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Sportsman
California Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource
Volume 6 • Issue 8 PUBLISHER James R. Baker ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Dick Openshaw EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Brittany Boddington LEAD WRITER Tim E. Hovey CONTRIBUTORS Bill Adelman, Steve Carson, Jason Haley, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Jeff Lund, Albert Quackenbush, Bill Schaeffer, Mike Stevens, Lorissa Soriano, Dave Workman SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Becca Ellingsworth, Mamie Griffin, Steve Joseph, Garn Kennedy, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold DESIGNERS Lisa Ball, Sonjia Kells, Sam Rockwell, Liz Weickum PRODUCTION MANAGER John Rusnak PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Kelly Baker INBOUND MARKETING Jon Hines OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTING Audra Higgins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Sauro INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn CIRCULATION MANAGER Heidi Belew ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com. ON THE COVER If you have a week (or even a long weekend), the Eastern Sierra Nevada’s fishing lakes, rivers and creeks will be full of trout this month, plus savvy guides like Brad McFall around to help you land one of these trophy rainbows. (BRAD MCFALL/ THETROUTFITTER.COM)
MEDIA INC PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S., Suite 190 Tukwila, WA 98168 OREGON OFFICE 8116 SW Durham Rd • Tigard, OR 97224 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com 8 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
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CONTENTS
VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 8
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THE YUCATÁN PLAN Brittany Boddington, our globetrotting Urban Huntress from L.A., heads south of the border this month to hunt the lush jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula. While there, Brittany endured oppressive humidity and insects, but that didn’t stop her from scoring several colorful ocellated turkeys – one while using an unusual tactic! (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 35 39 57 63
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75
97 107 115
Book excerpt: Leaving California’s weather, fly fishing for Alaska Planning your Eastern Sierra fishing trip Recapping May’s Clear Lake Team Bass Tournament Catch Barrett Lake bass despite drought-caused low water SoCal tuna bite beginning to buzz Don’t waste that bluefin’s “collar” Late spring prime time for feral hogs Raising girls to be hunters The SoCal Bowhunter: Carrying on Dad’s legacy
DEPARTMENTS 13 29 29
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The Editor’s Note The Dishonor Roll: Sentences for serving whale meat at sushi bar Outdoor Calendar Daiwa, Browning Photo Contest winners
FEATURES 15
SNAKE CHARMER Sharing the trails with venomous (but mostly nonagressive) rattlesnakes is something to accept without freaking out, if you’re any kind of California sportsman. Our veteran all-around outdoorsman and biologist Tim Hovey shares his stories about a fascination with snakes, how to identify and avoid bites, and what to do if a rattler strikes.
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JUNE’S TROUT HOT SPOTS The drought will make summer trout fishing tricky, but our Northern California guru Jason Haley knows these waters well and tells us where
there is enough to cast flies for chunky rainbows. Haley focuses on famed fisheries like the Pit and Fall Rivers, Baum Lake, Eagle Lake and others in the state’s trout-rich far northeastern corner.
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HELLACIOUS HALIBUT We picked the brain of Orange County angler Craig Adkinson, a regular around the jetty-filled harbors of the Southland in search of large halibut. Finding these big and tasty creatures starts with knowing locations of underwater sandbars, where the fish go to spawn, but there are other tricks too, Craig reveals.
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DOG DAYS OF SUMMER Hunting ducks with your dog conjures up visions of chilly California winter days. But training your hound starts in the sweltering summer heat. You don’t want to overdo your training workouts for your canine partner this time of year. But given proper rest and plenty of water breaks makes for a great opportunity to get you and your dog in tip-top shape, as Field to Fire columnist Scott Haugen can attest. And in anticipation of fall’s hunts, Tiffany Haugen has the fixin’s for a great bird-meat salad!
California Sportsman goes digital! Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device. Only $1.89 an issue. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Send address changes to California Sportsman, PO Box 24365, Seattle, WA 98124. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues), 2-year subscription are $39.95 (24 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 3829220 with VISA or M/C. Back issues are available at Media Index Publishing Group offices at the cost of $5 plus shipping. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2015 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 10 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
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THEEDITOR’SNOTE
A breaching humpback whale in Monterey Bay is free of the commercial crab lines that are put out in the same waters. Seven of about 30 whales that were entangled last year died. (DR. MRIDULA SRINIVASAN/NOAA) hen it comes to go-to items at your favorite California seafood restaurant, it’s tough to top a big plate of crabmeat. That’s why commercial crabbing is a vital part of the state’s fishing industry. But environmental groups are steamed with crab fishermen after a rash of whales have gotten entangled in gear off the California coast during their annual migration. In 2014, as many as 30 whales, primarily grays and humpbacks, were entangled in crab lines. Seven of those died. The Los Angeles Times reported another 25 whales have gotten caught in lines this year. Something needs to be done going forward to prevent those entanglements as the general commercial Dungeness crab season wraps up on June 30. “There are a couple of things going on here, and they’ve become political,” UC Davis research biologist Jennifer Renzullo told the Times. “For some reason, perhaps because of unusual conditions at sea, humpback and gray whales that tend to migrate through the areas such as Monterey Bay have been spending more time there. Coincidentally, the crab population was healthiest there this year, in terms of harvesting.” Adds San Francisco crab fisherman Larry Collins, in an interview with the Santa Cruz Sentinel: “Fishery management is always a balance between managing a public trust resource and not doing environmental damage. Management’s not easy … We like the whales. Whales are cool. We’ve got nothing against whales. It’s just that we work the same ground.” Point taken. But the Pacific Ocean should be plenty big enough to avoid the senseless tragedy of one of the sea’s most iconic creatures. Considering an investigation uncovered that whale meat was being served at a Southern California sushi restaurant (see page 75), don’t expect the human race to be on the holiday card lists of many humpbacks this winter. –Chris Cocoles
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SNAKE HUNTING 101 THE ROUNDUPS OF YORE ARE MOSTLY GONE, BUT ‘SNAKE RUNS’ ARE ANOTHER WAY TO EXPERIENCE CALIFORNIA’S SLITHERERS
across a rattlesnake, the first thing I grab is my camera. And I never get tired of seeing any of the species of rattlesnake that occur in Southern California.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC RATTLESNAKE The southern Pacific rattlesnake can be found close to urban areas anywhere small rodents and ground-dwelling birds exist. This is a very common species and is usually the one encountered by hikers and anyone spending time outdoors. Often referred to as a diamondback for the dark diamond shapes on its back, the southern Pacific comes in a variety of different color schemes. I’ve seen this species from a cinnamon brown to a dark gray in color. A western diamondback rattlesnake shakes its tail. Despite their dubious reputation and potentially fatal venom, most rattlers want no part of interacting with humans. Still, it’s important to be aware of their presence when out in the field. (GARY STOTZ/U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE)
By Tim E. Hovey ’ve always been fascinated with snakes. I will admit that as a youth they absolutely terrified me. While I ran around catching lots of lizards and frogs, whenever I bumped into a snake, I did less catching and more running. As I got older and learned more about them, I began actually seeking snakes out in the hopes of seeing them up close and capturing them. I’d carefully handle the nonvenomous ones, take a few photos and then release them. I did get bit a handful of times, but for the most part the encounters were interesting and educational. Every spring, as soon as it starts to warm up, I begin to see many of Southern California’s snake species out and about again. And as temperatures start to rise, usually during late April to early May, I start slowly searching the backroads for snakes.
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RED DIAMOND RATTLESNAKE This species occurs in the southern portion of the state, and in my opinion is one of the prettiest snakes out there. The body is a uniform cinnamon color, lacking the darker diamond shapes of the southern Pacific. The tail of this species has several black and white bands located just before the rattles.
Southern California has almost 20 different species of snakes, some of which are very comfortable living near suburban areas. Gopher snakes and king snakes are common species in many residential areas, where they find plenty of prey in the form of mice and other MOJAVE GREEN RATTLESNAKE rodents. Those living in more rural areas Also referred to as the Mojave rattlewill see coach whips, patch nose and rattlesnakes, all of which find their required habitat and forage near these less-developed areas. Over the years, I have been lucky enough to find almost all the species indigenous to the Southland. It may seem a little odd, but my favorite snakes to encounter are rattlers. Their diamond-shaped heads, thick bodies and telltale rattles seem to signify authority A warning sign in California’s Sierra Nevada reflects that areas where and an animal that means rattlesnakes are present should be taken with extreme caution. business. Whenever I come (ALAN LEVINE/WIKIMEDIA) JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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When on the lookout for snakes in the desert shrub areas of Southern California, the best time to find rattlers or other species is in the evening hours when temperatures drop. (TIM E. HOVEY)
SIDEWINDER RATTLESNAKE Also called the horned snake, the sidewinder is a smaller desert species that moves over its sandy environment in a sideways manner. A relatively passive species, the sidewinder is tan to sandy in coloration, usually speckled with darker patches on its back. Distinct eye bars extend from the back of the eye over the jaw line. Sidewinders feed on pocket mice, lizards and kangaroo rats.
A DESERT SNAKE RUN When the days get really warm, my daughters and I like to head out to the desert and drive the powerline roads looking for snakes as the temperatures drop in the evenings. We call these outdoor adventures snake runs. During the blazing heat of the day, snakes seek out cooler spots or head underground to avoid overheating. As night comes and temperatures become more bearable, the snakes head out to feed and can be encountered warming themselves on desert dirt roads. We arrive with about an hour of daylight left and the kids usually hit the ground running. Both my daughters have been on snake runs before and they know how to be safe and what to look for. Using their snake sticks, they head out to search the desert terrain. On this trip, Jessica was the first to find a snake. The small sidewinder rattled loudly as we gathered around to check him out. It was a beautiful specimen, and we kept our distance so as to not stress out the snake. We took a few nice photographs, took a waypoint on the GPS and left the snake where we found it. As the sun dropped, we headed 16 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
back to the truck. We grabbed some snacks and drove to the starting point for the evening run. The spot I chose
has almost 20 miles of dirt road that travels through some great snake habitat. It was to be a moonless night and
If you spend any amount of time outside, you’re very likely to run into rattlesnakes. For the most part, these interactions will be uneventful. However, it’s always a good idea to understand the steps in dealing with a rattlesnake bite in the event one does occur. Over the years, the suggested treatment for a rattlesnake bite has changed quite a bit. First and foremost is seeking medical care as quickly as possible. After that, actually doing less during transport is what is highly recommended. Medical professionals recommend doing the following if you ever have to deal with a rattlesnake bite: • Don’t apply a tourniquet to the affected limb. This restricts blood flow and can negatively affect the bite area. • Don’t apply ice to the bite. Ice packs will not slow the spread of venom and constant cold in the bite area could damage the skin. • Don’t cut the bite area and attempt to manually suck the venom out with your mouth. This is never a good idea. • Suction devices contained in snakebite kits can be successful at removing some of the venom if used immediately after the victim is bitten. • Remove all jewelry and restrictive clothing to avoid any issues with swelling. • Keep the victim as calm as possible to maintain a steady heart rate. A calm, steady heart rate will reduce the spread of the venom. • Keep the wound location below the level of the heart to reduce the spread of the venom. • It’s helpful to identify the species of snake, but medical professionals strongly suggest not bringing the snake to the hospital. • Finally, the priority for any rescuer is to get the victim to medical care as quickly as possible. They say that if you’re bitten by a rattlesnake, your best friends are a cell phone and a helicopter. –TH
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ning. Stretched out across the road was a run isn’t easy and you may need to within the hour it was going to be too a beautiful Mojave green rattlesnake. I drive several miles before you encounter dark to see without lights. have encountered this species dozens reptiles. Despite the lack of snakes, the By the time we started driving the of times in the wild and they roads, it was dark and the all seem to act the same way: weather had definitely cooled very aggressively. from the 105-degree daytime True to form, the 3-foottemperature. In the world of long rattler began rattling reptiles, this is the time to move. loudly before we were out of If you’ve ever driven dirt the truck. He coiled defensiveroads at night, you’ll notice ly and never stopped rattling. that small mammals regularly The coloration on this particuuse these cleared spaces to lar specimen was amazing. He prey on invertebrates and to had a uniform green hue and move easily between areas was in perfect condition. I took to search for food. In turn, a few photos, and to keep him snakes will take advantage of safe, we used the snake sticks the open areas of the roads to to move him off the road. prey on the mammals. The southern Pacific is one of the most common rattlers found in Southern A mile later, we added We traveled slowly and California. It feeds on small rodents and mammals. (TIM E. HOVEY) a second sidewinder to the searched the road in front of snakes we encountered on our desert kids stayed positive. us carefully and began the snake run. snake run. A relatively passive snake, We turned down a side road and For the first hour all we spotted were the and smaller than its more aggressive our luck started to change. My friend, occasional kangaroo rat or field mouse. relatives, the sidewinder is unique in beJose, spotted the first snake of the eveSpecifically searching for snakes during
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THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR IS…
This sidewinder rattlesnake blends in nicely with the desert terrain it inhabits. (TIM E. HOVEY)
havior and appearance. The sidewinder will bury itself in the sand and ambush prey that passes by. It possesses eye horns, or supraocular scales, that may aid in protecting the eyes in the sandy environment.
The sidewinder posed nicely for photos and remained calm the entire time. It was getting late, so we moved the snake off the road and called it a night. With three snakes encountered and two species recorded, it was defi-
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• Leave firewood at home – buy or collect firewood where you camp. • Use firewood in the same county or region where it was cut. • Bring only what you’ll need, and burn responsibly.
