Cal Sportsman Mag - Jun 2019 by Media Index Publishing Group

FISHING • HUNTING • TRAVEL CALSPORTSMANMAG.COM

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California

Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 11 • Issue 9 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Brittany Boddington LEAD WRITER Tim E. Hovey CONTRIBUTORS Mark Fong, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Todd Kline, Bill Schaefer, Jake Sisco, Jeff Walters SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold DESIGNERS Kayla Mehring, Jake Weipert PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Aumann INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine ON THE COVER Father’s Day is June 16, so what better way to celebrate dad than by enjoying the outdoors like Todd Kline and his son Dylan did with this haul of bass. (TODD KLINE)

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8 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 9

FEATURES 33

A DAY FOR DADS

Jeff Walters’ son Jason is a young adult now, but today their fishing adventures are just as meaningful as they were when the lad tagged along with dad at the lakes, rivers and creeks of Southern California. In one of our two Father’s Day stories as the June 16 tribute to Dad approaches, Walters reminisces about past adventures and tips for spending a memorable day outdoors with the family.

PASSING THE SMELL TEST

Salmon have an unbelievably strong sense of smell, so as our Field to Fire columnist Scott Haugen writes, “It only makes sense to control our scents in an effort to gain an advantage and catch more fish.” From cleaning your towels after every trip to wearing gloves, it’s all about keeping everything as odorfree as possible when trying to entice a salmon to bite. Tiffany Haugen serves up an anchovy-flavored salmon recipe.

EARNING HIS STRIPES

A successful striped bass run is just about wrapped up as summer water temperatures heat up, and Bay Area guide Jeff Soo Hoo is one of the most wily of striper whisperers in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. Mark Fong has a profile of Soo Hoo and picks his brain about why he’s so obsessed with linesides.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

51 HOORAY FOR HALIBUT

15 39 60 (GREEN WATER FISHING ADVENTURES)

The stunning Lost Coast off Humboldt County is prime rockfish and lingcod waters, but veteran guide Tony Sepulveda has increasingly gotten his clients into some bonus Pacific halibut, which normally range between 40 and 70 pounds and provide plenty of delicious fillets. Sepulveda fills you in with all the details about this potluck fishery.

Feds, state work together to help restore winter Chinook run Proud dad watches son’s fishing evolution Summer fishing, camping opportunities at Collins Lake Summer tips for dog training

DEPARTMENTS 13 23 27 29

The Editor’s Note Adventures of Todd Kline Photo contest winners Outdoor calendar

Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Send address changes to California Sportsman, PO Box 24365, Seattle, WA 98124. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues), 2-year subscription are $39.95 (24 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Back issues are available at Media Index Publishing Group offices at the cost of $5 plus shipping. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2019 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 10 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

THEEDITOR’SNOTE

The twisting waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta have fascinated the editor for as long as he can remember. (KEN JAMES/CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES)

bout 10 years ago, I joined a friend on kind of a whirlwind road trip through Florida. We did everything from attending college football and basketball games to checking out a greyhound track (as a dog lover I don’t think I can ever go back to one) to eating a delicious Cuban meal, which featured succulent pork and my first experience with underappreciated plantains. But one of my favorite parts was traveling between the Gulf Coast and Miami. We took U.S. Route 41, which took us through Big Cypress National Preserve and skirted the outer edge of Everglades National Park. Besides stopping for a snack of alligator meat and crawfish at a roadside diner, I was most fascinated with all the waterways and how much fun it would be to explore them by boat. It reminded me of a similar place close to home. This issue our correspondent Mark Fong writes about striper fishing in the vast Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (page 65). The first time I ever experienced the Delta was when I was a little kid and a crusty old friend of my dad took us out on his boat. We were only out for a couple hours but took a few different sloughs that sent us in a dizzying circle. I remember every summer after that begging my dad to rent us a houseboat in the Delta. We never did, but all these years later I’m still intrigued with the idea of cruising around the islands and inlets, anchoring in some secluded spot and dropping a fishing line in hopes of enticing a catfish, striper, bass or sturgeon to bite. The Delta is a critically important ecosystem that is under fire as part of a water rights tug-of-war, and as a Bay Area kid who’s been obsessed with this remarkable area, let’s hope it forever remains a place where salmon can travel through to the sea and back to spawn in their natal streams, and the next generation of dreamers can experience all that water. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA

REBUILDING A RARE RUN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S WINTER CHINOOK ARE STRUGGLING, BUT FEDERAL, STATE AGENCIES WORK TO BRING THEM BACK

Historically, winter-run Chinook salmon entered freshwater as early as November and December to migrate high into Battle Creek and the upper Sacramento River and its McCloud and Pit Rivers above what is now Lake Shasta before spawning from April through August. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS)

By Jake Sisco

inter-run Chinook salmon are unique in that they spawn during the summer months – from mid-April to mid-August – when California is at its hottest. This proved to be catastrophic in 2014 and 2015, when the drought killed nearly the entire in-river juvenile salmon population. This event prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to reinitiate the captive broodstock program at Livingston Stone National

Juvenile kings are loaded into a tanker truck for transport to the upper Battle Creek release site as part of a reintroduction plan to repopulate the winter stock there. Once released the salmon will start a nearly 320-mile trip to the delta. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS)

Fish Hatchery at Shasta Dam and part of the Coleman National Fish Hatchery Complex. The program started in 1992 and was suspended in the early 2000s. Last year, USFWS released 220,000 tagged and fin-clipped juvenile winter-run Chinook into the North Fork of Battle Creek. This year, in a continuing effort to jump-start

the population, 185,000 juvenile winter-run Chinook were released. “We are trying to expand their population,” said Brett Galyean, Coleman’s project leader. “Currently winter-run salmon are in the upper Sacramento River, and there is a large effort to restore Battle Creek and improve the habitat. By doing this jumpstart effort, we are just moving ahead with the reintroduction plan to repopulate winter Chinook salmon into upper Battle Creek.”

