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California

Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 11 • Issue 10 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 Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, John Heil, Todd Kline, Lance Sawa, Bill Schaefer, Jake Sisco, Jeff Walters, Dave Workman SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold DESIGNERS Celina Martin, Jake Weipert PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Kelly Baker, McKenna Boulet 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 A projected run of 379,000 returning adult king salmon to the Sacramento River and plenty of water in both the Sac and Feather Rivers means a solid year of fishing is anticipated. The season begins on July 16. (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE)

MEDIA INC PUBLISHING GROUP P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S., Suite 190 Tukwila, WA 98168 (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com www.mediaindexpublishing.com

8 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

CONTENTS

VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 10

FEATURES 33

GET TUNED UP FOR TUNA Del Stephens is known as an albacore fishing savant on the West Coast – indeed, you don’t earn the nickname “Tuna Dog” without being an authority on these coveted Pacific Ocean game fish. Our Field to Fire column goes to, er, school on albies this month, with Scott Haugen picking Stephens’ brain for tips and tactics, while back on dry land Tiffany Haugen serves up a delicious blackened tuna recipe.

SUMMER IN THE SIERRA

From alpine lakes like Convict and Crowley to the famed Owens River to backcountry creeks and streams, the Eastern Sierra and the fisheries to the south offer something for every trout angler. Jeff Walters is a regular visitor to these mountain gems and offers up his personal favorites as the summer rush to beat the heat hits its stride this month.

POSTSPAWN POWER The “postspawn blues” represents that period of time just after bass accomplish their spring spawning duties and anglers make futile casts to fish that just don’t want to engage with whatever lures you’re throwing. But our Bill Schaefer says a colder and wetter than normal spring will actually help your summer fishing success. Check out our SoCal bass expert’s advice.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

15 55 67 (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE)

SACRAMENTO KINGS PREVIEW

Salmon have been under siege throughout Northern California’s fishing scene after a stretch of poor run returns and political strife amid water allocation wars. But things are on the upswing, and with a projection of 379,000 adult fish expected to return to the Sacramento and a two-fish limit restored, local guides and anglers are excited about the new season that begins July 16.

73 81

Sacramento winter-run king smolts get head start in new survival test An expat from Southern California experiences fishing bliss in Japan Company profile: Coffee Creek Ranch, Trinity Alps fishing, fun getaway Next-level water training for gun dogs How to dial in new hunting rifle, scope

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 JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

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THEEDITOR’SNOTE

Feather River guide Manuel Saldana Jr. takes a lot of pride in getting his clients fall-run king salmon, particularly when generations of families join him. (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE)

hope to get back on the Feather River this fall. I want to climb into Manuel Saldana Jr’s Fish Rite jet sled before the sun comes up all bundled for the chilly weather, then happily grouse a few hours later about all the layers I have to take off as the sun begins to bake down on us. I hope we’ll swap stories about fishing, travel, sports and our home lives. And I hope at least one of us pulls in a chrome fall-run Chinook salmon as it tries to complete the remarkable life cycle these fish are famous for. For Saldana, a longtime local guide who helps preview the July 16 king opener on the Feather and Sacramento Rivers (page 41), it still warms him to help his clients get one of the migrating fish into his boat. “It’s a beautiful thing. These salmon are born out in the rivers, they go to the ocean and they grow up, and then they come back,” Saldana told me. “The reward for me is when you see a father and son, a grandpa and grandson, come out together. All of a sudden you have two or three generations of fishermen. And that’s what it’s about – teaching the next generation.” Salmon anglers and guides have every reason to feel under siege from California officials given the at-times dangerously low returns of fish and potentially harmful projects like former Governor Jerry Brown’s Delta twin tunnels projects that conservationists argue could wipe out salmon runs and other native fish species. “For us as salmon guides, they don’t help us in trying to maintain our fishery,” Saldana said. “For example: the water. They cut down on the (water flow) and you’re watching your 2- to 3-year-old fish bake and die.” But as Saldana talked about in our story, the kings seem to be coming back upriver and a good fall run is anticipated. That’s all you can ask for these days. As Saldana and I concluded our interview, we vowed to meet up again this fall after we weren’t able to connect on a salmon trip in 2018. It’s something special and that more anglers should experience just in case it’s too late to someday. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

PROTECTING

Winter-run Chinook fry dipped from a raceway at Coleman National Fish Hatchery await transport to a net pen set up on the Sacramento at Scotty’s Landing, near Chico, as part of a six-year study to see if doing so improves the Endangered Species Act-listed stock’s survival while migrating out of the river. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS)

WILD CALIFORNIA

RARE KINGS GET A HEAD START

HATCHERY TESTS RELEASING WINTER-RUN CHINOOK 75 MILES DOWNSTREAM TO UP SURVIVAL By Jake Sisco

he raceways at Coleman National Fish Hatchery are the only home a select group of salmon fry has ever known. Feeding was regular, and there were no predators. Life was easy. Then they were released into an alien world – one with water currents, predators and no guaranteed meals. Life, literally, became uncertain. To help prevent excess fish loss for

this at-risk species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working on a pilot project with key partners to release 180,000 marked juvenile salmon into the Sacramento River 75 miles downstream from the hatchery, at Scotty’s Landing, near Chico. The study will test whether moving the salmon’s release point will improve their survival without causing more straying of returning adults. A control group of an equal number started their migration earlier in the week

at the standard release point, about 320 miles from the ocean, to compare their survival to the fish moved downstream. “We released 180,000 at Coleman. They were tagged separately with different coded wire tags and also they had acoustic tags,” said Brett Galyean, Coleman’s project leader on April 13 as he readied to release the lucky fish that were getting a 75-mile head start. “Based on travel time, those fish should be coming down either in a couple of hours or a

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA

One of several Coleman National Fish Hatchery winter kings, an early maturing 2-yearold known as a jack. Adult 3-year-olds will begin returning next year. (JOHN HEIL/USFWS)

