FISHING • HUNTING • TRAVEL CALSPORTSMANMAG.COM
GUN CARE
All In One Step No product on the market works like PrOlix and we’ve guaranteed it for 35 Years! DRY LUBRICANT • • • • • • •
Improves accuracy Prevents jamming Won’t flash off Will not freeze Non-hazardous Reduces fouling Won’t harm wood, primers, old guns, or stain clothing! • Bio preferred by USDA • Non-petroleum
Goes on wet, cleans, bonds, turns DRY!
New Look Coming Soon!
ProChemCo LLC GUN-OIL / GREASE REPLACER
801-569-2763 800-248-LUBE (5823) www.prolixlubricant.com
2022 SPECIALS AVAILABLE FOR MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER. There has been no fishing pressure in our waters for over two years. SALMON
The most successful Salmon Hatchery on the Pacific Coast is just 30 miles from Zeballos. For the past several years, over 50,000 Chinook Salmon have returned each fall to the Conuma Creek spawning grounds where the hatchery is located. Most of these migrating Salmon start to come through our waters starting in May. We have non-spawning Chinook Salmon in our waters year-round—Winter Chinook (Kings, or Springs). In May you'll be catching on average 12 to 18 pound Salmon—absolutely the best table fare.
HALIBUT
We are located very close to an amazing halibut fishery that seems never ending. We can't remember a trip where we didn't hook into many of these amazing eating fish. Come with us, and we'll show you how to bring up white gold. Be prepared with coolers!
Limited trips left, book now before we are sold out!
DAY TRIPPER
Up to 4 people per boat, expect full limits Three Great Locations: Zeballos, Tahsis & Tofino - 28' offshore boat up to 12 hours of fully guided fishing - Full private enclosed head on board - Breakfast, coffee, sodas, water, lunch, and lots of snacks included - All fishing gear provided - Rain gear provided - Cleaning of your catch - Bring a large cooler packed with ice to transport your catch home
$455.00 USD + 5% tax /per person Book Your Day Trippers Trip at zeballostopguides.com/day-trips. Complete and submit the form. TRIP LIMITS for Day Tripper Package: 4 Salmon of which 2 can be Kings and two can be Silvers, 1 Halibut up to 70 pounds, 3 Lingcod and 4 Rockcod. We have purchased Halibut Quota from the Commercial Halibut Fleet and if you wish to take extra Halibut, the cost will be about $5 per pound.
HALIBUT EXPRESS
Drive-In 3 Nights / 4 Days Package Join us for our 11th annual Halibut Express starting May 1st, 2022! - 20 hours of guided fishing - 3 nights accommodation at the Cedars Inn - All meals including wine with the dinner meals - Cleaning and filleting of your catch - All fishing tackle provided (You are welcome to bring your favorite rod and reel)
Party of 2 fishing 2 per boat: $1395 + tax USD Per Person Party of 3 fishing 3 per boat: $1175 + tax USD Per Person Party of 4 fishing 4 per boat: $795 + tax USD Per Person TRIP LIMITS for 3N/4D Halibut Express Package: 8 Salmon of which 4 can be Chinook (Kings), 2 Halibut, 6 Lingcod, and 8 Rockcod. We have have purchased Halibut Quota from the Commercial Halibut Fleet and if you wish to take extra Halibut, the cost will be about $5 per pound.
LEARN MORE
zeballostopguides.com/halibut-special Call 250-337-2158 Email: doug.zeballostopguides2022@gmail.com
NOTES: Fishing Licenses required and can be purchased April 1, 2022
Guide and Staff gratuities not included Bring your own coolers ... you’ll need them!
Don’t wait—packages sell out fast every year, contact us now!
Welcome Aboard the Deluxe Express 6-pk RAMPAGE Westport, Washington
IT’S TUNA TIME ... BOOK YOUR TUNA, SALMON OR BOTTOMFISH TRIP. Check our flexible schedule. If you don’t see what you want, call us.
SALMON
BOTTOMFISH
TUNA
HALIBUT
CALL 360.268.1080 OR BOOK ONLINE AT WWW.WESTPORTSPORTFISHING.COM
California
Sportsman
Volume 14 • Issue 6
Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource
PUBLISHER James R. Baker
INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn
GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott
CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine
EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Todd Kline, Lance Sawa, Bill Schaefer, Jeff Walters SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Kelley Miller, Mike Smith DESIGNER Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines DIGITAL ASSISTANT Jon Ekse ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Aumann
10 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
ON THE COVER The April 30 statewide trout opener – known in the Eastern Sierra as Fishmas – should provide for plenty of great fishing opportunities throughout the opening weekend and spring with several plants scheduled for various fisheries. (SIERRA DRIFTERS GUIDE SERVICE)
MEDIA INC PUBLISHING GROUP 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120 Renton, WA 98057 (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com www.mediaindexpublishing.com
CONTENTS
VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 6
FEATURES
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
33
15 17 21 23 42 49
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH KERN VALLEY Despite low water conditions due to the drought, the Kern River Valley should offer some outstanding trout fishing less than an hour’s drive from Bakersfield . The river offers opportunities for everything from simple bait fishing for stockers to a protected area with wild fish, plus the popular Isabella Lake Fishing Derby kicks off an almost four-month run on April 9. Local angler Jeff Walters has the details.
57
A CASE OF THE DROPS There are many ways to entice a prespawn bass to take a bite out of your presentation. For veteran bass angler Bill Schaefer, the drop-shot rig might be the best option to score a largie or smallie in the shallows at Southern California lakes. Schaefer offers up his rigging for this effective setup that should be in every basser’s tackle box this spring.
63
The Editor’s Note The Adventures of Todd Kline Photo contest winners Outdoor calendar Collins Lake spring trout preview American Angler in Japan: Trout farm fishing tour 77 The joy of owning gun dogs
LAST-CHANCE GOBBLERS As the spring turkey season hits its second half this month – hunting ends on May 1 – Scott and Tiffany Haugen are here to tell you that the unused tag in your pocket can still be filled. From changing your decoys to employing big game scouting tactics, don’t give up the ship at crunch time. And in the second half of the Haugens’ From Field to Fire column, Tiffany cooks up that hard-earned tom with a butter Parmesan-stuffed turkey recipe.
PLANT-BASED FISHING FRENZY It’s that time again, troutheads. The Eastern Sierra will be open for Fishmas business on April 30, and expect there to be plenty of newly freed trout swimming around, thanks to an aggressive planting strategy at popular fisheries such as Crowley Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir and the June Lake Loop. As part of our annual April trout opener preview, Mono County’s Jeff Simpson discusses the roughly $300,000 budget of multiple groups that will stock fish this season.
25
(SIERRA DRIFTERS GUIDE SERVICE)
Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2022 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 12 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
al
Built for Adventure! THUNDER JET • BOULTON • FISH-RITE
With our factory-trained technicians for Yamaha, Suzuki, Mercury, Tohatsu and Honda motors, we can handle any project from electronic installs to complete boat and motor overhauls.
Need a new motor for your current boat? Best prices around on Repowers!
