California Sportsman Mag - July 2023

PUBLISHER

James R. Baker

GENERAL MANAGER

John Rusnak

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Andy Walgamott

EDITOR

Chris Cocoles

CONTRIBUTORS

Jason Brooks, Mark Fong, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Tim E. Hovey, Cal Kellogg, Joe Sarmiento, Jeff Walters

SALES MANAGER

Paul Yarnold

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Lucas Hoene, Mike Smith, Zachary Wheeler

DESIGNER

Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper

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

Cabrilla – they’re also known as leopard grouper – offer some of the best saltwater fishing in the azure-blue waters of the Sea of Cortez on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. It’s a relatively short trip from Southern California. (JOE SARMIENTO)

BAJA BLISS

Southern Californian Joe Sarmiento has become a resident of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. With the Sea of Cortez fishing he’s experienced, how can you blame him? Sarmiento joined Captain Juan Cook (here showing off a prized cabrilla) on a fishing trip through these turquoise-colored waters. Head south of the border for an epic fishing adventure – and make sure to order some tasty seafood tacos along the way!

13

MAKE A SHASTA LAKE ‘HOUSE’ CALL

Nor thern California residents are beginning to flock back to Shasta Lake as water levels have risen to capacity, and Cal Kellogg recommends anglers who want to experience the reservoir’s trout, bass and catfish opportunities should consider renting a houseboat. Cruise Shasta’s ample surface area, catch some fish, take a swim and then anchor in your own private cove for the night. Kellogg provides some tips!

23 ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

A fun bass fishing day doesn’t require breaking out the heavy-duty gear. Mark Fong has learned that a specialized trout-sized rod, spinning reel and 4-pound-test braid and fluorocarbon can do the trick just as effectively. “I now find myself reaching for my ultralight gear every opportunity I get,” writes the Central and Northern California angler, who also breaks down his three favorite soft plastics for tempting feisty bass.

55 BLOOD WORK

Veteran hunter Tim Hovey knows how tough the Golden State’s wild pigs can be. As one guide told him years ago, “The best way to bring down a wild pig is to keep shooting until they stop moving.” But what if unfortunately they do keep moving after being hit? Hovey shares how to follow blood trails to successfully recover your porcine prize.

Get

THE EDITOR’SNOTE

Ivividly remember sneaking a pen into the kitchen at my dad’s house and flipping his wall calendar a few months in advance to try and persuade him into a totally new vacation destination.

Most of our weekends were open, but scattered throughout the year were specific event listings – often his car club gatherings and various other plans, including what usually became our annual summer vacation, which almost always said the words “Lake Tahoe.”

Looking back, it’s hard to complain about always going back to one of the most beautiful destinations in North America – if not the world. How can you argue with a crystal-blue alpine lake with every kind of activity available? We gleefully went every year and I have memories that will last my lifetime.

But when you’re a kid who is obsessed with fishing, you selfishly want an angler-centric getaway just once. So one year when the family was discussing trip dates, the youngest of the clan spoke up: “Why don’t we go to the Delta or Shasta Lake and rent a houseboat?”

I stated my case that a houseboat was a great option to do something different. We could cruise the lake by day, getting some swimming in, then in the evening anchor up in a secluded cove, light the grill and cook up some meat while fishing off the stern for catfish all night, and then get up early the next morning and maybe try to catch a bass or two.

Perhaps it was Dad being diplomatic, but to his credit he said he’d consider it, and later on when I saw Tahoe marked for a week in the middle of the summer, I conveniently added “Delta/Shasta Houseboat Or” onto the calendar with the delusional hope it would sway his decision. Guess what trip won out? It didn’t involve

a floating sleeping arrangement.

That would be the last time I’d fight so hard to do the houseboat thing for our summer vacation. Decades later, I’ve traveled to 47 states and more than 20 foreign countries but I still haven’t rented a houseboat on a lake. So I can say that I’m jealous writer Cal Kellogg has experienced the serenity of such a fishing excursion.

Kellogg’s description of his catching an early-morning catfish while swallowing a hot cup of coffee is what I dreamed about so many years ago. I was too young for coffee back then and maybe now I’m too old to have the same enthusiasm, but the thought of sipping a sunset glass of wine and throwing a steak on the barbecue and a nightcrawler into the lake sounds like quite the event we should all consider adding to our calendars. -Chris

Cocoles

Renting a houseboat and fishing the vast waters of Shasta Lake has been on the editor’s bucket list for years. (CAL KELLOGG)

JULY

1 Free Fishing Day, no general license required in state waters; wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days

1 Rabbit and varying hare hunting season opens

1-8 Mono Village Summer Fishing Derby, Upper Twin Lake; facebook.com/Mono.Village, (760) 932-7071

1-31 How Big-Is-Big Fishing Derby, West Walker River; northernmonochamber.com

8 Zone A (South Unit 110 and North Unit 160) archery deer hunting season opens

15 Whiskeytown Lake Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org/derbies.php

15 Mike Raahauge Shooting Enterprises Youth Outdoor Adventure Day; raahauges.com/youth-day

22 Packer Lake Kids’ Fishing Derby; sierracountychamber.com/ event-5169225

22 Zone B-4 archery deer season opens

28-29 Bridgeport Fish Fest, Twin Lakes Resort; facebook.com/ twinlakesbridgeport

29-30 Ultimate Frog Challenge, Russo’s Marina, Bethel Island; anglerspress.com/events/ultimate-frog-challenge

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

AUGUST

5 Stampede Reservoir Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org/derbies.php

5-13 Dates for several archery pronghorn seasons; wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Pronghorn

12 Zone A (South Unit 110 and North Unit 160) general deer hunting season opens

12-20 Early Owens Valley Multiple Zone bull tule elk season dates

15-18 Grizzly Island Period 1 antlerless tule elk season dates

17-20 Grizzly Island Period 2 spike bull tule elk season dates

19 Archery-only and falconry quail, grouse and chukar hunting seasons open

19 Zones B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5 and B-6 archery deer hunting seasons open

19 Most D Zone archery deer hunting seasons open

19-27 Dates for several archery pronghorn seasons; wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Pronghorns

25 Start of Ambush at the Lake fall fishing derby, Convict Lake; convictlake.com, (800) 992-2260

30 Northeast either-sex archery Rocky Mtn. elk season opens

For a list of upcoming bass tournaments, go to nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishingContests/default.aspx.

Mono County trout derbies that will take place this month include the Mono Village Summer Fishing Derby at Upper Twin Lake, the How Big-Is-Big Fishing Derby on the West Walker River and the Bridgeport Fish Fest at Twin Lakes Resort. Go to monocounty.org for more details. (CHRISTIAN PONDELLA/MONO COUNTY TOURISM)

BACK IN A BIG WAY

FILLED WITH WATER AGAIN, SHASTA LAKE OFFERS A GREAT HOUSEBOAT FISHING OPPORTUNITY

By Cal Kellogg

The boat was beached on a point in Big Backbone Cove. The point was made up almost entirely of broken rock about the size of my fist. The water was clear and the bottom fell away quickly. I guessed the water directly behind the boat was 20 feet deep and I suspected a halfway competent cast could reach water 40-plus feet deep.

My wife Gena and I – along with Lucy the Labrador – had boarded

the rental houseboat the afternoon before and it was my first morning on the water. It was about 7 and I was enjoying a hot cup of coffee when I decided to pitch out a line. The question was what should I use: A plastic worm for bass or maybe a spoon for trout?

I settled on the all-around catchall freshwater bait: a nightcrawler. I had eight cans of ’crawlers in the fridge, plus 2 pounds of white prawns and a pound of liver. Gena and I planned to

spend a lot of time on the back of the boat relaxing and soaking bait.

I rigged the worm to drift 12 feet beneath a big slip bobber. With the water so deep and clear, I was thinking trout, but I figured a spotted bass might take a swipe at a worm too. I tossed the bobber out and finished my first cup of coffee. I headed back into the galley, filled my cup again and returned to the stern just in time to see the bobber disappear beneath the rippled surface!

