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Sportsman
California Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource
Volume 6 • Issue 6 PUBLISHER James R. Baker ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Dick Openshaw EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Brittany Boddington LEAD WRITER Tim E. Hovey CONTRIBUTORS Bill Adelman, Steve Carson, Jason Davis, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Luke Kelly, Albert Quackenbush, Bill Schaefer, Mike Stevens SALES MANAGER Brian Lull ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Becca Ellingsworth, Mamie Griffin, Steve Joseph, Mike Nelson, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold DESIGNERS Beth Harrison, Sonjia Kells, Sam Rockwell, Liz Weickum PRODUCTION MANAGER John Rusnak PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Kelly Baker INBOUND MARKETING Jon Hines OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTING Audra Higgins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Sauro
Your One-Stop Boat Shop!
INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn CIRCULATION MANAGER Heidi Belew ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com. ON THE COVER Jessica Hovey and the rest of contributor Tim Hovey’s clan – not to mention tens of thousands of other trout anglers – will converge on the Sierras starting April 25 to celebrate California’s trout opener. (TIM E. HOVEY) CLARIFICATION An image (p. 36) in February issue’s Tales of a Biologist column about a deer-poaching incident gave the wrong impression about the legality of killing a spike in that zone. The photo did not show the actual buck in question.
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MEDIA INC PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S., Suite 190 Tukwila, WA 98168 OREGON OFFICE 8116 SW Durham Rd • Tigard, OR 97224 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com
CONTENTS
VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 6
LION 15 TAMING CLASS
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 27 35 46 57 59 63 67 68 71 73 75 99
Where do you go to school to be able to handle wild animals like cougars, coyotes, bobcats (right) and bears when they wander into the neighborhood? Our Tim Hovey, whose day job is fisheries biologist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, has an inside look at CDFW’s large mammal restraint class. His assignment: tranquilize and examine a mountain lion – all without getting scratched or bitten. It was quite an educational experience.
New regulations affect California gun purchases Eastern Sierra gear checklist Memories of mountain troutin’ trips past Silver Lake trout preview Bridgeport opener prospects The perfect lure colors for trout Irvine Lake’s ‘bows and browns California’s sardine shortage Prime-time largemouth San Diego’s calico fishing Northern California shad Chasing love-stricken spring turkeys
COLUMNS 90
Urban Huntress: Cazadora Brittany Boddington hunts ibex en España
DEPARTMENTS 13 25 25 32
(TIM E. HOVEY)
The Editor’s Note The Dishonor Roll: CDFW’s new phone app to report poaching Outdoor Calendar Wright & McGill/Eagle Claw, Browning Photo Contests winners
FEATURES 35
MERRY TROUTMAS! Exactly four months after Dec. 25, it’s another happy holiday for Sierra trout anglers as they celebrate Fishmas, when popular fisheries like Bridgeport Reservoir, Kirman Lake, Silver Lake and many others open for the season. We preview the aforementioned waters, stock you up with the best gear for your trip, reminisce of past expeditions to the high country and pick the brain of an Eastern Sierra veteran for tips on choosing lure colors to trick that Fishmas trout.
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SPRING FORWARD ON STRIPERS Marysville-based Capt. Manuel
Saldana loves this time of year, when the Sacramento River is chock-full of feisty and large striped bass. April, as well as part of May, should see large numbers of the fish in the river and the adjacent Sacramento/ San Joaquin Delta. Saldana has tips to bring home one of Nor Cal’s best options for spring fishing.
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HOG WILD California hunters who are counting down the days until deer and upland bird seasons return in earnest late this summer and early fall can still get their fix by pursuing the state’s large population of feral pigs. In this month’s Field to Fire column, Scott Haugen says placing
trail cameras around waterholes will make finding these constantly on-the-move critters more efficient. Tiffany Haugen contributes a spicy nopalitos recipe that can give your nachos a unique twist.
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POINT TAKEN So Cal Bowhunter columnist Albert Quackenbush wanted to test slimdiameter arrows and determine which one provided the most power for his hunts. So he rounded up six brands and tested their penetration levels by shooting through a target and also a ¾-inch piece of plywood. Quackenbush’s experiment revealed some interesting results for archers.
California Sportsman goes digital! Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device. Only $1.89 an issue. 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) 3829220 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 © 2015 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. 10 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
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THEEDITOR’SNOTE Tim Hovey has made many pilgrimages to the Sierras for the April opener of trout season, sometimes bringing along friends and sometimes his daughters. But it’s always about having fun regardless of what he catches. (TIM E. HOVEY)
or those of us who love to go trout fishing, we all have those trips on opening day of the season – traditionally the last Saturday of April – that mean the world to us. When I still lived in the Bay Area, driving to the Sierras was a little far, especially when I had a 1977 Ford Mustang that broke down regularly and lacked air conditioning. (Now is about the time when you can praise me for surviving most of my college years at Fresno State with that hot box of a vehicle in the sweltering San Joaquin Valley.) So my alternative was to cross the Bay Bridge going east and head to San Pablo Reservoir, which also opened for business every April before locking up for the winter. I loved going there. Though it was just a few minutes from the concrete sprawl of Oakland, Walnut Creek and Richmond, it felt like a wilderness retreat. It was quiet and it was beautiful. Sometimes, I’d go it alone with a lawn chair and throw salmon eggs and marshmallows and cast from the shoreline near the bait shop. On special occasions, my buddies and I would pool together enough funds to rent a small boat and putter across the lake to Scow Canyon, anchor in one of the coves and throw inflated nightcrawlers, Sometimes, we’d even come home with some of the healthy rainbows that were stocked there. Good times. Our Tim Hovey, outdoorsman to the max and father of two, lives near Los Angeles and contributed to our trout opener preview package this month. He shared stories of getting his daughters away from smartphones and the mall to enjoy the outdoors, even as they get older. “I don’t remember the last time I helped my daughters cast or reel in a trout. Those memories have been replaced by images of them fighting their own fish and handling every aspect of trout fishing themselves,” Hovey told me. “And during that journey, I’ve been lucky enough to watch both Jessica and Alyssa grow into self-confident, self-assured young women. As long as they keep asking me to go, I’ll keep taking them.” California is in a drought and our state needs rain, but there is still water to fish and trout to be caught. Get outside this April and create some memories. –Chris Cocoles
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LION TAMING SCHOOL
TALES OF A BIOLOGIST
AN INSIDE LOOK AT CDFW’S CLASS ON SAFELY HANDLING LARGE MAMMALS
By Tim E. Hovey he California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers a diverse number of training classes for its employees. Cross training in different disciplines encourages biologists to assist other scientists in the department, and gives them a chance to get out and do things they may not ordinarily do. A few years back, I decided to sign up for the large mammal restraint class. The course is designed to train biologists in the tranquilizing and handling of large mammals like deer, bear and coyote. In recent years, interactions between humans and wildlife have increased significantly. When public safety is involved, the department’s enforcement assists in carefully handling the animal.
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THE TRAINING CLASS was a three-day course covering all aspects of dealing with wildlife. The first day covered dealing with the media, alternatives to medicating an animal and safety of both the public and department personnel. Above all, no matter the situation, the safety of the public and individuals dealing with it are top priority. Immediately after lunch, we were treated to a short PowerPoint presentation of both the good and the bad of past human-wild animal interactions. We saw the picture-perfect sedation of a treed bear that had wandered too close to the public, and footage of several wardens carefully loading the animal into the back of a truck to be transported back to the wild. We also saw examples of when
The author got an upclose-and-personal look at a mountain lion that was the subject of a California Department of Fish and Wildlife training class on tranquilizing and releasing wildlife. (TIM E. HOVEY)
things didn’t go as planned. The presentation illustrated that no matter how well trained an individual was, wild animals are seldom predictable. The second day we ran through the minimal calculations to estimate the correct dosage of tranquilizer to give an animal. After muddling through the different weight estimations and calculations, we were handed a laminated card with all the dosages already calculated for us. I had to imagine that the little card was a lifesaver when presented with a chaotic and unpredictable wildlife event.
The author checks the big cat’s heart rate after he shot it with a blowgun dart. The cougar was given blood tests to check on its health status at the facility. (TIM E. HOVEY)
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At the end of the classroom session, the instructor handed out slips of paper with a list of animals on it. We were told to circle one of the animals on the list that we’d like to assist in tranquilizing and handling on the last day of the class. I looked through the list and was a little shocked to see “cougar” as one of the choices. Without hesitation, I circled the large cat option and handed it in. The teaching facility was a temporary home to several problem animals that had been rehabilitated and were about ready for release. Before they were transported back to the wild, the on-site veterinarian allowed we students in the restraint class to help in gathering valuable prerelease data. On the last day of class we made our way to the animal holding area at the back of the facility. The huge ce-
A bobcat takes a break on a hammock at the training center, which also housed large mammals like deer, bears and coyotes. (TIM E. HOVEY)
ment and chain-linked fence structure housed all sorts of wild animals. Lumbering bears and nervous-looking coy-
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loudly on the wet cement floor. A bobcat lazily stretched in a burlap hammock a few feet above the cold floor. Her piercing eyes staring at us as we passed. And finally, in one of the largest enclosures, a mountain lion paced at the back, looking cuddly, kittylike and deadly all at the same time.
SHORTLY AFTER WE were shown the animals, we broke up into our special animal groups. Eight other students wanted to put their hands on a cougar. We watched the animal and discussed methods of handling. For obvious safety reasons the cougar was not only to be hobbled, blindfolded and restrained before she was removed from the cage, but also tranquilized. Once the cat was down, we could ease into the cage, transport it to the main area and take
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measurements, blood samples and examine it for overall health. We tried to estimate the cat’s weight in order to work out the proper tranquilizer dose. After a few gross miscalculations, the staff veterinarian approved our dose for tranquilizing. Before she let us draw down the chemical, she made very sure that we had all discussed the mode of delivery, which we hadn’t. Our group returned to the cage. The cat was sitting, leaning against the back wall and growling. She was too far away to jab with a poke pole, and far too close for the velocity of the dart gun. That left just one method: a blow dart gun. The vet agreed. “So, who’s going to dart the cat?” the vet asked. I seriously figured there would be a fist fight for the chance to blow dart a cougar in a cage. I looked around anxiously waiting for someone in the group to speak up, but they all
Biologists who perform field work do so with restraints on the animal like hobbles, a sling and blindfold. (TIM E. HOVEY)
looked down to avoid getting chosen for the task. “I’ll do it,” I said. The class instructor took me outside and let me practice with the blowgun. The instrument was about 6 feet in length, made of aluminum and amazingly accurate. After hitting a crude circle about the size of a pie plate from 25 feet away consistently, the instructor
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felt I was ready. Back at the cage, I eased up on the backside of the cat and threaded the blowgun through the fence. The cat was still sitting in the back and scarcely noticed the slivery pole being shoved into her cage. A dart filled with tranquilizer was handed to me and I carefully loaded it into the tube at my end. The dart had a small firing charge that fired as soon as it hit the animal, instantly injecting the chemical into the muscle. That is, provided you hit muscle. I was told it was essential that I hit the cat in the rear and not in the head, face, abdomen, legs, chest, tail, back, paw or genitals. If any of these nontarget areas were hit, the chemical might not work and result in injury to the cat. I definitely didn’t want to do that. I pointed the blowgun at the rear
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The author learned the best way to release a hawk back into the wild during his time in the class. (TIM E. HOVEY)
of the cat and made a slight adjustment down. I steadied the tube, took a semideep breath and blew. The dart fired out with surprising velocity and hit the cement floor 2 inches below the cat’s rear end. It ricocheted off the floor, sparks flying, and slammed right into the hind end of the cat. She turned around and growled at the dart, and scarcely moved. The sparks turned out
to be the charge going off, and the instructor was concerned she may not have gotten a full dose. “Let’s wait and see what she does,” he said. We watched the cougar for 20 minutes before she decided to lie down. You could tell she was getting groggy. Her back legs, normally set like springs under her back side, slid out from under her. Her head bobbed back
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and forth slightly and her eyes clearly showed that in a few short minutes, no one would be home. She kept her head up valiantly before the chemical coursing through her veins prevented her from being able to do so. She carefully dropped her head between her paws and appeared to be out. After a few pokes with a long stick produced no reaction the instructor, who stayed outside the cage, allowed us to head in and start the work-up. The first thing we did was hobble the cat. Heavy leather straps were placed on both her front and back legs and tightened. The hobbles were gathered under her belly and clipped together with heavy brass hardware. If the cat came out of the drug earlier than expected, her legs would be absolutely useless with
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the hobbles firmly in place. A blindfold was placed over the cat’s face and eyes to keep her from being startled during the procedures. We carefully picked up the cat and placed her on a vinyl sling and carried her out of the cage. Once she was settled, the instructor came over and carefully placed a choke pole over her neck and set the pole down near her head. Between the hobbles, the lingering effects of the drug and the choke pole, if things got out of hand, the cat could easily be controlled. Since none of us were qualified to conduct any serious medical procedures on animals, our jobs were to monitor the cat’s heart rate and body temperature. The department vet collected blood samples and then moved to the next animal. I was instructed to monitor the heart beat and temperature. As I held the stethoscope near the heart, I was vaguely aware that I was
completely alone with the cat. I looked up and noticed that all the cat volunteers were looking in on other animals. Some were hovering over the deer or the coyote. Some were just gone. I spent the next 10 minutes monitoring the cat alone. After about 20 minutes, a few of us carried her back to the cage and the vet injected her with something to counter the effects of the tranquilizer. Within minutes the cat was once again awake and walking around the cage.