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I do understand the fear that snakes invoke in many. I used to experience the same emotion before I understood the reptiles’ behavior. If you take a few seconds to watch a snake react during your next encounter, you’ll notice that they form themselves into a defensive posture and position themselves to escape. In short, they want no part of interacting with a human. Fear is natural when it comes to dealing with snakes, but many species help keep prolific mammal populations in check. Even rattlers provide a valuable service in the wild and, in my opinion, are the most unique and beautiful species of snakes out there. Next time you encounter a snake of any species, take a few seconds and watch it react. I guarantee that as you do, any fear you may have will turn to appreciation and respect. CS
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Another Sizzler From Nosler
COMPANY RELEASES WARP-SPEED-FAST .28-CALIBER BULLET By Dave Workman ast year it was the new 26 Nosler that was making headlines, and this year, the folks in Central Oregon have come up with even more sizzle, the 28 Nosler, and it’s getting noticed. Like its older sibling, the 28 Nosler’s parent case is the .404 Jeffery, necked down to .28 caliber (7mm). It is being advertised as “the most powerful 7mm cartridge commercially available,” and considering the reported ballistics, that’s a pretty easy claim to back up. The .404 Jeffery is not a belted case, so you’ve got magnum horsepower out of a cartridge that does not have “magnum” written all over it. According to Nosler’s Zach Waterman, there are two initial ammunition offerings, from Nosler Trophy Grade ammunition of course. One pushes a 160-grain AccuBond, the bullet with the white polymer tip that I’ve personally come to favor in my .30-06 loads, and the other with a 175-grain AccuBond Long Range projectile. The 165-grainer leaves the muzzle at a phenomenal 3,300 feet per second, while the 175-grain bullet moves out at 3,125 fps. Those speeds are from a 26-inch barrel.
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LET’S TALK ABOUT that for a minute. The AccuBond is a marvelous bullet in my humble opinion. It’s accounted for three of the last four bucks I’ve clobbered at distances ranging from over 200 yards to almost 400 yards. The fourth buck tumbled to a 165-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip out of a Savage bolt-action chambered for the .308 Winchester at about 250 yards downhill. Polymer-tipped bullets have rather grabbed my fancy over the past few years because they won’t get dinged at the tip when running up a feed ramp into a chamber. I’ve loaded ammunition over the years with different polymer-tipped
bullets of the same weight that work better in some rifles. But the common denominator is the tips stay intact and produce consistent accuracy in the rifles for which they’re tuned. This revelation merely reinforces what I’ve said in this space before about different firearms delivering different results with the same ammunition. I’ve seen this happen too many times to doubt it. But I digress. Waterman tells me that reloading data for the 28 Nosler should be available by the end of this spring. Loading dies are already available from Redding and RCBS, he indicates, and my guess is that we’ll see Lyman and Hornady come up with dies soon, as well. The cartridge’s overall length is 3.340 inches, making it a long-action gem. What about the competition? Well, Hodgdon’s Annual Manual lists a load for the 7mm Remington Magnum using a 160-grain Nosler Partition that smokes along at 2,948 fps when fired up by 65.7 grains of Winchester Supreme 780, while my Speer Loading Manual offers one load with a 160-grain boattail that leaves the muzzle at 3,012 fps ahead of 70.0 grains of Re25. At 175 grains, the Hodgdon manual lists one load for the 7mm Rem. Mag. warping along at 2,800 fps ahead of 68.0 grains of Retumbo.
time and with less likely effect from the wind. A bullet that leaves the muzzle at 3,300 fps crosses 400 yards in less than a half-second. A big game animal will not hear the muzzle blast before the bullet strikes. By that time, noise comes too late to give an alert. The downrange energy of the 28 Nosler is reportedly such that it rivals the muzzle energy of other popular cartridges. That is another consideration. We’re all after one-shot stops; humane and quick. The 28 Nosler chambering is available in three rifles from, you guessed it, Nosler.
WHY’S SPEED IMPORTANT? Anybody who asks that question anywhere west of the Mississippi ain’t from around here. Faster bullets shoot flatter, in less
The 28 Nosler is being advertised as “the most powerful 7mm cartridge commercially available.” Based on a .404 Jeffery necked down to .28 caliber, depending on bullet weight, fires out of a 26-inch barrel at 3,100 to 3,300 feet per second. (NOSLER) JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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The 28 Nosler chambering is available in three rifles from Nosler: the M48 Patriot (pictured here), M48 Heritage and M48 Custom. (NOSLER)
They’re all bolt actions: the M48 Heritage, M48 Patriot and M48 Custom. But I’m expecting other rifle makers to unveil models of their own because the 28 Nosler looks like it can deliver the goods out here in the West, where shots across canyons or prairies are pretty common, from the Missouri Breaks to the sage country of northeastern California and inland Oregon to the mountains of Washington and Wyoming. Meanwhile, the 26 Nosler is no slouch either. This cartridge sends a 6.5mm bullet downrange at speeds well in excess of
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3,000 fps, depending upon bullet weight. When it was introduced a year ago, it impressed me, though I’ve never owned a 6.5mm/.26-caliber anything. But the ballistics got my attention. Any round that can send a 140-grain bullet toward a target at nearly 3,200 fps is worthy of attention, and for predator hunters, there is data available for a 100-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip that comes in just shy of 3,700 fps with a charge of 96.2 grains of US 869. That’s so fast it’s almost scary! With the right bullet and a good barrel, any cartridge will make its mark,
though it’s always a little tougher for a new cartridge to carve out its own niche when there are so many that have come before it with promises that may or may not have been delivered. Time isn’t the only thing that will tell whether the 28 Nosler is everything it could be. That will be determined by sales and, more importantly, notched tags, full freezers, wall mounts and smiles of satisfaction. CS Author note: Always consult a current loading manual for the most up-to-date data, and approach maximum listed loads with caution.
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CENTURY ARMS C39V2 CALIFORNIA-COMPLIANT SEMIAUTO RIFLE, AKA, THE AMERICAN AK Century Arms introduced the first 100-percent American-made AK rifle to the market five years ago, and is excited to now offer the newest addition to the C39 line of rifles, the C39v2, the American AK, to the California market. It is 100-percent American made with no imported parts, is built on a milled receiver machined from a solid 11-pound block of 4140-ordnance quality steel and uses the proprietary Chevron muzzle brake. Enhancements include a T-shaped magazine catch, compatibility with AKM furniture, a bolt hold-open safety, an enhanced dust cover and standard AK sights. The C39v2 is coated with black nitrite and uses the new RAK-1 enhanced trigger group. Its barrel has a concentric left-hand 14x1 metric thread and is ready for a variety of muzzle attachments. The rifle comes with bullet button installed, two 10-round magazines and a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Century Arms, the premier AK manufacturer in North America, has been in business for over 50
years. They provide quality firearms and ammunition at excellent prices to the American collector and sportsman. For more on Century Arms, visit centuryarms.com.
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NOT THE CALIFORNIA ROLLS YOU CRAVE magine you’re sitting down at your favorite sushi restaurant. You watch the selections spin around the table and point to one that you like. You soak it in soy sauce and wasabi and then go to town. How would you feel if the server then asked, “How did you enjoy your whale roll?” Such was the case in trendy Santa Monica and a sushi bar known as – we’re not kidding here, you fans of all things cetacean – The Hump. An undercover operation that included National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration agents busted the restaurant. The alleged marine mammal meat was sent from Southern California to a federal forensics lab in Charleston, S.C., where it was determined to be whale, including some taken from an endangered species, the sei whale. NOAA reports that roughly 80,000 of these giants still roam the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Sei whales are among 2,215 species that are considered endangered and threatened marine creatures. “Forensic results for BY CHRIS COCOLES any wildlife investigation are a crucial piece of the puzzle because it verifies the identity of the species, which really cannot be done any other way,” said NOAA special agent Michelle Zetwo in a press release. “The lab is an essential part in what we do.” In early May, two chefs from The Hump pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Marine Mammal Protection Act. One of the chefs was sentenced to probation and a $5,000 fine, with the other scheduled to receive punishment at press time, according to the Santa Monica Mirror. NOAA reported the supplier of the whale meat is to be sentenced on June 23. The restaurant and its owner Brian Vidor were fined $27,500.
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OUTDOOR CALENDAR JUNE 5-7 Hangman’s Bonus Derby at Convict Lake (convictlake.com) 6 Lake Berryessa Trout Derby (ciffi.org) 13-14 New Melones Lake Team Kokanee Derby (kokaneepower.org) 20 Fresno Scottish Rite Shaver Lake Fishing Derby (fresnoscottishrite.com) 20 Independence Fishing Derby, Dehy Park (760-878-2037) 20-21 Fred Hall Father’s Day Fishing Tournament, Mammoth Lakes (monocounty.org) 20-21 Modoc Sportsman’s and Outdoor Expo, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Alturas (modocoutdoorrecreationandtourism.org/sportsmansoutdoor-expo) 27 Bridgeport Trout Tournament (bridgeportfishenhancement.com) 27 Troutfest, Hot Creek (monocounty.org) 30 End of Dungeness crab season in most California counties 30 Final day 2014-15 California hunting licenses are valid JULY 1 First day 2015-16 California hunting licenses are valid 4 Free Fishing Day statewide 16 Opening of inland Chinook salmon season in most waters 18 Stampede Reservoir Team Kokanee Derby (kokaneepower.org) 18 Feed the Fish Derby, Lewiston Lake (pine-cove-marina.com) 25 Kids Fishing Festival, Mammoth Lake (kidsfishfest.com) 30 End of Dungeness crab season in Mendocino, Del Norte and Humboldt Counties
Several Eastern Sierra lakes and rivers will be hosting fishing derbies in June and July, so get to the mountains this summer. (MIKE STEVENS)
(NOAA FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER)
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Ever fished the Owens River? Might just be time to... The Other Side of California DEATH VALLEY & THE EASTERN SIERRA
INYO COUNTY www.theothersideofcalifornia.com
BIG PINE, BISHOP, DEATH VALLEY, INDEPENDENCE & LONE PINE
PHOTO CONTEST
WINNERS!
It might have been his warm-up fish to a larger steelhead caught on a trip down Washington’s Hoh River last winter, but this expressive pic wins Eddie Fox a Daiwa hat, T-shirt and scissors for cutting braided line, and puts him in the running for the grand prize of a Daiwa rod-and-reel combo!
Our monthly Browning Photo Contest winner is Don McGinnis, who sent this pic of his Idaho moose, taken last September. It scores him a Browning hat!
For your chance at winning Daiwa and Browning products, send your photos to ccocoles@media-inc.com or California Sportsman, PO Box 24365, Seattle, WA 98124-0365. By sending us photos, you affirm you have the right to distribute them for our print or Internet publications. 30 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
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ALTURAS EXPO FOCUSES ON GETTING KIDS OUTSIDE By Lorissa Soriano Getting kids involved in the outdoors is the mission for this month’s Modoc Sportsman’s and Outdoor Expo in Alturas. (MODOC OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM)
The event includes instructors teaching youngsters how to safely use a bow. (MODOC OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM)
The kid’s fishing pond is always a popular destination to catch a few trout. (MODOC OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM)
he Modoc Outdoor Recreation and Tourism (MORT) Inter-agency group is gearing up to host the fourth annual 2015 Modoc Sportsman’s and Outdoor Expo. This year, the event will be held the weekend of June 20-21. Admission is free to the public both Saturday and Sunday. This special and auspicious event will be held at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Alturas, located in Modoc County, in the far northeastern corner of California. Although this event is a smaller production than those in the state’s larger and more populous areas, we believe that we have something very unique and wonderful to offer the public. The Modoc Sportsman’s and Outdoor Expo is very important to our region in that it provides a way to create much-needed revenue to the economy in Northeast California. It also provides awareness, outreach and information to the public about the vast recreational opportunities available here, as well as our unique and diverse natural, cultural and historical resources. Most importantly, this event focuses on youth outdoor activities. Children have an opportunity to work hands-on with outdoor professionals on a myriad of outdoor activities – hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, camping and others. As they get incorporated into each activity, children also learn about ethics, responsibility, accountability, sportsmanship and social conscientiousness. The expo is quickly becoming one of Modoc County’s premier annual events. The response we had last year from the community and visitors was great.
T
Attendance at the expo nearly tripled since it started four years ago. MORT expects that it will continue to gain momentum in the future. This year’s event highlights include a 3-D archery distance competition shoot, a children’s trout fishing pond/fish-cleaning and cooking station and the annual Modoc youth duck-calling contest. There will be virtual and BB-gun shooting activities, an atlatl-throwing event, disc golf, a hang-gliding simulator and a backcountry horseman “Iron horse” demonstration, as well as various other outdoor activities, vendor booths and more. Our interactive displays are a mustsee – they represent the natural and diverse beauty of Modoc County. The public also has an opportunity to learn about the area’s incredible history, native and pioneering culture, and everything that makes this frontier region in this corner of California so extraordinary. Modoc County has always been a great place for discovering new adventures, hunting, fishing, enjoying and exploring its great natural environment. As we like to say, get fit, don’t sit – explore the Modoc outback. For more information about the event you can contact us at destinationmodoc@gmail.com, or you can call Reese Soriano at (530) 640-0125 or Dan Ryan at (530) 640-3848. Contracts and expo flyers are available on our website (modocoutdoorrecreationandtourism .org). New information will be added as updates become available. This event is alcohol/tobacco-free and a family-friendly. CS Editor’s note: Lorissa Soriano is the chief organizer for the Modoc Sportsman’s and Outdoor Expo.
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34 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
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FISHING Following a teaching stint in California, as well as writing several articles for this magazine on Golden State fishing, author Jeff Lund has returned to Southeast Alaska where he enjoys chasing trout and steelhead with his fly rod. (JEFF LUND)
THE LONG TRIP NORTH AN ALASKAN IS TORN AS HE LEAVES CALIFORNIA TO RETURN HOME By Jeff Lund Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from Alaska Sporting Journal correspondent Jeff Lund’s book, Going Home. The book, Jeff’s first, will be released this summer. Visit jlundoutdoors.com to order.
