FISHING • HUNTING • TRAVEL CALSPORTSMANMAG.COM
Nat Geo’s
Capt. Paul Hebert Battles Rivals In SD’s ‘Tuna Wars’ Bluefin, Yellowtail Biting Off SoCal
BASS BUZZ
ROAD TRIP!
Fishing I-80 To Reno
ALSO INSIDE
Big Bear ’Bows Fighting Exotic Pet Dumping Bolt, AR vs. Feral Hogs
DELTA Stripers OROVILLE Spots SOUTHLAND Largies
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Sportsman
California Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource
Volume 8 • Issue 8 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Dick Openshaw EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Brittany Boddington LEAD WRITER Tim E. Hovey CONTRIBUTORS Bill Adelman, Jeremiah Doughty, Clint Easley, Mark Fong, Jason Haley, Brad Hall, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Bill Schaefer, Andy Schneider, Chuck Testa, Dave Workman SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Larry Hinze, Steve Joseph, Garn Kennedy, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold PRODUCTION MANAGER Sonjia Kells DESIGNERS Ciara Pickering, Sam Rockwell, Liz Weickum PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Kelly Baker
DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines DIGITAL ASSISTANT Samantha Morstan OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTING Audra Higgins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Sauro INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn CIRCULATION MANAGER Heidi Belew ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine ON THE COVER Paul Hebert, a third-generation bluefin tuna commercial fisherman in Gloucester, Mass., is one of the captains vying for the Atlantic’s prized fish on the National Geographic series, Wicked Tuna. Hebert will be in San Diego next month for a charity tuna tournament. (WICKED TUNA) MEDIA INC PUBLISHING GROUP CALIFORNIA OFFICE 4517 District Blvd. • Bakersfield, CA 93313 (661) 381-7533 WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S., Suite 190 Tukwila, WA 98168 OREGON OFFICE 8116 SW Durham Rd • Tigard, OR 97224 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com
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CONTENTS
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 8
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HER FIRST TURKEY SHOOT FEATURES 16
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES East Coast meets West Coast next month when three captains who battle each other for commercial fishing bragging rights on the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna will fish in a charity tournament in San Diego. Paul Hebert, a third-generation Gloucester, Mass. fisherman, chatted with us about his legacy of reeling in massive bluefins.
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PUT THE MOVE ON TROUT When Scott Haugen fishes for trout on California’s rivers, he isn’t one to be stubborn and stick with what looks like a surefire lure and a perceived great spot. Moving from spot to spot and changing up presentations more often than not ends up with a stringer of trout, which Tiffany Haugen shows you how to cook in our Field to Fire feature.
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BIG BEAR’S BIG ‘BOWS Big Bear Lake is Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains getaway spot for escaping traffic, heat and smog. If you want to catch limits of rainbows, guide John Cantrell knows where to find the fish.
Teenager Alyssa Hovey got her start fishing and hunting 135 GETTING YOUR HOG ON IN TEXAS when she was young thanks to her avid sportsman dad Tim. Brittany Boddington leaves the passport at Our senior writer took Alyssa north to Redding for her first home this month as our Urban Huntress wild turkey hunt, and it was a fantastic opportunity all young heads to Texas– more known for its beef than hunters should experience as they begin to discover what pork– and seeks out a feral pig in the California’s great outdoors can offer. (TIM E. HOVEY) Lone Star State.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE / DEPARTMENTS 13 30 37 47 49
The Editor’s Note Three SoCal sportsmen on pursuing their passions Protecting Wild California: Released exotic fish wreaking havoc Outdoor calendar Daiwa/Browning Photo contest
57 67 85 91 103
Lake Oroville’s thriving bass fishery Squirrel hunting a great option for kids Five top varmint hunting cartridges Take a drive on Interstate 80 to the Sierras Delta striper tactics
109 Rig of the month: Rockfish slayer 111 A longtime outdoorsman’s fishing 127 131
and hunting memories Southland largemouth gorging on crawdads Tuna biting off San Diego
California Sportsman goes digital! Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device. Only $1.89 an issue. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Send address changes to California Sportsman, PO Box 24365, Seattle, WA 98124. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues), 2-year subscription are $39.95 (24 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 3829220 with VISA or M/C. Back issues are available at Media Index Publishing Group offices at the cost of $5 plus shipping. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2016 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 MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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THEEDITOR’SNOTE
Providing the highest quality LED lighting prices. g g for the most affordable p
Two photos of Lake Oroville – the top from 2014, the bottom from earlier this year – reflect how much water levels at the reservoir have risen with a much-needed wet season. (KELLY GROW/CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES; MARK FONG)
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t’s fascinating how Mother Nature can giveth and taketh way. Our new writer Mark Fong’s report on Lake Oroville’s bass fishery made me realize how the lake’s teeter-totter ride has gone in recent years. In 2012, I was invited by my friend Chris to join him and guide Rick Kennedy to fish for kokanee at Lake Berryessa. After a productive morning and catching near limits, I was about to grab some lunch with the guys and then head back to the Bay Area when they asked, “We’re going up to Lake Oroville tomorrow to troll for coho; you should drive up there too.” I did and we caught a bunch of the landlocked salmon in the state’s second-largest reservoir, which was full of water. And then came the drought. Some of the California Department of Water Resources’ shots of a ridiculously low Oroville in 2014 were devastating to see. By the fall of that year, the impoundment had dropped to just 26 percent of capacity. But the rains – thank you, El Niño – swept through this winter. In April, local news outlets were reporting Oroville’s lake level was its highest in four years and was a few feet away from cresting. “We’d like to fill it,” the water agency’s Kevin Wright told the Chico Enterprise-Record. “It’s kind of like reaching the finish line.” Fong, who’s based in the Sacramento area, was at Oroville earlier this year and snapped some photos of the rapidly filling lake. That fishery is one of his favorite destinations, so needless to say, the declining lake levels had been hard to accept. “The water is a godsend,” Fong told me. We haven’t completely broken free from the drought’s shackles, but success stories like Oroville’s gives some hope for better days ahead – and more fish in the boat! – Chris Cocoles
WWW.CALIRAISEDLED.COM
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THE WICKED FISH Paul Hebert’s boat, the Wicked Pissah, has caught its share of giant and prized bluefin tuna off the New England coast. A third-generation Gloucester, Mass., commercial fisherman and one of the gregarious captains featured on the National Geographic show Wicked Tuna, Hebert will be in San Diego in June for Friends of Rollo’s “Tuna Wars.” (WICKED TUNA)
CAPT. PAUL HEBERT OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL’S WICKED TUNA HEADS WEST FOR SAN DIEGO ‘TUNA WARS’ By Chris Cocoles
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aul Hebert sounds just like you’d expect a Gloucester, Mass., fisherman would – as if he stepped onto the set of The Perfect Storm with the straight-outta-Fenway ‘Pahk’ New England-style accent. So is it any surprise one of the tuna anglers from the National Geographic Channel’s show Wicked Tuna would pilot a boat he named the Wicked Pissah? Commercial fishing for giant bluefin tuna is the only life Hebert’s known as a third-generation Gloucester fisherman. And he, like his fellow fierce competitors, do their jobs the old-fashioned way – not using commercial nets but with rods and reels.