Cal Kellogg is a regular visitor to massive Shasta Lake, where he tests his angling skills against brown trout and many other species. After a wet and wild winter the reservoir is essentially full, making a trip here worthwhile. (CAL KELLOGG)

Picking up the rod, I reeled in several feet of slack and came tight to the yet unidentified fish. At first it felt substantial and then it felt downright huge. At times the fish bulldogged; at other times it shook its head violently. And several times it took wild runs and smoked braid off the reel.

Gradually I wore the fish down and yelled for Gena to bring me the net, which was still stowed up front. The suspense was intense. I was going to let the fish go but I wanted to see what it was. A huge rainbow? A trophy postspawn spotted bass?

When the fish finally materialized off the starboard corner, I was shocked to see it was a big, bad channel cat!

Don’t get me wrong: I love fishing for catfish and had planned to spend a fair amount of time over the next few days targeting them. But I didn’t expect one to bite in broad daylight while cruising 12 feet down over really deep water. But such is the way Gena and I kicked off our May anniversary trip aboard a Lake Shasta houseboat.

EVEN WHEN SHASTA LAKE was 150 feet

down during the peak of the drought, this was still a massive body of water, but there is something special about being on the lake when it’s brimful like it is right now – with its 4,552,000 acre-feet of water and a mindboggling 365 miles of shoreline!

Gena and I have piloted our own Shasta houseboat several times, but the fact the lake was full clinched it for us when it came time to choose a destination for our annual trip. I was coming off a long winter guiding season and we were both looking to kick back and relax.

Fishing would be an added bonus, but we wanted to keep the fishing casual and employ techniques like drifting the aforementioned slip bobber off the back of the boat while enjoying a cup of steaming hot brew.

If you’ve ever fished Shasta, you know it’s one of the best lakes in the state. If you haven’t visited the big impoundment, this is a great year to make it happen, since the lake is full. As I said earlier, even when it’s drawn down significantly, Shasta is still huge and it still fishes well, but there is

something special about navigating the largest reservoir in California when it is full or nearly full. When the water level is high, the beauty of the lake is at its apex and elbow room is plentiful, even on busy weekends.

SHASTA HAS THREE MAJOR arms and a massive main body, so it really has four distinct personalities. The main body is huge and deep. When trolling the main body, your sonar unit will often register water in excess of 300 feet deep.

The Sacramento River Arm is the longest arm and runs basically from north to south. Back when I ran big aluminum trout sleds, I’d leave the top end of the Sacramento Arm running at 35 miles per hour and it would take me about 30 minutes to reach the dam, which should give you an idea of the length of the Sac Arm.

The Sacramento Arm features lots of points and large coves, such as the O’Brien Inlet and Waters Gulch. These coves are themselves larger than a lot of small- to medium-sized California reservoirs.

With Shasta’s high water level this spring, bass anglers are having a heyday working submerged trees and brush. (CAL KELLOGG)

The McCloud River Arm meanders downward from the northeast. A lot of folks feel the McCloud is the most visually stunning arm of the lake. It features big rocky peaks and expanses of dark timber. The famous Shasta Caverns caves are located on the McCloud Arm.

The McCloud typically features the clearest water in the lake, although the Sacramento can be exceptionally clear too. When north winds blow, the McCloud Arm, with its limited coves to hide within, can be inhospitable to both anglers and houseboaters. As with navigating any body of water, when boating on Shasta, you’ll want to stay informed about weather conditions and plan accordingly.

The Pit River Arm comes in from the east. Since the Pit flows through agricultural land, the arm’s water tends to be high in nutrients and therefore cloudier than the water found in the rest of the lake.

The really interesting thing about the Pit Arm is the standing timber it features. When most reservoirs in California were built, all the timber was logged off before the terrain was flooded. When fishing around the

thousands of acres of standing trees in the Pit, it feels like you’re boating a lake in the Ozarks rather than a Golden State canyon reservoir.

DIVERSITY IS THE WORD that best describes Lake Shasta’s fishery. The lake boasts largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. Spots outnumber the other two bass species, but smallmouth to 5 pounds and largemouth to 8-plus pounds are common.

I’ll never forget one evening when I was catching small spotted bass on a topwater plug when a truly massive largemouth exploded out of nowhere and slammed a 12-inch spot I’d hooked. The largemouth was hooked for a nanosecond. It jumped and shook loose. When I inspected the plug, one of the hooks was missing and apparently still pinned in the largemouth’s lip!

Anglers who prefer targeting coldwater fish can chase several species of rainbow trout, big brown trout, landlocked kings and kokanee.

In addition to the bass, trout and salmon, Shasta houses a strong crappie population, bluegill and lots of channel cats, which can range up to 30 or more pounds. I’ve always been impressed by the number of

catfish the lake has to offer. I’ve caught them in every area of the lake, in every season of the year.

Finally, there is a reproducing population of seldom-caught white sturgeon within the confines of Shasta. I was out on a kayak for trout in November a couple years back, and there was a massive splash about 100 yards behind me. I turned in time to see a 6-plus-foot sturgeon catapult out of the water a second time. The fish looked and behaved just like the monsters you see jump in the California Delta.

I’ve also marked Shasta sturgeon on my sonar. Some of these fish were swimming in the middle of the water column, but others appeared “stuck” to the bottom, making the sort of mark you’d associate with a feeding sturgeon down in the Delta or in the saltwater of Suisun Bay.

Clearly these fish can be caught, since once in a while a catfish angler hooks one. Yet, as far as I can figure, nobody has ever cracked the case of how and where to hook them consistently.

OK, IT’S CLEAR THAT Shasta is big and full of fish; let’s talk about how to

Shasta’s iconic I-5 Bridge is a great spot to start a fishing adventure because it marks the convergence of the Sacramento, Pit and McCloud Arms of the lake. (CAL KELLOGG)

hook up. I’m not going to share every nuance, but I’ll broadly detail the basic approaches and areas to give you something to work with should you decide to give the lake a visit this summer or fall.

For big numbers of bass, the soft plastics – namely, Mother’s Finest finesse worms and 4-inch Senkos –are royalty. If you want up-to-theminute advice on the colors you should be working, give the folks at Phil’s Propellers (530-275-4939) in Redding a ring.

Obviously, other bass baits can be

fished. Standard reaction-type baits in the form of crankbaits, ripbaits and spinnerbaits hook fish. Anglers interested in going big can toss swimbaits with success. I’ve had a wonderful time hooking Shasta bass on topwater poppers and walking baits. The average bass caught on soft plastics runs 10 to 13 inches. The topwater fish tend to start about 14 inches and range up from there.

You’ll catch bass all over the lake, but the standing timber and clay banks up in the Pit Arm are the most iconic stretch of the lake for chasing

USE A HOUSEBOAT AS MOTHERSHIP FOR FISHING

Day fishing at Shasta Lake is fun and the lake is dotted with boat ramps to launch your craft, but for me, the best way to fish the lake is from a rented houseboat.

A houseboat vacation on Shasta is a classic California getaway, and it’s a bucket list trip for Golden State freshwater anglers, for sure. Several companies rent houseboats on the big lake (shastalake.com has links). During the summer, rates are high and it can be very hot on the lake.

I like to plan my trips during the offseason, when rates are at the lowest and boat traffic is at a minimum. Early spring is a good time, but October and November are my hands-down favorite months for houseboat fishing.

You can catch plenty of fish tossing lines off your houseboat, but if you want to get really serious, bring your boat or kayak. Use the houseboat as your mothership and get after the fish from smaller craft! CK

bass, and it’s the area most likely to give up a whopper largemouth.

For rainbows, trolling is king. During the cold months you can work the top 15 feet of the water column with leadcore and toplines. As the surface gets warmer in the late spring, you’ll have to follow the trout as they move into deeper, cooler water using downriggers.

The main forage in Shasta is threadfin shad, so shad-imitating spoons are the No. 1 offering when targeting the lake’s epic rainbow population. Hoochies and dodgers, trolling flies, Apex Lures and minnow plugs work well too.

Rainbows are spread all over the lake. The Sacramento Arm and main body are always a good bet, as is the area where the Pit and McCloud Arms meet at the I-5 Bridge. Shasta is a big body of water, and the rainbows can play hide and seek at times.

The best strategy is to troll in the 2.5 to 3.5 mph range, use your sonar

A Lake Shasta houseboat adventure is a bucket list adventure for any California freshwater angler. (CAL KELLOGG)

Kellogg nailed this big Shasta Lake rainbow while soaking PowerBait off the back of a houseboat. (CAL KELLOGG)

TIME

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FISHING

and stay on the move until you find an area holding fish, and then stay on them the best you can.