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e weren’t in much of a hurry the Saturday before I moved back to Alaska, so we stood at the tailgate of Nate’s truck and retold the highlights of seven years’ worth of fly fishing trips. Whenever we’ve been together lately it’s been like this. Our memories are told with increased vigor and embellishment as my move nears. Thousands of days (and dollars) ago, we enhanced the off-the-clock part of our lives by becoming consistent fly fishermen. It might seem funny that our stories rarely involve fish, but while that is a good part of the point, the good stories require more chaos than catch. Good stories need things like goose attacks. Good stories require forgetting sleeping bags, fly reels, fly boxes, nets, tent poles, or food. Good stories need a tattooed dude freshly released from prison wanting to learn how to fish, then waiting by the only exit from the otherwise empty campground for you to drive by because he wants a ride into town to get money. Good stories need face plants, broken rods, holes in waders, broken waders, flooded waders, exploding chili cans, exploding apples, JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING raccoons stealing marshmallows, sudden and dramatic bowel movements, shellfish food poisoning, and obnoxious songs on repeat. Good stories require Jeeps to be head-butted.
“It makes little sense, in a society that values and provides security, to leave for bigger rivers with more fish,” Lund writes, “but so much less of what contemporary society deems comfortable.” (JEFF LUND)
I SOMETIMES TAKE notes about river flows, time of day and patterns used on my trips, but I can’t tell you how many fish I’ve caught or how big all
We told more stories, good ones that made my cheeks hurt. After that day, there would be more fish, but I would have to find new people with which to make stories …
The author, who wo teacher in the Cent rked as a ral Valley, wasn’t sure about lea better weather and ving friends, fly fishing in the Go some fantastic behind, but the lur lden State e of Alaskan steelhead made it an sion to go back homeeasier deci. (JEFF LUND)
of them were. Sure, there have been some monster California browns and rainbows, but really, who cares? After close to an hour of rigging and retelling, the three of us finally went to the water. There used to be a little brown trout that lived behind a rock by our favorite spot, but one opening day, it was gone. Maybe thin water forced it to relocate. Maybe big water flushed it downriver. Maybe it got too big for that spot and moved. That was years ago, and that spot hasn’t really fished well lately anyway, so we walked upriver instead. Since Nate and Brad were nymphing, they split our new favorite spot and I threw dry flies on the opposite side. A few minutes in, I hooked a de36 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
cent rainbow just as the fly started to swing. I brought it in, held it up and took a picture that made it look like the trout was going to eat Nate. I released it, rinsed my hands and in the true fashion of an over-thinker, realized I was living my last story on the Stanislaus River. You don’t think about these things ordinarily, because we aren’t always provided opportunities to assign weight to moments as they are happening. That night, Nate, Brad and a couple other friends came over for a bonfire of broken pallets, old papers, garbage and other accumulation that didn’t make the cut for Alaska.
WHAT IF I didn’t live right when I was in California? You know? What if it was my fault that my life outside of work wasn’t what I expected it to be? I couldn’t move the rivers closer, renegotiate my contract so I could make more money and thus get to the wild more frequently. But I could have made normal days better, I guess. When I went back in March I had a great time with friends because we made time. Of course that was because I had left, and you only think about people in these terms once you miss them. We want people, we need people to help us define ourselves or attach ourselves to words, names or ways of life. Sometimes societal norms help us; other times they hinder. There are times I wish I was brave enough to take on a norm I know isn’t normal at all, it’s oppressive. Other times it’s easy. It makes little sense, in a society that values and provides security, to leave for bigger rivers with more fish, but so much less of what contemporary society deems comfortable. To leave what is good and solid and sturdy for the unknown. You make that sort of risk at 18, not at 31. I didn’t have a choice, but I really did. No one would have blamed me if I stayed. But no one thinks I did the wrong thing. CS
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FISHING
THE SEVEN-DAY PLAN HAVE A WEEK TO FISH THE EASTERN SIERRA? TRY THIS ITINERARY
The Upper Owens River is fairly easy to access via walking, so it’s a convenient spot to head on the first day of your week of Eastern Sierra fishing. (MIKE STEVENS)
By Mike Stevens
W
ith a quarter-century career of Eastern Sierra fishing in my rear-view mirror, I feel I can maximize the efficiency with which I chase trout up there by following a finely tuned, day-by-day game plan for trips of various lengths. For nearly three decades, I have discovered new spots, eliminated some others, and have taken a wide variety of factors into consideration when deciding on which day of the trip I will make each outing. Obviously, this attack plan is geared toward the type of fishing I do, the areas I do it in, and where I’m based. So I don’t expect anyone to do exactly what I do, but maybe if you see where I’m coming from and how I get there, you can come up with a similar playbook of your own. Since my standard trip length is a
week – give or take a day – and it’s based out of Mammoth Lakes, that is what I have outlined here. It admittedly reeks of OCD, but at the same time, it eliminates a ton of wasted time that could otherwise be used spanking some trout.
DAY ZERO This is my travel day. I call it Day Zero because fishing opportunities are limited after a six-hour drive, and if I don’t catch anything, that would otherwise mean a Day 1 skunk, and that’s just not the way I want to get a trip started. However, Day Zero fish are bonus fish that I do count in the tally for the trip. Any Day Zero fishing is going to be done somewhere low maintenance, such as a drive-up spot that I won’t need to unbury any special gear to get to. In recent years, I have readied a rod to fish so that if I decide to check a spot out before I
Trout as beautiful as their surroundings can be found in the Eastern Sierras; this brookie came from Skelton Lake, a hike-in water. (MIKE STEVENS)
reach my lodging and unload, I can get in the game easily. My Day Zero spots have included Convict Lake, the Mammoth Lakes Basin, Convict, Mammoth and McGee Creeks, and even spots hours south on Highway 395, like the streams coming out of the mountains between Lone Pine and Bishop. I have also done pretty well just turning off wherever I see one of those fishing road signs and go where it takes me. JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING If any fish are caught on Day Zero, I consider it a victory.
DAY 1 On my first full day of the trip, I stick to the easy-access game plan, but it works a little differently when I am working with an entire day instead of just a few hours. I still go to driveup spots, mainly because I am still acclimating to the altitude (the town of Mammoth Lakes sits nearly a mile and a half above sea level) and I’m not going to charge into the backcountry yet. But I am willing to walk a fair amount on flat ground. I want to go to places that I know will have good numbers of fish on the board, even if they are just hatchery rainbows this time out. I want to get a strong start, work the kinks out, and hit the ground running toward my 100-trout (for the week) goal. I hit the Upper Owens for at least part of Day 1. I can drive along
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the river, and while I do a fair amount of walking, it’s painless because it’s flat and open. Getting skunked is very rare; the action is wide open and produces gaudy numbers, plus you have a shot at big fish that snuck out of Lake Crowley. Mammoth Lakes and Convict are still on the radar at this point, but Rock Creek Lake has also joined the fray After a nice dinner in town, summer in the high country allows because it’s a bit too far out you to head to a secluded spot like Lake Mamie and cast for trout. of town for Day Zero, but (MIKE STEVENS) there’s plenty of time to head down long vacations are over and are now on Day 1. The lake is also easy to get heading out of town, so any spot that around and is very much a drive-up typically receives heavy pressure will impoundment. A boater? Perfect day now be easier to fish. I also want to for this one. fish any spot on my list of favorites because if it kicks butt, I may want to return there later in the week. By DAY 2 now I’ve gotten used to the altitude, Now things are starting to get serious. so at this point I can comfortably do Day 2 is always a Sunday for me, a moderate hike. Saddlebag Lake up which means much of the weekend Tioga Pass is my favorite drive-up crowd or people whose own week-
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FISHING in Mammoth and head out to an easy the hill. On the way down from here, lake on the Eastern Sierras, and it’s spot like the ones listed for Day 1 or 2. I will pull off and fish Ellery Lake by almost a lock for a Day 2 spot. It takes about an hour to get there from Mammoth, and then I DAY 3 will take the water taxi to the Vive la backcountry! Sadfar side of the lake and fish the dlebag Lake is a long day, shoreline right there where but it’s pretty relaxing I’m dropped off. since the water taxi does Anyone else on the boat most of the work, so I’m typically heads right up the fully acclimated to altitrail into the 20 Lakes Basin tude with fresh legs on and I’ll have most of my area Day 3. It’s time to put on to myself. I have caught big some miles, and for me fish here, piled up numbers, that usually means my faand landed them on the fly vorite backcountry vein, rod and any other tactic you the Duck Pass Trail. can think of. Fishing is usually If you drove to Saddlebag Lake around Lee Vining, it’s a short hike from there to With a trailhead near so good here I will start swap- this spectacular fishing hole, Greenstone Lake. (MIKE STEVENS) the back of Lake Mary, ping lures out that are workthis trail brings me to the dam where I have had some ining just to see what else I can catch Lakes Arrowhead, Skelton and Barcredible days on stocked rainbows. them on. ney, in that order. Arrowhead gets Admittedly, I’ve had some skunkers If things should slow down at Sadpassed up by most trail anglers, but it’s too, but it’s right there; I have to do it. dlebag, I’ll hike up the trail and beat full of brook trout and a few Kamloop After lunch at the Whoa Nellie Deli in up brookies with the fly rod at lakes rainbows to make things exciting. Lee Vining, I’ll regroup at base camp as close as a 15-minute scramble up Skelton is a big lake as hike-in
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FISHING waters go, and sometimes fishing is so good there I don’t go any further. Barney, about 3½ miles in, always produces brookies. If I come back having caught any less than 25 fish up there, I’m a little bummed. The base camp regroup usually happens around 3 p.m after this one, and it usually involves a stop at Mammoth Brewing and a nap, but again, a close and easy outing is still on the table that evening.
DAY 4 This is either a hard backcountry day, or my newest addition, a day spent working the San Joaquin River. I explored this area in pretty good detail last year, and I actually feel kind of lame for the fact that it took this long to do so. I pick up the shuttle up near the ski resort that takes visitors to attractions like Devils Postpile, Reds Meadow, Rainbow Falls, and a couple of small lakes and cool campgrounds. Tying all
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OTHER GAME PLANS TO TRY My after-dinner runs are a biggie. After dinner each evening, I will head up to the Mammoth Lakes Basin and fish until dark. I’ll start at Twin Lakes and work my way up, sometimes spending as little as 20 minutes at a spot before moving on if I don’t like the way things look. Almost without fail, one of these lakes is going to produce a handful of fish, or even wide-open action. I like to end up at Lake Mary, because by 7 p.m., people have packed up and left and trout start visibly feeding very close to shore, all over the lake. I’ve had ridiculous fishing tossing Sierra Slammers jigs up to 9 p.m. – even if I’m wearing a headlamp, they’re still biting in the dark. I have also smoked them on long casts with a fly-and-bubble rig, or closer to shore with the fly rod. There are also times when I will get a feeling to check out a spot, earning it a hit on the following year’s seven-day rotation. That’s how I found Ellery Lake, and it’s also why Convict Lake is back on the radar after I gave up on it after a couple bad trips there over a decade ago. Stuff like this can occur at any time. While I’m based in Mammoth, if I get a tip, want to mix up the venue or, in some cases, get chased off the mountain by inclement weather (it takes a lot, but it has happened), I will head down to fish Bishop Creek Canyon. Both forks of the creek and North Lake have always been good to me; it’s just too far out of my zone for me to include it on the annual game plan. –MS this together is the San Joaquin River, which offers a legit shot at a Sierra grand slam – four species in one day – and good fishing on lures or flies. I jump off the shuttle at the fur-
thest upstream access point to the river, and work my way down. Walking along the river is easy through campgrounds and along roads, but it gets to where you need to scram-
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FISHING ble up a hill to get over an obstacle. There is some bushwacking to get to ďŹ shy-looking places, some wet wading, sliding down rocks and so on. So even though it’s all downhill once you get to the bottom, you can jump on the shuttle for a ride back up; it can beat you up. It’s a full day down there, and at the end your legs are tired and scraped up, but it’s a great area to ďŹ sh and well worth it.
DAY 5 Ah, the lazy day. After trekking uphill on the Duck Pass trail and getting beat up by rocks, sticks and exposure along the San Joaquin, sleeping in one day doesn’t seem like the worst idea in the world. Granted, I’m not talking about the Vegas bachelor party sense of sleeping in, but I think I deserve the right to stay in the rack until 7 or so, have breakfast, and get back in the game by 8, or, dare I say, 9 a.m.
At that point, where I ďŹ sh is wide open. It might be the Owens again or a short roadie to the June Lake Loop to ďŹ sh Rush Creek or a lake; or it could be a longer jaunt to Virginia Lakes. I might be a whim to check an area I’m unfamiliar with, but the one activity I am not doing is hiking.
DAY 6 It could be a up a new trail, or back up one I went up earlier in the week like Duck Pass if it was awesome, or really, any spot that stood out as damn close to a sure thing when it comes to ďŹ shing success. Wherever I go, it will be knowing that the end of the trip is near, and I am going to ďŹ sh hard all day, no matter what. Good ďŹ shing can really throw a curveball into the game plan at any time, but that’s a good thing. A few years ago, I ďŹ shed Convict Lake four different days because it was so stupid-good. The following year, I ďŹ shed for an hour and that
was it. As structured and OCD as my attack plan is, it does allow for calling audibles to go where ďŹ shing’s good.