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And it’s not simply the kind of fishing where wetting your line means tuna will be pushing each other out of the way to bite your bait. “I know people who have been going for five years and never ever caught one,” Hebert says. “I know ones who have
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OF THE EAST Bluefin tuna fishing is the only life the Hebert family has known, and young Paul and his brothers spent most of their free time as youngsters helping out their father’s commercial fishing business. Paul’s grandfather was also a New England fisherman. (PAUL HEBERT)
Chris Cocoles I’m sure this is the case for
lost their house and their families – everything they own.” “Doing it for a living, that’s why all the guys have to live out there. We never used to live out on the water. We went out every day but we never went out there for a week at a time. You have to now because everything is so expensive.” “If you don’t catch a lot of tuna, you’re not going to get by in the winter; that’s why we’re so competitive with each other. We fight, we lie to each other because we know what’s coming: a long-ass winter,” Hebert adds with a laugh. Hebert and two other Wicked Tuna skippers, Dave Marciano of the Hard Merchandise and Dave Carraro of the FV-Tuna .com, will be in San Diego next month to participate in Tuna Wars, a fishing contest that’s part of the Friends Of Rollo organization, which hosts fishing-related events for kids. We had a rather entertaining chat with Hebert, who shared some of his favorite fish tales.
lots of residents of Gloucester, but is fishing simply in your family’s DNA? Paul Hebert Oh, yeah. My grandfather did it and my father did it; my five older brothers did it, and now I’m doing it. I’m literally a third-generation tuna fisherman. My grandfather did it for a living and he only got 10 cents a pound. My father used to make good money at 25 cents a pound. And this just wasn’t for a couple of years. This was for a lot of years – a decade or so. And then finally in the late 1970s and early ’80s, which was when it jumped up to $1 a pound. We thought we were going to get rich when it went up to a dollar. You gotta remember that back then, you could buy a house for $15,000; everything’s relative.
CC This is a difficult industry where if you don’t produce, tough luck. How much of a struggle was it for your grandfather and dad?
PH Back in the day, when my grandfather and then my father did it, they used to do pretty good with it. My father would catch 80 to 100 tuna a year in the early ’70s. And nobody ever used to do it because no one knew. Everyone used to troll for them and my dad was trolling one day on a charter, and the tuna wouldn’t touch it even though they were jumping all over and wouldn’t touch a thing. So at the end of the day my dad was cutting off the mackerel and the tunas were coming right behind boat and grabbing the mackerel. They used to (fish with) these rods and reels with big shackles and Dacron cable leaders. So he put a hook on and threw a mackerel on, and that’s how chumming started. calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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MIXED BAG CC It’s eye-opening how much harder it’s gotten to catch fish than it was before, and perhaps in other sectors in the workforce it’s become easier to succeed. And more people are out there trying to catch the same fish you are. PH That’s exactly right. And it’s not so much the people around here; it’s the people overseas who are doing it as well. That’s what affects the price. Years ago when we used to do it and get $1 a pound or 50 cents a pound, nobody in Australia or Mexico or places like that – nobody caught tuna and shipped them Wicked Tuna Captains Dave Carraro (left), Dave Marciano (middle) and Hebert will compete against other for charity next month in San Diego for Friends of Rollo-sponsored Tuna Wars. (WICKED TUNA)
nating; to me it’s just my job and I love to do it. It’s like when you grow up in a family of electricians, that’s what you know and that’s how fishing was to me.
CC If you grew up in that corner of Massachusetts, chances are fishing was a part of your life. PH Absolutely. From Cape Cod all the way to Maine there are a lot of families who do this. Back in the day all the families were really big and there would be four to 10 kids. It’s not like today where they have one or two kids. And everybody I grew up with had big families, and they all fished. I look at it now that I’m really lucky. But we weren’t spoon-fed; we had to earn what we did. And we ate a lot of seafood, the (quality of) seafood that a lot of people would die for. But we got kind of sick of it. CC Did your dad have to encourage you and your brothers to do what he and your grandpa did? PH He encouraged us to do it because we didn’t have a choice. You grow up and you idolize your father, because, let’s face it, my dad was the guy to go to if you wanted to catch fish. He was a legend when it comes to tuna fishing. Everybody on the whole East Coast knew my father; he was the best tuna fisherman around. He’s the one who went to town meetings in Washington (D.C.) to keep this fishery alive. He’s a reason why we’re still fishing today. Now, we’re getting all these classes of fish – anywhere from 50 pounds to 1,200 pounds – and that’s a beautiful sight to see. Some days we get up on the rooftop and it’s flat calm; and on certain times of the day – like on a tide change – you can see tuna as far as the naked eye can see in all directions. Can you imagine another boat 50 miles away doing the same thing? Well, they do.
to Japan. My father used to catch the tunas and got 15 cents a pound, but he found a guy in Framingham (Mass.) to pay 25 cents a pound for fertilizer; the guy had a farm. I have a newspaper clipping of my dad bringing tuna in his pickup truck to Framingham to sell them. When I tell people these stories they say, “OK?” But I have the pictures to prove it [laughs].
CC What was your life like growing up the son and grandson of Gloucester fishermen? PH Gloucester is a beautiful place. I had the best childhood a kid could ever have. I’m the youngest of six boys, so I was always protected. The only ones who used to beat me up were my brothers. And all we did was work and go fishing. That’s all I knew. I was taught carpentry and fishing. It was like a little kid growing up on a farm is the only way I can explain it. It was normal for me catching giant tuna. To other people it’s fasci18 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
CC Did you and your brothers get a chance to do things that kids do, like play sports? PH In my whole family, when we were in school we all wrestled. My oldest brother, Donald, was a New England champ wrestler, the best wrestler the school has ever seen. My brother Bruce, I think he was fourth in the state; my brother Danny was third; I was second in the state. And we used to play some ice hockey. But for the most part we worked. We never went to graduation parties and high school parties. In the summertime we didn’t go to the beach. Our hearts were into fishing. CC You have caught so many fish over the years, but is there are still a rush when you get a tuna to bite? PH Every time you hook up is like the first time you ever caught a fish. Every time that rod bends or the line takes off, it’s unbelievable the thrill that you get. It’s like a Chinese fire drill with the adrenaline rushing through your body. It’s why, when I hook up, I try to stay very calm so I can think. A lot of people lose their minds and that’s where you can get hurt. These are big fish and doing 50 mph when they hit that bait. You can get hurt so easily. We used to handline these tuna and I’ve seen people wrap their finger and get pulled overboard. I’ve seen people pull tuna in their boat when they’re still alive; the fish
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Capt. Dave Carraro of FV-Tuna.com hooks into one of the bluefin tuna he and the other skippers on Wicked Tuna battle each other to catch. The competitive nature of commercial fishing out of Gloucester has created rivalries among the boats’ crews. (WICKED TUNA)
are going nuts and have crushed guys.
CC It can be such a dangerous profession. When I went to New England I regret not going to Gloucester and visiting the Memorial to the Gloucester Fisherman statue. Is that a spot where you’ll sometimes go and reflect? PH I do it all the time. It’s so ironic that you mentioned that because I was just there this morning. My friends from New Jersey came down and we sat there at the monument for about 45 minutes talking about the people who lost their lives and what a nice thing they’ve done to have this memorial for them. People don’t realize that those who did this for a living, they took their lives in their hands every day. I spent a lot of 20 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
time with my grandfather and learned a lot from him because he took the time to talk to me. My parents couldn’t talk to me as much because they were trying to make a living. And he knew a lot of the guys who lost their lives up down and whole (East) Coast.
CC So what’s fantastic about Wicked Tuna is watching all of you bicker at each other. And some of these shows’ drama is probably embellished, but I would imagine a lot of your tension is real. PH It’s actually a little more than what they show because a lot more goes on. The competitiveness is a lot worse than what you guys see on TV. It’s even more cutthroat than what you think. You have to remember that lives are depending
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MIXED BAG on (what gets caught). You’re seeing it more of an entertainment way, but people actually do things that I wouldn’t even want to talk about – really crazy crap. And when you see us all telling each other to go a different way, we really do that [laughs]. Just know that we’re all friends too, but when the bell rings and we go tuna fishing, it’s game on. I’ll be damned if
some other guy is going to catch the fish that’s gonna take me and my daughter through the winter. Then again, every one of us would help each other.
