California Sportsman Mag - May 2022 by Media Index Publishing Group

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California

Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 14 • Issue 7 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Todd Kline, Bill Schaefer, Dylan Tomine, Jeffrey 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 INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine ON THE COVER Spring conditions should be good for various fishing opportunities throughout California. Here, Chris Wright nets a nice rainbow for his dad Tim. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

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

10 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

CONTENTS xx xx

VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 7

FEATURES

THE FIGHT TO SAVE STEELIES

“Not so very long ago, California was a steelhead mecca of fish-filled streams and unimaginably productive fishing,” writes author Dylan Tomine in his book about the West Coast’s potentially catastrophic decline of the anadromous stock found from Alaska to California. Steelhead, like Chinook salmon, are teetering on the brink in some of the state’s rivers. In an excerpt from Tomine’s Headwaters: The Adventures, Obsession, and Evolution of a Fly Fisherman, he cites some of the “staggering” numbers that we should all be mindful of lest we lose the Golden State’s seagoing rainbows. 49 TAKE THE OVER ON CAMPING ADVENTURE

From souped-up trucks to four-wheel-drive vans to custom-made trailers and even simple pop-up tents, there’s an option out there just waiting for you to take it camping. Jeff Walters offers some of his favorite overlanding equipment and dishes on a few of his favorite camping areas, from the desert to the beach to spots with outstanding trout fishing. 56

BIG BASS BONANZA xx xx

FRIENDS AND FISHING

Fish come and go – sometimes you limit; others you get skunked – but memories made while fishing are forever. Our From Field to Fire columnist Scott Haugen reflects on an outing with childhood buddy and fishing guide Chris Wright that occured not long before devastating wildfires would destroy the landscape above their hallowed waters – but not the experiences they’ve had over the decades.

Looking for that largemouth or smallie of a lifetime? This spring could be your opportunity at Southern California’s lakes. Our Capt. Bill Schaefer reports plenty of 5- to 9-pound fish have already been landed, with increasing numbers of double-digit hawgs showing up in tournament bags and on social media. Schaefer lets you in on the best tips to score spawning lunkers throughout the Southland.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 15 19 23 25 65 (BILL SCHAEFER)

The Editor’s Note: Memories of the Mother Lode The Adventures of Todd Kline Photo contest winners Outdoor calendar Include hunting in spring gundog training

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 MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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$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.

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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.

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THEEDITOR’SNOTE

Camanche Lake, one of the four Mother Lode lakes of Calaveras County, offers special memories for the editor. (CHRIS COCOLES)

ALLEY SPRINGS—I’ve always had an affinity for California’s Mother Lode country – that loosely defined area east of Stockton straddling the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra foothills of Calaveras County, home to Mark Twain’s celebrated jumping frogs in his iconic short story. But in reality, it’s all of the Gold Country that is ingrained in my memories. There was the annual winter “snow trip” to Sonora my dad and I would take along with his car club and the bowling alley down the street from our hotel we’d play a few games at during the weekend; the summer home our family friends invited us to in nearby Columbia; and some of the best fondue I’ve ever eaten at a quaint restaurant in Jamestown. But it’s the four fisheries known as the Mother Lode lakes – Camanche, Pardee, New Hogan and Amador – that have always

been kind of my childhood obsession. So while I wasn’t going to have time to fish them on a Sunday last month, I certainly wasn’t going to let an opportunity to at least reminisce a bit slip by. My cousin Mike and his wife Cherie left their Bay Area roots and moved to a beautiful 5-acre spread in Valley Springs, a tiny community surrounded by those four Mother Lode lakes. And they were kind enough to host our extended family’s Greek Orthodox Easter celebration on April 24. On the drive with my family, we stopped at Camanche Lake, the most complete resort among the quartet of lakes. I remember the summer camping trip I took with my sister, brother-in-law and some friends way back in the early 1990s. Years later when I lived in Southern California I took a trip north that included multiple fishing excursions, including spending a beautiful spring

morning trolling for trout at Camanche (we got skunked, but the massive country breakfast we enjoyed at a Highway 99 diner near Lodi kept us full and content). The family and I made a quick stop at the popular Camanche trout pond, and I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic about fishing here as a child as I watched all the kids wet their lines in hopes of something scooping up their Power Bait and nightcrawlers. The lake itself looked a little low – that’s become sadly the norm in our droughtstricken state – but people were still out and about on this sunny Sunday. On the way to Mike and Cherie’s home in Valley Springs, I saw mileage signs for Pardee – I loved fishing there on a trip with my mom when I was a tween – Amador and New Hogan. All of the lakes have been renowned for their fishing productivity, including Amador bass and Pardee

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

The trout pond at Camanche is a popular destination for young and older anglers alike hoping to catch a stocked rainbow. (CHRIS COCOLES)

Camanche – not to mention sister lakes Pardee, Amador and New Hogan – will always have a soft spot in the editor’s heart. (CHRIS COCOLES) 16 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

kokanee, from back in the day. That first trip to this region way back when I was a kid still resonates with me. I wish I still knew where those Kodak camera snapshots I took of all four lakes when we drove around the area. They’re all special to me so many years later. Hovered around the grills at Mike’s house while taking in the aroma of sizzling leg of lamb and chicken, I told him how nostalgic I felt being back in the Mother Lode. He and Cherie will soon be moving to an even bigger property up the road in Angels Camp – not far from another iconic Gold Country lake, New Melones. Maybe I’ll make some more memories the next time I visit them in one of my favorite parts of California. -Chris Cocoles

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ures Advent

Here’s a panoramic view of beautiful Clear Lake and its surroundings. (TODD KLINE)

e’re not ashamed to admit it: Todd Kline has the kind of life we wish we could experience. Kline’s a former professional surfer, a successful co-angler on the FLW Tour and a Southern California bass guide, plus he gets to travel the world as a commentator for the World Surf League’s telecasts. Todd has agreed to give us a peek 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

I spent a grand total of 24 days at Northern California’s Clear Lake, one of the best bass fisheries in America. I participated in both the California Open and the Major League Fishing events while I was there. In addition, I made a few guide trips on the continent’s oldest lake. (TODD KLINE)