THE JUMP-START PLAN uses the offspring of captive broodstock winter-run Chinook from Livingston Stone and is focused on reintroducing them to Battle Creek while not impacting the Sacramento River population. “This year is about fine-tuning; we learned a lot from the first year,”said Galyean. “Winter Chinook act differently than some of the other salmon we have here.” “They seem a little more skittish, so we used belt feeders (which feed throughout the day instead of having someone walk by the raceway or tank and feed the fish calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

Today, Sacramento winter-run Chinook are listed as an endangered species under both U.S. and state law. Federal fishery overseers consider the stock to be among eight marine species most at risk of extinction. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS)

every hour) a little bit longer,” he said. “Also, we reared them inside longer than we did last year.” Today, Sacramento River winter-run Chinook are listed as an endangered species under both federal and state law. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries also considers the fish among eight marine species most at risk of extinction and part of the “Species in the Spotlight” initiative. “The winter Chinook salmon supplementation and captive broodstock programs at Livingston Stone are absolutely the reason why there are still winter-run Chinook salmon swimming in the Sacramento River,” said Galyean. “The warm water and low river flow conditions during the last drought were devastating on the natural populations of winter Chinook salmon, and both of the programs at the hatchery played a key role

Brad Carter of the Coleman National Fish Hatchery complex herds young winter Chinook toward a pipe to be pumped out of the raceway and into a tanker truck for transport to Battle Creek. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS)

16 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

in rearing winter Chinook salmon during those years.”

IN ADDITION TO FACING warmer water temperatures, the salmon also have to contend with human-made obstacles. “Battle Creek has several hydroelectric dams, diversions and a complex canal system that was developed in the early 1900s,” said Laura Mahoney, information and education specialist at Coleman. “The canal system moves water between the North Fork and South Fork of Battle Creek. However, as part of a restoration project on Battle Creek, modifications will be made to two powerhouses that will prevent water from being mixed between the two forks.” More than 500 of the salmon received acoustic tags to help track where they travel and how many live. The survival rate helps researchers estimate the number of fish in the ocean and expected to return

PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA

An east-side tributary of the Sacramento River below Shasta Dam, Battle Creek is unique because its cold springs and high year-round base flow provide the only historic spawning habitat for winter-run kings below the impassable impoundment. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS) for spawning. “Acoustic tags are a form of telemetry that is used in the fisheries field to study the survival, timing and distribution of fish as they move through the system or through watersheds,” said Laurie Earley, Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife program manager for the Battle Creek restoration program. “We are interested in the Sacramento River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, especially these salmonids as they travel

Carter releases salmon from the Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery captive broodstock program into the creek. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS)

through the system and make their way out to the ocean.” It takes about three years for the salmon to make the long journey from the hatchery to the ocean and back. While a few salmon from the 2018 spring release may return to Coleman this year, the majority will return next year. “We are anxiously waiting (for) their return,” said Galyean. “We are checking the Coleman ponds each day right now

18 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

hoping to encounter a 2-year-old salmon, but the main group will return next year, sometime between February and June.” CS Editor’s note: Jake Sisco is on an internship with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service from the U.S. Navy until mid-May. He has spent his seven years on active duty as a photojournalist, telling the Navy’s story. His enlistment ends in June. This story was reprinted with permission from the USFWS.

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I recently went up north to Clear Lake, one of the premier bass fisheries anywhere. This was the fish of the trip for me, a largemouth that went just over 8 pounds. It fell for the IMA Beast Hunter crankbait in Delta fire craw. (TODD KLINE)

Early-morning sunrise makes for a peaceful setting on the NorCal destination lake. (TODD KLINE) I was ready for this day on the water. (TODD KLINE)

My mother recently came out to California and we always have fun catching bass together. (TODD KLINE)

s e r u t n e v d A W

e’re not ashamed to admit it: Todd Kline has the kind of life we wish we could experience. Kline’s a former professional surfer, a successful co-angler on the FLW Tour and a Southern California bass guide, plus he gets to travel the world as a commentator for the World Surf League’s telecasts. Todd has agreed to give us a peek on what he’s up to each month. For more on Todd or to book a guided fishing trip with him, check out toddklinefishing.com, and you can follow him on Instagram at @toddokrine. –The Editor

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I love catching solid bass on a spinning setup. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to beat a Yamamoto Slim Senko in postspawn conditions. (TODD KLINE)

With the water warming, the fish are looking to feed. I am starting to throw more and more reaction baits such as this IMA Glide Fluke, which is awesome. I caught the solid fish at San Vicente in San Diego. (TODD KLINE)

I am so stoked to see that there is now an alternative to the old-school styrofoam coolers. Igloo (igloocoolers.com/pages/recool) just released the Recool, which is the first 100-percent biodegradable cooler in the market. This is awesome. (TODD KLINE)

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PHOTO

CONTEST

WINNERS!

Blake Dietrich is the winner of our monthly Yo-Zuri Photo Contest, thanks to this great shot of he and his Washington tiger musky. It wins him gear from the company that makes some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best fishing lures and lines!

Dudley Nelson wins our monthly Ontario Knife Co. Photo Contest, thanks to this pic of he and his eastern Oregon mule deer buck, taken last season on a rare tag. It wins him a knife from Ontario Knife Company!