THE COURSE CONCLUDED later that day and I caught a plane for home. I have no idea what became of the cougar or where it was eventually released. As I sat there in the plane thinking about the class, I was fairly confident that, among those flying with me, I was probably the only one aboard lucky enough to have spent time with a live cougar that very same day. CS
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AN APP TO ZAP POACHERS A California Department of Fish and Wildlife officer oversees the carnage of an alleged poaching incident. A new app and texting service provides a convenient way to report possible violations. (CDFW)
uick now: grab your smartphone and take a look at all the apps you’ve downloaded. How much of what you added makes you feel a little sheepish about not having clicked on something with a little more meaning? I had grocery store apps, sports team apps, movie showtime apps, travel website apps. In other words: nothing of note. I had to reassess my iPhone’s usefulness now that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced it has launched an app and texting option to supplement its extremely helpful CalTIP program to identify possible BY CHRIS COCOLES poaching violators. CDFW’s hotline (888334-2258) provides a 24-hour phone number to anonymously report alleged fishing and hunting crimes. Now with so many of us depending on our mobile phones and shunning the old-fashioned landlines at home, kudos to the CDFW for allowing hunters and anglers in the field to either text (847411) accusations of possible poaching or send information or a photo via the free app. The CalTIP app will carry a two-month pilot period, with officials checking usage rates and data to determine if it will be made a permanent part of the program. Given our obsession with cellular phones, iPads, tablets and whatever else the next generation of Steve Jobs are cooking up in Cupertino, let’s hope this system is even more effective at ferreting out those who abuse fishing and hunting regulations. “We believe the public is our greatest law enforcement resource,” CDFW Lt. and CalTIP coordinator Michael Milotz said. “Tip411 and the CalTIP app will give us another tool to combat pollution and the unlawful take and commercialization of California’s wildlife.”
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OUTDOOR CALENDAR APRIL 4 San Diego Team Series Bass Tournament, El Capitan Lake (sdteamseries.com) 11 NorCal Trout Challenge, Collins Lake (anglerspress.com) 11-12 Spring Trout Derby, Lake McSwain (lakemcclure.com) 18 Team Trout Derby, Pine Flat Lake (kokaneepower.org) 19 California Bass Federation, Lake Berryessa (californiabass.org) 25 Statewide trout opener 25 Inyo County Rainbow Trout Festival, Bishop City Park (760-873-8405) 25 Monster Trout Contest, June Lake Loop (junelakeloop.org) 26 Opening of Roundup at the Lake trout derby, Convict Lake (800-992-2260) MAY 1-2 Clear Lake Team Bass Tournament (konocti-vista-casino.com) 2 Shasta Lake Classic Team Kokanee Derby (kokaneepower.org) 3 Close of spring turkey hunting season 3-4 Bass Lake Trout Derby (basslakechamber.com) 16 Pardee Lake Kokanee Derby (ciffi.org) 16 Rohnert Park Fishing Derby, Roberts Lake (fishing-derby.org/) 17 NorCal Trout Challenge, Camanche Lake (anglerspress.com) 30 Don Pedro Lake Team Kokanee Derby (kokaneepower.org)
Convict Lake’s Roundup at the Lake trout derby begins on April 26. (MIKE STEVENS)
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CHANGES IN GUN LAWS AFFECT SPORTSMEN PURCHASE AND DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS AMONG NEW REGULATIONS
California hunters are subject to stricter firearms laws than in other states, and recent news of new purchase and delivery requirements will make it tougher still. (TIM E. HOVEY)
By Jason Davis he first quarter of 2015 brought in some big changes affecting California sportsmen and their right to bear arms. Beginning January 1, 2015, hunters in the Golden State who are acquiring rifles and shotguns will be subject to new purchase and delivery requirements. The previously implemented Handgun Safety Certificate program was replaced with the Firearm Safety Certificate program. Under the FSC program, requirements that previously only applied to handguns now apply to all firearms, including long guns, unless exempt. FSCs are acquired by taking and passing a written test on firearm safety, typically at participating firearms dealerships and private firearms training facilities. While off to a rough start, the California Department of Justice proposed
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regulations to address the FSC and demonstration protocols over a month after the program was mandated; the program has since been operating under those proposed regulations. In the meantime, a valid HSC can still be used to acquire handguns only until it expires. For long gun acquisitions made on January 1, 2015, and thereafter, an FSC will be required. Once an FSC is obtained, it can be used for both handgun and long gun acquisitions. Last year, a lawsuit brought by The Calguns Foundation and Second Amendment Foundation successfully challenged California’s 10-day waiting period as it applies to nonprohibited persons who already own a firearm registered with the state. The DOJ was ordered to cease the waiting period beginning February 24, 2015. However, DOJ appealed and a month before the waiting period was supposed to cease, the state agency convinced the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that the wait-
ing period should remain in force until their appeal is heard and resolved. So for now, more waiting ahead. Last month, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shocked the sporting guns world by proposing a regulatory ban on 5.56mm green-tip ammunition. The ATF has since rescinded their proposal. They have left the door open, however, saying that they are “reconsidering” a renewed ban; we may still see a future proposal come back out from the ATF. Since then, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives picked up the baton and said they intended to propose the Armor Piercing Bullets Act, though the bill is not expected to pass. In February, the Fresno District Court issued a ruling, dismissing the matter of Pena v. Cid, another joint Calguns Foundation and Second Amendment Foundation lawsuit, which sought to strike California’s requirement that mandates handguns for sale in the state contain APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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The ATF’s propsal to ban all 5.56mm green-tip ammunition was soon rescinded, but it left the door open when it announced it was “reconsidering” a renewed ban. (WIKIMEDIA)
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For your shot at winning Wright & McGill/Eagle Claw and Browning products, send your photos 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.
34 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
FISHING
GEARING UP FOR TROUT WHAT EASTERN SIERRA ANGLERS NEED FOR A TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS
The more gear you can strap to yourself, the less you have to carry along (you only have two hands!) when trying to reach off-the-beaten-path locales like Hot Creek that are teeming with hungry trout. (MIKE STEVENS)
By Mike Stevens
W
ith a quarter-century worth of Eastern Sierra outings in my rearview mirror, you can imagine the adjustments, fine-tuning, fat trimming and experimenting that has gone on in terms of how I gear up to fish for trout up Highway 395. In reality, 25 years is nothing compared to how long many other Sierra troutheads have been fishing up there, and they certainly have their own arsenal specific to their trouting needs, but with trout opener 2015 beckoning this month, I hope that sharing how I do it can eliminate the learning curve for those new to fishing the area, and maybe even turn a seasoned veteran on to a trick of mine.
RODS AND REELS When it comes down to it, everything begins with your quiver of rods and reels. For the most part, ultralight rods are the way to go, but rod length
is something that has evolved over the course of my Sierra tenure. When I started, I had a little 5-footer that I liked to use on creeks because it was easy to get through sticks and climb down rocks with, and then I had a 6-foot ultralight that I used in lakes for a little more casting distance. These days, a 6-footer is the shortest rod I use, and while it might be slightly more cumbersome while bushwhacking around creeks, I like to reach out as far as I can when my lure swings downstream and ultimately, across the current. With a longer rod, it’s easier to maintain that angle and keep the lure in the strike zone for a few more key seconds. It also allows you to reach out and fish undercuts on the bank that you are on without having to get too close to the water. On lakes, I will use that same rod to cast heavier lures like spoons, minnow baits and heavier spinners, because I get all the casting distance I need out of it.
That setup is paired with 4-poundtest line – the heaviest line I use for most Sierra applications – because it’s going to get nicked and hung up often in the creeks, and you won’t snap off a big lure on a long cast on a lake with it like you will with lighter mono. I also have a 7½-foot rod that I use for smaller lures and lighter line. I fish a lot of plastics like trout jigs and plastic trout worms with only 1/16-ounce of weight aiding my cast, if not less. When the long rod is paired with 2-pound test, I can fire those light lures as far as I ever need to. It is also the perfect setup for a fly-andbubble rig. Admittedly, you don’t see many rods this long anywhere, and a 7- or even 6½-footer would get the job done pretty well, too. As for reels, I never put a lot of analysis into picking them, and I think it is silly to spend a ton of money on a trout reel (or rod for that matter). I just look for a smooth drag, no wobble when reeled, and APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING a bail that flips from open to closed without much effort. Currently, my 4-pound-test reel is a Shimano Sedona 500, which runs about $75, but my main 4-pound reel is an Okuma Avenger 15, a very well-performing reel priced under 40 bucks. Both of my rods are Daiwa Pressos ($75). There are a lot of great ones out there at a good price – just don’t convince yourself you need to break the bank on trout gear.
LURES You can cover most fishing bases with spoons, spinners, minnow baits and plastics, and that likely isn’t groundbreaking news to you. But I have found that having a variety of tried-and-true “confidence” models is the way to go, rather than simply my favorite of each. In my first decade of Sierra fishing, I threw the obligatory black/gold Panther Martin 90 percent of the
36 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
The author puts more thought into the length of his trout fishing rod than his reel, but has narrowed his list of lures to just a handful of top options. (MIKE STEVENS)
time because it was proven, and I had confidence in it. It was to the point where, in my head, if I didn’t get bit on it, there must not be fish there and I would move on. Boy, was I wrong.