The landlocked king salmon population at Shasta tends to cycle up and down. When the action is good, 5-plus-pounders are common. These fish fight hard and provide great table fare. Rigged shad, plug-cut anchovies and hoochies teamed with dodgers are top tempters for kings. Generally, you’ll find the kings holding from 30 to 60 feet deep in the main body or in coves connected to the main body.

One mistake would-be king anglers make at Shasta is ignoring the top of the water column. Often the kings will move up early and I’ve gotten several salmon over 5 pounds rolling shad on one or two colors of leadcore.

Kokanee were reintroduced into Shasta a few years back and there is now a catchable population of these landlocked sockeye salmon that range up to 17 inches. Standard kokanee tactics produce results, but the fishery is still forming, so there is no defined kokanee fishing area. The best advice is to work the main body and watch the sonar until you cut a school of sockeye.

Channel cats will gobble a range of baits from worms to live minnows. I’ve had great luck soaking nightcrawlers both off the bottom

and under slip bobbers.

Crappie can be tough to find in the large impoundment, but fish to 3 pounds are possible. Minnows work great for prospecting, but once you find them small jigs work well too. I’ve caught crappie all over the lake, but the Pit Arm’s timber is an obvious place to

explore, as is the entire lake. And now being full, it’s that much better. CS

Editor’s note: Cal Kellogg is a longtime Northern California-based outdoors writer. Subscribe to his YouTube channel Fish Hunt Shoot Productions at youtube .com/user/KelloggOutdoors.

This big Shasta catfish inhaled a nightcrawler late at night. Fortunately, the author tethered his rod to the houseboat’s rail before going to sleep! (CAL KELLOGG)

Shad-imitating spoons are a top choice for Shasta anglers targeting trout and landlocked king salmon, but not the only one. Kellogg picked up the rainbow at right on a watermelon-patterned trolling spoon. “If you haven’t visited the big impoundment, this is a great year to make it happen, since the lake is full,” he writes. (CAL KELLOGG)

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LESS IS MORE

GO WITH ULTRALIGHT SETUP FOR BASS-CATCHING FUN

By Mark Fong

Iam sure I have said this before, but one of the things that I really enjoy about bass fishing is that there are so many different ways that you can fish for them. From big swimbaits and topwaters, to jigs and finesse plastics, the choice is up to you.

With that said, on any given day some options present a higher chance for success than others, but still you have the final say.

KEEP IT LIGHT

For many years I have employed standard finesse tactics and offerings to catch bass in the clear-water lakes and reservoirs in and around Northern and Central California. On a whim several years ago, I had the idea to put my ultralight trout rod to the test against the spotted bass at my local lake. That day was more fun than I could have imagined, and I now find myself reaching for my ultralight gear every opportunity I get.

Many anglers think that small baits only catch small bass, but that simply is not true. Small baits catch big bass, and in fact there are times when small baits are the only way to get bit. I find the allure of fishing with ultralight gear and light line to be exciting and very challenging. Simply put, ultralight fishing is just plain fun.

SOFT AND SUPER

There are lots of different ultralight baits on the market, but I really enjoy fishing soft plastics. I have experimented with many different soft plastic styles, including crappie

This nice smallmouth was tempted by author Mark Fong’s ultralight setup. Sometimes fishing for bass with tackle you’d normally associate with trout angling can make for a great day on the lake. (MARK FONG)

tubes, trout worms and micro finesse bass baits. I have found that small 2to 3-inch paddletail swimbaits, 3-inch Shad Shape Worms and 3-inch Ned Senkos allow me to cover the majority of situations that I encounter. All three baits are extremely effective

and can be fished using a variety of different techniques. Natural colors in shades of smoke, green and brown get bit well.

Perhaps the simplest rigging method is to use a lead jighead. A 1/32-ounce to 1/8-ounce ballhead jig

with a size No. 1 or 2 hook works great with the swimbait and Shad Shape worm; that allows me to cover the water column from top to bottom. For the Ned Senko, I prefer a similarly sized Ned-head jig. These baits fish well on a drop-shot rig, as well with a No. 2 DS hook and a 1/8-ounce tungsten DS sinker.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

It is important to keep in mind that as with any fishing technique, having the right combination of bait, rod, reel and line will maximize not only your chances of success, but also your overall fishing enjoyment.

With respect to ultralight fishing, many ultralight rods are geared more for trout or panfish and are too whippy and lack backbone. I experimented with a lot of different rods before I finally found one that allowed me to effectively fish soft plastics for bass in deeper water.

Pro Lite Rod Technology (proliterods .com) has a rod that works well for this. Measuring 7 feet, 2 inches and rated for 2- to 6-pound line and lure weights from 1/32 to 3/16 ounce, the fast-action SVX72UL-S is a great rod that has exceeded my expectations.

Small Shad Shape Worms, Ned Senkos and paddletail swimbaits cover the author’s needs. (MARK FONG)

Bullards Bar Reservoir in Yuba County is a great place to target bass with ultralight gear. (MARK FONG)

I prefer a 2000-series spinning reel over a 1000, as it is basically the same reel with a different spool and a higher rate of line retrieval, attributes that combine to be important for my style of fishing.

Back in the day, I used to spool up with monofilament, followed by fluorocarbon. But today it’s braid with a fluorocarbon leader. Braid is super sensitive, casts well and has little stretch. I really like FINS Windtamer 4-pound-test braid in high-vis yellow. Since I started using it, I am 100-percent all-in on braid for spinning applications, even ultralight fishing. Windtamer provides all the benefits of braid and minimizes the manageability issues like wind knots and tip wrap.

I’ll finish up by connecting an 8-foot length of 4-pound fluorocarbon to the braid with an Alberto knot. The leader allows for a bit of stretch, but, more importantly, adds a stealthy presentation. CS

Fong uses a 7-foot, 2-inch ProLite Rod Technology rod and 2000-series reel spooled with 4-pound braid and an 8-foot topshot of 4-pound fluorocarbon. (MARK FONG)

WE HAVE WATER

WHAT ANGLERS CAN EXPECT AFTER WET WINTER FILLS LAKES, RIVERS

By Jeff Walters

California water is now back and filling all the reservoirs that were at extremely low levels just last summer. With those major winter storms that rocked the entire West Coast, California received over $1 billion in damage to homes, roads, buildings and businesses. Yes, we needed the rain, but not all at once. With all the gloom and doom comes a silver lining: The state now has water to last for quite some time

ahead. But where does it all go and who gets what? The California State Water Project manages 24 reservoirs that are currently holding a combined 16 million acre-feet of water. Add in the thousands of other private water authorities in the state which own, manage and operate 1,276 reservoirs with over 1,400 constructed dams and that’s a lot of water, for sure – but not all of it is fishable.

THE DRAWBACKS TO NEW WATER  With all this runoff now filling our

fishing reservoirs, we must contend with another water problem: debris flows. When the massive rainstorms hit a lot of the burned areas, most of the soot, ash and timber debris came flowing into our reservoirs, choking out the upper portions of the water column. The ever-increasing water levels combined with these floating islands made it difficult at best to maintain any type of safety, either from shore or from boat. There was just too much debris in the water. However, after awhile the dirt,

Before and after photos of a Lake Isabella boat launch reflect how California water levels have risen dramatically after a winter and spring of heavy rain and snow changed the game for the state’s rivers, reservoirs and fisheries, including in the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills of Kern County. (JEFF WALTERS)

FISHING

soot, ash and other debris sank to the bottom of lakes and reservoirs, allowing the water to clear up. This helped the fish population because they became less prone to being choked out in the murky water.

AN ISABELLA SUCCESS STORY

For example, Lake Isabella in Kern County did a wonderful job with the removal of most of this debris timber. The lake is fed by the Kern River, which moved a couple of metric tons of timber into the lake and river. The water levels were drastically reduced by outflow at the dam, which caused the timber to come to rest on shore. Then a call for help went out to the public – “Free driftwood, all you can carry” – and it worked very well.

