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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last of three articles on game wardens and hunting and fishing laws through the years.

“The sunshine is brightest in Florida. The creeks are clearest in Florida. The breezes blow the coolest in Florida. The lakes are cleanest in Florida. Fish bite the quickest in Florida. The birds sing the sweetest in Florida, and the game wardens are the meanest in Florida.” – author unknown

Blue Pond in Washington County was a popular place for fish fries. J.N. Coleman knew they’d need an ample supply of fish so he carried along a borrowed net. since they did not have the time for regular fishing, Coleman, C.P. Russ, Grady Nixon and Preston Bailey helped in a “little seining party.” Game Wardens J.E. Pilcher and a man named Wilson soon appeared. The four servers were arrested and directed to appear before the Washington County Judge at a certain date. then the fish fry proceeded as usual.

To improve the fishing in White Western Lake and Lake Merial, Game Wardens C.C. Woodward of Tallahassee, J.T. Hurst, district game warden from Pensacola, and local game warden, M.O. Conant, brought 15,000 black bass and other fish from Lake Okeechobee to White Western Lake and a smaller amount to Lake Merial. These restocked lakes were north of Southport.

J.E. Pitcher, who owned property on these lakes, said fishing would be preserved if people would only take necessary fish and stay away from the spawning grounds.

In 1933, Gov. David Sholtz combined the Game & Fresh Water Commission, the Forestry Board and the Shell Fish Commission into one Conservation Board. But paying game wardens remained the issue. Some years the counties had game wardens. Other years, the sheriff and his deputies took over. in November 1934, all men who were state foresters above the rank of ranger were made honorary game wardens by George W. Davis, state supervisor of conservation. Game Warden Jack Pridgeon of Gulf County, protecting both fish and game, caught a few men fishing without licenses but several men illegally gigging fish.

In 1935, Florida’s hunting season opened Nov. 20, but deer could to be shot until Dec. 1. The season lasted until Dec. 31 . only bucks could be killed. The season’s deer limit was placed at two with only one deer killed in any one day.

In February 1949, S.P. McDonald and W.L. Boyd were state game wardens from Panama City. Boyd was 56 and had lived in Panama City for 27 years. McDonald lived here about the same amount of time, coming from his home in Walton County. when they were appointed to these positions, they admitted they had never owned hunting licenses, but they did do some fishing.

They told of the man who illegally shot 15 squirrels, which cost him $241 for this privilege. The squirrels were fed to men in the county jail. another man had to pay $43 for a single squirrel. One of their stories involved the hunters who went into Willis Swamp on an old log train railroad and bagged a doe deer. in order to outwit the law, they skinned the animal and cut it up before starting out of the woods to return to their cars. a few of them stopped at an old trestle to temporarily hide the meat. Boyd and McDonald were watching from nearby.

But the men made the mistake of tossing the hide into the box with the meat. The agents were able to tell from the markings that it was a female deer. The men were fined and did not get to keep the deer meat. Protection of female deer was one of the most vital duties of the officers.

McDonald and Boyd usually traveled together and covered an average of 75 miles of Northwest Florida woodlands daily. they maneuvered about the woods by car, jeep and on foot. Soon after hunting season opened, the birds took to the swamps, according to the agents. they reported less distress with violations of bird hunting than any other game.

Contrary to what most people believed, Boyd said a deer is not 1 year old for each point. a deer might be an eight-point deer and be 17 years old, etc.

In a News-Herald article on Feb. 13, 1949, a photo of both wardens appeared together crouched down in the woods attempting to nab a poacher. Their position was much the same as if they were watching a still and trying to catch moonshiners.

In 1956, the shrinking bird, fish and animal populations forced Tallahassee to pass more stringent laws and hunting and fishing regulations to assure that there would be game for future generations. Florida had 150 wildlife officers that year. most of these officers attended a special school which trained them in tracking and apprehending violators.

Protection of game and fish had come a long way. These wildlife officers had access to all kinds of modern facilities that included radio patrol cars and trucks, five airplanes, three marsh buggies, eight air boats and 24 fixed radio stations.

But one of the most hard tasks of game wardens was obtaining evidence to support charges against accused law breakers. The game warden had to produce guns, dead game and other positive evidence before he could make a case against an accused person.

Coming in February: Game Warden Casualties

A road map to a championship. Bet your bottom dollar it came down to the very end. 

Kayak fishing’s original Angler of the Year contest – NorCal Kayak Angler’s annual year-long points race – was a typically hard-fought battle. Ultimately, John Keane had the will to claim 2011 as his own. he shared how he rallied from the challenges of a third place 2010 season, ending a sturgeon skunk streak to claim his first points lead late in the game. -ed.  

What does winning AOTY mean to you?

It’s satisfying to win AOTY because it means that I had a solid year of fishing with a number of quality fish across multiple species. whereas anyone can get lucky with a big fish now and then, AOTY challenges kayak anglers to score quality fish across ten species categories, requiring anglers to be skilled using a variety of techniques in both fresh and saltwater. I’m extremely fortunate to have fished with many of the top kayak anglers in NorCal. I tip my hat to these guys and when competing against such skilled and determined anglers, AOTY often comes down to a big fish here, or a few inches there, across the year.  Winning AOTY requires skill, determination and good fortune from the fish gods!

What was the toughest species to catch?

After going 0 for 13 on sturgeon and 0 for 8 on white sea bass attempts during the 2010 AOTY, I’d have to say these two species were the most challenging to catch in 2011.  Both of these species are challenging to chase and land, and are among the most-prized species in AOTY.  after humbling me and having some good laughs at my expense on my 2010 attempts for these species, I reckon the fish gods took some pity on my sorry ass in 2011 as I was able to land the white seabass on my first attempt and the sturgeon on my second attempt for the year. 

What accounted for your win?

Rather than rushing to fill the ten species slots I decided early in the year to just post-up larger fish and lay low throughout the year. the fish gods graced me with many sweet fish throughout the year starting with a 24.5-inch largemouth bass at Clear Lake and a 38-inch lingcod in the spring. during summer, I was fortunate to catch a 15-inch crappie and a nice white sea bass, followed by a big California halibut in early Fall.  I laid low until late November then posted-up my last two species to go into first place. December was a nice month with mild weather and I was fortunate to land a sturgeon early in the month, a mackinaw in the last week, and to close out the year with a really sweet 19.5-inch smallmouth bass on New Year’s Eve. I was able to catch quality fish across the year and then land three more nice fish in December to seal the deal.

What was your best catch of the year?

I was graced with many quality fish in 2011 and I have a number of sweet memories. If I have to choose one it would be catching a sturgeon in San Pablo Bay during mid-December, for several reasons.  it was a hail Mary fish caught at dusk on a last cast using my last two remaining, day-ancient ghost shrimp. it was time for us to head to the launch but I wanted to make one last cast because I knew there were fish around. two minutes later…tap,tap…hook set…sturgeon on!  This fish broke my sturgeon skunk streak, was the fish that gave me the point cushion in AOTY to seal the deal, and was the only sturgeon entered into AOTY in 2011. 

Are you going to give it as much effort in 2012?

I likely won’t fish as much in 2012, though I’ll target and post-up big fish to AOTY, and who knows, maybe lay low and be poised make another late season run at AOTY!

NCKA 2011 AOTY top 3 Scorers by Handle

1st place: Bird, 1750.89 points 2nd place Saltydog, 1656.35 points 3rd place Ravensblack, 1656.315 points

Keane with just a few of the catches that highlighted his winning 2011 campaign. Photos: James Jackson (top), Craig Davis (center and bottom).  

It’s official. I’m now old enough to not only to say – but to really believe – that everything in the California sportfishing world today is going to hades in a man purse.

The reality is that skyrocketing prices, needless regulations and a sick economy are squeezing the common man out of the fishing game (and it’s even worse for hunters). The beginning of the new year brings this home painfully, with a whole raft of new rules and increased fees that will make a lot in our ranks simply give up the sport. and the downward spiral will continue.

MLPA

The Marine Life Protection Act’s new closures for Southern California went into effect Jan. 1 and sportfishing closures along the coast now represent anywhere from 20 to 40 percent of the once-well loved, prime fishing areas, depending on who does the calculating. oh, sure, vast areas of open ocean and poor habitat areas remain open, but no one fishes there. The closures don’t represent “a small fraction” of coastal and island waters. They are major and devastating.

Mexican fees up

New Mexican visa requirements and fishing permit fees are going to astronomically jack up the cost of half- and three-quarter-day fishing trips out of San Diego into Mexican waters, such as the Coronado Islands and the nine Mile Bank.

A three-day visa (thankfully available at the landings) is $33 (and likely to go up ramdomly), and that is on top of the $11 daily fishing fee. but that will make three-quarter day trips cost around $130 and hike the $45 half-day price to nearly $80.

Terrence Berg of 976-TUNA.com, an ocean sportfishing fishing report and information web site, said the MLPA and Mexican fee increases are going to be another stake through the heart of Southern California’s ocean sportfishing industry. he said business for the landings has been off up to 70 percent since 2008 and 15 to 20 percent of the sportboat owners have gone out of business.

Quagga mussel restrictions

Over the past three years, private fishing boat sales have declined dramatically because of quagga mussel restrictions that have made it hard, if not impossible, for anglers to travel to different waters to fish without lengthy or expensive boat inspections, wash downs, and/or dry dock requirements.

Miscellaneous

Add in a hatchery lawsuit and the DFG, and you have fewer trout planted in fewer places than ever before in Southern California and the Sierra with the state falling 30 percent small of the legislatively-mandated stocking numbers.

Restrictions of what bait can be used and sold have made it hard for beginning and intermediate anglers. for example, shiners occur in all Southern California lakes, but tackle and bait shops can’t sell them for bait outside of San Diego County and the San Joaquin Valley. Crawdads aren’t available in most areas because of restrictions. Waterdogs are a thing of the past because of unsubstantiated fears their use might harm native species.

And the DFG has banned the use of throw nets so anglers can’t collect their own baitfish in local lakes, which is legal but hard to do effectively without throw nets.

Fishing licenses

The California fishing license fee went up 39 cents this year to $44.85 from $43.46. The second rod stamp is now $13.78 versus $13.53. Ocean anglers in Southern California also have to buy an ocean enhancement validation, and it costs $5.14 this year. We have to pay more each year to make up for those who quit fishing the previous year.