DAY 7 The easiest decision of all is where to go on the last full ďŹ shing day of the trip – the spot where I killed it. Day 7 has been Saddlebag Lake for me so often that it’s the main reason why I know I’m going to hit it early in the week, because I want to make sure going there twice is a possibility. In rare cases, it’s been another day hike – for instance, if I caught 50 at Skelton or something. In years where I have had about the same success rate wherever I went, I might end up at the Owens one more time because of the numbers and quality factor. But at this point, I’m not only ďŹ shing and hoping that I’m about to eclipse the 100-ďŹ sh mark, I’m reecting on the whole trip and trying to determine what adjustments can be made to this seven-day madness next time. CS
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BURNEY’S BEST SNOWPACK WAS NONEXISTENT, BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS GREAT TROUT WATERS AROUND THIS NORTHEAST CALIFORNIA TOWN TO HIT THIS MONTH By Jason Haley
M
ild winters and poor snowpacks have eliminated traditional worries of heavy flows or even flooding on Northeast California’s trout waters. While this year’s early fishing reports are mixed, you won’t have to look hard to find action in this country. Here’s a primer on what you may find near the town of Burney:
PIT RIVER The mighty Pit provides fishing from the mountains of Modoc County to Shasta Lake. The best trout fishing is found from below Pit 1 Powerhouse, between Burney and Fall River off Highway 299, downstream to the Pit 5 reach. The Pit is characterized by semiwild stretches separated by hydro facilities operated by Pacific Gas & Electric. Quality trout can be found throughout the system. Pit 3 is managed for trophy trout, and has a twofish limit, 18-inch minimum and barbless hook regulations. But it wasn’t always that way.
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FISHING The Pit River is one of several great streams to explore, and Eagle Lake and other stillwaters aren’t too shabby either. (ART TETER)
I remember wading the swift water as a kid on opening day and dragging numerous big trout up on the bank; I would string them up on willow branches. Those were the good old days! That management scheme couldn’t last forever, obviously, but it’s still darn good fishing 30 years later. This is relatively big water and can be treacherous during high-water years if you’re not careful. Fairly remote in the old days, accessibility has gotten much better, as PG&E has created numerous pullouts and other facilities in the canyon pursuant to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing requirements for public access. You still have to bail off to reach some of the better holes, but there are several near the pavement, and the road is much safer. This year promises to be good. According to guide Art Teter (530-3366110; artteter.com) in Fall River, the Pit will make it through the drought in good shape. PG&E is required to maintain flows on the Pit 3, 4 and 5 reaches. Flows are maintained, on a daily basis, at 300, 400 and 500 cubic feet per second. “The Pit is looking good for June,” Teter says. “We will start to see the caddis coming off in the evening, along with an array of mayflies. During the day, a good choice would be light tan, olive or black Bird’s Nests, black APs, Gordon’s Princes and black or olive micro mayflies. I like to fish them short-line style, with or without an indicator, on a 7½-foot
5x leader with 2 feet of 5x tippet.” The scenery is amazing, and if you want to fish rough, remote holes, you can find them here – just watch for rattlesnakes.
HAT CREEK Hat Creek is legendary. Located in the beautiful volcanic highlands of Shasta County, it provides trout fishing for anglers of all experience levels and personal objectives. An aggressive stocking program exists from the upper sections near Old Station, downstream to the last Forest Service campground (Bridge) on Highway 89. Access is available for 9 miles, with public campgrounds, day-use areas and pullouts. Trophy brook trout and rainbows to 6 pounds are caught every opener, as some big brooders are stocked each year, and this year was no different. There are also native populations, holdover fish and brown trout, which are no longer stocked. Hat is spring-fed and largely unaffected by drought, despite irrigation withdrawals. Massive wildfires last summer followed by windstorms last winter changed the landscape. The Forest Service has been scrambling to remove downed trees from campgrounds. Fireside Village, a Hat Creek icon, was completely lost. But born of fire, this area will bounce back as it always has. Hat Creek flows through ranches downstream of Bridge Camp. The people are generous and you may
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FISHING be surprised where you are able to fish by simply asking. There are also private campgrounds and RV resorts on this stretch that offer fishing: the Rancheria RV Park (rancheriarv. com) and Hat Creek Hereford Ranch RV Park (hatcreekherefordrv.com). Middle Hat Creek near Cassel is mainly channelized as it flows into a small forebay before dropping into the Hat 1 Powerhouse at Baum Lake. Cassel Forebay has camping and a fishable section that runs under the bridge. Its waters are stocked aggressively and great for beginners and handicapped anglers; there is safe, easy access to the water, and it’s common to see folks in lawn chairs casting bait or lures. Insect hatches are prolific here too, and it’s a great training ground for fly anglers. Baum Lake is also exceptional and is open year-round. It’s next to Crystal Lake State Fish Hatchery (530-3354111) and receives stocker and broodstock trout. Double-digit beasts make Baum one of the best trout fishing lakes in California. The lake only allows electric motors, and a small ramp is available in the parking lot, but bank anglers do just as well. There are a number of hatches, so the fly action can be good. Big Rooster Tails have always worked for me and you can’t go wrong with nightcrawlers. Spring-fed Crystal Lake flows directly into Baum and is another solid trout fishery. Check with the hatchery
Pit River rainbows can be had in June with a variety of mayflies. (ART TETER)
for fishing regulations. Lower Hat Creek, below Hat 2 Powerhouse, is the Holy Grail for fly fishermen. This wild trout section contains about 3 miles of wide open, meandering pools and riffles. Vehicle access is good and a foot trail stretches the entire length to Highway 299 at Hat Creek Park.
FALL RIVER Fall River is a world-class trout destination, famous for its hexagenia mayfly hatches. This wide, slow-moving, meandering river flows from numerous springs that keep it clear and cold year-round. The hydrology is hard to describe, but includes the source at Thousand Springs, Spring Creek, Rainbow Springs (near Dana), Lava Creek, the waters of Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park at Big Lake (a des-
FAB FIVE STOP-AND-SEE SPOTS If you go, check out the following Intermountain Area attractions: Burney Falls: If you’ve never been to Burney Falls-McArthur State Park, just go. If you have, you know there are really no words. Go again. (burney-falls.com) Fort Crook Museum: Here you’ll get a glimpse into local history and prehistory. It’s open May 1 through October, Tuesday through Sunday. (fortcrook.com) Subway Cave: If you like camping, fishing and geology, stay at Cave Camp along Hat Creek and explore the cave. Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery: Off Baum Lake Road, 9 miles east of Burney, brook trout, Pit River rainbows and Eagle Lake trout are raised here. (dfg.ca.gov/fish/ Hatcheries/CrystalLake) Hat Creek Observatory: The observatory has been monitoring the skies above Hat Creek Rim for decades looking for extraterrestrial life (no kidding) and other things. (530-257-2151) –JH 50 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
tination of its own), Bear Creek, the Tule River and Little Tule River. The drought is not an issue, as Fall River produces some 850,000 gallons and 1 million acre-feet per year and sends healthy doses south via a tunnel through Haney Mountain to the Pit 1 powerhouse. The banks are entirely private, making it an amazing, quiet place to test fly fishermen. Fall River has been the subject of litigation and some public access now exists for small crafts. Still, the prolific fly hatches and limited access are what make Fall River a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Teter lives and guides on the river and has 25 years’ experience. He’s already been into the fish this season and expects this month to be good. “June brings the hexagenia limbata,” he says. “They will usually get started mid-June and will go until late July/first part of August – if we are lucky. June also brings out the caddis, PMDs, and, by the end of the month, the callibaetis will start to show up – a favorite among all. With any luck, we should see some decent fishing with dry flies and awesome long-line swinging. We should also start to see the water boatman and damsel come into play.”
EAGLE LAKE This Lassen County gem is the second-largest natural lake (after Clear Lake) within the Golden State. Here,
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Crystal Lake is adjacent to the Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery and boasts a healthy population of rainbows. The lake feeds into nearby Baum Lake. (STEVE BRETH)
a unique hybrid subspecies of rainbow trout have adapted to its harsh alkaline waters. These Eagle beauties grow big and are used as brood stock in hatcheries near and far. The lake opens annually on Memorial Day weekend and trips here have evolved into a tradition for many. Trolling and fly fishing are popular methods, but I’ve had success – and lots of fun – soaking a worm/orange marshmallow above a split shot in about 15 to 20 feet of water. Orange imitates native shrimp. Bait and slip bobbers also work. Float tubers and kayakers do well. With a two-trout daily limit, the lake is managed for trophy fishA damselfly imitation scored this Baum Lake rainbow. Many double-digit trout are landed in this small fishery. (ART TETER)
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ing. The average fish goes 2 to 3 pounds, 4- and 5-pounders are not uncommon, and 8-pounders have been landed. Eagle does get windy and rough, so a sturdy boat helps. However, bank anglers do well in June, as the water is still relatively cold and fish are in the first 10 to 12 feet. Try the rocky shoreline near the youth camp. Eagle Lake trout spawn in some of the tributaries, particularly Pine Creek, which comes from the Caribou Wilderness and crosses Highway 44 before dumping into the lake near Spalding. Low water and drought have been a major concern in recent years, as trout can get stranded. Most launch ramps are out of commission again this year. Only Gallatin (Eagle Lake Marina) has a serviceable ramp presently. A courtesy dock is in place, but the situation could get worse as the season progresses. As of May 16, only 21 to 22 inches of concrete remained underwater at the end of the ramp. Valerie Aubrey (eaglelakefishing.net), a resident and authority on Eagle Lake, provides regular updates on ramp conditions. Check before launching a boat. Aubrey expects this season to be
JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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The Fall River is known for its hexagenia mayfly hatch. This stretch of water northeast of Burney has not been affected by the drought as many other rivers in the state, making it a must-do for trout-chasing fly anglers. (ART TETER) Quaint Motel In Historic Canyon Dam Nestled In The Pines Of Lake Almanor Newly Renovated Lodge Style Rooms with: Destination: Outdoor Adventure •Licensed Guide owner John Crotty •TV’s, Microwaves, Refrigerators, Coffee •Room & Guide Packages Available Pots, AC & Wi-Fi •1/2 mile from boat launch •Retreats, Reunions, Special Events •BBQ’s Available (Briquette, Pellet, Gas) •Outdoor Fire Place Fishing, Hunting, Sports & More •Recreation Room & Guest Kitchen MULTIPLE DISCOUNTS TOO! •Well-mannered pets welcome 530.284.0861•QuailLodgeLakeAlmanor.com• 29615 Hwy 89, Canyon Dam, CA 95923 WHERE THE EAST SHORE MEETS THE WEST SHORE
good despite ongoing drought conditions. Water temperatures have been holding at 58 degrees to around 60 in the shallows on calm, sunny days. This will keep the trout in the top 10 to 12 feet of water and will give shore anglers a good opportunity. Trollers will not have to worry about downriggers. Wind and cloud cover will keep fish shallow. When we spoke, Aubrey had been in her kayak that morning and trout were surfacing all over. Anticipate a productive season.
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There’s nothing like working a creek with a can of worms, grasshoppers or small spinners, targeting every dark hiding place or likely ripple. The Intermountain Area, near Burney, is full of productive small streams. Burney, Upper Rock, Hatchet and Clark Creeks have native and introduced trout and are close together. Burney, below the falls, offers a challenging special-regs section to its confluence with Lake Britton. Upper Burney is good for those looking to get away. Try boating into Clark Creek Falls from Lake Britton. You can rent a boat and launch from the state park. Up Highway 89, Bear Creek can be accessed via a power line or from the turnoff to Pondosa. Beaver dams and logs jams provide deeper water. Above Highway 44, Pine Creek is a five-fishlimit spot with camping nearby. These smaller streams are always pretty good, but monitoring the state plant schedule helps. CS
JUNE NEE 2015 20 015 C 01 California Cal Ca a ifo ffo orni rn niia S n Sportsman Spor ortsm ts t s an
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56 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
FISHING
61-POUND BAG TOPS AT CS-SPONSORED TOURNEY
A PAIR OF EIGHT-PLUS-POUND BASS – ONE ON A CHEVY 350 – POWER LOCAL ANGLERS TO KONOCTI CASINO TOURNEY WIN Anglers head out from the marina at Konocti Vista Casino at dawn to find their favorite spots on massive Clear Lake during last month’s Team Bass Tournament, sponsored by California Sportsman. (JOHN RUSNAK)
C
who split almost $1,900 for winning the tournament. Cole and Gossett have known each other for so long, they laugh it off when other competitors rib them for bickering around the boat dock. They won a team tournament together two years earlier on their home lake. “We just say, ‘Leave us alone; this is the way we work,’” Gossett said of their spats. “It’s all in good fun.” The teams return for weigh-in after a day of tournament fishing on In the first of two arguably the state’s premier bass fisheries. (JOHN RUSNAK) fishing days, Cole and Gossett set the tone by recording the big bass of the day, an 8.78-pound hawg caught by Gossett. “We had fished a place that Cameron had found. We had seen the big one and I tossed a Sweet Beaver in its genalifornia Sportsman was one of the main sponsors for the fifth annual Clear Lake Team Bass Tournament at Konocti Vista Casino last month. In the end, local anglers Cameron Cole of Kelseyville and Lyle Gossett of Lakeport captured the tournament with a total weight of 61.39 pounds. “It just seemed like we couldn’t do anything wrong,” said Gossett,
eral direction. I knew it was a good fish, but I didn’t expect it to be that fish,” Gossett said. “We got her in the boat and it took about 10 minutes because we were fishing light line.” Gossett, who owns his own boat repair business, said their plan of fishing in mostly shallow water (3 to 8 feet) on the first day was executed flawlessly. They were throwing smaller 2- to 3-inch swimbaits and jigs into beds. “What was really over the top about this tournament is I’ve never seen so many fish choke baits. They were just swallowing them,” Gossett said. On the second day, the fishing wasn’t as productive where Gossett and Cole first went, so they headed south on the lake into darker water and found some bass. In the afternoon, they boated back toward the JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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Only 11 of 205 total bass weighed couldn’t be successfully released back into the lake. (JOHN RUSNAK)
Wayne Breazeale scored the second day’s big fish award, this massive 11.62-pounder. It nearly put Breazeale and teammate Gary Barrett atop the leaderboard, but they finished second. (JOHN RUSNAK)
A couple of the bass caught by Lyle Gossett, half of the championship team. (JOHN RUSNAK)
north at the massive lake into deeper water (10 to 11 feet). “We were driving by and saw an engine block in the water, a 350 Chevy block. And then I saw a fish in a bed right beside it, and (Cole) asked, ‘Are you sure it’s big enough?’” Gossett said. “And I said if it was big enough to see it at 30 mph, it was big enough to go back and fish it. We turned around and fished it, and on his second cast the bass took a swimbait. It threw the bait and he made three more casts and ended up sticking his big fish, which I think was a little over 8 (pounds).” Second-place finishers Wayne Breazeale and Gary Barrett came on strong on the second day, with the former weighing the tournament’s 58 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
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Fall River Hotel Fall River Mills California
The Fall River Hotel is centrally located in the heart of Northern California’s Blue Ribbon Trout waters. Come fish 3 of California’s Blue Ribbon Trout streams, the Fall River, Hat Creek, and the Pit River, then relax after a day of fishing with a cocktail at our cozy saloon and a great meal in our dinning room before heading up to your room.
