A gentle tick on the line that transforms into hook set.
Each sunset and sunrise that occurs while I am on the water.
Satisfied smiles on a child’s face when they land fish.
The unique thrill that comes from outsmarting bass.
Friends trading stories at the boat doc after being on the water.
The smell of fish on my fingers.
My sonar telling me that I am on top of bass stacked on structure.
The splendid sound of fish feeding on the surface nearby.
Blessed to have a wife that bass fishes with me.
The privilege to write fish stories and everyone who reads the words I write.
Blue Lakes -The bass fishin’ has slowed. Anglers have had some action slow draggin’ a watermelon candy Senko at the end of docks. The bite is VERY soft.
Here’s the good news! The trout fishing has been real good as of late. The Upper Blue Lakes has been stocked by Fish & Wildlife 3 times in about the last month.. There are trout jumping everywhere ! Most are being caught trolling, but some have been hooked from the shore along Hwy. 20 in the deeper water off the bottom. By the way, another technique that is working is to throw a small chrome Castmaster lure! Use it sight fishing. See trout feeding on the surface and then cast the lure at them.
Clearlake – The bass fishing is super-duper – wonderful right now for those fishing with live bait. Jumbo minnows have been working the best. Try fishing them with a small spilt shot weight about two feet above the hook. Let them take it and run with it for a while, reel in the slack and then set the hook. For those who stick with the artificial baits the fishing has been more of a struggle. Try swimbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits, underspins and plastics. Also, the catfishing has been good! Minnows, cut bait and night crawlers have been working the best. The hot spots are Henderson, Shag Rock, Rodman’s Slough and the rock piles in the narrows along Hwy. 20.
Lake Pillsbury – Well, I have got a good report for Lake Pillsbury! It is about 2/3 – 3/4 full.So, go fish it while we still can…Try fishing this winter bass pattern. On a sunny day, fish along the dam, throwing a crankbait with a slow retrieve. As of late, some nice bass have been caught using this strategy. Also reports of a huge rainbow trout caught, weighing over six pounds. The fishermen were trolling with a ford fender at 30 to 40 feet deep. Nobody’s fishing this lake. You will have it all to yourself.
Lake Sonoma- Did you know that there are a bunch of landlocked Steelhead in Lake Sonoma? Yup, there is! Matter-in-fact, the steelhead fishin’ is fairly decent right now!!!! Most anglers are catching “steelies” up on the surface with a spoon when they have schooled up and are boiling. Those that are trolling with a down rigger have also done well pulling along an action disc trailing it with a fly or, a small lip-less crank-bait that looks like a shad. Even though, this lake has never been all that kind to me, there are those that are saying the bass fishin’ is good right now. With all the weeds dead and gone, the bass are once again holding to structure. (trees)-Personally, I would bass fish somewhere else in the fall.
Russian River- It has begun!The first group of Steelhead have started up the Russian River. Even-though the flow rate is low these fish have still come up. Most of the reports are from down south. Most fish are being caught at Johnson Beach and Steelhead Beach. Little Cleo has been the hot bait. I hope that the good start on the rauny season will continue to kick things into gear. Get your tackle ready!
What are you thankful for?
Thanks for reading and remember to keep it reel. – Don = 4REEL Fishin’
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