I was blessed with an amazing day one at the Clear Lake Open and was leading the event after the round – this was also one of the big fish on day one. Unfortunately, I was not able to maintain the momentum and finished 23rd. But I was able to cash a decent check, so that was cool. (TODD KLINE)

These waterfront homes along the lake have easy access to some outstanding fishing – not just bass but also Clear Lake’s famously giant and plentiful catfish. (TODD KLINE)

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

Also last month my son Dylan and I headed to Katherine Landing on Lake Mohave. We had an absolute blast catching some nice smallmouth. (TODD KLINE)

I was stoked to cash checks at both of last month’s tournaments – I placed 11th in the MLF event. I am in seventh place for angler of the year with one event to go on both tours. (TODD KLINE) California Sportsman | calsportsmanmag.com 20 20 California Sportsman MAY MAY 20222022 | calsportsmanmag.com

Night time at Katherine Landing makes for a scenic view. Enjoy your own adventures this month! (TODD KLINE)

I love how clear the water is on Lake Mohave. (TODD KLINE)

PHOTO

CONTEST

WINNERS!

Shelley Sutton is the winner of our monthly Coast Fishing Photo Contest, thanks to this shot of son Logan Livingston searching a West Coast beach for razor clam shows last November. It wins her a fillet knife and a light from Coast!

Jessica Faris is our monthly Coast Hunting Photo Contest winner, thanks to this pic of her northeast Washington whitetail, harvested last October. It wins her a knife and light from Coast!

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For your shot at winning a Coast knife and light, send your photos and pertinent (who, what, when, where) details 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.

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calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

MAY

1 Spring wild turkey season ends 1-June 12 Round-Up at the Lake Spring Fishing Derby, Convict Lake; (800) 992-2260 2-15 Archery-only spring wild turkey season 2-15 Additional junior wild turkey season 7 NorCal Trout Angler’s Challenge, Collins Lake; anglerspress.com/ events/norcal-trout-anglerschallenge 14 Youth Angler’s League, Camanche Lake; anglerspress.com/events/ youth-angler-s-league 14 NorCal Fish Whisperers Kids Trout Derby, Collins Lake; (209) 663-3579 21 Lassen Sportsmen’s Club Junior Fishing Derby, Susan River; susanvillestuff.com 21-22 Walmart Big Cash Classic, Folsom Lake; anglerspress.com/events/ walmart-big-cash-classic 27-30 Hangman’s Cash Bonus Weekend, Convict Lake; (800) 992-2260 27-June 27 Crowley Lake Perch Derby; (760) 935-4301

JUNE

10-11 Finest Annual Trout Invitational Tournament, Crowley Lake; crowleylakefishcamp.com 11 Kokanee Power Team Derby, Don Pedro Reservoir; kokaneepower.org 11-12 Youth Angler’s League, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; anglerspress.com/events/ youth-angler-s-league 19 Rush Creek Clean-up and BBQ, Silver Lake Resort; silverlakeresort .net; (760) 648-7525 25 Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation Trout Tournament; bridgeportfish.com/tournament Note: With Covid-19 restrictions uncertain, always confirm events before attending. For a list of upcoming bass tournaments, go to nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishingContests/ default.aspx.

The popular Hangman’s Cash Bonus Weekend trout tournament is set for Convict Lake from May 27-30. Call (800) 992-2260 for more information. (JEFF SIMPSON/MONO COUNTY TOURISM) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

STATE OF THE STEELHEAD EXCERPT: NEW BOOK WARNS ABOUT FUTURE DANGERS THE ANADROMOUS FISH MAY FACE

p and down the West Coast – from Southeast Alaska through the Pacific Northwest and, of course, in droughtstricken California – steelhead and other anadromous fish that call the region’s rivers home could be or already are in trouble. Bainbridge Island, Washington, author Dylan Tomine’s new book explains some of the perils those fish face in his home state and other coastal locales. Tomine’s bio refers to him as “a father, writer, conservation advocate and recovering sink tip addict; not necessarily in that order.” An earlier book of his, Closer to the Ground: An Outdoor Family’s Year on the Water, in the Woods and at the Table, was a National Outdoor Book Award honorable mention. He is also a producer of a feature-length documentary, Artifishal, made by outdoors giant Patagonia about the fight to save wild salmon. But Tomine’s goal with his latest project is, in part, a plea to protect the steelhead in the Golden State and beyond. The following is excerpted from Headwaters: The Adventures, Obsession, and Evolution of a Fly Fisherman, by Dylan Tomine. Reprinted with permission by publisher Patagonia Books.

26 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

Fly fishing for West Coast and Alaska steelhead and salmon has become a rite of passage for anglers. But a new book written by author Dylan Tomine offers warnings about what has happened, what is happening and what could become of these remarkable fish. (MATTHEW DELORME) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

FISHING Washington’s Olympic Peninsula rivers are book author Dylan Tomine’s sacred waters. They’re home to that state’s strongest remaining steelhead runs, as well as populations of seagoing bull trout. (CAMERON KARSTEN)

By Dylan Tomine

our feet deep. Rocks the size of bowling balls. Choppy on top. The big purple marabou settles into emerald-green water, comes tight, and starts swinging through the seam. I hold my breath and make a small inside mend. The fly slows briefly, swims crosscurrent into the soft water, and suddenly stops. The rod bends. The line pulls. And the river’s surface shatters. As my reel handle blurs, I hear the hiss of fly line shearing water and watch in awe as the biggest steelhead I’ve ever seen launches into the air and cartwheels away three, four, five times.

When I come to my senses, there’s only one thing to do: start running. Twenty minutes later, heart pounding and sweaty, I’m holding the tiring fish on a tight line as it slips downstream into a chute of fast water. Unable to follow any farther, I clamp down on the spool and my fishing buddy leaps in chest-deep, plunges his arms into the icy water, and heroically comes up with an enormous slab of chrome. At 40½ by 23 inches, it’s quite probably the largest steelhead I will ever land, and one of five we’ve hooked this morning in the same run. The Dean? Russia? Some other exotic destination? Or maybe a

28 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

complete steelhead fantasy? Hell no. This was the suburban Skykomish River, 40 minutes from downtown Seattle, on March 14, 1997. That year, in the March–April catch-and-release season, I averaged almost two steelhead per trip. On swung flies. Fishing mostly in short three- or four-hour sessions before or after work. Unbelievable fishing, and even more unbelievable, it wasn’t all that long ago. Today, the fabulous March and April fishery on my beloved Sky is gone. The wild steelhead population was in such a downward spiral that even the relatively low-impact catchand-release season was completely shut down after the 2000 season.