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CLEAR LAKE TEAM TOURNAMENT TOP 10 OVERALL STANDINGS Cameron Cole/Lyle Gossett 61.39 pounds Wayne Breazeale/Gary Barrett 59.99 pounds Lance Collard/Ashley Bixler 57.29 pounds Sandy McGeoch/Bryan McGeoch 54.34 pounds Jesse L. Roach/Jesse M. Roach 53.85 pounds Scott MacKenzie/Jimmy Kuroki 52.63 pounds Marvin Dixon/George Galletti 51.21 pounds Tony Holt/Kelly Eagleton 50.52 pounds Paul Durbin/Franklin Velarde 50.34 pounds John Graves/John Kidd 49.90 pounds By the numbers 21 Number of teams participating 205 Total fish weighed 194 Total fish successfully released 985.22 Pounds of total bass weight 4.61 Average fish weight 46.92 Average total weight per team biggest bass of 11.62 pounds. “The big fish was a fish that I had actually seen cruising in the area the day before. It was rotating between a couple different beds that had males on them,” Breazeale said. “Our thought was maybe it would settle into one of them overnight, so we decided to start in that area for day two. I actually found that fish after about the first 30 minutes and it seemed to be locked on fairly well. I
From left to right, tournament directors Karen and Shaun McCorkle and Carol Dellinger from Konocti Vista Casino. (JOHN RUSNAK)
Tournament champions Cameron Cole (left) and Lyle Gossett show off not just their first-place trophies, but Gossett’s award for the big fish of day one. (JOHN RUSNAK)
worked it for about 35 minutes, and finally got it to eat a floating worm from a long way away.” At the final weigh-in, Breazeale and Barrett totaled 59.99 pounds, just under 2 pounds shy of Cole and Gossett. “Overall, the fishing was a lot tougher than we had planned. Had the tournament been a couple days earlier, the weights would have broken all records, I believe,” Breazeale said. “But the lake received a lot of pressure from fishermen all week, which really hampered the bite for the weekend. I had numerous 10- to 13-pound fish spotted the day before, just to have them disappear on tournament day. Finishing second is always tough, but it beats finishing farther down the list.” CS Editor’s note: For more information on Konocti Vista Casino and its bass tournaments, call (707) 262-1900 or go to konocti-vista-casino.com. JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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62 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
FISHING
DROUGHT SUCKING WATER, BUT BASS PLENTIFUL SAN DIEGO-AREA LAKES LIKE BARRETT ARE PRODUCING FISH, DESPITE SHRINKING SURFACE AREA By Capt. Bill Schaefer
SAN DIEGO—Lake Barrett, the payto-play lake in San Diego’s East County area, is really feeling the
pressure of the California drought. In surface acres, the lake is about one-third of its normal size. All of the Pine Creek and Houser Arm spots are gone or too shallow to fish. Yet
all those bass now pushed into a lake with far less of its usual water capacity will mean great fishing for a while. Opening day here saw fishermen catching anywhere from 15
California’s drought has wreaked havoc on the surface area of popular San Diego bass fishery Lake Barrett, which is about one-third of its normal capacity. But a lot of bass are still swimming in the lake, so for the next month fishing could be strong. (BILL SCHAEFER)
JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING to 50 fish, and some landing even more. Some float tube anglers were not checked to see how many bass they caught. Barrett is now more of an open lake, with rock piles and smaller coves sprinkled around. The northern bass have come off their spawn and are already in packs chasing shad around the lake. You can fish almost any area of the lake and the fish will come by eventually. Open water will also reveal tuna-type boils as the bass corral the shad and attack them. There is no brush in the water and the shore is checkered with large cracks from the drying mud. Please be careful if you get out and walk the banks. Use rocks to walk on any chance you get, and be wary of rattlesnakes – it’s time for them to show. The hot bait has been a white or white-and-chartreuse spinnerbait. You can throw it along the shore or in open water. I sampled the lake on
64 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
Joel King scored this Lake Barrett bass on a white spinnerbait tossed towards fish breaking in open water. (BILL SCHAEFER)
a press trip a week before the opening and the spinnerbait was truly the best bait because of the bass keying on the shad. The old reliable Yamamoto Senko and Ika also scored well. I also threw a Matt Lures bluegill and scored a little better quality of bass up to 4 pounds. The thing about this lake is that you can throw almost any lure and do well. Even fly fishermen can really enjoy a great day of bass fishing here. Lake Barrett is limited to 25 boats with a maximum of four anglers each, but most anglers keep it to two in the boat. New this year are float tube and shore entries, which are limited to 25 fishermen. Anyone fishing must get tickets from TicketMaster (800-745-3000). They go on sale the second Tuesday of the month for the following month’s fishing. Tickets go on sale at 7 p.m. and remain on sale until all the month’s fishing days are sold out, even if it takes a few days. CS
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ou’ve saved your money, you’ve been thorough in your research, and you haven’t made a hasty decision – and now you have your dream fishing boat for taking on California waters. It might be a loaded bass craft ready to take on double-digit Southland largemouth. Or perhaps it’s a jet sled for tackling Sacramento River fall-run Chinook. Whatever the size, whatever the species, you’re ready to earn a captain’s greeting from your fishing partners. But what’s a boat without the proper swag to make your fishing experience a perfect one? You need the best fishing rod, the bass-slaying swimbait, the top-of-theline sunglasses and the most effective protection from Mother Nature. The good news is, even in a drought year, there is
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plenty of water to explore. Mountain lakes like Tahoe are a great place to troll for Mackinaw or brown trout. San Francisco Bay will soon be full of kings entering the Golden Gate on their way to spawn in the Central Valley rivers. Do you live closer to Los Angeles? Try the Eastern Sierra’s large lakes like Crowley or Convict. This month is an ideal time to catch some hard-fighting rainbows before the kids get out of school and the area is buzzing with tourists. So as you prepare to hitch your new outdoor toy onto the trailer, seek out the nearest launch and christen it with its maiden voyage, take a look at the diagram we’ve put together. You can’t go wrong with any of the equipment we’ve showcased. Good luck as you plan to enjoy the Golden State’s lakes, rivers and saltwater fisheries. CS
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FISHING
TUNA TIME COMES EARLY BLUEFIN AND YELLOWFIN HAVE MADE THEIR WAY UP FROM MEXICO TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S COAST By Capt. Bill Schaefer
SAN DIEGO—Can you believe what is happening? Is it real? As we’ve all waited for tuna to arrive off California, many boats have already been taking advantage of fish that have migrated into American waters early. Bluefin showed up in April, with yellowfin following suit in May. Sportfishing boats are taking trips already and scoring! It’s not yet 2014’s wide-open bite, but the early showing should mean we are in for even better action than last year – and I can’t imagine it being much better than that! After some sportfishing boats reported seeing fish close to home, private boaters went exploring in April and caught a few bluefin. Then more boats started exploring for yellowfin and had some pretty good success. The best news was the proximity of fish to San Diego and American waters. There has been a push of warmer ocean currents into the north off Mexico and Southern California. Yellowtail have bit right through the winter, and now tuna have shown extremely early, so it’s time to get ready. Don’t wait until the last second to get your tackle in order. Spooling new fishing line, checking drags and oiling up that reel should keep you from losing the big one. Take a chance and jump on an exploratory trip; you just may score before all your friends.
Jeff King shows off a bluefin tuna. That the species is already swimming just outside the Coronado Islands could mean a banner year for California sportsmen. (BILL SCHAEFER)
If you’re a private boater, you have a little more on your to-do list to get ready. You don’t want to be 30 miles out and have your bait tank die – or your boat, for that matter. Boat maintenance is especially important when roaming out so far. Make it a safe trip. Last year, fish ran between 15 and 50 pounds, so you will need some good line, probably at least a test of 25 pounds. Some fishermen run Spectra or braid with a fluorocarbon leader. I used 50-pound Maxima braid with a 25-pound-test fluoro leader last year and did fine. Hooks were Mustad 2/0
or 3/0, as most of the bait were sardines. Last year most fish were seen boiling on bait. Watch for birds diving in the distance, loop upwind of them and drift through as you’re throwing bait. If you get the school to you, it can be nonstop action. One hint is for everyone to take turns throwing some bait out to keep the school around. The yellowfin came in as close at 9 miles last year and they may come closer and in larger numbers this year. You may be able to pack your freezer – and at this rate, you may have to buy another. CS JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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74 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
FISHING
FINALLY, AN EASYTO-SWALLOW RULE
Tuna provide California anglers with lots of loins and steaks, but new rules require keeping the fish’s collar, or kama, which is highly sought by chefs. (JEREMY KEITH/FLICKR)
TUNA FILLETERS NOW REQUIRED TO KEEP COLLAR COVETED BY SUSHI CHEFS; GEAR UP FOR LONG TRIPS By Steve Carson
W
hat the heck is “tuna kama?” New filleting regulations for all tuna species caught in California waters require that the fillets must have the skin left on, and the fish’s “collar,” which includes the pectoral fin, be included in the bag together in order to allow enforcement personnel to easily determine species. For decades before this, deckhands have simply been discarding these collars as waste, often just tossing them overboard and saving only the prime fillet. As it turns out, we should have been saving them all along, as the col-
lar section, or kama, is highly desired by chefs around the world. At least in California’s high-end sushi bars, it is most often seen as hamachi kama, which comes from yellowtail (hamachi). However, the kama from bluefin tuna (maguro) is usually quite expensive, and so is not often seen stateside. A popular Los Angeles-based foodie site, Chowhound, explained it thusly: “It would be highly unlikely to find a true, bona fide maguro collar, unless you’ve got some serious fish market connections. The maguro collar is one of the most highly prized, selected cuts from an increasingly rare and highly valuable fish, the bluefin tuna. Its appearance, texture and flavor, surprisingly, approximate that of wagyu beef. Demand far exceeds supply, especially among upper-echelon sushi bars and restaurants, particularly in Japan.”
“If you have enjoyed a meal that included genuine maguro collar, do consider it one of those meals of a lifetime. For home preparation, fresh yellowtail collar may well have to suffice. If not, the search is on, and do expect to dearly reward the purveyor if and when found.” Another popular foodie site, the Japanese Food Report, had this to say about roasted tuna (maguro) collars: “Here’s why you need to befriend your local fishmonger, and fast: tuna collar. While here in America we typically eat fish as boneless filets, I’ve learned that in Japan it’s more often enjoyed on the bone, and for good reason. Like a T-bone in a steak, bones in fish impart incredible flavor to the flesh.” “And there’s another reason fish on the bone is popular in Japan: chopsticks. Chopsticks are extremely precise instruments that can pick out morsels of food a clunky fork could JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING The author with one of the Pacific tuna that have become a staple on California sushi restaurant menus. (STEVE CARSON)
five days’ duration or less, the heaviest combo (No. 5 below) will most likely not be needed, though you can never tell for certain. On most boats, trolling tackle and “kite” tackle can be borrowed from the boat when it’s your turn.
1. 25- to 30-pound live bait combo reel: PENN Fathom FTH15LD2, PENN Fathom FTH15 Rod: Conventional 7- to 8-footer, rated for 15- to 40-pound lines Applications: Albacore, dorado, wahoo live bait, school-size bluefin and yellowfin tuna live bait 2. 40-pound live bait combo Reel: PENN Fathom FTH25NLD2, PENN Fathom FTH30 Rod: As above, but rated 20-50-pound Applications: All-around live bait use for tuna to 50 pounds (single speeds), 100 pounds (two speeds) 3. 50-pound jigging combo Reel: PENN U.S. Senator 113N, PENN Fathom FTH40NLD2 Rod: As above, but rated 30-60-pound Applications: Yo-yo jigging for yellowtail and tuna, wahoo bombs/jigs
never reach, such as around bones! With chopsticks, eating fish on the bone is a joy. This is one piece of fish you can never find at the fish store, unfortunately. I urge you to try baking tuna collar if you can get your hands on one. Yellowtail collar and salmon collar work wonderfully too.” If these bloggers are correct, a lot of folks are going to be experiencing the meal of a lifetime this year!