For the first time in state history, annual resident sportfishing license sales dropped below a million in 2011.

Anyone betting things will just get worse than better under this scenario?

MATTHEWS’ PICKS

1. Trout, trout, trout. The urban trout season is in full swing and there is excellent fishing just about every place getting planted and a lot of trophy fish have been planted the past two weeks. Top pick? Poway, Santa Ana River Lakes, and Corona, were all stocked with trophy rainbows the past two weeks. all the San Bernardino County Park Lakes (Glen Helen, Cucamonga-Guasti, Prado, and Yucaipa) received Mt. Lassen trout last week and most had a rash of trophy fish that continue to be caught, along with a lot of limits of smaller trout. They all get weekly county fish. Irvine Lake and Hesperia Lake both had trout over 10 pounds again this week. go trout fishing. anywhere.

2. With a full moon this weekend (well, on Monday) and the warm weather the past week, the first pre-spawn bite on largemouth bass looks to be starting at Diamond Valley. The fish are up as shallow as 12 feet and afternoon surface water temps have been 60 to 62 degrees this week. The bigger bass are keying on DFG trout or sculpin so you can throw swimbaits on the points or small three- to four-inch plastics along rocky structure and get fish.

3. for crappie fanatics, the action at Cachuma Lake has not been wide open this past week, but there has been a consistent troll-drift bite on slabs better than a pound in the narrows. The lake gets small pressure, but the crappie reports have been consistent for the past three weeks including some fish better than two pounds. It looks like the winter bite is happening.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

Trout: Trout action is about as good as it gets throughout Southern California with action at all of the stocked waters hitting the mid-season stride that translates into lots of limits of nice fish, along with the chance at a trophy fish. Top bets are western Riverside County’s Corona Lake, the Orange County trio of Irvine Lake, Santa Ana River Lakes, Laguna Niguel Park Lake and both the High Desert waters of Hesperia Lake and Jess Ranch. in San Diego County, Poway received trophy fish the previous two weeks, and it has been very good, but Jennings Cuyamaca, Morena, Dixon, and Wohlford are also good bets. Other good bets include all the San Bernardino County Park Lakes. Check the water-by-water reports for details, but the bites are good just about everywhere trout are planted now. The sleeper pick remains the Colorado River from Laughlin to Huge Bend where this season’s plants and holdover fish to six pounds are showing in good numbers.

Black Bass: most of the lakes in the region slowed down, but there have been a couple of patterns worth noting. First, the warm weather this past week has seemed to have started a pre-spawn movement of fish up out of the depths, with fish in less than 20-feet in waters at Lower Otay and Diamond Valley north to Casitas, Cachuma, and Santa Margarita. The early fish are usually bigger fish, too. Second, in lakes getting trout plants there are some bigger bass on trout-like swimbaits. This is best after DFG plants (because these trout are usually smaller than the fish from the private hatcheries). last, the deep water bass bite is pretty good for finesse anglers who know how to fish ice jigs, jigging spoons, and small plastics. so, that means you need to be prepared to fish from top to bottom. Top bet is probably Diamond Valley with the fish in 15 to 30 feet, mostly feeding on sculpin right on the bottom in good cover.

Striped Bass: Striper bites all are very spotty right now. There are still fish showing at all the usual places – Diamond Valley, Castaic, Pyramid, Skinner, and Silverwood – but there are two types of action. There are some bigger fish up chasing trout in the top 20 feet of the water column or in water from 40 to 80 feet hanging on structure or under balls of bait. It’s usually bigger fish on the trout and smaller, school-size fish in deep water and they are showing on cut baits. keep an eye on the trout plants and fish within the first two or three days after a plant. The top bet may be the California aqueduct near Taft, which has been producing a lot of fish to four to eight pounds. on the Colorado River, there have been a few quality fish to 20 pounds or better at Willow Beach. Havasu is honest to good in the main body of the lake and toward the dam and the fish are still focused on shad.

Panfish: Top picks for crappie in a scanty field are Cachuma Lake for crappie in a honest bite on quality fish over a pound and the Buena Vista Lakes which has continues to produce some nice fish in a night bite. The Salton Sea tilapia bite looks to be turning around with the warmer weather this week and a few catches have been reported. That is one to watch. The Lake Silverwood crappie bite was off a small this past week but still worth fishing. There’s still honest bluegill and redear action at Perris and it has a crappie bite that probably bears more attention now. few other panfish bites are of note in this region. on the Central Coast, Lopez and Santa Margarita have been producing some quality crappie, but no huge numbers, and these bites have slowed, too.

Catfish: There continues to be reports of some nice catfish at Lake Skinner, but it seems like all the reports are coming from one angler and Gary Smith, Compton, had a 14-pounder top off his catch this week. Buena Vista Lakes near Taft has been honest for several weeks. Lake Skinner is producing some nice stringers of cats, including fish over 10 pounds. The Silverwood fall bite seems to be slowing with the cooling water temperatures. The Colorado River and local drainage ditches have been honest for channel catfish, but the bite on quality flatheads looks to be over until early spring.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES

Cucamonga-Guasti: good trout action with the rainbows averaging one to two pounds with some bigger fish on floating baits, trout jigs, and trout plastics. The county trout plants are weekly, and there was a DFG plant last week. Top trout reported was a 5-8 landed by Mike Camerota, Rancho Cucamonga, while Joey Cruz, Ontario, landed a 4.9-pounder. Kevin Scott, Rancho Cucamonga, had three trout topped by a four-pounder, while Juan Cervantez, Claremont, landed four rainbows to three pounds. Information: 909-481-4205.

Prado: Honest to good trout action, but a few anglers have been scoring on some real quality rainbows. Top fish reported was an 11-8 landed by Mike Womack, Chino, on an inflated nightcrawler in basin No. 2. Yvonne Ortega, Pomona, had a 9.5-pounder, while Chad Stone, Ontario, had a 9.4-pound trout. Zack Sorensen, Chino Hills, landed rainbows at 8.4 and 5.3 popunds, while Mike Ramos, Upland, and Alfred Perez, Fontana, each had 7.5-pound trout. Pablo Lozano, Ontario, caught a 7.1-pounder, and Vanz Slk, Long Beach, had a 5.8-pound rainbow. Sophia Martinez, Pomona, caught a 4.5-pounder, and Chris Bareno, Chino Hills, landed a four-pound trout.

Yucaipa: good trout action with county trout plants each week and DFG trout were planted this week and two weeks ago. There were some quality trout in last week’s plant, and Curren Ahgtin, Beaumont, landed a 9-8 rainbow on a lure from the lower lake. The next event in the San Bernardino County Park trout derby series will be held here Jan. 7.

Glen Helen: excellent trout action after both county and DFG plants this week. The county plants are weekly and there was a DFG plant two weeks ago. Power Baits, inflated nightcrawlers, and small trout jigs and plastics have all be scoring fish. Top rainbow reported was a 13.44-pounder landed by Larry Okada, Montclair, on green Power Bait from the small lake. Christian Castillo, Montclair, landed an 8.66-pounder on a nightcrawler from the large lake. Javier Pinedo, Rialto, had rainbows at 5.6 and 5.3 pounds, while Kenny Martin, Fontana, had a 5.3-pound trout. Frank Ayala, Colton, landed a 4.16-pound rainbow.

Mount Baldy Trout Pools: The heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday.

Puddingstone: DFG trout plants this week and last week. The bite has been honest to good off the north shore and swim beach areas on small trout jigs, plastics, and floating baits. The water level is still low (pending some launch ramp work). There has been a pretty honest bite on redear up to 1-8 on drop-shot nightcrawlers. Bass are slow to honest with a few fish on plastics. A few catfish also continue to show off the north shore and RV Park areas on shrimp. Crappie slow. No carp reports.

Seccombe Lake: DFG trout plants this week and two weeks ago. few reports. Information: 909-384-5233.

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

Silverwood: DFG trout were planted last Friday and four weeks ago, and the trout action has continues good around the launch ramp, marina, Sawpit, and into Cleghorn and Miller canyons. Floating baits, small trout plastics and jigs, and inflated nightcrawlers with scent have all been good bet. Joe Smith San Diego, landed four rainbows on nightcrawlers in Cleghorn and his best fish was a four-pounder. There also continues to be a honest crappie bite off the marina docks on small jigs tipped with meal worms or Crappie Nibbles. not as many good stringers but catches of five to 10 half- to three-quarter pound fish are still common. A few up to two pounds have been landed. The bluegill bite is slowing, but a few are still being landed, also off the docks. Stripers are honest with a few showing on cut baits or trout-like swim baits in Chemise and at the dam. Robert Mems, Hesperia, landed a 10-pound striper in Sawpit on a Kastmaster. The catfish have slowed way down with only a few showing on cut baits. Juan Pablo, Hesperia, caught two cats of the shrimp-marshmallow combo at the dock and his best was a six-pounder.

Huge Bear Lake: The best trout action has been mid-day between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the dam, the aerator, Windy Point, Juniper Point and Serrano. not as much sheet ice this week with the warmer weather. The best bite is in 15 to 18 feet of water with floating baits, mostly Power Bait and Gulp!, on a three foot leader.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

Hesperia Lake: Trout plants are weekly and the action has been very good with a lot of quality fish from eight to 12 pounds and some bigger, but most anglers are getting nice stringers of fish averaging about 1 1/2 pounds. Best action on Power Bait and inflated nightcrawlers with the north shore and east bank the top spots. Huge fish this week was a 22-8 rainbow landed by Rodney Williams, San Diego, on Power Bait beads. Cody Chin, Barstow, landed a 16-8, and 16 pounders were caught by Steve Holland, Huge Bear, and Phil Torres, Chino. Greg Valdez, Hesperia, had trout at 14 pounds and 8-8. Daniel Avalos, Barstow, also landed a 14-pounder, while Allen Letcher, Apple Valley, landed a 13-pound rainbow. Dave Morton, Rancho Cucamonga, had a 12-pounder, and Robert Alcantar, San Bernardino, landed an 11-8 rainbow. The catfish bite has slowed down with the cold weather, but the occasional sturgeon continues to show up. The biggest this past week was a 26 1/2-pounder caught by Jim Nimmo, Apple Valley, while Greg Atkins, Hesperia, landed an 18-pounder.

