Cal Sportsman Mag Dec 2019

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California

Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 12 • Issue 3 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Joanna Gilkeson, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Todd Kline, Lance Sawa, Bill Schaefer, Jeff Walters SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Jim Klark, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold DESIGNERS Celina Martin, Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper DESIGN INTERN Jacob Culver 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 Winter in Southern California bays and harbors means a plethora of saltwater bass species to target. (BILL SCHAEFER)

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10 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

CONTENTS

VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 3

A TAHOE TROUT REUNION Lahontan cutthroat trout were once ubiquitous in both Pyramid Lake and Lake Tahoe, connected by the Truckee River, until several factors all but wiped them out. But now, behind a program that dates back to the 1990s, the state fish of Nevada is back from the brink. In October, 5,000 were released in Lake Tahoe. Joanna Gilkeson of USFWS Pacific Southwest Region has the details, plus we have a Q&A with the team leader of this successful endeavor.

K

16

(JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS)

FEATURES 35

WINTER TROUT WONDERLAND

Southern Californians don’t have to endure too many bitterly cold winter days, and so with cool waters and mild weather, not to mention some excellent planting programs for several Southland lakes, there’s no shortage of options for going fishing this time of year, whether it’s in San Diego, the Inland Empire or Orange County. Jeff Walters maps out all the possibilities for your endless winter of trout bliss.

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BASSIN’, SALTWATER STYLE

Our bass guru Bill Schaefer is wily enough to understand that winter doesn’t mean storing away all his freshwater bass gear. Many of the same rods, reels and even lures will work on tricking saltwater bass in coastal bays and harbors. Schaefer offers up the tips needed to score a few frisky barred sand, spotted bay and calico bass.

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GIFT GUIDE PRIMER

Ack! It’s that time of year again – as the days count down till Chrismas you’ve still got the names of California sportsmen to cross off your holiday shopping list. Fortunately, Santa Scott Haugen is here to help. He offers up a handy checklist of gadgets and gear sure to be a hit when unwrapped or pulled from a stocking. And for that holiday party, check out Tiffany Haugen’s three smoked salmon recipes.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 53 73

California angler abroad: Father-son bass outings in Japan Holiday hunting dog gifts

DEPARTMENTS 15 27 31 33

The Editor’s Note: Remembering a friend and fishing guide Adventures of Todd Kline Photo contest winners Outdoor calendar

Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Send address changes to California Sportsman, PO Box 24365, Seattle, WA 98124. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues), 2-year subscription are $39.95 (24 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Back issues are available at Media Index Publishing Group offices at the cost of $5 plus shipping. 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 © 2019 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. 12 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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THEEDITOR’SNOTE

The editor (left) savors the fishing trips he took with guide Manny Saldana Jr. in the past few years. Saldana passed away suddenly in November. (CHRIS COCOLES)

W

hen I wrote about my dad’s passing in this space earlier this fall, little did I expect I’d be remembering someone else close to me whom we lost a couple months later.

But here I am trying to come up with something meaningful about my friend and fishing guide Manuel “Manny” Saldana Jr., who died suddenly and tragically at just 45 years old in early November.

Besides the many correspondents who have contributed or continue to contribute content for California Sportsman, perhaps no one outside this office helped me shape this magazine more than Manny. I’ve now worked with, fished with and consulted with him so many times in the last few years it feels like he’s always been close.

Talking about him with a mutual friend of ours, CS writer Mark Fong, I really couldn’t remember the first time I corresponded with Manny. But ever since then, he was a go-to resource for me when it came to writing stories about Central Valley fishing – from king salmon to striped bass to landlocked coho.

As far as those three species, I can say I was lucky enough to fish for all of them as a passenger on Manny’s boat with his MSJ Fishing Guide Service, which he owned and operated out of his Yuba City home. Those outings will be among the most memorable I’ll ever experience as long as I work at California Sportsman.

As an editor who produces two monthly magazines, I can’t fish as much as I’d like. But Manny took me out four times in recent years. I caught my first Feather River Chinook on his boat, I landed a massive spring-run striper (above) as part of a spectacular day when we slammed dozens of fish, and I brought home a full bag of coho fillets from Lake Oroville on our most recent trip in 2018.

So much fun.

On that last excursion it was just the two of us fishing on a gorgeous spring morning. When we weren’t catching fish we were engaged in many deep conversations – about our families, our personal relationships, our jobs, our futures.

Looking back now I’m so grateful we had that time together.

Whenever we’d talk for an interview for a story since then – Manny and I spoke at length for a salmon article about 10 days before he passed, as well as made tentative plans to fish together in the spring – we made it a point to at least briefly talk about topics that didn’t involve fishing. It sucks that we’ll never get that opportunity again.

But Manny’s legacy will live on through his wife Melanie, daughters Alyssa and Kaylie and so many of his colleagues in the fishing industry. A GoFundMe page had raised almost $10,000 in the first week-plus after his death. The NorCal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association organized an auction put together by multiple area guides. The fishing and hunting trips sold increased the donations to around $20,000.

That’s the kind of positive impact Manny had on those in his business, including this guy. –Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2019 California Sportsman

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Native Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Reintroduced To Lake Tahoe

By Joanna Gilkeson

L

ahontan cutthroat is the only trout species native to Lake Tahoe, yet they completely disappeared from that ecosystem by the 1930s. This was mainly due to sweeping shifts in

natural resource management, like logging and overfishing from early settlement in the West in the 1900s.

As numbers of Lahontan cutthroat trout dwindled, their position as top predator in Lake Tahoe was backfilled by stocked non-native sportfish such as lake trout, rainbow trout and kokanee salmon.

The cutthroat continued to decline across its range and was eventually listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1970. Since listing, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been developing and implementing strategies to help the trout return home.

Beginning in 2002, USFWS’s Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex started working to restore the iconic lake-form of Lahontan cutthroat trout in Fallen Leaf Lake, located in the Tahoe Basin. Through years of reintroduction, research, adaptive management and partnerships, much has been learned about the conservation needs of Lahontan cutthroat trout in Lake Tahoe.

AFTER YEARS OF PLANNING and hard work, the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery, for the first time ever, released approximately 2,000 fish into Lake Tahoe on Oct. 5, 2019. The stocking event occurred in tandem with the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit’s Fall Fish Festival near South Lake Tahoe.

“Lahontan National Fish Hatchery’s broodstock population represents the genetic legacy of the original Lahontan cutthroat trout population that once thrived in Lake Tahoe,” said Lisa Heki, project leader for the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex.

“With this stocking event, the trout is returning home.”