STRONG RETURNS SO FAR FOR RELEASED WINTER-RUN KINGS

ildlife and water management officials are heralding the early returns of a special group of winter-run Chinook salmon this spring to the Coleman National Fish Hatchery on Battle Creek near Red Bluff along the Sacramento River. As of June 28, 68 fish that were released into Battle Creek a year ago to journey to the ocean have found their way back to the hatchery. These fish were among 214,000 juveniles released last spring as part of a jump-start program aimed at bolstering the endangered fish’s population after extreme drought in 2014 and 2015 nearly wiped out the entire in-river juvenile population. The fish that have returned so far this year are early achievers – most winter-run take two to three years to make their way back to breeding areas, and officials say the fact that some are showing up this year is a good sign. “It’s a hard life for a juvenile salmon from release until return and it’s always exciting to see that they have made it back,” said Jim Smith, project leader for the Red Bluff office of the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service. “This is a significant step towards success of expanding the current range of endangered winter-run Chinook salmon and in the recovery of this unique species.” “We are excited to see the early implementation of this important recovery action for winter-run is yielding such promising results so soon,” said Howard Brown, National Marine Fisheries Service biologist for the California Central Valley Office. “We are hopeful that seeing these early returning fish this year is an indication of what we might expect to see when 3-year-old fish start arriving next year.” The North Fork of Battle Creek is historic habitat for winter-run Chinook salmon. Resource managers from the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Program, comprised of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the USFWS, Bureau of Reclamation and NMFS, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company, have invested more than $100 million since 1999 to restore about 48 miles of prime salmon and steelhead habitat. “This is a promising sign for reintroduction of endangered winter-run

16 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

into Battle Creek,” said CDFW Fisheries branch chief Kevin Shaffer. “We are looking forward to completion of restoration projects in the watershed, which will allow these fish to migrate to and thrive in the headwaters of upper Battle Creek.” “Returns of winter-run Chinook in the Sacramento River used to be as high as nearly 100,000 fish in the 1960s and supported a healthy in-river fishery,” said Smith. “Recovery of this run is important to eventually reestablish this fishery. Other runs of salmon can also benefit from a recovered winter-run population, since these other salmon fisheries have been reduced to protect the winter-run salmon that mingle together in the ocean.” The confirmed returnees are all male 2-year-old fish. Winter-run usually return as 3-year-olds, so additional returns are expected next year from the 2018 release. Juvenile releases in 2018 and 2019 are from captive broodstock spawned at Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery in 2017 and 2018. The eggs and fry were transferred to Coleman and raised for about five months before being released into Battle Creek. -John Heil, USFWS

Marc Provencher, a fish biologist at the federal hatchery on Battle Creek, prepares to collect 180,000 fry for transport downstream. A control group of another 180,000 didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get a head start. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS) couple of days right by this spot.â&#x20AC;? The fish, moved via tanker truck to the Chico site, were released into an acclimation net pen floating in a side channel of the Sacramento River.

18 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

The net pen allows the fish to recover from stress and disorientation from the truck ride before being released into the river and reduces the potential that the fish will get eaten by predators upon release.

PROTECTING

WILD CALIFORNIA

Coleman National Fish Hatchery’s tanker truck arrives at Scotty’s Landing to release the fish. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS)

More than 180,000 Chinook fry get planted into a net pen in the Sacramento River. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS)

Thanks to tiny accoustic tags implanted in the fish, “Study partners can track the salmon’s progress through the system in real time,” writes author Jake Sisco, formerly with the USFWS. (JAKE SISCO/USFWS) 20 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

“The net pens allow them some time to acclimate,” said Galyean. “They are able to right themselves.” The two groups of fish were marked so that scientists can compare how they survive. A subset of both release groups was also fitted with tiny acoustic tags by volunteers from UC Davis that allow monitoring of their migration. Acoustic tagging will provide almost immediate data on the outmigration and survival of the juvenile salmon. “We will be able to get survival information this year based on the acoustic tags, and then in two years we will get three-year adults returning,” said Galyean. “This will be a three-year study, so it will be a total of six years before we get all of the information back.” Study partners can track the progress of the salmon through the system in real time. According to Joshua Israel, the science division chief in the federal Bureau of Reclamation’s Bay-Delta Office, the U.S. Geological Survey will be evaluating the release strategy’s effect on juvenile survival, and the USFWS’s hatchery evaluation team in Red Bluff will be analyzing information on adult return rates and straying. “This was a collaborative project,” said Galyean. “The (USFWS) raised these fall Chinook salmon since October and we delivered them down here to Scotty’s Landing. Scotty’s Landing allowed us access to this release site. The Bureau of Reclamation provided some of the acoustic tags; students from UC Davis were actually the ones who did 700 surgeries of acoustic tags. And then our partners with Nor-Cal Guides and the Golden Gate Salmon Association have the net pens out there.” And all of the partners will be pulling for the success of these juvenile salmon. CS Editor’s note: Author Jake Sisco was on an internship with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service from the U.S. Navy until this past mid-May. He has spent his seven years on active duty as a photojournalist, telling the Navy’s story. His enlistment ended in June. This story was reprinted with permission from the USFWS.

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Last month was a busy one for me, and it included a trip with my family to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and the historic Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. (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

Closer to home I caught some nice bass on the frog. We all know that frog fishing is absolutely the best! (TODD KLINE)

El Castillo – the Pyramid of Kukulcan – is one of the centerpieces of Chichen Itza. (TODD KLINE)

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

I also had the honor to commentate the USA Surfing Championships for Adaptive Athletes in Oceanside near San Diego. (TODD KLINE) Here’s a big hog caught on a frog. (TODD KLINE) After a busy month, here’s to some good wine and relaxing time! (TODD KLINE)

I was able to call the action of the USA Surfing Championships with my friend Ryan Simmons. (TODD KLINE) 24 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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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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PHOTO

CONTEST

WINNERS!

Jake Friedrich is the winner of our monthly Yo-Zuri Photo Contest, thanks to this shot of his son Hudsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5-pound Washington carp. It wins him gear from the company that makes some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best fishing lures and lines!

Denise Travis wins our monthly Ontario Knife Co. Photo Contest, thanks to this pic of her and her mule deer buck from last season. It wins her 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 | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

July 16 marks the opener for fall-run king salmon fishing on the Sacramento, Feather and adjacent rivers. (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE)

JULY

1 Cottontail rabbit season opener 1 Ban on lead ammunition for all hunting begins 1 Portions of Trinity, Klamath Rivers open for king salmon fishing 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 Sacramento and adjacent riversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; king salmon opener 27-Aug. 4 Mono Village Summer Fishing Derby, Upper Twin Lakes; monovillage.com 27-Aug. 18 Archery deer season opens in Zone B-4 (coastal areas of Mendocino and Humboldt Counties) 27 Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Fishing Festival, Mammoth Lakes; (760) 937-2942

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2-3 Bridgeport Fish Fest, Twin Lakes Resort; twinlakeresort.com 10 Stampede Reservoir Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org 10 Deer season opens in Zone A (South Unit 110 and North Unit 160) 13 Anterless apprentice elk hunt at Grizzly Island 17 Archery deer seasons open in most B and D units 17 Pheasant falconry season opens 24 Pronghorn season opener in most units 24 Deer season opener in Zone B-4 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 | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