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

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Ocean salmon fishing seasons are now in full swing up and down the California coast. (NANCY RODRIGUEZ)

JUNE

8-9 Whiskeytown Lake Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org/derbies 15 Fishing McClure For Mason, Lake McClure; facebook.com/ Fishing-McClure-for-Mason-596832314156183 15-16 Fred Hall Father’s Day Derby, Mammoth Lakes; visitmammoth.com/events 22 Rush Creek Clean-up and BBQ, Silver Lake Resort; (760) 648-7525 22 Bridgeport Trout Tournament; bridgeportfish.com 29 California Department of Fish and Wildlife Trout Fest, Hot Creek Hatchery; wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/hatcheries/hot-creek 29 Start of Mono Village Fourth of July Derby, Upper Twin Lakes; monovillage.com

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JULY

1 Cottontail rabbit season opener 1-31 How Big is Big Fishing Derby, West Walker River; northernmonochamber.com 6 California free fishing day; wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days 13-Aug. 4 Archery deer season in Zone A (South Unit 110 along Central Coast) 13 New Melones Lake Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org 13 Kiwanis Club Special Olympics Trout Derby, Wishon Lake; kiwanisdivisionfive.com 16 King salmon opener on Sacramento, adjacent rivers 27-Aug. 4 Mono Village Summer Fishing Derby, Upper Twin Lakes; monovillage.com 27-Aug. 18 Archery deer season in Zone B-4 (coastal areas of Mendocino and Humboldt Counties) 27 Kids’ Fishing Festival, Mammoth Lakes; (760) 937-2942 Note: For a complete list of bass fishing tournaments, go to dfg.ca.gov/ FishingContests/default.aspx. For more details on hunting zones and regulations, check out wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting. calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

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FISHING

Getting your kid(s) out for a day of fishing is one of the proudest moments for a father. For author Jeff Walters, watching his son grow from a boy to a man has included a lot of fishing along the way.

DAY WITH DAD (JEFF WALTERS)

SPEND SOME QUALITY FATHER’S DAY TIME OUTDOORS By Jeff Walters

rowing up, we learn traditions that as adults we then teach our children. Whether it is a religious holiday or just a simple family tradition, parents strive to keep these alive. One such tradition is Father’s Day activities. In my household that usually meant doing something outdoor-related. As we teach our children these traditions, they not only remind us of our past but they show us our future as well.

MY DAD ALWAYS HAD a fishing rod handy in case there was a chance to wet a line. I not only do the same, I focus on finding those spots and have taught my son Jason to do the same. Now years later we both do that by having fishing gear at the ready all the time in our cars and trucks. With the modern-day lifestyle we all live, the cell phone is a direct connection to our fishing adventures, whether they’re solo or together. There are days when my cell phone chimes with photos of 4-plus-pound largemouth bass caught at some local watering hole by my son. And I never miss a chance to share my catches with him while he is hard at work making a living. However, the best times are when

we spend those moments together outdoors doing something that we both have grown to love. Father’s Day is when Jason makes the effort to make this happen. In the past I’d always be the one who made the plans for us to spend the day together. Now I simply wait for him to show up and let him drive to a new place or a familiar one that we have been to before. It’s always low-key and cost-effective, but it’s also about what nature can provide. We love telling stories that we have repeatedly both heard or told before. We want to keep that image alive in our memory and want to make

more memories. We both strive to leave our busy lives back home to be picked up again when the day is done. This is our family tradition that has been carried forward and I am sure it will improve with time and new family additions.

GETTING OUT ON FATHER’S Day can take some planning, but outdoor areas are not hard to find even though we may live in bigger metropolitan areas. A quick internet search will reveal many a close destination that in most cases only takes an hour or so to get away from all the distractions, even if it’s just for a day. Most likely Dad

Jason (left) and dad Jeff spent a lot of days on the water when the former was young. (JEFF WALTERS)

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING

Hitting trails that lead to fishing spots can be a great way to spend Father’s Day as a family. (JEFF WALTERS)

may be the one planning it all when the kids are younger. Many local fishing areas have Father’s Day events that weekend (June 15-16), so check your local parks or lakes to find out. You will see that some areas offer free admission or free parking on that special day, so take advantage of those deals if you plan on visiting a “pay-to-play” park or lake. Hiking trails abound throughout our national forests, so put on some comfortable boots and hit the trail for a few hours.

Living in California means we have lots of options readily available, so all we need to do is pick a place. Take a half-day charter boat out of one of the many harbors, visit some of the old ghost towns in the desert, explore some of the local mountains, ride the quads or go on a guided horse trail – the options are all up to you. So whatever you or the kids decide to do, go have some fun on that special day and get outdoors. Father’s Day specials also abound at many of the outdoor retailers, where there is always that “special something” for your dad. It can be a simple new bass lure he has his eye on, or even a nice pair of hiking boots, there are specials to be found. Check out the local papers, listen to radio spots and open some of those emails. Dad might even find it himself, and it is, after all, his day.

SO WHAT ARE SOME specific destinations worth checking out? Local areas near

the L.A. Basin include the newly designated San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, which has newer restrictions in place that better help the outdoor experience. “The Bridge to Nowhere” is a very active trail and makes for a great day hike. Mount Baldy, Icehouse Canyon and Cucamonga Pass are also some very popular hiking destinations and offer fishing for wild trout as well. Although these fish are not very big, they are wild and always make for fun trout to catch. The three forks of the San Gabriel River – East, West and North – also offer fishing, with some sections of the West Fork listed as special regulations, which means barbless hooks and artificial bait and flies only. Check out the special regulations link at wildlife.ca.gov/fishing. Further south, San Diego County offers some of the best surf fishing to be found. Corbina and barred surfperch are the norm, with other nearshore