The colorful 12- to 14-inch fish were released from a large holding truck through a stocking tube. The trout could be seen darting through the clear, crisp alpine lake, and even ran

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PROTECTING

A crowd watches the release of Lahontan cutthroat trout on Oct. 5, 2019 at Kiva Beach. The native species was all but wiped out from Lake Tahoe, but a collaborative effort has brought the fish back. (JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS)

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The floy tags used to tag Lahontan cutthroat trout include a hotline for anglers to report their catch.

(JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS)

A Lahontan National Fish Hatchery tanker truck transported the trout from the rearing facility in Gardnerville, Nevada, to South Lake Tahoe on the California side. (JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS)

into a few spectators’ legs as they swam to freedom.

Stocking will enhance angling opportunities in Lake Tahoe and improve visibility of this important native trout in local communities and for those recreating in the area.

The hatchery followed up with a second stocking on Oct. 6, at the same location near Kiva Beach along Lake Tahoe. Over the course of the Fall 18 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

Fish Festival, several hundred people watched the hatchery reintroduce the native Lahontan cutthroat trout into Lake Tahoe.

For Heki, the event is a highlight of her career.

“It was exhilarating to see the native trout return to their home waters in beautiful Lake Tahoe after years of working for this moment,” she said.

“Sharing it with the enthusiastic and

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LAHONTAN CUTTHROAT PROJECT IS BIOLOGIST’S LABOR OF LOVE

I

n the early 1990s, Lisa Heki corresponded with a colleague, Utah biologist Bryce Nielson, who told her he found what appeared to be a strain of Lahontan cutthroat trout in a small stream in the Pilot Mountains along the Utah-Nevada border. Heki, a Nevadan whose career started as a biologist with the U.S. Forest Service, was intrigued with the possibilities.

“He was reaching out to me and seeing what could be done to bring this strain back to its native waters in Nevada.

He saw the potential and that really started our path,” Heki says of Nielson’s urging that would fan the flames to get the fish back to Nevada’s Pyramid Lake, the Truckee River and, ultimately, on the other end of the Truckee in Lake Tahoe.

“What a series of unlikely events that brought this fish back to its native habitat.”

Editor Chris Cocoles caught up with Heki to get a little more perspective on this comeback story.

Chris Cocoles You’ve been essentially working on this project since the mid1990s. What’s the evolution of this been like for you?

Lisa Heki The evolution of recognizing the value of Lahontan cutthroat trout in the Pyramid-Tahoe-Truckee corridor, to see it come to fruition with the building blocks … and really seeing this trout thrive, even in modified habitat, has been just such an amazing experience to see the resilience of native species and their ecosystems. And to see the partners who have been working with us along the way and in support of this

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Lisa Heki has been studying how to reintroduce Lahontan cutthroat trout to its native waters around the California-Nevada border since the early 1990s. (USFWS)

unique trout. Between the stocking and the partnership with the Pyramid Lake Paiute tribe and now the Tahoe community that is embracing its native trout as well, I’m just beyond thrilled for this species.

CC Were there lots of lows and highs as you’ve worked on this?

LH The challenges have been for years talking about the potential of the genetic legacy that was captured in that very small population. It can be difficult.

It’s a pretty significant paradigm shift in reestablishing what everyone thought was gone. And so you have to bring folks along with the science and motion of that paradigm shift. But that has also been a valuable part of my career – to learn and grow and understand how to communicate this opportunity to the people in these basins. It’s been an opportunity that I couldn’t have had otherwise but for my career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

CC So was the day earlier this year when the trout were released in Lake Tahoe very emotional for you?

LH It was very significant for me personally. My son went to the public meetings I had at Fallen Leaf Lake in

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Tahoe when he was only 18 months old in 2001. And now he’s 19 so it’s been a family endeavor, shall we say?

CC Like a lot of native fish that decline, did the Lahontan cutthroat face a lot of adversity after they were once thriving in Pyramid Lake and Lake Tahoe?

LH They were a very important commercial fish – and so important that they were overfished and were sent to all kinds of restaurants across the country, in train cars to San Francisco and even back east. Tahoe had a slightly different history in that the mining and timber harvests really modified the habitat.

The sawmills and the sawdust actually influenced the Truckee-Pyramid system and clogged the rivers. So that had an impact, along with the overfishing.

CC In both Tahoe and Pyramid, these fish were badasses, right?

LH Lahontan cutthroat trout were the top predator in both. They were longlived in both systems. They reached a large size in both systems. And they are highly piscivorous – they are fish eaters primarily once they get about 12 inches in length. And they’re the largest inland trout in the world. There’s an anecdotal report of a 63-pounder in Pyramid that

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WILD CALIFORNIA was caught. But 45 to 50 pounds was probably the top in size.

CC In a perfect world, had it not been for the variables that contributed to their demise, are these lakes perfect habitat for the Lahontans?

LH They seriously do quite well in their home waters and that’s the key for these native species. The big issue was modification to habitat, access to spawning tributaries and overfishing.

So that really knocked them down. And probably (consumption by) rainbows was probably next. Their introduction came around the same time (Lahontans) started to disappear.

And you have mysis shrimp that were added in, I think, the 1950s to feed the lake trout. And that’s a huge issue for the health of the Tahoe ecosystem. It’s this huge biomass that migrates vertically and pushes out native zooplankton, which impacts native fish.

CC From a biologist’s perspective it had to be heartbreaking to know this sacred fish all but disappeared, but has that now become an inspiration given that the trout could be back?

LH If you read the stories about their complete disappearance from the Pyramid-Truckee corridor, it is a tough read and it’s something that looks implausible to recreate 30 years or 40 years later. Getting the support and understanding that with the discovery of this strain related to the original populations in Tahoe and Pyramid, for convincing partners and communities it does take time. These natives are resilient and they can find a foothold in their home waters with our help.

CC Are there still a lot of challenges these fish will face?

LK For the Pyramid-Truckee system – and keep in mind that there’s not a lot of data and we are on the ground floor of

learning about them coming back – they wait to reach sexual maturity and now we have a naturally reproducing population coming up from Pyramid Lake and the Truckee River. There are going to be challenges for watershed connectivity.

They really need to get upriver (on the Truckee) like they used to. They’re big fish and need colder water for spawning and incubation. But the Bureau of Reclamation is funding a screen at Derby Dam, which is about 45 miles upstream of Pyramid Lake so that we can together operate that fish passage structure.

With the stocking in Tahoe itself, we need to work on understanding all the tributaries. The only real challenges I see are managing those spawning migrations. I’m pretty encouraged that we’ll be able to address that down the road. The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act is legislation intended to continuing to fund the federal and nonfederal partnership in Lake Tahoe. There is $20 million there for Lahontan cutthroat trout. There’s a lot of support to make this happen.