Clean-up crews from all over came in to collect driftwood, mainly for wood-burning stoves. The Forest Service took over the rest and collected large piles and simply hauled them away or burned them along the shoreline in a series of controlled burns. All of these actions reduced the amount of floating timber dramatically.

The now-flooded brush and timber areas offer some amazing fish habitats. The water is shallower and heats up faster in the sun, making these areas attractive to spawning fish. Many of the boulder and rocky shoreline areas are huge magnets for fish of all types. The sunlight heats the rocks, transfers the heat to the water, attracting the smaller fish, which in turn attract the

bigger predators, so don’t forget to fish the exposed rocks.

FISHING PROSPECTS SOLID

The now flooded low-lying areas will remain this way for quite some time and offer some very interesting fishing. Carp have found new spawning grounds and will take full advantage of these areas, as will anglers and bowfishermen. Spring and the influence of new water always marks the beginning of bowfishing for carp here in Southern California, a time when thousands of pounds of this now invasive species are removed from many of the lakes and reservoirs throughout the state.

Crappie are a big draw as well, with full-on tournaments popping up here

The Kern River brought in a lot of driftwood to Lake Isabella, leading managers to offer it up to the public as free firewood. (JEFF WALTERS)

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LEELOCK CRAB CRACKER

This new tool from Leelock will allow you to measure your Dungeness crabs to determine which ones are legal to keep. Then use the Crab Cracker to crack them in half, separating the two clusters from the shell and guts.

The Crab Cracker has been designed so that it sits nicely on top of a 5-gallon bucket, perfect for when you clean crabs. The bucket gives you a stable base, which makes it easier to clean – the guts and shell go into the bucket, making cleanup a snap. Crabs cleaned this way take up half as much space as whole crabs, so you can cook twice as many in your kettle.

The Crab Cracker is a unique tool made from solid aluminum, and comes in handy for cleaning Dungeness crabs.

and there. These wonderful-tasting panfish get downright huge in some areas, with 2- and 3-pound fish the norm. Most anglers have their special locations where they like to fish, while others will travel to some of the more well-known bodies of water. California has a limit of 25 panfish of all species combined, and a limit of 25 crappie is always a good thing.

Largemouth can be found in many California lakes, but the waters in the central and southern portions of the state receive the most attention. With higher water levels in most places, this year promises to be a good one for bass fishing. Next year is on schedule for even more productivity, as the fish spread out and become more acclimated to their new watery surroundings.

California has enough water now to offer some amazing fishing this year and for years to come. So, this summer and fall, go out to explore some of our newfound water levels. CS

The Forest Service also burned piles of wood that clogged Isabella. “All these actions reduced the amount of floating timber dramatically.” (JEFF WALTERS)

BEST OF CHARTERS

VIVA BAY OF LA! FISHING

CHASING CABRILLA ON BAJA’S SEA OF CORTEZ

By Joe Sarmiento

Mexico’s Bahia de Los Angeles, or Bay of LA, is located on the Sea of Cortez side of Baja California, about a twohour drive south from San Felipe on Mexican Federal Highway 5.

When I first moved to Baja California in April 2021, I was excited to experience firsthand all the various fishing destinations I’d only heard about from other anglers on the sportfishing boats of Southern California.

I’ve now had the opportunity to visit and fish them and for me, at the top of the list is Bahia de Los Angeles.

I’ve been to BOLA a handful of times now, and I was especially looking forward to my most recent trip there. I was in Gonzaga Bay fishing with Captain George Catian and my friend Dennis Leung in March of this year.

George is a young, talented pangero out of San Quintin who led us on a memorable Gonzaga trip last year. Another group of anglers were staying next to us and going out with Captain Juan Cook.

Juan is in his 70s and is kind of a living legend. Like George, Juan is based out of San Quintin, but he likes to take his Parker boat to other Baja destinations as the fishing bite heats up at one spot or another. Juan came by to share dinner with all of us, giving me an opportunity to meet him for the first time.

I’ve followed Juan’s exploits on social media for a while. I admire how he does well on the target gamefish du jour, yet somehow always finds a way to catch something exotic or put a different spin on things. I was excited to finally meet him in person. I was

thrilled when he invited me to join him as he brought his boat down from Gonzaga to BOLA in late May. When he extended this invite, I assumed he would trailer his boat down. He clarified that his intention was to drive the boat down on the water and fish all along the way. Yes, please – count me in!

I DROVE FROM MY place in Rosarito Beach – 20 minutes south of the border – on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula, east to Mexicali, where I picked up the

The azure waters of Sea of Cortez’s Gonzaga Bay along Mexico’s Baja Peninsula offer anglers outstanding saltwater fishing opportunities, along with great scenery. (JOE SARMIENTO)

highway south to San Felipe. I stopped there to gas up and refuel myself with various seafood tacos (the spicy garlic octopus tacos are a favorite!).

Part of the allure in going to these places for me is how remote and primitive they feel. About 30 minutes south of San Felipe, you lose cell coverage. Becoming untethered to your phone gives you time to contemplate the experience ahead and imagine how it must have felt seeing the turquoise-blue waters of the Sea of Cortez for the first travelers there.

A couple hours later, I arrived in Gonzaga Bay. I stayed at the Papa Fernandez campo that night prior to our departure. Juan met me there the following morning to launch the boat.

The game plan for the drive down would be to hug the coastline and target leopard grouper – aka cabrilla – all the way.

I’M OFTEN ASKED WHAT my favorite kind of fishing is, and targeting cabrilla is top of the list. If the water gets too warm, cabrilla will head to cooler, deeper water. You can catch them under these conditions using vertical jigs or dropper loop baits. That’s not the style of cabrilla fishing I long to do, though. I like it when they’re up in shallow and rocky structure to ambush unsuspecting prey that may wander above their target hunting area. These cabrilla are ferocious. They come up hard to strike their prey, then want to immediately return to their rocky lair below.

That behavior creates a special challenge to successfully getting them in the boat. You must fish heavy and lock down your drags. You will lose some cabrilla angling in this manner, but they aren’t finessable. You’ll lose every one fishing too light or thinking you can let them run and tire them out. It’s power fishing. You’re either going to win or lose each encounter, which is thrilling either way the outcome shakes out.

I had done this kind of cabrilla fishing on previous trips to Bahia

Captain Juan Cook is a bit of “a living legend” among the fishing community on this stretch of Baja California. (JOE SARMIENTO)

A colorful collection of cabrilla lures await deployment. (JOE SARMIENTO)

The giant fish-stealing sea lions on this island were watching intently to see what was happening.

de Los Angeles, but I was about to experience the next level of it.

KNOWING WHAT JUAN HAD in mind prior to the trip, I kept things simple in terms of what gear I packed. I brought my surface iron setup (Fishing Syndicate S-glass 90J rod paired with a Shimano Tranx 500 HG reel) because I have caught these fish on surface iron, but more so because if a spot of yellowtail were to pop up under birds, then I’d have the proper response to it.

My second setup was a custom Fishing Syndicate FSC 900L spinning rod, paired with a 13 Fishing Architect 4.0 reel. I’d put together this combo in hopes of fulfilling my goal of catching a yellowtail from shore this year. The Architect has 22 pounds of drag. I wanted to stress test this combo on cabrilla to see if it would be up to the challenge.

Finally, I brought a Fishing Syndicate FSC Inshore 900L rod, paired with a Daiwa Lexa 400HS

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baitcaster reel. This is the “proper” setup for this kind of cabrilla fishing – light so you can cast all day, but powerful enough to go mano a mano with these fish. I brought it just in case the spinning combo didn’t work out. If there was any vertical fishing to be done, I figured I’d use one of Juan’s slow pitch jigging combos, as I’ve had a curiosity about fishing this way for a while and it is a specialty of Juan’s.

AFTER DEPARTING FROM PAPA Fernandez,

we headed to Punta Final on the south end of Gonzaga Bay. I got my first glimpse here of how Juan thinks outside the box. There were a couple high spots just off the shore where the underwater terrain rises from about 95 feet to 40 feet. Juan knows there are fish lurking on these high spots, but instead of trying to jig for them, he recently started to troll for them. Using a Rapala X-Rap Magnum 40 deepdiving lure and trolling at a speed of 7.5 knots, Juan is able to present the

lure in the target zone. He had been successfully employing this method before I arrived, but we only had modest success, with one cabrilla and a small yellowtail. Maybe it was just the day, or perhaps some commercial fishermen got to them. We moved on.