CC But it’s something where the competitive juices are always flowing, right?
PH I took my friend from ”The competitiveness is a lot worse than what you guys see on TV. It’s even more cutthroat than what you think,” Hebert says of the bickering back and forth as the competition to score the biggest fish rages on. (WICKED TUNA)
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San Diego, who I met the first year I went out there for the Friends of Rollo tournament, and we’ve stayed close. He goes out fishing all the time in California and they catch a lot of yellowtail, yellowfin and some smaller bluefin, and it’s a big deal when someone catches a 100-pound tuna. I took him out here (off Gloucester) for five days last October and we caught four giants. I had him reel in every single one, and he called me a week after he got home and said, “You know what? You ruined me.” “What are you talking
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MIXED BAG about?” He said he couldn’t even think of going after these little yellowfin in California. It’s hard to feel it unless you do it. It’s like a drug.
CC And you fish with rods and reels and not commercial nets. PH We do it by rod and reel because we follow the (tradition) of catching one fish at a time. Some guys use seine nets – there are only five boats that do that. You herd up a school of tuna, close the net and they beat the hell out of each other. There’s no money in that. I’d rather go out and get one tuna at a time, Hard Merchandise skipper Dave Marciano is typical of the hardworking fishermen of Gloucester, which has erected a monument to those who have perished at sea. (WICKED TUNA/PAUL KELEHER/WIKIMEDIA)
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MIXED BAG preserve the stock and not kill the whole school. You want to save all these little fish; that’s why we have a size limit – we can not keep tuna unless 6 feet or larger. That’s a big tuna. But that’s why the stocks have bounced back so tremendously. The fishing out here is different; if we have an extremely cold winter, the giant blues here like the cold water and they’re such a warm-blooded fish that like the colder water. They can go into 40-degree water and warm their own blood up.
CC Is it a special feeling when you come back with fish on ice? PH When we get all prepped up for a three- or four-day trip and we come back with a couple tuna on deck, No. 1 is we’ve done our job and we’ve exceeded (expectations), because it’s not an easy thing to do. You’re making a paycheck and supporting your family off it. You know when you’re working and
you get that paycheck on a Friday? That’s how we feel coming back – feeling like it’s always Friday! [laughs]
CC How did you get involved out here in California with Friends of Rollo and Tuna Wars? PH I went to the Fred Hall Show when I was invited out there by Maui Jim (sunglasses). It was the biggest show around and while I was there meeting and greeting, I saw at everyone’s booth there was a sign for “Friends of Rollo – Donate here.” All the companies were (promoting) it. I thought, “What the hell is a Friends of Rollo?” They told me he was an old sea captain from San Diego who took out passengers on long-range trips and he died. And when asked and they said Friends of Rollo takes kids fishing from San Francisco to San Diego, and it’s usually kids who have disabilities. That hit close to home
FRIENDS OF ROLLO TUNA WARS WHEN June 14-16 WHERE Boats will depart out of Seaforth Landing in San Diego on April 14 and return to port on June 16 DETAILS Three Wicked Tuna captains, Paul Hebert, Dave Marciano and Dave Carraro, will lead teams and skipper boats for this charity event that benefits Friends of Rollo, a nonprofit organization that takes kids on fishing trips up and down California. Hebert will pilot the local boat, Cortez, with Marciano on the Eclipse and Carraro on the Tribute. Anglers can sign up to fish with the captain they want to – as space allows – for a $1,000 donation. Anyone who signs up can attend a reception on June 13 at Bali-Hai on Shelter Island in San Diego. To sign up and get more information, contact Jim Holden of Friends of Rollo at jim@rollokids.org or by calling (858) 350-5870, extension 103. For more on the event, go to rollokids.org/tuna-wars. CS
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20’ Alaskan XL Employees Statton Wagoner and Grant Wooldridge show the steelhead they caught out of a 20’ Wooldridge Alaskan XL on the Cowlitz River
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GOLD RUSH
“We’re fishermen and carpenters, just like Jesus,” Hebert says with a laugh of how he and his family members have spent the majority of their lives. (WICKED TUNA)
because my daughter (7-year-old Ashley) has low muscle tone. It’s called Prader-Willi Syndrome. She was tubefed for 11 months and she couldn’t walk or couldn’t eat. Everything had to be done manually to her stomach. She had an operation where they had to cinch her esophagus because she couldn’t swallow. But right now she is wonderful; she thinks every little child has two belly buttons [laughs]. She just can’t do some things that other kids can do,
like run. And she’s a smart little girl. But when I found out it involved all these challenged kids, I said, “I’m in. What do you want me to do? I may as well try to help raise some money for you guys.” While I was at that (Fred Hall Show), we put up a flier to “come on a two-day offshore trip with Paul Hebert.” The donations for the trip went right to the Friends of Rollo and we took 24 people and raised $24,000. And I went out again and took the 100,000th kid fishing on a Friends of Rollo trip. Isn’t that amazing? I didn’t even fish; I just had fun watching everyone else have such a good time. When I was saw what it was about firsthand I called Dave Marciano and said, “Dave, this was the most self-rewarding charity event I’ve ever done in my life.”
CC So when you go back there next month to join the two Daves, I would imagine that’s going to be competitive among you all again for whose boat catches the most fish. PH Every single day I think of a way to beat those guys. That’s how competitive it is [laughs]. I won last year and want to win it again. CS Editor’s notes: New episodes of Wicked Tuna air on Mondays at 9 p.m. Pacific. Go to channel.nationalgeographic.com/ wicked-tuna for more. Follow Paul Hebert on Twitter (@PissahTunaPaul) and like at facebook.com/PaulHebertFriends. Earlier this year, Hebert pleaded guilty to charges he wrongfully continued accepting disability benefits after he initially returned to work and joined Wicked Tuna in 2012; he agreed to pay back $53,600 in restitution.
GOLD RUSH
Wild game chef Jeremiah Doughty (above), taxidermist Chuck Testa and photographer Clint Easley all have found something that drives them to be the best at what they do. (PEAK PHOTOGRAPHY, ALL) 30 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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DISCOVERING YOUR PASSION THREE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPORTSMEN SHARE WHAT DRIVES THEM
By Clint Easley, Chuck Testa and Jeremiah Doughty
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ASSION as defined by Webster’s Dictionary: “A strong
feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.” When one is faced with actually pursuing a passion two different things can occur: 1) You stand on the edge, afraid to jump off because fear and insecurity are stronger than your excitement or enthusiasm; 2) You stand on the edge and jump in with both feet, embracing it with enthusiasism and excitement. Many people choose option number one because they allow fear to control their pursuit of passion – it becomes something they only dream about. But a small group of us put our toes on the edge and leap. Follow along as we share stories from three men who decided that they would stand on the edge of life and jump.
