California Sportsman Mag - October 2023 by Media Index Publishing Group

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE INSIDE!

CALSPORTSMANMAG.COM

California

Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 15 • Issue 12 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Mark Fong, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Tim E. Hovey, Cal Kellogg, Todd Kline SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Brian Abker, Guy Ricciardulli, Zachary Wheeler DESIGNER Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Aumann INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine ON THE COVER While the spring run marks the most popular time to target striped bass in and around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, don’t forget that this time of year also is an ideal time to troll for linesides. You can not only score plenty of fish, but there’s also an increased opportunity at a trophy striper. (DAVID HAMMOND/DELTA PRO FISHING)

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 15 • ISSUE 12

CUTT OUT TO TAHOE WATERS

Sierra trout anglers have plenty of options to target rainbows and browns, but a handful of fisheries – think Lake Tahoe and other Tahoe Basin lakes like Prosser and Stampede and the Truckee River – offer the chance to land colorful cutthroats, thanks to the successful reintroduction of the Lahontan subspecies. Our Cal Kellogg has them dialed in – follow his lead and you can catch some too!

FEATURES 27

FALL BASS BITE COMING ‘SPOON’ Longtime bass angler Mark Fong looks forward to cooler weather and water temperatures, which will make for a lot of hungry smallmouth and largemouth. But he’s also learned it’s better to abandon the bank and move offshore this time of year to throw spoons to gorging bass. Find out how he does it.

(CAL KELLOGG)

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 9 The Editor’s Note 11 Adventures of Todd Kline 15 Outdoor calendar 33 47

Trolling tips for Delta stripers Fall gun dog training prep work

BEST DRESSED IN THE BLIND It’s never too early to be thinking about holiday presents and Scott Haugen kicks off the shopping season with the first installment in his three-part gift guide for the sportsmen and -women in your life. As Scott details some of the best hunting clothing to keep you warm and dry on those California big game and waterfowl hunts this fall and winter, elsewhere in their From Field to Fire feature, wife and cookbook author Tiffany Haugen has a birria taco recipe you can use with big game or bird meat you harvest.

A WEEKEND OF FIRSTS When our longtime scribe Tim Hovey connected with old friend John Matilla, it was a chance for John to get back into hunting again. And what an experience it was as the pair targeted varmints like marmots, ground squirrels and elusive badgers, plus some bonus bowfishing for carp. Buckle up for an outdoorsy reunion that John and even Tim could never have expected!

Get the digital version of California Sportsman for free. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. Annual subscriptions are $39.95 (12 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2023 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 6 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

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The editor has fond memories of a 2017 Feather River striper trip with the late guide Manny Saldana (left) and California Sportsman correspondent Mark Fong. (CHRIS COCOLES)

THEEDITOR’SNOTE

ne of many favorite lines from the movie Jaws is when Roy Scheider’s Amity Island Chief of Police Martin Brody has his hands full with the title character aboard Capt. Quint’s boat. When Brody’s wife calls on the vessel’s radio, the skipper stands in for Martin. “Your husband’s all right, Mrs. Brody. He’s fishing. He’s just caught a couple of stripers. We’ll bring ’em in for dinner. We won’t be long, we haven’t seen anything yet. Over and out.” I probably didn’t know what “stripers” were back then as a little kid watching the film for the first time, but years later I have some good memories of fishing for striped bass in California.

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I WAS A TEENAGER when on a lazy spring Sunday my brother-in-law Alan, me and a friend took a drive to Rio Vista, in the heart of the SacSan Joaquin Delta. We made a quick stop at the legendary Hap’s Bait and Tackle to pick up some anchovies and sardines, drove back a few miles on River Road and found a shore spot along the Sacramento River. We didn’t have much luck that day, though our buddy did manage to land a non-keeper striper that we quickly threw back in the water, but not before I fell in love with the fish’s trademark stripes. I’d eventually catch a small striper or two thereafter on various outings, but it wasn’t until many years and a career change later that I enjoyed one of the best fishing days of my life. That I got to fish with my friend, the late Manny Saldana Jr., only adds to the memories (California Sportsman, June 2017). Joined by our correspondent Mark Fong and Saldana’s deckhand Justin Leonard – he’s now a guide himself and fishes these same waters – we crushed the Feather River spring run that day, limiting out and providing us all with plenty of filets. Fong and I also each successfully coaxed a 20- to 25-pound hen into the boat, which we released after the celebratory high-fives and photos. It was a day I’ll never forget. I hope to get another chance soon. I was recently in touch with friend of the magazine Mike Stratman, who guides along the Northern California coast most of the year but also heads inland to get clients in on the spring striper run in the Central Valley. Stratman is disappointed that this year’s fall salmon fishing seasons were canceled, but we agreed to get together for a linesides trip in 2024. I look forward to catching “a couple of stripers; we’ll bring ’em in for dinner.” But in the meanwhile, our Cal Kellogg breaks down how to target these anadromous fish by trolling the vast waterways of the Delta (page 33) during the fall fishery. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

s e r u t n e v d A

I did a quick overnight trip to Katherine Landing on Lake Mohave to do a little scouting for the U.S. Open bass tournament this month. (TODD KLINE)

e’re not ashamed to admit it: Todd Kline has the kind of life we wish we could experience. Kline’s a former professional surfer, a successful co-angler on the FLW Tour and a Southern California bass guide, plus he gets to travel the world as a commentator for the World Surf League’s telecasts. Todd has agreed to give us a peek at what he’s up to each month. For more on Todd or to book a guided fishing trip with him, check out toddklinefishing.com, and you can follow him on Instagram at @toddokrine. –The Editor

I caught a couple of nice Mohave smallies and am looking forward to the October 16-18 tournament on the lower Colorado River reservoir. (TODD KLINE) I hope my boat and I deliver a lot of bass to the weigh-in station! (TODD KLINE)

There’s nothing like an early-morning launch like this one at Lake Mohave. (TODD KLINE) calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

These fat fall bass are

ium to watchi t to SoFi Stad en w so al I w the Miam d sa an My son Dylamne of the NFL season, whirsch. The ’Phins got the first ga ctorious over the Charge D KLINE) Dolphins vi start in September! (TOD off to a 3-0 12 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com2

plumping up for the wi

nter. (TODD KLINE)

The early bird catches the worm! Here’s hoping you have some great mornings on the water this month. (TODD KLINE)

The Kern River in the Kern River Valley has always been the premier whitewater challenge for the rafting community. But this year after record snowpacks it has set the bar a lot higher. Every trip at every class from Class 1 to 5 is 100% excitement. Trips are offered daily from lickety-split to overnight 2-day adventures by local professional outfitters. Here Whitewater Voyages gives guests a taste of the Kern River. Check the local Chamber of Commerce’s website for outfitter companies and phone numbers.

calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Several waterfowl seasons open this month around California, including the Balance of State Zone for both ducks and geese on Oct. 21. (DAVE MENKE/USFWS)

