes, with the winning team, Lanny Brock/Ed Stone, weighing in their total of 19.43 followed by Dustin Shool/with grandfather Jim Ferguson placing second with 17.52. Robert Murray/Mike Edwards teamed to take third place with 17.02 followed by father and son Hank/Ryan Shy taking 4th place with 15.47. First place big Fish was enjoyed by Brian Crawford/Shawn Cogswell with a 7.53-pound bass while Shawn Gillespe/Burton Lewis took 2nd place big Fish with 7.20. the Junk Fish was enjoyed by Ryan Harmon/Jerry Janda with a 2.28-pound flathead. Keep in practice for the May 3 tournament on the Colorado River. Details later or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.• Wednesday Jackpot Fishing Tournament: Entry $5 with sign up at 8 a.m. at Fisher’s Landing gas dock with weighin at approximately 1 p.m. Sign in before 8 a.m. at Fisher’s Bar to get an earlier start. Winner takes all for one big fish. Also get in on the month long Swede Ferguson’s Memorial big Bass Fish-Off each month with $10 sign up anytime during the month with 100 percent pay off for biggest fish taking the whole pot the last day of the month. Call Jimmy Phipps at 782-2207.• Yuma Pro Am: Visit yumaproam.com or call Bob La Londe at 580-1270 for tournament information — you can join the club, sign up and pay tournament fees online as well.Bob La Londe was questioned by one of his members to let people know that “Mittry Summer Nights” is back each Wednesday from 4:15 p.m. until dark with the first tournament held this past week. the sign up is $50 per boat plus big fish and other options. If you check it out and learn more, let me know if you will and I’ll report it here.• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: this year’s big Bass Derby for those who have gotten on the board is set for May 6 so stay in practice to be ready with David and Jonathan Parrish in charge – call them at 941-6168 for details. Check next week’s column for results of today’s IRS Bass Derby or call Billy Morgan at 210-2478. anyone (families as well as individuals) interested in hunting and fishing and wildlife conservation are invited to attend the May 2 monthly open meeting at 7 p.m. (dinner at 6:30 p.m.) at American Legion Hall, 2575 Virginia Drive — call president Doug Beach at 446-1122.• U.S. Anglers choice: Check next Sunday’s column for results of yesterdays local competition along the Colorado River or check in with Jim Sleight at sdteamseries.com. Call Jim at 619-447-0244.• Bass Class on the Water: Call Dave Willhide at 782-2621 if you’d like to learn how, when and where to catch bass at local waters in all seasons and conditions just like the pros with instruction on rigging, along with selection of gear and lures. a fully rigged bass boat and all gear is provided. Question about Instructional Seminars at your RV park or home group, large or small.Hunt happenings• Turkey Season Opener: the earliest day is April 27 depending on the location for one Bearded Turkey (a beard extending beyond the contour of the breast) with limited weapon-shotgun shooting shot. Juniors-Only Turkey with limited weapons as well opens April 20-26 and May 11-24. Archery-Only Hunt with bow and arrow and/or Crossbow allowed. Check regulations for details. Note: Muzzleloader, centerfire rifles and handguns are no longer legal methods of take.• Three Youth Turkey Hunts have been place together in Arizona for our youth that include:April 20-22: happy Jack Juniors-Only Turkey Camp at happy Jack V Bar V Ranch northwest of Payson. Hunt Units: 6A (draw tag holders) and 5A/5B (OTC tag holders) hosted by AZ State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Contact Tim Denny at dennysden@msn.com or (928) 301-0853. Learn to call and hunt wild turkey; develop outdoor skills; food, tips and mentoring; a turkey tag for hunt number 4055 in these regulations, or an over-the-counter nonpermit is required for the hunting portion of the camp.April 20-22: Colcord Ridge Juniors-Only Turkey Camp at Cocord Ridge Campground, east of Payson. Hunt Units: 23, 3C (draw tag holders) and 4A/4B (OTC tag holders) hosted by the National Wild Turkey Federation, AZ State Chapter and Arizona Elk Society. Contact Rich Williams at rick@saselectric.com or (602) 881-6815. Same learning as above with turkey tag for hunt unit 4056 or an over-the-counter nonpermit tag.April 20-22: Post Wallow fire Turkey Sciences Field Workshop at White Mountains, Greens Peak for Hunt Unit 1, 27 hosted by AZ Game and Fish, Youth Outdoors Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Arizona Elk Society. Contact scott@youthoutdoorsunlimited.com. Learn about conservation biology of wild turkey; effects of the Wallow fire; hunting regulation process; surveying animals and habitats; food provided; hands on event for Junior hunters with a turkey tag for hunt number 4053 with hunting help available.• Ten Tips for Spring Turkey Hunt: 1. Leave if another hunter is still in the area after the same bird; 2. Never stalk turkey sounds — it’s nearly impossible to sneak up on a turkey – they see and hear slightest movements; 3. Hunt open timber rather than thick brush. Eliminate movement and excessive noise is critical when hiding in heavy cover — camouflage clothing helps; 4. when calling turkeys, have your back covered by a large stump, tree trunk, boulder, etc. wider than your shoulders and higher than your head for protection from other hunters; 5. Never wear red, white, blue or black (any clothing, even socks and buttons), which are wild turkey head and body colors. Wear drab rather than bright colors with dark undershirt with socks and pants long enough to tuck into your boots; 6. Remain still and talk loud and clear to announce you to other hunters when necessary. Never go or wave or make turkey sounds when allerting other hunters of your presence; 7. when calling, keep hands and head camouflaged; 8. Maintain a clear field of view when using camouflage blind or netting. Set a perimeter of no more than 40 yards; 9. Make sure decoy is not visible when carrying it — stick it in a vest — don’t let the head stick out. do the same when transporting your harvested turkey to your vehicle; 10. Place your gun safety on when approaching a downed bird while pointing the firearm in a safe direction after firing. Never run with a gun, ever. Shooting sports• Renegade Archers: all archers are most welcome to shoot the trail of 3D animals at 9 a.m. Sundays at the Foothills Archery Range located east of the Foothills (south of I-8) close to the Gila Mountain Range. Adult shoot fee is $5 ($3 with payment of $20 annual fee to help in maintaining the range and 3D animals). Youngsters are always free of charge with equipment available upon request for those who don’t have their own. Call Jean Wilson at 247-4450.• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet earlier now at Adair Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the same on weekends due to warmer weather. Shot mining is still in progress so the range will remain closed except for regular hours until further notice. Call Gary Knight at 210-0805.• Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Open black powder matches at 8:30 a.m. 1st and 3rd Saturdays at the Adair Park range. the monthly meeting will precede shooting on the 1st Saturday. Call Dennis Hansel at 342-7573.• Cholla Gun Club: all shooting begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range and all NRA approved matches — NRA membership not required. Monday: Organized practice for black powder cartridge, High Power and .22 long range silhouette (.22 long rile out to 200 meters); Wednesday: Informal get-together for fun and plinking off the bench or standing. Practice your shooting skills, test ammunition for gun you want to shoot. Everyone welcome; Friday: .22 rifle and pistol silhouette “Fun Matches,” everyone welcome. Call Rick or Glenda at 502-0736.• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: High Power Match today for civilian, service women, men and junior shooters signing up by 7:30 a.m. at the Adair Park big bore range. Call Paul Lerma at 783-6766 or Gerald Brooker at 305-9681.• Yuma Matchmasters: Open Cowboy Match April 22 at the Adair Park small bore range with sign up at 7:30 a.m. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.• Southwest Bowhunters: Open archery shoots each Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Adair Park range. Call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.Jean Wilson can be contacted at jeanrenegade@gmail.com.