LONG-RANGE GEAR CHECK Numerous articles have been written extolling the virtues of specialized extra-heavy tackle for chasing “cow” grade yellowfin tuna – those over 200 76 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
pounds – aboard San Diego-based long-range boats. The reality is that cow-size tuna are virtually never caught on trips shorter than 10 days’ duration. From now until the end of October, most long-range boats will be running trips between three and eight days in length. The outline below lists the most commonly recommended rod/reel combos for eight-day trips. Good loaner/rental packages are available from the boat or sportfish landings for first-timers, and new long-rangers can ease slowly into the obsessive tackle collecting that grips a large number of practitioners. For trips of
4. 50- to 60-pound live bait combo Reel: PENN Torque 2-speed TRQ40NLD2, PENN International 2-speed 12VSX Rod: Conventional 6- to 7-footers, rated for 30- to 80-pound lines Applications: Larger tuna to 150 pounds with live bait, medium-duty dropper looping 5. 80- to 100-pound live bait combo Reel: PENN International 2-speed 16VSX, or 30VSX Rod: Conventional 5½- to 7 footers, such as PENN CARBW760H, rated for 50- to 130-pound lines Applications: Larger-grade tuna to 200 pounds or more; heavy-duty dropper looping CS Editor’s note: The author loves hearing from California Sportsman readers and can be reached at scarson@sunset.net.
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78 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
FISHING
CALIFORNIA’S HARBORS ARE TEEMING WITH TASTY HALIBUT By Chris Cocoles
Y
ou can’t catch ’em until you find ‘em. Throughout the California coast from San Francisco to San Diego, plenty of large halibut await anglers who know where these bottomfish are congregating. Southern California-based angler Craig Adkinson prepares for his halibut trips by analyzing Google Earth – not for directions to his favorite spots, but to study the sea floor off the coast. “When you look at Google imagery from above, you can see where there is sand and say, ‘That’s a good place to fish for halibut,” says Adkinson, who lives in the city of Orange near Santa Ana. He cites harbors and bays like Dana Point, Oceanside, San Diego, Newport and Oxnard, among others, as areas with good sandbar cover for halibut. “You want to look for a current break where there’s an influx of bait. You have to look for a current coming over anywhere where there’s a shallow-water sandbar hump, and that’s where we typically fish,” Adkinson says. “In that, you want to find inside or outside harbors, where there are manmade jetties with huge boulders and rocks.” Halibut can be found on humps as deep as 50 feet, but they can also swim
in as little as 5 feet of water at the bars’ most shallow points, Adkinson says. The fish look to those sandy areas to spawn, which usually occurs from late spring into early summer. Halibut will spawn at various depths, but mostly between 15 and 25 feet of water. A key variable in this scenario is to find schools of baitfish around these sandbars; when you locate them, “then you’re going to catch fish,” Adkinson says. “You’ll catch a lot of shorties,” he admits, “but if you’re fishing a sandbar and not getting bit, the one thing my buddies and I have noticed is to move to another one. Don’t stay there and keep fishing, because if you’re not catching even short halibut, there aren’t any halibut there.” If you do begin catching fish under the 22-inch minimum size, keep at it and you’re more than likely to begin landing keepers. Adkinson notes the adage: “Never leave fish to find fish.” Of course, having a boat or – what Adkinson prefers – a float tube, provides halibut anglers more flexibility, but you can catch these fish from the beach as well. “You can fish them right from the surf, throwing jerkbaits or dropshotting. We’ll catch the majority of our bigger fish from the shore, so you don’t have to actually have a boat,” Adkinson says. “If you have a boat, that’s
If you can figure out where the sandbars are in the bays and harbors up and down the Golden State, you’re likely to find some nice halibut, like this one Craig Adkinson hefts. (CRAIG ADKINSON)
preferred so you can use your trolling motor or anchor up to keep on the actual (sandbar) hump. But don’t worry if you don’t, as you can catch these fish right from the jetties or on the sand.” Anchoring up isn’t always required. You can turn off the motor and drift with the current. Dragging live bait with the current can be enticing to a hungry halibut near the bottom. “I use a dropper-loop setup. The weight drags across the sandbar, and with the weight on the bottom, your line comes up going out to your leader,” Adkinson says. “The way that weight drags on the sand, the fish don’t actually see the weight. They just see the disturbance, and it looks like the bait is injured. That automatically creates a reaction strike.”
GET YOUR HOOK ON Halibut can be caught in a variety of ways, but Adkinson would have one request of any angler before preparing for such a trip. “When you fish for halibut, 100 percent of the time you need to have a JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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FISHING (Owner) stinger hook or trailer hook – whatever you want to call it,” he says. “You always want to put a hook at the front of the bait and a hook. These bigger halibut, they’ve probably been caught before when they were smaller, and they’re smart. They’ll come up and ambush (bait). If you throw out a live sardine, smelt or squid, they’ll bite your bait in half, right before the hook. It’s like they know it’s there. I would say 90 percent of our bigger fish are caught on stinger hooks.” Anchovies, sardines and smelt represent most of the bait choices anglers should come armed with. Halibut in deeper water – 50 to 60 feet – will feed on live squid. If live bait isn’t your preference, jerk-style baits made by Lucky Craft, Bass Pro Shops XPs, Bomber, DUO and Yo-Zuri are all good choices. Drop-shot minnow or fluke imitations include Berkley Jerk Shads, Power Minnows, Mijos Minnows,
A good selection of jerkbaits is a valuable addition to your tackle box to chase halibut. (CRAIG ADKINSON)
Zoom Fluke and Basstrix Flash Trix. “It’s doesn’t matter what jerkbait you use as long as you’re imitating the style of bait that you see in your
area,” Adkinson says. When fishing a drop-shot rig, line test should be around 40 pounds (braided Spectra is a good choice)
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FISHING
Adkinson likes using his personal watercraft on Southern California bays and harbors to fish for halibut. But you can also catch them right from the jetties or the shore if you’re stuck on the bank. (CRAIG ADKINSON)
with a 15-pound fluorocarbon leader. Going too heavy gives halibut a chance to see the line in the water. Live-bait techniques allow for more heavy line on the leader, around 25 to 30 pounds. Some anglers like Adkinson will purchase the second rod stamp (about $14) to give themselves two lines in the water to mix and match with tactics with.
Adkinson with a halibut caught off Southern California, which has plenty of sandbar-filled harbors flatties full of fish. (CRAIG ADKINSON)
“I’ll fish and throw out one live bait setup and let that drift, and while I’m doing that, on a second rod I’ll throw either a jerkbait or dropshot setup,” Adkinson says. “That way you get the best of both worlds.” California halibut are smaller than the massive Pacific halibut located north into Oregon and up to Alaska, but these fish can grow to
up to 60 pounds. There’s a threefish limit north of Big Sur and a five-fish limit south of Big Sur, and, again, all keepers must be at least 22 inches long. CS Editor’s note: Craig Adkinson is on the pro staff for Phenix rods, Owner hooks, Izorline fishing line, Wiley X sunglasses and Mijos Minnows lures.
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Best of Baja
84 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
FISHING
GEARING UP FOR MEXICO PICKING THE RIGHT TACKLE FOR A BAJA FISHING TRIP By Tim E. Hovey
A
fter the excitement of booking a ďŹ shing trip to Baja ďŹ nally sinks in, most anglers will go through the anguish of trying to ďŹ gure out what gear they need to bring. The well-prepared will want to be ready for anything ... which usually leads to overpacking. Believe me, I’ve been there. I’ve shown up on the shores of the Sea of Cortez with so much gear that guides seriously thought I had a few more anglers assigned to my boat. After several trips south of the border to ďŹ sh, I quickly realized I wasn’t using half of what I packed. From those early experiences, I settled on a reďŹ ned list of rig sizes that seems to cover a majority of the big game ďŹ sh Baja offers:
20- TO 30-POUND OUTFIT In the world of Baja, this is considered a light line-class rig. I’ve caught everything from small mackerel to use for bait, to 100-pound sailďŹ sh with this rig. It’s ideal for line-shy game ďŹ sh like pargo, and can handle many of the nearshore species like
roosterďŹ sh, cabrilla and triggerďŹ sh. It’s also my go-to rig when ďŹ shing the shark buoys for dorado.
30- TO 50-POUND OUTFIT This midsized rig is perfect for trolling larger artiďŹ cial baits like Rapalas and tuna feathers. Most of the larger game ďŹ sh I’ve caught in Baja have come on this rig. When we’re ďŹ shing for marlin or sailďŹ sh, this is the set-up the guides usually grab. Put on a rod belt and this outďŹ t will be perfect for large yellowtail and yellowďŹ n tuna. It’s a great universal rig for a majority of the big game ďŹ sh you’ll encounter in Baja.
60-POUND OUTFIT OR LARGER I added this rig to the arsenal after losing a huge dogtooth snapper in the rocks years ago. When you target large game ďŹ sh in relatively shallow water, you’ll need something sturdy. An outďŹ t with a heavy drag and 60-poundclass line is needed to literally keep these toothy beasts from making it back to their rocky lairs. This rig can also work as a pelagic trolling rod. I think terminal tackle is more of a personal choice. I always take a healthy selection of different-sized hooks and
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You want heavy-duty reels to combat some of the Sea of Cortez’s monster sailďŹ sh. (TIM E. HOVEY)
The author always take a healthy selection of different-sized hooks and several different colors of trolling lures like Rapalas. (TIM E. HOVEY)
several different colors of trolling lures (Rapalas). I also take a wide selection of casting lures, spare spools of line and an assortment of weights. And you can never go wrong bringing a dozen or so sabiki rigs for catching bait. If you’ve booked a trip with an outďŹ tter, give them a call a few weeks before you arrive and ask them what gear they suggest you bring. I’ve always found several of the outďŹ ts in Baja to be extremely helpful when it comes to gear and angling information. CS
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88 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
BB GO LERS OF THE
MAYANS
MEXICO’S LUSH YUCATÁN IS A TURKEY HUNTING PARADISE
A close-up shot of the beautiful iridescent feathers of an ocellated turkey. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON; INSET ABOVE LEFT: PHILLIPN, WIKIPEDIA)
By Brittany Boddington
T
Filled with lush flora, brocket deer, peccary and ocellated turkey, the jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula represent a diverse ecosystem. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
here is a lot more to do in Mexico than drink tequila and lie on the beach! Down in the Yucatán Peninsula there are some great hunting opportunities. I had never thought of hunting in Mexico, but when the opportunity came up I jumped on it. Jose Enrique Camera is the owner and guide with Tan Kab Outfitters (tankab.com) and would be taking me on my first jungle adventure. The Yucatán is about as far south as you can go without leaving Mexico. It was the home of the ancient Mayans and is rich in its culture and historical relics. I was concerned about traveling with firearms to Mexico because of all the turbulence over the last decade, but it was no problem. My camerawoman Kelly and I flew in and went through customs, and the police who checked the guns were JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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The author’s Kreighoff K-80 12-gauge, slung over her neck above, did its job on this trip, and she wondered if it wasn’t the first of the German company’s fine shotguns to be toted around the Yucatán’s jungle. Who knows, but getting through customs with her firearms was less stressful than anticipated. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
friendly. Although it took some time, the process was pretty easy. We stayed the night in Merida, which is truly a wonderful city and is located near the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula. It was safe and friendly and we walked around the square in the evening and visited its cathedral.
THE NEXT MORNING we drove out into the jungle. I had never done a jungle hunt before and I was excited to see the flora and fauna. It was March and the weather seemed nice on the forecast, but as we got deeper into the jungle, the heat and the humidity rose dramatically. The camp was beautiful; it was all tents with a generator running the lights and a tented shower and bathroom with fresh 90 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
water from a tank that was trucked in. The tents were big – six beds in each, with an air conditioner cut into the tent wall. The AC really came in handy in the evenings to cool down the room just enough to sleep before the generator was switched off. I was hunting for brocket deer, peccary and ocellated turkey, with the possibility of finding some other birds along the way. There was a lot of rain last year and the plant life was thriving. The canopy overhead was thick and full and gave a lot of much-needed shade. The ground was covered with vines, leaves and ants of all shapes and sizes. It was difficult to walk without tripping on the vines, but the view was very worth it. The area we were hunting was
full of Mayan ruins. We were stepping over the pillars of ancient buildings and walking through the villages that were home to the Mayan people around 2,000 years ago. We tried several different approaches, sitting over water holes and walking through the jungle. The sitting didn’t do a lot of good; nothing came in, and the heat and bugs got pretty intense. We used hammocks to sit in the blind and keep ants from crawling all over us. The hammock idea was awesome, as I had never hunted in one before, but will definitely try to use them again. The ocellated turkey is a truly magnificent creature. It looks more like a peacock than a turkey! They only make noise at dawn and
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Fallen pillars and broken Mayan pottery on the ground provided an aura of hunting the land of a lost civilization. Indiana Jones-types obviously haven’t gotten here yet because treasures were just lying amongst the leaves. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
at dusk, as they scratch around on the ground and then fly up to roost in the trees. After a few days of unsuccessful walks through the jungle in sweltering heat, I was starting to get discouraged. There was plenty of sign that the deer and peccary existed in the area, but we never even came close to seeing one. It just seemed like we were unlucky. On the way back from another long day, we spotted a turkey on its way to find a roosting spot. I followed the bird with Kelly and her camera right behind me, and we chased it into the thick and dimly lit jungle. I could see the turkey running but it was shielded by thick brush. I saw an opening ahead of it and waited for the turkey to get into the spot. I took my shot when the turkey was around 40 yards away, and much to my surprise, the shot hit perfectly and the turkey dropped. I raced through the vines to get to the turkey and I was shocked at how
gorgeous an ocellated is up close. The feathers are iridescent purple and teal, truly reminiscent of a peacock.