PEAKING YOUR PASSION: CLINT EASLEY I was at the dinner table listening to my dad tell stories of the great Alaskan wilderness, and my mind wandered. As a kid I found myself transported to a different time and place as I studied his slides projected on the giant white wall of our living room. One story that sticks out in my head is of my dad being chased by a black bear in Alaska. He tells the story of running away with his camera in hand hoping to get the shot. My uncle, a professional bald eagle photographer in Washington state, has always been an inspiration to me as well. Life was always an adventure growing up and documenting these amazing moments was simply instilled in me. I like to think of this passion as a family tradition that I’m blessed with and now have taken that torch to run the next leg of this family adventure. My true turning point from just taking pictures to pursuing a career in photography began in 2010 after investing in a beautiful Nikon D300S camera as an early birthday gift for myself. At that time I was working full time for an incredible architect in Beverly Hills. I loved architecture but did not love the endless hours of sitting stationary in the office. I would sit there looking out my window as life and the outdoors passed me by. Photography became my outlet, and having discovered this deep passion for it gave me no option but to make the scary decision to change careers. I packed away my rulers, graphing paper and pens and picked up my camera. With the intent to enjoy this camera as a hobby, it soon developed into a full schedule of paying opportunities. My incredible wife and I had a heart to heart about it and through her amazing support, she gave me the push I needed. “You love it, honey; just do it,” she said. I honestly jumped both feet in after that and have not put the camera down since. I’ve accumulated an arsenal of gear and I’m currently traveling all over the world for work. One of the best moments from this amazing journey came last year when I had the honor to follow in my father’s footsteps. I took my camera and headed to Alaska and snapped pictures of beautiful black bears. My dad’s stories and his pictures of bruins filled my mind, and this feeling of joy and euphoria waved over me as I thought to myself, “This is what passion feels like.” It’s an amazing feeling and true joy to wake up every day being able to live your dream. I can’t tell people enough that calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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MIXED BAG none of us become an overnight success, but if you’re willing to put in the work and that passion is there, then you can make it and you will succeed! As Lewis Carrol said, “In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” Editor’s note: Clint Easley operates Peak Photography. For more, check out peakphotography.com.
SHAPING YOUR PASSION: CHUCK TESTA Unusual hobbies are nothing new to me. I grew up around Los Angeles in Culver City – near Santa Monica and LAX – and spent hours exploring the film sets at MGM Studios and sneaking onto the lot whenever possible. I collected anything dinosaur and all things Hot Wheel. I also dreamed of joining an outlaw motorcycle club and actually did, but that’s a story for another day. I began my career as a taxidermist differently than most, ordering a “birds for beginners” kit from the back of a magazine. The kit was for a pheasant and I fell in love with the hobby then, but breaking into the world of hunting from SoCal has been anything but easy. I worked as a part-time taxidermist from the age of 25 to 40, visiting different shops and doing everything I could to learn more. A fortuitous seminar with the man who would become my mentor, Mike Frazier, awoke a passion that remains strong to this day. A sculptor, award-winning taxidermist and a part owner of Research Mannikins, Frazier told me, “I’m going to teach you to see.” It took many years to understand what he was talking about, but now I do, and I want to share this knowledge with the many others who have expressed interest. I do taxidermy tips on the Internet, and in my shop I host seminars for others with the fire to learn. I’m also working on an Internet-based taxidermy school. I feel knowledge about the art of taxidermy is a gift I have to share, and I’m blessed that I have a job that still feels like a hobby. Sometimes all it takes is a small ad in the back of a magazine to spark your passion. The difference is many people only
“I feel knowledge about the art of taxidermy is a gift I have to share, and I’m blessed that I have a job that still feels like a hobby,” says Testa, working on a deer mount. (PEAK PHOTOGRAPHY) 32 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
“Life was always an adventure growing up and documenting these amazing moments was simply instilled in me,” says professional photographer Clint Easley (PEAK PHOTOGRAPHY)
dream about it; I did it. Life is good. Editor’s note: Chuck Testa runs Ojai Valley Taxidermy, ojaitaxidermy.com.
SERVING UP PASSION: JEREMIAH DOUGHTY Standing next to the barbecue as my grandpa shaped a burger patty, I took in the process with every part of my being. I stood in awe as I watched him take a handful of ground meat, then shape and mold it and ultimately create a beautiful burger patty. He looked down at me and said, “Show your food just a little love and it will love you back.” I never thought that a simple sentence spoken to me 28 years ago would change my life. I grew up in Southern California riding the waves and exploring the deserts. Hunting was not something that was passed down to me in the traditional sense. I remember hearing stories of my dad and uncle sleeping in the back of the truck in 100-degree weather just to get the perfect dove hunting spot. When I was 8 we went on my first dove hunt and I was hooked. I went from hearing the stories to living the stories. My hunting life consisted of just that, doves, until I was 18; I looked at my dad and said I wanted to hunt more animals. My dad did not talk much but he looked at me and spoke three words: “Let’s do it.” From there we taught ourselves to hunt turkey, pheasant, chukar, duck and quail. I was content with that until five years ago, when I found out I had an intolerance to beef. I thought my world was over because I was that typical meat-and-potatoes guy. Heartbroken, I gave up red meat and lived with poultry and pork, but I found myself still missing that red meat. I saved money, went on a DIY antelope hunt and got my butt kicked. I managed to bag a beautiful doe antelope, got it home and made my first meal of red meat in over a year. Yet I hated it; I did not like the way it tasted at all. Being an ethical
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MIXED BAG
“I had a decision to make: head back to work or jump into my cooking and blogging full time. My wife looked at me and said, ‘Do what you love; I support you.’ That was all I needed to hear,” says wild game chef Jeremiah Doughty. (PEAK PHOTOGRAPHY)
hunter, I knew that if I had killed it I would have to eat it. I thought back to what my grandpa said so many years ago: “Show your food just a little love and it will love you back.” Those 12 words reignited my passion for cooking and I learned what spices paired with that strong sage flavor found in antelope. I posted a picture on Instagram of teriyaki antelope skewers and wrote my first blog on “Real Food.” Three years later my followers have grown, my blog has exploded and my passion for cooking and hunting has taken over. Even though I loved cooking and writing, my life was ruled by my 9-to-5 job, as well as being a dad and husband. I longed to quit my job and write, hunt, cook and share my passion full time, but there was a fear of the unknown and I just couldn’t do it. Needless to say, in July I tore my calf muscle and couldn’t work for three months. I took the time to cook and write like crazy and I saw my followers grow. In October I had a decision to make: head back to work or jump into my cooking and blogging full time. My wife looked at me and said, “Do what you love; I support you.” That was all I needed to hear. I stood on the edge and jumped in with both feet. Since choosing to pursue my passion, my life has been blessed in so many ways. I picked up paid cooking and writing gigs, as well as some big-name sponsors. I have been able to share my message of “the real trophy is the one on the plate” with millions, and I’ve taken out and shown over 20 new hunters what hunting and harvesting wild game is all about. I have never been happier, so remember: When one follows their passion, they can’t fail. CS Editor’s note: For more on Jeremiah Doughty, The Wild Chef, and his recipes, log onto fromfieldtoplate.com.
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36 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
PROTECTING
WILD CALIFORNIA
This spotted gar, which you’re more likely to find in Louisiana and Florida, was pulled out of a stream in of all places Orange County, a telltale sign the fish was illegally dumped. (TIM E. HOVEY)
UNWANTED NEW NEIGHBORS DUMPING NON-NATIVE AQUATIC SPECIES CAN DAMAGE FISHERIES By Tim E. Hovey
W
hen I was a kid, my dad brought home a pair of goldfish for my brother and I as pets. The brightly colored fish swam around in their plastic bag, looking hopeful and helpless at the same time. With very little fanfare, the fish were roughly poured into a large vase and placed on the dresser in our room. My dad explained that we were to feed them daily and clean out their bowl when it got dirty. For the first week, we were excited about the new responsibility. After that it became a chore. I don’t remember exactly what happened to the fish, but I know they didn’t last very long. As young kids, our attention spans were short and I’m sure my parents took over the role of caretakers. One day I came home and the bowl and the fish were gone. Much like any parent, my dad was just trying to teach us the responsibility of taking care of a pet. Fish are cheap, relatively easy to care for, and, depending on the species, can live a long time. However, one of the issues that may arise during your time as a fish owner is what to do with your fish once you can no longer care for them. Believe it
or not, many think that it’s perfectly acceptable to drive to the local creek and simply dump their unwanted aquatic pet into the water. Not only is this illegal, it can be disastrous to the local aquatic species and waterways. Non-native fish are usually larger and more aggressive than our native ones. The invaders will outcompete or, in most cases, consume the native fish, which negatively impacts the ecosystem.