Jess Ranch: good to excellent trout action this past week with a lot of limits of two to three pound rainbows on Power Bait in salmon peach, garlic, spring green or orange, nightcrawlers, trout jigs, small trout plastics, and small spinners or spoons. Top trout this week was an 8-15 rainbow landed by Chris Marlin, Victorville, on a white and yellow mini jig. Danny Alaniz, Fontana, landed a 7-3 trout, while Chuck Moree, San Bernardino, landed a 4-2 rainbow. The catfish, panfish, and bass bites have all be slow.

Mojave Narrows: No report. County trout plants are weekly, and there were DFG plants this week and two weeks ago.

SELECTED LAKES

Diamond Valley: There was a huge DFG trout plant (3,000 pounds) last Friday and Mt. Lassen rainbows were slated to go in on Thursday this week. The bite has been pretty good in the marina are on Power Bait, small trout jigs, and Kastmaster-type lures. The previous Lassen plant has a fish around 18 pounds that has not been caught yet, and Jessica Rodriguez caught a 9-8 rainbow on Power Bait. The largemouth bass bite has continued honest to good in 20 to 40 feet of water on small (three to four-inch) drop-shot plastics. Ten to 20 fish days are not uncommon with the fish averaging about two pound with some bigger. many anglers are fishing deeper and seeing only spotty action in 40 to 70 feet of water on ice jigs, plastics, or jigs. Also bigger fish showing on swimbaits after they come up to chase trout after plants. Art Berry, a local guide from Hemet, had a 12-pound largemouth on a Trip Jig. Dale Hackney and grandson Ryan Gunther, both Chino, had bass at 10 and eight pounds on Huddleston swim baits. while the catfish and panfish are getting small pressure right now, William Brown landed a seven-pound cat from the east shore cove, and Tyler Velesquez landed a 1-8 bluegill on cut anchovy.

Perris: Light fishing pressure, but the trout action has been steady with the best bite from parking Lot 8 to Lots 11-12, Sail Cove, and at the dam. The fish are staying shallow, in less than 10 feet of water. There were plants last week and three weeks ago. Crappie also continue to show in very spotty numbers off the marina docks, and other scattered locations.

Skinner: The trout bite has been honest to good on rainbow and corn floating baits or garlic marshmallows in the coves between Launch Ramps No. 1 and No. 2. There were county plants last week and three weeks ago, with the next plant set for Jan. 13. not a lot of limits, but the fish are running up to two pounds.

Elsinore: very light fishing pressure, and the catfish bite has slowed with only a few fish showing for shore anglers. A few largemouth bass on cranks and jerk baits, but the action is slow.

Corona Lake: The trout bite remains honest to good with a slowdown in the bite over the weekend. There are weekly plants of rainbows, and the bonus trophy plants over the past two weeks led to quality fish on many stringers. Ten-pound rainbows caught by Eddie Martinez, Ontario, Patrick Equipilag, Glendora, and Frank Duarte were the huge trout of the week. Martinez’ trophy topped off a nine-fish, 33-pound stringer he caught from a boat on chartreuse floating bait. Equipilag had two other trout with his 10-pounder fishing off the south shore with Power Bait The biggest fish overall reported since Christmas was a 40-pound sturgeon landed by David Rupert while fishing with a nightcrawler this past week.

Evans Lake: Slow fishing with just a few bass on small reaction baits. Panfish, catfish, and carp all very slow.

Rancho Jurupa: good trout action with DFG plants this week and two weeks ago. There was also a county plant last week and another slated for Jan 13. Alex Padenieau, Colton, had a four-pound rainbow topping his four-fish catch. Four-trout stringers were also posted by Issac Silvera and Ray Moreno, Ontario, and both stringers had two-pound trout.

Small Lake: DFG trout plants last week and three weeks ago. Honest to good trout action. A few catfish and bluegill also being landed.

Lake Hemet: The trout bite remains honest to good. most anglers fishing from shore are casting spinners or small tube baits, and bait anglers are fishing Power Bait. Best trolling action has been from the point east to the marina. No DFG plants in over a month. Bluegill, bass, catfish and carp are all slow.

Santa Ana River Lakes: A 10-pound, four-ounce rainbow captured the top spot in first event in the Lip RipperZ Tournament series held here this past Saturday. It took a trout at eight pounds or better to crack into the top 10 during the Lip RipperZ event, and the winning fish was a 10-4 caught by Geo Altamirana fishing a jig in Chris Pond. Top stringer reported was a catch of 10-fish posted by Juan Gonzalez Sr., and Juan Jr, both Fontana, that weighed in at 27 1/4 pounds, including one fish at 8 1/2 pounds.

Irvine Lake: The trout action has been excellent for trollers working the west shoreline, near the dam, at the cliffs, and through the middle part of the lake. Limits are coming on shad-like baits fishing in 30 to 40 feet of water. The trout are cruising near the surface or right along the bottom in the slightly off-color water. Top fish was an 11-2 steelhead landed by Roger Cole on a Phoebe at the cliffs . while the bass bite has slowed, there is still a pretty honest bite on two to four-pounder fishing in deeper water along the Red Clay Cliffs and off Rocky Point on jigs and drop-shot plastics. catfish, wipers, panfish all slow .

Laguna Niguel Lake: very good trout action continues after another 2,000-pound plant on Tuesday this week. The best action has been on inflated nightcrawlers dipped in garlic scent and floating baits in chartreuse and white.

Cachuma: Generally good trout action, but it was inconsistent. last plant was three weeks ago. Trolling has been the best bet from the surface down to 10 feet on smaller Rapalas and spoons in Cachuma and Santa Cruz bays. Shore anglers are getting fish at the Mohawk and Harvey’s Bay fishing piers .

Casitas: The huge plant of Nebraska Tailwalker rainbows two weeks ago (just before Christmas) continues to fuel a pretty good trout bite, and the plant had quite a few quality rainbows that continue to show. Best fish reported this past week was a 12-pounder landed by Scott Parrish on a Senko. Kei Fowler, 9, landed rainbows at six and eight pounds on nightcrawlers . The bass bite has continued honest with the best action in 25 to 45 feet on plastics, jigs, and nightcrawlers, but the warmer weather has driven some fish up shallowed in less than 20 feet in a pre-spawn movement.

Castaic: The trout bite has been honest to good at the main ramp after a DFG plant last Tuesday (Dec. 27) and another plant three weeks ago. The best bite has been on garlic and rainbow Power Bait and small spinners. The striper bite remains slow with light fishing pressure. There are still some random boils when anglers can get fish on top on Spooks, Flukes, and jerk baits, and a few fish have shown around the main and west ramps looking for trout.

Piru: very light fishing pressure, but the bass bite has continued pretty week for anglers fishing deeper water with plastics, jigs, and nightcrawlers.

Pyramid: Trout were planted two weeks ago, and the bite has remained honest in the marina on small lures, flies, and floating baits. most of the rainbows are pan-sized. The striped bass are slow to honest in the marina area and the inlet. most are one to three-pounds, with some four and five pounders.

Lower Otay: There were 61 anglers who caught 35 bass, eight bluegill to a pound, two crappie to 1.85 pounds, one channel cat and one blue catfish over the three fishing days this past week. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday schedule .

Upper Otay: There were four anglers who landed three bass to 3.76 pounds and three bluegill to .73 pounds over the three fishing days this past week. The lake is open on a Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for catch-and-release fishing (only artificial lures with single, barbless hooks), sunrise to sunset.

Wohlford: Trout action has been good to excellent this past week after last week’s 1,500-pound trout plant. The next plant is set for Jan. 11. There have been a lot of limits, and some quality fish are spicing up the catch. The best rainbow reported, and the new top fish of the season, was a 9.9-pounder landed by Jared Parker. The best bite has been in Boat Dock Cove, along the Senior Shoreline, and the cove adjacent to the south shore rock pile.

Poway: Trout action has been good since the trophy trout plants on Dec. 21 and 28 with quite a few trophy trout landed. Next plant will be 1,500 pounds of Nebraska Tailwalkers on Jan. 11. Top rainbow this past week was a 13-pounder caught by Marjon Pino on a jig in Boulder Bay. The bass, panfish, and catfish are all mostly slow, with only a few bass showing on crawdad or trout-type imitations.

Jennings: The trout bite has been steadily improving with the weekly plants and the bite has been pretty good for shore anglers and just honest for trollers. Weekly plants will continue through the first week in April. The catfish bite has also remained pretty honest but is getting very small pressure. The bass bite continued to slow down and is tough with only a few fish showing in 30 to 35 feet of water .

TROUT PLANTS

San Bernardino: Glen Helen Park Lake, Mojave Narrows Park Lake, Seccombe Lake, Yucaipa Park Lake.

Riverside: Cahuilla Lake, Lake Perris, Rancho Jurupa Park Lake.

Los Angeles: Castaic Lake, El Dorado Park Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Hansen Dam Lake, Legg Lakes, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir, Santa Fe Dam.

Orange: Carr Park Lake, Eisenhower Park Lake, Greer Park Lake, Huntington Central Park Lake.

San Diego: Chollas Reservoir, Lake Cuyamaca, Lindo Lake, Lower Otay Reservoir.

Inyo: Owens River (from Stewart Lane to Laws, and below Tinemaha Reservoir).

Imperial: Sunbeam Lake, Wiest Lake.

Fresno: Avocado Lake, Kings River below Pine Flat Reservoir, San Joaquin River below Friant Dam, Woodward Park Lake.

OCEAN REPORT

Long Range: The long range fleet is running 18 to 22-day trips to the tuna grounds off Cabo San Lucas and finding exceptional fishing on giant yellowfin tuna.

Rockfish closed: The local half- and three-quarter day boat fleet – saddled with the season rockfish closure and new MLPA restrictions – are turning to nearshore shallow waters. The bite has been surprisingly good for sculpin, perch, croaker, whitefish, along with a smattering of calico and sand bass or an occasional halibut.

Local Islands: Continued tough fishing at both Catalina and San Clemente. There is a tremendous volume of squid at the islands, and there are both white seabass and yellowtail on this bait, but they have been extremely boat and line shy.