MAXXUM MARINE
1700 Hwy 99 N, Eugene, OR
www.maxxummarine.com
Toll Free 877-4-Maxxum (877-462-9986) Local 541-686-3572
THEEDITOR’SNOTE
This month’s “American Angler in Japan” column by Lance Sawa about fishing at a trout farm on the other side of the Pacific (page 49) reminded the editor of fat rainbows he reeled in at a similar Lake Tahoe facility many years ago. (LANCE SAWA)
’T
is the season for Fishmas spirit, as the April 30 statewide trout opener kicks off what should be a great fishing season throughout the Eastern Sierra and several other fisheries in California. We hope you enjoy our annual trout preview this month, which features stories on fishing opportunities in Mono County, the Kern River region and Northern California gem Collins Lake. But it was a column filed by Lance Sawa – our “American Angler in Japan” scribe and longtime Golden State trout fisherman – about his visit to a trout farm and fishery in his new home country across the Pacific that stoked a memory from my trout background. Sawa had a great time fishing the three ponds of the facility he visited in Nagano Prefecture. It brought me back to my teenage years and a trout farm experience of my own. My sister Charlene and her husband Alan have been married for almost 38 years and their mid-1980s wedding was in Lake Tahoe. We had a fun night after the wedding, and somehow the next morning Alan’s new wife was OK with him getting up early and joining me and his buddy to catch a few fish at the Tahoe Trout Farm in South Lake Tahoe (tahoetroutfarm.com). We rented gear, fished in one of the farm’s trout-filled ponds and caught plenty of fat rainbows. The staff cleaned them for us as well and packed them in ice for our trip back to the Bay Area. (I joked to my sister that part of her wedding present was a bunch of smelly fish to take on the ride home; every bride’s dream, right?) Trout have always been my favorite fish to target as an angler. There’s something so relaxing, so simplistic about the process, particularly when you factor in how complicated everything else is in the world. I can’t wait to wet my line again this year. Here’s hoping all of your own Fishmas wishes come true on April 30 and beyond. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
15
I had an epic afternoon of fishing last month after taking a half-day guide trip with a client. Time to get out there, fellow bassers! (TODD KLINE)
ures Advent
W
e’re not ashamed to admit it: Todd Kline has the kind of life we wish we could experience. Kline’s a former professional surfer, a successful co-angler on the FLW Tour and a Southern California bass guide, plus he gets to travel the world as a commentator for the World Surf League’s telecasts. Todd has agreed to give us a peek on what he’s up to each month. For more on Todd or to book a guided fishing trip with him, check out toddklinefishing.com, and you can follow him on Instagram at @toddokrine. –The Editor
This nice spring bighead signifies that winter is officially over! (TODD KLINE)
Here’s when you know you’ve been using the right color Roboworm. (TODD KLINE)
We had an event at Frank Toyota in the Chula Vista/ National City area to celebrate the new Tundra trucks. It’s awesome when the kids show up. (TODD KLINE)
calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
17
G P
Here are some essentials for a day on the water at Havasu. (TODD KLINE) I was able to finish in the top 20 at the Major League Fishing event at Lake Havasu on March 3-5, making the final-day cut thanks in part to a couple nice smallmouth.
Heading to weigh-in with a nice bass I caught on the lower Colorado River reservoir. (TODD KLINE)
(TODD KLINE)
Morning launch at the tournament. (TODD KLINE)
18 California Sportsman 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com 18 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | APRIL calsportsmanmag.com
D
Good Used Boats, Repair Parts, Quality Service, Knowlegeable Staff
SALES • SERVICE • ENGINES
GETTING YOU THE RIGHT PART THE FIRST TIME
Seastar Solutions Optimus EPS steering
Docking and maneuvering your boat in high winds has never been so easy. Let the Joy Stick do it for you. GPS position hold and heading hold is included.
Mercury Marine Outboard Promotion Horespower
Consumer Rebate
9.9 Pro Kicker
$100
15 Pro Kicker
$150
40 & 40 Jet
$200
50
$250
60 & 65 Jet
$400
75 & 80 Jet
$500
90
$600
115 & 115 ProXS
$1,000
150
$1,250
150 ProXS
$1,500
350
$2,000
400
$2,250
Subject to approval by mercury and dealer. Subject to terms. See dealer for details. NO SALES TAX IN OREGON
8 and 99 Kicker Motors in stock. Call now!
503-255-8487 • CascadeMarineCenter.com 14900 SE STARK ST. • PORTLAND, OR 97233 HOURS: MON-FRI 8AM-6PM • SAT 9AM-3PM
MOTORS MUST BE CAPABLE OF ACCEPTING JOYSTICK APPLICATION. CERTAIN LIMITATIONS APPLY.
Remote, Comfortable & Affordable
Our remote Alaskan fishing lodge is situated on the upper stretches of the beautiful Egegik River. You’ll watch some of Alaska’s most stunning sunrises, complete with a distant, active volcano. We are a fishing camp specializing in coho fishing, brown bear viewing, and flyout fishing adventures to even more remote destinations in the Last Frontier.
Coho Fishing The Egegik River
The Egegik River is touted by many experienced anglers as the best silver salmon stream in all of Alaska. Becharof Lodge On The Egegik River was the first fishing lodge to become established on the breathtaking Egegik River, and is less than a 5 minute boat ride from some of the best fishing holes on the entire river.
Now Booking for 2022 Coho Fishing Trips Included in your fishing trip: • 5 days fishing/5 nights stay in camp • Experienced, fully guided fishing. • Comfortable cabins furnished with beds, cozy comforters & bedding. • Home cooked meals, snacks, and nonalcoholic beverages. • Transportation from the lodge to prime fishing holes on the Egegik River. • Freezing and vacuum sealing of your fish, up to 50 lbs., per angler.
$4,350
per person
Includes round trip charter from King Salmon. Call for more details.
Book Your Trip Today!
Mark Korpi: 503-741-1333 or 503 298 9686 George Joy: 360-562-7701 Email: becharoffishing@gmail.com
becharoflodgefishing.com
.
PHOTO
CONTEST
WINNERS!
Ken Howard is the winner of our monthly Fishing Photo Contest, thanks to this shot of son Dylan and his very nice Columbia River walleye from early 2022. It wins him gear from various tackle manufacturers!
Gary Lundquist is our monthly Coast Hunting Photo Contest winner, thanks to this cast-andblast pic of geese and triploids he shot and caught at a Northcentral Washington reservoir last fall. It wins him a knife and light from Coast!
For your shot at winning hunting and fishing products, send your photos and pertinent details (who, what, when, where) to ccocoles@media-inc .com or California Sportsman, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. By sending us photos, you affirm you have the right to distribute them for our print or Internet publications. calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
21
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
APRIL MAY 2-3 Redding Sportsmans Expo, Redding Civic 1 Spring wild turkey season ends 1-June 12 Round-Up at the Lake Spring Fishing Derby, Auditorium; reddingsportsmansexpo.com 2-3 Lake McSwain Spring Trout Derby; (209) 354-2856; Convict Lake; (800) 992-2260 mercedid.com 2-15 Archery-only spring wild turkey season 2-15 9 Start of Isabella Lake Fishing Derby; Additional junior wild turkey season 7 kernrivervalley.com/fishingderby NorCal Trout Angler’s Challenge, Collins Lake; 9-10 Rancho Seco Trout Derby, Rancho Seco Park, anglerspress.com/events/norcal-trout-anglersHerald (Sacramento County); anglerspress.com/ challenge events/smud-trout-derby.html 21 Lassen Sportsmen’s Club Junior Fishing Derby, 23 NorCal Trout Angler’s Challenge, Lake Amador; Susan River; susanvillestuff.com anglerspress.com/events/norcal-trout-anglers27-30 Hangman’s Cash Bonus Weekend, Convict Lake; challenge (800) 992-2260 30 Statewide trout opener 27-June 27 Crowley Lake Perch Derby; (760) 935-4301 30 Fish of the Month Derby opens, Gull Lake; (760) 648-7539; gulllakemarina.com Note: Even with Covid-19 restrictions reduced, always confirm 30 Monster Trout Contest, June Lake; (760) 648-7756 events before attending. 30 Mono Village Fishing Opener Derby, Upper Twin Lake; (760) 932-7071 For a list of upcoming bass tournaments, go to nrm.dfg. 30-May 1 Bass Lake Trout Derby; basslakechamber.com/ ca.gov/FishingContests/default.aspx. fishing-derby 30-May 1 Shasta Lake Classic Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org/derbies
Eastern Sierra anglers are pumped up for another season of great fishing. The trout opener is set for April 30. (CHRISTIAN PONDELLA/MONO COUNTY TOURISM) calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
23
24 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
FISHING
STOCKING STUFFERS MAKE FISHMAS MERRY COLLABORATIVE EAST SIERRA EFFORT PLANTS TONS OF TROUT FOR GREAT OPENER, SPRING SEASON By Chris Cocoles
A
s the April 30 statewide trout opener nears in the Eastern Sierra, there should be no shortage of newly planted fish for anglers to reel in. A collaboration among chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations and private businesses around Mono County should result in roughly $300,000 worth of trout plants in various lakes, rivers and creeks leading into the opening weekend – known as Fishmas. The plants should continue well into the less-busy spring season before the summer crowds head up Highway 395 and descend on the popular region. For example, Mono County put its
$100,000 fish planting budget to good use. While California Department of Fish and Wildlife fish plants were stymied in the past year due to disease outbreaks at Hot Creek Hatchery, despite the Covid pandemic, Mono County was able to schedule and execute its plants throughout the spring and early summer with its hatchery partner, Desert Springs Trout Farm in Summer Lake, Oregon. “That’s the message (we’re sending), that we’re putting fish in before (the) opener and we’ll have a heavy emphasis on spring,” says Jeff Simpson, Mono County’s economic development manager and a longtime Eastern Sierra trout angler. “I know that I’m using my stocking budget of $100,000 that we
commit to before the opener – a good portion (of plants) – and the rest will be heavily stocked later in the spring. We’re trying to get our first (plant) in there as soon as possible. If someone is coming up for the opener and expecting to catch a lot of fish, we’re really focusing on that for this year.” Besides Mono County, community leaders in the Mammoth Lakes area also commit $100,000 to planting fish in lakes such as Mary, Mamie, George, and Upper and Lower Twin Lakes. And there are also plenty of stocking contributions from nonprofit groups such as the Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation, other chambers of commerce and resort owners in and around the region’s numerous lakes.