DUMP AND CHASE Even more detrimental to the environment – and possibly adding a human safety component to the release – is if the illegally dumped species is illegal to possess in the state. California maintains a restricted species list, known simply as Title 14. Using a strict set of criteria, fish, birds, reptiles and other animals on this list have been determined to be a detriment to the health and safety of the citizens, our native species or the state’s agricultural interests. If it’s listed in Title 14, it is not allowed to be brought in, sold or possessed in the Golden State. Species like gar, piranha, African clawed frogs and alligator snapping turtles are all desired by private fish col-
lectors, yet they are illegal to possess in California. Some aquarists will obtain restricted species illegally and sell them to the public for home aquariums. Unfamiliar with the species’ temperament or growth rate, the owners will usually look for the nearest creek to dump the illegal critters. This is usually where I run into them. Whether it’s a common household pet or an illegal species, I frequently encounter these wayward fish during surveys of our local waterways. In almost 17 years of dragging nets around the
These South American cichlids were discovered in a heated wastewater treatment discharge, where the water stayed just warm enough for the fish to survive. (TIM E. HOVEY)
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PROTECTING
WILD CALIFORNIA
San Bernardino County’s Jackson Lake isn’t goldfish habitat, but an unthinking pet owner thought it would work, without considering native species. (TIM E. HOVEY)
backcountry, I’ve seen my share of surprises show up in the haul. Some were completely unexpected and some were reported by the public. It doesn’t matter how I encountered these alien species; when I did I removed them from the system.
ORANGE COUNTY INVADER A few years ago we received a report that a fisherman had spotted what he thought was a gar in one of the channelized creeks in Orange County. After a few visits and continued reports, we finally collected an adult spotted gar, a voracious predator that can reach a length of over 3 feet. The native of Southern states has no natural predators here in California and would’ve preyed upon anything swimming in the stream it inhabited. Likely purchased through the illegal pet trade, the gar’s owner probably had no idea how big or aggressive this spe-
cies got. The owner was probably looking to rid themselves of the responsibility and sought out the closest drainage to release his pet. Despite the occasional Title 14 species we encounter in the field, most of the non-native ones come from aquariums and are released into state waters by their owners. Some invasive species are inadvertently released into specialized environments that enable them to survive. Most freshwater species from South America require warmer water temperatures than are available in Southern California. However, hot water released from treatment plant discharges turns out to be the perfect living temperature for many tropical species that shouldn’t be here.
SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER VISITORS Fisheries staff started receiving reports of a strange-looking fish in a Southern
38 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
California wastewater discharge. This particular discharge just happened to flow into the Santa Clara River, home to the unarmored three-spine stickleback, an endangered native fish. At the site, we encountered hundreds of convict cichlids, a freshwater omnivore indigenous to South America. Water quality measurements taken at the discharge showed a water temperature of near 80 degrees. In contrast, the nearby river flowing between 58 to 60 degrees, a temperature too cold for the cichlid to survive. Essentially, they were stranded in the warmer water of the discharge and surviving just fine. Several different-sized classes were observed, indicating that this species was reproducing in the warm-water effluent. Colorful aquarium gravel was also noticed at the site, clear evidence that illegal aquarium releases had occurred at the discharge. An extensive removal project was
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PROTECTING
Why someone would throw this alligator snapping turtle into a creek is beyond comprehension. But as our author explains, it’s a common illegal act. (TIM E. HOVEY)
WILD CALIFORNIA
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launched to rid the waterway of the cichlids. The effluent was piped out to the center of the dry riverbed, allowing the discharge channel to go completely dry. After 10 days, the channel was surveyed to ensure all fish were dead and the discharge was returned to the effluent creek. Unfortunately, less than a year after the project, convict cichlids were once again present in the discharge. Since this exotic species cannot survive in colder river temperatures, the population of cichlids is essentially trapped in the 400-yard-long discharge channel. Continued efforts will be made to eliminate it from the heated effluent.
GROWING GOLDFISH Relatively common species like goldfish are frequently encountered in drainages near suburban areas. Many well-meaning pet owners have no idea just how large goldfish can get when released from the confines of a bowl. Specimens over 2 pounds have been encountered during routine stream surveys. If more than a single goldfish is released, they can reproduce quickly and essentially take over a creek system or even a small lake. Goldfish released from aquariums have exploded in numbers and have essentially taken over Lake Jackson, a high mountain lake in San Bernardino County. Nothing short of completely draining the lake will remove them. This species will overwhelm others and negatively impact water quality when they’re present in large numbers. Baitfish like golden shiners are oc-
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PROTECTING
WILD CALIFORNIA casionally encountered in creeks or streams that receive some angling pressure. These carp relatives can grow quite large and reproduce quickly. They have a high tolerance for elevated water temperatures and will easily outcompete native species for resources. Anglers done for the day will simply dump their excess bait into the water, introducing the unwanted misfits into the system. While these episodes may appear innocent, their long-term impacts can be dramatic, especially if releases take place in a body of water deemed sensitive or unique.
WHEN PIKE ATTACK In 1994 northern pike were discovered in Lake Davis in Northeast California as a result of an illegal release. With no natural predators, the pike quickly took over the lake and began feeding heavily on the trout, which had provided a premier
Lake Davis was a fantastic fishery for trout, but when northern pike were introduced there, the predatory fish that are prized in the Midwest and Canada severely damaged the lake’s population. (TIM E. HOVEY)
fishery. Within a few short years, the pike almost eliminated the trout. Fearful that northern pike would
escape downstream from Davis and impact the salmon fishery in the Sacramento and American Rivers, the Cal-
California forests are threatened by nonnative insects and diseases. These invasive species can be transported on firewood to new areas where they can become established and kill large numbers of trees.
• Leave firewood at home – buy or collect firewood where you camp. • Use firewood in the same county or region where it was cut. • Locate local firewood vendors at firewoodscout.org. • Bring only what you’ll need, and burn responsibly.
.org
42 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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ifornia Department of Fish and Game began a lake-wide treatment with rotenone, a naturally occurring piscicide, in 2007. Reducing the lake level and implementing a focused and coordinated treatment eort, the two-month project resulted in the complete eradication of the northern pike from Lake Davis. While speculation swirled on how the voracious predators got into the lake, it’s believed that the pike infestation began with the release of juvenile ďŹ sh by one individual. Pet releases of any kind are illegal, especially those of aquatic pets or pests into the state’s waterway. Long-term impacts, direct predation or resource competition will always occur when a non-native, aquatic species is released into a native system. If it’s a voracious predator, like pike, huge resource and economic impacts can occur, resulting in the complete collapse of ďŹ sheries. To help preserve our native waterways, please don’t dump your pets. CS
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46 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
Crowley Lake is hosting a couple of derbies this spring, starting with the Crowley Lake Perch Derby beginning on May 27. (MIKE STEVENS) MAY 1 1-June 16 1 1 2-15 2-15, 19-20 14-15 15 22-24 27-June 27 JUNE 3-5 4
Shasta Lake Classic Team Kokanee Derby (kokaneepower.org) Roundup at the Lake trout derby, Convict Lake (convictlake.com) Camanche Lake trout derby (centralvalleyanglers.com) End of general spring turkey season Archery-only spring turkey season Junior spring turkey season Hall Family Trout Classic, Big Bear Lake (bbmwd.com/may-trout-classic/) Dick Sherrer Marine Fishing Expo, Norwalk (dismionline.com) Size Doesn’t Matter Fishing Derby, West Walker River (yosemitearealodging.com/derbys) Crowley Lake Perch Derby (crowleylakefishcamp.com)
5 10-11 11 14-16 18-19 20-21 25 25
Hangman’s Bonus Derby, Convict Lake (800-992-2260) Whiskeytown Lake Team Kokanee Derby
28-July 5
(kokaneepower.org) Mike Kise Memorial Fishing Derby, Lake Tahoe (jakestahoe.com/calendar) Trout Invitational Tournament, Crowley Lake (760-935-4301; crowleylakefishcamp.com) Big Bear Lake Fishing for $50,000 Trout Tournament (bigbear.com/ things-to-do/special-events/fishingfor-50k-trout-tournament) Friends of Rollo Tuna Wars, San Diego (858-3505870, ext. 103; rollokids.org/tuna-wars) Modoc Sportsman’s and Outdoor Expo, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Alturas (modocoutdoorrecreationandtourism.org) Fred Hall Father’s Day Fishing Tournament, Mammoth Lake Basin (760-934-3416) Bridgeport Trout Tournament, Bridgeport Reservoir and East Walker River (760-932-7525; bridgeportfishenhancement.com) Don Pedro Reservoir Team Kokanee Tournament (kokaneepower.org) Mono Village Fourth of July Fishing Derby, Upper Twin Lakes (760-932-7071; monovillage.com)
calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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48 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
PHOTO CONTEST
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Sgt. Geremy Shull is this issue’s monthly Daiwa Photo Contest winner, thanks to his photo of nephew Wyatt Owens and his John Day River, Ore., steelhead. It wins him a Daiwa hat, T-shirt and scissors for cutting braided line, and puts him in the running for the grand prize of a Daiwa rodand-reel combo!