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FISHING

FROM FIELD ... Trolling is a great way to get on tuna early in the season, but as water temperatures climb, jigging iron becomes the go-to method. Tuna fishing continues to grow in popularity, and there are certain things newcomers will want to know. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

THE TUNA WHISPERER PICKING THE BRAIN OF AN EXPERT ON HOW TO SCORE A COVETED SALTWATER TARGET By Scott Haugen

he tuna craze continues to grow, and those who love battling these hard-fighting fish know why. The fact they’re some of the best-eating meat the ocean has to offer also motivates anglers to find consistent success. If you’re new to tuna fishing or looking to build your knowledge, here are some tips from noted tuna guru Del Stephens, author of The Dark Side: One Man’s Journey to the 125 Line and Back (Del’s book can be ordered at tunadogoffshore.com). “When it comes to catching tuna, the most important thing a new tuna angler can do is educate themselves

on how to find fish,” Stephens says. “You need to be able to read sea surface temperature charts, or SSTs. It’s worth subscribing to a service like NOAA or Terrafin (terrafin.com). This satellite imaging information is a great starting point and will save you so much money in fuel, blindly searching for tuna in the wide-open ocean.” Stephens adds that reading chlorophyll charts, along with SSTs, is good. “You want chlorophyll charts to line up with the temperature breaks, as this is a great place to start looking for tuna,” he says. “Look for a high concentration of green in chlorophyll, as that’s where more nutrients are for the bait to hang out and feed, versus the colored blue chlorophyll line.”

“Look for 59- to 62-degree water,” Stephens suggests. “If you can find where the water temperature jumps at least half a degree in a quarter- to half-mile distance, that’s a great place to start, even if the water is a bit dirty. This is because baitfish, primarily anchovies, feed in the green water where food is abundant.”

GEAR CHECK Having the proper gear for tuna fishing is wise. It can be a big initial investment, but if you’re going to dedicate yourself to being a good tuna fisherman, it will quickly pay dividends. “Most people start out by trolling for tuna,” notes Stephens. “And most start off with a stiff rod. You want a

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING

... TO FIRE

BRAVO TO BLACKENED TUNA By Tiffany Haugen

una is an incredibly versatile fish. From sushi to the grill to the castiron skillet, both simple and complex flavors hold up to all kinds of tuna presentations. Pressure-canned tuna is also a favorite, and a great way to have shelf-stable protein on hand in the pantry. Whatever species you have available, blackened tuna is always a hit. This recipe works best on cast iron, but it’s up to you

if you want to fry it up on the stove or outside on the grill. 1 pound tuna 2 teaspoons smoked or sweet paprika 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon cocoa powder 1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon white pepper ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon cinnamon

You can use tuna for a variety of dishes and preparation, but Tiffany Haugen says a blazing-hot cast-iron skillet can serve up a delicious blackened fillet. (TIFFANY HAUGEN) 34 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper Peanut or coconut oil for frying if desired Lemon for garnish Cut tuna to desired serving portions. In a small bowl, mix all dry ingredients. Sprinkle mixture over the bottom of a shallow dish. Completely coat both sides of tuna with seasoning. For “dry blackened” heat, a cast-iron skillet on high works best. Make sure the pan is completely dry. When the pan is smoking hot, add seasoned fish and cook one to two minutes per side. For “crusty blackened” heat, add 1 to 2 tablespoons oil on medium-high heat in a cast-iron skillet or regular frying pan. Add seasoned fish and cook one to two minutes per side. 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.

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING stiff rod with a stiff tip, with that 15- to 20-pound class being ideal. Rod length doesn’t matter, and a lot of folks use their short, stiff halibut rods, which are fine for trolling. What you really need, though, is a high-quality reel.” You’ll likely spend over $200 on a reel, but that’s what’s needed if you want to catch tuna and keep catching them without having to keep reinvesting in gear that won’t stand up to the battle. “Today’s reels are getting smaller and more powerful,” Stephens says. “You need a quality reel with a 300yard capacity of 50- to 65-pound-test braid. A great entry-level reel is a Daiwa Saltist in a size 40 with a lever drag system.” “When attaching a lure to your mainline, via a quality, heavy-duty swivel, go with a 4- to 5-foot leader, in the 150- to 200-pound class. It doesn’t have to be fluorocarbon, as tuna are not leader-shy.”

Because tuna fight so hard, having the best – even if more expensive – reels can be key to success and saving money in the long run. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Both feathered lures and vinyl chrome baits are good choices when it comes to trolling for tuna, especially albacore. Black/purple, the Mexican flag, zucchini, and pink/white are all proven patterns you’ll want to have. When putting out lines, Stephens suggests running them in a V-pattern. “Run the outside rods farthest back, with rods in the back corners being the closest. Some boats can only fish four rods, some six or eight rods, depending on the outrigger setup. Just keep the pattern close together, as you want to create the look of schooling baitfish,” says Stephens. When you get a strike, keep trolling, at least for a short while. “When a tuna hits and immediately starts stripping line, there’s nothing you can do, so just let it run,” Stephens adds. “Keep trolling for another 10 seconds or so to try and get more hookups. Once you stop the boat, most of the time the hooked tuna will stop running. At this time, reel in the empty lines so as to avoid tangles.” 36 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

BE SAFE ON THE WATER Stephens suggests that no matter how big your boat is, if you’re new to tuna fishing, go out with a buddy and have enough gas to get to your hole and back to the marina. “Over the years we’ve seen so many rescues of tuna fisherman,” shares Stephens. “A lot of times it’s as simple as people running out of fuel. If you’re running 40 or 50 miles to the fishing ground, then trolling all day, then running back to the dock, it takes a lot of fuel.” Having a second motor is wise as well. Should your primary motor break down, having another one to keep you moving is a must, especially if it’s windy. Having a reliable VHF radio or satellite phone is a good idea.

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As with many forms of fishing, tuna anglers are realizing the importance of diversifying their approach. “When you run 40 miles and don’t see another boat, then suddenly come upon 200 boats trolling in the same spot, it’s no secret where the tuna are,” says Stephens. “But watch and see how many of those boats are actually catching fish; likely very few later in the season. This is because the tuna are deep. You have to get down to where the fish are. Having some good iron rods on board can make a big difference.” Iron can be fished multiple ways, and Stephens thoroughly covers these techniques in his book. Whether you’re targeting tuna this season off the California coast or catching the craze and following them into Oregon and Washington, take the time to read and interpret charts. Investing in the proper gear is a good move too, ultimately saving you time and money, plus putting more fish in the boat. CS Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time author and TV host. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Signed copies of his many books can be ordered at scotthaugen.com.