OCTOBER

7 7 7 7 7

Zone D-12 archery deer season opens Klamath Basin geese season opens Most X Zones and D-19 general deer seasons open Northeastern Zone waterfowl season opens Bridgeport Fall Trout Tournament, Bridgeport Reservoir and West Walker River; bridgeportfish.com 7-8 Delta Big Bass Challenge, Ladd’s Stockton Marina; anglerspress.com/events/delta-big-bass-challenge 7-8 Early quail season for hunters with junior hunting licenses in Mojave National Preserve 14 Archery-only pheasant season opens 14 Zones D-11, -13, -14, -15 and -17 general deer seasons open 21 Zone X-9C general deer season opens 21 Southern San Joaquin Valley, Southern California and

Balance of State Zones duck and geese seasons open

21 Zones Q1 and Q3 all-quail seasons open 21 Statewide chukar season opens 21 Statewide snipe season opens 23 Colorado River Zone duck and geese seasons open 27-29 Morrison’s Bonus Derby Weekend, Convict Lake; (800) 992-2260, convictlake.com/activities/fishing-convict-lake 28 Zone D-16 general deer season opens 28 C.A.S.T. For Kids, Los Vaqueros Reservoir; castforkids.org NOVEMBER 4 Imperial County Zone white geese season opens 4 Deer season opens in Zone D-12 4 Fort Hunter Liggett antlerless archery tule elk season opens 4 NorCal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association Fundraising Dinner; FIVE30 Event Center, Marysville; ncgasa.org 4-5 NorCal Trout Challenge Tournament of Champions, Collins Lake; anglerspress.com/events/norcal-troutanglers-challenge.html 7 Scaup hunting opens in most zones 11 General/statewide pheasant season opens 11 Fall wild turkey season opens 11 Late dove season opens 11 Gabilan antlerless and bull elk hunting seasons open 18 Northern black brant season opens 19 Balance of State black brant season opens For a list of upcoming bass tournaments, go to nrm.dfg.ca.gov/ FishingContests/default.aspx. General black bear season is open concurrently with the general deer hunting season in deer zones A, B, C, D, X8, X9A, X9B, X10 and X12 and extends through Dec. 31. calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

16 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

The Sierra’s Lahontan cutthroats are ready strikers, put up a hard fight and are exceedingly beautiful. They can be targeted in a handful of fisheries around the Lake Tahoe area. (CAL KELLOGG)

THE FIRST CUTT IS THE DEEPEST HANDFUL OF SIERRA FISHERIES OFFER COLORFUL REINTRODUCED NATIVE TROUT SPECIES TO TARGET By Cal Kellogg

t was my first visit to Prosser Reservoir. There seemed to be nobody around and the thick fog promoted a feeling of foreboding. The water temperature was in the middle 60s, while the air temperature hovered in the high 30s. This disparity caused

the fog to form overnight. I estimated the visibility to be about 25 feet and that may have been generous. I had no idea where I was. When I pedaled the kayak away from the launch ramp, the plan was to head for the dam, but a minute or two later, Lucy the Labrador and I were disoriented and lost.

I worked the pedals slowly and watched the screen of the sonar unit. One moment I was in 20 feet of water and next the bottom plunged away to 60-plus feet deep. Immediately, three arches appeared on the screen 30 feet down. A couple minutes later, I had a copper death prism Trigger Spoon

calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

FISHING Prosser Reservoir is jam-packed with dandy cutthroat trout like this 17-inch battler the author landed while trolling a Trigger Spoon near the dam on a late summer afternoon. (CAL KELLOGG)

working off the downrigger approximately 25 feet below the kayak. Since I couldn’t see anything to aid in navigation, I fell into a pedaling rhythm and pushed the kayak forward at 2.5 mph and locked my eyes on the sonar unit’s screen. For five minutes nothing happened, but then four good marks appeared on the screen – again at 30 feet. Were they trout? A beat later the downrigger rod started bouncing and the line released from the clip. Fish on! I was hoping to catch Lahontan cutthroats, but the lake also holds rainbows, browns and a sleeper smallmouth population. I could tell from the quick runs and vicious headshakes it wasn’t a bass, but was it a cutthroat? Seconds later as I slid the fish into the net, I got the answer. It was a

sleek 16-inch Lahontan, gunmetal gray up top, silver-white down below with a salmon-colored midbody stripe and a smattering of black spots increasing in number as the body gave way to the tail. I slid the battler back into the water, redeployed the spoon and blindly pedaled into the soupy fog. The report I’d gotten about solid cutthroat fishing at Prosser Reservoir near Truckee seemed to be true. Little did I know that I was about to enjoy a day of absolutely wide-open cutthroat action. I lost count of how many trout I ultimately landed, but it was close to 30!

I ADMIT IT, TRUE to my California roots, I grew up a rainbow trout junkie and remain one to this day as I explore the northern half of the state in search of the holy grail of rainbow fishing

18 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

– a wild rainbow over 10 pounds. I’m not talking about a round-tailed planter, but a genuine squaretail that achieved its bulk gobbling bugs and baitfish rather than hatchery pellets. The closest I’ve come so far is a 7-pound, 10-ouncer from Almanor that fought like a steelhead and tasted like salmon. Over the early years of my trout fishing career, I’d caught browns and brook trout in addition to rainbows, but I didn’t catch my first cutthroat until I visited the Yellowstone region two decades ago. I’d been curious about cutthroats ever since I read an account of a soldier who explored the Black Hills with George Custer. He related that the cutthroat trout were so thick in some Black Hills streams, the men actually caught them by hand! My first cutthroat was a handsome

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FISHING Jackson Meadows has a smaller cutthroat population than Prosser Reservoir, but Jackson’s fish grow larger. Cal Kellogg caught and released this 5-pound Lahontan on a trolling fly during a midsummer outing. (CAL KELLOGG)

12-inch fish that had enthusiastically smacked a dry fly in a tributary of the Yellowstone River. Over the next week, I caught cutthroats in various waters from Wyoming to the Canadian border; they quickly became my second favorite trout species. I found them to be enthusiastic biters and strong determined fighters.