CC You’re an angler too, so how special would it be for you having been a key part of reintroducing these native trout if someday you catch and release a big fat Lahontan cutthroat trout – maybe while out there with your family?

LK Just to be out there (fishing) with my family and perhaps someday my grandkids, I can say that I was a part of this. It’s very emotional for me to see nature come back and be successful. It’s a story my family will hear from me often.

We’ve had a couple of anglers call in and say they’ve caught these fish in Tahoe. One individual was on the other side of the lake from where they were stocked, so the angling community has embraced this potential. And they are so excited about their place in helping us understand how these fish will use their native ecosystems and having the opportunities to catch something that was forever gone. I think it’s just a great conservation recreational fishing story that brings all parties to the table. CS

22 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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WILD CALIFORNIA

A Lahontan cutthroat trout with floy tag attached prior to release. (JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS)

supportive people of Lake Tahoe made it truly special and encouraging for the future of this unique trout.”

A THIRD AND FINAL stocking effort was held on Oct. 7 at Sand Harbor State Beach in Nevada in partnership with

Nevada Department of Wildlife.

A total of 5,000 fish were released over the course of three days, all with the adipose fin clipped to help anglers identify stocked fish.

About 2,000 of these fish also received an external tag known as a “The data gathered from the floy-tagged fish will help us understand how Lahontan cutthroat trout are using habitat in the lake,” said Nevada Department of Wildlife Fisheries biologist Travis Hawks. (JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS)

“floy tag.” The tags encourage anglers to call a hotline and report the stocked fish along with as much information as possible about the catch.

“The data gathered from the floytagged fish will help us understand how Lahontan cutthroat trout are using habitat in the lake,” said NDOW fisheries biologist Travis Hawks. “This information will be crucial in the future recovery of the species in the Tahoe Basin.”

Reports from the public will assist NDOW and USFWS in collecting data and information about the movement and survival of these fish after release.

Other partners in this effort include the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. CS Editor’s note: Joanna Gilkeson is a public affairs specialist at the Reno office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more on the USFWS Pacific Southwest region, go to fws.gov/cno.

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s e r u t n e v d A

I was lucky enough to take a family trip to Rancho Santana, Nicaragua.

My son and I really enjoyed surfing this beautiful coastline on the Pacific Ocean. (TODD KLINE)

W

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 on 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

The sunsets from the house we stayed at in this Central American country were awesome. (TODD KLINE)

I took this surf shot with my GoPro while in Nicaragua. (TODD KLINE) calsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2019 California Sportsman

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We would surf all day and then enjoy a meal right there at the beach. Rancho Santana is such a special place. (TODD KLINE) This year has been awesome with all of the father-son guide trips I’ve been a part of. You gotta love it when the kids get a good bass! (TODD KLINE)

28 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

In between guide trips I have found time to catch a few myself. Looking forward to 2020. (TODD KLINE)

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PHOTO

CONTEST

WINNERS!

Jan and Bob Curran are the winner of our monthly Yo-Zuri Photo Contest, thanks to this shot of grandson Preston and their Chinook limits. It wins them gear from the company that makes some of the world’s best fishing lures and lines!

Kelly Frazier wins our monthly Hunting Photo Contest, thanks to the pic she sent of herself and her eastern Montana pronghorn, taken this fall. It wins her a knife!

For your shot at winning hunting and fishing products, send your photos and pertinent (who, what, when, where) details to ccocoles@media-inc.com or California Sportsman, PO Box 24365, Seattle, WA 98124-0365. By sending us photos, you affirm you have the right to distribute them for our print or Internet publications. calsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2019 California Sportsman

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR DECEMBER

7 Most bighorn sheep hunting seasons open 7 Balance of State Zone American crow season opens 7 Mad River Alliance Birthday Bash, Arcata; madriveralliance.org 8 Fall wild turkey season closes 21 Second Northeastern Zone scaup season opens 21-29 Southern Zone band-tailed pigeon season dates 23 Second archery-only pheasant season opens 29 General bear season closes 31 Last day 2019 hunting and fishing seasons are valid

JANUARY

Bighorn sheep hunting is limited both to available tags and dates, but most California seasons begin on Dec. 7.

1 First day 2020 hunting and fishing licenses are valid 1 Topaz Lake Fishing Derby; visitcarsonvalley.org 1 Online harvest reporting begins for steelhead,

sturgeon and North Coast salmon report cards 16-19 International Sportsman’s Expo, Sacramento; sportsexpos.com/attend/sacramento 17 Last day of duck season in Northeastern Zone 18 Golden State Salmon Association Crab Feed, Cal Expo

Race Track, Sacramento, goldenstatesalmon.org 19 Opening of Humboldt Steelhead Days; humboldtsteelheaddays.com 27 Opener for falconry rabbits and varying hare 31 Last day for duck season in most zones

(JOANNA GILKESON/USFWS)

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FISHING

A TROUT WINTER WONDERLAND

YOUR SEASONAL FISHING PLANS SHOULD INCLUDE THESE GREAT SOUTHLAND DESTINATIONS

Winter in the Southland doesn’t always mean cold weather and storing away the trout fishing gear.

Jess Ranch Lakes is one of many Southern California fisheries worth checking out this time of year.

(JEFF WALTERS)

By Jeff Walters

W

inter trout fishing in Southern California has become very popular because of all the different trout stocking programs. Staterun hatcheries as well as private vendors both in and out of state provide large amounts of big fish to catch.

There are plenty of winter trout fisheries within a short drive of the Southland to try your luck. (With the outbreak of this year’s wildfire season, check ahead to see if certain waters are open at the time of your trip.)

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

LAKE POWAY Location: 14644 Lake Poway Road, Poway Phone: (858) 668-4778 Website: poway.org/401/lake-poway Entrance fee: $7, with a $10 parking fee for nonresidents Lake Poway is operated by the city of Poway and is a drinking water reservoir, so no water contact is allowed. Stocked with the famous Nebraska tailwalker trout all winter long, you won’t have to wait very long to reach your limit.

This small but deep lake boasts some impressive largemouth bass that have

made this lake famous in SoCal. Boat rentals are available all year long but sell out fast during trout season, though reservations can be made online.

No state fishing license is required and very affordable entry fees make this a nice option. (Check website for any upcoming changes, stocking dates and regulations.)

LAKE JENNINGS Location: 9535 Harritt Road, Lakeside Phone: (619) 390-1623 Website: lakejennings.org Entrance fee: $9; check website for parking cost Lake Jennings stocks 20,000 pounds of

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FISHING

Mojave Narrows Regional Park in Victorville offers two fishing options – Horseshoe and Pelican Lakes. The lakes receive both private and state stocking of catchable trout. (JEFF WALTERS)

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rainbows per year from both Calaveras Trout Farms and state hatcheries. These plantings provide some high catch rates.