On one trip, I decided to try as many different lures as I could. What I found to be the case quite often was a situation in which I would pick a historically good spot, and start get-
FISHING ting fish on the third, fourth or even fifth lure I threw. And we aren’t talking a fluke fish just to keep the skunk off; we’re talking from dead to five trout in 20 minutes. This approach went on for years, and here are the specific lures that I have kept in my “starting rotation” after another decade (and counting ) of experimentation: For spoons, I go with Thomas Buoyants, Colorados and Cyclones, Kastmasters, and Luhr-Jensen Hot Shots. I know, no breaking news there, but I have drilled it down quite a bit beyond that. For Buoyants, don’t get tunnel vision for gold/ red because everyone else is fishing them and they appear in the most reports. I have had the most luck on watermelon, with plenty more on frog, brown trout and copper. Fish them slow and anytime you want to use metal in shallow or weedy water, because they are easy to swim high
in the water column. And Stevens’ ultralight spinning rod-and-reel combination if you only try one thing I features a 6-foot rod – long enough to swing his lures out far mention here, throw them enough to get downstream and across the current – and a reel strung with no heavier than 4-pound line. (MIKE STEVENS) in the Owens River. I hate spoons in creeks, but for whatever reason they work in the “O.” Colorado and Cyclone (also from Thomas) spoons are in my box, mainly because I know everyone is Buoyant-crazed and the fish aren’t seeing nearly as many of these. Kastmasters are the best in the wind, and I a happy medium between a Buoyalso like to step outside the color box ant and a Kastmaster, and again, not with them and go with fringe colors used as much as other classic Sierra like gold/florescent green, copper trout lures, so I use it just to get a (it’s hard to find) and rainbow trout. different look out there. The 1/16-ounce model can be a lifeAs for plastics, there are a bunch of different brands out there that saver on that long rod with 2-pound have worked very well for me, but I line in the backcountry when the have settled on Sierra Slammers (sibite slows mid-day. But you can still erraslammers.com) for one reason: get brookies on long casts to the midthe colors are chosen specifically for dle. I feel like a Hot Shot is kind of
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the region (if not for certain lakes – the South Lake Special, anyone?) as the company is owned by Jared Smith, general manager of Parcher’s Resort on Bishop Creek and the author of Fishin’ Trails. For jigs, carry a few natural colors like grasshopper and cricket, plus some loud ones like orange/ red, white/yellow and green/black. I rarely use plastic trout worms solo, but I do like to use them as trailers on my jigs, and I like the one that’s just a natural worm color, or adding an orange one to any color jig. Sierra Slammers also makes a line of trout swimbaits, which are a blast to fish and have a track record of fooling big fish. I carry a variety of floating and sinking Rapalas in classic syles, as well as some of the newer models like Husky Jerks and Scatter Raps. Owner Cultivas are another proven crankbait for trout, and new to the list are Berkley Flicker Shads that have great
40 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
Ultimately, you’re heading to the mountains to catch fish, so bring the gear that you feel most comfortable carrying and fishing with and fish the lures or plastic you’re confident in. (MIKE STEVENS)
action, come in an awesome array of colors, and are a bargain at $3.99 each. I use minnow baits in the Owens, creeks, lakes with big browns like Crowley and Convict, and in the fall for “brown bagging” purposes in the lakes up there and Rush Creek. As for spinners, I don’t use them nearly as much as I used to, but this is where I really keep it simple. Rooster Tails in natural colors is home for me. Salmonfly, grasshopper, brown, black and green are all in the mix, and can be fished on any type of water up there.
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ACCESSORIES This is where I have a lot of fun, so it might be best if I just rattle off some nuggets just to get it all in. First of all, retire the tackle box, or at least quit carrying it around with you; it just slows you down. Vests, chest packs, lumbar packs, leg pockets and backpacks are the way to go. I use these items in various combinations depending on what kind of fishing I am doing at that moment. If it’s a quick
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FISHING run to drive-up lakes after dinner, I might just bring my Tenzing lumbar pack, or just a box of lures in my leg pocket. If I am heading into the backcountry all day long, and I need food, water, maybe a jacket, it’s a combination of the lumbar pack and the backpack. Whatever it is, don’t carry it; wear it. Polarized sunglasses are gamechangers, and it only takes a day of wearing them on the water to be convinced, and this is one thing that you should purchase the best you can afford. On the high end, Maui Jim and Costa shades can’t be beaten. For the best bang-for-your-buck, look at anything from Smith Optics with a Chroma Pop lens, and if you want to keep it under $100, Zeal Optics and Hobie have great options. But even cheapies will convince you of the power of polarization. Those Buff-type facemask things don’t only make you look like some
44 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
kind of cool fishing ninja in your photos, they are also very functional. While they are mainly used as a physical barrier from the sun, I use one when it gets buggy and I don’t want to inhale a flock of mosquitos, or to soak and wear it around my head or neck when it’s hot. Two-way radios are also a big part of my attack, as I am usually up there with three other guys who all take off in their own direction once we reach the water. They are ideal for a “divide and conquer” approach to finding fish. Also we make calls along the lines of: “I’m going up the trail to try the lake;” “Let’s get out of here, meet me at the truck;” and “I think this bear is going to bite me.” It’s all a lot easier with radios. You can find them by the pair from reputable brands like Motorola, Midland and Cobra for under $40, and up toward $100 for models with better range or ones that
are waterproof. I saved my favorite item for last, because it is so simple yet crazily efficient, and I love it. That would be my beloved big Rubbermaid container. Yes, the same one you put your Christmas decorations in. I stock it with my lumbar pack, backpack, vest, boots, walkie-talkies, tackle, net, raingear, trail food – basically any gear but the rods. It is tastefully covered with trout-related and local business stickers. In the tent, RV or condo, the lid serves as the perfect work bench (with a raised edge that keeps things from rolling off) for prepping gear under a lantern. So when I arrive at base camp, all I need to do is bring in my duffel bag full of clothes, and that container, and when I get back home, it easily slides on to a shelf in the garage until it’s summoned for another trip, or for impromptu “grab-and-go” duty. CS
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Morning at Rock Creek Lake, above Bishop in California’s Eastern Sierras, is a place to get away from civilization and catch some spring trout. With the statewide trout opener coming on April 25, anglers will ock to the high country, with some spots more secluded. (TIM E. HOVEY)
46 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
FISHING
BACK TO THE HIGH COUNTRY! WITH APRIL’S TROUT OPENER AHEAD, GETTING BACK TO THE SIERRAS WILL PROVIDE WELCOME RELIEF FROM THE CHAOS – AND LOTS OF LIMITS!
By Tim E. Hovey
E
very spring, I try and make at least a few trips up to the Sierras to fish for trout. I’ve been visiting the mountains to fish for over 15 years now, and whenever I’m there it feels like I’m visiting an old friend. For the most part I just enjoy getting out and exploring, but if I’m looking to fish different areas or using different techniques, I head to the mountains. No matter the level of trout angling interest or ability, fishermen can find whatever they’re looking for in the Sierra Nevadas. Different destinations cater to different types of fishing, and I enjoy it all. I can
think of nothing better than being with friends and family, surrounded by wilderness and fishing for trout. Over my fishing career I’ve had the opportunity to participate in just about every type of trout fishing there is to be had in the Sierras. Looking back, I can say that I remember the locations and the people who were with me so much more than the fish caught. From the simple, to the intricate, experiencing all the different techniques that can be used in chasing trout is just part the enjoyment.
STARTING SIMPLE Every year I take an annual trip to Rock Creek Lake above Bishop with
my daughters. Leaving the cellphones behind, we set up camp near the lake and enjoy the surrounding wilderness. Early mornings and late afternoons are set aside for chasing trout in the local lake. Our tradition is to hike from the parking area to a rock ledge we’ve named Hovey’s Rock and fish for dinner. Using Berkley Power Eggs and light line, the girls cast as far as they can and wait for a bite. It’s a tradition we’ve developed over the years that goes far beyond catching fish. Fishing the stocked, high-mountain lakes with simple tackle is all about creating great memories with family. This type of fishing is easy and caters to young anglers and be-
APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING ginners. It’s where many young trout fishermen got their start, myself included. Lakes are usually easily accessible, and during the spring and summer, most are regularly stocked by nearby hatcheries that are owned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
STEPPING UP THE ADVENTURE
Rito Escamilla fishes a mountain stream bubbling with spring runoff. The author makes a point of hiking off the beaten path to find unspoiled lakes and streams full of fish and void of other anglers.
If you’re looking to explore more off the beaten path, there are several lakes located further up the mountain that are more isolated. Packing a small pack and a rod, the more adventurous anglers can leave the weekend camping crowd behind and find some truly amazing fishing spots. Several of these lakes are also stocked or have a self-sustaining population of trout that are less pressured than the stocked lakes at lower elevations. Individuals looking to add a hike to their angling adventure can access these lakes
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FISHING via nicely established trails. In many cases, anglers willing to put in a little effort will find that they usually have these fishing gems all to themselves. A few years back, my good friend Ed Davis showed me Gardisky Lake. After loading up small packs and our rods, we made the steep, switchback hike to the lake. Once there, Ed and I enjoyed some amazing fishing with dry flies and lures, catching and releasing healthy brook trout by the dozens. Gardisky Lake sits above the valley floor at an elevation of 10,500 feet. The hike to the lake is rife with switchbacks and the lake itself is located about 1½ miles from the trailhead parking area. I personally reached the shore of the lake out of breath and sweating, but the view, the fishing and the companionship were well worth it.
THE GEAR OF KINGS Having fished all my life, I’ve been
50 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
A remote mountain lake spit out this pretty rainbow. Some lakes are stocked by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife; others have self-sustaining trout populations. (TIM E. HOVEY)
aware of fly fishing and fly fishing gear since I was a boy. However, for one reason or another, I just have never gotten into it. My parents got
me a fly rod in my early teens, but after very limited success, I hung it up for good and perfected my craft using baitcasting and spinning gear.
APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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In the summer of 2013, under the guidance of Ed Davis, I picked up a fly rod again for the first time in 30 years. After training in the meadows near Ellery Lake, we headed over to Hot Creek, a catch-and-release, fly rod-only stream. Over the course of the afternoon, I learned to roll cast to rising brown trout and developed a new appreciation for this specialized angling technique.
The author’s daughter, Jessica Hovey, is all smiles after landing a stringer of rainbows from Rock Creek Lake, west of Bishop. (TIM E. HOVEY)
SEASONAL SPOTS Seasonal trips provide for a fun time in the Sierras. Several of the bigger lakes in the mountains receive flow from creeks large enough to support upstream trout migration. During the spring, larger wild fish will move up these perennial streams to spawn. While I do enjoy targeting these time-limited opportunities, I always practice catch and release when I fish these streams. Every spring, a tributary to Convict Lake supports good flow and is loaded with large-sized trout migrating upstream. These fish stage in the winding meadow stream and then make their way to the headwaters to spawn. Using micro jigs, I walk the meadow and sight fish for staging trout. I’ve only made a handful of trips to target these staging fish, but I find that I do a lot more watching than I do fishing.