For your shot at winning Daiwa and Browning products, send your photos and pertinent (who, what, when, where) details to ccocoles@ media-inc.com, or to 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.
3-D Archery Shoot • Youth Duck Calling Contest • Modoc Big Buck Display • Children’s Trout Fishing Pond & Much More
For More Information: Reese Soriano 530-640-0125 • Dan Ryan 530-640-3848 destinationmodoc@gmail.com • modocoutdoorrecreationandtourism.org calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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50 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
When it comes to catching stream trout, the key to success often comes down to covering water and offering them multiple lures till you find ones they want to bite. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
FROM FIELD ...
BE A MOVER AND SHAKER
TROUT CAN BE STUBBORN TO BITE, SO ANGLERS SHOULDN’T WAIT FOR TROUT TO COME TO THEM By Scott Haugen
W
alking the shoreline of the river back to the truck, a limit of trout on my stringer, I ran across a fellow angler. “Where’d ya catch those?” he piped up. I shared where I’d caught the fish and what gear I’d used. I also made it clear that covering water was a key to catching fish this particular day. I’d caught the trout on two different types of lures – a Rooster Tail Minnow and a Thomas Buoyant – and also picked up a couple fish by drifting worms. I’d tried drifting eggs, Glo Bugs and float-fishing worms but had no luck. It was on this day that the trout were after hardware and worms rolled along the bottom. I also covered more than 150 yards of the
bank to catch those trout. After sharing this information with the gentleman, he thanked me. I left and wished him good luck. When I reached my truck, I looked down and could see that the angler was still standing in the same place, fishing the same way, repeatedly casting in the same place. I don’t know if he caught any fish that day, but he hadn’t gotten a bite all morning when I had chatted with him. No matter where you’re trout fishing this spring, open your mind. Oftentimes, covering water and changing offerings is the key to catching trout – or any fish, for that matter. Be it on large lakes or small ponds, big rivers or streams, doing something different can make the difference between going home empty-handed or
arriving with fish to cook. The needs are fairly basic when it comes to gearing up for trout fishing. Many of the same lures will work in rivers, lakes and ponds. Get a variety of lures in a few different colors and sizes. If fishing clear water on sunny days, dark-colored small lures may be the ticket because they cast a silhouette that trout often can’t resist. Something in the dark green-toblack or even crayfish patterns can be great on these days. On darker days or in water that’s a bit murky, silver, brass, bronze and gold colors offer shiny bling that will attract a trout’s attention. Vibric Rooster Tails, the new Rooster Tail Minnow, Thomas Buoyant, Mepps Spinners and Dardevle spoons are a great arsenal to have in any trout-filled water.
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... TO FIRE
TROUT FLAVORS FOR EVERY PALATE By Tiffany Haugen
S
ome of my fondest fishing memories rest on the banks of the river I grew up on, where my dad would take me trout fishing after school. We always cooked them up the same way, dredged in seasoned flour and fried in lots of butter. I loved watching them cook and was always fascinated with the fact we were eat- Tiffany Haugen can envision the possibilities when it comes to preparing trout caught fresh. Two ways she shows us how are stuffing the fish with ing something we’d just dill or tossing the trout with veggies and wine. (TIFFANY HAUGEN) caught. But after years of eating them the same way, when I started a family, I vowed to diversify my cooking approach. Today, my son’s seem to be equally intrigued with trout. Whenever we go out fishing as a family, or they hit the water with their dad, the question always pops up, “How do you want them cleaned – filleted, steaks or whole with the heads on or off?” They know, after years of eating trout served every way imaginable, that how they’re cleaned depends on how they’ll be cooked. Whether you prefer the heads off or on, the following recipes are sure to be a hit. Just take a moment while eating the trout to reflect on the fun you had bringing them to the table and how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to catch and prepare fresh fish.
CREAMY DILL STUFFED TROUT Four trout ½ cup sour cream ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup black olives, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh dill or 1 tablespoon dried dill Juice from ½ lemon Zest from ½ lemon Salt and pepper to taste In a medium bowl, mix all stuffing ingredients and spread inside and on top of trout. If grilling, partially wrap fish, leaving the top open so they are easy to move around the grill. Bake in an ovenproof dish or foil-lined pan at 350 degrees. Cook fish 25 to 30 minutes or until it tests done.
WINE AND VEGETABLE TROUT Four to six trout ½ cup dry white wine ¼ cup olive oil 1 cup zucchini, cubed ½ cup red onion, chopped ½ cup tomato, chopped ½ cup carrots, shredded 1 /3 cup fresh parsley, chopped Salt, pepper and fish seasoning In a medium bowl, toss vegetables with wine and olive oil. Generously season fish and place in foil pouches (for grilling) or an ovenproof dish (for baking). This fish can also be cooked on a plank in the oven or on the grill. Evenly distribute vegetable mixture (including liquid) in and on top of trout. Seal foil over trout or ovenproof dish. Bake at 350 degrees; if cooking on a grill, cook 25 to 30 minutes or until fish tests as done.
Editor’s note: For personally signed copies of Tiffany Haugen’s book, Cooking Salmon & Steelhead, visit tiffanyhaugen.com. Watch for Tiffany on The Sporting Chef TV show on the Sportsman Channel, as well as the online series, Cook With Cabela’s. 52 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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The key with casting or trolling hardware is changing up the offerings and covering water. Don’t get caught casting to the same exact place cast after cast for hours on end. If the fish aren’t there, don’t wait too long for them to show up; it’s often more effective for you to cover water in search of the fish. Making each cast hit a foot or so from the previous toss will ensure you’re covering different water. Once that water is covered, try covering it again with another lure, and then another. Change bait or location if you don’t get a bite. Bait is very effective for catching trout. Worms, be they nightcrawlers or red wigglers, can be drift-fished in rivers and streams. Simply tie a worm hook to the mainline, clip on enough split-shot sinkers 2 feet above the hook so the rig occasionally ticks the bottom, and you’re set. Other effective baits for trout include salad shrimp, ghost (sand) shrimp, prawn tails and crawdad tails. Looking for a bait that holds up well, adds color and puts off scent? Try threading three maggots onto the end of the hook below the worm or other bait. All of these baits, along with Glo-Bugs and single eggs, can be drift-fished like worms as described above. The aforementioned baits can also be fished beneath a float or bobber in rivers and lakes; they can also be trolled in lakes. For float fishing these baits, thread your line through a float that’s held in place on your mainline by rubber tubing on the top and bottom. The float is your depth regulator. Tie the mainline to a small barrel swivel, then 18 to 30 inches of leader to the other end of the swivel. Attach your bait of choice and you’re ready to fish. Don’t overlook flies, plugs, diver and bait like floating baits fished off the bottom and other methods that might work particularly well in the waters you’re fishing. This spring, plan ahead, diversify your trout ar-
If casting lures for trout, invest in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. This fat rainbow couldn’t resist a Rooster Tail Minnow. Plugs and flies also worked on this day, but fishing with bait failed to produce. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
senal, cover water, and get ready to have some fun catching, cooking and eating these wonderful fish. CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular book, Bank Fishing
54 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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NORCAL The Bidwell Bar Bridge, which is part of State Highway 162, is one of the defining features of Lake Oroville, one of Northern California’s top bass fisheries. Higher lake levels make it a great destination this spring and beyond. (MARK FONG)
IT’S SPOT ON!
AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND AT LAKE OROVILLE, SPOTTED BASS FISHING ACTION EXCELS IN SPRING By Mark Fong
L
ocated just 90 miles north of Sacramento in the foothills of Butte County, Lake Oroville is one of the most scenic and prolific bass lakes in the state of California. The impoundment was created in 1968 when the state Department of Water Resources completed construction of the Oroville Dam. Built for water supply, flood control and electricity generation, the lake is fed by the four branches of the Feather River: the North, West, Middle and South Forks. At full pool, Oroville has the capacity to store over 3.5 million acre-feet. With its 167 miles of shoreline and water levels in healthy shape after a wet winter, Oroville is a classic canyon reservoir, featuring steep walls and lots of deep water, making it an ideal environment for many different species of game fish, including the feisty spotted bass.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
When bass fishing’s at its best in Oroville, guide Ron Gandolfi, here with two spotties, says it’s “not uncommon for an angler to catch 100 fish in a day.” (GANDOLFI BASS GUIDE SERVICES)
The Feather River Canyon is renowned for its beauty and tranquility. With abundant wildlife and stunning scenery, Lake Oroville remains a special place where you can experience nature’s full splendor, all while enjoying an outstanding bass fishery. “At the height of the season, it is not uncommon for an angler to catch 100 fish in a day,” says Ron Gandolfi, the owner of Gandolfi Bass Guide Services (530-872-0907; orovillelakebassguide.com). He has been fishing Oroville calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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NORCAL tween 12 and 15 inches in length. The slot restriction was put in place in 1983 to encourage the harvest of the red eye population. The red eyes are all but gone today. In March 2013, the slot was removed and replaced with a 12-inch minimum size (total length) restriction. As before, the five-fish daily bag limit remains in effect. “Today, we have a lake that is full of slot-limit-sized spotted bass,” explains Gandolfi. “Fish in the slot average between 1¼ to 2 pounds, depending on the time of year. Anything over 2 pounds is a pretty nice fish on Oroville. They do get larger and there are some bigger largemouth that are caught as well. The lake record spotted bass is just north of 8 pounds.” Lake Oroville is fed by four branches of the Feather River and its tribs, including Bean Creek, here dropping into the reservoir. (MARK FONG)
since 1985 and has been a guide on the lake for the last 12 years. Oroville’s black bass population includes four species: largemouth, smallmouth, red eye and spots, with the last being most dominant. For many years, the lake had a slot limit, which prohibited anglers from keeping any bass be-
58 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
A MULTISEASON FISHERY
In a typical year, Gandolfi spends upwards of 150 days on the lake. This allows him to stay in touch with seasonal movements and patterns. Gandolfi relies heavily on soft plastic baits as a reliable year-round fish-catching option. He selects baits that imitate the lake’s primary forage: pond smelt and crayfish. “A tube is a great year-round bait; it’s a go-to bait. I have two colors that I use: green pumpkin and clear spar-
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NORCAL kle,” says the veteran guide. “I will also mix in a dart head worm, finesse jig or a small swimbait. During the spring when the fish are shallow I use a lot of Senkos,” adds Gandolfi. “And the dropshot, that is like the tube, it catches them all the time.” Unlike some lakes that have a reputation for being tough in the winter, Oroville is noted for its great cold-weather fishing. “Winter is not only one of the best times to catch a good quality spot, it is also not uncommon to land 15 to 20 fish a day, and on a good day upwards of 30,” says Gandolfi. This time of year Gandolfi likes to fish southward-facing walls because the water temperature can be a couple of degrees warmer than the rest of the lake. Points adjacent to these structures can also be especially productive. As a general rule, Gandolfi concentrates his efforts in the 10- to 30-foot depth range. “I always start fishing shallow and work my way down,” he explains. “The fish will come up shallow, and sometimes they will be right on the bank.” “If the conditions are right, the first wave of spotted bass will transition to prespawn mode during the full moon in February,” Gandolfi says. By the end of March, longer days and increasing water temperatures will have the fish fully entrenched in their
60 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
HUGE CHICO EVENT HOOKS KIDS ON FISHING To kick off National Fishing Week, the city of Chico will be welcoming kids to an outstanding free “Hooked on Fishing, not on Drugs” event. This is a program of the American Sportfishing Association and is one of the largest single-day children’s fishing events in the United States. Kids 15 and under are invited to come to Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 21, for a chance at the 8,000 pounds of channel catfish that will be planted there (limit one fish per child). Admission is free, and includes all tackle, bait and instruction. Kids can even have their catfish cleaned for free. Since this is a kids-only lake, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Expert local fishermen will be on hand as coaches. There will be a separate area for the littlest anglers, ages 1 to 5. There will be plenty of rods and reels available to use free, but all are encouraged to bring their own. Bring your favorite “secret” catfish bait too, but please, no lead sinkers at Horseshoe Lake. With all that help and all those fish, it will be the closest thing to a guaranteed “first fish” for the little ones. To donate, volunteer or for more information, call (530) 891-4757. A great time is sure to be had by all. Post questions on and like the event at facebook.com/ Hooked-on-Fishing-368678556513424. –CS
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NORCAL spring pattern. When this happens, Gandolfi shifts his focus to gradually sloping points and flats. The presence of small gravel is key to finding the best spawning locations. Gandolfi points out that the fish will use the same areas year after year, but fluctuating water level can complicate the equation.
FISHING FRENZY Spring fishing at Oroville can be nothing short of fantastic. If you want to catch a lot of bass, this is definitely the time to be on the Oroville’s spotted bass can be caught in bunches water. The action in the spring before the water temperatures rise can be almost and the fish go into postspawn mode. (GANDOLFI BASS GUIDE SERVICES) nonstop, which makes it the perfect opportunity to bring the kids or to introduce a first-timer to the sport.