Bridgeport Reservoir fans are counting down the days until Fishmas, the traditional last Saturday in April opener for the Eastern Sierra trout season. This year, it falls on April 30. (CHRISTIAN PONDELLA/MONO COUNTY TOURISM) calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
25
FISHING “And that probably totals $75,000 to $100,000 as well. Adding (about) $300,000 in additional supplemental stocking is kind of our investment here just in Mono County,” Simpson says. “I think that’s pretty substantial. I don’t know if there’s anyone in the state that has that commitment for that amount of fish.” Simpson adds that there’s been a push for everyone to come together for the common cause of stocking fish, which after two Covid-affected springs, summers and falls will hopefully bring even more business to the Eastern Sierra. “I’ve seen a lot more businesses donate to nonprofits to stock fish,” Simpson says. “We’ve had multiple chambers working together. There’s just a huge effort to bring in as many fish as possible.”
EARLY–SEASON OPTIONS ABOUND Crowley Lake will likely be the busiest fishery on the opener, as it usually is. (SIERRA DRIFTERS GUIDE SERVICE)
DERBY DAYS ARRIVE WITH SPRING, SUMMER
S
everal fishing derbies will greet anglers around the Eastern Sierra this year after many events were affected by Covid restrictions in 2020 and 2021. The April 30 fishing tournaments include the Fishmas Day Derby at Tom’s Place Resort, the June Lake Monster Fish Contest and Mono Village’s Fishing Opener Derby at Upper Twin Lakes at Bridgeport. Convict Lake’s Roundup at the Lake also takes place from opening weekend through May 12. Jeff Simpson, Mono County’s economic development manager, also pointed out some derbies that visitors should be looking out for this season. “I think those events are geared to bring in people at less busy times during the spring, and fall when it’s not so busy. I tell people there are better rates for lodging and less crowds,” Simpson says. “It’s just a better experience when you come up in the early spring or the late fall.” There are two tournaments sponsored by the Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation, one on June 25 and the other Oct. 8 at Bridgeport Reservoir and the East Walker River. “And all the money goes back to fish stocking in the Bridgeport area,” says Simpson, who also recommends the How Big is Big Fishing Derby that runs through the entire month of July on the West Walker River. Fish can be taken to the Walker General Store for weigh-ins and prizes. And for a non-trout competition, the Crowley Lake Perch Derby runs from May 27 through June 27. Go to monocounty.org/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-events for contact and rules information. CC
26 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
From the usual suspects such as Crowley Lake and Convict Lake, to the Highway 395 corridor lakes to the north (Bridgeport Reservoir, Twin Lakes), plus rivers such as the East Walker, anglers should have lots of opportunities to take advantage of on opening weekend – weather permitting, of course. “You never know. We’ve been really lucky with some nice weather over the last seven or eight years,” Simpson says. The traditional destination spots should have plenty of fish, thanks to those liberal trout plantings from the various organizations listed above. “We try to get the lower-elevation resort lakes – everything that’s kind of on 395 – and get those stocked before opener and in the early spring,” Simpson says of the fish plants. “And then sometimes, depending on the conditions of the season, we have to wait for Tioga Pass to open to get up to Saddlebag Lake or Virginia Lakes or Rock Creek Lake. And those years we have to push some of those (plantings) to mid-July. But this year I think we’ll be able to get up there for sure in June.”
FISHING
A fly angler has the East Walker River to himself on this day. After opening weekend’s crowds, the rest of spring features better weather and far less fishing pressure. (CHRISTIAN PONDELLA/MONO COUNTY TOURISM)
Crowley especially should be buzzing the weekend of the 30th. “The biggest opening-day tradition is at Crowley Lake. We see more boats and more people fishing there on opening weekend. Everyone is always busy and it’s a big day for everybody,” Simpson says. “There’s always something special at Crowley Lake for lots of people.” But for Fishmas weekend and the ensuing weeks, when fishing pressure is minimal, there should be some outstanding fishing and plenty of trophy trout. Mono County’s Desert Springs rainbows will check in anywhere from 1½ to 5 pounds. With the drought affecting reservoirs throughout Northern California, the water conditions around Mono County are generally
good in the lakes. And in scouting trips to some of the high-elevation fisheries, Simpson says that those fisheries could be ready to go by perhaps April 30, or at least shortly thereafter. “I’ve been to the June Lake Loop and most everything is already thawed at this point. If not, there are just chunks of ice remaining. Nothing is solid ice,” he says. “And in some years we kind of sweat that out in the last few weeks up until fishing season. But I think this year it’s going to be thawed out.”
KEEPING UP THE TROUT TRADITION Doug Rodricks, who owns and operates Sierra Drifters Guide Service (760-935-4250; sierradrifters.com) in Mammoth Lakes, has high hopes for a productive trout season throughout
28 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
the late spring and into summer. “I think with the low snowpack this year, the runoff will be early, around the May/June time frame. There is still a bit of snow in the higher elevations, which will bring some spring rising water levels to rivers, creeks and lakes,” Rodricks says. “But by midsummer we will start to see lower levels again.” As for the April 30 action, like Simpson, Rodricks knows that in the high country, you’re at the mercy of Mother Nature. For every sunny, warm, T-shirt and shorts opener, there can be a snowstorm that chases away the crowds. “Fishing should be decent this opener, but there’s no telling what the weather will be like,” Rodricks says. “It could be sunny and warm or cold and blizzardy. All in all, I think
Destination Honda
For destinations found on a map, or ones that are simply a state of mind, trust a reliable Honda outboard to get you there. And back. Find out more at marine.honda.com or visit your Authorized Honda Marine Dealer.
OREGON EUGENE Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 www.maxxummarine.com © 2017 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.
calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
29
FISHING most areas should fish very well.” Simpson is looking forward to taking out his two sons, James, 6, and Parker, 2½, repeating his tradition of longtime fishing trips with his father. Bridgeport Reservoir has always been a Simpson tradition, but this year the family may head to the southwest and Twin Lakes if the weather cooperates. He calls it “a game day decision.” Either way, there are high hopes for the Simpsons, other families who call the Eastern Sierra home and the businesses that have been hit hard by Covid-mandated restrictions – not to mention travelling anglers. Fingers are crossed for a Merry Fishmas weekend the whole way around. “We’re anticipating a normal opener and a normal season,” Simpson says. “That’s something to look forward to.” CS Mammoth Lakes-area guide Doug Rodricks (left) is hopeful for nice weather and a lot of fish hauled in on opening weekend. “It could be sunny and warm or cold and blizzardy,” he admits. “All in all, I think most areas should fish very well.” (SIERRA DRIFTERS GUIDE SERVICE)
30 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
Editor’s note: For more info on Eastern Sierra fishing, check out monocounty.org/ things-to-do/fishing.
32 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
FISHING A fly angler works the wild trout section of the Kern River. This valley in the foothills of the Sierra near Bakersfield offers plenty of great spring fishing options in both the river and lakes. (JEFF WALTERS)
CATCH TROUT DESPITE DROUGHT LOW WATER CONDITIONS, BUT PLENTY OF KERN RIVER AND LAKE ISABELLA SPRING OPPORTUNITIES By Jeff Walters
T
he drought that has plagued California and other Western states has taken its toll on our water resources. Lakes, rivers and streams that we count on for the annual late-April trout opener will be less than full. However, this doesn’t mean you must wait for the official trout fishing season to begin, because unlike other angling destinations, the Kern River in the Sierra foothills is open to fishing all year long. The mighty Kern flows from
Mount Whitney and travels some 165 miles to Bakersfield, forming Lake Isabella, Ming Lake, Hart Park, Buena Vista Lakes and more along its route. There are many different sections of the Kern River to fish, however, and knowing where to go and how to fish the low water levels is imperative. Unlike the Fishmas crowds that usually descend on Eastern Sierra fisheries, the Kern River Valley is smaller, less crowded and full of fighting fish. There are over 20 different campgrounds, numerous hotels and a host of Airbnb options to choose from for overnight trips.