Hoop-Netting: The twilight lobster trips are still seeing very consistent action. The Jig Strike out of H&M Landing was out with 10 anglers Monday and they returned with 18 lobster, two rock crabs, and one spider crab.

LAST FRIDAY was one of those cool and placid days when the glassy water perfectly mirrors the world above it, when a fishing boat floats as still as a pond lily, and when the slow “pumper” bite of a sturgeon, often nearly invisible, is so plain to see that it can yank a sleepy angler straight out of a daydream.

But there was no time for dozing after San Rafael fisherman Sean Daugherty and two fishing friends dropped anchor in San Pablo Bay on the warm November day — because the sturgeon fishing was hot. Striped bass were present, too, and sharks and rays were gliding across the seafloor on their own never-ending prowl for edibles — such as pricey mud shrimp — and the anglers’ stash of bait would go fast. the first sturgeon came for San Francisco fisherman Allan Choy. his rod tip arced slowly but firmly toward the water several times before he set the hook, felt the solid resistance that assures that a sturgeon is online, and passed the rod to fellow angler Marc Bainbridge.

“I’ve caught my share of sturgeon,” Choy said. “I wanted to make sure Mark got to experience the thrill.”

After a brief struggle, the fish came in — a 41/4-footer — and was quickly let go. Then Daugherty, who has caught more sturgeon in the past three seasons than he can count, hooked up. his fish fought heroically — though it didn’t need to. After a dramatic, acrobatic fight, it was measured at the boat side at 72 inches. and finally, Bainbridge hooked up. He passed the rod to Choy — favor returned — who pulled in a 47-incher. the day was done, the mud shrimp expended, and a “limit” of sturgeon released.

But for Daugherty, the weekend had just begun. He returned to the water the next day, to an “undisclosed location” in San Pablo Bay, and along with mill Valley’s Mike Hale and San Rafael’s Trevor Henley, caught, admired, and released sturgeon nearly all day long. Bat rays, white croakers, and several small striped bass filled in the downtime, and the day was simply action-packed. four of the sturgeon arrived during a frantic 30-minute spell at the day’s end — including a very rare white sturgeon double hookup. the day’s lunker was a 75-incher caught by Hale, released gently without removal from the water. the total count for the boat was six sturgeon, all let go.

That same day, Sean Treaci, captain of the six-pack party boat Mini-Me of Fisherman’s Wharf, motored to San Pablo Bay and hooked a pair of clients into keeper fish, with two other sturgeon lost mid-fight. Meanwhile, anglers on the McNears Pier caught three sturgeon that Saturday — including a large oversized fish — according to Keith Fraser at Loch Lomond Bait Shop, who says nearly all sturgeon caught recently have been taken on mud shrimp.

Finally, Jim Cox, captain of the Loch Lomond six-packer Touch of Gray, showed two clients from Ohio a healthy 50-inch sturgeon near the Pumphouse in San Pablo Bay on Monday. the fish, photographed and admired briefly, still swims today. Next week’s huge tides should stir up the activity again.

In the ocean, fishermen dropping crab gear are finding their pots loaded after several hours soaking or less — all the time it’s taking for some to break away to the Islands or the Marin coastline and crank up limits of rockfish and a few lingcod. But the opening of the commercial crab season, as it always does, will start to slow the action for recreational fishermen. so fill your traps before the crabs are swept up and into the retail and restaurant markets.

Since my last column, in which I reported that the Fish and Game Commission would be meeting in February in San Diego to address the state’s proposal to virtually lift fishing restrictions off of striped bass, the details of the meeting have changed. It is now to be held in Sacramento. I’ll provide details when the day grows nearer.

There have been no recent trout plants in Marin lakes. Latest info: call the Marin Municipal Water District at 945-1194.

Alastair Bland is a Bay Area fisherman. Send him stories, photos or video to allybland@yahoo.com or call the IJ sports desk at 382-7206. Check out his blog at blogs.marinij.com/fishing_in_marin/

Yuma weather is certainly cooperating for those of us who are getting ready to hunt dove during the late season beginning Friday. a good time now for that necessary scouting to locate nesting and feeding sites so you’ll be ready to fill your game bag at nearby locations. Don’t forget the quail season is still open as well — the two seasons can provide lots of outdoors experiences for us to enjoy along with a bonus of a share of mighty fine eating to boot.Game and Fish reminds us there is no need to get out early in the day as we had to during the earlier hunt, rather for us to take advantage of late afternoons and early evenings while the birds are on their way to feeding and nesting areas. Review your dove regulations for reminder of all the things we all should know for the hunt. If you plan to hunt during the archery-only deer season beginning Dec. 9, be aware that the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is closed because of hurt done during recent wildfires. But, there are other areas still open not too far from Yuma so it’s not a total loss. Muzzleloader deer seasons coming up will start Dec. 16. Along with visiting Game and Fish for permits, be sure to check the 2011-12 Hunt Regulations to be sure of being familiar with all the do’s and don’ts before taking to the field. If you plan a January deer hunt be sure to get the 2012 license prior to the hunt. Hunt happenings• Concealed Carry: the next CCW class being held at Sprague’s Sports with instructor Matt Dusek will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3. the cost is $89. call Sprague’s at 726-0022 to sign up or for information. the next 1st Shots Class will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at the shop.• National Recognition: Game and Fish reports Eddy Corona, one of Arizona’s leading hunter conservationists, is in the running for the “mentor of the Year” award from the North American Hunting Club for his dedication to introducing youngsters to the fantastic outdoors. Eddie of Ahwatukee, is a Arizona native longtime sportsman and co-founder of Outdoor Experience 4 All (OE4A), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing an enjoyable outdoor adventure to children with life-threatening illnesses.Surveys have shown that mentoring is critical for continuing the hunting and angling heritage to those that may not have a family member or connection to these American pastimes — mentors like Corona and OE4A do a good job of introducing first-timers, youngsters and their families to an array of outdoor experiences, including firearm safety, hunting, fishing, cooking wild game, wildlife conservation, wildlife biology/ecology and camping skills providing the one-on-one support that is so vital at mentored events. the North American Hunting Club Mentor of the Year will be determined by online voting. Voting is open to the public at nahcmentor.com now through Nov. 27 so take advantage and cast your vote. If you’re interested in learning about the mentoring programs and upcoming events, visit azgfd.gov/outdoorskills.• Southwest Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee: those interested in assisting with wildlife habitat and mentoring programs through the Yuma Chapter of HPC are welcome to attend Saturday’s meeting being held at the Game and Fish Yuma Regional Office at 2 p.m. Hope to see you there!• Successful Deer Hunter: Congratulations to Tanner Mellon who harvested his monster buck deer at Unit 39 during his recent hunt. good hunting — Job well done!Fishing clubs• Desert Bass Anglers: Dec. 3 President’s choice Tournament for existing members only launching out of Fisher’s Landing followed by a really fantastic dinner at 2 p.m. call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.• Yuma Pro Am: Buy a nice toy for the Toys for Tots Program, then get signed up online Dec. 5-10 with the draw on the 10th at Baron Fuels to fish the Dec. 11 Tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Turn in your toy at weigh-in. call Bob La Londe at 580-1270 or visit yumaproam.com.• Swede Ferguson Monthly big Bass Fish Off: Sign up with $10 to fish through the end of the month with weigh in at the Gas Dock. the Largest Fish is determined the last day of the month and takes the whole pot. call Jimmy Phipps at 782-2207.• Bass Class on the Water: Learn how, when and where to catch bass at Yuma area waters with all the tips of the trade included. Instructional Seminars are also available for RV Parks and Home Groups — call Dave Willhide at 782-2621.Shooting sports• Practice makes Perfect: Get together with any of the shooting clubs listed below for that necessary practice for a successful hunt. With dove, quail and deer seasons under way or getting very close, that extra practice might be just enough to fill that freezer with ever-so-tasty game meat. call the following clubs.• Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are welcome to shoot the trail of 3D animals at 8 a.m. each Sunday at the Foothills Archery Range east of the Foothills, south of I-8 at the foot of the Gila Mountains. Adult shoot fees are $5 ($3 with the annual $20 range fee). Youngsters are always free with use of shooting equipment available upon request — call Jean Wilson at 247-4450.• Southwest Bowhunters: Today is the final day of the Annual Walk the Trail Invitational with shooting from daylight until noon when scores will be final. Awards to 3rd place in each class. Check next week’s column for complete results or call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 9 a .m. Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Adair Park. call Gary Knight at 210-0805.• Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Open black powder matches first and third Saturdays each month with the monthly meeting preceding the shooting on the first Saturday. All times are 8:30 a.m. call Dennis Hansel at 342-7573.• Cholla Gun Club: Fun Matches at 8:30 a.m. Fridays at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range for .22 rifles and pistols. call Glenda or Rick at 502-0736.• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Long range match today for civilian, service, women, men and junior shooters who sign 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.

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers, anglers, guides and local businesses. Conditions may vary as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

East–Central, including the Pecos River

Coyote Creek — The flow is .92 cfs. no report.

Pecos River — The flow is 36 cfs. Warmer weather has improved the fishing on the Pecos. Blue winged olives are really the only dry fly game left on the Pecos. If fish aren’t coming up try a dry dropper rig, a flashback pheasant tail or a tungsten micro may. Spinners, worms and Power Bait are also catching fish.

Conchas Lake — Fishing is reported as slow overall. North Dock reports that white bass are being taken in 40 to 45 feet of water when suspended at 15 feet with jigs and slabs and when trolling. no report on other species.

Morphy Lake — The lake has closed for the season and will reopen next spring.

Santa Rosa Lake — No report.

Storrie Lake — Fishing is honest to excellent for trout using Power Bait, cheese balls and worms.

Sumner Lake — Lake levels are low due to downstream irrigation demands. State Parks closed the boat ramp. a special fish salvage order has been canceled; all regular bag limits apply.

Ute Lake — The main lake is clear and the river arms are lightly stained. White bass are fishing excellent on the main lake when using slabs in 25 to 30 feet of water. Large and smallmouth bass are reported as slow. Walleye are fishing slow with reports of catching one here and there, but still scattered. some fish are being picked up when trolling vibrating blades and slabs. Channel catfish are reported as brilliant with stink baits and chicken liver fished near brush in 8 to 12 feet of water.