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FISHING

MORE WATER, MORE FISH PLENTY OF SNOW RUNOFF AND LIMITS BACK AT TWO FISH SHOULD SIGNAL A STRONG CENTRAL VALLEY RUN OF KINGS By Chris Cocoles

assive Lake Oroville and the dam that feeds the Feather River below can be a make-or-break variable in how much cold, deep water greets returning king salmon. “The lake is plum full. So they’re going to have to start releasing (water). And with that snow runoff they’ll have to continue releasing,” guide Manuel Saldana Jr. says. “So we’re all pretty excited about the run coming up on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers.” Saldana, based in Yuba City, owns MSJ Guide Service (530-301-7455; msjguideservice.com) and is a veteran at reading and fishing these waters. But while projections for 2019 dictate a pretty solid number of fish returning, Saldana and colleagues know that the water has to cooperate to keep the fish happy and eager to head upstream and bite. “These fish come in when that water cools off,” Saldana says. “Hopefully this year we’ll have all that snow runoff and a little bit of cooler water, so we’ll get them in a little sooner than later.” By mid-August, when the fish are in theory really entering the main rivers from the Delta, an ideal water temperature is about the mid-50s,

Guide Manuel Saldana Jr. (left) expects a good fall run on the Feather and Sacramento Rivers as the season gets going on July 16. (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2019 California Sportsman 41

FISHING CDFW CONTINUING TO STOCK LANDLOCKED CHINOOK, KOKANEE IN NORCAL LAKES

A positive change for 2019 anglers is the return of a two-fish limit per day, back up from the one-salmon restrictions from last year. (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE)

or at worst around 57 or 58 degrees. That’s a far cry from what anglers have encountered in years with less water flowing down the Feather. At times, late summer has still meant the salmon in uncomfortable if not dangerous water (65 or so degrees). But with a heavy snow year expected to raise the water level at Oroville even more, the state will have even more need to release some of that cooler water.

FISHING THE FEATHER The much larger Sacramento River features long straightaways with consistent depths of around 20 feet with sandy or clay bottoms. “The Feather River is a lot flatter and not nearly as wide or long. But it’s also more shallow and these fish are going to hang in these holes,” Saldana says. “You can’t treat the Feather River like the Sacramento River.” So Saldana, who hits the Feather regularly when it’s productive, “pocket” fishes his preferred river. Back-trolling sardine-wrapped plugs – Saldana likes size KF16 Brad’s KillerFish – is one of his favorite tactics. “We’ll put those right in front of their faces, and when they start tugging we’ll set the hook,” Saldana says. “You can also drop down some eggs or boondoggling – keeping the boat sideways and just kind of dragging the eggs and using the current.”

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT One promising change to 2019 is that the two-fish limit (four in possession) was reinstated. Last year’s outlook was bleak enough for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to institute a daily limit of just one king per angler. “I probably lost a good 40 to 45 percent of my business,” says Saldana, citing potential customers’ hesitancy to book trips with the usual two-fish bag limit cut in half. “Last year was a decent year. We had our fish come in but in smaller pods. They didn’t come in as a big wave or anything. A little pod here and a little pod there. This year we were happy that they gave us back the two-fish limit like the old days. So we’re looking for a good, good run.” CS

“We’re all pretty excited about the run coming on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers,” Saldana says about the upcoming season. He expects cool water temperatures before the end of the summer, when even more kings will be headed up from the saltwater. (MSJ GUIDE SERVICE)

42 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

One of guide Manuel Saldana Jr.’s more recent ventures has been taking clients out on Lake Oroville, which has a sizeable population of landlocked king salmon (California Sportsman, June 2018). The fishery’s success has been boosted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s aggressive planting of fingerling salmon in Northern California lakes such as Oroville. “They were going to dump them in Oroville for about the fourth year in a row,” Saldana says. “I’m super excited about that.” In late June, CDFW announced it was stocking a combined 1.45 million landlocked Chinook and kokanee to various waters. “This year’s stocking consisted of releasing 792,942 fingerling kokanee salmon into 16 waters and 672,734 sterile, fingerling Chinook salmon into eight waters,” the press release said. “Additional allotments of the sterile – or ‘triploid’ – Chinook salmon are scheduled to be released later this fall into Northern California’s Lake Oroville, Lake Shasta and Trinity Lake.” CDFW says within two or three years these fish will grow into catchable size. Oroville has been producing good-sized kings for years now. And for Saldana, who in the past has mostly focused his MSJ Guide Service business on spring stripers and fall-run Feather and Sacramento River salmon, Oroville and adjacent lakes have allowed him to branch out for trips. “I’ve been watching the (fishing reports) and (anglers) have been catching some nice holdovers now. Last year the biggest one I caught was 22 inches and (recently) they’ve been catching some of those at like 26 or 28 inches. Oroville is doing really well with lots of water and they’re putting in more and more fingerlings in there. That ensures that 2020 is going to be good as well.” CC

FISHING

WHERE W TO FIND MOUNTAIN TROUT

By Jeff Walters

hen you first visit the Eastern or Southern Sierra you find yourself trying to take in all the sights at once, which is almost impossible because there is just so much to do and see. From trout-filled streams to peaceful mountain lakes and everything in between, you find yourself wanting to come back year after year. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a short, informative journey to one of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top playgrounds.

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A TOUR OF EASTERN, SOUTHERN SIERRA FISHING HOLES

Your first visit will most likely be to the eastern side of the Sierra rather than the southern side due to its overwhelmingly popular fishing and camping destinations. The Southern Sierra range is carved out by the Kern and all the tributaries that feed this 165-mile-long river, which makes for a fantastic summer getaway. Between that water, Lake Isabella and the many parks and lakes that the Lower Kern feeds into, there are way too many choices to stop at and