California’s camping season is on the horizon. Warmer temperatures and longer days signal time spent in the outdoors, stargazing, roasting marshmallows, searching for lost tent pegs and wondering how that rock materialized under your sleeping bag.

Sadly, choices for campsites among California’s popular state parks are steadily decreasing, making a carefree and inexpensive activity much more hard. Budget-strapped California is slated to close 70 of its 278 state parks by July, for a savings of several million dollars a year.

State park camping is part of my family’s collective memory — quiet strolls to look for clamshell fossils in the sedimentary layers at Portola; wading in the creek and listening to fog dripping from redwood trees, beating a tap-tap on our tent at Samuel P. Taylor; and walking through a cathedral of towering trees to hidden beaches at Del Norte Redwoods. It’s hard to imagine experiences like these closed off to future campers. They’re just too excellent to allow them to slip away.

Though camping at many state parks will be business as usual, some of the parks in jeopardy are already limiting their options for campers. while last-minute negotiations could eventually save 35 of the 70 parks, the next two months may be the last chance to pitch your tent or park your RV and revel in the natural beauty of a number of threatened California parks, including the 10 we profile here. so choose your site and head out — under the redwoods, along rivers and lakes and in desert landscapes.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S MAJESTIC REDWOODS

In Humboldt County, Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park is a 430-acre, lush green park dominated by coastal redwoods and the flowing waters of the Van Duzen River. the quiet habitat invites various bird species, including the endangered marbled murrelet, as well as deer, bobcats and river otters. Cheatham Grove boasts 300-foot redwoods with an understory of wild ginger, trillium, calypso orchids and Douglas iris. the waters of the Van Duzen and Grizzly Creek are popular spots to swim, fish and kayak. Grizzly Creek campground is bordered by redwoods and the river, with several hiking trails nearby.