QUICK AND EASY Whether I’m hunting or fishing, I usually find myself driving Highway 395 through the Bishop area, and seldom am I without a fishing rod. To break up the drive home, I usually pull off for a quick fishing session on the Owens River. I have a number of spots that I can quickly access off the highway; I can pull right up to the water and toss a lure in the swirling back eddies of a river bend. During a two-day hunting trip in 2010, I pulled off at a place I call S-curve. A small path down to the water gave me easy access. I tossed a small trout swimbait upstream of an eddy and swam it back. On the second cast, the lure 52 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING stopped dead. I instinctively set the hook and felt strong, angry pressure at the other end. Then the unseen fish took off downstream, peeling drag off my ultralight spinning reel. I had no room to follow the fish, and lifted the rod and palmed the reel to apply a little pressure. The abused 8-pound test snapped at the lure and the fish was gone. I renamed that spot “Loch Ness.” Whether you fish with a bobber, a worm, a dry fly or a micro jig, you’ll find a place to fish in the high Sierras. The scenery is unmatched and exploring some of the higher lakes will expand your fishing spots and species caught. Plus, you can get away from the crowds. Some waterways have special angling regulations, such as catch-and-release or special gear restrictions, so make sure you stay informed on the state rules if you decide to fish new areas. This month, my daughters and I are already getting stuff ready for our annual summer trip to the lake. I can still remember their first trips up to the Sierras when they knew little about fishing and just enjoyed the experience. Now that they’re older, I find that the trips mean so much more. We sit around the campfire in the evenings, talk and laugh, and just enjoy our time together. In those moments – far away from cellphones, traffic and the ridiculous social media circus – nothing else matters. CS
Alyssa Hovey landed a nice stocker rainbow trout from Rock Creek Lake. (TIM E. HOVEY)
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FISHING
SILVER WELL-THAWED FOR OPENER DESPITE DROUGHT, WATER LEVELS CONSISTENT AT SIERRA LAKE By Luke Kelly
A
n early thaw at Silver Lake (elevation 7,228 feet) could be a sign of good things to come when trout season begins this month on the 25th. California’s mild winter means the lake in the Eastern Sierras has lost its icy lid far earlier than usual. “Normally, the lake is still somewhat frozen up until the week before (the trout opening.) This year, the lake has been ice-free since late February, which is the earliest that we’ve had it ice-free in a number of years,” says Andrew Jones of Silver Lake Resort (760-648-7525; silverlakeresort.net). As far as opening weekend goes, this could possibly be good news for anglers looking for an early trout fix. “I think actually it will help the fishing a little bit,” predicts Jones. “Usually, ice on the lake will slow the metabolism of the fish down a
bit. Since the ice has been off the lake this year, the sun has been warming that water, which is then getting the fish going a little earlier than normal.” Jones points out that the trout may well have started feeding earlier too, getting back into their normal feeding and hunting patterns in the warmer-than-usual water. “I think it should make opening weekend a little more spectacular.” The water levels on Silver Lake, when you take into consideration the early snowmelt coupled with the drought in California, are surprisingly consistent since 2014, much different from so many other fisheries in this rain-starved state. “Our water level is exactly where we were last year,” says Jones. “From normal years, it’s still down a little bit, but it’s really not terrible.” For this reason, the water level shouldn’t have a huge impact on the number of rainbows, browns and
MAY 1 TARGETED FOR CAPLES OPENER Caples Lake Resort (209-258-8888; capleslakeresort.com), located at 7,800 feet and just a mile from the famed Sierra ski resort Kirkwood, is looking to open its spring/summer season on May 1. The lake has been open to fishing in the winter and reports have been good. And the lake levels appear to be in good shape for spring and summer fishing. “Thanks to the proactive drought planning by the El Dorado Irrigation District, Caples Lake will be at 52 feet by May 1st and 54 feet June 1st, (80
percent capacity) per the EID, which has determined a 90 percent probability forecast,” a Caples Lake Resort press release stated. “This is incredibly good news in this critically dry water year.” “Weather permitting, Caples Lake Resort will be open May 1st, with bait in the store and rental boats and kayaks on the boat docks. Cabins and lodge rooms will also be available early this year. The Caples Lake Campground across Highway 88 will also be opening early.” -CS
Richard and Savannah Gomez show off a nice stringer of trout from Silver Lake. Andrew Jones at the lake’s resort says that trolling 3½- to 5-inch Rapalas in brown trout and rainbow trout patterns works best. (SILVER LAKE RESORT)
California’s mild winter hasn’t been good overall, but an early thaw should make for a solid trout opening weekend and month for Silver Lake, which regularly churns out nice rainbows like Morgan Wilson’s fish. (SILVER LAKE RESORT)
the occasional brookies caught. Jones recommends that any angler looking to land one of Silver Lake’s plentiful trout this spring remember that, “especially early in the season, to stay up on the top part of the water, because the fish are going to be looking for that warmer, sun-warmed water. So, for lures, Thomas Buoyants, Rapalas and Kastmasters all work really well, and worms do too.” Flies, he says, don’t start producing until June as a result of the cold spring nights. As far as techniques go, Jones favors “trolling with a small 3½- to 5-inch Rapala in brown trout or rainbow trout.” But if he had to choose just one lure to use this spring on Silver Lake, it would be the Thomas Buoyant Gold Red trout lure. “It’s been our No. 1 lure for the past couple years,” he says. “You can’t go wrong with it.” CS APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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BRIDGEPORT LAKES HANG IN DROUGHT TAKES TOLL, BUT DOESN’T SINK AREA FISHERIES
Kirman Lake, near Bridgeport, has a nice population of cutthroat trout, and compared to Twin Lakes and Bridgeport Reservoir, it may be in the best shape of the four in terms of water level. (KEN’S SPORTING GOODS)
By Luke Kelly
BRIDGEPORT—With trout season kicking off in the Bridgeport area on the last Saturday this April, prospects look good for a solid opener. Although the snowpack has been light and the winter mild (as it was in the rest of the state), the outlook still looks positive for the area’s springtime trout fisheries – hot spots like Bridgeport Reservoir, Twin Lakes, Kirman Lake, and the East Walker River. They should see solid fishing through spring. Jim Reid of Ken’s Sporting Goods (760-932-7707; kenssport.com) in Bridgeport anticipates that despite the lack of precipitation, things are still looking favorable for the opening day on April 25. “Water conditions are still going to be pretty good,” says Reid. “The water is still going to be a little cool. Some of the lakes are still going to be low, but I would anticipate them to fish well at least through June.”
At that point, whether or not the fishing remains strong is conditional on the amount of rainfall that the area gets. Reid points out that the Twin Lakes and Bridgeport Reservoir are lower than average, but Kirman should be fine in terms of water level. However, lower water doesn’t always equate to poor fishing in the spring. “On one hand,” says Reid, who knows the area as well as anyone, “it kind of makes it better because it concentrates those fish into a smaller area.” He adds that this will be especially true for the opener, when the water temperatures are still nice and cool. “I usually wouldn’t see any adverse effect until later in the season when it starts getting too warm.” The waters in the Bridgeport area have thawed out earlier than usual, which could also make for some stronger fishing, if the trout have already become active by then.
Timothy Korgie of Long Beach caught this 10-poundplus brown trout at Lower Twin Lake near Bridgeport. (KEN’S SPORTING GOODS)
Whether or not this is the case will be on April 25, when the season, opens is a mystery. As far as lures go for catching trout in the Bridgeport area – which are primarily rainbows, browns, brookies and some cutthroat – Reid has a go-to recommendation. “If I was gunning for bigger fish, I’d be using Rapala-type lures. That would be my main focus early on,” he says. “This especially true because in the first two or three weeks of the season, we often see some double-digit fish.” Reid says this is especially true on Upper and Lower Twin. “As far as bait fishing goes,” he continues, “you pretty much can’t go wrong with PowerBait and inflated ’crawlers.” CS APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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LEARNING COLOR COORDINATION PICKING THE PROPER LURE PAINT IS HALF THE BATTLE By Chris Cocoles
F
rom popular television shows (Orange is the New Black) to hit movies (50 Shades of Grey), colors are all the rage these days. Colors of lures also define fishermen, and with the April 25 trout opener approaching, it’s time to check your tackle box and make sure your selection represents a rainbow. Southern California angler Craig Adkinson takes being color-coordinated seriously as he plans for his trips to the Eastern Sierras in the spring and beyond. Water clarity is one major reason for what colors to select. Clear water means more natural colors like silver, gold, black and gold or sparkling black and silver. “The water colors change, depending on where you fish. If you fish Little Virginia Lake, the water is really, really clear. But if you fish in the East Walker River, the water that comes out of Bridgeport Reservoir, the water is more a light green color; sometimes there’s even a little brown to it,” Adkinson says. “When (water) is dingy-colored like that, you can go with something really bright, like super-fluorescent lures in orange or green. Maybe it can be like a chartreuse color that the trout can pick out. You can also use something in all-white that stands out in that differing color of water.” Spring is also spawning time for trout in the mountains, so Adkinson tends to stick with bright paint schemes and lures that flash. And ob-
Craig Adkinson is a veteran of fishing the Eastern Sierras. He says that understanding what colors trout will gobble up makes landing fish like this more likely. (CRAIG ADKINSON)
viously it’s important to keep an eye on what trout might be feeding on. “If you’re going to try to match the hatch, pick something that resembles a nymph or a mealworm. You may want to go with a grasshopper color,” Adkinson says. “If you see the fish rising and think they’re eating mayflies, you might want to go with either brown or light brown.” It’s also important to have some kind of knowledge beforehand about the makeup of the water you’re fishing at and what trends the water might develop.
“If you show up at Crowley Lake and you’re there in the summer and you can see there’s an algae bloom (which also happens at Bridgeport and Pleasant Valley Reservoirs), that’s when you want to go with a crankbait that has rattles in it,” Adkinson says. “So when you’re cranking it and reeling in, and when it rattles as it goes through the water, the fish hear that. That rattle and the flash of the sunlight from above the water, it’s game on.” Big trout will gorge themselves on anything, even small fingerlings APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING
Like cars, shoes andd luggage, l your imagination i i ti can run wild when it comes to color schemes for your trout lures, jigs and other artificial baits. Having an idea about water clarity where you’re fishing, what trout are feeding on and time of day will determine the best colors to toss. (CRAIG ADKINSON)
64 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
that are planted in lakes. So it’s wise to have an assortment of tackle that mimic those unfortunate easily accessible snacks for the big boys. “They are cannibalistic by nature, so throw those little Rapalas that look like rainbow, brown or brook trout. Those are incredible as well,” Adkinson says. Minnows can also be a target for hungry trout, and one of Adkinson’s friends has a product, Mijos Minnows, that make for a great option. “He makes them in all different colors. You can get one in a Sacramento perch, bright orange, white – you name the color,” Adkinson says. “I’ll fish that on a dropshot setup that you normally fish bass with. I find that really productive in the summer.” Finally, the time of the day you’re fishing will impact your color choice. “In the mornings, if the sun hasn’t quite come up yet, I try to stick to darker colors,” Adkinson says. “Once
the sun has fully come up and it’s brighter, I’ll go to more natural and bright colors.” CS
DON’T SWEAT THE FORECAST
When it comes to fishing the state’s higher elevations, especially early in the spring, always expect the unexpected when it comes to weather. California’s lingering drought issues aside, you never know when the Eastern Sierras will get dusted with snow or receive heavy rain from thunderstorms. But veteran anglers like Craig Adkinson understand that precipitation doesn’t mean the fishing will suffer. He channels his inner meteorologist, paying attention to sun and moon phases, and watches for changes in barometric pressure that signal a storm is heading in or clearing. “I know a lot of people get spooked by rain and snow storms, but I say, if you can tough it out, that’s the best fishing ever,” Adkinson says. “Because if you think about it, fish really don’t care if it’s raining or windy; they’re under the water.” What Adkinson has found is that the only reaction trout might have when a storm is coming through or just clearing is that the changes in the atmosphere prompts the fish to get more aggressive in their quest for food. “They don’t know if it’s going to snow or get cold, and they don’t know when they might eat again,” Adkinson says. “When it starts to snow, they get turned on.” He recalled one trip to Little Virginia Lake when snow began to fall. “The more it snowed, the more fish we caught,” he says. “I think we caught and released 80 fish a person. We had the same thing on the East Walker River. We can be fishing and the snow comes down and we’re feeling miserable and say, ‘oh, it’s so cold out here.’ But the fishing was incredible.” -CC
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SPARKS
FISHING
TROUT TUNE-UP PREP FOR THE BIG SIERRA OPENER AT ORANGE COUNTY’S IRVINE LAKE, HOME TO SOME LUNKER BROWNS, ’BOWS By Steve Carson
T
he waters of Irvine Lake in Orange County offer a unique opportunity for Southern California’s trout anglers. Since early November, thousands of pounds of trout have been stocked each week, and a good percentage of them are still swimming around, so April anglers will see a season’s worth of fish built up, in addition to continued weekly stocking. Anglers looking to shake the cobwebs off their gear prior to heading up into the mountains, or who simply want a great day of fishing without a long drive, will find that Irvine fills the bill. The majority of the trout are Calaveras rainbows running 2 to 7 pounds, with a substantial proportion of wellmarked brown trout in the same size range (a 10-pound, 7-ounce brown was caught in March), along with a few inland steelhead. Several truckloads of the Nebraska tailwalker strain of rainbows running 5 to 15 pounds were added in March and April, and late March saw the addition of a few thousand Sierra snowstrain rainbow trout. This interesting color phase is mostly white with intermittent dark markings, and is commonly called “piebald” in other animal species.