From large lakes to lazy streams, the Eastern Sierra and areas further south are full of fishing opportunities. (JEFF WALTERS) calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING fish. However, let’s focus on some of the more popular choices on your way up Highway 395 towards Mammoth Lakes. While the road is long, after seeing miles and miles of what most call wasteland desert, you suddenly get closer to the mountains and more greenery. Your first real choice of water is going to be in Lone Pine. The gateway to Mount Whitney on the Whitney Portal Road takes you up, up and away into the higher elevations. This is a very popular spot for campers, hikers, and, of course, fishermen. Lone Pine Creek is always a good bet for angling and has many turnouts alongside it. When you get to the end of Whitney Portal Road, you have campgrounds, trails and more fishing to take advantage of. Since you are now at over 8,000 feet in elevation, you must be prepared for fast and extreme weather changes, so pack accordingly and if

hiking any distance, make sure you have the proper gear. Even at this altitude sunburn is a big concern, so please be careful and take along good sunscreen and lots of water. Fishing Lone Pine Creek and all the streams that feed it is always fun with light tackle. If you want the bigger more elusive trout, you will have to do some serious hiking to some of the larger lakes but it’s well worth it. Leaving Whitney Portal Road and the Lone Pine area your next place to cast a line is the many creeks and access points all along the lower Owens River. Please pay attention to access points since many of the roads are gated and marked private. A must-see on your way towards Mammoth Lakes is Manzanar Historical Site. Manzanar was a World War II internment camp for U.S. citizens of Japanese descent. This was a very disturbing past in our country’s history, and from whence came many

Fly fishing can be really solid on Mono County’s Hot Creek. (JEFF WALTERS)

volunteers to fight the Axis Powers in Europe. The Manzanar Fishing Club documentary was a very powerful story of the unbreakable human spirit that just so happens to be centered around interned prisoners sneaking out to go fishing (California Sportsman, April 2019) in this countryside.

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FISHING TROUT FISHERIES ABOUND On your way towards the Mammoth Lakes region you have many stops that offer some very exciting fishing. The towns of Big Pine and Bishop both offer access to many trout waters. Pleasant Valley Reservoir is a must-see for the older and more sea-

soned anglers. This is because of the terrain, the heat and some difficult sections of water. However, the trout are here, as are so many other species. The Owens River feeds into and out of this very deep reservoir and offers fishing the entire length that is open to the public.

Lake Mary is one of several Lower Basin lakes around the Mammoth Lakes area, a popular destination for fly anglers. (JEFF WALTERS)

Rocky gravel bars, weed-choked deep pools, beaver ponds and deep, fast water await the angler fishing the Lower Owens. You’ll mostly target wild browns and rainbows, with stocked rainbows, so you will always have a chance at some good fishing. Crowley Lake is a huge shallow, windblown lake famous for very large brown trout, Sacramento perch, rainbows and so much more. Early morning is the best time to fish here before the wind picks up, because once it does it continues to blow all day long. Float tubers, kayakers and fishing boats are everywhere and limits are easy. Do some more research before fishing this lake so you are more prepared for success. Hot Creek is a fly angler’s paradise for the opportunity to entice huge brown and rainbow trout. Many anglers spend hours and hours fishing the most popular sections, with some very big catch rates. Since this

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FISHING Water levels are good in the Eastern Sierra this year. (JEFF WALTERS)

while there’s little to no shade, the restrooms are always clean and well maintained. There are bear-proof lockers at every campsite, so use them for anything that can give off an odor – even toothpaste and shampoo. A black bear will try anything once and doesn’t care how it gets to it.

MAMMOTH LAKES

is a special regulations section and is open year-round with a “catch and release” program in place, you are not allowed to keep any fish at all, a rule that is strongly enforced. Convict Lake and Convict Creek are next on your list. The lake of-

fers camping for both RV and tents with boat rentals and a boat launch for private boats. Please call ahead or visit the website (convictlake.com) to make sure about the current boating regulations. The campgrounds are open and

50 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

Mammoth Lakes region is just up the road from Convict Lake and the Hot Creek area, so it doesn’t take too long to reach all three locations in one day. Fishing Hot Creek in the early morning, then hiking the banks along Convict Lake and Convict Creek, and finishing up at one of the many creeks and streams in Mammoth makes for a long, fun day of some good fishing. The area was formed by a very big volcano and some large glaciers that carved out over 100 different lakes in the region. The Upper Basin lakes in-

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FISHING Pleasant Valley Reservoir also has some hungry bass to catch. (JEFF WALTERS)

You can find a lot of fish in these crystal-clear waters. (JEFF WALTERS)

clude Duck Lake, Shelton Lakes and Deer Lakes, with all offering great fishing and boating opportunities. The Lower Basin waters are comprised of Lake Mary, Lake George, Horseshoe Lake, Twin Lakes and Lake Mamie. They all are just a few miles apart, so fishing a few locations in one day is a fun and interesting

way to spend the day. Campgrounds abound, so finding a place to stay is not too difficult. Keep in mind, though, that making a reservation is a great way to ensure your vacation is well planned for fishing success. As you can see, the angling locations appear to endless in this area. CS

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FISHING

THE QUEST NEVER ENDS AN AMERICAN EXPAT IN JAPAN FINDS NEW FISHING HOLES TO TRY IN THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN

Editor’s note: Lance Sawa, a California native and fourth-generation Japanese-American, has long been comfortable with a fishing rod in his hands. After spending some time in Kansas (“Bass fishing wasn’t even on most people’s radar, but the lakes were stacked with them,” he says), Sawa decided to live in Japan, where his passion for angling is being reinvigorated. Sawa will periodically share some of his experiences with California Sportsman.

Lance Sawa grew up in Southern California and has spent the last six years in Japan, where he has found some fascinating fishing opportunities, including for iwana, also known as whitespotted char. Like the rainbow trout and steelhead of the Golden State, the species has resident and ocean-going forms. (LANCE SAWA)

By Lance Sawa

rowing up in Southern California I fished both fresh- and saltwater throughout my life. Barracuda in Santa Monica Bay. White sea bass off Ventura around Anacapa Island. Salmon in Morro

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 | JULY 2019 California Sportsman 55

FISHING When the author reached the mysterious pond, a family of ducks were there to welcome the explorer. (LANCE SAWA)

Bay. Trout in the Sierra. Now I am in Japan as a fourth-generation Japanese-American. I’m half-Japanese and only have a basic knowledge of the language. But one thing that is still with me is fishing. Since I reside in a landlocked area – Togakushi in Nagano Prefecture, three and a half hours northwest of Tokyo – my choices are few. But after six years I’ve started to hit my stride and my fish count keeps going up.