Prior to the trip, I’d been doing some online shopping to put together lures that I thought would be appropriate for this trip. As it turned out, I only brought one, a Yo-Zuri Hydro Minnow LC 170F, which fit the bill for what Juan preferred, a bigger profile bait with a lip to be a shallow diver. I managed to catch one fish using this lure and my spinning combo before I lost it. After I lost that lure – I kicked myself for leaving the backup at home – I borrowed from Juan’s bucket of favorite cabrilla lures.

As we made our way down the coast, it became increasingly clear that it just wasn’t going to be our day. Juan took me to some of his go-to spots, but they just didn’t produce. By my relatively inexperienced eye, conditions looked good. The spots felt like they should be holding fish. But if there were fish there, they didn’t want what we were offering.

As the day wore on, the hot wind blowing down from the surrounding mountains picked up. We kept hoping that just around the next point we’d find shelter from the wind and fish that wanted to bite. It didn’t happen. At least we made it safely to Bahia de Los Angeles. And there was another day left of fishing.

IN ALL MY PREVIOUS Bay of LA trips, we started our mornings making bait near the launch ramp area. But we didn’t need to make bait for day two because deep dropper loop fishing with live bait wasn’t part of our program. Beyond the parameters of our trip, though, Juan isn’t about using bait.

It was exciting knowing that the hour or two normally spent making bait would be added back to our fishing day. Juan warned me, though, that we had a long drive ahead to get

Cabrilla are at the top of author Joe Sarmiento’s species list to target, and this trip didn’t disappoint. (JOE SARMIENTO)

where we wanted to be. We wouldn’t be stopping on birds working the waters or even boiling fish.

Along the way down, we saw a couple spots of birds. One even had fish boiling underneath. Despite these obvious signs of fish, we pressed on. It ran counter to my deeply ingrained fishing instincts, but I trusted Juan and didn’t say anything.

There was a bit of chop when we left the bay. We hugged the coast to moderate the drag on the boat. Isla Ángel De La Guarda loomed large on the port horizon. By the time we hit the far south end of the island, the chop miraculously cleared away. We were free to cross the channel. Juan wanted to fish the various small islands – they were really just rocky outcroppings – found just past the south end of the big island. I’d never ventured this far south and was excited to cast into these new waters. My enthusiasm was bolstered when I scored at the first stop.

A fishing trip on the Sea of Cortez wouldn’t be complete without dining on seafood tacos like these at Mariscos La Palma in San Felipe. (JOE SARMIENTO)

As the day progressed, conditions only got better. The action was fast and furious. I had borrowed one of Juan’s lures that looked basically new when I tied it on. The cabrilla loved it and it quickly lost its new-lure luster.

The hottest action of the day was next to a tiny island loaded with sea lions, including a couple 600- to 800-pound behemoth bulls. It made me nervous. Usually, as anglers we try to avoid these fish-stealing mammals. Juan told me that cabrilla live alongside sea lions and the sea lions leave them alone. Pretty awesome if true, but I was skeptical. I would soon get the opportunity to test Juan’s statement. I hooked up and two sea lions were right by my line. They put up a half-

hearted chase and I got my fish into the boat. I hooked up again. This time it was a nicer fish. It actually pulled drag after my line came tight. I got some line back, but the fish was strong and still pulling hard. My rod was completely bent. I was locked in a stalemate with it.

I tried to turn the handle on my reel and I torqued on it so hard that the handle busted away from the housing that screws it into the reel body. Wow! Good thing I’d brought a backup. The Lexa 400 is loaded with 65-pound braid. When I retied, Juan recommended bumping up to an 80-pound fluorocarbon leader. I didn’t question it. These fish were mean and the terrain rocky.

While I was getting set up, Juan

continued to fish. He scored a couple more and I stopped to snap a couple pictures.

When I was ready, Juan set up another drift. I took a couple casts to get used to the new setup. I quickly acclimated and started hitting my spots. It didn’t take long before I hooked into another good one. Keep in mind that I bumped my leader up from 60-pound to 80-pound test. Drag is fully locked down on a reel with 25 pounds of drag. I got smoked. I’ve only felt helpless on a fish a handful of times ever, and it had just happened again.

“What was that, Juan? A gulf grouper?” No; it was still a cabrilla, but probably one over 20 pounds. I was awestruck.

WE WERE OVER OUR allotted time and Juan wanted to start heading back. It seemed appropriate to end on that note – and left room to ponder how to be even better prepared on the next visit.

We packed up and pointed north toward home. Once we got back in the channel, though, we happened upon a massive spot of birds diving on bait. I gave Juan a pleading look. “C’mon, man, give me a shot.”

Maybe he felt bad that I had lost that last fish, so he gunned it to speed up to the spot. On approach, he killed the motor to slide into it. On the first cast on the surface iron, I put it just outside the spot of birds. A yellowtail follower chased my jig all the way back to the boat, but it didn’t bite. Juan spotted four free swimmers on his side of the boat. On cast two, I put it squarely into the middle of the melee. Wind. Wind. Hookup!

I wasn’t disappointed losing that cabrilla, but scoring a surface-iron yellow was the perfect end to the trip. I’ll never forget it. Thank you, Juan, and I can’t wait for the next time. CS

Editor’s note: For more information on Captain Juan Cook, go to facebook.com/ juan.cook.5680 and follow on Instagram (@captainjuancooksportfishing).

Dennis Leung and the author with a Gonzaga Bay haul caught  in March. Moving to the Baja Peninsula has provided Sarmiento with some fantastic fishing options. (JOE SARMIENTO)

AN EPIC ALASKA ADVENTURE

CATCH COHO SALMON IN BUNCHES ON THE EGEGIK RIVER

By Scott Haugen

When I first fished with Becharof Lodge on Alaska’s Egegik River – it was over 15 years ago – it was a tent camp. But four years ago Mark Korpi and George Joy bought the lodge and upgraded it. Now there are buildings with plenty of room to sleep, stay dry and keep warm. Multiple bathrooms, complete with showers and flush toilets, make the camp an appealing place for any-

one who wants to go, from singles to families with kids to aging anglers who just want to go fishing and are looking for a safe, easy river to fish from shore.

The coho salmon run on the Egegik could be the best in all of southwest Alaska – maybe the state. I know several friends who work at lodges in the region, and many of them were struggling to catch coho last year; a number of them even chartered flights for their clients to fish the Egegik.

GETTING THERE

Traveling to Becharof Lodge on the Egegik River is easy; it just takes a bit more time than it used to due to some airlines still recovering from the pandemic. Anglers have the choice of flying into Anchorage or King Salmon, spending a night, then heading to camp the next day.

If overnighting in Anchorage, you’ll catch the commercial flight on Alaska Airlines into King Salmon the following morning. You have to take

Popper fishing for coho on the Egegik River in southwest Alaska is considered world-class by many seasoned anglers who’ve experienced it. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

TO FIRE

MAKE YOUR FISH CAKES AND EAT THEM TOO

By Tiffany Haugen

The beauty of this recipe is that any kind of fish will work, from the most delicate kelp greenling (pictured above) to a chunk of salmon. I’ve made it with trout, walleye and perch, plus more, and they all taste delicious.

When cooking fish, sometimes there are leftovers. But fish can be tricky to reheat. Pairing leftover fish with cooked, riced potatoes is one of the best ways to

serve fish the next day. Light, fluffy and flavorful on the inside with a crispy, crunchy outer coating, these fish cakes will leave you wanting more.

Not only are these fish cakes great for dinner, but we love eating them for lunch, even breakfast.

POTATO FISH CAKES

3 cups cooked fish

2 cups riced potatoes

2 eggs, beaten

3 tablespoons chopped capers or dill pickle

3 tablespoons chopped parsley and/or basil

3 cloves garlic, grated

2 teaspoons dried dill

1/2 to 1 teaspoon red chili flakes

1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2/3 cup panko or breadcrumbs

1/4 cup canola or olive oil

Garnish with green onion

Flake cooked fish, taking care to remove any bones. In a large bowl gently combine fish, potatoes, eggs, capers, herbs, garlic, dill, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Sprinkle panko or breadcrumbs on a large plate. Form fish mixture into desired patty sizes and press into panko or breadcrumbs. Place fish patties into hot oil and cook for three to four minutes on each side until golden brown. Garnish with green onion and serve warm with your favorite sauce.