Anglers and their families will always have a place to call base camp.
EASY ACCESS FROM SOUTHLAND There are a few ways to get to this area from most of Southern California. Starting on the lower Kern River coming up from Bakersfield on State Route 178, you’ll drive through one of the most inspiring river canyons you can ever think of. The river flows all along the road leading up to Lake Isabella. This section of the Kern is considerably warmer than the upper river. It’s full of swift water, rapids, rafting, hot springs, picnic areas and
calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
33
FISHING
Despite low water from the state’s drought conditions, Lake Isabella will follow up on last year’s successful extended Isabella Lake Fishing Derby with a four-month run that opens on April 9. (JEFF WALTERS)
CHANGES FOR ISABELLA LAKE FISHING DERBY
T
he 31st Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby will mimic what turned out to be a very successful event last year. The event starts on April 9 and runs all the way until 5 p.m. July 4, and tagged fish can be turned in for a shot at multiple prizes. The new concept was brought on by ongoing and always-changing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, particularly the inability to host large events. This year should be even more exciting, and increasing numbers of anglers have praised the extended timeframe. Isabella is recovering from its very low water levels caused by drought conditions, and the lake is expected to be in better shape come derby time. Cash prizes range from $20 to $5,000, with over 500 tagged fish released throughout the event. Other prizes include portable Generac generators, hats, shirts, tackle and more. Register online at kernrivervalley.com/fishingderby. You can also download the PDF file, fill it out and mail the form to the Kern River Valley Chamber (KRVCC, PO Box 567, Lake Isabella, CA 93240). The deadline to register is April 9 at 7 a.m. Come on out this year and join all the fun and get a chance to win some great prizes! JW
34 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
day-use facilities. There are only two overnight camping areas here: Sandy Flats Campground, which is operated by a private concessionaire and part of the Sequoia National Forest, and Keyesville Special Recreation Management Area, which is free dispersed camping. For more information or to make reservations, simply go to recreation.gov or fs.usda. gov/recarea/sequoia/recreation.
FISHING TALK Fishing tactics for the lower Kern River below the dam at Lake Isabella are completely different from what’s used on either the lake or other sections of the river. Here, you will find steep canyons, boulder-lined shores, giant rocks, huge gravel bars and some very deep, slow-moving sections that require caution when
calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
35
FISHING near because of the strong currents. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks trout when water levels permit. Tactics include using jigs or small spinners around most of the midstream boulders, casting near the many cut banks, and drifting bait like nightcrawlers or salmon eggs. The current simply won’t allow for bait-on-the-bottom-style fishing.
A FAMED TROUT LAKE
The Powerhouse along the Kern near the Kern River Hatchery is a popular spot for anglers. (JEFF WALTERS)
State Highway 178 leads you to Lake Isabella and the surrounding town of the same name. Exit Route 178 near the base of the dam, turning left onto Highway 155. Just about 1.5 miles after you cross the river on the left, you’ll find access to Keyesville Special Recreation Area. Continue north on Route 155 for
One of the wild trout that the upper Kern River by the Johnsondale Bridge is famous for. Bait is banned on this section, and barbless hooks are required on flies and lures. (JEFF WALTERS) 36 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
FISHING access points and campgrounds. Lake Isabella is home to the Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. However, due to the severe drought and the Covid-19 pandemic, the tournament has met with some drastic changes (see sidebar for more information). Fishing the lake from shore can be a challenge at times due to the need to find a deep spot, as well as staying out of the ever-present and sometimes overpowering wind. The deepest spot is near the dam and home to the natural river channel, making it a good choice. Even though the drought-impacted water is very low, a lot of semi-exposed structure is readily available to explore. The other areas to consider are French Gulch Marina on the western side of the lake and all along the Auxiliary Dam on the east side, which happens to be the most popular for campers with RV trailers. Bait rules this area when it comes to trout fishing and you don’t have to cast way the heck out there either.
BACK TO THE RIVER The Kern River really starts to shine as it flows through the small town of Kernville, just a few miles upstream from Lake Isabella. On this stretch of river, the trout stocking program is very generous, so it draws a lot of anglers. This is moving water and, for now, very shallow, so there are not a lot of deep pools to fish. The best tactic for this area is keeping your rod tip up and using salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, jigs or flies. The best place to fish the river around here is Riverside Park, which has free parking, a playground, barbecue grills, restrooms and plenty of places to eat nearby. It’s a very family-friendly environment.
UPSTREAM OPTIONS ABOUND Once you cross the bridge in Kernville you are on your way “upriver,” as the locals call it. Mountain 99 is the main road that leads you there and it passes some terrific fishing spots. One very special place to fish is called
Author Jeff Walters checks out regs for the Wild and Scenic section of the Kern and its wild trout fishing. Whether you partake in that fishery or enter the Isabella derby, there are plenty of waters to work in spring. (JEFF WALTERS)
Powerhouse. Just a few miles from Kernville you will see the Kern River Trout Hatchery. This is where you slow down and look for a Southern California Edison sign; turn left and follow the road to the parking lot below the Powerhouse. This is a great spot to wade, bait fish and explore. It’s a must-stop if you’re fishing this area (if you can’t seem to find it, just ask at any of the local shops nearby). Just a few miles further beyond Powerhouse, you’ll hit the very small town of Riverkern (slow down while driving this section, the speed limit is only 30 mph). There are campgrounds with river access, pull-outs, open-use areas, dispersed camping, hiking trails and more all along this well-used road. On this section of the Kern you’ll find lots of pocket water, wading areas, deep pools, riffles and more. The trout stocking is very generous and is broken down by sections. For more information on the locations, stocking schedule and more, visit nrm.dfg.ca.gov/fishplants.
WILD AND SCENIC SECTION Johnsondale Bridge is the furthest
38 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
upstream you can drive and still parallel the Kern. Here is the Wild Trout Special Regulations Area. The trail leading down to the river is not for the faint of heart, as very steep stairs will take you down to the trailhead. Make sure to check out the description of the Special Regulations Area, which is strictly enforced. Even though this area is very well known and has a lot of hikers and anglers all the time, you should always be careful and not go alone. This is the most exciting part of the river to fish due to its remoteness and giant wild trout. Kern River rainbows call this water home and they are part of the California Wild Trout Heritage Program – a must-do for any serious trout angler because it takes you to so many great areas of the state to try and catch some special fish. While this area is the last drivable access to the water without a very long hike and overnight stay, it is by far the most scenic. Regs here include no bait fishing, and you can only use barbless hooks on artificial lures or flies. CS Editor’s note: Go to kernrivervalley.com and facebook.com/visitkernriver for more information on the region.
SAVED BY TH
BIG LATE 2021 RAINS RAISED WATER LEVEL, OPENED DOOR FOR SPRING TROUT PLANTING AT COLLINS LAKE By Chris Cocoles
W
ith a higher water level and liberal trout stockings scheduled throughout the spring, expect some outstanding fishing at Collins Lake. Located in the Sierra foothills a little more than an hour northeast of Sacramento, Collins is ready to go for
its spring trout season despite being affected by the drought conditions that have plagued Northern California. “We are currently between 18 to 19 feet down from full. Last year the highest lake level was 32.5 feet (down), and we ended the summer season at 76 feet down, which is the second lowest on record,” says Jacob Young of Collins Lake resort (530-
42 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
692-1600; collinslake.com). “So while it is concerning to have a dry start to 2022, it is also a relief that our fall and early winter rains brought us out of the territory that we were in last year going into this coming season.”
PLENTY OF FISH Collins Lake has always been one of
FISHING
THE STORMS Collins Lake’s water level got a massive increase from late 2021 storms, providing enough water to go through with its usual heavy spring trout planting schedule. (COLLINS LAKE RESORT)
the best trout fisheries for Sacramento Valley residents. Young says 40,000 pounds of trout will have been stocked at the lake from November 2021 through next month. “As of the end of March we (had) 28,000 pounds planted and will continue to have weekly plants of 2,000 to 3,000 pounds each through May,” Young says. “We have the largest pricalsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
43
FISHING
This 6½-pounder is a testament to what Collins Lake calls the largest private trout stocking program among fisheries north of Sacramento. (COLLINS LAKE RESORT)
44 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
vate trout stocking program north of Sacramento.” It’s a far cry from where things stood in the fall of 2021, when like most reservoirs in Northern California, Collins Lake was in a bad enough spot to threaten the 2022 trout campaign. “I reached out to the trout hatcheries to give them a heads-up that we would not be able to plant trout in the fall and we would set up a tentative spring planting on the basis that we would need rain to raise the lake level to get them locked in,” Young says. “About a week later the ‘bomb cyclone’ weather event happened (in late October) and rose the lake level enough to where I was then reaching back out to the hatcheries to not just lock in the spring plant schedule, but also see what they could start bringing us that next week.” The NorCal Trout Challenge series (anglerspress.com/events/norcal-trout-anglers-challenge) also returns to Collins Lake on May 7 with
COLLINS LAKE
Northern California’s Premier Fishing Lake
• • • •
Stocked with Trophy Trout, Bass & Crappie. California’s largest private trout stocking program of any lake North of Sacramento. Clean, professional RV park with lakefront hookup sites. Big rigs welcome. Stocked weekly with Trophy Trout each Spring from Mid-February thru May.