Farther south in Mendocino County, Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area sits on the south fork of the Eel River, known as the “gateway to tall trees country.” the park is home to the 1,200-year-ancient Miles Standish redwood and a mixed forest of Douglas fir, oak, alder, madrone and buckeye. the river cuts through the park for two miles with excellent fishing spots and deep pools for swimming, while 10 miles of hiking trails wind through steep canyon bluffs, second-growth forest and pockets of ancient-growth redwoods. Two campgrounds offer wooded and riverfront sites for family camping.

REDWOOD CAMPING CLOSER TO HOME

Portola Redwoods State Park in San Mateo County is off the beaten track in a rugged, natural basin thick with coast redwoods, Douglas fir and live oaks and a deep canyon bisected by Pescadero and Peters creeks. Hikes along 18 miles of trails lead to the pools and cascades of Tiptoe Falls; dense forest that combines bay laurel and tan oak with huckleberry, redwood sorrel and native ceonothus; and canyon walls that reveal evidence of marine deposits from a former under-ocean landscape. the campground sits beneath a forest canopy home to various bird species, blacktail deer, coyote, raccoon and bright yellow banana slugs.

Four huge kilns deep within the forest of big Sur give Limekiln State Park, in Monterey County, its name and focal point. within its 716 acres, the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, amid redwoods, fern-lined trails and Limekiln Creek. the dense forest welcomes more than 200 species of birds, including the California condor that glides above its canyon. the creek’s year-round water provides habitat for bobcats, deer, ring-tailed cats and foxes, while sea otters search kelp beds offshore. Fern-lined trails lead to the limekilns and a fan-shaped 100-foot waterfall. Three camping areas offer wooded sites along the creek and ocean-view sites on the beach.

RIVER, LAKESIDE CAMPING

McConnell State Recreation Area sits on the banks of the Merced River in Merced County, a perfect location for water recreation and river-side camping. Towering cottonwoods and sycamores, valley oaks, box elders and elms create a shady oasis for campers and picnickers, along with resident valley quail, muskrat, weasel and hawks. the simple-flowing river attracts river-waders, swimmers, rafters and anglers after black bass, catfish and perch. There are grassy fields for playing and a picnic area that overlooks a wide, sandy beach. the well-developed, shady campground contains tables, food lockers, rock fireplaces and hibachi-style grills.

In Stanislaus County, Turlock Lake State Recreation Area sits nestled in the rolling foothills between Turlock Lake and the Tuolumne River. the grassy hills are dotted with oaks, cottonwoods, sycamore and willows for shade, while a wide variety of riparian plants line the river, making habitat for more than 100 species of birds. the 26 miles of Lake Turlock shoreline make this a popular spot to swim, fish, boat and water ski. the secluded campground sits between a bluff and the shady side of the river, one mile from the lake. Its setting and dense blackberry bushes make this a popular camping destination.

Brannan Island State Recreation Area, in Sacramento County, is the gateway to the maze of 700 miles of rivers and river channels, marshes, levees and sloughs that makes up the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta. the park contains numerous islands and marshes with a number of wildlife habitats for heron, river otter and turtle. Its riparian landscape of scrub, willow, oak, alder, pine and cottonwood is home to several rare plants and dozens of bird species. this is a popular destination for picnicking, swimming, boating and fishing for striped bass, bullhead and bluegill. Camping options offer family, walk-in and boat-in sites.

On the California side of the Colorado River, Imperial County’s Picacho State Recreation Area is a remote site with a diverse desert landscape and complex geology that includes a volcanic outcropping at Picacho Peak. In spring, the park bursts into acres of wildflower profusion, including blossoming beavertail cactus and ocotillo, amid desert ironwood, palo verde, mesquite, cottonwood and mesquite trees. Bighorn sheep, coyote, bobcat and wild burros make their homes here, while thousands of migratory waterfowl pass through. the peaceful Colorado River welcomes all type of water recreation, while campers can choose from the main campground or walk-in and boat-in sites, supplied with solar showers.

Salton Sea State Recreation Area, in Riverside County, covers 14 miles of the northeastern shore of one of the world’s largest inland seas and lowest spots, 227 feet below sea level. this arresting landscape includes desert scrub, creosote bush, fan palm and desert saltbrush. Tamarisk, cottonwood and willow grow alongside the area’s freshwater streams. the area attracts boaters, bird-watchers, campers and anglers on the prowl for tilapia. Several campgrounds vary in services from developed to primitive. Salt Creek Beach has beach sites, Mecca Beach has simple beach access and Headquarters Camp is near the Visitor Center.

In Los Angeles County, Saddleback Butte State Recreation Area sits atop a granite mountaintop, high above the alluvial plain of Antelope Valley. at the western edge of the Mojave Desert, the 3,000-acre park protects the solitary butte and the oddly shaped Joshua trees scattered across the high desert landscape and boasts vivid spring wildflower displays. Its habitat provides homes for coyote, kit fox, rabbit, snake, lizard, desert tortoise and the perilous Mojave green rattlesnake. Hiking trails climb the 3,651-foot peak, and a self-guided nature trail focuses on the natural history of the park and area. Campground sites offer shade ramadas.