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FISHING prowlers like halibut, spotfin croaker, rays and leopard sharks on tap. One of the best beaches with a longer-than-normal surf line that reaches farther out than most is San Elijo State Beach. It’s a long walk down some the steepest stairs you will

find, but the waters offshore are full of surf fish you can catch all day long. Lake Cuyamaca in east San Diego County is a state park that has one of the most diverse fish-stocking programs around. You can catch largemouth bass, rainbow trout, black crappie, bluegill, sunfish, channel catfish, Jason is now a young adult and both son and father revel in the time they spend together fishing. “This is our family tradition that has been carried forward and I am sure it will improve with time and new family additions,” Walters writes. (JEFF WALTERS)

36 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

sturgeon, black mud cats and carp. Along with a very open shoreline, this small shallow lake has boat rentals, camping, cabins and a bait store. In the historic town of Julian just a few miles away is some of the best apple pie to be found. For more info, see lakecuymaca.org. In Santa Barbara County, Lake Cachuma is fed by the Santa Ynez River, a small but wide stream that is stocked with rainbow trout in the spring and early summer. This wonderful waterway is full of fun places, campgrounds and hiking trails. Lake Cachuma is also one of the best smallmouth bass fisheries around. Find information at countyofsb.org/parks/ cahuma and fs.usda.gov/recarea and scroll for info on the Santa Ynez River. This Father’s Day, plan on getting outdoors and having some fun in the sun. Hit the surf, hike the trails, take a horseback ride, catch some fish and find a good meal to enjoy with loved ones. CS

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FISHING Three months short of his third birthday, Bricen Schaefer landed his first fish from cast to catch. No one was prouder than his dad, author Bill Schaefer, who now can recall many fishing adventures with Bricen. (BILL SCHAEFER)

A GENERATIONAL TRADITION A DAD CHERISHES HIS TURN TO FISH WITH HIS SON By Capt. Bill Schaefer

e all remember fishing with our dads. They would explain fishing to us, whether on salt- or freshwater, even if we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really listening. I have to admit I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t listen at first. After all, my father started me off at 6 years old. But as I was around

fishing more, I wanted to know everything there was about the sport and everything I needed to catch fish. I have been lucky enough to be blessed with a son who I started fishing with when he was three months shy of his third birthday. Having him catch his first fish from cast to landing, I will never forget how excited I was. You all have a chance of doing

this with your children as well. Lure them in and they will get hooked.

MY SON BRICEN IS 14 now and getting a little cocky in his old age. He now challenges me to catch more than him or the largest fish. This is the type of camaraderie that you want with your children too. Make it fun and interesting to

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING Bricen won a halibut tournament at just 6 years old. He was a chip off the old block by then. (BILL SCHAEFER)

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them. Take time during a trip to point out the wildlife around you such as the birds. Let them know all about them. Of course, you may have to study up a bit. Point out porpoises and whales if you’re on the saltwater and they happen by. Nothing is more exciting to kids. Even seals can be special to youngsters. Stop by a buoy in your bay or harbor; there’s usually a seal or sea lion sleeping on them. Anything you do to make their first trips more exciting will enhance the future of your fishing trips with them. One trick you can use to reel them in is to stack the deck by fishing during a time when you know that the fishing will be great. If they catch all day, they will certainly want to go again and again ... although you will eventually have to explain slow days. Being a guide in Southern California was an advantage to me, but I have taken several dads and moms

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calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING These days, Bricen, now 14, and his dad share plenty of fatherson memories, whether out in the saltwater for calico bass or at local lakes for largemouth. “He’s come a long way,” dad Bill says. (BILL SCHAEFER)

and sons and daughters out just for this very reason. It almost never failed, so hiring a guide for a great first trip is always a good option. If you have a great first or second trip with them, tease them into going again and make the kids yearn for it. Let them ask you to go again. Allow them to see you playing with your tackle. It is a sure thing they will ask when they can go fishing with you again. It also lets you spend some quiet time with them as you show them rods and reels and all the lures they

have to choose from. Let them hold the lures, but teach them about the sharp hooks too.

NOW THAT MY SON is a little older, we are in a little more advanced class on fishing. And I have to tell you about a recent trip we had, which was so exciting and packed with excitement. This trip to the kelp beds off San Diego was a trip to remember forever. We were fishing just off the Point Loma kelp and catching a few calicos when I saw birds diving a couple hundred yards down the line. We

IDEAL GEAR FOR KIDS

Having a kid-friendly setup is one way to have a more enjoyable time on the water. My son Bricen uses a Daiwa Proteus 7-foot spinning rod rigged with 30-pound Maxima braid and throws a swimbait for calicos 99 percent of the time. It’s a good setup for kids because they can handle it better than a casting reel. BS

42 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

raced over to see what all the commotion was about. It was a school of porpoises attacking a giant ball of sardines as well as red crab. Now, the exciting thing to Bricen was the pelicans and other birds hitting the water like dive-bombers all around us. The porpoises were throwing baits into the air and catching them as they raced all around the boat. I told Bricen it was like none of the birds or fish knew we were there. They were fixated on the food. I also directed his attention to my Lowrance graph, which showed fish below the porpoises feeding on the scraps. The fish were eating the baits on the sink, which can backlash a casting reel in a second if you’re not familiar with it. I told him to cast out, count to 10, and close the bail. The fish were grabbing his swimbait and almost setting the hook themselves. This went on for what seemed like forever and I know Bricen had the time of his life. It was a moment in fishing he will never forget, nor will I. This is the type of event I hope you can experience on the water with your kids. It was a bit over the top, but when the days like this happen, it just strengthens the fishing bond you will have with your new fishing buddies and give you a Father’s Day present I know you will cherish forever, even when it isn’t Father’s Day. CS

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calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

44 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

FROM FIELD ...