With camping, long miles of shore access, private boat launch and boat rentals, you can always find a place to cast a line or two.

Jennings is known as a great trout fishing lake because of the way the fish are held in pens, which allows them to become more acclimated to the water temps and ready to roam the lake when released. It’s a unique approach and a very effective way to maintain such big trout stocks.

Check out their updated website for further information on entry fees and stocking programs.

Other San Diego County locations include Lakes Miramar, Otay, Wolhford, Dixon, Cuyamaca, Moreno,

FISHING

Irvine Lake’s reopening in August was welcomed in Orange County. The lake offers some great trout fishing again. (STEVE CARSON) Murray and Chollas, the Santee Lakes, and Doanes Pond.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

DIAMOND VALLEY LAKE Location: 2615 Angler Avenue, Hemet Phone: (951) 926-7201 Website: dvlake.com Entrance fee: $10 to park, $7 for fishing; discounts for military members Diamond Valley Lake is known as “The Jewel of the Inland Empire.” It’s a 4,200-plus-acre lake that is 260 feet at its deepest spot, so this is one huge lake to fish.

Shore fishing for trout is always a great option here. Just note that the shoreline is not for the faint of heart and small kids should be taken into consideration before heading to the rocky banks. But this lake really produces fish. The trout releases not only benefit anglers but also the lake’s other predators as well. You will see bass fishermen throwing huge swimbaits in search of largemouth and stripers that come into feed on the stockers. Trust me, you will see them hook into some monster bass during trout outings.

Diamond Valley gets stocked by both state and private vendors, meaning you will always have trout to fish for.

The state plants over 20,000 pounds per year of various sizes and species of trout, though many don’t survive the predators. Those that do hold deep, so trolling with leadcore line is your best option for going after the holdovers.

While there’s no fishing near the marina, to the left (east) side of the marina, the shoreline is vast and wide open and sees high catch rates all season long. Check out DVL’s aforementioned website for current info and to make boat rental reservations. You should also check for watercraft limitations.

Other Riverside County locations include Lakes Skinner, Hemet and Little Lake, and Fisherman’s Retreat.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

GREEN VALLEY LAKE Location: 33180 Green Valley Lake Road, Green Valley Phone: (909) 867-2009 Website: green-valley-lake.com Entrance fee: $15; senior and military discounts apply

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Green Valley Lake is a rather small but deep fishery tucked in the mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest, just off State Highway 18. It is also a drinking water reservoir, so no water contact is allowed, and while there isn’t a private launch rowboat rentals are available. (Residents who live there can use their own boats.)

Trout are stocked by the state and by Calaveras Trout Farms, so you will always have plenty of trout to try and trick.

Most of the large trout like to hang out near the dam, where the water is the deepest and has a constant flow in and out, which brings food sources to them.

Bait fishing is the most popular here, although you will see many anglers finding success by throwing lures, so keep your options open. This is a really nice place for the kids and family to fish all year long.

JESS RANCH LAKES Location: 11495 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley Phone: (760) 240-1107 Website: jessranchlakesnews.com Entrance fee: Varies by type, length of fishing Jess Ranch Lakes is a small, resort-style

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he Kern River Valley, home of Lake Isabella, is also known for the Kern River, which earned Wild and Scenic designation and originates with runoff from Mount Whitney and the high Sierra.

The mighty Kern is the southernmost of California’s Sierra Nevada watersheds.

The river is not only known for excellent whitewater rafting but also for its worldrenowned fly fishing.

The best fishing spots are in the 30-plus miles of easily accessible river above the quiet and scenic town of Kernville. There’s even a stretch designated as a catch-and-release-only fishery on the river.

The photo shows off a beautiful 23-inch trout courtesy of Kern River Fly Shop. It’s a testament to how the Kern earned its reputation. Owner/guide Guy Jeans has earned his with years of successful guiding of guests from around the world.

Contact the Kernville Chamber of Commerce for more information.

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FISHING fishing location that just happens to have a fish hatchery onsite. This can be a very popular place for the family and kids because of the massive trout that they get from Nebraska and raise.

The hatchery has holding ponds and sells a lot of fish to many lakes all over Southern California. Jess Ranch is open Friday through Sunday, 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., and features two lakes to fish.

Lake No. 1 is for float tubers only and carries catch-and-release regulations for all species. Cost is $25 for four hours. It’s a fun time for sure and worth the money if that is what you want to do.

Lake No. 2 costs $20 for a five-fish limit. Keep in mind that these trout are massive and what make this small fishing location so popular. The lakes are fed by the Mojave River and have super-clean, cold water, with a wellmaintained park surrounding them. No state fishing license is required.

MOJAVE NARROWS REGIONAL PARK Location: 18000 Yates Road, Victorville Phone: (760) 245-2226 Website: cms.sbcounty.gov Entrance fee: $8 per vehicle, $10 to fish Monday-Wednesday, $12 Thursday-Sunday Mojave Narrows Regional Park is quite literally a desert oasis and surrounded by a tightly knit, master-planned community, which you drive through to get to the park. With two fishing lakes – Horseshoe and Pelican – you will always find a chance to catch fish.

This rather large park seems to have it all: wide-open fields, trails, playgrounds, a summer water park and camping. Trout fishing started in the beginning of November and runs until mid-April, with both private and state stocking programs.

No water contact is allowed, nor is there a private boat launch. Check website for float tube restrictions. The lakes are open every day for fishing, except on stocking days, which normally fall on Thursday.

An angler hoists a Hesperia Lake rainbow caught at this popular (top) San Bernardino County fishery. (JEFF WALTERS) 42 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

HESPERIA LAKE PARK Location: 7500 Arrowhead Lake Road, Hesperia Phone: (760) 244-5951 or (800) 521-6332

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FISHING Website: hesperiaparks.com Entrance fee: $18 for adult, $6 kids 10 and younger (senior and military discounts apply)

Website: ocparks.com Entrance fee: $5 to park Popular O.C. fishery Irvine Lake was closed for a few years and has since reopened to fishing (California Sportsman, September 2019). There’s currently no cost to fish but parking is $5. It’s shore fishing-only with approved bait selections.

Please see website for directions and restrictions on fishing, which includes no body contact. Irvine gets stocked by both state and private vendors and this lake will indeed produce, which has given it a great reputation for being the place to go in Orange County.

The lake has two entrance points to choose from: right behind the store or by the playing fields. The entrance behind the store leads through a wonderful waterway maze that is a great picnic location.