FISHING Heartbreaking? I can’t even find words for how I feel about it. I moved to Seattle in 1993 to be closer to the fabled steelhead waters of Puget Sound. A city where I could work, and a great river with big fish, less than an hour away – it seemed too good to be true. Of course, it was. I had planned on a lifetime of learning and fishing the Skykomish. Instead, I arrived just in time to witness the beginning of the end. That’s only one river among hundreds of steelhead watersheds on the West Coast, right? What’s the big deal? There are still plenty of fish to catch in other places, aren’t there? And hey, if you aren’t a steelheader, why should you get worked up about some river closing way out in Washington? Good questions all. I would start with the fish themselves. Perfectly evolved to thrive in both marine and freshwater environments, wild steelhead carry the ocean’s bounty inland as they migrate toward the places of their birth. And, as each watershed provides a different set of spawning and rearing conditions, it creates a unique race of steelhead. In the wild realm, there is no generic steelhead, only a range of fish with characteristics perfectly adapted to their specific rivers. As anglers, we find ourselves seeking the small, free-rising “A-Run” steelhead of the high-desert Columbia Basin rivers; the “half-pounders” of Northern California and Southern Oregon; magnificent, heavy-bodied winter fish in the Olympic Peninsula rainforest and coastal Oregon rivers; the mind-blowingly powerful August steelhead above the falls on the Dean; the legendary autumn giants on the Skeena; the high-latitude chromers of Kamchatka and the Aleutians … These fish range from 14 inches to 30 pounds, from 2 to 9 or more years old, from heavily spotted to nearly unmarked. And yet, they share several distinctive traits: a willingness to come to the swung fly; the speed and strength normally associated with

A steelhead jumps through the waters at Coleman National Fish Hatchery near Redding. Tomine’s book cites that even hatchery projects like one in the American River haven’t produced great results. (LAURA MAHONEY/USFWS)

30 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

FISHING

Tomine has fished all over the West Coast and spent five years guiding in Alaska’s Bristol Bay area. He loves the fish he’s cast flies for and wants to continue to do so. (DYLAN TOMINE)

saltwater fish; an individual beauty that possesses those who fish for them; and unfortunately, a future as cloudy as a glacial river after days of warm rain. Why should we care? If you’re a steelheader, the reasons are obvious. And if you are not, the depleted state of wild steelhead populations on the Pacific Coast serves as a powerful example of a valuable resource squandered and a lesson for anglers and fish managers everywhere. On a bigger scale, steelhead are an indicator species, the proverbial canary in the coal mine of population growth and human consumption. In other words, the health of wild steelhead is a direct reflection of the health of both our watersheds and marine environments. Steelhead can clearly survive without us – the question is, can we survive without them?

“Why are we subsidizing the broken part of this fishery, the commercial gillnetting, to the detriment of the only part of this fishery, the recreational side, that makes economic sense?” –Bruce Hill, Headwaters Initiative

A 2008 STUDY BY

Counterpoint Consulting shows the Skeena River sportfishing industry brings more than $52 million a year into the local economy. On the other hand, the average gross income of a British Columbia North Coast gillnetter during the time covered by the study was $8,000 – about the value of two or three sport-caught-and-released wild steelhead. Exactly how many steelhead perished as bycatch to earn that $8,000 we’ll never know for sure, but it’s a significantly high-enough number that on the rare occasion

32 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

when the nets are out of the water, steelhead escapement skyrockets. And this doesn’t even take into account Skeena steelhead killed in the British Columbian and Alaskan salmon seine fisheries – many observers believe the number is as high as or even higher than those caught in gill nets. Again, in this commercial fishery, we have a low-income, high-negativeimpact industry that kills thousands of steelhead and depressed salmon stocks, while the sportfishing sector provides large amounts of income with very little impact. And yet, our decision makers can’t seem to do the math. Think that’s a Canadian problem? Think again. It isn’t any better in the United States. On the (Pacific Northwest’s) Columbia River, a tiny fleet of gillnetters is allowed to target hatchery spring Chinook in the lower river. Unfortunately, as on the Skeena, other fish have the great misfortune to return in the same time frame. A recent year saw more endangered wild winter steelhead taken as bycatch than the targeted salmon … Farther south and not so very long ago, California was a steelhead mecca of fish-filled streams and unimaginably productive fishing. The home of early steelhead fly-fishing pioneers such as Bill Schaadt and Jim Pray, coastal California was the place to be in the 1950s and 1960s. Movie stars came to catch steelhead, national magazines devoted cover stories to this phenomenal fishery, and the annual records were dominated by fly-caught California steelhead. If you’re a true glutton for punishment, read Russell Chatham’s beautiful book The Angler’s Coast and see what the good old days were really like. Keep a box of tissues nearby. In the 1960s, the Russian River averaged 50,000 wild steelhead per year. Today, a good year sees seven thousand. As agriculture, development, industrialization, and other human factors have come to dominate the California landscape, the steelhead have predictably responded by disappearing. The

FISHING

Fewer and fewer summer-runs are returning to Northern California rivers like the Eel, while once-plentiful steelhead in the southern part of the state are all but wiped out. “If you fish for steelhead or dream of someday fishing for them,” the author writes, “if you’d like to believe that we’ll have fishable numbers of steelhead for the rest of our lives and our children’s … the answer is simple: get involved.” (JOHN HEIL/USFWS)

numbers are staggering. The Carmel River, a small Central Coast watershed, once hosted twenty thousand steelhead each year. In more recent times, the run has fallen to as low as 15 wild steelhead. In 1961, the mighty Sacramento–San Joaquin system had 40,000 spawning steelhead. Today, the annual fish count at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam on the Sacramento River, which carries the bulk of this once-prolific system’s steelhead population, averages 1,400. California obviously has the most intense population issues on the coast, and has seen the most catastrophic losses of wild steelhead. But management of these precious fish would be absolutely hilarious if the results weren’t so sad. Even the mass-produced hatchery fish of the American River are hardly coming back. Despite enormous numbers of juveniles released each year, which used to result in a run of up to 19,000

fish in the 1970s, returns are now less than 1,000 fish. The Ventura River, which once had a run of 5,000, now gets a return as low as 50 fish per year. As concerned locals petitioned to have the remnants of this run listed under the Endangered Species Act, the feds showed up claiming a need to obtain DNA samples to determine that Ventura River steelhead were in fact a distinct species. How many do you need, they were asked. “Fifty,” was the reply. The situation deteriorated into a standoff between armed State Fish and Wildlife officers protecting the fish from federal employees who needed to “take” fish in order to protect them. “In our fathers’ generation, they witnessed the complete collapse of the California steelhead fishery. In our generation, it was the famed rivers of Puget Sound. What’s next? We’re currently standing on the edge of the cliff