FOR A LONG WHILE, the closest cutthroats to my California home resided in Nevada’s Pyramid Lake. I’d occasionally make the pilgrimage to the big desert lake to scratch my cutthroat itch. Then, probably 15 years ago, I got a press release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife de-

tailing the agency’s efforts to restore Lahontans to Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, the Truckee River and other waters in the species’ native range of the Sierra. When the first settlers arrived in what is now California and Nevada, cutthroat trout were widespread in the lakes and streams of the Eastern Sierra Nevada and throughout the Great Basin. Overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of nonnative species gradually destroyed the native cutthroat population. When I read the CDFW press release, I knew the department was embarking on an uphill struggle and wondered if the program would be successful. A handful of years later while fishing for kokanee at Stampede Reservoir, I caught my first ever California cutthroat. The fish wasn’t big, but it confirmed the reintroduction of cutthroat trout to Northern California waters was gaining traction. Since hooking my first Golden State cutthroat at Stampede, I’ve encountered them at Fallen Leaf Lake, the Truckee River and Jackson Meadows Reservoir. When my buddy Abdul told me about a recent trip he’d taken to Prosser Reservoir and the

While Prosser Reservoir – located north of Truckee – is small by California standards, it is an exceptionally beautiful high-mountain impoundment. (CAL KELLOGG) 20 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

FISHING with 1.5 square miles of surface area and about 52,000-acre feet of water when at full capacity. From what I’ve seen, Jackson Meadows offers more variety in terms of its trout population. Rainbows to 3 pounds are the species I catch most frequently, but I also hook cutthroats and browns. As an aside, a friend of mine showed me a photo of a 21-pound brown his daughter landed and released at Jackson Meadows. They hooked the monster while pulling a small spoon hoping for rainbows. The cutthroats I’ve caught at Jackson are often large fish in the 20- to 29-inch range. I’ve always released these large cutts. During a typical kayak session at the lake, I usually catch one or two good-size Lahantons. For me, flies and large spoons trolled from 2 to 3 mph have been the most consistent producers of cutthroats at Jackson Meadows.

During Kellogg’s first outing to Prosser Reservoir, he kept two 17- to 18-inch cutthroats for the table. As you can see, they produced beautiful orange filets. (CAL KELLOGG)

great cutthroat action he’d enjoyed, I knew I had to give Prosser a try.

PRIOR TO MY PROSSER visit, Jackson Meadows was my go-to California cutthroat destination. I’m not going to say Prosser has eclipsed Jackson Meadows in that regard, but Prosser does offer the opportunity to experience epic cutthroat action. I’m sure there are plenty of Cali-

fornia trout anglers reading this who would love to get in on some cutthroat action here in the north, so I’ll give my impressions of both lakes. This way you can determine which one best matches up with your fishing style and expectations. Like Prosser, Jackson Meadows is located near Truckee. Formed on the Middle Fork of the Yuba River, Jackson Meadows is the larger of the two,

22 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

PROSSER CREEK RESERVOIR IS just over half the size of Jackson Meadows, with about 30,000-acre feet of water when at capacity. I’ve only fished Prosser four times, but I feel I’ve spent enough time there to draw some basic conclusions. While the reservoir holds browns, rainbows and cutthroats, the cutthroats seem to be the dominant trout species. I’ve landed over 100 trout at Prosser and they have all been cutthroats. I’ve gotten a few 6- to 8-inch fish, but the average is 12 to 14. Cutthroats to 18 inches are common, but that seems to be close to the top end. I’ve caught a dozen Lahontans at Prosser right at the 18-inch mark, but none bigger. Do larger models exist? Probably, but I don’t think you’ll encounter the 25- to 30-inch cutthroats you’ll find at Jackson Meadows. In addition to the cutthroats I’ve caught at Prosser, I’ve landed a handful of robust smallmouth bass in the 1.5- to 2.5-pound class. I caught these fish while trolling and they put up a determined fight. I’ve tried a variety of offerings at

FISHING Prosser, but it seems to be a spoon lake. I have not been able to get the cutthroats to go on flies or soft plastics, but they’ve enthusiastically hit a variety of spoons trolled from 1.8 to 3 mph. While I’ve never kept a cutthroat at Jackson Meadows, I have harvested a few at Prosser and found them to be very good-eating fish, thanks to their firm, mild-tasting pink flesh. All too often trout fishing information is focused only on boaters. Outdoor writers often overlook the bank angling fraternity. I’m not going to do that here. While Jackson Meadows does offer decent bank angling access, I think a lot of the most productive water is best accessed by a boat or kayak. Prosser is just the opposite. It offers great access for shore anglers at several locations and if you are willing to hike a bit, you can fish virtually any area of the lake. On my first trip to Prosser, I chatted with a couple bank anglers near

the dam who scored limits tossing spoons. The cutthroats were deep, so the anglers made long casts and counted their spoons down before beginning the retrieve. I imagine the bank fishing at Prosser is outstanding during the spring and fall months, when the water is cool and the trout are near the surface. I’m sure they are responsive to bait fishing tactics, but at this point they seem so willing to smack spoons, why soak bait? I plan on taking my wife Gena to the lake this fall for a session of bank fishing. My plan is to roam the area around the dam while fan casting with a variety of spoons.

JACKSON MEADOWS AND PROSSER are good starting points for the aspiring NorCal cutthroat angler. If you really catch the cutthroat bug, Fallen Leaf Lake and the Truckee River are destinations you’ll want to visit too, but

24 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

these spots are not as user-friendly as Jackson and Prosser. Access is tougher at Fallen Leaf. To really fish the lake effectively, you’ll need to work from some sort of watercraft. The Truckee River is an exciting destination offering rainbows, jumbo browns and cutthroats. And the river offers easy roadside access. You’ll need to bone up on the regulations before wetting your line in the Truckee, since there are several areas that fall under gear restrictions. Wardens do patrol the river and they will write you a ticket if they find you soaking a nightcrawler on a baitholder in one of the artificial-lureand barbless-hooks-only zones. If you make it up to the Truckee area and you see a guy in a big Hobie kayak with a yellow Labrador on the back deck, it’ll likely be me harassing the local cutthroat population. I hope to see you out on the water or hiking the bank enjoying some exciting Golden State cutthroat action! CS

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FISHING

ENJOY SPOON-FED FALL FISHIN’

OFFSHORE BASS ARE HUNGRY AND THESE BAITFISHIMITATING LURES WILL GET BIT

By Mark Fong

he fall season is one of the most productive times to fish for bass. I love fishing this time of year because as the days get shorter and the water temperatures decline, the fish take these as clear signals that winter is approaching. The resulting fall feeding frenzy is a time when the fish are aggressively packing on weight in preparation for the coldwater period. During this time, there are many effective ways to target bass, including topwaters, jerkbaits and lipless vibrating crankbaits. However, my favorite way to catch autumn bass is with a spoon. When I first started fishing for bass, I was primarily a bank fisherman. In the fall I would put my boat on the bank and chuck and wind all day. I’d throw topwaters, crankbaits and hollow-body swimbaits. This is a textbook approach for targeting fall bass and it can be very effective, but somewhere along the way I discovered that there was a large population of less-pressured and very catchable fish living offshore.