PASS THE SNIFF TEST

NITRILE GLOVES, CLEANING TOWELS AMONG WAYS TO AVOID EXPOSING SALMON TO HUMAN ODORS ON GEAR Salmon have a sense of smell measured in parts per billion, so having clean terminal tackle will increase the odds of getting these finicky fish to bite. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

By Scott Haugen

f we had as strong of a sense of smell as salmon, life would not be enjoyable. Able to detect odors measured in parts per billion, salmon are one of nature’s most amazing creatures. Think of being born in one location, leaving it when you’re a child and then returning to that exact location as an aging adult. And you’re only guided to that specific location by your nose. Knowing that salmon have such sensitive sniffers, it’s to the angler’s advantage to do all within their power to keep things clean and free of foul odors. Some anglers are fanatics over keeping clean; others don’t pay much attention to it. But in the competitive world of salmon fishing, it only makes sense to control our scents in an effort to gain an advantage and catch more fish.

CLEAN-UP CREW Most anglers carry a towel along for keeping their hands and their fishing

gear clean. The key is keeping these towels clean day after day. Wash every towel at the end of each trip, even if they were only used one time. Try to use only clean, dry towels at the start of each outing. Fish slime, blood and bait residues quickly rot, tainting towels. And if even you can detect these offensive odors, you know how bad they must smell to salmon. To reuse these dirty towels and then touch terminal gear is a surefire way to transfer stenches that repel salmon, keeping them from biting. At the end of the day, gather up all the towels and throw them in the wash. Or you can also replace them with fresh ones and wash the others later. It’s a small measure, but an important one that many successful salmon anglers abide by.

GET PLUGGED IN Keeping your plugs clean is also wise.

Whether fishing wrapped plugs or not, making the effort to keep them clean is of vital importance. Plugs that have been wrapped contain oil remnants from the fillets, and when drying these residues solidify on the plug, often producing repulsive odors. At the same time, handling plugs with bare hands leaves human oils behind, something which may also make the difference whether or not a fish bites. Some anglers wear rubber gloves to prevent the transfer of unwanted odors to their terminal gear. Prior to placing plugs – or lures – back in the box at the end of the day, take a few minutes to wash them in hot, soapy water. If you have a sled boat with a hot water basin built in, these are excellent features and save time by allowing you to wash plugs as they’re used. Simply toss the plugs in the hot water bin, let them soak and then give them a quick scrub-down with a brush and soap.

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING

... TO FIRE DON’T HOLD THE ANCHOVIES By Tiffany Haugen

ne of the key ingredients in authentic Caesar salad is the humble anchovy. Many people shy away from anchovies due to their overly salty taste and strange texture. Actually, what look like hairs sticking up in the can of anchovies are just bones that completely disintegrate when chopped up into a sauce. There can also be a confusing variety of anchovy types to choose from. For this recipe I used the 2-ounce tin of anchovies packed in oil from Trader Joe’s. If you’ve ever wanted to try using anchovies, this is the recipe for you. And there’s nothing fishy about it! ANCHOVY BUTTER SALMON AND FRIED POTATOES One fillet salmon 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Anchovies might not be everyone’s favorite pizza topping, nor is it always included in Caesar salads, but including an anchovy in a buttery salmon and potato dish makes it one of Tiffany Haugen’s favorite recipes. (TIFFANY HAUGEN) 1 tablespoon olive oil One 2-ounce can anchovies in olive oil 2 cloves garlic ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley Two large baked potatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil for frying potatoes In a food processor or mini-chopper,

mix butter, vinegar, olive oil, anchovies, garlic, pepper, and lemon zest until thoroughly combined. Place salmon, skin side down, on a sheet of foil. Fold foil up around the edges of the salmon to keep anchovy butter from melting off the fillet. Spread anchovy butter over salmon, reserving 1 tablespoon for the potatoes. Peel baked potatoes and break into bite-sized pieces. In a large skillet on medium-high heat, fry potatoes in 2 tablespoons olive oil until they begin to brown. Add reserved anchovy butter and continue pan-frying until anchovy butter has melted into potatoes. Serve dish with oven-roasted kale if desired. CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s best selling book, Cooking Seafood, send a check for $20 to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or visit tiffanyhaugen. com. Follow Tiffany on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and watch for her on the online series Cook With Cabela’s and The Sporting Chef TV show.

46 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING

Rubber gloves are excellent for handling salmon fishing gear, with more durable nitrile models better than thinner latex ones for keeping human oils and scents off tackle like this Mag Lip being wrapped for back-trolling. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

If you have to wait until you get home to wash the plugs, a toothbrush and some aggressive scrubbing is often required to fully remove all unwanted buildup. When done, hang the plugs and allow them to air-dry prior to placing them back in the tackle box. If you find yourself on the river and not catching fish, washing your favorite plug may change those results.

IF THE GLOVE FITS (THEY ALL DO), WEAR IT As anglers grow more aware of the value of masking unwanted odors, more and more gloved hands are being seen on the river. Rubber gloves are likely the best ways to inhibit human odor from being transferred to fishing gear. The key is getting gloves that don’t tear or that are too thick. Thin, white latex gloves are fine when

working with baits at home, but they tear easily when on the river. You want gloves made with the substance called nitrile. Nitrile gloves won’t react with skin like latex can, and they’re sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of everyday fishing. Buy these gloves in bulk – not only is the long-term investment smart, but it allows you to have plenty on-hand for whomever else is handling terminal gear when fishing.

THE ‘JOY’ OF FISHING As for what soap to use when washing your fishing tackle, perhaps the most effective cleanser is Joy (in lemon scent). Reports from the bass fishing industry claim this soap is highly effective in cutting unwanted smells and human odors and emulsifying oils, which explains why it’s found in the boats of many top salm-

48 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

on anglers too. A couple drops applied to the hands every half-hour – or after handling objects with tainted odors – can make the difference between catching a fish or not. This is also great soap to use to wash lures, plugs, flashers – even your boat. When salmon fishing, make the effort to eliminate foul odors. Not only will this give you an advantage over other anglers, but it will boost your chances of enticing a finicky salmon into biting. CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular book, Bank Fishing For Steelhead & Salmon, 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, Facebook and Twitter.