Online Reservations www.collinslake.com or Call (530) 692-1600
FISHING
Various RV areas, campground sites and cabins are among the options for overnight visitors to this lake in the Sierra foothills about an hour northeast of Sacramento. (COLLINS LAKE RESORT)
an event that’s become a popular attraction. “This derby is ideal for every angler, as they have an adult and kids division with an inexpensive entry fee (adults are $25 and kids free), great raffle prizes and an atmosphere that makes for a fun day at the lake,” Young says. “This is the only public derby scheduled for this spring, so it is poised to be one of the highest-attended NTAC events.”
Bass activity was mostly quiet in February and March, but Young expects the action to pick up soon. “They are still in prespawn and hungry, so we expect to see an increase in activity heading into April,” he says. “With warmer weather in the forecast and daylight hours expanding, we have seen the lake temperature go from the mid-40s to currently in the mid-50s and increasing.”
MORE THAN TROUT
Collins figures to stay busy with day-trippers and overnight guests throughout spring and the summer season. The resort offers almost 300 campsites that include non-hookup campgrounds and lakefront sites with electrical outlets and water. There are also cabin and RV trailer areas available.
While the rainbows – many of the weekly plants have been private hatchery trout, with several trophies included – are the headliner this spring, don’t overlook some outstanding bass fishing in the next couple months of mild weather before the summer heat arrives.
AN IDEAL RECREATION SPOT
46 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
“We provide numerous rental options, amenities for families to enjoy and a friendly staff to assist our guests with any questions or needs that may arise,” Young says. “Our staff works diligently year-round to provide a welcoming, clean and safe environment for families to come and connect with one another and with nature.” And as Covid restrictions have been reduced for now, Young and the rest of the staff are expecting a lot of visitors in the coming months. “We have many families that have been coming annually for generations to Collins Lake, and it is our mission to continue operating in a way that they continue to return each year for the experience that they expect and introduce these fond family memories to the next generation of their family.” CS
CALIFORNIA COSTA MESA Maurer Marine 873 W 17th St (949) 645-7673 www.maurermarine.com calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
47
48 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
EXPLORING A JAPANESE TROUT FARM By Lance Sawa
O
ut of nowhere I had a sudden urge to go trout fishing. Maybe not out of nowhere – I spent a lot of days back in California in the Eastern Sierra’s trout fisheries – but the long Japanese winter full of snow and ice had until then put a chill on my ability to target trout. The year before, flooded local rivers had hampered my attempts to
fish, adding to the pressure. So now I had an itch that only catching a trout would scratch. Those same local rivers were out of the question because it was the rainy season. The rain relentlessly fell day after day. This aided the snowmelt, which again flooded a local river to the point where it washed out the main bridge in and out of my area. I had to give up and look elsewhere. After researching online, I happened
to find a managed fishing area not far from Lake Kisaki, where I went smelt fishing for the first time (California Sportsman, March 2022). It looked large – and the fish within its waters were large as well. I had been fooled by pictures of large fish at managed areas in the past, only to find smaller fish when I arrived. But the online reviews seemed to show large trout here as well, so I took the chance on going
What’s known as one of the most impressive trout farms in Japan is located not far from author Lance Sawa’s home in Nagano Prefecture, to the west of Tokyo. Along with rearing fish for other operations, the facility offers plenty of angling opportunities in its own ponds. (LANCE SAWA) calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
49
The trout farm’s well-stocked shop offers supplies and a look at some of the trophy fish available to anglers. (LANCE SAWA)
The lower pond is one of two small lakes that are designed for catch-and-release angling opportunities. (LANCE SAWA) 50 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
the next day, as we had good weather. The hour-and-a-half drive there was thankfully uneventful, even if the GPS had interesting ideas about what a road truly is. Once again, I understood why so many people loved this area of Nagano; it is breathtaking. The mountains are used for skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports in the winter. The large setting reminded me a bit of the everything-is-bigger-in-Texas feeling. AS I DROVE ALONG the road next to the trout farm, I could see the three main large ponds and a lot of people fishing them. I was surprised by the sheer number of anglers and groups fishing together. This actually made me feel better that it wasn’t some flyby-night place. I found the entrance easily and parking was plentiful.
I got a map that showed me the basics and pointed out where I should be fishing. Two of the ponds, the upper and the lower, are strictly catchand-release. The third, a larger pond between the two and with an artificial island, is filled with fish you can take home. There is a stocked side stream from which you can take home fish you catch as well. There is also a small area for bait fishing for beginners and children to fish, where you can grill the fish you catch. Bait fishing is prohibited everywhere else here. I began at the lowest pond, since it had the fewest people – just one fly angler. (This is another rarity in Japan – that fly fishermen are welcome; in most places fly fishing is thought to be almost dangerous.) He was catching a few trout and I settled into the other side to give him room.
I STARTED OUT THROWING some lures, casting around in hopes of a strike. Since it was catch and release, it was not as easy as I expected. The fish refused to even look at the minnow lure I fished with. My spinners would get some looks, but then quickly the fish would swim away without a bite. Next, I tried a flat blade with a green pattern that I had bought at the shop’s suggestion. And this offering got me my first bite of the day, a beautiful, healthy rainbow. It took another 15 minutes before the next strike, but I didn’t quite manage to hook it. All the while I was watching the other man catching fish after fish with his flies. I counted 10 fish in those 15 minutes, while I got just one hit. I had to change tactics, so I looked through my tackle for something I had bought last spring but never got around to using, a random fly set. This was my salvation. With the flies and a bobber for casting, I started to catch some fish. My first one on a fly was another healthy rainbow. Then a wonderfully colored brook trout. All throughout I would catch random fish that I couldn’t 100 percent ID, but one was an iwana, a type of char and a familiar
Along with the three ponds, there’s a small stocked stream to fish. Anglers can grill up their lunch in a picnic area on the grounds too. (LANCE SAWA)
Indeed, some big fish are raised here. (LANCE SAWA) calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
51
One of Japan’s most fished-for trout is a strain known as the iwana, which is actually a char. But like trout, there are sea-run varieties and the species be found in other parts of Asia, including Russia. (LANCE SAWA)
fish from my local streams. After some time I left that pond to go up to the largest pond, which also holds the biggest fish. Here, the river is diverted to help feed the ponds with fresh, clean oxygenated water. Some of the largest trout were right where the river flows into the pond. They were fearless and did not move, even as I got closer; even my shadow didn’t scare them.
THESE FISH WANTED NOTHING to do with me. Lures, flies, even a grasshopper that I threw into the water didn’t even get a peek. After some time, I left them to try another part of the upper pond. Another fly fisherman joined me and he started catching fish immediately. I was being outfished again. Slowly, we started getting closer as we walked around the pond; he’d caught 10 fish to my one. Curiosity got the best of me, so I struck up a conversation with him and I finally asked what fly he was using. He asked to see mine, which right then was a streamer, which I had just changed back to after my dry flies got
zero strikes. The man then showed me his fly, which was nothing more than a round bit of fluff. It was not red or yellow like an egg, but a light brown. It was made to look like the fish food that is fed to the trout. He was even kind enough to give me one to try. Man, it was like day and night. As soon as the fluff ball went into the water, all the fish that could see it swarmed it. I hooked a trout within a minute of tying on that fly. The large fish by the inlet even looked at it, but they decided not to take a bite. As we continued our chat, the angler told me that this fish farm stocked the largest trout in all of Japan. I knew they grew them here but that all these fish were stocked and not sold was surprising. You pass the long, large breeding and rearing canals right next to the main building when you go into the facility. He told me he travels around Japan to a bunch of these farms while just fishing and sleeping in his RV. We parted ways when I went to the middle pond with the artificial island
52 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
and he stayed at the upper pond. I wanted to get my fish to take home and get going before it got too dark. Here, with his fly I caught so many fish I lost count.