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and time is running out. If we’re going to do anything to save wild steelhead, we have to do it now.” –Dr. Nathan Mantua, research scientist, NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center

THE FACT IS, STEELHEAD are under attack at every level: from federal policies favoring commercial, unsustainable fisheries, mining, and forest harvest practices to bungled state management operating under a philosophy of [maximum sustained harvest], to local municipalities’ sanctioning of development and commercialization. Suburban sprawl engulfs our river valleys. Forestland is cut to build houses and make toilet paper. Modern agriculture requires increasing amounts of water, while dam operators fight to generate more electricity – all at the expense of natural, fish-producing streamflow. To mitigate these losses, we’ve come

FISHING to rely on hatcheries, which we are now learning may contribute to wild fish declines as much as all the other factors combined. All this, and we’re only beginning to see the effects of global warming, with its changing weather patterns, shrinking glaciers, catastrophic flood events, and higher summertime stream temperatures. Is it any wonder our fish are in trouble? To quote Bill Murray in Stripes, “And then … depression set in.” I know, the numbers are staggering. The causes, seemingly insurmountable. The outlook, bleak. But there are reasons for hope, first and foremost of which is that wild steelhead are incredibly tough, resilient fish. As the glaciers retreated thousands of years ago, steelhead spread out, adapted, and colonized a wide range of disparate environments from high-desert sage country to coastal rainforest, from winding tundra streams to broad valley rivers.

When Mount Saint Helens erupted in 1980, sending a boiling mass of superheated ash down the Toutle River, for all intents and purposes, the river as we knew it ceased to exist. To see it shortly after this catastrophic event was to witness a thin trickle of water winding through a wasteland of broken stumps and volcanic mud. And yet, within a few short years, the wild steelhead were back, recolonizing and adapting to their harsh new environment. As Dr. Nathan Mantua says, “If we just give them half a chance, the fish will respond.” So how do we give them that half a chance? Just as the threats to wild steelhead survival exist on every level, so too do the possible solutions. On a broad scale, since our governments seem to respond best to money, we need to remind the people we’ve entrusted with the management of our fish about

38 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

the financial benefits of healthy runs and the resulting tourist and sportfishing dollars. We need to fight hidden subsidies and government sanctioning of resource extraction industries. We need to vote, petition, and write letters. Does it work? Absolutely. Just look at the ban on open-water salmon farms for the north coast of British Columbia. After years of hard work by a coalition of First Nations and local nonprofits, the BC government finally agreed with their citizens and implemented the new policy in 2008. When possible, we need to provide alternatives to the status quo. If we look, there are some surprisingly simple solutions to a number of the challenges we face. For example, in places like the Columbia, Fraser, and Skeena Rivers, where commercial salmon gill-net fisheries intercept a high number of steelhead, live-capture fish traps

FISHING or pound nets would allow safe release of fish from depressed stocks, while simultaneously increasing the quality (and thereby the value) of the targeted fish. Everybody wins. We can also boycott farmed salmon from open-water net pens and explain to restaurants and markets that serve or sell it why this product is so damaging to wild salmon and steelhead. Turns out, most people have no idea about the harm it causes, and, when shown the facts, will happily stop buying or selling farmed salmon. We should encourage – no, demand – that outdoor gear manufacturers actively give back to preserve the resources they depend upon, and support those that do with our dollars. We can eat local, organic food. Stop watering and fertilizing our lawns. Walk, pedal, or paddle whenever possible. In drought-prone regions, even not flushing when you pee helps.

The most valuable thing we can do, though, is to get directly involved. Of course, I understand most of us don’t have the time or resources to understand all the issues or wage a personal political campaign. That’s where grassroots organizations like Wild Fish Conservancy, Wild Steelhead Coalition, and Native Fish Society come into play. These groups are hard at work doing everything from political lobbying and litigation to scientific research, stream restoration, and funding steelheadrelated projects. They provide the regular angler with the voice and clout of a larger organization, and distribute information to their members about issues requiring action. As distasteful as politics and joining organizations may be to many anglers, it is, as author and steelhead aficionado Tom McGuane reminds us, “now past the time where we can just go out and fish without worrying

40 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

about the resource.” That’s pretty much what we’ve been doing, and look where it got us. If you fish for steelhead or dream of someday fishing for them, if the numbers and issues in this story concern you, if you’d like to believe that we’ll have fishable numbers of steelhead for the rest of our lives and our children’s … the answer is simple: get involved. For that matter, if you’re passionate about trout or stripers or bass or salmon or tarpon, I urge you to learn from what’s happened to our steelhead and get involved with the preservation of your fishery. As steelheaders know all too well, when it goes, it goes fast. CS Editor’s note: Headwaters: The Adventures, Obsession, and Evolution of a Fly Fisherman, is available at patagonia.com/shop/books. For more information on author Dylan Tomine, check out his website, dylantomine.com.

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42 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

IS A BIG BASS SPRING ON TAP? THIS COULD BE THE YEAR TO SCORE TROPHY FISH By Capt. Bill Schaefer

his winter we had some streaks of warm weather, which sent bass to the shallows early in Southern California. As the cold winter storms finally passed through we all thought the bass would retreat back out to deeper water, but they haven’t really done their normal upand-down thing this year. Lakes known every year for having a double spawn will most likely not duplicate that in 2022. It’s time to take advantage of this great springtime bite right now.