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING

WINNING ON THE LOST COAST ROCKFISH, LINGS, HALIBUT ALL IN PLAY THIS SUMMER OFF THE NORCAL COAST By Chris Cocoles

here are few more spectacular California coastal areas to fish than Humboldt County’s rugged Lost Coast. And the fishing itself can be epic as well. For guide Tony Sepulveda, the name of the game in these waters in the summer includes salmon (see sidebar), rockfish and lingcod. But more recently, Sepulveda has gotten his customers more than a few bonus Pacific halibut for the fish box. “They’re not the kind of fish that you’ll catch a ton of,” says Sepulveda, who operates Green Water Fishing Adventures (707-845-9588; greenwaterguides.com). “But when I just used to go down there and fish rockfish and lingcod, I’d catch maybe one or two (halibut) a season. And now I’ve got it to where I catch them pretty darn regularly.” These are legitimate fish too. The Pacific halibut will usually range from 40 to 70 pounds, which can provide an angler with a lot fillets to stuff in the freezer. “Those things will sell for about 20-plus bucks a pound, and you figure a 70-pound fish will get about 40 pounds of yield,” Sepulveda says. “That’s like an $800 fish.”

STRUCTURALLY SPEAKING While past trips usually meant more incidental halibut catches, these days

They aren’t plentiful off the Lost Coast of Humboldt County, but meaty Pacific halibut are an option during summer rockfish and lingcod trips. (GREEN WATER FISHING ADVENTURES)

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING Sepulveda will spend maybe 30 percent of a charter specifically targeting the big flatfish when not reeling up various rockfish species or the larger lings. It all depends on the structure below – hard bottom for rockfish and soft bottom for halibut. “The hard bottom in theory is big tentacles – big chunks of rock that rise up 50 to 60 or 100 feet off the ocean floor. And then there are other stretches where a lot of it is just cobble and relatively flat but still hard.” Sepulveda says. Rockfish “species like coppers and quillbacks and canaries are what you’ll catch on the cobble bottoms. But when you fish the tentacles you’ll catch more blues, black rockfish, China rockfish, vermillions. Different habitats within the hard bottom will hold different types of rockfish.” But as the boat drifts away from that cluttered sea floor, you can

mud or sand. And that’s where those halibut are laying,” Sepulveda says.

BAIT UP OR GO ARTIFICIAL

start to find more halibut on a more smooth bottom. “And as you fall off the edge of those (hard-bottom areas), it turns from either straight, big chunky craggly rock or flat, chunky cobble, and it will turn into

Tackle remains the same when fishing these waters, whether it’s rockfish or halibut on your mind. But while swimbaits, jigs or shrimp flies work best for the various lings and rockfish, bait like sardines will increase the chances of getting into a fight with a 40- to 70-pound Pacific halibut. “But the biggest thing is just carrying your drift out into places that you’re not going to catch a rockfish anymore and falling off the edges of the reef,” Sepulveda says. “And rather than resetting your depth and getting back on the reef, fishing those buffer zones coming off the hard bottom is the biggest thing.”

BONUS ’BUTS As many boats started going out off Lingcod grow big in these waters too. Drifting with swimbaits, jigs and shrimp flies will catch a lot of these bottomfish. (GREEN WATER FISHING ADVENTURES)

52 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING After a closure two years ago and an abundance of shakers last season, bigger king salmon should be available in the ocean this summer. (GREEN WATER FISHING ADVENTURES)

OCEAN SALMON PROSPECTS IMPROVING

Two years ago, the fall-run Chinook salmon forecast for the Klamath River was so bleak it all but closed the ocean season for most of the coastal waters. But last summer guide Tony Sepulveda saw signs of life that 2019 was going to be better. “Of course, the salmon have been the bread and butter in Eureka for so many years,” Sepulveda says. “The last couple years, after having the one closure year two years ago, last year there were just jillions of shakers around – lots and lots of small fish. So we’re finally starting to see that year’s class come back and get into some good salmon fishing again. The season just opened and it’s been really good fishing.” The expectations going into 2019 were a bit tempered, as California Department of Fish and Wildlife projections of 274,200 adult fish entering the Klamath were even lower than 2018, but Sepulveda expects a lot of fish to be around between now and the end of the summer. “They were just about one year too young. So those things have grown up now and we’ve had a few days of fishing them and everything’s looking really good,” he says. “The fish are out deep. We’re fishing in about 300 feet of water and the fish are coming pretty deep on the wire down about 100 or 200 feet. But typically as the summer wears on those fish start to move in shallower. I’d imagine in another month or so we’ll start seeing them getting up there on the beach. It looks great because we have a lot of salmon around this year.” CC 54 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING Humboldt in late May for the start of salmon season and for more deep-sea trips, the wind was more brisk than normal, but the conditions are expected to be better as summer draws near. Hooking a hard-fighting halibut is awfully enticing for an angler looking to fill the cooler on a combo trip, but they represent quality and rarity more than quantity. While Sepulveda did get six anglers their one-fish limit each on one trip last year, catching just one will make for a memorable experience for all the day’s clients. “They’re not what you’ll be catching on every trip you go on down there, but more often than not I’ve been putting at least one of those on the boat,” he says. “They’re big and impressive. And so they make for a pretty cool capper on an amazing day of rockfish and lingcod.” CS “They’re big and impressive,” guide Tony Sepulveda says of the Pacific halibut he will target when taking out clients. “And so they make for a pretty cool capper on an amazing day of rockfish and lingcod.” (GREEN WATER FISHING ADVENTURES)

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NEVADA

FISHING OPTIONS ABOUND AT COLLINS LAKE CAMPSITES RIGHT NEAR THE WATER MAKE THIS SIERRA FOOTHILLS SPOT GREAT SUMMER DESTINATION

ollins Lake is located about an hour north of Sacramento and contains about 12 miles of shoreline in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The lake reaches 133 feet deep and has a full-surface elevation

of 1,183 feet. Collins is stocked with rainbow trout in addition to naturally propagating brown trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, redear and other sunfish. The lake has a

Collins Lake is one of the most popular summer destinations for anglers, campers and boaters. (COLLINS LAKE)

60 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

history of large bass caught on anything from crawdads or minnows to topwater lures or rubber worms. Last month, Robby Underwood caught a 12.5-pound largemouth on a Rapala near the bridge at the north inlet.