MOST OF THE TROUT here were rainbows, but I waited until I caught some of the other strains. Mostly I was looking for the most beautiful trout I could catch. Albino trout get stocked here, so one of those must be great to catch, though I didn’t end up with one in the end. I got a large iwana and the rest were rainbow hybrids. After weighing my fish, I was offered to have them cleaned for a small charge, which I thought would be for the best, as I didn’t want to deal with cleaning them that day. She pointed out that the iwana could be eaten raw because they test the water and are careful about maintaining it. She guaranteed that there were no parasites to be concerned about. Their fish-cleaning service included a quick cooldown in ice water for freshness. In the shop I spied a cheat sheet with all the types of fish and how to ID them.
BIG BLUE CHARTERS Saltwater Fishing Excitement! Allow us to put a smile on your face!
• Est. 1994 • Day trips and cruise ship trips • All inclusive multi-day trips • All local captains and crew • 5 fish around heated BAMF boats
907-747-5161 • BIGBLUECHARTERS.COM calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
53
The ol’ hatchery pellet fly – in this case, a round, light brown “bit of fluff ... made to look like the fish food that is fed to the trout” – sparked the bite for author Lance Sawa. A fellow angler lent him one after Sawa’s other offerings were mostly ignored. (LANCE SAWA)
When I got mine back, they looked great and were ice-cold, even though only a few minutes had passed. Inside the shop I could hear a thunderstorm starting up again. Everyone still fishing debated if the rainstorm was going to stop soon or not. My ride home was uneventful, with the rain falling all the way back and continuing into the next day. I was lucky that I had left at the perfect time, at least for me. Even though I usually clean my catch at home, my wife, Yumi, was happy that it was already done. My son Nico didn’t care either way, but he loved to see the slightly different fish. That night I cut the iwana into sashimi. It cut nicely and had a great deal of oil in the flesh. I learned that you can eat the thin pin bones as well for texture, which I was not sold on. The flesh was great and tasted better than most salmon that I have eaten raw. I was so glad to fish in this trout paradise. CS
EUGENE, OR Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 1700 State Hwy 99 N lloyd@maxxummarine.com www.maxxummarine.com
54 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
The Salmon & Steelhead spinners & spoons that Fishermen can rely on every time for high quality and dependability. You can find these incredible American made lures at these fine sporting goods stores, Sportco, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Fisherman’s Marine and Englund Marine or at
mcomiescustomlures.com
mcomiescustomlures.com | 971-271-3860 56 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
DROP AND GIMME 20!
FISHING
DROP-SHOT RIGS MAKE FOR AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO SCORE LOTS OF PRESPAWN BASS By Capt. Bill Schaefer
S
outhern California lakes are waking up for the new fishing season, and bass creel numbers will be rising on all the local waters. Water temperatures are climbing as well, and in the next couple of weeks male largemouth will be roaming the banks by the hundreds, looking for that perfect place to make a nest for themselves and their giant female mate. This is the time of year when the bass are scattered from the shallowest shoreline to the deepest point on the lake. So, just go fishing and let the bass come to you.
TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT Often, largemouth anglers look for that perfect bait for this time of year and that search sparks a lot of debate amongst us all. Which bait or setup is the best? Plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs or crankbaits, which one will draw the most strikes this time of year? Most of the time it may be that plastics have the edge over the other baits, but it is not so much the plastic baits as the techniques used to fish them. There are many different rigs that can be used to catch fish, including the Bubba rig and Carolina rig, just to name a couple. But the rig that fishermen have all brought into their arsenal is the drop-shot rig. This setup is so versatile that it can be used from the shallows down to those deeper
Author Bill Schaefer admires a nice drop-shot bass from Lake Otay. There are many ways to trick Southland largies and smallies during the spring prespawn period, but Schaefer prefers the drop-shot method. (BILL SCHAEFER) calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
57
FISHING shy fish. Sure, those other rigs will work this time of year, but there’s just something about the drop-shot rig that shows them up. All it takes is setting it up correctly and then fishing it the right way.
HOW TO SET UP THE DROP SHOT I use a Daiwa Tatula series drop-shot rod with a lighter-action tip. The sensitive tip helps me feel the subtle bite of the bass. I run 20-pound braid all the way up to my Maxima fluorocarbon leader. A soft tip is key to drop-shot fishing. It takes some practice to detect a bite, but once you have it down, it will be hard for you to put this setup away. The braid and fluorocarbon line help send the bite up the line to your hand, making it more readily detectable. Tie a hook to the fluorocarbon line with a Palomar knot. The tag end of
The proper drop-shot setup requires adding a weight, like a split-shot, below the hook. “Having a split-shot on the end of the rig lets you work the setup around rocks, trees and brush without fear of being stuck,” Schaefer writes. (BILL SCHAEFER)
PORT SAN LUIS BOATYARD
One of the last true do-it-yourself boatyards. We provide our customers with a one stop boatyard that can answer all your boating questions, and provide you with the highest quality in Marine Supplies & Service.
Weekend Launch Hours: 5:30am–4pm Monday–Friday Launch Hours: 6am–4pm Hours of operation during fishing season
805-595-7895
PORT SAN LUIS SPORTLAUNCH 58 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
LIGHTWEIGHT. LIGHTWEIGHT. The lightest 200-hp four stroke The lightest 200-hp four stroke on the market on the market
POWERFUL. POWERFUL.
2.8L displacement and Variable Camshaft 2.8Lgive displacement Variable Camshaft Timing it the best and power-to-weight ratio Timing give it the best power-to-weight ratio of any 200-hp four stroke of any 200-hp four stroke
COMPACT. COMPACT.
Nearly 120 pounds lighter than our Nearly 120 pounds lighter than our four-stroke V6 F200 four-stroke V6 F200
THE THE ALL-NEW ALL-NEW F200 F200 IN-LINE IN-LINE FOUR. FOUR.
FORWARD FORWARD THINKING. THINKING.
Show the water who’s boss with the new F200 In-Line Four. Incredibly light, responsive and fuel efficient, Show the water who’s boss with the new F200 In-Line Four. Incredibly light, responsive and fuel efficient, it serves up plenty of muscle to handily propel a variety of boats. On top of that, its 50-amp alternator offers it serves up plenty of muscle to handily propel a variety of boats. On top of that, its 50-amp alternator offers the power to add a range of electronics, and its 26-inch mounting centers and compatibility with either the power to add a range of electronics, and its 26-inch mounting centers and compatibility with either mechanical or digital controls give you the flexibility to easily upgrade your outboard or rigging. Experience mechanical or digital controls give you the flexibility to easily upgrade your outboard or rigging. Experience legendary Yamaha reliability and the freedom of forward thinking, with the all-new F200 In-Line Four. legendary Yamaha reliability and the freedom of forward thinking, with the all-new F200 In-Line Four.
CALIFORNIA AVILA BEACH Port San Luis Boatyard (805) 595-7895 www.portsanluisboatyard.com
OREGON EUGENE Maxxum Marine (541) 686-3572 www.maxxummarine.com
COOS BAY Y Marina (541) 888-5501 www.ymarinaboats.com
YamahaOutboards.com/F200InLine YamahaOutboards.com/F200InLine
Follow Yamaha on Facebook® and Twitter™ Follow Yamaha on Facebook® and Twitter™ REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal
intended to be an endorsement. © 2013 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. intended to be an endorsement. © 2013 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
59
FISHING the line – that is, the line not attached to anything – is left a variable length, depending on what type of bottom you are fishing. Go with a hook size appropriate to the bait you are going to throw. Attach a weight to the end of the tag line. Some companies make dropshot weights, but I still use the old technique of squeezing a split-shot onto the end of my line.
WORTH THE WEIGHT What is the advantage to having the weight below the bait? Well, almost
all Southern California lakes have some type of moss growing on the bottom. This setup helps you keep the bait above the lakebed. With the lure presented right on the bottom, it can be twitched up and down to get the attention of fish. It will also just hit the bottom softly and not be pulled into the weeds, such as with a Texas-rigged worm. Having a split-shot on the end of the rig lets you work the setup around rocks, trees and brush without fear of being stuck. You can just pull off the split-shot and put a
new one on your line. Soon the bass will be on the cruise looking for nesting spots, but once they lock onto a bed, this setup can be deadly as well. Toss it onto a bedding bass and they won’t be able to resist it.