Northeast

Cimarron River — The flow below Eagle Nest Dam is 2.5 cfs and 8.7 cfs near Cimarron. Flows are down for the winter. Check the flows before you go. Releases below 25 cfs make for slow fishing.

Costilla Creek — The flow is 10 cfs near the town of Costilla. Fishing is reported as slow below the Valle Vidal boundary. Anglers are having success with dry droppers and various bed headed nymphs close to the banks. Check the flows before you go. Water levels are very low and fish are spooky.

Red River — Flows are 15 cfs near Questa and 45 cfs below the hatchery. Fishing for trout is reported as honest to excellent with better fishing on the lower stretches. Fish are being caught with all methods.

Rio Grande — Flows are 325 cfs near Cerro and 476 cfs below the Taos Junction Bridge. Trout fishing is honest to excellent with fish while weather holds. Bead-headed nymphs, worms and spinners are all working. Pike fishing is reported as off and on using red and white lures. no report on bass.

Rio Hondo — The flow is 18 cfs and fishing is reported as honest from mile marker 8 up to mile marker 16 when using dry flies, small spinners and worms.

Rio Pueblo — The flow is 10 cfs. The fishing is honest for trout when using flies, small spinners and worms.

Cabresto Lake — The lake is closed for repairs to the dam.

Charette Lakes — Closed for the season and will reopen next spring.

Clayton Lake — Closed for the season and will reopen next spring.

Eagle Nest Lake – Fishing remains the same and continues to be excellent. The perch are reported as excellent from shore and better from anchored boats. Trolling is great for trout using lightweight tackle. Trout fishing is excellent when trolling topwater gear and hit and miss from the bank using Power Bait. Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season Oct. 1-Dec. 31. Salmon snagging has not yet kicked in at the lake. a few fish have been snagged but very slow.

Lake Alice and Lake Maloya — Fishing is excellent on Lake Maloya for trout. Fish are being landed using Power Bait and salmon eggs from shore. fly fishing is reported as excellent in the early mornings and late evenings. Lake Alice has been affected by runoff from the fire and no fishing is reported there.

Maxwell Lakes — The lake has closed for the season and will reopen next spring.

Shuree Ponds — The water level on the upper pond is reported to quite low. not much traffic to get a excellent picture of the fishing conditions. The fish are pooled up and very spooky.

Springer Lakes — No report. As a side note, Springer Lake is closed to ice fishing.

Northwest

Animas River — The flow is 354 cfs. Flows have come up from runoff and the water is murky. The river is reported as excellent for trout using various bead-headed nymphs, spinners and worms.

Chama River — Upper section flow is 86 cfs. Below El Vado Lake, the flow is 95 cfs and the flow below Abiquiu Lake is 91 cfs. The upper Chama flowing downstream to the village of Chama and into El Vado reservoir is excellent with all methods reported working. Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging

Season Oct. 1-Dec. 31 — Chama River from El Vado Lake to west boundary of Rio Chama Wildlife and Fishing Area. The river below El Vado is fishing excellent to brilliant. The water is at a perfect flow. All methods are catching fish with limits of rainbows being taken. Brown trout are reported being landed using black and gold Panther Martins. Below Abiquiu

Lake fishing is reported as honest to slow using Power Bait, worms, spinners and bead headed nymphs.

San Juan River: Upper section — Catch and Release flow is 504 cfs. a $300,000 fish habitat project on the trophy trout waters of the San Juan River was in full swing Nov. 1, when crews go heavy equipment into a popular stretch of the river. Water flow from Navajo Dam will be reduced to 350 cubic feet per second to accommodate the equipment needed to improve trout habitat in “The Braids,” a small section of the river above Texas Hole, approximately one mile downstream from the dam. Anglers will not be allowed in the construction area for about 30 days. The project is designed to enhance fishing opportunities by creating deeper pools for fish during periods of low flow from Navajo Dam. The estimated completion date is Jan. 8.

Abiquiu Lake — Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season Oct. 1-Dec. 31. not much has changed at the lake and conditions remain the same. Fishing is slow for all species including walleye with smaller-sized fish being caught. no report on salmon or other species.

El Vado Lake — Trout fishing is reported as slow to honest with better reports from the Chama River inlet and the dam. Fish are being landed with worms, salmon eggs, Power Bait and spinners. The main boat ramp is open but the primitive ramps are closed due to low water. Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging

Season Oct. 1-Dec. 31. Salmon snagging is continues to be honest to excellent on the north side of the lake. Park at the gate just below the Stone House Lodge and walk down to the dirt boat ramp for the best access.

Heron Lake — Kokanee salmon snagging is prohibited and it is unlawful to possess kokanee salmon Oct. 1-Nov. 10 at Heron Lake and Willow Creek. Snagging season will be open at Heron Lake and Willow Creek Nov. 11-Dec. 31. Reports of rainbow trout and lake trout are excellent from shore when using roe sacks. Trout are also fishing excellent with spinners and worms. If you hook into a salmon be sure to release it.

Jackson Lake — Trout fishing is reported as honest using Power Bait, salmon eggs and worms from shore. Spinners and black wooly buggers are reported working well on the back side of the lake.

Lake Farmington — Trout fishing is reported as excellent using Power Bait, salmon eggs and worms. Best success is reported close to the dam.

Morgan Lake — Fishing is slow for bass with very little traffic at the lake.

Navajo Lake — Special Kokanee Salmon Snagging Season Oct. 1-Dec. 31. Salmon snagging continues to be reported as excellent at Simms Marina and at the dam. no reports on other species.

West-Central, including the Jemez Mountains

Jemez River, East Fork, Guadalupe and San Antonio — Flow on the Jemez River is 24 cfs. Excellent news for anglers: The Jemez River has been heavily stocked with 2,720 rainbow trout. Fishing should be excellent for trout ranging from 10 to 12 inches. The East Fork and The San Antonio still remain slow due to the conditions left by the fire. The Cebolla and the Rio de las Vacas/Guadalupe watershed continue to be excellent choices for anglers to catch fish. The Rio de las Vacas was stocked with 475 rainbow trout last week. All methods are reported working.

Metro Drainages — Stocking will start up soon, no report as of yet.

Bluewater Lake — Fishing for trout is reported as honest to excellent. some anglers are reporting success with most methods working. The tiger muskies are fishing excellent for the smaller juvenile fish. The fish reported were caught on rattletraps while trolling and jerk baits from shore. Catfish are reported as honest with several landed using stink baits and chicken liver.

Cochiti Lake — Reports of a few catfish and bluegill being taken, but traffic is light. Fenton Lake – Fishing for trout is reported as honest to excellent with worms and Power Bait. Tingley Beach Trout fishing in the Tingley Beach Children’s and Central Ponds has been excellent. Best reports are from anglers using lures. no reports from glide-rod anglers at the South/Catch and Release Pond.

Southwest

Gila River — The flow is 27 cfs and fishing is slow with the best success in the upper reaches of the river on the West, East and Middle forks.

Rio Grande — The flow is 3.7 cfs below Elephant Butte Dam. no report.

Bill Evans Lake — no report.

Caballo Lake — Fishing is slow. Water levels are very low. Best bet is below spillway on the Rio Grande at Percha State Park.

Elephant Butte Lake — Fishing for white bass is reported as honest in 20-25 feet of water. Anglers are having success with shiners, slabs and spinners. no report on striped bass. Catfish are reported as excellent on the north end of the lake on trot lines baited with liver and stink bait. no report on other species.

Glenwood Ponds — Fishing is honest for trout when using Pistol Petes, worms and Power Bait.

Lake Roberts — Fishing is reported as excellent for catfish with liver and worms. Trout fishing is reported as honest with worms. no report on other species.

Quemado Lake — Trout fishing is reported as honest. Anglers are having success using green Power Bait. no report on the tiger muskies.

Southeast

Rio Ruidoso — Flow is 0.39 cfs in town and 4.8 cfs at Hollywood. Fishing is reported as honest to excellent on the lower stretches of the river where the flows are a bit higher. Best bet is to fish the deeper holes were fish will be holding in the low water conditions..

Bonito Lake — Trout fishing continues to be excellent in the mornings and evenings. green and yellow Power Bait, spinners and black woolly boogers our reported working well. The lake closes for the season Nov. 30. The lake was stocked with 3,000 triploid rainbow trout last week.

Bottomless Lakes — no report, but winter stocking has begun and fishing should be excellent at Cottonwood and Devils Inkwell. The lakes were stocked with 156 triploid rainbow trout last week.

Brantley Reservoir — There has been light pressure and no current report. a mandatory catch and release is in place at Brantley Lake because pesticides have been found in the fish. Do not keep or eat them.

Grindstone Reservoir – Fishing is reported as excellent for trout using worms, Power Bait and Pistol Petes.

Copyright ©2010. The associated Press. Produced by NewsOK.com all rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.  

Bass fishing fans can meet two Oklahoma pros Saturday at Lucky Lure Tackle in Oklahoma City.

Jeff Kriet of Ardmore and Kenyon Hill of Norman will be greeting customers at the store located at 9427 N May Ave. in the Britton Square Shopping Center.

Kriet has been fishing on the Bassmaster Elite Series for 10 years. He recently won the head-to-head Ultimate Match Fishing and earned $50,000.

Hill also fishes on the Bassmaster Elite Series where he has won three times. Hill has been a professional bass angler for 25 years.

Arcadia Lake meeting on Wednesday

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will present its five-year management plot for Arcadia Lake during a public meeting Wednesday.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the Arcadia Outdoor Education Training Center, 7201 E 33 St. in Edmond.

The fisheries division will outline its plot and discuss game fish populations, fish stocking, habitat enhancement and more.

Arcadia Lake anglers are encouraged to attend and ask questions or make suggestions.

For more information, call Keith Thomas at 325-7288.

Fall RV show opens Thursday

The annual fall RV show and closeout sale opens Thursday at State Honest Park.

The four-day show will be held in the Cox Pavilion and Travel and Transportation Building.

The show will include motor homes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, sport utility RVs and pop-up campers.

The price of admission is $8 per person on Saturday and Sunday. Price of admission is $4 on Thursday and Friday. Admission is free for ages 12 and younger.