SAVED FROM CLOSURE — FOR NOW

National Park Service rangers will pitch in at Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, giving a one-year reprieve to this park near Crescent City that combines ancient-growth redwoods and eight miles of wild coastline within its 6,400 acres. Throw in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and alder; a rich understory of madrones, maples, bays, giant ferns, wild rhododendrons and lush mosses and isolated beaches, and it’s no surprise that this park is a designated World Heritage Site and Biosphere Preserve. Damnation Trail takes hikers through a tropical rain forest experience to a hidden rocky beach, and mill Creek campground offers quiet, private, well-sized campsites surrounded by dense greenery and a burbling creek in a peaceful, gorgeous setting.

In Santa Clara County, where 87,000 acres of mostly undeveloped wilderness were set aside for Henry W. Coe State Park, a three-year agreement was reached between the state and a new nonprofit group, the Coe Park Preservation Fund. here the landscape alternates between open mountain ridges and steep canyons; grassland and chaparral in scenic hills; and riparian habitats along creeks. the open countryside bursts into wonderful spring wildflower displays, while a combination of live and blue oaks and big berry manzanita provide shade. With its 250 miles of trails and many small lakes, this park is popular with hikers, bikers, backpackers and anglers willing to hike to its remote lakes. Ridge-top Coe Ranch Campground offers fantastic views, with shade provided by shady oaks or shade ramadas.

Also originally part of the July closure list, Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Marin County will remain open through an agreement signed between California State Parks and the National Park Service, making it another of the lucky ones. into the summer and beyond, Camp Taylor fans will be able to roam shady canyons, verdant with coastal redwoods, live oak, Douglas fir, madrone and laurel, listening to the tumbling waters of Lagunitas Creek and sampling the cold water of its swimming hole. on the open grasslands, they’ll watch raptors soar and gaze out to the surrounding hills. They’ll hike the Pioneer Tree Trail, picnic in cathedral-like redwood groves and camp in gorgeous campsites.

Contact Marta Yamamoto in care of .

These 10 California state parks, and their campsites, are scheduled to shut down. Here’s how to book a site in the final months. Some sites are reservation only; others are first come, first served. because the closure situation is changing rapidly, state parks officials recommend that you check the state website, parks.ca.gov, and the reservations site, ReserveAmerica.com, for details on availability and booking before hitting the road.

Campsites staying open

These three parks and their campgrounds have won reprieves. Here’s how to book a campsite:

THREE RIVERS AREA — for many Arkansans, the Arkansas River is part of life that’s taken for granted. this great stream spans the breadth of the Natural State, from Fort Smith in the west to its juncture with the Mississippi River in the east. Many Arkansans fish it, cross it, drive alongside it every day. yet few know the Arkansas River with any great measure of familiarity.

What many people do know is the Arkansas River provides some of the state’s best spring bass fishing. Those who acquaint themselves with this massive body of water can delight in above-average action for hefty largemouth and spotted bass.

The Arkansas River begins in the Rocky Mountains near Leadville, Colo. Before it empties into the Mississippi in Desha County, Ark., the river travels 1,460 miles through Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. in Arkansas, it stretches 310 miles from border to border.

This massive Delta river hasn’t always been held in high esteem as a bass-fishing spot. Prior to 1970, the Arkansas was wild and muddy, frequently flooding surrounding countryside. Bass fishing was brilliant, even then, but few anglers challenged the river’s treacherous currents.

Today, the Arkansas resembles a string of lakes more than a river. in 1971, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation Project, with 12 dams in Arkansas. this turned the once-untamed river into a series of tranquil reservoirs. Fishing improved, and tales about huge stringers of giant Arkansas River bass began making the rounds.

Brilliant bass fishing is available along the entire Arkansas River, from border to border. the pools near little Rock, for example, often give up heavyweight largemouths and spotted bass. unfortunately, space doesn’t permit detailed descriptions of fishing opportunities in all pools. instead, we’ll focus on the four lower river pools, which attract anglers from throughout the country seeking huge bass. These pools are formed by Lock and Dam 5 just below Redfield, L&D 4 below Pine Bluff, L&D 3 near Grady and L&D 2 near Dumas.

Pool 2 above Dam 2 contains 96 miles of shoreline and 10,600 surface acres and extends upstream 35.9 miles. this section has a reputation for producing bass in the 10-pound-plus range. the Pendleton area contains a variety of excellent bass-fishing areas, including two huge off-river oxbows, Moore Bayou and the Coal Pile, as well as Merrisach Lake.