BED BASICS If you are bed fishing, a bass will suck in the bait and not feel the weight until she starts to swim off. That extra second or two will let you set the hook. The lighter object is all you may need to catch that wary bass. I always preach to let the big momma bass go once hooked off a bed. It will prolong the life of the larger bass in the lake. Sometimes, males lock on the beds and females hang out in deeper water – say, on points leading into the spawning area. This setup allows you to fish deep as well. You may have to use a slightly larger weight, but the effect is the same. The darting, fluttering, swimming lure looks much more natural to those big wary females; pass it in front of one and it should bite.
GEAR OPTIONS
Tom Buckalew shows off a nice San Vicente bass. Whether you go with the drop-shot setup or perhaps a Texasrigged worm rig, this is a great time of year to target bass. (BILL SCHAEFER) 60 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
There are companies that specialize in drop-shot weights, hooks and baits, testament to how popular this method is. Local tackle shops will have an assortment, so choose the hook for the bait, the weight for the depth. Usually, somewhat smaller plastics are used, but almost any type of plastic lure can be put on your dropshot rig. Worms, creatures, grubs or small shad-type plastics all work with this rig, but I like the shad pattern baits the best. We are approaching the right time of year for you to gain confidence in a new technique if you have never tried it before. You may have to fish a little deeper for the next couple months, depending on the weather, but soon there will be so many males starting to roam the banks that it will be pretty easy to get a bite. Once you gain confidence in this setup, you will not put it down. CS
HUNTING
FROM FIELD...
Though turkey season is winding down and fewer gobblers are available, making the right moves can still put a tom on your table. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
STAR IN THE LATE SHOW QUALITY CALLS, DIFFERENT DECOYS CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN HUNTING APRIL GOBBLERS By Scott Haugen
A
s turkey season winds down, don’t give up hope. If there’s still a tag in your pocket, getting out and trying different approaches than what you used early in the season can be the key to success.
DECOY CHANGEUPS Start by revisiting places you hunted earlier in the season, where you know toms were. But when revisiting such areas, base your approach on what’s happening in the woods, along with turkey behavior, now that it’s in the late season.
Early in the season, hens are breeding, the grass is short, and jakes and young toms are aggressive in their attempts to breed, which sets off aggressive behaviors among mature toms. Late in the season, hens tend their broods, the grass is tall and surrounding vegetation thick, and jakes and 2- to 3-year-old toms are in the early stages of forming bachelor flocks. On top of that, mature toms become more sedentary in their movement, as food, moisture and cover are often available in one place. Based on what’s happening this time of year, use decoy combinations
that make sense to turkeys, and situate them so they’re highly visible. “In the last half of the season I’m using a full-body strutter decoy,” shares guide Jody Smith (jodysmithguideservice.com). “I use a strutting tom and an upright hen and place the hen between my blind and the tom, with both walking toward me. I position the strutting tom decoy so a distant tom can easily see the fanned tail. This will often catch the attention of mature toms late in the season and get them coming. Once they get close enough to see the hen decoy, it’s game over!” In most of the situations where I’ve
calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
63
HUNTING
... TO FIRE
HOW TO CREATE THE RIGHT STUFF By Tiffany Haugen
C
BUTTER PARMESAN-STUFFED TURKEY BREAST
ooking stuffing alongside a wild turkey breast not only adds a delicious side dish, but it helps keep the lean bird moist while baking. Whether pounded flat, rolled up and filled with stuffing, or butterflied with stuffing in the middle – or like this recipe, sliced and stuffed – stuffing adds lots of flavor. Separating the wild turkey breast from the legs, thighs and back of the bird will get the best results, as the breast meat can be cooked using many methods but the legs, thighs and back always benefit from “low and slow,” or pressure-cooked, heat. Depending on the time of year you choose to cook your bird, this recipe can be varied to include different herbs and spices. The key ingredients are butter and Parmesan cheese, but even the breadcrumbs could be changed to crackers, cornbread or a gluten-free option.
One 3-pound skinless wild turkey breast ½ cup butter, divided One onion, diced 1/3 cup grated carrot 2 cloves minced garlic 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley Five to seven fresh sage leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried) 3 inches fresh rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried) 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried) 1 teaspoon orange zest 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons orange juice One beaten egg ½ cup Parmesan cheese Salt and black pepper Clean any silver skin, fat or sinuous tissues from the turkey breast. Lay a wooden skewer on each side of the turkey breast, preferably on a cutting board. Us-
Great stuffing doesn’t only have to be a Thanksgiving concoction. Make your spring turkey hunt meat sing with its flavor, as Tiffany Haugen explains. (TIFFANY HAUGEN) 64 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
ing a sharp chef’s knife, cut ½-inch crossgrain slices in the turkey breast. When making the cuts, the wooden skewers will stop the knife from cutting all the way through the meat. This should leave about a quarter inch of meat attached at the bottom of the entire turkey breast, allowing the stuffing to fit in the “pockets” you are making. Discard skewers and place turkey breast on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet. In a large skillet, caramelize onion and carrots in ¼ cup butter on medium heat. Add garlic, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme and orange zest, and sauté for a few more minutes. Remove from heat, let cool slightly. Stir in panko, orange juice, beaten egg and Parmesan cheese; mix until combined. Divide stuffing equally in between each slice of turkey; tuck any leftover stuffing under the breast. Drizzle remaining ¼-cup butter over stuffed turkey and sprinkle with salt, pepper and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160 degrees. Let turkey sit for five minutes before slicing and serving. Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany Haugen's popular book, Cooking Game Birds, visit scotthaugen.com for this and other titles.
CHECK US OUT ONLINE
CAL SPORTSMAN MAG.COM @CalSportsMan
CaliforniaSportsmanMagazine
The LasT ResoRT “Gateway to the Tucannon - Wenaha Wilderness Area”
RV Sites - Full Hookups
Tent Sites
All guests have free and easy access to our bathrooms and showers All sites have fire rings and picnic tables Picnic Pavilion available for reunions & groups Minutes away from several stocked lakes for great fishing 50 & 30 amp RV sites
509-843-1556
The Campstore is fully stocked with an assortment of snacks, groceries, ice, firewood, beer, wine and espresso bar. We are your outdoor gear center with RV supplies, camping and fishing equipment and are a WA state fishing and hunting license dealer. The Tucannon is well known for its great public access for Big Game, Turkey and Upland Bird hunting.
2005 Tucannon Rd. • Pomeroy, Washington
thelastresortrv.com
Furnished Cabins
this ad Mention and receive
10% OFF s 2 reservation Valid for 202 es holidays. and exclud
calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
65
HUNTING
Author Scott Haugen has been hunting turkeys throughout the West for 36 years and believes in changing decoys, calling and even blind setups as the season progresses. He moved to timber’s edge and used a strutter decoy to bring in this late-season tom. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
hunted turkeys throughout the West, the terrain is not flat. This makes the set important, as you want the decoys in a position that’s visible to distant toms. Avoid placing decoys in swales, low spots, on the backside of knolls, or along creek bottoms. These are locations that can work earlier in the season, but are perhaps less effective later in the season. In my experience, the odds of luring a late-season tom within shooting range dramatically increases if it can see the decoy from a few hundred yards away – even more. Remember, turkeys see in color and have eyesight equivalent to 8x binoculars.
BIG GAME APPROACH My approach to turkey hunting late in the season is much like that of big game. I scout year-round, both physically and through the use of trail cameras. I run more than a dozen trail cameras all hunting season, which are set on video mode. Observing and
hearing the shifts in turkey behavior throughout the season offers a major advantage to hunters. In fact, trail cameras could top the list of the most important pieces of turkey hunting gear I use, as they allow me to learn a great deal about these birds. Based on clarity and resistance to extreme weather, the best trail camera I’ve used is Stealth Cam’s DS4K. I set trail cameras on video mode in order to see and hear what’s happening. When it comes to turkeys, the rapid changes they go through in spring are impressive. When trail cameras are set on video mode, you can see, hear and fully understand what’s happening in the turkey woods. As the season progresses, my scouting efforts shift to patterning toms. I’ll find where they roost, where they fly down to, where they feed and where they get water. This time of year turkeys often get the moisture they need from early-morning dew and the
66 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
foods they consume. Grass seeds are a primary turkey food source late in the season, and they’ll often hang out in meadows and fields all day long, as the tall stalks offer shade and cover. “Just like big game, the more turkeys get pressured, the more educated they become, especially late in the season,” says Smith. “For this reason – and the fact hens are with broods and not vocal late in the season – I call very little. I’ll offer a few yelps, and if a tom gobbles or lifts its head to look in my direction, I might not call again for a couple hours. I want the bird to know I’m there and it takes very little calling to do this. I treat the situation more like big game hunting, where stealth and moving smart are important.” Like Smith, I switched to fullstrutter decoys and have had great success with them in multiple states. The more real a decoy looks to birds that have been hunted, the better the odds of fooling them.