Midwest City man wins bass tourney for soldiers

Jim Schatz of Midwest City won the National Guard FLW Soldier Appreciation Bass Tournament held Sept. 30 on Grand Lake.

Fishing with Wal-mart FLW Bass Fishing League boater Lloyd Davenport of Stillwater, the tandem won with a three-bass total of 8 pounds, 10 ounces.

Each of the anglers in the tournament were members of the Oklahoma National Guard and most had at least one tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Moore, Stillwater anglers on top

Shonn Goodwin of Moore caught a two-day total of 31 pounds last weekend to win the Wal-mart BFL Okie Division bass tournament on Grand Lake.

Goodwin earned $5,997 plus a $1,000 Mercury bonus.

Stillwater’s Dale Roden boated 17 pounds, 7 ounces during the two days to win the co-angler division and $2,999.

Hunting grounds reopened

Recreational and hunting areas on the Chickasaw National Recreation Area near Sulphur re-opened last week.

The Rock Creek multi-use area, used for hiking, biking, bow hunting and horseback riding, had been closed since Aug. 19 due to the record drought and extreme fire danger.

The land designated for public hunting provides habitat for deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrel, dove and quail.

For more information, call the Travertine Nature Center at (580) 622-7234.

BioBlitz at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area

The Oklahoma Biological Survey’s annual BioBlitz will be Friday and Saturday at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area near Sulphur.

Biologists and volunteers will count as many species as possible within 24 hours.

For more information, call 325-7658.

Trout Unlimited meeting on Tuesday

The 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Oklahoma City at the Sportsman Country Club, 4001 NW 39.

A presentation on making and fishing with bamboo fly rods is scheduled as well as election of officers and board members.

For more information, call Greg Mann at 401-3784 or Chuck Kaminski at 973-4571.

Sports Photo Galleriesview all

There no longer are any biologists working for the Department of Fish and Game.

That’s not a surprise to the sportsmen (who fund these jobs) who haven’t seen much biology being done over the last decade or more. the state budget managers continue to pretend their money crunch also affects the Fish and Game Preservation Fund (hunting and fishing license, tag and stamp dollars) and have continued robbing from this program and inappropriately allocating money to fund environmental work that only obliquely has anything to do with game species.

The reality is that fund has continued to grow through increases in license fees (in spite of dramatically declining numbers of hunters and fishermen).

Now, in a step that will make the transition of the state agency supposedly managing game and fish – those species hunted and caught by license- buying residents and nonresidents – into another do-nothing state agency, all “biologists” have been reclassified as “environmental scientists.”

There will be 230 of them statewide getting salary increases from 2.3-5 percent to have a dubious title and no real work plans to make things better for game species or sportsmen in this state. the title sort of assures this. is an environmental scientist going to get dirty digging out a guzzler, or slimy marking bass for a survey?

The state has been moving away from managing game species for decades, doing away with the regional wildlife and fishery biologist classifications a number of years ago. Those people once were funded out of our license dollars and mostly did work on the ground for sportsmen in the regions they worked. They did annual deer surveys and brood counts on quail and chukar, making recommendations on fall hunting seasons.

They surveyed wild trout populations and bass numbers and made recommendations for species regulations or planting programs, if needed. They would coordinate habitat improvement projects, intervene when federal agencies or private developers wanted to do something that would negatively impact sportsmen or wildlife, and administer surveys of sportsmen.

They answered their phone when hunters and fishermen called and checked on problems reported or answered questions about the resource. They worked for sportsmen and once upon a time did a splendid job.

This past year, as far as I can tell, no on-the-ground surveys of quail and chukar were conducted. I reckon only one or two deer zones were surveyed, but I’m really not sure anything was done with deer in Southern California – and I mean anything other than water work conducted by volunteers. I can’t tell you the last time I heard about a trout survey being done in one of our local streams with wild trout populations.

I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and I honestly don’t remember when there was a deer check station set up opening weekend or even a mailed request for teeth to do some basic age work on the deer taken, work the biologists once did to gauge the health of our herds.

Oh, there’s been a splendid litany of work done at Diamond Valley Lake, but a full-time DFG person was assigned there because the position was paid with mitigation money and he had a stout budget, but it’s a great example of how excellent all of our local lakes could be with a little effort and follow-through from a field biologist.

Wait, never mind. we don’t have those anymore.

I remember when annual surveys of deer in the southern Sierra led to two late-season hunts in X10 as the deer came onto winter range south of Lone Pine in the steep eastern slopes of the range. I don’t reckon there’s been a winter survey there in more than 15 years, and those hunts don’t exist any more, for that reason. we could still have those hunts, but that annual work was done by a excellent field biologist.

Wait, never mind. we don’t have those anymore.

And quite frankly, I’m not sure we’ve had any excellent field biologists for many years. I can name several from days gone by, but they’re all either dead or retired. I’m not saying there’s a cause-effect relationship, but I know a lot of longtime, mostly worthless DFG administrators who are glad those old field biologists are gone. Those ancient-timers knew what they were supposed to be doing.

MATTHEWS’ PICKS OF THE WEEK

1. Castaic Lake again gets the top spot because the bite has pretty much wide open this past week with a very excellent topwater bite and very consistent bait action. the lake is also producing a nice average size fish (two to four pounds) and enough larger fish into the six to eight pound range and occasionally larger to make things fascinating.

2. the Diamond Valley Lake striper bite is also very excellent and many anglers are still getting limits of stripers every trip to the lake. Most of the action is for bait fishermen or trollers, but there have also been some surface boils. the bulk of the action is under schools of shad which have been clumped up along the south shoreline and around the inlet-outlet tower. Most are six pounds and under.

3. the action has been simply spectacular on Humboldt squid to eight pounds at ocean spots from San Diego to Santa Monica with some boats returned with over 2,000 squid in the past week. There seemed to be signs this bite was waning at mid-week, but if the squid stay up and active off the local coast, it will continue to be a top pick. this is a hot bite, but definitely one you will want to call ahead to check on before heading out.

FRESHWATER HOT SPOTS

Trout: best action in Southern California has been at Jenks Lake, Green Valley Lake, and big Bear Lake. Limits are pretty simple at Lake Hemet for experienced trollers, but shore anglers near the dam are also getting fish. Green Valley and big Bear can be tougher, but both are still producing a lot of fish. There are also occasional holdover fish being landed by deep trollers or bait anglers at Cachuma and Silverwood, and Casitas is even tougher. the bite remains fair to excellent at Cuyamaca. Trout action in the Sierra Nevada remains fair to excellent overall, with the June Lake loop (especially Silver), Virginia Lakes, and Bridgeport Reservoir all top bets.

Black Bass: Most of the lakes in the region are still seeing excellent topwater and reaction bait action early and late in the day. During the day, the fish generally sound to deeper structure where they can be caught on dark plastics, but that bite is much tougher. Top bets are still Diamond Valley and Lake Perris surged on even more this week. Other decent are Sutherland, Otay, El Capitan, Skinner, Silverwood, Casitas, Castaic, Piru, and Cachuma. on the Central Coast, Santa Margarita, Nacimiento, San Antonio, and Lopez are all still pretty fair for bass.

Striped Bass: Striper bites continued excellent this past week with Castaic, Pyramid and Diamond Valley still the top bets for topwater action and getting nice stringers of fish. Silverwood and Skinner are both fair to excellent. San Antonio on the Central Coast remains a top bet with excellent quality (six to 12 pounds). on the Colorado River, there have been a lot of quality fish to 20 pounds or better at Willow Beach.

Panfish: There’s very excellent bluegill and redear action at Diamond Valley Lake, Perris, and Skinner. the redear bite is also still fair in Havasu and Topoc Gorge area on the Colorado River. Piru, Castaic and Casitas are fair to excellent on the bluegill and/or redear, too. the Henshaw crappie bite has been very excellent this past week with fish to three pounds. Other crappie bites of note include those at Cachuma and Piru.

Catfish: the Colorado River is fair to excellent for catfish with flatheads and channels showing in excellent numbers. the action has been excellent on flatheads to 35 pounds and channels to eight pounds most weeks, but there is still light fishing in this region and reports are fleeting. Southern California lakes are all fair to excellent. Catfish planting season is winding most places. Top picks are Hesperia Lake, Corona Lake, and Santa Ana River Lakes, which are all still being planted with cats each week. a big load of trophy cats this week at SARL and Corona.

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN WATERS

Silverwood: the catfish bite has been excellent, especially in Cleghorn and Miller canyons, but with fish showing at the dam, the main channel, and Outhouse Canyons. best baits have been chicken liver, shrimp and mackerel fished in 20 to 40 feet of water. Phillip Gregson, Barstow, landed a five-pound cat in Miller on chicken liver. the stripers are fair to excellent and have been getting better this past week. best bite has been in Quarry Cove and at the dam on anchovies with flurries of action on shad-like swimbaits. John Deagan, Riverside, had three stripers to seven pounds on anchovies at the dam, while Linda Wade, Victorville, had four stripers to six pounds on anchovies and nightcrawlers in Quarry Cove. There has been a excellent largemouth bite in Twin Cove and Live Oak on Power Worms and jerkbaits. the bluegill remain hot in the marina area.

Huge Bear Lake: the trout bite had been fair to excellent this past week, especially for trollers fishing in 12 to 20 feet of water. the best action is still from the west ramp to the dam and into Papoose Bay. Most trollers are using a variety of spoons fished behind just two to four colors of lead core. Bait anglers are using a slip bobber in 12 to 20 feet of water and floating dough baits. the trout are two distinct sizes, either fresh DFG pan-sized at eight to 10 inches or nicer holdover trout often topping two pounds. the bass action is fair around the observatory and north shore toward Grout Bay. TroutFest, a tagged trout tournament, will be this weekend with 1,000 anglers expected to attend.

Green Valley Lake: the trout action was fair to excellent with quite limits still showing with some quality fish in the mix. Floating dough baits, small jigs and trout plastics fished in the morning and evening are still the best bet. Joel Adams, San Bernardino, had a 6.3-pound rainbow on a motor oil jig, while Jimmy Bon, Green Valley Lake, landed a 6.1-pounder (and released a trio of three-pounders) using sparkle jigs.