FISHING

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING Robby Underwood caught a 12½-pound bass in spring at Collins, which should also have some solid bass fishing this month. (COLLINS LAKE)

Trout plants continued into May, so there are a lot of fish in the lake as the water gets warmer this month. If you have downriggers for your boat, don’t leave them at home. Collins is a great lake for canoes, kayaks and float tubes, which seem to be in vogue for folks looking for a peaceful escape from the valley grind. Skiing and wakeboarding is permitted during the summer months; however, jet skis and similar small personal watercraft and noisy boats are not. The family-run campground is open year-round (the office and gate are open every day except Christmas

Day). It’s a clean and well-kept area along the western shoreline. When the lake is full you can practically fish right out of the lakefront campsites. RV hookups are available as well as non-hookup trailer and tent camping. If you don’t want to drag a trailer up the hill, they also offer rental trailers and cabins. You can reserve a campsite or cabin online or by phone (collinslake.com; 530-692-1600) as much as a year in advance. The general store has some basics for sale, including gas, propane, tackle, bait, drinks, snacks and memorabilia, as well as espresso and the giant ice cream cones that Collins Lake are

62 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

so popular with visitors. Late spring and summer until after Labor Day means the weekends can be very busy. It’s almost always more peaceful on a weekday or after mid-August when the kids go back to school. If you’re not camping, there are grills and picnic tables near the beach for day-use purposes. Rental boats are available just south of the beach and include small aluminum fishing boats, two-story patio boats, paddleboards and kayaks, plus a few smaller open-platform pontoon boats for fishing with the family will be available. CS

KERN RIVER VALLEY Bass fishing at Lake Isabella is back in full swing as shown in the photo here. In a recent American Bass tournament held at Isabella, Randy and Mason MacAbee took first place with this incredible 31.9-pound catch, including a 8.2-pound fish that was good for a $1,250 payday. Lake levels are still rising and the spring runoff is just starting. What a bonus year for whitewater rafting, fishing, windsurfing, jet skiing and for the merchants in the Kern River Valley. www.kernrivervalley.com â&#x20AC;˘ 760-379-5236

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calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING

THE STRIPER SEER BAY AREA SKIPPER GETS HIS CLIENTS IN ON SOME GREAT LINESIDES ACTION By Mark Fong

he striped bass is one of the most popular gamefish in California and striper fever is a very real phenomenon. Once you’re bitten by the bug, there is simply no cure. And one man who knows this all to well is Capt. Jeff Soo Hoo. “I have been chasing stripers pretty hard for the last 20 years,” Soo Hoo

said. “I just got hooked on them and there is something about striped bass that appeals to me.” Soo Hoo is the owner and operator of Soo Hoo Sportfishing. A dyed-inthe-wool fisherman since his youth, he is an extremely versatile and skilled freshwater and saltwater skipper. In addition, Soo Hoo is an excellent teacher. Outside of peak striped bass season, he spends his time as a second captain with Fish Emeryville, one

of the Bay Area’s leading saltwater sportfishing centers. Soo Hoo pilots the Tigerfish and the Pacific Pearl in search of salmon, rockfish, halibut and, of course, striped bass.

STRIPES ARE STARS Stripers (Morone saxatilis) are prized by anglers for their hard fighting ability and their excellent table fare. Their history is long and rich. Stripers are not native to California.

Ian Rigler, Granvil Tye and Gary Cook (left to right) show off limits of stripers caught with linesider specialist Capt. Jeff Soo Hoo. “I have been chasing stripers pretty hard for the last 20 years,” he said. “I just got hooked on them and there is something about striped bass that appeals to me.” (SOO HOO SPORTFISHING) calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING California coast and throughout the San Francisco Bay/Delta system. During the springtime spawning migration, the California Delta is the epicenter for striped bass activity. Much of the spawning activity occurs within the waterways of the Delta. For those fish that spawn further up the major tributaries, they still must pass through the Delta on their way to their spawning grounds.

HOW HE DOES IT Soo Hoo (center) nets a striper for one of his clients. He is a regular in the Delta during the spring run. (SOO HOO SPORTFISHING)

Per the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the first stocking occurred in 1879, when 132 small bass were brought across the country by rail from the Navesink River in New Jersey and released near Martinez. A second stocking of about 300

fish occurred in lower Suisun Bay in 1882. Within 10 years a commercial fishery had taken hold and existed until 1935, when officials closed it in favor of growing the sport fishery. Striped bass are an anadromous species that can be found along the

Soo Hoo specializes in fishing light tackle for Delta stripers. His boat, a customized 23-foot Rogue Jet Boatworks Coastal, is configured to his exact specifications for fishability, comfort and safety. Twin 115 Mercury four-stroke motors make for quick travel to the fishing grounds. Stateof-the-art Garmin fish finders help Soo Hoo locate productive locations. From the high-quality tackle to the cleaning of your catch, a guided

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FISHING trip with Soo Hoo Sportfishing is truly a memorable experience.