Fishing this well-stocked and long lake is fun and always produces fish. It gets plants from the state and private vendors, with state limits enforced. It also offers camping, hiking, playing fields, picnic areas, a community center and more. This park is very popular all year long. Make sure to check the website for more details of all the events and fishing derbies held each year.

The lake is open Friday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for winter trout fishing.

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Website: countyofsb.org/parks.cachuma Entrance fee: $10 per vehicle; see website for complete list of fees, including launch costs Cachuma Lake is simply one of the best trout fishing lakes in Santa Barbara County. At 9,000 surface acres, Cachuma has vast underwater topography, including valleys, ledges, points, drop-offs and more. Stocked by the state and from private vendors such as Mt. Lassen, this lake produces large trout all year long.

Shore access is vast, with fishing piers all around you will always have a place to cast a line. This is known as a boat fishing lake with no water contact allowed. Kayaks are welcome, so check the website for further information.

This huge park offers camping, RV hookups, cabin and yurt rentals all year long. It’s located in the Santa Ynez Mountains and fed by the Santa Ynez River. Check the U.S. Forest Service website (fs.usda.gov) for information on fishing the Santa Ynez River. CS

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The Salmon & Steelhead spinners & spoons that Fishermen can rely on every time for high quality and dependability.

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FISHING Freshwater bass gear like spinnerbaits will work just fine on Southland bays and harbors for saltwater species like spotted bay bass.

(BILL SCHAEFER)

BASSIN’ ON THE BAY SOCAL WINTERS CAN PROVIDE SOME GREAT SALTWATER FISHING IN THE HARBORS

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

A

s a guide of over 30 years, I can tell you that all too many anglers give up on fishing in the winter despite the fact there are plenty of fun opportunities still to be had in Southern California.

Sure, it can be cold and rainy in the winter, but as long as you bundle

up there are nice fish to catch. The lakes of the Southland can get a little tougher than the action on the Pacific, so you may want to turn to the saltwater bass species to fulfill your need to catch bass.

In other words: Don’t put that tackle up this season and instead explore the coastal bays for the fish they hold. These bass also tend to eat

rain or shine, so every day is a possible fishing day.

BAY BASS BONANZA Winter can make the ocean a bit lumpy with incoming storms and the wind and rain that accompany them, but the bays and harbors you’ll be fishing are similar to big lakes, and both are full of bass.

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FISHING different for the saltwater bass.

The bass tend to feed more if the tide is moving in or out. A medium tide with 3 to 4 feet of water movement is best, so check your tide book or app. You should catch fish as long as the water is moving while you are out there.

HOW TO CATCH EACH SPECIES

You can catch all three species of saltwater bass over the course of a day, just as Bill Hokstad and Bill Garber did in a winning tournament effort. (BILL SCHAEFER)

One of the great things to look forward to is that the larger barred sand bass move to the bays in the winter, so you have a chance at catching a giant as well.

There are actually three species of bass that call the bays home. Spotted sand bass average ½ to 2 pounds, barred sand bass come in at about 1 to 2 pounds with some up to 5 or 6, and calico bass have similar sizes to barred sand bass. Calico can be found in the outer parts of the bays, usually around larger jetties and dock pilings.

can fish with both hard and soft jerkbaits, plus small crankbaits and even spinnerbaits.

There is an endless amount of docks you can flip too, and they are usually where the big boys live. You can fish various size swimbaits from shallow to deep waters. I’ve always said that if you put blinders on a freshwater bass angler and sent him out in his bass boat on any of the bays, he would catch fish using just the tackle he would normally use on the lakes.

KEEP YOUR LURES FRESH

Still, there are some basics to remember when fishing the salt. Freshwater bass fishermen who have fished tidal waters – the California Delta, for example – will know that tidal movement affects the bass feeding. It is no

All these bass have one thing in common: They will eat your freshwater lures all year long. There is no need to get new tackle or equipment. The bays have giant weedbeds that you

WATCH THE TIDES

48 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

The bulk of the bay fish are spotted sand bass, so you should be catching a lot of them if it’s a good day. With their smaller size, I would suggest lighter tackle for this species.

Spotted bay bass are like river smallmouth and strong as heck from living in the current. If you give them a fighting chance with matched tackle, then they will reward you with a great fight.

They love small grubs and swimbaits, but they’ll eat crankbaits and spinnerbaits and fight hard until landed.

Barred sand bass enter the bay in greater numbers in the winter. They are always there, but in winter the population increases in numbers and size. Four- and 5-pounders can be commonplace. For these bass you will need to break out your swimbaits. Trout lure chuckers should carry options between 5 and 8 inches. Trout-colored swimbaits will actually work, but golds and browns are among their favorite colors.

Because you are fishing a little deeper – usually between 30 and 60 feet down – let your bait sink to the bottom, then stay in free-spool for a bit as you drift away from the cast.

This extra line will help your lure stay on the bottom and in the strike zone longer during the retrieve.

On the retrieve, the biting fish will feel like a heavy weight has been added to your line. Once you feel this, you should reel rapidly until the weight feels heavier, and then set the hook.

The bass seems heavier as the stretch comes out of your line and you make contact with the hooked fish. Some fishermen will use braided line for these fish so they can set the hook sooner.

Lastly, while calico bass are more prevalent in the warmer months

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FISHING of the year, there are always some around towards the mouth of most bays. They too can be fooled with swimbaits, but will also eat crankbaits, spinnerbaits and creature baits flipped around the rocks or pilings.

Author Bill Schaefer with a spotted bay bass, which will gobble a lot of freshwater bass lures. (BILL SCHAEFER)

FAMILIAR GEAR FOR BASSERS The basic tackle I use is like what I would employ on a freshwater bass lake. I’ll bring a Daiwa Tatula rod and reel with 6-pound Maxima Ultragreen and a 3.5-inch swimbait in chartreuse for spotted bass.

For barred sand bass, I use my Daiwa DXSB Swimbait rod and Lexa reel with 12-pound Maxima Ultragreen and a 5- to 7-inch swimbait, usually in a brownbait color.

For the calicos I’ll fish with the same rod and reel, but I usually go to Daiwa or Maxima braided line with swimbaits or for flipping. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and other reaction baits can be thrown on the regular rods you use. CS

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52 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

PASSING ALONG A FISHING TRADITION FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT

By Lance Sawa

G

rowing up I mostly fished for trout, primarily in rivers and streams, though lakes always added the chance to catch a large fish.

A few times I tried for crappie at

the Eastern Sierra’s Crowley Lake or bluegills at various places. It wasn’t until high school that I tried largemouth bass fishing for the first time.