Coal Pile is on the right bank of the river (heading downstream) at about mile 23. this area offers ideal bass habitat, with plenty of logs, cypresses, rocks, channels and flats to fish. Moore Bayou is three miles downriver on the opposite side. Flooded timber is abundant, and anglers who like shallow water will find it here. Merrisach Lake, just above Lock No. 2, is on the Arkansas Post Canal, which leads out from Moore Bayou. like Coal Pile and Moore Bayou, Merrisach is essentially shallow with heavy cover. and like its sister waters, it often produces giant bass.

Continuing upstream, anglers can explore Huge Bayou Meto, Mud Lake Bend and little Bayou Meto. Bays off the main river also contain excellent cover and brilliant shallow water fishing.

Pool 3 is the smallest of these four Arkansas River lakes, with 36 miles of shoreline and 3,670 surface acres. It’s mainly straight river channel, but a couple of backwaters lie between Richland Bend and Trulock.

This section contains many bank-stabilization structures, which consist mainly of large wooden pilings driven into the sandy bottom. At times, these attract heavy concentrations of bass.

Pool 4 begins just below Pine Bluff and contains 5,680 surface acres and 58 miles of shoreline in its 20-mile length. this is the pool made well-known by Rick Clunn during the 1984 BASS Master’s Classic. his fabulous three-day stringer of bass came from the Slack Water Harbor area near Lake Langhofer. Clunn found a shallow ledge holding many bass and used crankbaits to amass a record catch totaling 75 pounds, 9 ounces. in its eight-mile length, the harbor contains a variety of cover and structure, including flooded timber, shallow vegetation, riprap and 2-foot to 80-foot holes.

Lake Langhofer and the Slack Water Harbor area contain some of the best backwater areas on this section, but there’s also a small often-productive backwater near Hensley Bar Cutoff. the remainder of the pool is mostly river channel with several miles of channel-stabilization structures.

Pool 5 extends upstream some 21 miles with 6,680 surface acres and a shoreline length of 50 miles. Brodie Bend, an old oxbow with acres and acres of timber, is one of the most heavily fished of several backwaters here, but areas around Case Bar Cutoff and Warings Bend also provide brilliant backwater bassing. Several small creeks also enter this pool and often hold bass.

If spring rain and runoffs are heavy and the river is high, anglers will probably be forced into backwater sloughs and off-river lakes where topwater plugs, buzzbaits and minnow-imitation crankbaits can be retrieved around timber, rocks, pilings and vegetation. Jig/pork-frog combos can be excellent around fallen logs and treetops.

With more stable water conditions, backwaters will be excellent early and late with topwaters, buzzbaits and plastic worms. Midday patterns revolve around the main river channel and include riprap with crankbaits, worms or spinnerbaits, and f lipping shoreline cover with worms.

Should the weather be unseasonably warm, riprap wingdikes could figure prominently in some anglers’ game plans. These long walls of rocks often stretch hundreds of yards on both sides of the river, especially near dams and along bends. Water around them ranges from 5 to 15 feet deep, and if the backwaters warm early, schools of late spring bass will probably be holding near these rocky embankments.

Sometimes bass hold right off the ends of the rocks. Other times, they’re at a specific spot along the rocks. and still other times, they’re scattered all along them. Crayfish and shad are attracted to these boulder-strewn hideouts, so artificials imitating these forage animals are among the best bass-catchers.

Spring bass can be taken throughout this stretch of the Arkansas River using any pattern or lure. There are not 100 yards of river that doesn’t produce excellent numbers of huge bass at one time or another, and they’re caught using every fishing tactic and lure.

The only certainty is the unstable nature of the river itself. During spring, the Arkansas could be clear and stable, high and muddy, or anywhere in between. Anglers with the best chance of catching fish are adaptable and multifaceted, prepared to deal with whatever conditions the capricious river throws their way.

Extraordinary bass fishing, gorgeous scenery, quaint riverside towns – it’s bonuses like this, when added together, that help make the Arkansas River one of the state’s blue-ribbon fishing destinations. Experience it firsthand this spring.

Three Rivers, Pages 126 on 03/11/2012

Print Headline: Arkansas River 101

Igot a fantastic surprise this week.

After spending just shy of two weeks deep in the Southern Hemisphere, I returned to my truck and was greeted by my trout-fishing lanyard, the simple catch-all I hang around my neck to keep my tools and flies within quick reach while on the water.

I left if looped on the passenger-side headrest the last time I hit the local streams. It has been there, rattling over every bump and pothole, for several months — too long not to be used.

I never gave it much thought, until it beamed at me as I opened my door to stuff my luggage in the back seat. It was the ultimate welcome home present — a fantastic reminder of the season ahead.

Believe it or not, we’ll be lining the banks of the area’s scenic trout streams in less than a month. Although we made it through winter virtually unscathed, trout season is always a welcomed transition — an annual reminder that warm weather is on the way.

A lot has been written about trout fishing. most of it takes a form more artistic than technical. It’s something we don’t get with any other fish.