Jenks Lake Region: Trout action has been fair to excellent with a lot of limits reported over the past week for float tube anglers. Shore-bound anglers are having a tougher go due to weeds along the shore. Top action on floating baits and small jigs and lures. the DFG planted trout this week and two weeks ago. Most of the trout are pan-sized, but some to 2-8. the Santa Ana River in the Seven Oaks area and the South Fork were both planted two and four weeks ago.

HIGH DESERT LAKES

Hesperia Lake: the catfish bite has been excellent early and late in the day and at night with a lot of limits and some quality brood stock reported. There are weekly stocks of catfish, including trophy brood stock fish in each planting on Monday. these plants will continue until mid-October. the best action has been on cut mackerel or shrimp, but the marshmallow-meal worm combo is excellent.

Jess Ranch: the trout bite stayed hot again this past week with excellent action on fish averaging about two pounds. the bite is still best morning or later in the afternoon, but the excellent-bite window is expanding. best bite has been on Power Bait, nightcrawlers, jigs, and a wide variety of small trout lures. Ricardo Muniz landed an 8.1-pound rainbow. the bass bite also improved with Senkos and drop-shotted plastics, and quite a few catfish have been reported again on cut baits with fish to five pounds on stringers.

INLAND VALLEY LAKES

Prado: the catfish bite has been fair, even with no plants for three weeks. the best bite has been near Parking Lot no. 7 on nightcrawlers. the largemouth bass are slow but a few are showing on the south side across from the boat dock. Bluegill remain fair along most shorelines on meal worms or nightcrawlers pieces.

Yucaipa: Last county catfish plant of the season was August 31, and there has been a fair catfish bite since, mostly on nightcrawlers and cut baits. Also fair action on carp and bluegill along with an occasional bass being caught. Trout plants scheduled to start in November.

Mount Baldy Trout Pools: the heavily stocked pools are open every Saturday and Sunday. no fishing license is needed. Information: 909-982-4246.

Puddingstone: slow to fair overall action. There has been a pretty decent bluegill and redear bite off and around the southeast pier (nearest the trailer park), but the bass have been spotty with only a few fish on topwater and crankbaits. DFG catfish plants this week and two weeks ago.

Seccombe Lake: Few reports. a carp continue to show on bread dough or corn under a bobber. Most are smaller fish to two pounds. a few small bass and bluegill are also showing, and the odd catfish is being landed.

SELECTED AREA LAKES

Diamond Valley: Not much change here with excellent striper action, including some early morning boils. Bait anglers fishing cut bait or spoons below schools of shad along the south shoreline or at the inlet-outlet towers continue to report limits. Lots of four to six pound stripers with quite a few larger fish to 10 pounds. the largemouth bass bite is very excellent with some surface action early and then a very steady bite in 18 to 40 feet of water on worms, jigs, spoons, jerkbaits, and deep-running cranks, with the best bite on the dam and along the south shoreline. Also excellent catfish action on cut baits and nightcrawlers in 20 to 30 feet of water in most coves. Bluegill are fair to excellent in 10 to 15 foot depths.

Perris: the bass and panfish bites remain excellent here but the fishing pressure is very light. the bass have been best off the points with topwater in the mornings and plastics later in the day. Lots of two to three-pound fish and some better.

Skinner: the stripers have been boiling at the inlet, east end, and south bay areas and the action remains pretty excellent on jerkbaits, anchovies, or chicken liver. Most are small, under three pounds, but some larger. Pat Sio landed three stripers to six pounds at the dam on anchovies. the catfish action is even better than the stripers with quite a few quality fish and some nice stringers reported. the bluegill bite is still excellent all along the south shoreline. the largemouth bass action is fair early and late in the day with the best bite along the south shore and into the east end. drop-shot plastics. no carp reports.

Elsinore: the catfish bite has finally started to slow down, but the bite is still fair to excellent and fishing pressure is very light. the fish showing are still nice quality cats to eight pounds with an occasional larger fish. the bluegill are still very excellent.

Corona Lake: the lake’s trophy catfish population swelled last week after a huge plant of fish to 20 pounds, and the parade of big fish coming out of the lake has been steady ever since. Top fish reported so far has been a 15 1/2-pounder that topped off a whopping seven-fish, 57-pound stringer landed by Derick Tran and Tuan and Hoang Mai on fresh mackerel from a boat. Duval Thomas, Ontario, landed seven cats for 40 1/2 pounds, including one at 10 pounds, also fishing shrimp off J.D.’s Point. Eric Hyde, Rancho Cucamonga, had 12 cats for 33 1/2 pounds. Tom and Janice Tongdee, both Redlands, had five cats for 31 pounds, including a nine-pounder. the catfish plants are twice a week at Corona Lake.

Evans Lake: Mostly tough action with just a few bass and a few panfish for the bank walkers. the bass are best on small reaction baits and topwater early and late, while the bluegill are still best on wax worms or meal worms fished near structure. Also some carp showing on dough baits.

Rancho Jurupa: Final catfish plant of the season went in two weeks ago, but a few cats to a couple pounds are still showing.

Lake Hemet: Excellent to brilliant trout action continues with many anglers getting limits or near limits. the most recent DFG trout plant was two weeks ago. Trolling or bait fishing in 25 to 40 feet of water in the Triangle is the best bet. Most of the rainbows are eight to 14 inches long wit a few larger holdover fish.

Santa Ana River Lakes: Last week’s plant of trophy-sized catfish weighed down the scales the past few days with many anglers’ stringers having one or more fish topping eight pounds. the largest catfish reported was an 18-pounder that topped off a 56 1/2-pound six-catfish stringer landed by Pablo Gomez.

Irvine Lake: Continued excellent catfish action. the cats are mostly in 15 feet or deeper water and showing on mackerel or shrimp in the evening. Boat Dock Cove and Santiago Flats have been the top spots and the evening bite has been the best. Brandon Woodward, Chino, landed a 15-7 blue cat and an 8-12 channel fishing mackerel on the flats.

Cachuma: Catfish are going strong with a lot of limits or near limits reported this past week in all the shallow coves and creek channels, with Cachuma, Santa Cruz, and Harvey’s bays all excellent bets on glide-lined mackerel.

Sweetwater Bay was the top spot, however, and fish to eight pounds reported.

Casitas: very light fishing pressure, but those few anglers fishing this past week have found pretty excellent catfish action and a decent bite on smaller bass. the cats are mostly showing on mackerel and nightcrawlers pieces in 15 to 20 feet of water off the Sunken Island and Dead Horse Canyon.

Castaic: the striper action has been brilliant this past week going into the new moon on Tuesday. the topwater bite has been happening throughout the day over much of the lake with the fish moving and working the shad. Most of this bite is on topwater lures with few anglers fishing the bait, and the fish are averaging two to four pounds.

Piru: Continued fair to excellent bass action in most coves on plastics and nightcrawlers. Some fish on cranks or surface baits early and late in the day with fish to 2-8, but nothing larger this past week. the crappie action has been fair to excellent on small jigs in Cow Cove and Reasoner Cove.

Pyramid: the striped bass topwater action remains fair to excellent with boils early and late. Most of the fish are one to three pounders, with the action best on topwater, jerk baits, and drifted baits. the bait action is still best at the dam and off the islands in 10 to 40 feet of water on anchovies glide-lined down to the fish. Excellent catfish action in the coves on cut baits.

Puddingstone: slow to fair overall action. There has been a pretty decent bluegill and redear bite off and around the southeast pier (nearest the trailer park), but the bass have been spotty with only a few fish on topwater and crankbaits. DFG catfish plants this week and two weeks ago.

Barrett: There were 108 anglers who landed 1,088 bass, 63 bluegill, and six crappie over the two fishing days this past week.

Hodges: There were 85 anglers who landed 118 bass, nine crappie, and one channel catfish over the three fishing days this past week. Bowfishing for carp is allowed at this lake.

Lower Otay: There were 25 anglers who caught 168 bass to 4.55 pounds and 83 bluegill to .68 pounds over the three fishing days this past week. Bowfishing for carp is now allowed here.

Upper Otay: There were 10 anglers who caught 26 bass to 3.52 pounds and four bluegill to .65 pounds over the three fishing days this past week.

Sutherland: There were 58 anglers who landed 83 bass to 3.6 pounds, 28 bluegill, 23 channel cats, and 14 crappie to two pounds over the three fishing days this past week. Bowfishing for carp is now allowed here.

Jennings: the catfish have moved out to deeper water and fish are being reported by Cloister Cove, the buoy line, and the east side of half Moon Cove, but getting light pressure. Mackerel and chicken liver fished in 30 feet of water the best bait and catches of one to two per angler has been the rule.

Cuyamaca: There continues to be a pretty fair trout bite, and the few anglers fishing for crappie are also seeing excellent results. Also a few cats landed each week. Trout have been best at the Lone Pine, T-Dock, and at the dam. DFG plant last week.

Henshaw: the crappie bite has been pretty excellent this past week and the quality of the fish has been very excellent with fish from one to three pounds reported by anglers fishing jigs tipped with meal worms and live minnows off the fishing pier or slow-trolling the south half of the lake.

Lake Mead: overall slow action with only spotty action on both stripers and catfish on cut anchovies or sardines in deep water under balls of shad. Most fish under four pounds. the largemouth and smallmouth bass are fair on plastics and reaction baits as the lake level continues to come up with some topwater action early and late. Fish the newly flooded brush. Redear and bluegill bite is fair with most fish in six to 20 feet of water.

Lake Mohave: the striper bite is slow to fair from the power lines to the dam at the south end of the lake. the fish are running from three to six pounds and have been chowing down on the shad in 30 to 50 feet of water.

Needles Area: There is a fair to excellent smallmouth action in the main river from Needles south to the I-40 bridge, mostly on small cranks, plastics, and nightcrawlers. the striper bite has also improved with a lot of fish to four pounds in the main river from the upper end of Topoc Gorge to Needles with most of the fish in the one- to three-pound range.

Havasu: Not a lot of change here. the largemouth and smallmouth bass are fair to excellent on topwater before the sun comes up on frogs and similar baits and then sound to deeper water on the outside edges of weed beds the rest of the day. Senkos, plastics, and deep-running cranks are getting fish then. the striper action has been very hit and miss. There have been daily boils as the fish push shad to the surface, usually early and late in the day.