BAIT DUNKING Year in and year out, more trout are caught at Irvine Lake on PowerBait than any other method. The key to success is light leaders of 4-pound or even 2-pound test. A Carolina rig is usually best, with leader lengths running 12 to 18 inches in clear water conditions, and 6 to 8 inches
in stained water. Overall, the most popular PowerBait colors are garlic chartreuse and salmon egg red, but when the water is dirty, switch to white. Nightcrawlers are also excellent, either rigged under a fixed or slip bobber or split-shotted. To prevent the worm from being lost on bottom, many anglers inject them with air. Productive spots for bait anglers casting from shore include Trout Island and all along West Shore Road.
Matt Pacheco of Santa Fe Springs with a stringer of Irvine Lake trout. Plunking bait, trolling and casting plastics all can catch fish in April. (IRVINE LAKE)
twitches of the rod tip.
MICRO-PLASTICS Many anglers enjoy a little more active approach than what the ol’ “bait-n-wait” method calls for, and trout-sized plastics are extremely effective. Just like with bait, ultralight line is a must, but nothing heavier than 4-pound monofilament line; 2-pound line is even better. Bright colors like chartreuse, orange, and pink are the most popular. Tiny 3-inch Power Trout worms can be fished in the same ways that bass anglers use, with split-shotting and drop-shotting leading the way. Some anglers also rig them on small dartheads. A similar creature is the Berkley MiceTail, which works best on a Carolina rig with a 1/8-ounce sliding sinker, pinned on a No. 12 Owner Mosquito hook and an 18inch leader. A longtime favorite method is throwing tiny plastic jigs such as the Atomic Tube and Atomic Teaser. These can be fished a variety of ways, including under a bobber. The trick to making the jigs produce is getting the hang of regular tiny
TROLLING Most trollers simply use flatline techniques at Irvine Lake, although a few stick with leadcore line and a growing number use downriggers. The default choice trolling lure is a firetiger-color Rapala Countdown CD05, although the pink tiger ShadRap SR04 is also popular. Brown trout generally prefer natural colors like a brook trout-colored Jointed Rapala J05 or J07. Leadcore trollers opt for Luhr-Jensen Needlefish in cop car or bikini colors.
Larry Zimmerman of Chino caught this hefty 15-pound Nebraska tailwalker-strain rainbow trout at Irvine Lake during mid-March. (IRVINE LAKE)
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FISHING SARDINES SO FEW, COMMERCIAL FISHING CLOSED A sardine stock assessment done by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council shows that the population numbers are so far down that it has triggered a suspension of all directed commercial fisheries, reported PFMC member Buzz Brizendine of San Diego. Total biomass in the waters of the
state may be as low as 150,000 tons. The live-bait industry has a long-standing exemption to this suspension. A formal stock assessment of the anchovy population is not currently planned, but the commission will be presented with a white paper regarding anchovy numbers sometime in the late summer.
Exactly how this will play out regarding the availability of live bait for saltwater anglers this season remains to be seen, but Brizendine recommends that all anglers heading out be sure that several Sabiki-style bait catchers are included in their tackle box. -SC
Troll slowly from 0.9 to 1.9 mph, while steering in broad S turns to keep the lure changing speeds and moving in and out of the boat’s wake. Best areas for trolling are Santiago Flats, near the dam restriction lines, and midlake.
resulting in a very healthy population that many bass anglers like to keep a secret. April will see the bass in all stages of the spawn, and just about any legitimate bass fishing technique will produce fish, primarily largemouth in the 2- to 4-pound class, although plenty of bucketmouths from 7 to 10 pounds are seen. A 13-pound, 2-ouncer was weighed in mid-March. Favorite structure spots for bass are Rocky Point and the Red Clay Cliffs, along with submerged vegetation in
the back of Santiago Flats. The lake also has an excellent population of plump bluegill and redear sunfish, along with crappie, carp, hybrid striped bass, and even a handful of big sturgeon. Families with children age 12 and under can find a special kid-oriented experience in the well-stocked Kids Lagoon. CS
BASS, CATFISH, AND MORE For anglers who are not interested in trout, Irvine Lake also has outstanding bass and catfish opportunities during April. All bass species are strictly catch-and-release only here,
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FISHING
KID-FRIENDLY BASSIN’ SPRING’S SPAWN IS A GREAT TIME TO GET KIDS OUT FOR SOUTHLAND LARGEMOUTH
By Bill Schaefer
I
t is that time of year when you can go out and have a great time fishing for largemouth bass in Southern California. All the lakes’ water temperatures are in the 60-plus-degree range, putting the males on the move to the banks. Granted, each lake will vary slightly, and there are early spawners and late spawners, as well as those that do their thing “on time,” but it doesn’t really matter – it’s on now. There are so many active fish now that it’s also prime time to take the family out and just have some fun. You should be able to show the kids a great time and get their enthusiasm up for fishing. As we head into April there are a ton of male bass roaming the shoreline, either looking for a place to spawn or already on a nest or guarding their fry. The big females aren’t far behind either. You can wander down the bank and throw just about any plastic setup and score. I have been out quite a bit the last few weeks with my 10-year-old son, and together we have caught a lot of bass on drop-shot worms, split-shot plastics and Texas-rigged worms. It is a fun time of year for all. A lot of bass will be on their beds, and I won’t debate here whether or not to fish for them. If you do and land a nice one, take a quick picture and then let the big girl go. She will return to her bed eventually and spawn, restocking your favorite lake the natural way. A lot of the bass you
catch this time of year are bedding fish. No matter what rig you’re throwing, work your bait slower than other times of year, pausing near beds to draw strikes. Bass are protective of their nests and will attack anything that comes close. April, May and June are the months to really pay attention to the water temperatures and water levels on your favorite Southern California lake. Bass are ready to do their spawn dance, and that means great fishing for you and your young ones. Cold fronts can push water temps down for a spell, and another wave of fish may spawn as the lake’s waSpring is a great time to take out the kids. There are large numbers of early- and lateter warms up again. It seems to spawning bass you can catch. Releasing female lengthen the spawn, which only fish will provide a chance to replenish the lakes means a longer period of good fishwith new eggs. (BILL SCHAEFER) ing. While rain One of the keys to catching big bass in the spring is to work your plastics continues to be slowly on the retrieve over spawning beds, where a big bass might just badly needed, deliver a big strike. (OJAI ANGLER FISHING GUIDE SERVICE) hopefully it has come by the time you read this. Either way, grab the family and get out there and enjoy spring fishing for spawning bass! CS APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING
STICK SO-CALICOS WORK SWIMBAITS AND WEEDLESS JIGS THROUGH SOUTHLAND KELPBEDS FOR BASS
By Capt. Bill Schaefer
T
his time of year, think about big calicos. Where do you catch them? You often see boats drifting across the thickest kelpbed and probably wonder, “what the heck is that boat doing in there?” Some calico anglers know that to get the big ones, they have to fish where they live. If you are a freshwater bass fisherman, you should already know the big, smart old ones live in the thickest cover. The calicos relate to cover as well, only it’s kelp and rock most of the time. The most common way most anglers fish the kelp is to target the stringers and throw their swimbait to the edge of the thicker visible kelp and hope to get a strike. But you can increase your strikes by entering the fish’s domain. That is, throw your bait down the alleyways between the stringers. If you really want to have fun and get more bites, then you have to go into the really thick kelp after them. There are a few ways to do this and have fun. Freshwater bass anglers have been doing this for years by fishing their mouse or frog imitations over floating weedbeds. Now you as a calico fisherman can rig swimbaits like the MC Weedless or Big Hammer Weedless Swimbaits and throw it over the thicker kelp. Race it along the surface over the thick kelp and pause at any openings. Wham! Calico will explode up through the kelp and attack it. Another trick is to use a weedless jig to fish the thicker kelp. Some companies such as Reebs Lures’ Kelp Sassin’ specialize in making these for kelp fishermen. Dropped down
The author caught this nice calico bass out of a thick patch of kelp. Weedless jigs are a big plus when fishing the deep offshore beds. (BILL SCHAEFER)
the side of a kelp stringer or through small holes in the canopy, these baits can be deadly. Ever been flipping for calicos? It is a blast.
NOW THAT YOU are going in after the calicos, how do you get them out of the thick kelp? You will need the right equipment and a little knowhow. For your rod and reel, heavy freshwater to medium saltwater will do. I like to use a heavy-duty freshwater flipping stick, just like if I was trying to pull a largemouth out of some tree stumps. I like a Daiwa Lexa 300 reel load-
ed with 30- to 50-pound-test Maxima braid. I go with 50-plus braid when I am throwing my swimbait – rat or frog type – setup over the thick canopy. For bait flipping, I’ll use the same set up with Mustad Power Point hooks in 2/0 to 5/0. I like to throw the largest sardines I can find or a mackerel. A 6- to 12-inch mackerel will definitely get a wall-hanger calico, if you can horse him out of the kelp. A small split shot is the only weight you may need just to get the baitfish to swim down; I place it right at the hook. CS APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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GO MAD FOR SHAD!
AS THE ANNUAL RUN UP NORCAL RIVERS BEGINS, FLY AND SPIN ANGLERS CAN FIND FAST ACTION
Shad, which were introduced to California’s waters in the 1870s, head into rivers like the Sacramento from the Pacific to spawn. The fish will start appearing in the river systems by mid-April. (BILL ADELMAN)
By Bill Adelman
I
n 1871, a biologist named Seth Green loaded several thousand young shad from a hatchery on New York’s Hudson River into several large milk jugs, and shipped them west via railcar.
At Sacramento, the decision was made to take the shad upriver to Tehama, just south of Red Bluff, which is where they were released. A year late, another biologist, Livingston Stone, attempted to ship shad to California in an aquarium car, but it derailed just west of Omaha with
the loss of the entire load of fry as well as several other species. A third try, in 1873 with 35,000 fry, was the most successful. From those humble beginnings as well as with a sense of purpose, today we have a spectacular fishery from San Francisco Bay north to the APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING Washington-Oregon border. Shad are anadromous and spend most of their time in the Pacific Ocean, returning to the river systems for their spawning ritual. That begins as early as mid-April in the Russian River just a tad north of San Francisco, and as late as early summer in the Columbia. Most coastal rivers have some sort of a shad run, some better than others. But it’s a fishing experience worth exploring.