FIND THE BAIT The key to fall fishing, whether you elect to fish shallow or deep, is to locate the baitfish. Here in Northern California, that means either shad or pond smelt. If you are working shallow, your eyes are your primary tool to spot signs of baitfish activity, but if you elect to fish deep, your marine electronics are the key to finding the bait. Even before I make a single cast,

Author Mark Fong’s spoon box is full come fall, when decreasing water temperatures and hungry bass present a great opportunity to score some nice fish on these lures. (MARK FONG) calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

FISHING

Fishing the bank was the top tactic for Fong in his early days as a basser. “This is a textbook approach for targeting fall bass and it can be very effective,” he writes, “but somewhere along the way I discovered that there was a large population of less-pressured and very catchable fish living offshore” (MARK FONG)

I will use my electronics to search for schools of bait. I’ll concentrate on high-percentage areas like creek channels, bluff walls, submerged islands and sharp dropoffs on the edges of a flat or a long, sloping point. Even though I may find balls of bait, it doesn’t mean that I will stop and fish them. The key is to locate the right combination of bait and active bass. I routinely target fish in 30 to 50 feet of water, sometimes suspended over deeper water. Last fall, one of my most productive areas on Lake Oroville was a deep, 80-foot timber-filled mainlake dropoff. The fish would suspend slightly above the timber in 60 feet as

they gorged themselves on swarms of pond smelt.

CATCHING FISH Once I find the right mix of bait and bass, I will use my electric trolling motor to position the boat. From there I can make either a straight vertical drop or a short pitch with my spoon – all the while watching the screen of my electronics. The advent of live forward-facing sonar has made spooning for bass a true real-time video game. As the spoon falls, I will carefully track it on my graph. Bass will almost always strike a spoon on the fall. It’s commonplace

28 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

to see a hungry bass streak toward my spoon as it falls. If I don’t get a bite on the initial fall, I work the spoon in a jigging fashion and impart a short vertical snap of the rod to propel the spoon upward, and then lower the rod tip on a controlled slackline. This allows the spoon to fall with a tantalizing fluttering action. A strike can vary from a sense of lost connection with the spoon to a bone-jarring bite. A lot of times the rod will just load when I begin the upstroke. When this happens, it’s time to set the hook. When the fish get on a spoon bite, there is nothing that will catch them quicker or more

calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

FISHING efficiently than a spoon.

GEAR DETAILS Spoons come in all kinds of different shapes and profiles. My go-to spoons are made by Blade Runner Tackle. Normally, I like to start with a 1.75-ounce spoon; it mimics a dying baitfish to perfection. If the baitfish are smaller or the fish won’t react to the big spoon, I’ll downsize to a .75-ounce spoon instead. My favorite color by far is UV morning dawn, a pinkish purple with a UV coating, but pearl white and black shad are great options as well. I like to fish jigging spoons with a 7-foot parabolic medium/heavy-action casting rod and a 200-series casting reel. For years I used straight 20-pound monofilament, but today I have a preference for 50-pound FINS Braid with a short top-shot leader of 20-pound monofilament. If you’ve never fished a spoon for bass in deep water, there is no better time than right now. You just might be surprised to find what lurks in the depths. CS

The author shows off a couple NorCal beauties. “If you’ve never fished a spoon for bass in deep water, there is no better time than right now,” Fong writes. “You just might be surprised to find what lurks in the depths.” (MARK FONG)

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30 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

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OREGON EUGENE Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 maxxummarine.com 32 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

TROPHY STRIPERS AWAIT HOW TO TROLL FOR BIG DELTA LINESIDES IN FALL By Cal Kellogg

triped bass are present in the California Delta yearround, but for anglers the fall and spring runs generate the most excitement. The spring run is noted for producing big numbers of fish as the bass school up and turn their attention to spawning. Big fish are caught during the spring, but the bulk of the catch is made up of small male bass in the 14- to 20-inch range. But fall is known as trophy striper time in the Delta. Bass that spent the summer months in the bay and ocean blitzing schools of anchovies move back into the Delta and continue to feed heavily until the water temperature drops down to 50 degrees or less. If you want to trade punches with a big bass beyond the 15-pound mark, fall is a great time to make it happen. In a typical year, bass start trickling back into the Delta in August and the trickle turns into a flood by the first week of October. How long good action persists in the Delta is determined by the water temperature, but you can pretty much count on good fishing through Thanksgiving. During mild winters, solid bass action can persist until Christmas or beyond. Once water temps fall below 50 degrees, the bass typically descend into deep holes and become very lethargic, not becoming active again until the Delta begins to warm back up in the spring.

Good times! Trolling for fall stripers is an exciting way to boat big numbers of bass and some of them will be large, high-quality fish. Capt. David Hammond of Delta Pro Fishing helps one of his clients show off a nice West Delta striper. ( DAVID HAMMOND/DELTA PRO FISHING) calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

FISHING

A Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow is currently the No. 1 bait for tempting Delta bass while on the troll. (CAL KELLOGG)

Day in and day out, bait fishing is the most consistent way to hook fall bass. If you want a true 30-pluspound leviathan, soaking huge live baits offers the best chance for success. However, there is a large contingent of folks who prefer to smack their bass using artificial lures. If you’re looking to get started fishing artificials for fall stripers, you’re in the right place. There are two ways to present lures to Delta stripers: you can troll or cast. Both approaches offer unique challenges. If you’re a beginner, you’d do well to start out trolling. Trolling is less labor intensive than casting and allows you to cover more water and cover it quickly. Plugging requires a better understanding of bass movement and the ability to pinpoint specific areas where the bass tend to feed. We’re going to focus on trolling in this article. Down the road I’ll write a piece detailing how to effectively

cast for Delta stripers. Time on the water will teach you the nuances, but if you study the broad strokes I’m about to lay down, the learning curve will be significantly shortened. Remember, only about 15 percent of Delta striper anglers consistently catch fish. The 15-percent anglers are successful because they’ve mastered the basics. Think of the following information as a recipe. You can tweak a recipe for cake a bit and you’ll still end up with cake. Tweak it too much and your efforts are not going to result in cake. Stick to my speed and depth recommendations until you’re consistently boating fish.

LET THE TROLLING BEGIN! Remember this without a doubt: Speed and depth are the two key concerns when it comes to trolling for Delta stripers, and everything else you do stems from these two conditions. Don’t forget it.

34 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

Before we really examine the significance of speed and depth, let’s look at the tackle required for trolling. For starters, you’ll need a modern lightweight rod that combines a sensitive tip with plenty of backbone. Since your rod will be in a holder while trolling, you might be wondering why it needs a sensitive tip. The sensitive tip displays the action of the plug. If your plug picks up a weed or a piece of grass, it kills the action and you won’t get any strikes. A sensitive tip allows you to constantly monitor your plug’s action, ensuring you’ll always have an effective lure in the water. The rod should be matched with a high-capacity levelwind linecounter reel loaded with 30-pound-test braided line. After threading the braid through the eyes of your rod, put a large bead on the line and then tie on a swivel using a palomar knot. To the swivel attach a 6-foot leader of abrasion-resistant 25-pound

FISHING monofilament, and then tip the leader with a medium-sized lock snap.