BIG BASS ON PROWL Fishermen who braved the cold, drizzly late-winter days scored some really nice-sized bass. The fish definitely seem to eat better during a low pressure weather situation. With spring’s arrival, bass are still biting well at all the region’s lakes. The lakes were better off after a year of rest because none of them had to take the constant pounding they can experience during the spawning period.

10-POUND TROPHIES Another bit of great news for this year is all the double-digit fish being brought to the scales. The number of anglers scoring 5- to 9-pound catches is off the charts this year. Ten-poundand-up fish have also been showing up a lot, even in tournament bags. But some catches are not advertised, as some of the anglers seeking the big ones only show off on

Rich Sweatnam shows off a nice fluke bass. With a good assortment of lures in your tackle box, you can probably expect a strike. (BILL SCHAEFER) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

FISHING fish boards and on Facebook. Because big-fish years seem to come in phases, it seems that we may be headed in that direction in 2022. Most bass fishermen are having a great springtime experience. You may even score your personal-best fish as well this year.

lures. Yamamoto Fat Ikas have been doing very well at a lot of lakes, along with regular jig and craw-type trailers. Even the Carolina-rigged creature baits have been scoring their share of fish. Don’t hesitate to drop-shot smaller crawdad creature baits as well.

SPAWN TALK

The odd thing about 2022 – and it’s not really that odd when the winter has long warm periods – is the reaction bite has been on at a lot of lakes and should be doing well by now everywhere. Soft and hard jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and various styles of crankbaits have been the tickets to score. Even some buzzbait and other topwater action has been had this late winter and early spring. Never doubt how aggressive the bass can be while in spawn mode. Remember, they

As you read this, the spawn should be headed into full swing in most of the lakes in your area, with, of course, elevation and water temperature factoring into the equation. Tons of male bass are roaming the shorelines of all the Southern California lakes; some of them will be locked on beds already, along with the big females hanging just outside. I won’t debate catching bedded fish with you, but if you do pluck them off a nest, take a quick picture of those giant bass and return them to finish their spawn, which will keep your lake stocked with giants for generations to come. Many fishermen do not target bed fish and simply blind-fish the bank and catch what they do, even if their lure takes the bass off a bed. This is one way to take advantage of the spawn without sight bed fishing. Just remember that not all the bass rush the bank at once.

BASS ARE IN REACTION MODE

BRING LOTS OF LURES There are early spawners, the vast bulk of fish and then the late-bedding ones, meaning your lures can vary through the spawn. In fact, a wider variety of lures works this time of year than at any other. Don’t be afraid to experiment with lures you haven’t thrown a lot or don’t have much confidence in; you will soon gain it. This brings up the question of what lures to throw this time of year. Everyone has their favorites, and so far this year anglers have been scoring on everything but the kitchen sink. Usually around this time, some bass are still trying to bulk up for the spawn and are eating crawdad-style 44 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

are in just a few feet of water and will readily attack something passing over their head as well. For all you plastic fanatics, dropshot, split-shot and Texas-rigged worms are all doing great. Crawdad and shad colors do well this time of year, as do bluegill and baby bass. Dead-sticking worms will attract bites, so move your bait an inch or two and let it sit as long as you can stand it, and then do it that long again. The idea is to drag the worm or bait into a bed for the protecting bass to attack. Just letting it sit there will drive them into biting. Sometimes all you see is your line going off in another direction as the bass carries your bait off the nest.

BRUSH UP ON STRUCTURE The fish are in the shallows, and after Author Bill Schaefer admires a nice Yamamoto Senko bass. He thinks this spring spawning period could produce a number of 10-plus-pound fish in Southland lakes. (BILL SCHAEFER)

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

FISHING a rain the water can rise at some lakes, putting brush in the shallows, or your lake may be just lucky enough to have a lot of brush along the shore. Many times you will have to go into it after the bass. Throw your lure right in the brush and don’t be afraid to lose it. Worry about getting bit first and then think about the battle to get them out. Those Fat Ikas will do well in this scenario, along with fishing jigs. And, of course, the Yamamoto Senko would be great for fishing shallow brush. As the spawn progresses and bass fry make their appearance in the shallows, there are usually bass guarding them for some time after they leave the bedding area. You may not see them, but they are there – just hanging back a little, or in deeper water outside the ball of fry. Small bass and bluegill will attack and eat the fry. Running a jerkbait or crankbait in these patterns through the ball will often attract a strike from the bass guarding it.

go with a little heavier line or braided line to pull those giants out of the brush they’re spawning in. I may go with Maxima in anywhere from 12or 20-pound mono or Daiwa in 50- to 60-pound braid. Make sure you have the right setups ready to go when you reach the lake. Get your quiver of weapons lined up and add the baits you think you will be using the most. If you don’t have that many rods, then a quick-clip on the end of your line can help change from lure to lure as needed.

CHECK THAT LINE If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to respool your reels. You don’t want to lose a giant bass of a lifetime. Now is the time of year when your chances are highest to make it happen. Especially check your drag washers and make sure you have a smooth drag system. Make sure the boat is ready for all situations. Check your batteries and connections to your trolling motor. Organize your tackle to get out and fish. I’ll take my Daiwa Tatula rods and reels, separate them all and lube the reels, replace the line and mark each cork handle with the line size on that particular setup. I just write it on the underside at the top of the rear cork handle; so no more guessing. Wipe your rods down too and clean the eyes of any old, dried-up green slime – algae. I actually wax my rods once in a while as well with spray wax and just wipe them down. This time of year, you may want to

Joel King is happy with his catch. Don’t be shy about throwing your lure right into the brush. That’s where that fish of your lifetime could be waiting to devour it. (BILL SCHAEFER)

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ENJOY SPRING FLINGS Springtime can be a great time to introduce friends and family to bass fishing. With so many fish roaming the banks, it increases the chance of catching some. It is also a time to bond with your kids and show them all the nature and wildlife residents around the lakes (think deer, hawks, eagles and vultures – you may even see the occasional bear). Make a day of it and the little ones will be begging you to take them again and again. CS

FISHING Whether it’s your Toyota 4Runner, an extreme off-road camper or a souped-up van, overland camping rigs offer plenty of imagination for campers. (JEFFREY WALTERS)