HUNTING Over the years I’ve become more of a patient turkey hunter, something that’s of great benefit late in the season. Rarely will I use loud clucks, cackles or cutting calls, and almost never gobbles, in the final weeks of the season. Instead, I offer soft yelps and purrs, and let the decoys do the rest. As the season winds down, fooling a mature tom becomes tougher, so stay confident and keep after it. Watch what turkeys are doing and make your moves accordingly. Be prepared to sit a long time and hunt one, maybe two spots a day, unlike early in the season, where running and gunning can find you setting up in a half-dozen locations. By hunting smart, the chance of punching a tag in the final days of spring turkey season can become reality. CS
Pressured toms are wise and not easy to fool late in the season, which means changing your hunting approach could be the key to success. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen's bestselling book, Western Turkey Hunting: Strategies For All Levels, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook.
HUNTING • FISHING • RAFTING • TRAIL RIDES • Located in beautiful Bonners Ferry, Idaho • Over 125 years of experience in the area • HUNT elk, deer, bear, mountian lion, and wolves in the Northern Rockies • FISH for rainbow trout on the Kootenai River
3 Heart Outfitters 2765 Turner Hill Bonners Ferry, ID
208-267-5858 3heartoutfitters.net AN IDAHO BRAND IN THE MAKING SINCE 1889 68 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
ATVTRACKS.NET WORLD’S LARGEST Track Dealer Camso T4S Camso X4S Camso UTV 4S1 Commander ATV WS4 Commander UTV WSS4
atvtracks.net
utvtracks.com
Ask about Demo Tracks! Bercomac, Snowblowers and Plows for ATV and UTV
866-243-8359 Discounts up to $500 on WSS4
! oday T s r u ! For more info, email us: info@atvtracks.net er Yo pply Left d r O or give us a call: 866-243-8359 And ited Su Hurry Lim calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
69
HUNT
WHITETAIL & MULE DEER
ALBERTA
Black Bear Hunts • Spring season hunts over bait • Mid May-Mid June • Archery or rifle
Whitetail and Mule Deer Hunts
• Archery & rifle hunters welcome. • Treestand, blinds and spot and stalk. • Whitetail hunts (we specialize in early season archery hunts for a full velvet trophy) • Combo hunts available for both species
Waterfowl Hunts
BLACK BEAR
• Located in the northernmost agriculture region in Canada • Where the migration begins and the first birds to see decoys
BOOK YOUR HUNT Trevor Manteufel – Owner/Outfitter/Head Guide Trevor@topoftheflyway.com • (780) 625-6736
WATERFOWL 70 Northwest Sportsman
MARCH 2022 | nwsportsmanmag.com
topoftheflyway.com
HUNT
ALBERTA
“This Is Your Year!” BLACK BEAR HUNTS INCLUDE:
• All accommodations including meals and lodging • Pick up and drop off from Fort McMurray airport • Experienced and Professional Bear Guides • 100% success rate and 35% color phase average • Two bears per hunter
CONTACT:
Adam Deutscher 780-213-1280 huntwithsho@hotmail.com stonehorseoutfitters
stonehorseoutfitters.com Northern Alberta nwsportsmanmag.com | MARCH 2022
Northwest Sportsman 71
HUNT
72 Northwest Sportsman
MARCH 2022 | nwsportsmanmag.com
ALBERTA
HUNT
ALBERTA
Idaho’s Premier Elk Hunting Ranch Check Out Our Specials at
IdahoElkOutfitters.com
100% GUARANTEED SUCCESS NO TAGS NO LICENSE NO DRAWS
CALL ANYTIME! 208-313-3634 Experience an Elk Hunt of a lifetime!
IdahoElkOutfitters.com
The question is... Do you want to hunt ducks or be a duck hunter?
Natural Wonderduck Water Motion Decoys
The paddle in the back give the illusion of decoy feet paddling! Comes with rear mounted motors that run on two D-cell batteries, for up to 25 hours or more. Optional timer available. Orange weedless paddling feet and foot attachments, easy access for battery holder, waterproof switch and floatation insert.
To order or for more information – wonderduck.com 1-800-876-1697
HUNTING
There’s nothing like hunting with a well-trained dog that understands its role, has drive and is eager to please. This Lab couldn’t get a mourning dove into the hands of its owner fast enough, so it could get back to hunting. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
THE JOY OF GUN DOGS By Scott Haugen
T
his past bird season was a busy one. I went on over 100 hunts in multiple states for waterfowl, upland birds and other migratory birds. My pudelpointers went on most hunts with me, but I did have the opportunity to hunt with other dogs, too. I love hunting different birds in different places with different people and seeing how their dogs work. The bond that a dog and their master share is, frankly, what motivates many of us to go hunting. I went on a few hunts last season where there was no dog, and I didn’t
like it. Walking across a field to pick up a goose or quail, or wading into a pond to fetch a duck, was lackluster compared to watching a dog work. Those hunts made me miss and appreciate hunting with my dogs even more.
SOME DOGS I GOT to hunt with were just happy to be out. They weren’t from top pedigrees, nor did they have awards to show from multiple competitions. They simply loved soaking up the heat of the morning sun, riding in the boat or walking across a field to start a hunt. They might nose through your gear bag hoping to find food scraps, and may not have been in the biggest rush to
work, but they loved being afield and more importantly, being with their master. Their eyes, demeanor and wagging tail left no doubt about that. I hunted with a few dogs that were simply outstanding. Well trained, driven, could mark multiple ducks dropped from a flock, would rapidly quarter a section of land to gain the scent of a quail covey – and kept up that pace all morning long. These dogs also had a love of being with their master and doing what they’re bred to do. A few hunters would apologize before the hunt even began about faults their dog had, which we’d likely see displayed. I didn’t mind, and when it did happen, I offered
calsportsmanmag.com | APRIL 2022 California Sportsman
77
HUNTING help to correct the problem. While midseason corrections can be tough, now that bird seasons are over, it’s the perfect time to give your dog a tuneup. Most of the concerns owners had were very simple fixes, like getting a dog to sit, stay and heal. If your dog doesn’t hunt well with others, train with another dog. If your dog breaks at a shot, hold the dog while someone else shoots a gun at a distance, or fires a training dummy launcher, then release your dog. If your dog doesn’t hold a point as you approach, get that check cord out. If your dog doesn’t sit, go back to how you taught it to sit as a pup; it’ll remember. The list of fixes goes on, and only you know what those are. Rest assured, there’s a remedy for everything; you just have to be disciplined to reteach the dog.
THE BEST DOGS I hunted with this season – and there were two or three that stand out – had very good relationships with their owners. They were constantly looking into their master’s eyes, trying to anticipate their next command so they could please them. The dogs trained with hand signals appeared most eager to please, always looking for directions so they could achieve the task at hand, then get back to hunting.
Author Scott Haugen enjoyed a fun morning hunt with his pudelpointers Echo (left) and Kona, who worked well together to put up multiple coveys of valley quail. Hunting with hardworking, well-disciplined dogs is the reward of dedicated training. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
Verbal communication was very limited with these folks, too. They all used an e-collar, not for shocking, but for delivering beeps to communicate with their dog at a distance. I run e-collars on both of my dogs. One beep means to stop and look to me for direction; two beeps mean come
If you plan on hunting with two dogs, training with two dogs will alleviate a lot of potential problems and optimize your dogs’ performance. If you have only one dog, make it a point to train with a buddy and their dog. (SCOTT HAUGEN) 78 California Sportsman APRIL 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com
back toward me (usually so I can stop them with one beep and deliver a hand signal because they were off track); and continuous beeps mean it’s an emergency (like they’re about to cross a road) and to get back to me as fast as possible. Dogs that are trained with hand signals, heavy eye contact and minimal verbal commands are simply a joy to hunt with. With spring here and summer fast approaching, now is the time to tune up your dog so it hunts, performs and behaves how you envision. Keep training sessions fun and short, as you want the dog to enjoy the experience and keep wanting more. Before you know it, your dog will be doing what you want it to do. Then the next hunting season can’t get here soon enough. CS Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time writer. See his puppy training videos and learn more about his many books at scotthaugen.com and follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