MY LATEST TRIP STARTED in, of all places, a small museum near my house. The section with local history had a few old maps that I found interesting. One of the first things I did was look for fishing spots. I saw a lake with a smaller one right below it. After taking a mental note and a cellphone pic, I researched it that night. The large lake was still there, but not the smaller one. Google Maps didn’t even show it. The next time it wasn’t raining, I loaded the car and went looking for the lake that Google had missed. Getting to the trailhead a little before dawn was a little nerve-rack-

ing. But I turned on the head torch, grabbed my fishing gear, and headed up the trail. The trail was steep at first but soon leveled to be reasonably steep but still wet from the rain two days prior. I continued up into the forest. I crossed over a bridge that was shown on the 150-yearold map. The rough trail Sawa took was surrounded by thriving vegetation on which wild pigs fed, and it also crossed a decaying wooden bridge over a rill. (LANCE SAWA)

Just a little bit more and it would be time to turn deeper into the forest. It had only been about 15 minutes since I’d left the car, but traversing through the bush and on tiny trails gets you tired fast. As dawn light began to shine on everything I continued uphill toward the lake. At this elevation spring was still out in force. Edible plants were everywhere and the wildlife was happily feeding. The wild boars were eating all the bamboo sprouts, while birds gathered materials for nests. So much was happening around me that I didn’t notice the trail was all but gone now.

I PROMISED MYSELF THAT there was a trail in this tangled mess. It couldn’t be too much longer now anyway. I heard birds on water and saw a slight clearing up ahead. I finally reached a game trail that led me straight to the water’s edge. A family of ducks greeted me, and the birds weren’t afraid of me in the least. The lake was tiny – more of a pond than anything else, but the old trail map called it a lake, so who am I to argue with history? There was no incoming water source, so I determined it must be fed by a spring. 56 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

The iwana was a bit leery at first, but eventually the fish took a bite out of Sawa’s cricket, making the long hike worthwhile. (LANCE SAWA)

On the way back to his car, Sawa stopped at a small shrine to pray. “I was thankful that I found such a beautiful spot,” he writes. (LANCE SAWA)

I didn’t see an outlet either. Perfect, I said to myself. I can get some native fish then. As I walked around I could see that there were fish darting about here and there. I put my camera in the water and luckily got a gorgeous picture of a relaxing fish. But it wanted nothing to do with my cricket and I left it in peace. With the sun warming the lake a bit, the insects woke up and with that the fish got a second wind. I lobbed my cricket into the chaos of fish and insects and that got me my first hookup. It was a wonderful little fish that blended in perfectly with the rocks surrounding it. As I released it back into the water I finally noticed the time. Sunrise had come and the day was starting. I had to hike back down the trail and return home. Along the way I prayed at a mini shrine I’d missed in the dark. I was thankful that I had found such a beautiful spot. It was just a quick trip on this day, but I knew I’d be back again. CS 58 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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FISHING Smaller topwater lures, like the Daiwa TD Zero, will work well for largemouth bass coming off the spawn at productive fisheries like San Vicente Reservoir. (BILL SCHAEFER)

POSTSPAWN POWER SURGE SAN VICENTE RESERVOIR HEATING UP FOR BASS By Bill Schaefer

or almost all bass fishermen, the springtime spawn is a great time to get out and fish. There are a ton of males roaming the banks making nests, and giant females looking to bed as well. Southern California weather’s has been wetter and colder than usual this year, which has stretched out the spawn in most area lakes into early summer. This bodes well for anglers, since it decreases the postspawn blues, that dreaded period of days and weeks with no bites as the bass head out and start to school up. San Vicente Reservoir has been the

perfect example. Due to the inclement weather, it doesn’t just seem like the spawn has gone forever, but it has. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if there are even a few late spawning fish in July.

TRANSITION TIME Having the spawn spread out through June has provided great fishing. Even as the early spawners go through the lockjaw effect we all experience, there are still actively feeding spawning bass. This is making for a great transition for all anglers. Over the last couple months, I have been out to the lake a lot and the spawn bite was out of this world. The fish counts for bass anglers here

would rival the famous pay-to-play lake, Barrett. And now that the spawn is coming to an end, all those earlier spawning fish are schooled up and chasing shad along the banks as well as in open water. I have already been into some nice topwater fishing and chasing the tuna-type boils there

TAKE IT FROM THE TOP So let’s talk catching. Topwater action can be had all over the lake first thing in the morning. Top baits have been everything from the classic Pop-R to Whopper Ploppers, plus even some buzzbaits. There have been a few algae blooms and there are some areas

calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2019 California Sportsman

FISHING where the frog has produced action-packed fishing, so remember your frog rod. Some bass are still guarding fry, so a jerkbait in a bass pattern can get bit along the bank. You have to come close to matching the hatch for the breaking fish at San Vicente, as the baitfish are small. The fry in the water are on the minds of bass right now. Smaller poppers like a Daiwa TD Zero or a small jerkbait will work. But I find that an 1/8or ¼-ounce darter head with a 2-inch Kalin or ¾-inch Big Hammer grub in some shad patterns really work well on the breaking fish. When you see breaking fish, throw beyond them and then race the bait back through the boils. The tactic mimics a tiny baitfish swimming for its life. The bass can’t resist.

OTHER OPTIONS Once the sun comes up and some wind hits the lake, you might go to plastics or jigs. This lake is great for all variations of both. Split-shot rigs can be a bit tough here with all the bushes in the water, but the dropshot rig is king and works very well. Don’t go with too heavy a weight and you will be fine. Small to medium worms, shad-type baits or even creature baits are best. The fish can be found everywhere, from right on the bank out to the depths of around 30 feet or more. Texas-rigged worms work well too for the larger bass. I’ve been using 10- to 12-inch worms from Western Plastics in chocolate blue vein. Also doing very well because of all the brush is the classic Yamamoto Senko in 5 inches. I have also been throwing the Pro Senko in 7½ inches for larger bass. The crawdads here are blue-ish or purple-ish, so that should give you a hint of what to throw.