LURE OPTIONS Once you’ve set up a pair of rod and reel combinations, it’s time to start thinking about lures. Minnow plugs, jigs and vibrating crankbaits are the basic offerings employed by successful Delta trollers. Yo-Zuri, Bomber and P-Line minnow plugs are all proven striper producers. Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows are the current favorite among Delta trollers and have been for nearly two decades. You’ll want a small assortment of shallow- and deep-running Crystal Minnows. Toss in a couple deeprunning P-Line Predators and a couple shallow-running Bomber Long A’s and P-Line Angry Eyes, and you’ll be well heeled in the minnow plug department. In terms of colors and finishes, minnow plugs in rainbow trout, chrome/blue, chrome/black, chrome/

You’ll want to tip your minnow plugs with white worms, as shown here. Plugs without worms will get hit, but tipped plugs perform the best, especially when searching for a trophy-sized fish. (CAL KELLOGG)

A quality sonar unit is essential equipment for the striper troller. Note the bass holding just off the bottom in 10 feet of water on the right side of the Lowrance screen. These fish are in prime position for a shallow-running plug. (CAL KELLOGG)

chartreuse, metallic gold, and red head/ white body will all put fish in the boat. With an assortment of plugs in hand, you’ll need to pick up a package of white 6- to 8-inch straight-tail plastic

worms. You’ll use these for tipping the rear hook of your minnow plugs. The bass will hit plugs without the worm, but tipped plugs almost always outpace naked offerings. A wide range of jigs will take Delta stripers, but the best of the bunch is a 4-inch pearl Fish Trap teamed with a lead jighead. For trolling you’ll want to rig your Fish Traps on 1-ounce heads. Vibrating crankbaits represent the final piece of the troller’s lure assortment. Rat-L-Traps are the triedand-true crankbait of Delta trollers, but offerings from Strike King, Cotton Cordell and Berkley work just as well. If you have a couple crankbaits in chrome and a couple in white, you’ll have your bases covered. The minnow plug is the number one offering for anglers trolling from boats. A growing number of anglers are trolling Delta waters from pedal kayaks. For kayakers, the Fish Trap is the best offering because they work well when trolled slowly, though we’re about to talk about speed a bit.

PACE AND DEPTH In terms of tackle, once you hunt down the stuff we just discussed, you’ll be ready to hit the water in calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

FISHING search of stripers, and that’s where the concepts of speed and depth come into play. There are three kinds of stripers in the eyes of Delta trollers: shallow fish, deep fish and fish that are too deep to target. Shallow fish hold from right next to the bank to about 10 feet deep. Deep fish are found in water that is about 11 to 17 feet deep. Fish holding much more than 18 feet down become difficult to target. Generally, bass holding beyond the 20-foot mark aren’t as active as the shallower fish. Your vibrating crankbaits are perfect for targeting fish in 4 to 6 feet of water, while shallow-running minnow plugs are the bait of choice for fish 6 to 10 feet down. To attain the correct depth with these lures, you’ll want to troll them a specific distance behind the boat in a specific speed range. You’ll want to run vibrating crankbaits 100 to 125 feet behind the boat at 4 to 5 miles per hour. You can run your shallow-running minnows at the same speeds, but you’ll want them 140 feet back. This puts the plug 8 feet deep. An effective combination when working the shallows is to arm the rod on the bank side with a crankbait

This handsome striper gobbled a white Fish Trap. Fish Traps are effective baits for both boaters and kayakers, but they are especially well suited for trolling behind a kayak. (CAL KELLOGG)

and adorn the outside rod with a shallow-running minnow. In 11 to 16 feet of water, you’ll need to employ your deep-running minnows. You’ll want to troll at 2.5 to 3 mph with these baits. As a rule of thumb, you’ll want your deep runners 100 feet behind the boat, but that can vary a bit depending on the depth. One hundred feet back at 3 mph puts a deep-running Crystal Minnow right at 15 feet. Your goal, no matter what the depth is, is to have your plug working right above the bottom. If the water Linecounter reels and braided line are key. The fine diameter of braid cuts the water with little resistance and the line’s low stretch properties result in solidly hooked fish. And to achieve the correct depth with your lures, you need to know how far behind the boat the plug is running. (CAL KELLOGG) 36 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

is on the deep side, you might need to let out more than 100 feet of line. If the water is on the shallow side but still too deep for shallow-running plugs, you might need to shorten your line to 60 or 80 feet to keep the plug from digging into the bottom. In situations where the water depth is 18 to about 22 feet, you can squeeze a little more depth out of your deep runners by teaming them with a 1-ounce Fish Trap. To do this, replace the standard swivel you attached to your braid with a three-way swivel. To the top eye of the three-way, attach a 6-foot leader tipped with a deep-running minnow plug. To the lower eye, knot on a 20-inch leader with a Fish Trap attached. The Fish Trap will run beneath the plug and

FISHING pull it down to greater depths on a slow 2- to 3-mph troll. If you are in a kayak, dial into a comfortable 2- to 2.5-mph speed and then spool out a Fish Trap. When you feel it hit the bottom, crank the reel five to six times and put the rod in the holder.

CHECK THAT DRAG No matter what lure you’re using, set your drag fairly loose and place the rod in a rod holder with the clicker on. When the reel screams, you’ve got a bass on. Once you bring your prize to the boat use extreme caution. Stripers are strong and one swipe of their head can bury dangling hooks in your hand. You can absolutely troll for Delta stripers while alone, but you’re better off fishing with a partner. For starters, with a partner you can run two rods. It also allows one angler to drive the boat and another to keep the bait free of debris. The driver must keep the boat in the prescribed depth range. If you stray deeper, the plugs will be running in open water, where you have little chance of getting hit. On the other hand, if you sweep into shallow water, your baits will dig into the bottom. At worst, they’ll snag; at best, they’ll pick up debris and the hooks will need to be cleared.

This bass blitzed a green Yo-Zuri deep runner in the upper reaches of Suisun Bay. (DAVID HAMMOND/ DELTA PRO FISHING)

TIDAL TIDBITS Tides matter when it comes to trolling, since tidal movement impacts both water clarity and the temperament of the bass. The best action always occurs in the last and first hour of any tide and during the slack water period. Outgoing tides often offer better trolling than incoming tides, as water clarity is typically better during the outgo. Should you troll with the tide or into it? I’ve had success both ways. If you go into the tide, you’ll have to slow the boat a little. If you troll with the current, you’ll need to speed up a little to have good lure action. Watch your rod tips and let the action you see dictate fine

adjustments in trolling speed.

WHERE TO FISH? EVERYWHERE There are a few famous areas in the Delta where trollers tend to stack up. The most famous of these may be the fabled West Bank of the Sacramento below Rio Vista. These areas are proven spots, but truth be told, there are stripers all over the Delta. I prefer to find my own fish off the beaten path. This way I don’t have to worry about getting too close to other boats or worry about too much traffic spooking the fish. Once you find stripers and start hooking up, your goal should always

be to cut the area down. The worst thing you can do is hook a fish, land it and keep on going. Instead, you want to come back around and grind on the area, only leaving when the fish stop hitting. I’ve spent several hours at a time trolling a 100-yard stretch of bank. You’ll find the occasional solitary striper, but remember,qw find one, there will likely be more willing fish in the same spot. CS Editor’s note: Cal Kellogg is a longtime Northern California outdoors writer. Subscribe to his YouTube channel Fish Hunt Shoot Productions at youtube.com/user/ KelloggOutdoors.

calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

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HUNTING

FROM FIELD...