Once, my dad and I were talking with one of his fishing friends about how bad the weather was for the next

week. We all wanted to go fishing, but the ocean was too rough. Our friend convinced us to go bass fishing in one of the lakes near his house in Ventura. He would drive us there and bring some bass tackle because he knew we had mostly trout tackle.

Author Lance Sawa and son Nico have become bass fanatics, and their trip to lakes near their home in Japan have created memories for them. (LANCE SAWA)

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“Nico did not see the splash but could feel the bass on the end of the line making a run toward the weeds,” the author writes. (LANCE SAWA)

The next morning – with it still nice and dark out – we all left and got to the lake just as the sun was coming over the tree line. Our friend set up our rods with Texas rigs and told us to fish them very slowly. As I was a restless teenager, you can imagine how much I enjoyed this.

We fished for about an hour and our friend only caught one little bass. Changing spots didn’t bring too many more either. My dad ended up catching one little bass, our friend a couple more.

A storm began to move in and we were getting ready to head out when I spotted a submerged tree trunk. Its branches were covered in moss and weeds, with a few lures stuck for good measure. This was my last chance.

I hit that tree for about 30 minutes trying to tease a bass out. The wind picked up as I threw that plastic worm next to the trunk. Rain began

to fall and I got the rig stuck on an underwater branch. I pulled a little harder and got it unstuck, and right then a bass came from under the branch to grab it.

Setting the hook, I yelled to my dad and his friend that I had something.

As a restless, overexcited teenager, my voice was a little too loud. But I got it onto shore and held it up for them to see. It was only about 8 inches, nothing to get loud over, but it was my first largemouth and it was a milestone catch. Also, after a whole day of fishing I didn’t go home without catching anything.

NOW, MANY YEARS LATER, I am sharing the joy of fishing with my son Nico here in Japan. He is still young and very much only wants to be in on the fun part of fishing. The bugs, water, plants, clouds, and, of course, the fish all interest him.

54 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

An idea will randomly float into his head that he wants to go fishing.

Most of the time I say yes and load up the car.

He had heard me talk about a new pond I had found and that was full of bass and carp. Since I was curious about fishing it for bass, we made plans to go the next day.

Sleep didn’t come easy for us that night. Nico had gone trout fishing a few times and loved it, so I thought he was expecting about the same experience. Luckily, I had hit the lake a few days earlier and knew what the fish liked to bite.

We did not leave early the next day; Nico is not that type of go-getter yet. We ate breakfast and packed the car with fishing gear, water and extra clothes – just in case he fell in while exploring (yes, he’s done that).

Lizuna Lake is only about a 25-minute drive from home through the mountains in Nagano Prefecture, which is northwest of Tokyo. The views are breathtaking, as are the roads. Paths and pavement circle the lake, making it easy to fish and walk around.

I took Nico straight to a little pier to fish. Days before this had been a hot spot for bass to feed on insects and carp fry. Finding bass in this pond was highly surprising.

I mainly fish for trout, so my gear is mostly trout-specific – lots of spinners and spoons. One lure I did have, though, was a 20-year-old mini Rapala Floating Minnow. It’s a bait that outfished everything else I had in my limited tackle box.

I tied it on and showed Nico about how we were going to fish: cast the lure and slowly reel it in. Fortunately it was a floating lure and he didn’t have to rush and worry about weeds.

As I was showing him what to do I caught a fish, which had him excited about seeing a new fish. After feeling the scales, the bass went back into the water with a splash.

Then it was time for Nico to learn to cast. Nerve-racked does not begin

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calsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2019 California Sportsman

55

to describe how I felt. Mostly I hoped he didn’t hook himself or me.

The first cast went well, though, and my concerns were soon put to rest. The floating lure was great, as there was no pressure to quickly reel in. He turned the handle and began to bring in the line. The lure was getting closer. Just as it reached open water away from the weeds, a bass charged up and grabbed it.

Nico did not see the splash but he could feel the bass on the end of the line making a run toward the weeds.

His first bass was about the size of my first bass, but he fought it like it was a marlin. The bass even jumped once, which was fun to watch. The sound of his feet tapping in excitement was funny to hear.

The fight was over in less than a minute, but my son was all out of energy. We got a quick picture and he gently put the bass back into the lake.

I asked him if he wanted to try again and he grabbed the rod and pulled the pail back. About five fish were caught in total, all about the same size, but he had a blast, and that is why we went fishing that day.

ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER Nico once

Lizuna Lake in Nagano Prefecture, which is in central Japan, just a 25-minute drive from the Sawa’s home, is a great spot to take an eager young angler fishing.

(LANCE SAWA) 56 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

again overheard me talking about another new lake with bass, so we made plans to go the next day. This one is much easier to get to, with paved roads the whole way and only about a 15-minute drive from home.

It was a great layout. There were little piers to fish from but you had to walk through the woods to get to them.

Nico’s feet were dancing with the thought of fishing once again. He told me he hoped to catch another bass.

As we got closer, I could see the bass feeding close to shore, so I put the lure on early and cast from the woods. Nico gave me a look that said “you’re crazy,” but he trusts me. I’d reeled the floating minnow almost back to the shore when the bass attacked it with a splash.

Setting the hook a little bit too

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“(Nico) is still young and very much only wants to be in on the fun part of fishing,” writes the author. “The bugs, water, plants, clouds, and, of course, the fish all interest him.” (LANCE SAWA)

hard, I pulled the bass onto the bank. I quickly grabbed it, took out the hook, and released the fish. With all the noise, the feeding bass were scared away from shore. But that wasn’t a problem for us as we were standing on a pier and could cast into deeper water. Slowly Nico is getting better and beginning to enjoy fishing even more. Less pressure means he can look at the water and nature.

This day had slightly larger bass, about 12 inches. We caught so many I lost count at about 20 as I paid more attention to my son.

All of the fish were released safely after we snapped a few pictures for Mom and Grandma. Nico did ask that every fish should be brought home to eat. But you are not allowed to remove any fish from this lake.

FAST FORWARD TO THE end of summer vacation, and once again Nico wanted to fish for some bass. This time he

58 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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asked to fish for bass and not trout. It was the afternoon, so we were able to go right away.

Luckily, it was a hot day, so the lake was empty and we had the run of the place. Once again the trusty Rapala was tied on and cast into the open water.

We caught a few fish and then moved to another area, where we kept catching them. We moved for a while as we caught more of the 12-inchers and smaller fish. I was so happy that Nico was enjoying himself. Every time he returned a fish to the water he’d watch it swim away.

The carp would sometimes swim by to see if they could get an easy meal.

Like all anglers, Nico said he wanted to catch something bigger, like a bass or especially the carp, since some of those easily reach 30 pounds.