GEAR CHECK Author Bill Schaefer admires a 7-pound San Vicente giant that fell for a Yamamoto Pro Senko worm. (BILL SCHAEFER) 62 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

How about the tackle? All your regular tackle will work here. I’m using Daiwa Tatula and Kage equipment in different combinations for all the

FISHING

With all the underwater brush, a fly-lined Senko has been doing well for big bass. (BILL SCHAEFER)

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techniques. The new Kage rods are so sensitive and come in a lot of different actions. For drop-shot fishing, for example, I use a Kage spinning rod with a Tatula 1000 spinning reel. This combination is so light. I have been able to pull fish to 7 pounds out of the shoreline brush. My reel is spooled up with 20-pound Daiwa J4 braid and a Maxima 8-pound fluorocarbon leader. For weight, an 1/8-ounce split shot is about all I pinch on. For casting gear I’m using Maxima 10- and 12-pound line for everything except my frogs. There, I’ll go to the Maxima 60-pound braid with a 30-pound leader. This is definitely an exciting time of year at San Vicente and it should only get better for all-around action. Worms, jerkbaits, crankbaits, frogs and topwater – you can’t really go wrong right now at the lake. So give it a try the next time you want to take a road trip and explore new water. CS

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CO. PROFILE

COFFEE CREEK RANCH COMPANY NAME Coffee Creek Ranch LOCATION Trinity Alps of Northern California, 72 miles northwest of Redding CONTACT (800) 624-4480; coffeecreekranch.com

California Sportsman Can you give us some history of the Coffee Creek Ranch? Owner Ruth Hartman In the late 19th century, Ben Pinkham was a botanist by trade, but he came west with his friend and partner, Mr. Bennet. They were going to strike it rich in gold! While the original Gold Rush was over in California, when the Klondike proved too cold for most, miners started coming back to lesser-mined areas of Trinity County. In 1900, the ranch was started by building a barn that became the place for the miners to stay while waiting out the winter snows. Wells Fargo ran a stage stop at the ranch from 1902 to 1933 to pick up all the gold. Pinkham’s Boarding House was the original name of the ranch, which was built in 1901 with 17 rooms to accommodate the miners and city slickers. From 1902 to 1909 it was a U S. Postal Office called “Coffee,” California. When the original ranch house burned on Easter Sunday 1966, the roll-top desk with everyone’s name and slot for mail was lost. The ranch was the first school in Coffee Creek from 1903 to 1918, and a bell rang to start each school day. The bell sat on top of the original boarding house and was bought for $2 in 1902 and shipped from Hillsboro, Ohio, by C. S. Bell Company. Mrs. Pinkham was the only school teacher for the entire time. The same bell, dated from 1886, still sits on top of the existing ranch house today and calls the guests to lunch and dinner every day that we are open. The bell survived the fire, along with our Regulator clock from the 1900s. To survive during the Depression the ranch was a bootleg operation of hard apple cider for miners

Between a private stretch of Coffee Creek, the nearby Trinity River and Trinity Lake, alpine waters above, and a stocked pond onsite, angling options abound for guests of Coffee Creek Ranch. (COFFEE CREEK RANCH)

during Prohibition. We also have a history with presidents of the United States. The story goes that Grover Cleveland slept in his car in our parking lot because he was too cheap to buy a room for the night. Teddy Roosevelt visited the ranch and mapped the area for the future wilderness areas that would be proposed under his cousin FDR. It wasn’t until 1984

that it became officially the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area.

CS What is the fishing experience like for visitors? RH They can fish in the private half-mile of Coffee Creek for rainbow trout. We have natives and stockers. The Trinity River (stocker rainbows) is open all year, as is Trinity Lake for catfish, largemouth

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With a plethora of activities at the ranch and scads of country to explore, you’ll never get bored during a stay in the heart of the Trinity Alps. (COFFEE CREEK RANCH)

and smallmouth bass and king salmon. We also have fishing in our stocked trout pond. Fly fishing is great in Coffee Creek and the Trinity River.

CS The cabins that you offer look beautiful. Can you give us a description of the amenities? RH All the cabins have a theme and are

decorated accordingly. Circle B is the Bigfoot, Butterflies and Bears cabin. Your all-inclusive stay includes a private secluded cabin with private bath, all meals, and every imaginable dude ranch amenity and activity, with the most popular still being horseback riding. Supervised summer children’s programs occur from mid-June to Labor

Day, which if you have children lets the adults have some “me” time, but you can join in anytime. Private lessons are given by our experienced wranglers for an extra charge. When not riding there is plenty to keep you busy! We offer a heated swimming pool and oversized Jacuzzi spa, archery and rifle ranges, darts, a game room, bingo, hiking, badminton, pingpong, trap shooting, volleyball, horseshoes, basketball, bonfires, wine tasting, a talent show, karaoke, and square and line dancing!

CS Tell us about the dining options and what you offer in terms of meals.

RH Our meals are garden-to-table and cooked from scratch from old family recipes. If you have any dietary needs, we can accommodate you with no problem, as long as we know in advance. Our menu is online and outside guests can buy meals à la carte. We only offer one thing at each meal, but it is fine dining at dinner – unless it is a barbecue.

CS The Trinity Alps are a beautiful area but it seems like a bit underrated. What makes it and your ranch a great option to take a vacation to? RH Unspoiled and uncrowded. We are like what Tahoe was 75 years ago! We are the largest wilderness area in California. The Trinity Alps, Russian and Marble Mountains run into each other; plus we have the Pacific Crest Trail to hike. CS

68 California Sportsman JULY 2019 | calsportsmanmag.com

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HUNTING By training your dog this summer to deal with obstacles they may encounter on water retrieves, they’ll be better prepared to handle situations like this, where a wood duck drifted under some branches of a submerged log, during the hunting season. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

NEXT-LEVEL WATER TRAINING By Scott Haugen

idsummer means sunshine, hot days and the perfect time to raise the bar when it comes to water training your dog in preparation for the hunting season. In prior columns I’ve addressed ways to introduce your pup to water, as well as basic water entry and training techniques. So this time, with hunting season fast approaching, we’ll take a look at stepping up your training game to make sure your dog is ready for water retrieves.

ONCE YOUR DOG is comfortable retrieving bumpers in calm water, increase the challenges. Prior to hunting sea-

son you want your dog to be able to confidently navigate a range of conditions and situations, and in order to do this, it’s best to practice. A good starting point is in tall grass, especially with a pup that will be hunting for the first time this season. Grass that’s growing in water can tangle in a dog’s feet and feel uncomfortable at first. By tossing the bumper onto the edge of the tall grass, the dog can get a feeling for what it’s going to be like swimming through floating grass. Then, as the dog gets comfortable with the sparse grass on the edge, toss the bumper into thicker grass. Sometimes grass grows several feet tall, meaning the dog won’t be able to

touch the bottom. Conversely, thick grass close to shore may be sprouting from a muddy bottom, even firm ground. Being able to subject the dog to retrieving in grassy conditions with varied bottoms will help it get used to what it’s going to potentially encounter on the hunt.