For some reason, a trout tickles an angler’s soul. There’s just something much more emotional about deceiving a delicate brook trout than wrestling with a beastly catfish.

It’s true most of the trout we’ll catch over the next few months spent the vast majority of their lives in a concrete pen. Like wiping an artist’s brightest colors from his palette, the unnatural lifecycle of stocked trout takes away from the fullness of the sport. But a trout is a trout, no matter his upbringing.

Each time I bring one to the net, there’s a fantastic respect for the fish. It doesn’t matter if he came from the wilds of Alaska, the roaring rivers of Colorado or was dumped into the stream from the stocking truck, the deep-seated admiration is the same.

That’s because for every trout I hook, there are 10 more I missed. What these fish lack in size, they make up for in their stubbornness. unless the presentation is perfect, they won’t bite. The sun, the wind, the temperature … for trout, it all matters.

But I’m not here to convince you trout fishing is superior. That’s not fair. for the next guy, it could be rockfish or the river’s feisty smallmouth bass.

Instead, I’d rather show you what trout fishing means to me. I do it with the hope it brings you to a trout stream. think of it as angling evangelism.

After all, what excellent is a beautiful painting if nobody gets to see it. Art is made to be seen. and trout are made to be chased.

We will get our chance in just a few weeks. in the meantime I’ll hear my lanyard rattling with each turn in the road, knowing it will be around my neck again in no time.

Andy Snyder writes about the outdoors for The York Dispatch. He can be reached at sports@yorkdis patch.com.

Home > Season for Caring > Archives > 2011 > December > 09 > Entry

Less than three weeks after he lost his home in the Bastrop County wildfires, bill Snyder lost his wife.

Pat Snyder died of lung disease on Sept. 23, before she and her husband could even begin to dream of rebuilding on their hill in the pines. Her husband, sons, daughters and grandchildren buried her without the headstone they wish they could afford.

Bill Snyder and his family are part of the Austin American-Statesman’s annual Season for Caring campaign, which helps 10 featured families and hundreds of others served by local nonprofit agencies.

Donors have offered some help to buy the headstone for Pat Snyder’s grave in nearby Paige, but the family needs more donations to make it happen.

Then they can begin their own lives again. bill Snyder, 66, who now lives in a motor home parked on his fire-

ravaged property, wants to reconstruct his home — piece by piece and room by room, just as he built it.

The Snyders had lived on Linda Lane since 1984. bill Snyder bought his acre of land and started with the bathroom, which he made from an old storage shed in the woods.

He, his wife and his granddaughter, Brandi Brewer, 26, lived there in solitude with Brewer’s three daughters until Sept. 4. That’s when the wildfire chased them away.

They returned days later to nothing. Gone was the adobe house bill Snyder built, as well as the garden Pat tended. the mobile home where Brewer lived with her three daughters had been incinerated.

The retired equipment operator for the Lower Colorado River Authority mourned the devastation with his ailing wife until she died. She was 66. He faced a huge choice: how to go back without her.

Snyder wants to rebuild the outdoor patio, where he and Pat renewed their wedding vows shortly before the fires. He first needs to clear his land of the debris. He needs a new water well.

The fire took nearly everything he owned. He has few clothes, no tools and an RV parked under his burned trees.

“We had it all fixed up the way we wanted,” he said of his destroyed home, which was uninsured .

The family has received some of the things they’ll need to rebuild: a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, a couch, a table and chairs, a TV, bookshelves and more.

The Bastrop school district’s curriculum department has adopted the family and is buying a swingset and Disney DVDs for Brewer’s children and a Home Depot gift card for Snyder.

A dentist working with St. David’s Foundation is helping Brewer get her front teeth fixed and her wisdom teeth pulled.

They need more: help clearing the debris, a used mobile home or help rebuilding the house, carpentry tools, bedding, dishes, glassware, utensils, pots and pans, a space heater, an air-conditioning window unit with a heat pump, sinks, bathtubs, lights and anything else to rebuild a house.

Snyder would like to replace the bass boat and fishing gear he lost in the fire.

Snyder has his memories and the support of his family. But there’s a lot of uncertainty in his and his family’s future. however, Brewer has said, the family is sure of one thing.

“We’re coming back,” she said.

For more information on the Snyder family, contact Hospice Austin, 342-4726.

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Boaters need to be aware high-country options will become increasingly limited as South Park reservoir ramps will close at the end of October. High-country trout fishing continues to be solid with numerous baits working. Winds have caused issues on many waters, so be prepared. Kokanee are showing in greater numbers. Snagging is producing at Green Mountain, Yucky (walk-in) and Williams Fork. Action at many urban waters has slowed down lately. Exceptions are Chatfield, where trolling small spoons works well on rainbows; Horsetooth, where smallmouth bass are chasing down crankbaits; and Pueblo, where bass, walleye, and wiper are providing excellent action.