SHAD LIFE CYCLE Many times shad anglers are asked, “what are you using for bait?” “No bait, just flies or lures,” is our response. Shad are plankton feeders in the sea, and the only known food they ever devour in freshwater is small river nymphs when they are heading to the sea as fry about four to six months after hatching. Every year, we catch a few bucks that are but 6 to 8 inches long, but
76 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
This collection of flies will catch shad in Northern California rivers, but small jigs can also be effective. (BILL ADELMAN)
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FISHING exclusively at night, and always with a hen, ramming into her from the average is in the 2-pound range over gravel. A few bucks will gather both sides and eventually jarring while the average hen is around 3 to the eggs loose. As 4 pounds. the eggs are fertilWater temperaized, they drift in ture is extremely the current until critical to shad’s exsettling in the gravistence, as the fish el, and the adults do not necessarily begin to return to return to their rivthe ocean. er of birth. As they approach a fork, the most conducive RODS & REELS temperature is the Shad are schoolone they’ll take. For ing fish, offering a fishing, an ideal wadecent bite when ter temperature is located. Fly and in the high 50s to spinning rods are mid-60s. If the waboth excellent gear ter hits the mid-70s, choices. Some of shad will actually the rivers offer a die off. great deal of shore They are similar angling opportunito stripers, as they ties, while others California shad typically range from 2 to 4 pounds. Interestingly, they don’t are surface spawnprovide hardly any necessarily return to the river they were hatched in. (BILL ADELMAN) ers and do so almost such options without a boat. In deeper water, up to around 12 feet, a boat is the best bet. Shad generally travel near the bottom, so when fishing from a boat in 6 to 12 feet of water, a fly angler needs very specific gear: a graphite 9-foot fly rod in size 7, married to a fairly good quality reel with a solid disc-drag system works very Custom well. Begin with Dacron backing Furniture of around 30-pound test and fill to with Hidden about two-thirds capacity. Then add Vaults! 70 feet of 20-pound Amnesia, a 30foot high-speed Hi-D shooting head in size 8, type 4, and finish off your setup with a mono 9-foot, 8-poundtest leader. All you need now are the flies. Spin fishermen might consider a medium-action, light-tip graphite • Quality hand crafted furniture rod at 7 feet. Again, the reel needs • Hide your valuables, rifles, handguns, a quality drag system. Spool up with and ammunition 8-pound mono and you’re almost • Keyless locking system ready. Shad are not at all line-shy and a standard mono will work. Pick up some egg sinkers from ¼ to (530) 477-8426 1 ounce, a few plastic beads, small www.unclesharkeyswoodworks.com clips, some 8-pound leader mate78 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
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FISHING Find a school of these oversized herring as they move upstream and you can enjoy fast action. (BILL ADELMAN)
rial, shad darts, teeny rounders (a 1 - to ¼-ounce painted jighead with /8 a brightly colored 1½-inch curly tail grub) and flies. Slip the egg sinker on the terminal line, add a bead and tie on a clip. The bead keeps the sinker from hitting the knot and weakening it. For darts and rounders, begin with a 5-foot leader. The weight determination depends on swinging your offering just off the bottom. If using a fly, run the leader to about 8 feet, giving the fly more action. A very subtle tip twitch when swinging a fly will add to the presentation. Slip the grub on the teeny rounder so that the curl is on the opposite side of the hook bend. Now, it’s time to go fishing.
BIG RUN ON THE SAC The largest shad run in California is on the Sacramento River. The first spot for any consistent action,
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FISHING about mid-April, is at Freeport just south of the city. A minimal amount of shore fishing is available in this area. As you move upstream, most angling is done from a boat. A hot spot is at Verona, at the mouth of the Feather River. As shad move up the Feather in about the second week of May, they again can split and ascend the Yuba River. Good spots can include below barrier dams in Red Bluff and Healdsburg. As you move up the Northern California coast, the Russian and Klamath Rivers hold a decent amount of fish, with the other creeks providing some action, dependent entirely on the flow. Usually the flows on the American River in Sacramento itself are increased for the Memorial Day holiday pleasure crowd. This will raise and cool the water level, making it conducive for shad to make a right turn and head upriver.
82 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
HOW TO FISH THEM The better fishing is after June 1, when plenty of shore access becomes available. For wading, locate a gravel bar or steelhead-type run and begin at the top, slowly working downstream with across-anddown casts. When you hit a school of shad, the bite will be consistent for a period of time before the fish move on. Fly fishermen use the same technique, but when fishing 3- to 6-foot depths, use a sink-tip line rather than a shooting head. When anchoring the boat, look for sand bars, seams, changes in depth or flow breaks, which migrating shad use as travel routes. The fly angler will generally just drop the head into the water and strip line until the shooting head is just submerged. The twitch is a serious part of the presentation. Try about a dozen or
so, then pull 3 to 4 feet of line off the reel and twitch again. Continue till your Dacron backing, but never wrap the Amnesia around a finger. Your fly is now 100 feet downriver, as far out as you want to fish. The retrieve is almost the same action as the strip. Reel up a few cranks, twitch some more, reel again. When you get used to where you’re at as far as distance, it’s easy to return to where bites occur. If you hit fish at, say, 60 to 70 feet, return to that spot quickly rather than the slow dropback, and when the bite is over, start over. If you enjoy flinging a fly line, you may have to deal with another boat that moves in on you when they observe your success. Normally, shad action is over by mid-July in the upper stretches of the spawning areas. In the lower reaches of the river, it can be finished about the second week of June. CS
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FISHING
Capt. Manuel Saldana (left) found striped bass on the Sacramento during an early March trip, but says April should be the peak month, with action extending into May as well. (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE)
EARN YOUR STRIPES APRIL SHOULD BE PEAK MONTH FOR SPRING BASS BITE
By Chris Cocoles
MARYSVILLE—If you love to catch striped bass in Northern California, now is the time to head out to the Sacramento River and the Delta. “Things should get better for probably about anywhere from four to six or seven weeks,” says Marysville-based guide Capt. Manuel Saldana Jr. of MSJ Guide Service
(530-301-7455; msjguideservice. com). “Striper fishing for me is right up there with (king) salmon. I love catching them both.” The Feather River’s drought-affected water levels are too low to get through via boat, but the prospects are much better on the Sacramento as water temperatures slowly begin to get warmer in April and possibly into May.
“I may have to travel to the Delta, but when I can get (fish) in my backyard I prefer to do that,” Saldana says. “They have been on their way (north). Everyone has kind of been worried (about the fishing prospects) and the lower water, but my hunch is the Sacramento and Delta will deliver.” Striper schools move around a lot, so just because you had a proAPRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING There are various ways to catch stripers, including casting lures from the boat to the banks of the Sacramento, and by drifting live bait like minnows and shiners. (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE)
ductive day catching your two-fish limit in one hole, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be there the next.
“One thing stripers will do is move on you,” Saldana says. Stripers can be caught with var-
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Gravid female stripers should be released quickly. A 10-pound fish can carry up to a million eggs. (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE)
for Saldana, and ones that mimic shad are coveted since stripers love to gorge on smaller river shad. He also has a fondness for Yo-Zuri 3D Minnow Deep Divers. But as the sun comes up and warmer weather raises water temperatures, fishing can improve for those who weigh anchor and drift with live bait. On a recent trip with some clients who’d never caught stripers, Saldana estimated he covered about 8 or 9 miles drifting minnows without a lot of action. “Then we took the bait out of the water, put it into the livewell, moved around 10 to 12 miles downriver, and guess what? We started picking up fish. We found a nice pocket and started working it and caught fish,” Saldana says. “We earned the fish that we caught. They were rewarded with some great-quality fish. These are strong, great-eating fish.” Besides live bait and casting lures, you can also catch stripers with cutbait, spoons, crankbaits and others. “I’ve been asked, ‘Why I do like striper fishing?’ Because there are so many different ways to catch them,” Saldana says. “You have to adjust to the river and adjust to what the fish want. And that’s the chess match that you’re playing. Last year they 88 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
bit on this, and this year you may have to go and figure it out all over again if they don’t deliver.” Using scents like Pro-Cure flavors in garlic, threadfin shad, anise, sardine, anchovy and trophy bass on lures and live minnows and shiners should improve your odds. “Live bait; it doesn’t get any better than that,” Saldana says. “When you’re drifting that live shiner, when you come across stripers, those rods just bend right over.” When he can, Saldana likes to stay close to his Marysville and Yuba City base, going about 10 miles upor downriver. But some of the better early March fishing came north toward Colusa, at the Tisdale Weir in Sutter County. When guides like Saldana catch female stripers this time of year, they favor releasing those fish as soon as possible to protect the population in the Sacramento River. “A 10-pound female striper can have up to a million eggs,” Saldana says. “That’s what people don’t understand: when you take these females out of the system like that, you didn’t just take that fish; you took the opportunity to have a million or a million and a half (for bigger females) stripers to even have a chance.” CS
A hunt for Biceite ibex took Brittany to the mountains south of Barcelona, Spain, where she clambored around the ruins of abandoned ďŹ elds (the terraces in background) in search of the wild goat species native to the Iberian Peninsula. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
90 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
UNA CAZADORA I EN CASTELLÓN
By Brittany Boddington
OUR LOS ANGELES-BASED URBAN HUNTRESS HEADS TO A PROVINCE OF NORTHEASTERN SPAIN FOR A SHOT AT IBEX
’ve always had a fascination with Spain. I took Spanish in school, as most California residents do, and my mom has some Spanish blood in her, so learning the language was very important to me. I even got the chance to visit Spain with my Español 3 class, circa 2002, but that trip was nothing compared to the experience of hunting ibex in the mountains outside Barcelona. Spain has four subspecies of ibex: the Gredos, Biceite, southeastern, and Ronda. The outfitter I went hunting with has areas to hunt all of them, but we were after the Biceite ibex. This would be my very first ibex hunt, and we headed three hours south from Barcelona, to the province of Castellón. The area is full of ancient ruins, and the mountains are striped with terraces once used for farming but abandoned many years ago. The walls of the terraces and ruins are all stone on stone, no mortar; they are a feat of balance and ingenuity. The area is also full of ibex, but the trick is finding one that is the right size and age, and then getting close enough to shoot.
SPOTTING IBEX Our first day out, we saw ibex everywhere, but a thick fog layer moving through the area made it difficult to see the animals clearly. However, we spotted a nice one on a mountainside and decided to give it a shot. We hiked up to the top of the mountain that the ibex was on with the plan of coming over the top and taking a shot down at the animal. Unfortunately, the fog rolled in as we climbed, so it was difficult to pinpoint its location in the murk. Finally, we found the ibex below us and I got set up to shoot from a rocky outcrop. However, if it wasn’t the fog APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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frustrating me, it was the brush: The animal’s entire shoulder was covered by thick bush, and with one step, the ibex vanished. It was our first day, so we let it go and headed back to the road. Shortly after we got back to the truck and started driving we spotted another ibex; this time it was not too far from the road and we jumped out in a hurry and went to where we could take a shot. I was set up prone over some rocks and ready to take my shot, but we still needed to judge the animal and make sure it was old enough. I was so excited that I think I was holding my breath. Though the animal stood broadside, I did not have the OK to take the shot, so I sat still. The ibex started to walk to the right and I followed with my crosshairs; our guide, Bruno Rosich gave the word to “shoot if it stops,” and the ibex hesitated. I fired, but missed – I had followed the ibex with my crosshairs and put myself into a very awkward and unstable shooting position. I know better than to shoot when I’m not comfortable, but I was excited and my nerves got the better of me. Thankfully, it was a clean miss and the ibex took off and disappeared, but I was pretty bummed this time. There was no one to blame but myself. I had a pity party for a few minutes, and then shook it off and got back to hunting. We didn’t get any other chances that day, but there were tons of ibex moving around the mountains, so I went to bed hopeful for the next day.
WINDY AND WILD SPAIN I woke up to a noise that all hunters hate – wind. The air was howling. It was whipping through the trees and rattling the roof tiles. This kind of wind can ruin hunts. We headed out hoping that the ibex wouldn’t mind the wind as much as we did, and while we did 92 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
As a cameraman for Peterson’s Hunting Adventures films, Brittany and her guides glass a Spanish mountainside for ibex. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
see some animals, unfortunately, the breeze was blowing from the wrong direction to be able to make a successful stalk. The day was spent driving around and trying to spot ibex. I kept thinking about the shot I had missed the previous day; I wondered if it could have all been avoided if I had made that shot. We didn’t get any chances that day; the breeze killed us, and gave us all pink faces from windburn. The next day was forecasted to be windy early in the morning but calming down at 9 a.m. We spotted an ibex in a spot similar to the one in which we had almost shot at the first day. We thought it was the same animal, so we set out on a very similar stalk over the top of the mountain. It was 9:30 a.m. when I got set up, lying prone on a rock with the ibex in my sight, though the wind was still blowing. Bruno told me to shoot when the ibex cleared the bushes. The ibex stepped out and I hesitated just long enough for Bruno to say, “wait, it’s a different ibex – don’t shoot.” Bruno wanted the chance to check the age of the animal, and the best way to do that is by seeing the color on the body; the general rule for ibex is that the darker the animal,
the older it is. This ibex’s body was obscured by bushes, so it took a few minutes for Bruno to get a good look. When the animal emerged enough for judging, my guide said that we should probably pass on this one. It wasn’t as old as we were looking for; he guessed it was 10 or 11 years old, but we were hoping for a 13-year-old ibex. It may sound silly to pass on an animal that is only two years shy of what we were hoping for, especially because it is perfectly legal to shoot, but in these areas management is key. Ibex live to around 16 and grow their entire lives. Their horns begin to broom off in old age, but it would be a shame to kill an 11-year-old that had the potential to grow to be a gold-medal animal. What we wanted was a 13- or 14-year-old that would clearly never reach that desired size, but was still a nice representative of the species.