Author Scott Haugen sets a trail camera along a mountain stream. He set over 30 cameras on this day, and spent the entire time in Sitka’s new Intercept pants and top and Chêne’s Slough Boots. He dubs them both as must-have items for the hunter in your life this holiday season. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

BEST GIFTS TO KEEP HUNTERS WARM, DRY, COMFORTABLE FIRST OF THREE PARTS

By Scott Haugen

all is here, and before you know it, the holidays will be upon us. This year more than ever, I’ve had people asking about gear. So we’re kicking off the holiday shopping options early with the first of a three-part series. While next month we’ll focus on accessories and for December we’ll

showcase the best waterfowl gear, in part one this issue, let’s take a look at my top picks for performance boots and clothes that I put to the test this year.

LACROSSE URSA MS BOOTS Over the past six months I’ve logged many hours in LaCrosse’s new Ursa MS boots. I think the Ursas are the best technical hunting boot LaCrosse

has ever created. Light, durable and ergonomic, the Ursa is more like wearing high-top sneakers than hiking boots. The comfort and ankle support of the Ursas are impressive and the sleek soles ensure you’re not kicking rocks or protruding roots. Quiet on hard, dry ground, sturdy all the time but not stiff and cumbersome, waterproof and resilient in all the different terrain and conditions I

calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

HUNTING 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups beef or vegetable stock Two cinnamon sticks Three bay leaves 1 cup grated cheddar or jack cheese, optional Additional butter or coconut oil for frying tortillas 20 corn tortillas Fresh lime, chopped onion and cilantro for garnish

... TO FIRE

An evening spent food-hopping authentic taco stands in Mexico inspired chef Tiffany Haugen to make birria tacos with wild game meat instead of traditional beef or goat. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

GO SOUTH OF THE BORDER FOR BIG GAME BIRRIA TACOS By Tiffany Haugen

n a recent trip to Mexico, Scott and I spent one night food-hopping backstreet taco stands. One stood out: the birria taco! First we had it with beef, then goat. I was so inspired, I couldn’t wait to get home and try it on all our game in the freezer. First I made it with wild deer, then elk and then bear, and it was amazing. Then we enjoyed it with wild turkey and it was fantastic. As the fall progressed, I made the birria tacos with ducks and geese and everyone loved it. Traditionally a dish prepared with goat, most local taco stands use beef in their birria tacos. Almost any cut of wild game, waterfowl and upland birds works great for this recipe because the secret is the marinade and the cooking method. Try it with shanks and shred the meat, or cook a large roast and chunk it up after cooking, or slice it ahead of time and it will be ready to go right in the taco. Pressure cooking, slow-cooking or a low-and-slow simmer on the stovetop will produce a great end result.

1.5 pounds big game meat (or any wild bird) 1/3 cup melted butter or coconut oil 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 7-ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce 1/4 cup cider vinegar 6 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon guajillo chili powder 1 teaspoon oregano

40 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

Trim meat and cut into chunks or strips as desired. In a sealable container or baggie, mix butter or coconut oil, chipotle peppers with sauce, vinegar, garlic, chili powder, oregano, paprika, cumin and cloves until thoroughly combined. Add meat, then seal and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, place meat with all the marinade in a pressure cooker, slow-cooker or Dutch oven. Add tomatoes, stock, salt, cinnamon sticks and bay leaves. Pressure cook on high pressure 55 to 60 minutes or slow-cook on high four to six hours or until meat is tender. If cooking on the stovetop or in the oven, bring all ingredients to a boil and simmer on medium-low heat until meat reaches desired tenderness. Pull meat to shreds or chop into desired size for taco filling. To assemble birria tacos, heat a large griddle (or skillet) on medium-high heat. Coat griddle with a layer of butter or coconut oil. Dip both sides of each tortilla in birria mixture and place on the hot griddle. Place a scoop of shredded or chopped meat on half of each tortilla and fold. Sprinkle a bit of cheese onto the outer side of each taco. Once the tortilla begins to brown, turn over so cheese can caramelize to the shell. Add additional cheese to the other side and flip once more before serving. Garnish with a wedge of lime, fresh cilantro and chopped onion if desired. Serve with a side of broth from the birria mixture. Editor’s note: To order signed copies of Tiffany Haugen's popular book, Cooking Big Game, visit scotthaugen.com for this and other titles.

HUNTING over my head. $300; chenegear.com.

SITKA INTERCEPT PANT & HOODIE I first wore Sitka’s new Intercept pants and hoodie when running trail cameras and instantly fell in love with them. It took me 11 hours to set over 30 cameras that day and I was on my elbows and knees a lot. Since then I’ve worn the Intercept line when scouting for deer and elk, hunting bear and pronghorn, training dogs and on early-season bird hunts. The padded knees and elbows of the Intercept attire are a game-changer, making tough situations comfortable, with no more aches, pains, tender knees or elbows at the end of the day. The bonded merino wool blend lining manages moisture, is quiet and its tough nylon face makes them resilient in the driest, rockiest ground you can crawl on. The Intercept collection is a luxury I appreciate. $280 pant; $249 hoodie; sitkagear .com. LaCrosse’s Ursa boots are a fantastic, high-performance boot that will tackle a wide range of big game hunting needs around the world. The author has logged many miles in them and is very pleased with their comfort and durability. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

wore them in, the Ursas are boots every hunter will want to consider. $300; lacrossefootwear.com.

MEINDL’S COMFORT FIT HIKER BOOT I’ve been a longtime fan of Meindl boots and have worn them on big game hunts around the world for many years. They are the longest-lasting boots I’ve ever worn – many making it several years – which means the investment is a no-brainer. The Hiker confirms why I love the Meindl line of boots with its durability and performance. Comfortable, light and tough, I wore this boot for many days in rugged, rocky terrain. It’s a lower-profile boot than their Hunter line, yet it still withstands a beating on rocky, hard ground. It’s a perfect early-season, big game hunting boot, as well as one I’d not hesitate taking to Africa. $310; meindlusa.com.

CHÊNE SLOUGH BOOT Just when you think Chêne Gear has maxed out their line of awesome innovations, they come up with something new! I love Chêne’s waterfowl waders and knee boots, and their new Slough Boot bridges the gap between the two. The Slough Boots are lightweight, breathable, super easy to adjust and are fantastic for a range of needs. I’ve worn them fishing, working on the duck blinds and running trail cameras in creeks and marshes all summer long. These gems are very comfortable and offer exceptional ankle and arch support, just like their knee boots and waders. The nylon material with the elastic band at the top – along with the adjustable webbing clip – makes this boot versatile, functional and extremely efficient. These boots were fantastic this summer and fall. They kept grass seeds out when I was wading through tall, dry grass that was

42 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

BROWNING OVIX CAMO CLOTHING I’m a fan of larger camo patterns that create the illusion of shadows, a depth of field and blend into light and dark contrasting habitats. Browning’s Ovix hunting clothing does this. I’ve worn and seen it worn on many hunts, from cold, rainy days pursuing elk in the Pacific Northwest, to open-country deer, bear and predators, and I love how it blends into so many settings. Whether it’s in the rainforest, conifers, hardwoods, desert, rocks or sagebrush, this diverse pattern is impressive. Browning’s complete line of Ovix garments is just as eye-opening. From early-season T-shirts and pants to specialized performance options, numerous jackets and even vests and gloves, they’ve covered it all. There’s even raingear. Active hunters will love the layering options the Ovix line offers, maybe as much as the pattern itself. browning.com.