THE NEXT DAY we went on a long walk but once again came up empty. As the sun began to set, we were heading back to camp when we heard the funny coo of a nearby turkey. My guide Jose had been telling me that they had a very different way of hunting turkey in the Yucatán, and this presented the perfect chance to show me what he meant. Jose motioned for me to follow him and we slowly crept toward the noises. The leaves were dry and they crunched below our feet, so we went very, very slowly. We stayed on our toes and only moved when the turkey made noise. We froze when the turkey stopped and moved again when the bird gobbled. Jose explained that the turkey puts its head back and closes its eyes when it gobbles. We got within range and I slowly
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moved in front of Jose. I was careful to avoid some angry ants swarming below us, and with one final gobble I got in place. The turkey dropped at the shot! Jose was thrilled to be able to show me the way that they like to hunt the turkeys. I had been lucky the day before, but this was his preferred way to do the hunt. After visiting the Yucatán, I definitely no longer think of Mexico the same way. If you are a turkey hunter, you already know about the most beautiful gobbler in the world. If you aren’t, I encourage you to experience this magical place and bird yourself! CS Editor’s note: Brittany Boddington is a Los Angeles-based hunter, journalist and adventurer. For more, check out brittanyboddington.com and facebook.com/brittanyboddington.
94 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
Brittany and guide Jose Enrique Camera pose with her beautiful ocellated turkey, which almost resembles a peacock as much as it does America’s wild gobblers. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
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HUNTING
CURE FOR BIG GAME ‘BOARDOM’? PIGS WHILE FERAL HOGS ARE OPEN YEAR-ROUND, LATE SPRING REMAINS PEAK FOR HUNTING THEM By Bill Adelman
I
Feral pigs are ubiquitous in California; the author says about 80 percent of the state’s counties contain populations, and the unwanted invasive species is open for hunting year-round. (BILL ADELMAN)
GUIDES WORTH LOOKING INTO Looking for a pig hunting guide service? These three offer different types of hunts, and I’m familiar with them on a personal level. It’s just a start, though: • Hoss Hog Hunting (916-606-4558 or 530-968-5340; hosshoghunting.com): A kind of DIY program with accommodations, located in Maxwell, about one hour, 15 minutes north of Sacramento. • Broadside Boars Hunting Adventures (916-813-1200; broadsideboarshunting. com): Located 30 minutes west of Patterson in Stanislaus County, they’ll take you out and then you’re on your own in blinds. • McGrew Guide Hunting Services (831-595-4360; facebook.com/HuntMGS): Guide Matt McGrew offers a fully outfitted program at his hunting grounds 45 minutes east of Hollister. • For another option on California’s Central Coast, try Frank Hook of Jack Ranch Wild Pig Hunts (805-610-0485; jackranchwildpighunts.com) in Shandon, just east of Paso Robles. –BA
f we’re not talkin’ Texas, it must be California. We certainly have an abundance of feral swine in this state, but not an abundance of public ground where they can be found. In the early 1700s hogs were introduced by Russian and Spanish explorers, allowed to roam hither and yon, which I believe is somewhere on the East Coast, until they now control much of the country. These critters were designated as a game animal in 1957, which put them under the authority of our then-Department of Fish and Game, designating seasons, take, etc. The first tags issued were in packs of five for about 10 bucks. Today, they run well over $20 each and are valid during the same time frame as a required hunting license. It is estimated that pigs are available in about 80 percent of California counties. As the season is year-round and take is extremely liberal, hogs offer the opportunity to hunt when many other seasons are closed. The times for the best meat quality are spring and fall, during cooler temps and when the best food sources are available. In general, oak woodlands interspersed with open grasslands are prime areas to look for pigs.
GET YOUR TIMING RIGHT As with most big game, early and late works best; however, in more moderate or rainy areas, pigs can be located during the day. The form of take is dependent on JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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HUNTING
A blind can be a valuable perch to hunt feral hogs from. (BILL ADELMAN)
personal preference, but includes a wide variety of weapons, from rifles and pistols using centerfire cartridges suggested to be at least 6mm and 100 grains, muzzleloaders of at least .40 caliber, shotguns holding no more than three slugs to archery and crossbows. These critters are extremely tough, so no matter your choice, shot placement is critical. Pigs have very poor eyesight, yet their sense of smell is top-notch. If there’s a slight breeze and you’ve 98 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
spotted a herd from afar, a cautious approach will get you to within easy shot range. Should you spot pigs traveling in a distinct direction, more times than not under the right conditions you can quarter towards them, cut them off, set up and they’ll meander right on by. When you unknowingly bump a bed area and the pigs fly out at full speed – most likely within 5 to 10 yards – the sensation is overwhelming. Be sure your weapon is always on safe, as reaction can be
totally unpredictable.
HERE’S THE RUB A great giveaway to pigs’ location in the oaks is the rubs. Hogs will wallow in the mud and then rub against the trees. The remaining residue will be a nice gray color, the fresher the better. You’ll also notice beds right next to the rub trees. Set your mental GPS to this spot and return slowly at a later time, glassing before approaching. Usually when a bedded pig
JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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HUNTING moves on its own, it’ll take off in whatever direction it happens to be facing. There’s not much predictability here. When you have enough time to consider all possibilities, a placement shot behind the ear is a sure on-the-spot kill. The through-and-through lung or heart shot is generally deadly, though pigs can run far enough to bury themselves in brush and be very difficult to locate.
WHERE TO HUNT THEM Public land would be the ideal choice, but it’s a tough hunt, as pigs don’t hang around much when bothered, especially when shot at. Still, California’s Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreation Enhancement program does open some private ground, and then there are many state wildlife areas and a few military bases where pig hunting is open on a controlled basis.
California’s hogs can be found in diverse habitats, but glassing public lands might not be as productive as finding private ranches to hunt on. (BILL ADELMAN)
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HUNTING Harvesting a pig isn’t as easy as it might be perceived to be, considering their sense of smell could trump poor vision. But it can be a great and accessible hunting experience.
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If on your own, the most fun is the spot-and-stalk hunt, but don’t overlook a sit-and-wait approach, a ground or tree blind, especially near a water hole that indicates recent activity, or just meandering through open country relying on your binos and hunting partner’s better eyes. When you are successful, approach a downed hog with caution. If you hear a screeching sound, or worse yet, the clacking of teeth, this pig is extremely upset and can be dangerous. There are three options that are usually more productive than public lands. Consider private ground access or using a guide service. Guides offer different programs as well. Some do fully guided day trips, with no food or accommodations. Others have an access program on private ground where they’ll set you free with advice on where and how to hunt. These programs offer multiday options, lodging and cooking facilities, yet you’re mostly on your own. A few of these have preset ground blinds where they take you out and return later for you and (hopefully) your pig. There are also the fully outfitted two- or three-day hunts where everything is provided – food, lodging and a guide, generally for two hunters. They have a good fix on where the hogs are and will field-dress your harvest and prepare it for travel back in camp. Many have a walk-in cooler to better prepare your take for the trip home. The outdoor shows, like the International Sportsman’s Exposition in Sacramento in January, are loaded with hunting options; so is the Internet. My preference is to rely on others who have hunted with a particular program; however, we’ve also located great programs using due diligence, asking many questions and requesting references. Don’t be bashful. Good luck in the field, and here’s one last tip for preparing your harvest: don’t overcook wild pork! CS
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The author is proud of his now teenaged daughters Jessica (left) and Alyssa, who have become quite the accomplished outdoorswomen. (TIM E. HOVEY)
By Tim E. Hovey
S
ome of my favorite memories of my dad are spending time with him outdoors. Back when camping was a lot more primitive than it is now, he’d pile our family into the cherry-red Volkswagen bus and head for the hills to camp. We’d explore the California Coast Range and beyond, and take any road that the stubby vehicle could handle. Since we all slept in the van, my dad’s main priority was finding a flat place to park. Those early trips were my first real introduction to the outside world, and once I found that world, I only wanted to see more. Dad opened the door to outdoor adventure for me and I am forever grateful. It was those early camping
trips that convinced me that when I became a father, I’d raise my kids just the way I was.
A NEW GENERATION When my daughter Alyssa was born in 2000, I was absolutely convinced that before her first birthday, she’d be sleeping in a tent with us. Eighteen months later, when the doctor handed me daughter number two, Jessica, I wasn’t dissuaded in the slightest. I was determined to teach my two girls what my dad had taught me about the outside world. And I knew when I was outdoors, my little girls would be right there with me. Early on, it wasn’t unusual to see a baby stroller outside our tent during camping trips. When the girls reached the toddler stage, we took them fishing
and on short hikes. Whenever we were outside as a family, we’d show them animal tracks and look for wildlife. When they reached the ages of 7 and 8, respectively, we took them target shooting. As they got older, they began showing an interest in hunting. And as the trips started to pile up, I quickly realized that Alyssa and Jessica weren’t going to stay taga-longs for very long. Over the last few years they’ve developed hunting and shooting skills that are far beyond what I possessed at their ages. They each passed their hunter safety course and are safe well beyond their years. And once they had their hunting licenses, they wasted no time in making sure that when I went hunting, they went with me. As fathers, it’s natural for us to inJUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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HUNTING troduce our children to some of our favorite activities. As they get older, you can only hope that they’ll be interested in becoming more than spectators. And if you’re really lucky, the kids who used to meet you at the door when you came home will eventually grow into your best hunting partners. My girls experienced early success with dove, small game and predator hunting. And with each passing trip, they became more confident in their growing abilities and were maturing as young hunters. Even before they asked, I knew they were ready for the next level. This season, I was going to take Alyssa and Jessica out hunting for big game. Along with my daughters, I’ve been lucky enough to hunt with several good friends and their kids this season. Some of their children have moved through the hunting ranks with my own daughters. And this season I was fortunate to see many of these young adults graduate to hunting big game. While all these hunts have been memorable and exciting, I believe my youngest daughter’s hunting represents how I want them to approach any aspect of life. It isn’t what you load in the cooler; it’s all about how you handle yourself when things don’t necessarily go your way. My dad taught me to keep my head up and learn from my mistakes. This season, I passed that advice on to Jessica. A father-son pig hunt selfie at Southern California’s Tejon Ranch features Rito Escamilla (front), his son Andrew and the author. Hunting with their kids has become the norm for this group. (TIM E. HOVEY)
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The Hoveys have a tradition of embracing the California outdoors together. Here, Tim (far right) and his brother, Steve, get in some shooting under the supervision of their father, Todd. (TIM E. HOVEY)
A LEARNING CURVE Jessica was sitting next to me crying. A few minutes earlier she had missed a 50-yard shot at a bedded wild boar, and she wasn’t taking the miss well. Through the tears, she told me she really wanted that pig and that it was an easy shot. Sitting in the deep canyon with her, I realized we’d hit a teachable moment. We sat there in the creek and talked about misses. As we talked, I told her that just three weeks earlier, I had missed a far easier shot at a pig standing broadside at 40 yards. I find using myself as an example when things get frustrating is an excellent tool to make my daughters feel a bit better about their failures. And make no mistake, Jessica viewed the shot in the creek as a failure. I then explained that when I take her hunting, it isn’t about killing an animal. I want her to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with me and learn a bit about what hunting can offer. And missing shots is as much a part of hunting as the game itself. I finished our talk in the creek by letting Jessica know that misses will always happen; they are what make hitting your target so much more rewarding. I helped her up and gave her hug. I offered to carry her rifle and sticks, but she looked me square in the eye and told me that she carried them into the canyon, and she would carry them out. I believed that the lesson was over and we continued our lengthy hike up to the truck.
As we hiked in silence, I realized that Jessica was just like me: she’s strong-willed, tough and a perfectionist. The easy miss I had experienced three weeks earlier had me sitting deep in another canyon angry and confused. I sat there for a full five minutes staring at the ground sulking. I have always been hard on myself and I started to see those same qualities in Jessica. I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with going through frustrating periods of wanting to better yourself in anything you do. However, the one thing I’ve done since childhood is to move through the anger process and take what I could from each episode to better myself. During the hike out, I decided to nurture that same behavior in Jessica. I felt that our little talk in the canyon had helped her overcome the frustration over that miss. And if that wasn’t enough, we were both about to see that the day’s lesson wasn’t over.
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY I was about 400 yards from the truck and Jessica was bringing up the rear. We were both red-faced and out of breath. I looked up and spotted a lone boar walking the ridge above us. He was headed towards the truck and didn’t look like he had a care in the world. Once Jessica caught up, I quietly pointed out the pig and told her if we hurry, we may get a shot. As we climbed, I kept an eye on the wild
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HUNTING pig. He continued walking the ridge towards the truck and he had no idea we were there. I reached the top of the ridge first and spotted the boar feeding up the opposite canyon. When Jessica finally made the ridge, she was out of breath but excited. I told her to relax and to get her rifle on her shooting sticks. The pig was 180 yards out and quartering away. Jessica found him in the scope and said she was ready to shoot. I told her to try and tuck a bullet behind the ribs on the right side. She calmed herself, took a deep breath and fired. Through the binoculars I spotted a puff of dust come off the boar, telling me she had hit him. What I didn’t know was how well. We stowed our gear in the truck and headed over to where the pig was standing. I instantly found a few drops of blood on the trail. We tracked the boar for over 300 yards until the blood on the trail abrupt-
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ly stopped. This is what I was afraid of. Wild pigs are tough animals with thick skin. It’s not unusual for them to bleed a bit after the shot and then suddenly quit bleeding. I was hopeful at the beginning of the track, but once the blood trail disappeared, my heart sank. I was starting to circle the last spot of blood when Jessica spotted the boar directly downhill from the trail. The blood trail had
abruptly stopped because the hog had died on the path and slid down the hill. Another far happier hug occurred on the side of that mountain above Jessica’s first big game animal. Just eight minutes prior to finding the downed hog, Jessica was upset and tearing up at the bottom of a canyon because she’d missed a shot at her first big game animal. Now she was smiling ear to ear. Jose De Orta (left) and his son, Adrian, watch the other face of a canyon for wild pigs. (TIM E. HOVEY)
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HUNTING Her boar – downed on a perfect shot – weighed about 150 pounds. The round had hit the pig just behind the last rib on the right and exited out the left front shoulder. I told a smiling Jessica that I didn’t know if I could’ve made the 180-yard shot.