TAKE THE OVERLAND ROUTE FISHING AND CAMPING GO TOGETHER, AND TODAY’S OFF-GRID OPTIONS ARE BIG IMPROVEMENTS By Jeffrey Walters

verland camping is nothing new to some of us; to others it simply means 100-percent off-grid camping. However, over the past couple of decades there have been some very big improvements on what being off-grid involves. Gone are the days of not taking a shower, eating mini meals prepared

on camp stoves, and the dreaded cold nights. There have been drastic improvements in the off-road overlander style of camping, where fully outfitted four-wheel-drive vehicles and off-road trailers take to the trails in search of that perfect spot. National forests have what are called yellow post sites or dispersed camping areas. Even though both areas are remote, most dispersed

camping areas will have vault-style outhouses and trash cans, while other areas may not, so plan your trip accordingly and be prepared to bring out everything you bring in. Overland camping has become very popular because you can go to so many different places with the supplies needed to travel in comfort and style. Most overland vehicles are four-wheel drive, boast good ground

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

FISHING clearance, and there are many to choose from.

This compact off-road tent-top trailer can offer simple yet effective shade for your campsite. (JEFFREY WALTERS)

POP-UP HOMES ON THE ROAD The most popular way that people outfit their vehicle is with a roofmounted pop-up tent. This style of camping brings the campers far above the forest or desert floor and away from uninvited critters that may visit your campsite, and comes complete with a pull-out propane cooktop, hot water on demand for hot showers, composting toilets, diesel heaters, solar power systems and much more. This style of adventure brings the comforts of home with it, just on a smaller scale. It’s such a phenomenon these days that there are overlander expos and events held throughout the country, where vendors display and sell their products, along with companies that will do the entire project on your vehicle of choice. There are thousands of very interesting and necessary products on display and for sale. Not only do most people modify their vehicles, they also purchase or build an off-road mini-camper – complete

with a full kitchen, refrigerator, sleeping area, awnings, storage and so much more. The extremely rugged trailers go wherever the tow vehicle takes them.

MUST-HAVE ITEMS FOR OVERLAND CAMPING

ost campers who enjoy this style of overland camping and fishing already know what they need to bring and what items are needed to complete the vehicle or trailer build-out. However, there are always some overlooked items and safety measures that should be mentioned. Always put your food in bear-proof containers at least 50 feet away from the campsite. Pack your trash in rugged bags and hang in a tree to keep the bears and other critters away. Never, ever bring food with you into your tent or trailer, no matter if on your rooftop or not. Have a good strong bear spray, air horn, whistle and other items to scare away a hungry bruin. It’s also wise to carry a good first-aid kit, snakeproof boots or leggings, extra food in case you get stuck somewhere and plenty of water. This list can go on and on, but I am sure most get the idea to be prepared. Whatever destination you choose, always plan and outfit your overland vehicle or trailer to meet those environments. A good vehicle recovery kit is always handy for those times when nature or mechanical issues sideline yours or someone else’s equipment. Make sure your overlanding trailer is up to the task with spare parts, plenty of cargo space, extra food, fuel and water. Plan for the worse and enjoy your overlanding fishing or just camping experience knowing you’re ready come hell or high water. JW

50 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

These off-road campers are small and compact, and some copy the original teardrop-style camper, including the back hatch opening to reveal a full kitchen and refrigerator. There are so many different builders out there that are advancing the realm of off-road capabilities, and some that simply offer a nicely built, rugged lifted trailer, so you can add what you need. If you are interested in something like these, then think about attending one of the overlander events to see for yourself what is available.

A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER Not only are there the lifted extreme off-road vehicles and trailers, but there are also completely outfitted camper vans that can go just about anywhere. Two- and four-wheeldrive versions are available from many different builders and vendors. In fact, an entire new van life lifestyle is taking hold across the world. These camper vans have all the necessary items to stay out for long periods of time. You’ll find interior and exterior showers, inside kitchens,

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FISHING

While there are plenty of isolated desert areas and beautiful coastal camping spots to travel to, don’t forget about the outstanding trout fisheries throughout the state for your overland adventures. (JEFFREY WALTERS)

outdoor grills, complete solar panel systems, and every creature comfort you can think of. Most of these are rated as “class B” camper vans or motorhomes. However, looking at some of these amazing vehicles, the word motorhome doesn’t seem to fit.

WHERE TO GO Some campers enjoy the coastal environment and seek areas near the Pacific that offer overnight camping and great fishing. Most coastal areas that do have campgrounds are feebased and not dispersed or open camping. Some military bases such as Coronado Island and Camp Pendleton in the San Diego area do offer surfside campsites; however, they are only open to active or retired military. More information on these locations and more can be found at mccscp.

com/recreation/campgrounds-rv. There are so many state parks all along the coast that it is hard to choose one from the list. One area that is known for its solitude, awesome waves, good saltwater fishing and clean beaches is San Onofre State Beach in southern Orange County. Although it’s not off-road-style camping, it does offer plenty of parking for trailers up to 25 feet, lots of trails, bike riding, surf fishing and fee-based open areas. You can find out more at parks .ca.gov or by calling (949) 492-4872. If getting away from it all in a mountain setting far away from the lights and sounds of the city is what you seek, then Southern California’s mountain ranges seem to have an abundance of these little jewels hidden away, with amazing fishing

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right there. One such area is in the San Jacinto Mountains near the city of Hemet in Riverside County. Situated at about 4,500 feet in elevation, you have a Forest Service road that is without a doubt four-wheel-drive terrain. You can get there two ways, with access points off State Highway 174 at Bee Canyon and via State Route 243 in the small community of Pine Cove. Pine Cove Road takes you through the little community there, drops you off on San Jacinto Ridge Truck Trail (Forest Service Road 5S09) and takes you to a couple of yellow post sites that are just a few hundred yards away from the North Fork San Jacinto River (although small, it contains wild brown trout). For more, go to fs.usda .com or call the San Jacinto Ranger District at (909) 382-2921.