KRYPTEK VALHALLA PANTS & TOP I wore the Valhalla pants and top on

HUNTING many outings this summer and early fall. It’s comfortable, lightweight, durable and breathable. What I absolutely love about the pants are the strategic pockets, especially the thigh pockets, which are convenient and keep things in place without flopping around when hiking or bending over. The long-sleeved zip top is nice in hot conditions and offers great mobility. $119 pants; $100 top; kryptek.com.

THERE YOU HAVE IT; some of the clothing and boots I’ve used and will keep using. Stay tuned for next month’s issue, where I’ll be highlighting some of the coolest gear and gadgets I’ve put to the test in recent months. CS

Browning’s Ovix camo clothing line has many options and the author is a big fan of the large pattern and its ability to blend into so many habitats he hunts throughout the West and beyond. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

44 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

Editor’s note: Want to learn how to skin and cape big game? Order Scott Haugen’s popular DVD, Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game, at scotthaugen. com. Follow Scott’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

46 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

HUNTING

EVEN AS FALL BECKONS, CAUTION, PREP NEEDED By Scott Haugen

f you’re the proud owner of a versatile gun dog, October marks the pinnacle of the entire hunting year. Depending on where you live, or are willing to travel to, you can pursue doves, pheasant, chukar, quail, grouse, ducks, geese, turkeys, crows, gray squirrels, varmints and more with your dog. With so much to hunt and so many places to go, it’s important to plan ahead so you have the proper gear needed for the hunt. If desert grouse and quail are on the menu, be aware of snakes. If your dog’s not snake broken, you should reconsider heading into rattler country. With hot temperatures extending well into fall, heading to habitats that are cooler, where snakes have receded into their dens, is a good move. Should you be heading into the Cascades or Coast Range for forest grouse and quail, know that grass and weed seeds this past summer were some of the worst on record. All summer long, vets were inundated with record numbers of dogs coming to their clinics for grass seed removal. Some of these surgeries can set you back $5,000 or more. Before cutting your dog loose to run open hillsides, the edges of walk-in-only roads, game trails and logged units, take a look around to see if it’s worth it. If multiple types of weed and grass seeds are flourishing, you may want to relocate and come back later in the season.

EARLY WATERFOWL SEASON BRINGS the

October is go-time for bird hunters and their canine companions. Make sure to research the area you’ll be hunting, monitor weather conditions and pack all the gear you and your dog will need. (SCOTT HAUGEN) calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

HUNTING

If your dog’s not snake trained, think carefully about where you’re hunting. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

48 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

same concerns, just with different kinds of noxious seeds and grasses. Spring and summer wetlands are a hotbed for the propagation of nasty seeds that can be detrimental to a dog. Some waterfowl habitats may not be huntable until the first heavy rains have knocked down weeds and tall grass. Inspect the area before letting your dog roam freely in any wetlands, particularly dry ones yet to take on water. Wherever you hunt, make sure to regularly inspect the eyes, ears, mouth, toes and the underside of all legs for grass seeds. Get into the underside of the pads and look between the toes for sharp, piercing seeds, as well as flat or round seeds that will ball up with fur and create hotspots. Making sure your dog’s gear fits the nature of the hunt is vital, and staying organized is key. You also want to have easy access to things like scissors, forceps, pliers, a brush and all first-aid items.

HUNTING

Gear boxes like this Yeti GoBox 60 and Pelican BX80 are great for hauling a range of gear while keeping dust and moisture out and protecting everything inside. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

SWITCHING GEARS, TIRED OF all my hunting gear sliding around in the back of the truck and getting covered in dust, I’ve found investing in quality cargo cases to be worth it. I tried plastic bins, but they didn’t withstand the punishment, so I stepped up my gear boxes. Whether I’m going on a day hunt or an extended road trip with the dogs, I’ll often put my bulkier gear in a Pelican BX80 Cargo Case. This is a deep box that mounts to the inside of my truck bed, making it great for traveling rough roads and on long trips. The BX80 Cargo Case is weather-resistant, dust-proof and the latching system is solid and efficient. Last fall, I tried Yeti’s LoadOut

GoBox 30 Gear Case and loved it so much I upsized last spring to the larger GoBox 60 to store dog gear in the truck. I love the durability of the GoBox, as I can store key pieces of training gear, including electronics and water bottles. The unit keeps everything sealed tight so moisture and dust don’t penetrate, and the nonslip feet keep it from sliding around the bed of my truck even on the roughest of roads. The GoBox is simple to wash, maintain and quickly repack for whatever your needs may be. As for water, you can’t have enough of it readily accessible for your dog. Yeti’s new 1.5-liter Yonder Water Bottle was great for my summer dog training sessions and has been nice to

50 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

have on early-season upland hunts. I keep it in the truck and carry the smaller 20-ounce Yonder bottle afield for the dogs. The Yonder bottles don’t keep water cold, but they’re a tough, durable option to haul in the truck and carry afield. From the hunt to the gear to the travel planning, the more prepared you are, the safer and more enjoyable the experience will be for you and your dog. CS Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time writer. See his basic puppy training videos and learn more about his many books at scotthaugen.com. Follow his adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

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calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

52 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

HUNTING

A WEEKEND OF FIRSTS REUNITED PALS HUNT THREE VARMINT SPECIES, BOWFISH FOR CARP, ANGLE FOR BASS

When they first met in California, John Matilla (left) had some hunting experience and was looking for more, and author Tim Hovey has helped expand his horizons, including pursuing varmints in Idaho. (TIM E. HOVEY)

By Tim E. Hovey

first met my buddy John Mattila in about 2006. His daughter and my daughter were in the same grade in elementary school, and they subsequently became friends. We’d see each other’s family at

school events and the forced smiles and slight nods slowly became shared conversations about how we didn’t much care for the frequent school activities. During one gathering, I was wearing a camouflage jacket. John

walked over and, after the standard pleasantries, asked me if I hunted. I’m usually pretty cautious about sharing my hunting passion, but the almost endless display of macaroni art laid out in four neat rows in the classroom had me distracted.

calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

HUNTING I explained to John that I hunted everything from mourning doves to wild boar. I told him about the plans I had for the upcoming season openers, and that for most of the fall and winter periods, I was in the desert calling predators. I punctuated the conversation by showing him a photo on my phone of a bobcat I had killed earlier in the year. I seriously thought that was the end of it. As we walked out to the parking lot, John explained that he used to hunt doves in Colorado and was hoping to get back into it. I’m very careful about who I bring into my hunting fold, but he seemed like a nice guy. I told him if he got his hunting license, I’d take him out to target mourning doves. And that’s how it started. John began coming out with us during the dove opener. He became a regular fixture on opening day for upland game and cottontail. Less than a year after he began hunting with me, he started asking about predator hunting. Over the years, I’ve put John on his first coyote and first bobcat. We started night hunting together after that and had a great deal of success. John relocated to Texas in 2021, but I told him if he ever wanted to fly

out and hunt with me, he had a place to stay. Six months after moving to the Lone Star State, he contacted me wondering if I had time to hunt with a buddy. My answer to that is always a resounding “Yes!”