Editor’s note:

For signed copies of Tiffany’s popular book, Cooking Seafood, and other best-selling titles, tiffanyhaugen.com.

Tiffany Haugen's potato fish cakes recipe will make good use of your catch. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

the morning flight in order to have time to hop on the bush plane flight to camp.

When arriving in King Salmon, Trygg Air – the lodge’s bush plane service – will meet you. If going into King Salmon the afternoon before your departure to Becharof Lodge, the place you’re staying will get you to the Trygg Air facility for your flight.

The bush plane flight from King Salmon to Becharof Lodge on the banks of the wide-open Egegik takes 30 minutes. It could be in a wheel plane or a float plane, depending on several factors. Before you hop on the plane, have your rain jacket handy, as there is a five-minute boat ride from the river to the lodge. If it’s raining, you might want to slip into your waders for the flight from King Salmon to the lodge, so you’re ready to face the elements.

IDEAL TACKLE IF YOU BRING YOUR OWN

This is not a fancy ordeal – it’s fishing in remote Alaska – so practical planning is key; there’s no need for formal attire. This isn’t your $15,000 elite lodge, but the fishing will make you think otherwise. Keep in mind that when traveling in remote Alaska on bush planes, the pilot is never, ever late and they have the final call.

As for fishing gear, you don’t need to bring anything unless you want to. Becharof Lodge is equipped with qual-

ity G.Loomis and Stryker salmon fishing rods, and they have all the terminal gear you’ll need. That said, some folks do like bringing their own tackle.

I often take a mix of spinners, twitching jigs and beads, as well as float fishing tackle to accommodate eggs and jigs. For lures, Flash Glo UV Casting Squid Spinners by Yakima Bait are my favorite, and any color combinations of pink and silver are deadly. The ½-ounce versions are a

great, all-around choice. If it’s windy and you need to cast further, upsizing to larger 5/8- or 7/8-ounce UV Casting Spinner, minus the skirt, is wise. I’ve also had good success with Kodiak Custom lures and Blue Fox spinners.

BnR Tackle Soft Beads have been the talk of Becharof Lodge the past three seasons, with the 32mm and 25mm models catching coho by storm. Cerise and pink colors are the rule. If you want to learn to twitch jigs, the

Becharof Lodge, situated on the banks of the Egegik, is remote, but the coho fishing, scenery, wildlife and wonderful staff will keep you coming back for more. (MAT HAYWARD)

A typical morning catch of coho on the Egegik. Whether traveling to the Alaska Peninsula river with a group of friends, or going alone, you’ll be assured of having a good time – and catching lots of salmon! (MAT HAYWARD)

owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.

For 33 years author

Egegik is made for it. A 3/8-ounce Twitcher Jig in any color combination of pink, purple and black is hard to beat. And if fishing jigs beneath a float, an 1/8-ounce jig is perfect.

Eggs can be fished on the river as well, and those will be cured at the lodge and ready to fish. Leaders will be provided, but if you want to bring your own, tie up some 2/0 hooks on 12- to 15-pound leaders. Coho are not leader-shy.

The Egegik is about the best I’ve seen when it comes to catching coho on surface poppers and plugs. Pink poppers – fished on a spinning or fly rod – are the ticket. I like casting 3.0 and 3.5 Mag Lips from shore too, with cerise colors dominating the lineup.

Toss a braided line cutter into your bag, along with long-nosed pliers, and you’re set. What you’ll likely find is, even though Becharof Lodge has guides to help you on the river, you’ll be walking the banks in search of fish, on your own. When this happens, you want to be able to rerig your own rods and unhook your own fish, so you’re not left waiting around for someone to come help you.

A GREAT DAY ON THE WATER

The Egegik is easy to wade and fish. You’ll get dropped off at daylight by a lodge boat and fish the prime holes, which can change from year to year, even day to day based on water flow. The river is shallow, so even high winds can move fish around.

This marks my 33rd year of fishing in Alaska. The first time I went I thought it was going to be a once-ina-lifetime deal. It wasn’t. Alaska grips you and keeps bringing you back, and the people at Becharof Lodge, are simply wonderful to be with – and you’ll never go hungry. I’ll be back again next month, and maybe I’ll see you there. CS

Editor’s note: There are still some August openings to fish with Becharof Lodge on the Egegik River. To book your adventure, or learn more, email Scott Haugen at sthaugen@yahoo.com.

Scott Haugen has been fishing in Alaska, and he ranks the coho action on the Egegik at Becharof Lodge as the best he’s experienced. He caught limits of coho on BnR Tackle Soft Beads. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

ON FOLLOWING BLOOD TRAILS

AN INITIAL HIT ON A MASSIVE WILD PIG STILL CAN LEAVE WORK TO DO

By Tim E. Hovey

Jessica was red-faced and out of breath. She sat down on the ridge and quickly rested her Savage .3006 rifle on her shooting sticks.

The rifle looked way too big for her, but she had used it with great success before, and it was her big game firearm. The wild pig was slowly feeding its way up the opposite

hillside. We had spotted the lone boar 15 minutes earlier, slowly walking the ridge above us. Hustling, we quickly hiked uphill to get in front of it.

I knelt next to her and ranged the pig across the canyon. “He’s at 180 yards,” I whispered. She moved her rifle slightly and adjusted her variable scope. “I see him!” she replied.

The boar was quartering away and stopped. I didn’t want to add urgency

to the situation, but five more steps and it would gain the opposite ridge and be gone.

I told Jessica to calm her breathing and to place the shot just behind the last rib on the right. She took a deep breath, slowly let it out and took the shot. Through the binoculars I watched a small puff of dust come off the pig and I watched it spin twice and then head out fast, disappearing

Jessica Hovey shows off a nice wild pig. These California critters are tough and often require tracking by their blood trail. Being able to read the signs will help you recover your quarry. (TIM E. HOVEY)

over the ridge in seconds.

I can remember having two very powerful reactions to the shot: I was excited that my daughter had connected on her first big game animal, and I was fully aware how frustrating blood tracking a wounded pig could be.

I’VE BEEN HUNTING BIG game animals since the early 1990s, and I can tell you emphatically that wild pigs are one of the toughest animals to kill. There’s a reason that a guide I hunted with in 1990 told me that the best way to bring down a wild pig is to keep shooting until they stop moving, and then shoot him again. Wild pigs are just built differently.

Stocky, thick-boned, covered with bristly hair and built like a tank, wild hogs seem to possess every physical characteristic to thwart a hunter’s bullet. Add in the stamina of a triathlete, and if you don’t drop them dead with the first shot, you better not make any plans for the rest of your day. Additionally, big boars possess a thick, cartilaginous shield surrounding the front half of their bodies, shoulder and neck. It won’t stop a big game bullet, but it’ll slow it down, affecting bullet performance.

As with any hunted big game animal, bullet placement is crucial to success or failure. A shot to the pig’s vitals, piercing heart and lungs, is a good start, but I’ve never seen a pig die on the spot when poked just behind the shoulder. Their adrenaline will kick into high gear, and they will definitely take off. While often lethal, they could succumb literally a mile away. Keep shooting!

Hitting bone helps slow them down, but I’ve killed pigs that had broken legs that either healed or they just dragged the useless limb around, still running off faster than I could run. Spine shots are iffy and will drop them, but not kill them. Usually, a follow-up shot is required to anchor them permanently. Keep shooting!

Putting a bullet in their ear is most definitely a lights-out shot, but your target is small and I don’t know any

It’s important to pay attention to well-worn game trails, like this one, during the tracking process. Wounded animals will often keep to a used trail when retreating. (TIM E. HOVEY)

hunter who thinks that’s the shot to take at distance. Head shots in general are close-up options, but again, the margin for a miss is high. Broadside, hitting the vitals or breaking heavy bone is the preferred option, but be ready for that second shot quickly, and keep shooting!