CHARACTER COUNTS When we talk about this hunt, we don’t discuss the amazing shot Jessica made or how upset she was in the canyon. I emphasize her tenacity during that day, and how despite her earlier sour mood, she did not give up. I feel that when kids nowadays go through frustrating periods and experience a small bit of failure, they just give up on what they’re doing; it’s the easy way out. As parents, one of our jobs is to build character, and I believe character is built through adversity. How can you know what success feels like if you’ve never experienced failure?
Young Jessica Hovey’s first big game hunt with her dad, Tim, started out with tears after a missed shot at another pig, but ended in cheers when she made a pinpoint hit on this boar. It was a father-daughter experience they won’t soon forget. (TIM E. HOVEY)
Jessica now carries that never-giveup attitude with her during whatever activity she’s participating in. The memories I want my daughters to remember are the ones where they’re standing with me in wild places or sitting at the edge of a canyon talking about life. I used
to think that Dad took us out camping on those early trips because he wanted us to have great memories. Now being a father and doing the same for my girls, I realize that he was making great memories for himself as well, and I thank him every day for all of it. CS
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SHARING THE OUTDOORS IS A GENERATIONAL THING By Albert Quackenbush
L
iving in the land of drought, freeways and smog is not something that lends itself to outdoor adventures. As a father, raising my daughter to appreciate the outdoors when you live in a world of concrete is also a challenge. Fortunately, my wife and I have figured out a few ways to incorporate the outdoors in many things we do. We don’t let our surroundings completely govern how we enjoy the outdoors. Be it archery, fishing, hiking or getting the binoculars out to view wildlife, we have a great time. Those were also a few of the many things my dad shared with me growing up, so I am encouraged when my daughter wants to be involved. He made sure that if the sun was up, we were outside doing something. I am forever grateful for that. Thanks, Dad. Father’s Day with my dad was always spent in the outdoors, and most of the time it was fishing. Whether it was on the farm pond, our boss’s pond or out on the lake, we would fish and have a great time. For me, just spending that time with Dad was priceless. He had given us the tools to fish, shared his knowledge, and now it was our time to have fun and make the most of it.
The author and his daughter, 6-year-old Riley, have become camping and fishing buddies. And Riley is beginning to shoot a bow with suctioncup-tipped arrows. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH) JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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MY FAVORITE FATHER’S Day story will take me back about 25 years. My dad, who we call Skip, loves to fish – I mean really loves to fish – and he’s very good at it. But I remember a time when we just got lucky and had the time of our lives. We set out one morning to fish near the Seneca Lake Rod & Gun club, just outside of Geneva, N.Y., in the Finger Lakes. My brother and I had been looking forward to the trip all week, but I think Dad was even more excited. Once we had our little 12-foot aluminum boat in the water, we motored out just where the dropoff began and anchored. It looked to me that we were far too close to shore, but I trusted Dad. I’ll never forget using live sawbellies as bait and dropping our lines down to just off of the 100-foot bottom. Fishing two poles apiece required some deft maneuvering in that little boat. The first half-hour or so was slow, but then all broke loose when we got into a school of lake trout. “Fish on!” “Me, too! Fish on!” That’s how it went for the next couple hours. We kept catching fish and some we threw back, just because the average size was 7 pounds. We ran out of bait, so we began using the old, dead sawbellies, and the trout were even hitting them! We caught so many fish that we almost breathed a sigh of relief when one threw the hook, but that rarely happened. To this day, the three of us consider it one of the best days we have ever spent together. Spending time outdoors was what it was all about when we were with Dad. Between fishing, camping and hunting, we were always outdoors doing something. I have story upon story of great hunts, scary hunts and hilarious antics. I now want to pass 116 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
As his father looks on, young Al runs the tiller while trolling on an Upstate New York lake near where they lived before the author moved to Southern California. They made some great memories in the outdoor playground, and Al is passing along the love of all things outside to his daughter. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH)
that love on to my daughter.
A COUPLE YEARS ago I began to take my daughter Riley out to the local lakes to fish. The times we have ventured out have been very warm and the water levels very low, but we have had great times anyway. I love listening to her tell me about the fish she wants to catch and how big it will be. We have a traditional breakfast of donuts on the tailgate of my wife’s truck, where we talk and laugh. By the time our lines hit the water, our faces are covered in powdered sugar, and it is wonderful. I remember the day I bought her a bow with suction-cup-tipped arrows. She was very excited and I, of course, was elated! When I’d shoot with my bow she could shoot hers. It is great
to see her emulate me and practice shooting at our pig target. Recently, as she asked me to get her bow out, I realized that she had grown a great deal over the last year and the bow no longer fit her. When I said we would have to go to Bass Pro Shops for a new bow, she actually seemed more excited than me. Camping in our backyard is a favorite activity. Riley’s little eyes light up every time I ask her if she wants to camp. It reminds me of the days when I used to camp with Dad and the memories that we made. When my dad would ask us if we wanted to go camping, I remember the feeling of excitement knowing we would get to share in something wonderful.
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We always had an adventure to talk about when we got back to school, but the best part were the laughs and good times we shared. The most memorable camping trip I ever shared with my dad and brother was when I was in my early teens. One of the things I love about Dad is that when we went camping, we did everything ourselves. I’ll come back to that thought in a minute (that’s when the story gets interesting). Dad drove the 4½ hours to the boat launch. After we launched the boat and loaded our gear, we set off. I forget how long it took us, but we were in that very same 12-foot aluminum boat we spent Father’s Day in, so it wasn’t very fast. We motored to the far reaches of the lake. Two leaning pine trees marked our campsite by the water. We set up camp, ate dinner and prepared for the weeklong fish fest. Fishing in the acid rain-affected
The author has high hopes Riley will continue to enjoy the outdoors with her pop as she gets older. It’s become a family tradition to get out and have fun. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH) 118 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
lakes of the Adirondacks was a challenge. Over the course of five days, we caught two fish. No, let me rephrase – I caught two. The bobber zipping around the surface made us go a bit nutty in the boat. When I pulled in the whopping 4-inch perch we did everything we could from not tipping the boat from laughter. A few hours later I would catch a very nice smallmouth bass, which we planned to eat that evening. We happened to be very tired when we got back, so we left it on the stringer by the boat, and went to sleep. The next morning Dad must have had an epiphany because he beelined for the stringer only to find a head and nothing else. He felt really bad (I mean really bad), but I didn’t fault him. In fact, I found it funny that we hadn’t thought about the raccoons and bears in the area. Remember when I said we did everything ourselves? Well, it took a turn for the serious toward the end of our trip. Our motor kept conking out and Dad had to do what he could to get it going again. We were 5 miles from the boat launch! He cleaned the spark plugs and it began to hum better than before, but it was short-lived as it completely died after that. So Dad had to row the boat loaded down with us and our gear the entire 5 miles back to the launch. I tried to help, but at just 14 years old, I wasn’t used to rowing a boat loaded with that amount of weight. My dad was a trooper that week, and we had the best time with him.
ALAS, I DIGRESS! Camping with my daughter, even in the backyard, is a wonderful experience. I absolutely love her sense of adventure
A young author celebrates a conquest of a New York smallmouth bass. Unfortunately, when the fish was left on a stringer and hungry critter got a free meal out of the catch. (ALBERT QUACKENBUSH)
and planning. We get to test out new gear, plus she gets to do something fun and gets to spend time with her dad. It’s a win for all! The best part of every camping “trip” I take with Riley is watching her as she sleeps and knowing how much she loves the outdoors. My second favorite part is when she wakes up and she wants to read me a dozen stories from inside the tent. That tent is a magical place for her and, in turn, it is for me as well. Once a child, and now a father, I feel as though my childhood disappeared very quickly. I realize as I write this that six years of my daughter’s life have flown by. Time has moved on, but do I hold any regrets? Not a single one! In fact, I plan on more father/daughter dates, fishing trips, camping trips, and archery practice. Should she choose to drop them all and never want to do them again, I will continue to love her unconditionally as any good father should. But knowing her love of the outdoors, I will continue to nurture it in the hope that one day she will take her old man on an outdoor adventure that she will tell stories about like I tell of trips with Dad. CS Editor’s note: For more on the author, check out socalbowhunter.com.
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FROM FIELD ...
Working dogs near water this time of year is the key to keeping them cool and comfortable and allows you to achieve your training goal. Echo, a 10-month-old Pudelpointer, is eager for more water time with her bumper. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
GET YOUR DOG’S DAYS IN THIS SUMMER GETTING YOUR CANINE HUNTING PARTNER IN SHAPE FOR FALL’S SEASONS STARTS NOW By Scott Haugen
W
ith summer upon us, now is the time to get in shape for hunting season. As hunters, we strive to have our body and mind tuned in so that we can fully appreciate and enjoy all our hunting experiences have to offer
and get to where we need to be to fill tags and bag game. For bird hunters, now is also the time to get your dog in shape. “One of the biggest mistakes people make is not getting their dog in good hunting shape before the season starts,” notes breeder and trainer Steve Waller (talltimberpudelpoint-
ers.com). “This is the time of year dogs need to be working – not just a few weeks before the season.” Waller has been training canines for over 40 years. When it comes to doing so during the sizzling days of summer, there are different points to consider than when exercising them during cooler times of the year. JUNE 2015 California Sportsman
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TO FIRE 1 pound upland game bird meat, ground or finely chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced One 3-ounce can water chestnuts, diced 2 tablespoons oyster or soy sauce 1 teaspoon sugar 5 green onions, finely sliced 2 tablespoons sesame seeds Four to eight whole lettuce leaves Heat oil in a large skillet and brown meat on medium heat. Add garlic, water chestnuts, sauces and sugar and sauté an additional two to three minutes. Remove from heat and mix in green onions and sesame seeds. Separate lettuce leaves (butter, Boston, iceberg or leaf lettuce all work well). Divide meat mixture evenly among lettuce leaves. Or serve a portion of bird mixture with leaves on the side, allowing people to make their own bite-sized wraps. Serve with soy sauce for dipping.
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ith summer arriving this month, now is a great time to clean the freezer and make room for this coming fall’s influx of fresh meat. Don’t be guilty of shoving last season’s birds to the back of the freezer and then forgetting about them. There are many ways to prepare game birds, and specialized approach-
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es can be tailored for each species. However, in an effort to keep things simple yet tasty, the following recipe was created with all game birds in mind. These bite-sized tidbits – or bigger finger foods – are a delicious way to introduce people to game birds. To double the batch, add 2 cups cooked brown rice to the meat mixture, doubling the amounts of oyster or soy sauce as well.
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HUNTING “It may not look great, but one of the ďŹ rst things I do when training dogs in the heat is clip their hair,â€? Waller shares. “Clipping that coat short is one of the best things you can do to keep a dog cool and comfortable. It’s also great for cutting down on grass seed problems; and don’t worry, it’ll grow back.â€? As far as actual training, Waller points out the obvious. “Train early in the morning and don’t push it. Get up half an hour early and get it done before heading to work, if you have to. Just don’t put yourself in a position where mid-day training is the only option. Cool, breezy evenings can also be good times to train, but again, don’t overdo it.â€? Waller advocates training near water so you can let dogs swim every 15 minutes or so. Letting dogs play in the water will greatly help cool them off and keep them
When it comes to getting a dog’s feet into hunting shape, train them on gravel. Doing so will toughen their pads, strengthen their toes, feet and legs and naturally wear down their toenails. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
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FISHING more comfortable and focused during sessions. “If you can’t train near a body of water, be sure and take plenty of drinking water into the field and give it to your dog regularly,” Waller insists. “Dogs with a lot of drive won’t tell you they’re getting hot or thirsty; they’ll just keep going until they fall over from heat exhaustion, so be sure to keep them hydrated. That goes for trainers too. If a dog does go down, cover them with water to drop that body temperature as fast as you can.” Even in water training, don’t push the dogs to the point of exhaustion. Just because they’re in the water doesn’t mean they’re staying cool all the time, as their bodies can still overheat. Just take it slow and keep it fun for the dogs. Once they start losing interest, stop. “When water training with bumpers, I’ll only toss it in five or
126 California Sportsman JUNE 2015
six times, that’s it,” offers noted trainer, breeder and former Oregon State University professor of animal breeding and genetics, Howard Meyer. “I want them to stay interested in retrieving that bumper their whole life, bringing it to me every time.” When conditioning dogs in the heat, Meyer (chippewa-gsp.com) uses a canoe and has his dogs swim next to him as he paddles. “Tossing a bumper five or six times isn’t going to get them in shape, but swimming will. Just give them plenty of time to warm up along the shore as the water can be cold, even on hot days.” A dog’s feet must also get conditioned. For this, train on gravel, pavement or concrete. Again, do this training early in the day, near water, where dogs can be quickly cooled off. If training on asphalt, make sure it’s not too hot for the
dog to comfortably set foot on. Training in the field is obviously a great place to get a dog’s feet in shape, but this time of year, watch out for snakes. If your dog’s not snake-broken, there are classes and trainers who specialize in teaching this. As you begin conditioning for the upcoming hunting season, don’t forget about man’s best friend. Dogs require proper attention and direction to get in shape, and working with them on a daily basis will also strengthen that bond that makes hunting with dogs so special. CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular adventure book, Life In The Scope: The West, send a check for $15 (free S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram (@scotthaugenoutdoors), Twitter (@scotthaugen) and Facebook (facebook.com/thehaugens).
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128 California Sportsman JUNE 2015