THE CHASE HEATS UP We got up from the rocks and realized it was 10:30 and the wind was still blowing like crazy. It gusted so hard it almost took me off my feet as I stood on the rocks, so we hurried
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back toward the truck and started looking for other animals. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before we spotted a nice ibex on the mountain across from us. There was a deep valley between us and the ibex and there were no roads to get over there. We hiked down to where we were about level with what turned out to be a small herd. There were two males and two females slowly feeding to the right, and we were about 350 yards away when I started to get set up on some rocks. The ibex kept moving right and came to within 310 yards when I finally got into a position that I could shoot from. The wind was gusting but had lulls. We waited for the wind to give us a window of opportunity, then Bruno gave me the OK to shoot. I hit the ibex, which rolled a bit, but then got up. It was clear that I
94 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
had hit about 16 inches too far left and broken its hip. There must have been more wind going through the canyon than what we thought. The ibex wasn’t going anywhere and lay down behind a tree trunk. Its vitals were all covered from where we were, so we hurried to the right to get a better vantage point to set up again. This time we knew the wind was playing tricks on us. Bruno instructed me to hold on the far side of the tree trunk. This meant I would basically be aiming at where my first shot hit since the animal was now facing the opposite direction. It felt strange, but since I was already holding an inch and a half high, why not hold another 16 inches, right? Surprisingly, the bullet went straight into the vitals just under the shoulder bone, and the ibex tumbled down the mountain about
An ibex browses across a canyon. The darkness of the animal’s coat color helps determine its age and whether hunters should put on a stalk to take a shot. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
25 yards before coming to a stop. Getting to the ibex would be no small feat! A small trail leading down helped out a bit, but once we got into the valley, the vegetation was thick and full of stickers. We tore through and pushed onward and upward until we got to the dead ibex. It was a beautiful animal!
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Its coat ranged from deep honey to jet black, and the horns were the dictionary definition of a classic Biceite ibex. They go up, out and back then they turn up again right at the tips. By counting the rings on the horns Bruno guessed that my ibex was about 13 years old. We were so excited! And even with the horrible wind and fog we had accomplished our mission! I even got to practice my Spanish. The only problem I have now is that I can’t wait to hunt the other three ibex species in Spain! CS Editor’s note: Go to trophyhuntingspain.com for more information on these hunts. Contributing editor Brittany Boddington is a Los Angeles-based hunter, journalist and adventurer. For more on her, check out brittanyboddington.com and facebook.com/brittanyboddington.
Brittany and her guide Bruno Rosich with her beautiful 13-year-old Biceite ibex, one of four species of the wild goat in Spain. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
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W
e parked at the edge of the property before the sun rose and quietly grabbed our gear before starting to hike down the old fire road to the Boden Canyon Ecological Reserve in San Diego County. Both my friend Darrin and I had hunted the state-owned parcel before, but navigating the rough road in the dark with our red headlamps was tough. About a mile in, we peeled away from the access road and set up in
the dark shadows of several oak trees at the edge of a meadow. I placed a plastic hen decoy out in the field, about 15 yards from the base of the tree. We each put our backs to the trunk of the same large oak and waited for sunrise. Several days earlier we had hiked in during the day and scouted for the fall turkey opener. We had seen three adult turkeys at the edge of the meadow, and discovered a nearby roosting area – a taller eucalyptus tree with loads of turkey droppings at its base. After a bit of discussion, we determined that set-
ting up in the shade of the oaks was our best bet. The rising sun lit up the meadow and things started moving. We watched several deer feed on the hill above the nearby pond. With the sun lighting up the meadow, we started calling. After a full hour of subtle and not-so subtle chirps on the slate call, we hadn’t heard or seen a thing. We sat tight for another 30 minutes and waited. We were just about to pick up and move, when Darrin spotted a turkey out near the pond. The bird was picking at the ground about APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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HUNTING While turkeys are skittish and difficult to call during the fall season, that’s not the case in spring. They’ll be far more vocal as California’s season really gets going this month. (TIM E. HOVEY)
200 yards away. We got back on the slate call and watched the bird. After a series of sharp clucks, the bird lifted his head once, looked our way and continued feeding. After that, he showed absolutely no interest in our calling or our decoy.
I HAVE SPENT most of my adult life in the outdoors, and I occasionally encounter turkeys in the areas I hunt. During the fall, I notice that birds are wary, skittish and hard to call. Using just my voice, I can get them to respond occasionally, but very rarely do they approach; most of the time they stay silent and just move off. Come spring time it’s a different story. Whenever I encounter turkeys during the spring, it almost seems like I am dealing with a different species. More often than not, I hear groups of gobblers before I spot them. They’ll call at random before I even start calling to them. 100 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
And when I do call to them, they respond like a bunch of chickens at feeding time. During the spring, turkeys are looking for love. Subtle calling and a hen decoy will get the attention of aggressive toms and hopeful jakes nearby. In most cases, little calling is needed, and in some situations, the less, the better. Turkeys, like most birds, have excellent eyesight, and rely almost solely on it to sense danger. During the season, I like to set up in the shadows and, if possible, place the sun at my back. Calling to a well-lit, open area and sitting in the shade will provide a strong sight contrast for any birds approaching, keeping your presence hidden. Camo clothing and staying still are a must when pursuing turkeys. If they detect anything out of the ordinary or something they aren’t familiar with, they will not approach and will probably move off. Despite their great eyesight,
strutting turkeys come equipped with their own blind spot. Excited males will approach a hen decoy, puff themselves up, fan out their tail feathers and start strutting near the faux female. As he dances to impress, dragging his wings and drumming loudly, the tom’s tail essentially blocks the bird’s vision from anything directly behind him. Savvy hunters will time their movements, like raising a shotgun, when the tom’s head is obscured by his fanned tail.
HUNTING THE SPRING turkey season is exciting and interactive. I love calling when I hunt, and calling turkeys during the height of the breeding season will give you a seat in the front row to some amazing turkey behavior. If I see birds at a distance, I’ll set up and see if I can call them in. Whether I’m hunting them or not, it’s always a neat experience when I encounter turkeys out in the wild.
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HUNTING Tom turkeys are aggressive and at times violent. I’ve seen trotting male turkeys respond to calling, spot the decoy and come running. If you set up with just a provocative plastic hen, the male will trot up and start strutting around the static decoy. If you add a tom decoy or a jake, things will get violent. Male turkeys see other toms as competition for the affections of available hens and they will fight off other males aggressively. I once saw a strutting tom knock down a plastic jake decoy, stomp it and peck at the eyes for 10 minutes. No part of that episode was subtle – a real jake probably would’ve died. Last year, my friend Jesse De La Cruz took his two young sons, Drake and Gannon, on their first turkey hunt. He made the trip to Paso Robles to hunt with Chad Wiebe of Oak Stone Outfitters (805748-2787; oakstoneoutfitters.com).
Gannon De La Cruz checks out the beard of his first turkey – one call and a decoy drew the tom within 20 yards. (TIM E. HOVEY)
Rising before dawn, the group hiked the rolling hills near scattered oaks and immediately started detecting the sounds of gobbling birds. Their first setup was busted by a group of
coyotes, but after searching a few more spots, Chad put Jesse’s kids back on the birds. First up was 10-year-old Gannon. Setting up near an aggressive tom, Chad set up the decoy and got ready. No additional calling was needed. The big gobbler spotted the decoy and came trotting in. Gannon waited for the bird to present a clear shot and dropped the big tom with a head shot at 20 yards – Jesse’s youngest son had his first turkey. Chad relocated to another area, set up on a remote dirt road and started calling. Within minutes, five gobblers in full strut came trotting into range near the decoys. Jesse’s oldest son, Drake, was set up on point waiting patiently. The largest tom separated from the group and Drake made a great 10-yard shot. In the span of a single morning, Jesse and his boys had a turkey hunt they’ll never forget.
CALIFORNIA’S SPRING TURKEY season
The author (right) and Chris Huntley each scored a turkey during a hunt. One key to a successful outing is wearing camo and staying still, as toms have excellent eyesight and are cautious when they something or someone that’s not familiar. (TIM E. HOVEY) 102 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
has something to offer every hunter. The general season opened on March 28 and extends until May 3. In addition to the weekend before the general opener, junior hunters also get to hunt May 4-17, after the close of the general season. Archery hunters can also enjoy
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HUNTING
Four hunters, four birds – a fantastic day of turkey hunting. Northern California has more birds, but several counties further south have their share of toms to try and call in. (TIM E. HOVEY)
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pursuing turkeys a few weeks after the general shotgun season ends. And if that isn’t enough, the state also offers a fall season. Hunters are allowed a single bearded turkey a day and three per season combined. Wild turkeys are far more abundant in the northern part of the state than the south. However, good pockets of birds can be located in portions of San Diego, Kern, and San Luis Obispo Counties. Getting access to private land in these areas can be a huge plus in being successful. And finally, Jesse De La Cruz certainly demonstrated that taking your kids turkey hunting not only builds lasting memories but instills our hunting heritage into the next generation. If you enjoy the activity yourself, take the time to take a youth or a new hunter out with you. Being a part of the unique hunting experience and explaining the aspects of the outdoors to those interested will benefit everyone. CS
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HUNTING
BE A TRAIL BOSS PLACING CAMERAS WILL HELP FIND SPRING PIGS
FROM FIELD ...
When set near a food source, water hole or along a game trail, trail cameras are one of the best tools hunters can invest in when it comes getting dialed-in to hogs. (PARREY CREMEANS)
By Scott Haugen
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ith spring comes no shortage of outdoor opportunities. In addition to varmint and turkey hunting, hog hunting dominates the scene throughout much of the state. As with any big game animal this time of year success for hogs often comes down to capitalizing on their
known food sources, where they sleep and where they water. Last fall saw a solid acorn crop in much of Northern California, and though it wasn’t as good as previous years, it was still better than some others. This means there’s forage on the ground in good areas for targeting hogs. Because hogs can be on the move this time of year, and given
the fact that acorns on the ground can be devoured in a short time, try setting out trail cameras to learn when hogs are feeding in an area. Ideally, if you can find an area beneath a grove of oak trees that hasn’t been hammered by hogs lately, that’s a great place to start, especially if you know hogs are not far away. Check the trail cameras with regularity, and as soon as pigs APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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HUNTING
TO FIRE
SAY YES TO NOPALITOS By Tiffany Haugen
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ild pig is one of our family’s favorite game animals come dinnertime. Because hog meat is mild, it easily takes on the flavors it’s cooked in; thus, it can easily be prepared in many ways. Known also as nopalitos and pork, this unique dish is a great way to introduce your family to something new. The nopalitos, or prickly pear cactus (paddles), can be found in specialty food stores and many grocery stores. 1 pound wild pig, cubed 1½ cups nopalitos, sliced bite-sized 2 tablespoons canola oil ½ cup onion, chopped
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6 cloves garlic, minced 1 14½-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 cup corn 1 teaspoon dried oregano ½ teaspoon chili powder In a large pot, boil wild pig and nopalitos with enough water to cover for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and set aside. In the same pot, heat oil and sauté onions until tender. Add garlic and sauté one to two more minutes. Add wild boar and nopalitos to the large pot. Add all other ingredients and gently stir. Cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, or until the meat is tender. Remove lid and simmer to desired thickness. Serve with corn chips or warm tortillas. To make this
dish in the slow cooker, brown meat with onions and garlic, add remaining ingredients and cook on low four to five hours, or until wild boar is tender. Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott and Tiffany Haugen’s popular cookbook, Cooking Big Game, send a check for $20 (free S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489 or order online at scotthaugen. com. This book offers more than 100 great recipes.