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FISHING DESERT DESTINATIONS Overlanding and fishing seem to go hand in hand, unless you choose the desert routes that are popular with the four-wheel-drive crowd. Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area is popular for desert seekers. Located in eastern San Diego County off Highway 78, you will find plenty of open and free camping spots. Close to Anza Borrego State Park and forested mountains to the east, there are always options to choose from when overlanding. Further east you have Glamis Dunes and what seems to be endless off-road trails and dunes. There’s no problem finding places to overland here; just be prepared to battle the wind. CS

The author camps in style with his home-built overland camper, his ticket to adventure. “Overland camping has become very popular because you can go to so many different places with the supplies needed to travel in comfort and style,” he writes. (JEFFREY WALTERS)

Editor’s note: Here are some other websites to help plan your camping trip: reservecalifornia.com; recreation.gov/ discover/camping/California/state; nps.gov/ subjects/camping/campground.htm; and fws.gov/activity/camping.

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calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

FROM FIELD...

MORE THAN JUST FISHING

WILDFIRES AND PANDEMIC ARE REMINDERS THAT EXPERIENCES AND MAKING MEMORIES ARE WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT ON THE WATER

By Scott Haugen

sat down to write this month’s column with the intent of highlighting Chris Wright and sharing informative trout tips I learned while fishing with him over the past few years. When looking over the photos, however, it wasn’t the multiple fly patterns or the various ways we

fished for trout in nearby rivers that stood out in my mind. Instead, two images – the two appearing in this story – stymied me. One was of Chris and his dad, Tim Wright, in a McKenzie River drift boat in Oregon. I’ve known Tim since high school, and his wife Dani (Chris’s mom) since first grade. I’ve known Chris since he was born. He has a beautiful family of his own and

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together they run their local feed store and tackle shop near my home. Chris is one of my favorite people to fish with and he does a lot of guiding in the area. He’s just fun to be around, the kind of man God made to be a guide: patient, smart, patient, always learning, patient, eager to learn and share, and, well, patient.

I REMEMBER THE FIRST time I fished

FIELD

Guide Chris Wright gets in some fishing time of his own on an upper stretch of western Oregon’s McKenzie River. Weeks later this spot was consumed by wildfire and will never look the same in his lifetime. The memories of fishing with Wright have made a lasting impact on the author. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

with his dad, Tim, and it had been quite a while since Tim and Chris had floated the McKenzie River together. We all grew up fishing the McKenzie, our home river. It’s very special to each of us. Shortly after that joyous, relaxing trip on my favorite river in the world, wildfires swept through the McKenzie River Valley and obliterated that very stretch, plus much more. Decades of

memories went up in flames. Some folks – many friends and some family – lost everything. Many people in California can relate to what I’m getting at. I’ve seen a lot of ugly devastation during my travels around the world, but this wildfire was horrific. Our home survived, but we were evacuated for 11 days, all the while unsure of the outcome. As I write these words, many

people in the area are rebuilding. Rebuilding to make new memories and reliving old ones. Tiffany and I had little time to gather belongings before evacuating. We grabbed passports, a few essentials, hard drives, then departed, not knowing what we’d return to. We left a lot behind. If we lost it all it didn’t seem to matter because we had each other, our family and our dogs.

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

FIELD ... TO FIRE

Tiffany Haugen knows what makes a fish like wahoo even more delicious. Slathering her honey mustard glaze onto fish headed into the smoker is a winning play. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

SMOKER GIVES YOU TASTY FISH-FINISHING OPTIONS By Tiffany Haugen

pring is here, and that means it’s time to fire up the smoker. Be it fresh-caught trout or kokanee, or if you’re looking to get some of that salmon or ocean-caught fish out of the freezer, this is a tasty recipe you’ll love. There are many options when adding smoke flavor to fish. Completely cooking

an item in the smoker from start to finish is what’s usually thought of when smoking fish, for instance. Another option is to partially smoke the ingredients that go into a recipe, giving the finished recipe varying layers of smoke flavor. Many times it simply comes down to time or desired texture when deciding how much to smoke fish. This recipe has two options: fully smoking with a glaze added

while the fish is in the smoker, or partially smoking and finishing with more glaze in the oven or on the grill. Both offer excellent results and you’ll want to slather that honey mustard glaze on just about everything. HONEY MUSTARD SMOKED FISH 1-pound fish fillets BRINE INGREDIENTS ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons salt 2 teaspoons granulated garlic 2 teaspoons granulated onion 2 teaspoons black pepper 1 quart water Wood chips: apple, cherry and/or alder GLAZE INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons yellow mustard 2 tablespoons stone ground mustard 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon melted butter 2 cloves puréed garlic 1 teaspoon lemon zest ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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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.

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FIELD Those and the memories. When it came down to it, that’s all we needed, and it’s all we really wanted.

AT THE SAME TIME another devastating event – the Covid-19 pandemic – was simultaneously rocking not just our world, but the whole world. But with the pandemic came time to get outside. The U.S. saw millions of new anglers buy licenses after the pandemic began, because now they had time to go fishing. Once new anglers started hitting the water the fishing industry experienced sales like no other time. Unfortunately, production was – and still is – down due to the pandemic, but people found a way to get basic gear and go fishing. As I look back on that last trip down the McKenzie River with Chris and his dad, it’s not the trout we caught, how we caught them or what

we caught them on that stands out. It’s the splashing of silver water as rainbows leapt into the sky. It’s Tim and Chris smiling and laughing, together, that I most vividly recall. It’s the bug hatches that swarmed like smoke along river’s edge, where captivating cedar waxwings gobbled up as many as they could. It’s the mist whipping off Chris’s flyline as he waded out and worked a classic trout riffle. It’s the sound of rushing water picking its way through a steep gradient of river rock worn round almost to perfection by erosion over the centuries. When I close my eyes, it’s the resonance of water dripping off the oar tips while letting minimal current push us downstream. And it’s the snag in which an eagle always sat that I see in my mind’s eye, a snag that was consumed by flames and is gone forever, along with mountains of oldgrowth Douglas fir forest.