But he wants a big bass to get a picture he could show his mom and grandma.

Luckily, I had been getting more bass tackle and learning more bass fishing techniques. I was learning not just for my own enjoyment, but also so that I could teach Nico when it was time.

I knew that the lake was full of bottom weeds, so I tied on a dropshot rig with a weedless hook and a worm. I showed Nico how to cast and very slowly reel the line in with slight twitches. He didn’t quite understand at first, but by the third cast he felt a bite on the end. Normally he could see the fish fighting on the surface, but this time it was in deep water.

For the first time he had a real fight on his hands. The mini bass didn’t do much against him, but this fish was not getting to shore without a fight.

It was pulling drag and going straight for the weeds.

Nico held tight as the rod tip bent

60 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

and the drag sang to him. It was not a huge fish, but they both refused to give up.

Finally, after a five-minute fight it was close enough for me to grab it by the lip and lift it out of the water.

Yelling with joy that the fight was over and the fish was in his hand, we snapped some more pictures. The hook was perfectly in the side of the mouth and quickly removed. Nico released it and there was one more splash as the fish swam away.

After straightening out the line and checking the hook and line for frays, I handed him the rod to continue fishing. But Nico didn’t want to fish for big fish anymore. They were too hard and tiring to catch. He was so tired he just wanted to go home.

We shared a laugh, got into the car and headed home. It was not even 30 minutes away, but I got home to a sleeping boy next to me after a memorable fishing experience. CS

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HUNTING

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FROM GEAR STORAGE TO DOG KENNELS, HERE ARE A WORKING SPORTSMAN’S HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

By Scott Haugen

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ecember is here, and if you’re looking for some last-minute Christmas gifts, we have some options for you. Each item is one I’ve personally tested in many settings and I stand behind their effectiveness and versatility.

GEAR STORAGE A great dry storage container that’s truly 100-percent waterproof and protects valuables in the most adverse conditions is the Pelican Ruck Case. I used the Ruck Case in multiple places, including Alaska and Mexico, as well as in the snow and amid saltwater. In each setting the contents always stayed completely dry.

Pelican Ruck Cases come in three sizes and a range of colors. They are submersible beyond 6 feet, feature a sturdy and secure latch system and keep electronics, truck keys and more dry.

A configuration of divider trays allows for multiple storage options, including charging cell phones and small electronics. Contents are protected from drops, shock, dirt, mud, dust and water. Learn more at pelican.com.

FUEL STORAGE If looking for a high-performance and reliable gas can that won’t leak, drip or spill, the SureCan is it. The SureCan is the best gas can I’ve ever used.

A great dry storage container that’s 100-percent waterproof and protects valuables in the most adverse conditions, the Pelican Ruck Case comes in three sizes and multiple colors. (SCOTT HAUGEN) calsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2019 California Sportsman

63

HUNTING

... TO FIRE

TRY THIS SMOKED SALMON TRIFECTA

By Tiffany Haugen

W

inter is a great time to make sure everything in the freezer is getting to your table, including those salmon fillets.

If you're looking to experiment with several smoked salmon recipes but only have a few fillets, don’t worry; you can cut ingredients down to smaller quantities and give them a try.

This recipe development happened when a friend brought us three salmon fillets and asked if we would teach him how to cure and smoke them using three recipes. These were all smoked in a Smokehouse Little Chief Smoker.

SWEET TERIYAKI STYLE 2 cups water 2 tablespoons Morton TenderQuick or noniodized salt

Salmon fillets are delicious when smoked. (TIFFANY HAUGEN) ½ cup teriyaki sauce (I used Soy Vay brand) ¼ cup molasses ¼ cup brown sugar SOUTHEAST ASIAN STYLE 2 cups water 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons noniodized salt 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated 1 teaspoon granulated garlic FAMILY SECRET STYLE 2 cups apple juice 2 tablespoons Morton TenderQuick or non-iodized salt ¼ cup brown sugar 1 to 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce ½ teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes With all three recipes, place ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until sugar is dissolved. Place one fillet of fish and brine in a sealable plastic bag.

Brine all fish six to eight hours under

64 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

refrigeration.

SMOKING DIRECTIONS Place fish on racks and air-dry at least 30 minutes. Do not rinse any of the brines.

Make sure fish is no longer dripping brine liquid before putting racks in the smoker.

Put a new layer of foil on smoker drip pan.

Fill smoker chip pan with wood chips and plug in smoker. If using a gas smoker, preheat to 250 degrees to get chips burning and turn dial to low, keeping the temperature between 160 and 190 degrees.

Smoke five to nine hours or until fish reaches desired consistency. When fish is done, cover with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Vacuum seal for longer refrigeration storage or for freezing. CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s popular book, Cooking Seafood, visit tiffanyhaugen.com. Follow Tiffany on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and watch for her on the online series Cook With Cabela’s and The Sporting Chef TV show.

HUNTING Use it in a boat, with ATVs, lawnmowers, power sprayers and more.

A flexible rotating spout directs fuel into the receiving tank, which results in no more tipping, slipping or spilling. In a gravity-fed manner, a thumb-activated trigger in front of the grip releases the flow of fuel.

It self-vents and airlock is nonexistent, meaning there’s no chugging and splashing. Fully depress the trigger for a fast flow. Letting up will slow the flow.

The specially constructed walls

of the SureCan are so thick you can park a truck on it without damage.

Available in 5- and 2-plus-gallon cans for gasoline, 5-gallon for diesel and 5-gallon for kerosene, the SureCan is approved in most states, including California. You can learn more and see these US-made cans in action at surecanusa.com.

SUNGLASSES A versatile, quality pair of sunglasses is top priority for many lovers of the outdoors, including for fishing, huntThe SureCan has taken fuel cans to a whole new level and features many unique design qualities outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

ing, hiking or camping. This year I put Costa’s Tuna Alley frames to the test in many environments. I’ve worn them from the Gulf of Mexico to the West’s high desert, and from southeast Alaska to the Aleutian Islands, plus many places in between. These glasses never let me down.

Due to the range of water where I fish, I chose the Copper Silver Mirror 580 glass lenses. Not only are these lenses ideal in many water conditions – allowing me to effectively read the water and spot more fish – but they are incredibly durable and resistant to scratches. The frames wrap around my eyes just enough to block unwanted light, yet aren’t so snug that fogging results.

This design also makes the Tuna Alley ideal for hunting in dusty, windy situations, keeping debris out and preventing dry eyes. With a multitude of frame and lens options, Costa is a quality product you can trust.

Find out more at costadelmar.com

SHOOTING TARGETS If you’re a hunter or recreational shooter, making and setting up targets can be time consuming. The new HatPoint target stand will change this, as it’s so easy to set up.