Blythe: the flathead catfish bite has been pretty excellent with a lot of fish from eight to 30 pounds reported. best action on live goldfish and bluegill in the deep pools of the main river, but also quite a few fish in the area drain ditches. the blues and channels cats are also excellent, mostly on cut baits.

Yuma Area: Largemouth bass action is fair on plastics, nightcrawlers and reaction baits, with the best action on topwater baits early and late in the day. the channel catfish action also fair to excellent, mostly at night.

Salton Sea: very light fishing pressure and slow tilapia action. the few anglers fishing are still at the state park headquarters’ jetty and the free fishing jetty at the refurbished Salton Sea Yacht Club.

Bridgeport Region: Bridgeport Reservoir remains a excellent bet for bait, troll, and fly anglers fishing from the mouth of the East Walker all the way down to the public marina. Most of the fish are hanging along the weed lines with rainbows to four pounds and an occasional brown that’s larger. Twin Lakjes are all excellent with a lot of fish to two pounds on nightcrawlers and floating baits or trolled lures.

June Lake Loop Area: the trout action remains fair to excellent throughout the loop with June, Gull, Silver and Grant all producing some limits of fish, mostly pan-sized rainbows on floating baits, small trout jigs and plastics, and flies fished on top as the fish swirl. Silver Lake has been the top spot in the loop, lots of planters and lots of holdovers. Floating baits fished in deeper water are the top bet with flies a close second.

Mammoth Area: Crowley Lake has been very excellent on quality fish with the big rainbows and browns mostly working over the small perch fry. the minnows are still small, so small streamer imitations are best. the fish are starting to concentrate in the stream and river mouths.

Bishop Area: South Lake remained excellent with the best action at all three inlets, the dam, and the slide. Light line and finesse tactics are working the best. Floating baits, flies, jigs, and small spinners and spoons all are producing trout. the South Fork of Bishop Creek has been excellent.

Lake Isabella: Continued slow action overall with only a fair bite on catfish and bluegill, and little else going on. the cats are best on shad and clams in most coves with most in the 1-8 to three-pound range, but some to six or seven pounds. the bluegill bite is fair to excellent on crickets and wax worms.

TROUT PLANTS

San Bernardino: Jenks Lake.

Riverside: Diamond Valley Lake.

Inyo: Baker Creek, big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (Dam, Intake II, Middle Fork, South Fork, lower), Cottonwood Creek, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lake Sabrina, Lone Pine Creek, North Lake, Owens River (Steward Lane to Laws Bridge), Rock Creek Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek.

Mono: Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, Glass Creek, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, June Lake, Lake George, Lake Mamie, Lake Mary, Lee Vining Creek (main fork, South Fork), Robinson Creek, Rock Creek (from French Camp to upper bridge at Rock Creek Lodge and Paradise Lodge to Tuff Campground), Rush Creek, Saddlebag Lake, Silver Lake, Tioga Lake, Trumbull Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport (upper and lower), Twin Lakes Mammoth (Upper), Virginia Creek, Virginia Lakes (lower and upper), West Walker River (section 2 and section 3).

CATFISH PLANTS

The following lakes, listed by county, will be stocked this week with one-pound catfish by private hatcheries under contract with the Department of Fish and Game.

Los Angeles: Cerritos Park Lake, Downey Wilderness Park Lake, El Dorado Park lakes, John Ford Park Lake, La Mirada Lake, Legg Lakes, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir, Sante Fe Dam.

OCEAN REPORT

Long Range: the five to seven-day boats running out of San Diego to Alijos Rocks, Guadalupe Islands, and Cedros and Benitos islands are seeing brilliant fishing. Alijos has been producing yellowfin tuna to 100 pounds and excellent action on quality yellowtail in the 20-pound class.

Tuna: the action for 1 1/2 and two-day boats has continued brilliant around 150 miles south of San Diego. this area has consistently been holding tuna for the past several weeks and that didn’t change this past week with excellent scores of bluefin, yellowfin, yellowtail and a smattering of dorado.

Overnight: the bite for the one-day boats has been very tough on tuna with a few fish still in the area near the tuna pens. but the best trips have only had about one tuna per rod and some have been one per four anglers. the pressure is off here, with most skippers opting to run to the 150-mile area and get into the fish, but the few trips to this zone have been tough.

Island Updates: San Clemente Island has been mostly closed down by the Navy much of the past week. in the open area, there has been a continued excellent calico bass bite, a excellent volume of bonito, and a few yellowtail. At Catalina Island, water temperatures are dropping and the fall bite is taking over with mostly bass and the odd yellowtail. There are still squid available at Clemente and Catalina and Santa Barbara Island.

Squid Update: since last week, the Humboldt squid have been showing in very excellent numbers for the half- and three-quarter day boats fishing at spots from San Diego up to the Santa Monica Bay. these haven’t been the huge squid of a recent years, but most are from three to eight pounds and the action has been excellent night and day with some boat counts as high as 2,000 squid this past week.

The ancient adage: “the time to go fishing is when you have the time” came into play last week. I had previously made arrangements to fish on Thursday with long time friend Rick Davidson unfortunately the day before Rick had called to say he couldn’t make it. No matter, I thought, I will just go by myself. when Thursday rolled around I woke to a rotten cold rainy morning. My first inclination was to stay in bed and forget the whole thing, but than the end of the fishing season is drawing close and a small rain never hurt the fishing, so in the end I headed north to fish the Androscoggin.

Despite a late start I arrived at the Errol Dam around 10:30 a.m. I rigged up two rods: one with a new sinking head and the other with a floating line. the sink tip is a new prototype from Airflo and I was keen to try it out. I am not much of a fan of sinking lines and in fact this is only the second one I have ever owned. I guess I am too much of a purist. the line does shoot extremely well and, as advertised, the tip section sinks like a rock.

Nate Hill and I had fished the dam two days before Irene made her visit to New England. with apologies to Winston Groom and his character Forrest Gump: “the Androscoggin is like a box of Chocolates. you never know what you’re gonna get.” on the day that Nate and I fished we caught lots of salmon and rainbows and a couple of browns thrown in for excellent measure. on this day it was all bass.

I have nothing against bass, but on the whole I prefer to fish for trout and salmon. I do admit that bass are a noble game fish and can give a excellent account for themselves. the bass I caught gave me every bit as excellent a fight as any trout I caught that day. the first bass was caught using the sinking line in the quick water below the raceway of the dam. I thought I had hooked a monster brown and at first was disappointed that it was only a 15 inch bass. But, after thinking it over I had to admit that he was a pretty nice fish and I was lucky to have landed him. 

After taking a quick snapshot of the bass and releasing him I started casting again. on my third or forth cast I managed to snag my fly on a chain-link fence behind me. the fly was wrapped around a strand of barbwire several feet over the water below the dam. it was too far out to reach and I tried to break off the fly, in doing so I managed to break the leader off a few inches below the line. A new leader would have fixed the problem, but for some reason or another I had forgotten to bring a spare. I would have liked to continue fishing the sink tip, but instead congratulated myself on having the forethought to have rigged up the second rod with the floating line.

The prospects for fishing dry flies didn’t look all that excellent. it was raining quite hard and there seemed to be a certain lack of insects on the water or rising fish for that matter. I tied on a Stimulator and started casting up to the dam. on the second or third cast I missed a fish. this was a excellent sign I thought and continued casting. I was rewarded with a vicious strike. Again, I thought I had caught a excellent salmon or trout. the fish tore off across the front of the dam and than raced right back at me. in the struggle to get line in the fish managed to wrap himself around a large rock.

In a quandary like this the best thing to do is back off and give the fish line. I did just that. I let line off the reel and backed up to get my net which I had left lying on the bank behind me. After retrieving the net I slowly reeled in the line. By the time I got back into position the fish had unwrapped himself and was headed back to his lie. I’m sure he was surprised to find that he was still hooked. I was now in a much better position to fight the fish and soon had him in the net. Like before my fish turned out to be a bass.

My third fish of the morning turned out to be another bass of about the same size. he readily gulped down the Stimulator and like his brother headed for the same rock. this time I was prepared and place the wood to him and netted him with small delay. All three of these bass were just a hair over 15 inches, but fought like fish twice their size. 

The fishing slowed down a bit and it was now well past lunch time so I headed in to town and picked up a sub at the local country store. I drove back up to the “gauging station” to eat my sandwich and watch the river. After lunch I rigged up and waded in. the fishing proved to be slow and I had only caught one small salmon before I chose to go on down river.

I stopped in town to take a picture of an unusual wooden moose that caught my attention. Further down river I stopped to fill my water bottle at the spring at Seven Island Bridge and arrived at Pontook Dam at around 3:30 p.m. it was still raining and in fact raining hard. the one thing about fishing on rainy days is you rarely find any competition. this was quite obvious this day as I never saw another fisherman the entire time I was on the river. in retrospect, I guess, I was the only one foolish enough not to come out of the rain. I sat there for a while contemplating whether or not to get out and fish or get out of my damp waders and head home. it came down to “fish or cut bait” and at last I chose to fish. I couldn’t have made a better choice.

They had just started to close down the gates of the dam as I waded in. A few moments latter I caught my first fish — a small bass nothing like those I had caught in Errol. I was questioning the wisdom of my decision when I caught my first trout of the day. A lovely rainbow of about 16 inches came to net. I was still fishing the Stimulator only now I had added a dropper fly. the rainbow had taken the dropper and so I continued to fish the rig. the next rainbow I caught took the dry fly. and so it went for the next hour or so; first I would catch a trout on the dropper and then the next on the dry. After catching a small salmon on the nymph I managed to bend the hook when removing it from the fish’s mouth. I tied on a new nymph, but for some reason the fish wanted nothing to do with it. I caught a couple more rainbows before I cut off the dropper fly and continued to fish only the dry.

I caught several more rainbows and a very nice brown trout before I chose enough was enough. There were fish still rising in the run just in front of me and I knew that if I waded out another 20 feet I could catch them. I reeled in and called it a day. every dog has his day and this dog had just had a spectacular one.

So the ancient adage still holds true: “the time to go fishing is when you have the time and the weather be dammed.” sorry, Rick, you missed a excellent day.

See you on the river.bill and Janet Thompson own North Country Angler in North Conway.