David Coulson, FishExplorer.com

SEE: Glide-fish on huge screen

The latest glide-fishing movie from Confluence films is “Connect” and will be shown Thursday night at The Oriental Theater (4335 W. 44th Ave.). Chris Patterson and Jim Klug, who made the films “Drift” and Rise,” bring together the stories of glide-fishing in places like Japan, Yellowstone National Park, Cuba, Maine and Tanzania.

Tickets are $12; doors open at 6 p.m., and the film is schedule to start at 7. for more information: confluencefilms.tv

HELP: Poachers sought

Two poaching incidents this month involving pronghorns have prompted the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office to ask for the public’s help, and it is offering a $500 reward in each case. The first was in Castle Rock near Crowfoot Valley Road and Pradera Parkway sometime between 5 p.m. Oct. 1 and 7 a.m. Oct. 2.

On Oct. 2 in Fort Collins, a buck pronghorn was dumped in a parking area south of Soldier Canyon Dam, adjacent to Horsetooth Reservoir between 7:45-9 a.m. The animal was partially field dressed. anyone that may have information is encouraged to contact Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 (877-COLO-OGT) or send an e-mail to game.thief@state.co.us.

My advanced scouts Cal Van Zant and Jim Krause tested the island waters last weekend and reported some excellent “anchor fishing” and some real current against the wind situations.

The wind was blowing smartly from the west while the current was ripping up the island and it was virtually impossible to keep their bait off the anchor line as the boat lined up nicely into the wind and the current sent their bait from the stern back under the boat into the anchor; thus creating perfect anchor catching.

The scouts were also bummed out at the massive swells that washed the backside of the island with cool 60-degree, green water. the real excitement came while fishing the backside. the squid came to their lights in droves where the guys said they easily gathered all the bait squid they needed.

The guys admitted though that it was a good thing the Long Beach Bait Company had squid available on their harbor bait barge. They were able to buy a scoop of squid before their trip across and they were able to fish before it got dark. They caught six large calico bass in the 8-pound class – which they released – and caught some bass for filets.

But the highlight of the trip came while they were catching the squid. They were surrounded by a group of Risso’s dolphins swimming under the bait lights swatting large schools of squid with their tails and returning to eat massive groups of stunned squid.

How huge were the Risso’s? They were 10 to 12 feet long and some looked to be 5 feet in diameter. Van Zant said the Risso’s surrounded the boat, gathered the squid into a ball, then charged through them to stun them and then quickly U-turned and chowed down.

Off-shore

Don Ashley of Pierpoint Landing says the bluefin tuna bite for Long Beach boats is as good as he has ever seen – not necessarily for the number of fish caught but for the quality of the fish.

The Toronado caught 77 fish in two trips. They were all 25 to 40 pounds and caught by 30 anglers.

A bait tale

Once upon a time, there was this fantastic tackle store that fit the bill for fresh bait. a fishing store that filled the needs for the truly advanced surf fisherman. a store that had everything needed to crash the beach front waves in search of surf fish. a meeting place where veteran surf fishing anglers could gather and swap prevarications, brag about their tackle, but most of all to relate how far they could cast a 3-ounce sinker and a place where most of the time 15 inches was really 12 inches.

At one time, such a store existed in my surf fishing days with my dad in the late 1930′s through the ’40′s and it was called Sims’ Bait and Tackle. Our early surf fishing forays were spent fishing the surf from Newport Beach to the L.a. Harbor. in those early days, every trip found us looking for good bait previous to getting to the water and that meant buying our ghost shrimp, sand worms, sand crabs, salted anchovies, squid, razor clams and our ancient standby harbor mussels from the Sims’ store.

In 1949, the best bait in town was to be found in only one spot for 10 miles in all directions from Seal Beach and it was called Norm’s Bait and Tackle. Norm Cravens was the new owner of Sims’ and he had crews of bait digger guys that went out in the field to catch and dig bait.

Many times we waited in the morning for the bait guys to come in from the field with our ghost shrimp and sand crabs or whatever the hot bait was. then, in 1960, the store changed hands and Bobby Lienau the new owner named the store Norm’s Huge Fish Tackle where Bobby carried on the historical tradition of fresh available bait.

Just recently Bobby sold the store to Shawn Morgon, a very good move because Morgon is a veteran fisherman with many years experience. He knows what it takes to supply bait to the droves of those surf fishermen that pass through the store and he can also wheel off fish tales with the best of them.

Of course with his background, Morgon can be counted on to have the most recent tackle on the market as well as the best bait.

Yet, the store retains that charismatic ancient-time flavor.

To this day you can take your coffee into the store and find some fantastic fisherman camaraderie where it’s still 15 inches to the foot and “You should have seen the one that got away!”

Dove season

Question the dove hunters from the Imperial Valley to the Colorado River and they will admit the hunting opener was better than last year. Tom Schlauch with sons Pat and John and friend John Florence averaged six to seven birds each.