I COULD HAVE WRITTEN in this space about knots, leaders, casting styles, presentations and more, but that’s not

Chris Wright nets a rainbow trout for his dad, Tim Wright, on this memorable day on the McKenzie River. (SCOTT HAUGEN) 60 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon salt Cut fish to desired smoking sizes and leave skin on. In a large glass or plastic container, mix brown sugar, salt, granulated garlic, granulated onion and black pepper until thoroughly combined. Add fish to brine mixture and refrigerate for six to 12 hours. Drain fish and discard brine. Place fish pieces, skin-side down, on a rack and sprinkle with additional black pepper if desired then allow to dry while refrigerated between one and three hours. Preheat smoker for 10 to 15 minutes. Add chips of choice to the chip pan. Put fish on racks and place in smoker. Smoke for two to three hours, replacing chips one time. In a small container, mix mustards, honey, lemon juice, butter, garlic, lemon zest, peppers and salt until thoroughly combined. Place a piece of foil underneath the smoker rack to catch any drips from the glaze. Liberally glaze each piece of fish on the top and sides. Option One: Continue to smoke in the smoker an additional one to two hours or until fish reaches desired doneness. (Note: Smoking time varies depending on the smoker being used, outside temperature and thickness of fish being smoked.) Option two: Remove partially smoked fish from the smoker and place on foil or a baking sheet. Liberally glaze each piece of salmon on the top and sides. Cook in a preheated oven or grill at 375 degrees for five to eight minutes, or until fish reaches desired doneness. Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s popular book, Cooking Seafood, and other best-selling titles, visit tiffanyhaugen.com.

what keeps me returning to the rivers. Since my first time on the water over 50 years ago, it’s been the experiences that keep calling me back. My will is to live new memories and never let them go. If there’s a desire for new anglers to learn, they will. But no matter how much they learn or eventually know, what’s ultimately going to keep them coming back to the water is their personal experience. For some, briefly escaping work, the internet, TV or the crazy state of our world may be all the reason they need to go fishing. It should not matter that the experience takes place on a pristine river or stocked pond a stone’s throw from an interstate. What matters is the experience. I’ve been fishing for 56 years. My dad has been fishing for 77 years. We still love to get on the water together, whether it’s a local lake trolling for trout, a nearby river chasing salmon or steelhead, or a remote stream in Alaska. Just keep fishing and the experiences will be worthwhile while memories are made. That’s the beauty of fishing, and all you have to do is make a little time and enjoy the opportunities we are so blessed to have. CS Editor’s note: To book your Alaskan fishing adventure, visit scotthaugen.com, where you can also get signed copies of Scott’s many books. Follow Scott’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

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calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

HUNTING

Every spring and summer, author Scott Haugen hunts California ground squirrels with his dogs, which create numerous training situations. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

SPRING TRAINING SHOULD INCLUDE HUNTING TOO By Scott Haugen

break down my spring dog training sessions into four categories: fixing what needs fixing; staying in shape; having fun; and hunting. Yes, hunting. First and foremost comes fixing what flaws I saw last hunting season. For me, it was cutting down on the aggressiveness of Echo, my female dog, when hunting with other dogs. To do this, I’m training with bird skins

and wings, disciplining her to focus on pleasing me and not getting too wrapped up in the bird. Next, I’m training her alongside my male dog, Kona, that she was most competitive with on retrieves last season, even to the point of taking birds out of Kona’s mouth as he brought them in. It’s taking time and discipline, but it’s working and we’ll be ready for next season.

MY SECOND SPRING TRAINING goal is to keep my dogs in shape. One of the

biggest mistakes hunters make in the off-season is letting their dogs get lazy and out of shape. Nothing cuts a dog’s life shorter than being overweight. My vet once told me that by taking off Echo’s extra 1 1/2 pounds one summer, I added a year to her life; that’s how critical a good diet and exercise are to a dog. To keep my dogs in shape, I run them twice a day, going on hikes at least three times a week. My dogs are pudelpointers and have slender

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

HUNTING back ends, so I keep those muscles in shape by running them up hills and in rough terrain, where they have to push with their back legs. Do intense training in the morning and evening, when it’s cool, so dogs don’t overheat. As water temperatures warm up, swimming is a great way to keep dogs in shape. Running them alongside you on a mountain bike is another good option, because simply jogging with your dog won’t get them in shape, as it’s too slow for them. Third, have fun with your dog. Having fun both inside and outside provides great mental stimulation for your dog. Be sure and change things up because you don’t want your dog to get bored. Take them to different fields to play, as well as different places in the yard and even in the house on

Running your dog in rugged terrain keeps them strong, in good shape and toughens their feet. (SCOTT HAUGEN) 66 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

those rainy days. Having fun with your dog still requires communication, which helps to continuously build the bonds between you and your dog, while allowing you to instill discipline and other important training rules.

FINALLY, GO HUNTING WITH them. A dog’s level of intensity instantly escalates once you break that gun out, even in the spring and summer. Go on a hunt for varmints or invasive birds and your dog will be forever grateful, not to mention put into a great training scenario. My dogs love hunting California ground squirrels and it’s great restraint for them being by my side as I cover ground, making them hold when I shoot, then directing them on retrieves. Marking an approaching duck or

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calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2022 California Sportsman

HUNTING flushing quail is easy, but not often do dogs see ground squirrels before you shoot, meaning control and communication are important to achieve a successful retrieve. One summer I was at a dog trainer’s house when he pointed at a giant cherry tree. “That right there is my most valuable training tool. I’ll sit here all day long picking off starlings that come in for the cherries. Dogs of all ages benefit from training while hunting,” he said. Eurasian collared doves are another invasive species that can be hunted year-round in most states, including California. A couple buddies shot 450 of these doves one afternoon in a cattle feed lot, and said they didn’t begin to scratch the surface. Eurasian doves are larger than mourning doves and easy for dogs to mark, and they’re great eating. Rock doves are another invasive species that can occur in large numbers. Rock doves decoy well, making them ideal off-season targets for duck hunters and their dogs. This spring and summer, make every effort to regularly get your dog in the field. Each time you’re out with them is an opportunity to communicate and train. And the more exercise and hunting they can get, the better hunting dogs they’ll be. CS

Eurasian doves are an invasive species that can be hunted year-round in most states, making them ideal birds for off-season training. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

68 California Sportsman MAY 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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.

California Sportsman Mag - May 2022

Articles inside

The Editor’s Note: Memories of the Mother Lode

TAKE THE OVER ON CAMPING ADVENTURE

THE FIGHT TO SAVE STEELIES

Include hunting in spring gundog training

Outdoor calendar

FRIENDS AND FISHING