WHENEVER I HUNT WITH my friends, I try to be the guide. I’ve been hunting and fishing a lot longer than they have and I get more joy out of putting them on animals. For John’s visit to my Idaho home, we only had a few critters we

Matilla had to traverse some rocky terrain to retrieve his marmot (top), one of the larger members of the squirrel family. (TIM E. HOVEY) 54 California Sportsman OCTOBER 2023 | calsportsmanmag.com

HUNTING could chase due to his timing, but he didn’t care. I also told him we could do a little fishing if he wanted. I picked John up at the airport and we headed out to the hunting grounds. I decided that the first day we were going to focus on varmints. I had a spot where we could get into small ground squirrels, as well as marmots. Getting on the freeway, John mentioned that anything was fine with him. At the hunting area, I pulled out the .17-caliber HMR rifles, shooting sticks and folding chairs. The area was a mix of flat agriculture fields and boulder groups, all surrounded by green vegetation. I’ve hunted the area solo before and have always seen varmints feeding around the spot. We spent an hour glassing small burrows and plinking ground squirrels. It took John a bit to get used to the scope on the Savage rifle, but soon he was popping squirrels at distance. It was great to be out hunting with John again. With a full day of travel and a little hunting, we decided to head back to town for some food and then go to my place to relax a bit. For what I had planned for John’s short visit, he was

Matilla got adjusted well to using the shooting sticks with Hovey’s varmint rifles. (TIM E. HOVEY) calsportsmanmag.com | OCTOBER 2023 California Sportsman

HUNTING

For Matilla, between the successful shot on his badger and using a bow to arrow a carp, this friends’ reunion was indeed a weekend of firsts. “I thought it was cool that friends could visit me and we could enjoy the outdoors together,” buddy Hovey writes. (TIM E. HOVEY)

going to need some rest. The next morning, we headed out to a different spot to look for marmots early. During the previous evening, John had mentioned he had never seen or shot a marmot before. I wanted to see if I could change that. I pulled the truck off the main road, and we headed down a two-track. At an overlook, we parked and started glassing a huge rockpile about 100 yards away. Almost instantly I spotted a large marmot sitting in the shade of one of the rocks in the pile. We got out and set John up on the shooting

sticks. After a little coordination, he spotted the marmot, but not much of the animal was visible. After a single shot, the marmot scooted off to safety unharmed. As I was glassing the rest of the area, I spotted another smaller marmot near the edge of the rock pile. With one clean 90-yard shot, John dropped his first rockchuck.

THE REST OF THE day was forecasted to be pretty hot, so I decided to stop off at a couple of ponds to try our luck at bass fishing. Along with the rifles,

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I had tossed a few rods in the truck as well. I also mentioned that I had shot carp at these ponds before with bows. John looked at me a little confused. In the back seat, next to the rifles, were two compound bows rigged up for shooting fish. “I know for a fact you’ve never done that before!” I stated. At the ponds, we first walked around tossing plugs and catching bass. After a quick, successful hunt, it was awesome to put John on fish. We fished for another hour and slowly worked our way back to the truck. During the bass session, I noticed several carp slowly swimming in the shallows in a few of the ponds. We stowed the rods and switched them out for bows. I gave John a few simple instructions on using the fishing bows and set him loose. Honestly, I didn’t think he’d have much luck. I decided to drive around to the other side of the ponds and try my luck with the carp. We hadn’t been separated for more than 20 minutes when I heard John yelling from the other side. I noticed he was struggling with something in the tall grass. I watched from a distance, trying to see what he was doing. He then lifted the arrow with an 8-pound carp attached. We took some photos and stowed the gear. We headed back into town for lunch and John started talking about the day. He mentioned that he was excited to be getting so many “firsts” on the trip. I knew the marmot and the carp shooting was a first for John, but I didn’t know that he had never caught a largemouth bass before, nor shot a ground squirrel. The rest of the afternoon we messed around at the ground squirrel area and just explored. The day was getting hotter, and the early start had us dragging. About midafternoon, we called it a day and headed for my place. On the drive home, I showed John some of the places where we’ve seen badgers in the past. Attracted by the abundance of ground squirrels in the area, badgers will frequently set up

HUNTING their home burrows within yards of the small mammals they feed on. I could see the wheels turning in John’s head. He looked over at me. “You know, I’ve never hunted badger before!” he exclaimed. I smiled slightly and nodded my approval. Challenge accepted!

THE NEXT MORNING, WITH a later flight scheduled that same day, John and I headed back to the squirrel grounds to look for badgers. For the first hour we explored the rolling hills, completely ignoring the abundance of ground squirrels running around the area. While on one of the dirt roads, John asked me to stop the truck. He was looking out the passenger window to the right. John had mentioned that he had never seen a badger in the wild, so I wasn’t confident he had seen much of anything. I was about to be proven wrong. “I think I see a badger!” he

exclaimed. After a little coordination, John guided me to where he was looking. Through the binoculars, I saw the black and white striped face of a badger looking right at us, about 100 yards out. We grabbed the rifle, shooting sticks and chair. With some careful stalking, we were able to cut the distance to about 75 yards. I placed John there and we waited. After about 30 minutes with little motion, I hiked back to the truck and decided to circle around and leave John there. Halfway up a sidehill, I heard a single shot from John’s direction. John had made a perfect shot on the badger. We took a few photos and headed back out. With a plane to catch, we decided to grab some food and then head to the airport. With John being relatively new to hunting, it was easy to get him on animals that he had never taken before. The ground squirrels and

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marmot were the easy part. They are abundant in the areas I hunt and can be easily taken with the right gear. Spotting and taking the badger was just the cherry on top. And having fished all my life, it was great to take John to a place where the largemouth bass are hungry and aggressive. Honestly, I believe the hardest thing he accomplished during his trip was shooting a carp with a bow. With no previous experience using a compound bow, his chances of success were slim. However, with the right gear and in the right area, we made it happen. I dropped John off at the airport and told him he was welcome back anytime. As I drove home, I thought it was cool that friends could visit me and we could enjoy the outdoors together. I wondered what other outdoor firsts I could put John on in the future. I guess he’ll just have to come back out and see! CS

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