IF RIVERS AND deep lakes will be on your waterfowl hunting itinerary, practice retrieves in these settings. Tossing a bumper into deep water will get your dog swimming strong, and in shape. But if you’ll be hunting in rivers where there’s a current, slowly introduce your dog to this. River flows can be dangerous, and do claim the lives

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HUNTING of dogs every year. When it comes time to introducing your dog to retrieving in currents, start in mild-flowing creeks, canals or small streams. Using a neoprene dog vest you’ll be hunting with is a good idea because it gets the dog used to the feel of it and adds buoyancy. Don’t start in currents that swiftly sweep the bumper away and carry the dog 50 yards downstream before it can make the retrieve. Instead, toss the bumper into a gentle current, one where the dog can easily mark the moving bumper and hear your voice commands. As the dog grows comfortable with simple retrieves in moving water, progress to bigger currents. Here, the dog may rely on hand signals from you to help guide it to a bumper it loses sight of. Waves in river rapids and windy days on a lake can cover a bumper or a bird. It’s easy for you to see a bumper or duck while standing

When bumper training in water, broaden summer training sessions to include retrieves in grass, reeds, rushes, and among sticks and logs. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

on shore, but remember, a dog’s eyes are only a couple inches above the water, and they may need help marking.

ANOTHER GOOD PRACTICE session is training on shorelines laden with sticks, logs and debris. Oftentimes on

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waterfowl hunts we find ourselves on banks that are thick with debris that have been blown in. These are good places to introduce your dog to prior to the hunt, as the obstacles can loom large to them. Start simple and be sure to keep

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HUNTING If you plan on hunting with two dogs this fall, train and prepare them for that now to avoid dominance issues later. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

it safe. If your dog is struggling, you may need to get in with it and be playful and make it fun. Don’t force it, for your dog’s safety is the number one priority. Tossing a bumper into brush growing at water’s edge is also a good idea. When hunting wood ducks or

mallards in the timber, cripples can quickly escape into thick shoreline cover. Teaching your dog how to negotiate and plow through such obstacles is essential. Finally, if you have two dogs you plan on hunting with at the same time, train them together. Even if you

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have a dog and your hunting partner has a dog that you intend to hunt together, practice together and get your commands lined out. The dogs should get to know one another and establish a relationship. I’ve seen a number of hunts turn bad when one dog suddenly tries to establish dominance over another. Driven dogs can be very possessive when it comes to not only retrieving birds but also pleasing their master.

THIS SUMMER, TAKE advantage of the nice weather and get your dog some intense water training. It will be time well spent, your dog will be in better shape, and ultimately it will gain valued experience that will prepare it for hunting season. 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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HUNTING New scopes always need to be adjusted after they are mounted. A typical scope will adjust point of impact a quarter of an inch at 100 yards with each click on the adjustment knobs. (DAVE WORKMAN)

‘QUICK ZERO’ NEED TO GET THAT NEW RIFLE OR SCOPE ON TARGET FAST? HERE’S HOW ONE VETERAN DEER HUNTER GETS HIS IN THE BULL’S-EYE By Dave Workman

ith hunting seasons coming up, let’s do a quick refresher course on how to zero a new rifle or a new scope on your favorite old rifle. After mounting your scope and getting the crosshairs as level horizontally and true vertically as is possible, head for the range with a supply of ammunition – the same loads you

will be using this fall, and remember that they now have to be nonlead – a couple of sandbags and a spotting scope or binoculars. Place two targets, one at 25 yards and the other at 100 yards, making certain there’s a good backstop behind them. We’ll presume you’ve run an oily patch down the bore, so your first shot through a cold barrel will be the fouling shot.

Take aim at the 25-yard target, holding on center, and squeeze one off. Wherever that pill punches a hole, take a long look at it. This will allow the barrel to cool off a bit and if you need to reposition the rifle, take care of it. For the second shot, zero on the same point of aim as the first round, presumably the X-ring in the middle of your target. Fire that shot. If the second bullet hits the same spot

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HUNTING

The next shots after adjusting your crosshairs should look like this. Then shift to a 100-yard target and fine-tune. (DAVE WORKMAN)

Say your initial hits through a new scope are low and left at 25 yards. Click up 16 clicks to move the point of impact 1 inch at 25 yards, either vertically or horizontally. (DAVE WORKMAN)

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as the first, now it’s time to do some quick math. A typical rifle scope adjusts a quarter of an inch at 100 yards right or left, up or down, with each click of the appropriate knob for windage or elevation. That means four clicks to adjust 1 inch at 100 yards. However, at 25 yards, you’ve got to crank that knob four times to adjust for a quarter of an inch and 16 clicks to move a full inch. Got that? Let’s say your bullets struck an inch low and 2 inches to the left at 25 yards. Turn your elevation knob 16 clicks up and the windage knob 32 clicks to the right. Now fire that third shot. If you’re in the bull’s-eye – and you should be, or at least pretty darned close – it’s time to shift to the 100-yard target unless a fourth shot is necessary to fine-tune at close range. At 100 yards off a sandbag rest with a bag under the forend and another one under the buttstock for a firm base, once the rifle barrel is cooled, zero on the bull’s-eye and fire. Odds are you will be a bit high but in the bull or close to it. Now’s the time to remember you will shift your point of impact a quarter of an inch with each click of your adjustment knob. I zero my rifles about 2.5 inches high at 100 yards. With my loads, that lands them on the mark at 200

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to 225 yards. Last fall, I shot a three-by-two mule deer on a pal’s property. The buck was about 125 yards away and unbeknownst to me, the bullet knocked it flat but didn’t terminate. When I got to the buck to field dress it, the animal got up and I had to finish it off with a head shot from my .41 Magnum revolver.

HANDGUN PRACTICE That brings us around to an important detail. If you carry a handgun while hunting, make sure you can hit something with it. If you pack a .22-caliber pistol for grouse or rabbits, make sure you can accurately hit a target at 25 yards. Normally shots on small game will be closer than that. I’ve got a Ruger MK IV semiauto with a bull barrel and adjustable sights. It is very accurate with 40-grain lead bullets, and that didn’t happen until I went through about half a box of cartridges. Now, my .41 Magnum is another matter. This particular specimen has a 4-inch barrel. It’s a Smith & Wesson Model 57, and I keep it stoked with handloads consisting of 210-grain Nosler JHPs ahead of 20 grains of H110 powder over either a CCI large magnum primer or a Winchester large primer. Last month at the annual Elmer Keith Memorial long range handgun match outside of Spokane, Washington, I repeatedly hit a target at 120 yards with that gun and load combination, so bonking that buck at about 15 to 20 yards wasn’t much of a challenge. (There were witnesses.) I’ve killed two deer intentionally with handguns over the years, and last fall’s was something of a fluke. The rifle bullet, a 165-grainer out of a Savage bolt-action in .308 Winchester, sledged the critter but it turned zombie on me and essentially refused to croak. Don’t carry a gun that you can’t accurately shoot. CS

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