EARNING OUR STRIPES Over the past season I had the opportunity to fish with Soo Hoo on several occasions. My most memorable trip of the year came on a recent uncharacteristically windless spring day. I met up with the skipper at Laurtizen’s Yacht Harbor in Oakley (adjacent to Antioch in Contra Costa County). Once all the members of our party had arrived, we headed out to explore the vast waterways of the western Delta. I love to fish with light tackle. Since stripers are strong fighters, they are a lot of fun and challenging to catch on this type of gear. Soo Hoo is well versed in a wide variety of fishing techniques, but he likes to use a combination of live bait drifting, with a mix of spoons and swimbaits. When we arrived at our first spot of the day, Soo Hoo instructed us to start out by drifting live jumbo minnows. The fishing started out slow, but that was about to change.

“It’s all about the tide,” he explained. “When the tide gets right, the fish should start biting.” True to his words, when the incoming tide slowed a bit, the bites began to come at a regular pace and the fish started coming over the rail. It was a steady surge with a mixture of shakers and quality keeper-sized fish.

A fish finder helps locate stripers in the vast waters of the Delta. (SOO HOO SPORTFISHING)

68 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

Our group was having a great time practicing catch-and-release fishing.

WIDE-OPEN FISHING Our bite was about to shift into high gear. Sometimes the signs are obvious – diving birds, breaking fish, boiling baitfish. Other times, the clues are more difficult to interpret.

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING “Look at the way the fish are marking,” explained Capt. Jeff as he pointed to the graph. “Quick, drop a spoon on them.” When stripers go on a wide-open bite, there is not much in freshwater fishing to compare and when the fish will bite a spoon there is not a more fun or more efficient way to catch them. My spoon did not even reach the bottom before I felt a jarring strike. I leaned into the fish and it was game on. After several spirited runs, Soo Hoo lowered the net and scooped up a beautiful 7-pound striped bass. After quick picture and a moment to admire the fish, we released it back into the water. Drift after drift, the same scenario replayed itself for the remainder of the tide. When the action slowed, our captain would relocate the school or search out a new group of fish. At the end of the morning, our group had lost count of the number

Soo Hoo’s light-tackle setups provide epic fights for big stripers, like this one the captain holds here. (SOO HOO SPORTFISHING)

of fish we had caught and released. It was truly a memorable day on the water. Stripers are a great game fish, light-tackle fishing brings out the best in them and our skipper got us in on some great action.

70 California Sportsman JUNE 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

If you would like to book a trip with Capt. Jeff Soo Hoo, he can be reached at (925) 899-4045 or visit his website at soohoosportfishing.com. You can also follow him on Facebook or Instagram. CS

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HUNTING

Taking your pup on as many adventures as possible this summer – to the beach, for a hike or a stroll in the park – will help in forming the best gun dog companion you could ask for. Combining socializing with bumper training is a double win. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

SCHOOL’S OUT, BUT GUN PUP TRAINING IS STILL IN SESSION By Scott Haugen

ummer vacation is finally here, and with it warm weather and a desire to get outside. Wherever you go, take your dog with you whenever possible. Just like you, dogs enjoy being out and experiencing new things. The more settings and situations you can get them in, the more well-rounded, happy and disciplined your gun dog will be. Socializing your gun dog is one of the most important benefits you can offer it. Take it on walks in the park, to the beach, in the mountains,

even around town. The more environments your dog can be in, the less stressed it will be when encountering new settings and people on future hunting trips.

MEETING PEOPLE ON hiking trails, at the beach and in the park is a great way to socialize your dog. Most folks love meeting dogs, especially puppies, and the more people your pup comes into contact with, the better. When your pup meets strangers, be prepared. Have your pup on a leash and control it. Avoid letting your puppy run toward or jump up

on strangers. It’s ideal to have the pup sit by your feet and let the person approach slowly. It’s best if they are calm and bend over to let the pup sniff his or her outstretched hand. As a stranger approaches to greet your dog, encourage them to stay standing rather than kneeling to the level of the dog. This will help ensure the dog maintains its composure and doesn’t get overly excited and jumps up on the stranger. Consistency is key in this training process.

IT’S A GREAT time to also expose your pup to water. Regularly taking your

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2019 California Sportsman

HUNTING

Getting in the water with your dog makes it fun for them, and lessens their anxiety in new surroundings. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

pup to clean ponds, lakes, creeks and rivers, even the beach, will help get it used to the many forms of water it may encounter come hunting season. If your dog is reluctant to get in the water, having a bumper to get it excited can help. For this, set aside the dog’s favorite bumper, as they will recognize it and desire it more. Some dogs get particularly excited over duck and goose training dummies, and this can be just the ticket for getting them inspired about water entry in unfamiliar places. If your pup is young and entering water for the first time, you may need to get in with it. Be it in a swimming pool, lake or river, your being in the water sends the message that all is safe. The more fun you can make this experience, the more likely your pup will want to join you in the water. If your pup avoids getting into cold water, perhaps a heated outdoor swimming pool is where you’ll need to start. Hold the pup and support it when it swims. Playing with a bumper in the pool can divert their attention from getting wet to wanting to retrieve. The hope is the pup will be so focused on retrieving, or playing with you, that it will forget about the uncomfortable feeling of being wet.

THE KEY TO summer training sessions

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and introducing your gun dog pup to new things is keeping it fun. Just like kids who are on summer break, dogs also like and want to have fun. The more experiences you can introduce to your dog, and the more people it can meet, the tighter the bond will become between the two of you. Now is a great time to introduce and teach your dog all you can, instilling discipline and consistent communication that will form a solid bond, forever. CS Editor’s note: To see some of Scott Haugen’s puppy training video tips, visit scotthaugen .com. Follow Scott on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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