To beat the heat, they finished the hunt on their duck club and were on their way home by 9 a.m.

The brush was higher and thicker this year leading to a couple of lost birds, but the real problem came as the guys found numerous molted rattlesnake skins which slowed their search for lost birds.

Steve Woodard and his dog Simon hunted near Blythe and there were more hunters in the field than dove. He said he got peppered a number of times.

What is the best area to fish within an hour or 2 of denver, co? I like fishing trout, bass, walleye, etc…

give an extra 2 hrs and go to north nm

South Platte river, or go north to RMNP, fish the big THompson outside the park

Excellent luck

8 hour T. Water 40-50 degrees. Clear water. HEAVY weed growth from 1-8FT.

The predominant color that works in the lake is Blue/Black, Purple, Black, and very dark greens.

Fore-casted weather- well, it's been drizzling rain and overcast for 4-5 days with temps in 40-50's.

The predominant (soft plastic/jig) colors that work on this lake are Blue/Black, Purple, Black, and very dark shades of green with dark flake.

I pre-fished last Tues and we found them in the 8-12 FT range on the outside weed-line. North-North West corner.

Currently, I have 3 different sized jigs tied on from 1/16 OZ-1/2 OZ, a 1/2 OZ single bladed Colorado-bladed Spinnerbait (for slow rolling), a 1/2 OZ Black/Blue Rattle Trap, and a Blue/Black 3/8 OZ Chatterbait.

I've got a pretty excellent handle on it, but I thought I'd ask my fishing friends on-line to see what they would throw.

What do you think?

You're asking ~me~ what I'd throw? *faints*

Same thing I always throw for bass because I don't really know what I'm doing in fresh water… I'd wacky rig a excellent ol' watermelon Senko and go at it and curse all the goop I'd drag up. YAY!!

(Nope, I'm not predictable.)

Id go with junebug senkos texas rigged with junebug tungsten weights.

And you have all that stuff, why not try all of them. at least one has to work.

plain color baits like gray black blue white brown no shiny stuff and id try some swimbaits the bigger the bait the bigger fish it will catch

a thin in LINE floater, like a devels horse,frog collard, and reel slo and then rest and then a stedy reel, excellent luck,,

soft plastics frogs worms ETC

I like the jig and slow rolled spinnerbait plan, I would suggest a chartruse or white spinnerbait. Maybe even try a regular retrieve a little while. a light breeze and drizzle will help out the spinnerbait and rattletrap plan. It's odd to me that darker colors are working better in clear water but you obviously know what you are doing and know the lake. try a dropshot rig off of ledges. as you know I'm no nortthern Bass expert but I figured I would throw you a few thoughts! Excellent luck and let me know how you do

Oh man a fantastic question! I would try a suspending jerk bait in that cooling water both soft and hard work it over the top of that grass. I would also try a 3'' soft plastic craw on a drop shot rig with a 2-3ft leader and work through the grass. a buck tail jig along the weed edge I would also try. I would start out slow then as the water and weather warms maybe the fish will turn on. Rat-L-Trap and jig sounds excellent too. this is where I would start if I were your co-angler but you have the intel and knowledge of the water. Excellent luck let us know how it goes

1/4-ounce Snow White double willow Spinner-Bait for fishing OUTSIDE of the weed growth, focusing on trees/stumps/overhanging trees.

A 7.5" Culprit worm in all of the above excellent colors you stated, Texas rigged with a 1/2-ounce sinker and worked all over that nasty weedy growth stuff. Fish this bait slow.

A 4" Berkley Chigger Craw fished right in the weeds with a 1/2-ounce sinker. this bait will be Texas rigged, and it's available in the dark green that you are talking about.

1/2-ounce Jig with the above Chigger Craw as a trailer. you talk 'bout some HAWGS being caught on this combo.

I think that's what I would personally have on if it was up to me, and I think I'm confident with my choices!

Oh, and I like your picks too!

would help a bit to know where this lake is and the depths of it, whether it is an impoundment on a river or a natural lake.
here, so cal, lake casitas, slow rolling spinnerbaits has been productive, unfortunately, we have no weed growth on our local lake. the spinnerbait tactic has been working on a particular roadbed in from 6 to 15 feet of water.
if l had heavy grass, l would use a frog just for the hell of it, but still have my 8" plastic worm in whatever color seems to be working.
l would also think other topwaters should still be producing. particularly spooks. with winter coming soon, bass are going to be gorging themselves in preparation for a long winter's night.
stay in that northern area, the water will get the most sunlight there, remaining warmer longer, particularly if you have a dark muddy bottom.
l think l've rambled long enough, you seem to have it under control, this is just my two cents worth.
spinnerbaits, jigs, weedline, and don't forget some 8" worms texas or carolina style.
best of luck, let us know how you did!
W.