OK, SO YOU’VE PUT a hole in a pig and he’s taken off. It’s now time to blood trail one of the toughest North American big game animals to kill. First and foremost, get to the spot where the pig was standing when you first hit him and try to pick up the blood trail. Since pigs have wiry hair that can soak up blood, it’s very important to also remember where the pig headed after the shot. It may take time for the blood to flow.

Once you locate blood, take a second to think about what you’re seeing. First and foremost, what’s the color of the blood? Darker blood may indicate a liver- or gut-shot animal,

meaning it’s too far back. I’ve seen this before and the scenario is always the same. Good blood is trailed for 100 yards, and then the blood trail

slows and then eventually stops. The pig will continue for a mile or so and hide. Chances are it will have bedded up in thick brush and may expire eventually. Darker blood means your chances of finding the animal are low.

If the blood is red and freely flowing or spraying, that’s good news. This indicates a lung hit or you’ve struck a major artery. Oxygenated blood is redder than wound blood, and bright blood or frothy blood means the pig is going to have trouble breathing and will eventually slow down. Trail this animal quickly, but stay aware. I’ve had pigs poked through the lungs bed up and be angry as they wait for me to get close.

Jessica was all smiles taking home her prize –her pinpoint shot made this particular animal easier to locate. But it’s not always this smooth and often requires more hits. “You can’t eat the cartridges you bring back from a hunt,” notes author Tim Hovey. (TIM E. HOVEY)

Red blood that is spraying is almost as good as killing it with one shot. This usually indicates a solid heart shot, and the pig is pumping that valuable fluid right out of its body and won’t be around to see the next day. However, if the terrain is thick, the pig may still find cover and make recovery tough. Again, trail this one quickly and stay alert. A heart-shot pig bleeds a lot and the trail will be easy to see.

If one blood trail suddenly becomes two, that means you poked a hole completely through the animal. If

Male wild pigs have a thick fibrous shield that protects their shoulders and vitals. This shield will often restrict the blood flow of a wound, making blood tracking difficult. (TIM E. HOVEY)

each wound is bleeding, this is good news. Two blood trails from the same pig are better than one. If the blood is bright red in color, it’s at death’s door and you should be able to recover this animal. Again, thick terrain will hinder recovery, but stay on the blood trail and you should find your pig.

If at the location of impact you find bone or flesh and very little blood, good luck. This pig was hit poorly and may bleed for a bit, but chances are the wound is not lethal and it will escape. In all honesty, a clean miss is better than blasting chunks off the animal. They are almost never recovered and the wound will heal. I used to have a collection of hunter’s bullets I removed from pigs I had killed. I know at one point I had at least eight. In all cases, the pig I pulled the old bullet from was fully recovered and never looked wounded or lame.

All these scenarios can be cut short by connecting with your second shot.

I like to get ready for my initial first shot by calming myself, but half of my brain is already moving through the specifics of working the bolt and sending a second.

JESSICA AND I WALKED over to where the pig had been standing when she’d shot. After a little bit of searching, we found pretty good blood. The first few patches of blood were frothy and bright red. I pointed it out to her and told her it was a good hit.

For the next 100 yards, we’d find spots of blood, but nothing substantial. I started to worry a little bit. I looked ahead and noticed that the terrain was open, but thick cover was only half a mile away. I didn’t say anything to Jessica and we kept on the trail.

A few steps further we found two blood trails, one on each side of the pig’s tracks. Again: good news. We followed the twin trail for another 50 yards, and then the blood simply stopped.

My heart sank. I looked ahead and saw nothing more. Marking the spot, I started circling the area looking for more blood. I hadn’t taken three steps when Jessica yelled, “There he is!”

The pig had essentially died on the trail and then rolled 20 yards downhill. My daughter’s first big game animal was down and her shot had been perfect.

I’ve blood-trailed dozens of pigs over the years; some you find and some you don’t. The one common thread on recovery is that the first shot was placed well, and the hunter kept shooting. In some cases, like with Jessica, the pig was out of sight three seconds after the shot. However, if the terrain dictates it, keep shooting. As a friend of mine once said, you can’t eat the cartridges you bring back from a hunt. CS

Editor’s note: For more on hunting wild pigs in California, go to wildlife.ca.gov/ Hunting//Wild-Pig.

WATER TRAINING IN TRANSITION

By Scott Haugen

Depending on where you live, water training in July can still find dogs working in cold water. But as the month progresses, the transition to training in warmer water might take place. Both have their advantages, and dangers.

Echo, my 9½-year-old pudelpointer, loves the water, no matter how cold or warm it is. She’ll break ice all day long to get ducks. She’d honestly work herself to death in warm-water situations if I didn’t closely monitor her. Kona, my younger male, is more self-regulatory.

IF THE WATER IS still cold where you’re training, be careful. This is especially

important if air temperatures are hot, because you could misinterpret it to mean the cold water is soothing for your dog.

“There are signs,” says Jess Spradley of Cabin Creek Gun Dogs (cabincreekgundogs.com) in Oregon, “to look for during this transitional time of the year in water training.”

He is one of the country’s top trainers of versatile gun dogs and where he lives, the water stays cold for a long time.

“Pay close attention to your dog and if it starts to shiver, stop sending it into the cold water,” Spradley advises. “A dog’s drive can be so extreme, you’ll often mistake its shaking for intense anticipation. They’re not the same thing.”

Spradley also advocates short training sessions if the water is cold.

“Work on achieving a few crisp water entries, and keep the distance the dog is swimming relatively short,” he says. “This will keep the dog from getting too cold, while still achieving the training you desire. In cold water, a fun, brief bumper session might be a better approach than instructional training time. In fact, if the water is cold, I typically don’t try to teach anything to a dog because if they need more repetition to remedy a situation, forcing it into cold water quickly becomes counterproductive.”

Spradley also warns against forcing a puppy into cold water, as it may quickly lead to avoidance issues. I’ve seen this many times, and in some cases it was so

Yes, it’s summer, but long, extended swims should be avoided in both cold and warm water. In these cases, keep sessions short and have fun with your gun dog. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

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severe, the dog never liked going into water again. Such a traumatic shock to a pup can ruin it, so be patient.

AS SUMMER HEAT INTENSIFIES and water warms up, the flip side of water training concern takes place. This has to do with a dog overheating because the water is too warm for them to actually cool off. In other words, their body is generating more heat than it can dissipate, and this can lead to hyperthermia. Unlike hypothermia, hyperthermia is when the body temperature is greatly above normal. In hunting dogs that are very driven, overheating is a real concern, even when training in warm water. If the water is warm, ease your dog into it. Don’t just toss bumper after bumper, as the physical exertion of

swimming in warm water can quickly wear out a dog. Instead, start with a short run to get your dog warmed up and acclimated to the air temperature.

Doing this early and late in the day, when air temperatures are cool, is a must. Start slow in the water with short retrieves and don’t push things. Look for signs of heat stress, like excessive panting, cheeks that are pulled back to the point that the molars are showing, and a flat or widened tongue. If you see any of these, immediately stop training for the day and soothe the dog by applying cold water to the paws, belly, behind the ears and between the front and back legs. Rinse its mouth with cold water. Be sure to have plenty of cold water when training on hot days. Should the signs persist, consult a vet, as heat exhaustion or – worse yet –heat stroke can result.

IN THE LEAD-UP TO fall’s hunts, July and August are important training months for your gun dog. Pay attention to water and air temperatures at all times and watch your dog closely. Remember, hunting dogs are much different than nonhunting dogs, and their drive and ability to hide pain is mind-boggling. Go in prepared, be sure your dog is drinking more water during the summer months, train smart, and you and your dog will be fine. CS

Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time writer. See his basic puppy training videos and learn more about his many books at scotthaugen.com. Follow his adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

If the water you’re training in is too cold –say, it’s a snowpack-fueled stream, tailwater below a dam or other area influenced by cool flows – move the training session to land.

(SCOTT HAUGEN)

Jess Spradley works one of his prized pudelpointers on a warm summer morning. Spradley stresses the need to pay close attention to your dog when training in water, looking for signs that they’re too hot or too cold.

(SCOTT HAUGEN)

Henry, More Than Just Guns

By Jason Brooks

Henry Repeating Arms is a company known for more than just quality leveraction rifles, shotguns and – new –revolvers. From its inception more than 25 years ago, Henry has had a strong commitment to giving back to the community. In the years since, it has established itself as a leader in the firearms industry via charitable contributions. From supporting children’s cancer research to assisting veteran organizations and youth shooting programs, Henry is always looking for ways to make a positive impact.