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HUNTING
The author’s father, Jerry Haugen (right), and Parrey Cremeans of Justforhunting.com with a spring hog taken on private land near Redding. Water and food are key sources for pig hunters to target this time of year, and private lands can be prime spots, thanks to irrigation. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
start hitting the holdover acorns, get to hunting.
IN THE HOLE Another great place to set trail cameras and see if hogs are using an area is around waterholes. Not only can you learn how many hogs are using the spot, you can determine their size. Since hogs routinely hang out in them for extended periods – drinking, cooling off and wallowing in the mud – they’re great spots to actually study the hogs in an area. If the waterhole you’re targeting is too large to cover with one camera, set two or three. When hogs start hitting the holes regularly, don’t just glimpse at the pics, look closely at them. Note what time the hogs show up, how long they 110 California Sportsman
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hang around and, most importantly, from which direction they enter and leave the waterhole. If hogs are heading to water in the dark, you may need to move up or down the trail in order to catch them in daylight hours. If a waterhole has food nearby and thickets for hogs to safely bed in during the middle of the day, they can develop a pretty consistent routine. This is especially true as spring progresses; pigs rely more steadily on water to both drink and bask in.
FOLLOW THE TRAIL Trails are also great places to position trail cameras. If the trail connects a known bedding area to a food source or a distant pond, that’s even better. What always surprises
me is how far pigs will often travel from bedding areas to feeding and watering locations. Should hogs find all they need in a small habitat zone, great; but don’t be surprised to learn pigs will travel a mile or more at night to find what they want. As grass continues to green, hogs will also spread out. This means bedding areas become used less consistently, which isn’t always a bad thing. If hogs stay too sedentary on land you can’t access, having them move to seek new food sources or dwindling water supplies can increase hunting opportunities. If you do have access to privately irrigated pastureland, set trail cameras along canals, in creek bottoms and on the edges of ponds that will hold water all spring. As spring progresses and water sources begin drying up, hogs will move to wherever the water is. Should flood irrigation be used in the area you’re hunting, bingo! Such practices can draw hogs in from miles, making some of the best habitat to hunt from now through summer. When temperatures do rise later in the spring, consider setting trail cameras in the bottoms of dry creekbeds. They offer shade along with cool sand and dirt, ideal bedding for hogs. Temperatures in the bottom of the bottom of dry creeks can be at least 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding areas. Frequently, once hogs find such places to bed, they’ll use them, making hunting in such habitats highly productive. This spring, invest in some trail cameras and research where to hang them. Once you’ve confirmed hogs are in an area, your confidence will rise and you’ll put more pork in the freezer. CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular adventure book, Life In The Scope: The West, send a check for $15 (free S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or visit scotthaugen.com.
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The author tested a variety of brands of slim-diameter arrows (inset), shooting them through ¾-inch plywood from 20 yards and analyzing the results with the assist of a chronograph that measured the arrow’s speed. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH)
WHAT’S YOUR POINT WHICH IS THE BEST SLIM-DIAMETER HUNTING ARROW? By Albert Quackenbush
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hen I was a kid, I didn’t give a second thought to hunting arrow design. My brother and I would head right for the arrow bin at our local department store and just grab some arrows. We opted for quantity over quality and wanted to know how many arrows could we buy. To us, it didn’t matter that we were shooting 32-inch aluminum arrows and our actual draw length
was 25 inches. Arrow spine? What the heck was arrow spine? Fortunately, as we matured, we learned about the specifics of the right equipment and form. We now shoot the proper arrow, at the correct length, matched with the draw weight of our bows. We all need to grow up sometime. Bowhunters are particular about the arrows they shoot, and they should be. As a bowhunter who actively hunts deer and feral pigs, I need an APRIL 2015 California Sportsman
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in place. FOC was 13 percent.
arrow that is tough and will penetrate deeply. It’s no secret that I have shot many different slim-diameter arrows in the past with excellent result, but my curiosity led me to see which ones would perform the best. While some bowhunters want speed, other focus on kinetic energy. If you want a sports car, you don’t opt for a tractor trailer, or would you want a combination of the two? Either way, you want to get the most out of your arrows. I chose the HybrimatCRM target to gauge arrow penetration into foam. Why? First and foremost, the target is virtually indestructible and stops the arrows dead. I have used some other brand-name targets and the slim-diameter arrows blew right through them. After using the HybrimatCRM for this review, I can tell you that I am more than impressed. All arrows were shot from my compound bow set at 70 pounds. The finished length of each arrow from throat of nock to end of insert or outsert is 28 inches. After double-checking the spine and tolerance with cutting them that short, I verified all of the arrows would work well with my setup. I used a digital scale to weigh each component before assembly and the fully assembled arrows.
INTRODUCING THE PARTICIPANTS AND ASSEMBLY RESULTS:
A view of the arrows’ penetration through a target, which featured an average of just under 10 to just under 12 inches. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH)
increased weight forward of center (FOC). These outserts go completely over the shaft and not into it at all. All three outserts weighed in differently by a few grains (122, 124, 118). None of them came in at 120. I had an issue getting the outserts to fit over the SD Hunter shafts properly, too. It took some time, but I was finally able to get them to fit. FOC was 15.5 percent.
DEER CROSSING ARCHERY HUNTER I had issues with the inserts fitting into the shaft. Two of the three inserts fit perfectly, but the third shaft was either too narrow or the insert too wide. Either way, I could not get it to go into the shaft fully. I tried fitting the inserts in the other two Hunter shafts and had no issues.
CARBON EXPRESS PILEDRIVER PASS THRU EXTREME The manufacturer’s specs matched my findings.
EASTON DEEP SIX XD GOLDTIP KINETIC XT HUNTER The components weighed in exactly as GoldTip stated, and this was the heaviest arrow of the bunch.
DEER CROSSING ARCHERY SD HUNTER I opted to use the 120-grain stainlesssteel outserts offered with these for 114 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
Again, manufacturer specs matched my findings.
VICTORY ARMOR PIERCING (VAP) Manufacturer specs also matched my findings. The Penetrator II outserts fit into the shaft and have just enough on the outside to keep it
When it came time to test into the HybrimatCRM target, I asked fellow bowhunter Brett Bumgarner if he’d be a witness to what I was doing, look and listen for abnormalities, and to also verify my measurements. I took six shots using each manufacturer’s arrows at 20 yards, and took the average penetration for my final result. Average penetration is listed below by arrow, ranked from deepest penetration to least. In order to simulate shooting into bone, I opted to shoot through plywood, as it offered an even surface to compare all arrows. To verify arrow speed, I contacted the specialists at my local pro shop, Archery Outpost (562-860-9292). They have always been extremely helpful and I knew I could count on them. Connor Kelly, the owner’s son and lead shop tech, was not only helpful, but eager to see what would happen. He helped me chrono all of the arrows and was my second witness to the plywood test. I made an executive decision to use field points instead of broadheads. I wanted to see what kind of penetration I could get with the same field points I used in the foam target testing. I also didn’t want to destroy the targets at Archery Outpost (they may have never invited me back if I had!). The penetration results of a 28-inch arrow into ¾-inch plywood at 20 yards are incredibly interesting.
GOLDTIP KINETIC XT HUNTER Out of all the arrows I tested, the KineticXT Hunters had the most kinetic energy (KE). When the arrow weighs 10.4 grains per inch, there is bound to be some KE behind it, 77.91 in this case, and that topped all the others by a couple pounds. It averaged 10.41 inches into the foam, but it didn’t penetrate well into the plywood. Only 17.312 inches of the arrow made it through the plywood. As far as I could see
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The front and rear points of view from the arrows’ success rate in the shot through the wood. One arrow averaged over 27 inches’ worth of power into the plywood. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH)
and feel, the arrows flew straight and true. With the widest OD of the arrows tested, the KineticXT Hunter performed well.
DEER CROSSING ARCHERY SD HUNTER The 120-grain outsert provided plenty of FOC, but certainly slowed the arrow down. I chronographed the arrow at a speed of 260 feet per second (fps), which is not excessively fast, but the KE was worth noting. The proof is in the penetration into both foam and plywood.
DEER CROSSING ARCHERY HUNTER The DCA Hunter penetrated 25.75 inches through the three-quarterinch plywood – impressive! It had the least amount of KE at 74.38, but also showed speeds of 305 fps. Overall, I think for the price and the results, the Hunters are a great buy for bowhunters on a budget.
CARBON EXPRESS PILEDRIVER PASS THRU EXTREME The PTE was a surprising stand out. It had excellent penetration into foam, and clocked in at 277 fps – plenty fast. It performed the best into the HybrimatCRM target by penetrating an average 11.88 inches; 76.35 pounds of KE drove the arrow 20.312 inches through the plywood.
EASTON DEEP SIX XD There are drawbacks to using the Deep Six XD inserts provided with the arrows. If you use these inserts, you must use the Deep Six field points and broadheads. This is a major drawback, in my opinion, and feel will alienate many. Arrow penetration was decent.
VICTORY ARMOR PIERCING As one of the lightest in the test group, increased FOC, and with speeds reaching nearly 300 fps, the VAP 116 California Sportsman APRIL 2015
performed very well. The 50-grain Penetrator II outsert is larger than the arrow shaft, thus making a bigger hole when it hits. The arrows were undamaged (except for the DCA Hunter) after shooting through the plywood. If an arrow with a field point can do this to plywood, just imagine what it will do to an animal when combined with a sharp broadhead? The retail prices on the arrows vary greatly, and I think that is where many are going to have an issue. At $76.99 per dozen, the DCA Hunters are a value and performed well, even with the insert issue. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the VAPs retail for $169.99 a dozen and that is pricey, even for me. With that said, after seeing how the arrows perform and the results, I’ll save up my money and continue shooting the Victory Armor Piercing arrows. Personally, I feel the VAPs are tough, fast, and even if you shoot them through an animal, you will more than likely get the opportunity to
Arrow brand and style Carbon Express Piledriver Pass Thru Extreme Deer Crossing Archery SD Hunter Victory VAP V3 Easton Deep Six XD GoldTip Kinetic XT Hunter Deer Crossing Archery Hunter
shoot them again. Think of your arrows as an investment and not strictly as a drain on your bank account. Decide what animals you are going to hunt and choose the arrow that is going to perform the best and do the most damage. You are going to get what you pay for, and if you want quality and a better arrow, you may need to pay a bit more for it. CS Disclaimer: At the time of this article, I was not on any arrow company pro staff, nor was I paid by any of the arrow companies to write this review or include their arrows. In fact, the arrows in this review were either provided to me or I purchased them. While some major arrow companies opted not to participate in this review, I included some of the best arrows I could get my hands on. The HybrimatCRM target was also provided by American Whitetails as part of this review. Editor’s note: For more on the author, check out his blog at socalbowhunter.com.
Penetration (depth in inches)
11.88 11.83 11.79 10.83 10.41 9.92
Penetration through ¾-inch plywood (depth in inches)
20.187 26.26 27.125 10.25 17.312 25.75
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