The framework allows for easy anchoring, be it with the provided spikes or by placing rocks, wood or sandbags on the frame when shooting on hard ground. Wooden slats can be placed in the frame that offers multiple target widths, but what I really like is HatPoint’s polymer slats that take errant pellets from heavy shotgun loads without compromise. HatPoint Target Stands are a great investment that will save money and time in the long run. See hatpointtarget.com.

DIGISCOPES Not until recently was I truly happy with my digiscoping results, thanks to the Novagrade brand. Novagrade is designed, machined and assembled in Oregon, and it is the most durable, rugged, reliable digiscope adapter I’ve 66 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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ever used.

The technology of the Novagrade allows it to quickly fit any cell phone, and a range of available adapters will match any spotting scope or binocular eyepiece.

Whether you’re looking to take your scouting and field judging of big game to another level, survey fields being used by waterfowl, or simply want to photograph and video wildlife from a distance that won’t spook them, the Novagrade will help. See novagrade.com.

DOG KENNELS For hunters with dogs, no kennel on the market offers the safety and protection rating of a Gunner Kennel.

These are the only dog kennels that have passed and dominated the many intensive crash tests they’ve been put through, earning these travel crates the first five-star crash-test rating from the Center For Pet Safety.

Gunner Kennels are the only double-wall, rotomolded dog kennel out there. They’ve been tested to withstand over 4,000 pounds of force, a blast from a 12-gauge shotgun at close range, an impact of over 600 pounds dropped on them, and they’ve been tossed off 200-foot cliffs and made it.

Some of the most impressive testimonials of Gunner Kennels, however, come from hunters who’ve survived vehicular crashes, as have their dogs. Gunner Kennels come with a plug and specially designed floor for draining, aftermarket accessories, a lifetime warranty and a range of sizes.

Learn more at gunnerkennels.com.

There you have it: some of my top picks for gear I’ve used and own.

There’s a reason I’ll keep using this gear for years to come, because as I make my living in the outdoors, I depend on products I know work, day in and day out. Happy holidays! CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s many books, which also make great holiday gifts, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook.

68 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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HUNTING

XMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR GUN DOGS, OWNERS

In addition to being great training tools, bumpers, or dummies, make excellent gifts for gun dogs and their owners. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

By Scott Haugen

I

love Christmas and everything about it. The fact I start listening to Christmas music on Nov. 1 drives my family crazy, but I’m sure my dogs enjoy it. One thing we all look forward to this time of year, however, is our dogs unwrapping their own presents under the tree on Christmas morning.

With your gun dog in mind, here are some Christmas gifts to consider.

Each are items I’ve personally used with success, and my dogs love them, as do I.

MY MOST IMPORTANT training tool is a bumper. I use them almost every day, sometimes multiple times a day during my morning and evening training sessions. The key with

bumpers is to use them as teaching tools and making sure you have the right one for the job.

It’s a good idea to have white-, black-, black/white- and orangecolored bumpers on hand. White vinyl bumpers are ideal for use on cloudy days and when tossing them into darker backgrounds, be it water, fields or the forest floor. Black vinyl bumpers are good on bright days and when tossing them on water with a silver reflection on the surface. Blackand-white-colored vinyl bumpers offer contrast that can be picked up in a range of lighting conditions, which is what dogs key in on.

Remember, dogs are color blind and they can’t see orange. This is why I like orange canvas bumpers for specific training purposes. Adding a

little scent to orange canvas bumpers makes them perfect for placing or tossing into a setting without the dog seeing where they end up. This requires the dog to use its nose to locate the bumper, rather than getting a line of sight on it being thrown. Be sure to work into the wind when training with scented bumpers.

My canvas bumper of choice is made by Cabela’s (cabelas.com), which also offers a range of scents that can be applied to the device for training.

You can also secure a bird wing to a bumper, for added scent detection.

As for vinyl bumpers, I’ve been using Browning’s line (browninglifestyle .com) for over a year and am very pleased with their performance in the wide range of conditions in which I’ve used them.

calsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2019 California Sportsman

73

HUNTING Dog vests come in many styles and serve specific purposes.

This Browning safety vest is ideal for locating your dog in thick cover, where a chest protector vest isn’t necessary. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

SPEAKING OF BOTH companies, they offer hunting vests that are perfect for my dogs. I have two pudelpointers, and their build is large in the shoulders and narrow in the waist and hind end.

Cabela’s cut-to-fit neoprene waterfowl hunting vests are durable and very efficient for my dogs. Browning’s new design of waterfowl vests offer easy Velcro adjustments that will snug up nicely on a dog, and the handle on the back is perfect when hunting from a boat or when I have to help the dogs up steep, cut banks. These companies also offer a nice line of upland vests I’ve been pleased with.

ANOTHER GOOD GIFT for your dog is treats. You might want to hold off putting these under the tree until Christmas morning because their noses are strong and those gifts may get opened sooner rather than later.

Be sure and get healthy treats made of quality ingredients. A chewy gambrel tendon and bully stick are great for cleaning a dog’s teeth and 74 California Sportsman DECEMBER 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

also keeps them from chewing on clothes, shoes and furniture – a great gift for puppies. Training treats are also good to have on hand, but make sure they are small and healthy.

Recently I’ve been using freezedried lung and liver for treats when on the hunt. My dogs love the roasted beef lung tips made by Butcher’s Prime and I like them because they are lightweight and highly nutritious. I also rely on a variety of treats offered by NutriSource Pet Foods (nutrisourcepetfoods.com).

These treats are small, nutrientdense, and easy to carry afield. When giving my dogs treats, I don’t want something that takes time or is greasy to handle, which is why I depend on the aforementioned choices.

AS FOR TOYS for your gun dog, make

SHOOTING WITH

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sure toys don’t get confused with training tools. For example, deer antlers are often sold as chew toys, but if you’re going to shed hunt with your dog, letting them chew on antlers is ill-advised. If you want to get your dog a chew toy, get them a real bone rather than an antler.

If getting balls or plastic chew toys, make sure they can withstand the power of a hunting dog’s jaws. Most toys are made for small dogs, and gun dogs can easily tear them apart. You do not want these toy parts being swallowed by your dog, as they can lead to serious problems. If unsure of a toy’s durability, closely watch your dog after it’s been given to them and immediately take it away if it begins to fall apart.

A CHRISTMAS LIST for your dog can be lengthy, but remember, quality is more important than quantity.

Whatever you decide to get your gun dog this holiday season, have fun, as their years with us quickly pass. CS Editor’s note: To see some of Scott Haugen’s puppy training video tips, visit scotthaugen .com. Follow Scott on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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