The company takes its name from Benjamin Tyler Henry, the inventor who patented the first successful repeating rifle in 1860. To be clear, there is no affiliation or lineage to Benjamin Tyler Henry or the New Haven Arms Company, which manufactured the original Henry rifle from 1862 to 1864. Anthony Imperato secured the trademark to the Henry name in 1996, which is when the current company was formed. Henry (henryusa.com) is a company that prides itself on craftsmanship and

innovation, with a commitment to American-made products, as reflected in its motto – “Made in America, Or Not Made At All.”

In recent years, the company has made charity work a priority and has made significant donations to various organizations. In fact, Henry’s Guns for Great Causes program – a charity branch of the company –benefits a variety of organizations, with a primary focus on pediatric cancer. Henry provides financial relief to families of sick children and makes donations to children’s cancer hospitals.

In addition, Guns for Great Causes benefits military veterans, law enforcement and first responder organizations, particularly those assisting the wounded, injured and the families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty. Wildlife conservation, preserving and promoting America’s shooting sports traditions, firearm safety education and Second Amendment advocacy are all additional beneficiaries of the Henry program. One hundred percent of all Guns for Great Causes firearms sales are donated. Since its inception, the firearms company has donated nearly $5 million through

Long

known for its lever-action rifles, firearms company also manufactures shotguns and revolvers, while making charitable giving a priority.

Since forming Henry Repeating Arms in 1996, cofounder Anthony Imperato and his company have manufactured and sold millions of leveraction rifles in a wide variety of calibers and styles. As recently as 2021, Henry produced the eighth most firearms in the U.S. – the fourth most in terms of just rifles. (HENRY REPEATING ARMS)

Guns for Great Causes.

“This past year was the 25th anniversary of the Henry Repeating Arms Company and we set out this silver anniversary with a goal to donate $1 million in one year,” states Dan Clayton-Luce, Henry’s vice president of communications. “We accomplished this and more, making the ‘million dollar pledge’ a top priority.”

The future of the company is very bright and Clayton-Luce was excited to talk about the new line of revolvers Henry is coming out with. These wheel guns will complement the Henry leveractions as a way to “tame the West,” with the Henry Big Boy Revolver and Big Boy Lever Action both being chambered in .357 so a shooter only has to carry one caliber of ammunition. It will also open up the options for companies and programs that use Henry firearms as their choice when

it comes to fundraisers, retirement gifts or commemorative items. Henry can help any company or person come up with a logo-specific firearm; Clayton-Luce mentioned how he was just in Missoula at Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation headquarters to drop off yet another check for the organization’s fundraising programs to help elk and elk hunters.

HENRY REPEATING ARMS WAS founded in Brooklyn, New York, by Louis Imperato and his son, Anthony Imperato. They aimed to fulfill a demand for high-quality, Americanmade firearms. Henry’s first rifle, the Henry H001, was an instant success, and the company quickly grew in popularity.

Today, Henry has manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin and New Jersey and produces a wide range of firearms – around 200 different models of

rifles, shotguns, lever-action pistols and more. The company produces a broad range of lever-action rifles in both rimfire and centerfire calibers in a variety of finishes, including blued steel, hardened brass, color casehardened, and “All-Weather.”

The company’s flagship model is the Henry Golden Boy, a rimfire lever-action with the tagline “the gun that brings out the West in you.” Henry has sold over 1 million of its model H001 Classic Lever Action .22 rifle, which has become a staple of the firearms industry.

Some of Henry’s other popular models include rifles, shotguns and lever-action handguns, each with unique designs and features. Some of their most popular models include the Big Boy, Mare’s Leg and Golden Boy rifles, as well as the Lever Action Axe. The company also offers a variety of accessories, including scopes, slings and

Through the charitable arm Guns for Great Causes, Henry is making“significant” donations to organizations providing relief to families with children afflicted by cancer, among other giving. (HENRY REPEATING ARMS)

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magazines. Resurrecting the original Henry rifle, today it is offered in .4440 and .45 Colt in various finishes. The Henry Lever Action .410 bore is the only lever-action shotgun on the market.

The Henry Single Shot Shotgun is available in hardened brass or steel in 12-, 20- and .410 gauges. The Henry Single Shot Rifle is also available in hardened brass or steel in over 10 centerfire calibers.

Then there’s the Henry US Survival AR-7, an updated version of the US Air Force AR-7, a takedown .22 ideal for all outdoorsmen. All of the rifle’s components fit into the buttstock. The Henry Mini Bolt is the ideal beginner’s rifle, a stainless steel single-shot .22 that is also the official youth rifle of the USA Shooting Team. Henry Repeating Arms is the official firearms licensee of the Boy Scouts of America, and several Henry Boy Scout editions are available.

In addition, the company has a line of tribute rifles honoring many deserving constituencies, including those serving in the military, first responders and American farmers. The Henry Corporate Editions program allows companies to place their logo on a Henry rifle for employee retirements, dealer rewards and corporate milestones.

“The future is all about building on the foundation laid so far,” Anthony Imperato said early last year in an interview commemorating his company’s 25th anniversary. “We have a strong message, a strong desire to be the best gun maker in the country, and a strong group of people to keep the wheels moving. It is exciting to think about the direction that we are heading.”

IN ITS MISSION STATEMENT emphasizing commitment to quality, innovation and responsibility, Henry also includes dedication to charity work. The company’s website states, “We believe that our success gives us a unique opportunity to give back to

our community, our veterans, and our country.”

Henry has a long history of supporting charitable causes, with a focus on organizations that support veterans and their families. In recent years, the company has made significant donations to organizations such as the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, the National Rifle Association, and the USA Shooting team.

Guns for Great Causes raises money for various charities with a mission to make a positive impact on society through firearms-related fundraising events. It hosts auctions and other fundraising events to support various charitable organizations and has partnered to support organizations such

as the NRA Foundation and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Henry has donated unique firearms for auction, with proceeds going to these organizations. These donations have helped raise significant funds for these causes, making a positive impact in the community.

Henry has also donated to several veterans’ organizations, including the aforementioned Special Operations Warrior Foundation, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation and the American Legion. These organizations help support veterans and their families by providing financial assistance, education and support services. Henry’s contributions allow these organizations to continue to make a difference in the lives of those

The gun it all began with, the Henry Classic Lever Action .22, of which more than 1 million have been sold. It can be loaded with up to 15 .22 Long Rifle cartridges or 21 .22 Shorts, making it great for plinking. (HENRY REPEATING ARMS)

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who have served our country.

And Henry actively supports youth shooting programs across the United States – as of February 2022, it had donated “somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 guns” towards that end, according to Imperato. The company’s aim is to provide young people with the education and skills needed to safely handle firearms, while instilling a love and respect for the shooting sports. The company supports the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance, the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, and the Boy Scouts of America Shooting Sports Program. These programs offer training and competitive opportunities to young people interested in learning about firearms and shooting sports.

By supporting these youth shooting programs, Henry Firearms has helped to introduce young people to the world of shooting sports, potentially sparking a lifelong

Henry’s new wheel guns, like the Big Boy Revolver (pictured), are meant in part to complement rifles such as the Big Boy Lever Action. Both are chambered in .357, so you only have to carry one caliber of ammunition. (HENRY REPEATING ARMS)

passion. They have also helped to promote safety and responsible handling of firearms, ensuring that future generations of shooters are educated and knowledgeable.

Indeed, over the years, Henry Firearms has donated millions of dollars to various charitable organizations. In 2019 alone, they donated over $1.1 million to organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and RMEF.

The impact of Henry’s giving can be seen in the many organizations and individuals they have supported. From youth shooting programs and Second Amendment causes to conservation organizations and veterans support services, Henry’s charity work continues to make a positive impact on the broader shooting community and beyond. Henry is always looking for new ways to give back and is open to exploring potential partnerships with organizations that align with its mission and values. CS

Along with supporting venerable conservation groups such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, some of Henry’s Guns for Great Causes giving goes to organizations teaching gun safety, such as the NRA’s Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program. (HENRY REPEATING ARMS)