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As water temps approach the 70-degree mark, the majority of spotted bass have moved into postspawn mode. This is the perfect time to catch a largemouth, which spawn later in the season. While their numbers don’t come close to those of the more abundant spots, feisty largemouth show up every year for Gandolfi’s clients. “In the summer, the fish are shallow first thing in the morning; later in the morning they go a little bit deeper and they come back up in the evening,” says Gandolfi. “The topwater bite is terrific in the summer, especially early. Some of my best topwater fishing has been right smack dab in the middle of the summer. I like to fish steep walls in the river arms because the current brings oxygen to the water. I tell my clients to throw (their bait) right up to the bank. The fish will bite within 2 feet of the bank.” In a normal year, September ushers in the beginning of the fall feeding frenzy. “You don’t need to fish deep; they are up shallow and they are aggressive. Five to 15 feet,” Gandolfi says. “One of the most exciting baits to throw is a lipless crankbait. When those spots hit that bait, they hit it to kill it. I’ve had it where they almost take the rod out of your hands. And sometimes the fish are so aggressive that I’ve caught two at a time on the lipless crankbait.” If you like to fish for bass or are interested in finding out what all the excitement is about, Lake Oroville is a must-visit destination. CS
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NORCAL Smaller critters like squirrels provide a convenient target for young hunters who want to get used to shooting. (SHERYL CASTLEBERRY HALEY)
HUNT UP SOME ‘OKIE T-BONES’ SQUIRRELS ARE A GREAT WAY TO INTRODUCE YOUNGSTERS TO HUNTING By Jason Haley
A
s a kid, a friend of mine had a beautifully tanned grey squirrel hide on his bedroom wall. He had shot it himself on a trip with his dad. His dad had tanned it out the old-fashioned way, so it was the real deal, nothing like the cheap – albeit very expensive – imitation stuff from Frontierland at Disneyland. He also had the famous Farrah Fawcett poster from the 1970s. That was nice too, but nothing like this squirrel skin. Man, I wanted one of those. You used to see it more often, but not so much anymore. Maybe people are too proud to hunt squirrels or are worried about the stigma. We used to chuckle when our old friend Lonnie would sit around deer camp and say, “Them squirrels is good eatin’.” But you know what? He was right. They are also a great way to start kids hunting. My dad started me on what he jokingly called “Okie
T-bones” when I was just a little dude. I can still smell the powder from the spent .410 shells in the cool mountain air. In those days I struggled to get the hammer back on a Stevens Model 94 single-barrel that once belonged to my great grandpa. Later on, I made a trip or two by myself and did the shooting, skinning, cleaning and cooking on my own. The whole process was fun and rewarding. Nevcalsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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NORCAL A Shasta County tree squirrel gets the lay of the land. California has four species: Western gray squirrel and Douglas squirrel, both of which are native, and introduced Eastern fox squirrel and Eastern gray squirrel. (STEVE BRETH)
er did get to prepare a hide, though. The good news is it’s never too late, and I’ve been able to do some Okie T-bone hunting with my own son in re-
68 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
cent years.
SQUIRREL BASICS
California has four species of tree squirrels and some of the most liberal seasons and bag limits in the Western states. They are relatively easy to hunt, too, which makes success more likely, ensuring fun for young hunters. Tree squirrel season runs from mid-September through the end of the year in the “General” zone, which includes most of California’s 58 counties, excluding just a few in the south and the Sierra Nevada crest. It overlaps quail season, so there’s a mixed bag of opportunities. There’s also an archery/falconry season that starts Aug. 1 and ends just prior to the general season. That season includes a large chunk of the state as well, including Shasta, Siskiyou, Lassen, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Tehama and many other counties. Youngsters can hunt squirrels with their/your weapon of choice. For me and my son, it’s the .410, but for others it might be a .22 rifle. Iron sights are a good way to start kids out by allow-
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NORCAL ing them to practice marksmanship and gun safety the old-timer’s way before moving on to crosshairs. Nonlead ammo is now required. Gray squirrels can be hunted several ways, including walking through or still-hunting mixed conifer-oak forests, or calling. There are numerous calls on the market, but I’ve heard rubbing two quarters together will bring bushytails in also. The distinctive bark of a gray squirrel will often give them away if you take your time and listen. With little guys and gals, you might be better served driving old logging roads and looking for active squirrels. Once you spot one, try and put it up a tree. If you’re lucky, it’ll
The author’s son, Jacob Haley, holds a pair of grays. Squirrel hunting has become something of a family tradition for the Haley clan. (JASON HALEY)
OUTDOOR EXPO COMING TO ALTURAS The Modoc Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Interagency Group is hosting its fifth annual Modoc Sportsman’s and Outdoor Expo at Veterans Memorial Park in Alturas on June 18-19. Among the highlights of the show will be a celebration of the 100th birthday of the National Park Service, which will feature nearby Lava Beds National Monument (nps.gov/labe). Other exhibits at the show include a kids’ trout fishing pond, a youth duck calling contest and a 3-D archery shooting demonstration and competition, plus the usual assortment of various vendors. Admission is free, and the show’s hours are from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, June 19. For more information, contact Reese Soriano at (530) 640-0125, Dan Ryan at (530) 640-3848 or Ken Sandusky at (530) 233-8713. You can email them at destinationmodoc@gmail.com or go to modocoutdoorrecreationandtourism.org. CS
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NORCAL pick a low-lying, horizontal limb and post up. If not, he’ll be in the heavens and you’ll have fun trying to find a shot together.
A NEW TRADITION After exploding his milk jugs in practice, my son Jacob missed his first live shot and our squirrel vanished up the tree. Even with a steep slope to walk up to gain elevation we couldn’t spot him and he put the slip on us. We had a blast speculating where he might have gone or what he might have done. I think he jumped trees on us but we’ll never know. Another hunting tale, I guess, that I’m sure will grow taller with age. When Jacob got a little taller himself, he was able to bag a couple tree squirrels in short order and was very proud. We don’t call them Okie T-bones for nothing, either – Lonnie was right, they do taste great. Frying with a little flour and seasoning is best, of course. A little gravy doesn’t hurt either, although you may want to consult your physician if you have a heart condition. I use the Okie T-bone term in this age of political correctness with no disrespect intended. The hunting side of my family is from that great state, as well as Arkansas, Missouri and Texas, as are those of many Westerners. We just like to make fun of ourselves. CS
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A bunch of squirrels can make for some fantastic eating – fried with seasoning and covered in gravy is the author’s favorite recipe – not to mention a great way to share your hunting history with the kids. (JASON HALEY)
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NORCAL
To draw in turkeys, author Tim Hovey and his friends placed this decoy in a field near Redding in hopes Hovey’s teenage daughter, Alyssa, would be able put a bead on the flock’s tom. (TIM E. HOVEY)
ALYSSA, TIM AND THEIR TOM
A HUNTER’S DAUGHTER GOES ON HER FIRST TURKEY HUNT
By Tim E. Hovey
L Alyssa Hovey helps set up the turkey blind. Within 20 minutes of completion, a turkey showed up nearby, a good sign for her hunt the next day. (TIM E. HOVEY)
et’s face it: Getting involved in the activity of hunting isn’t like picking up a set of golf clubs and heading to the driving range. Hunting usually involves firearms, which can intimidate those wanting to learn more about the shooting sports. Without guidance, many who wish to enter hunting’s fold may be confused on how to get involved. There are safety courses to take and specialized areas to practice. The hunting regulations can be difficult to interpret and the learning curve when you finally decide to head to the field to harvest game can be steep. Without a doubt, becoming a hunter is a lot tougher than mastering a chip shot. calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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NORCAL To encourage new and youth hunters to get more involved in hunting, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers several specialized programs to
crease the odds for someone just starting out. The specifics of these unique opportunities can be found on the department website (wildlife.ca.gov). One of these adjusted junior season openers is offered during the spring turkey hunt. Youth hunters are allowed to head out a week before the general opener, and a week after the general season closes, to try their luck in less-crowded woods to call in wary gobblers. Since my daughter, Alyssa, is a junior hunter and had never hunted turkeys, I was hopeful that we could take advantage of the adjusted youth seasons for a spring hunt in 2016. My new friend Casey Compton was going to make that happen.
CASEY AND I MET through business, and the plans were
The lush green fields around Redding. One feature of the area that posed some challenges was a fairly wide river. (TIM E. HOVEY)
Casey Compton takes one for the team to help get Alyssa’s turkey across the river. (TIM E. HOVEY)
give young outdoorsmen and -women just starting out more opportunities. Apprentice pheasant hunts are offered to new hunters so they can experience the action of an expertly trained bird dog and flushing birds. The SHARE program, offered through a drawing every season, provides youth hunters the opportunity to access and hunt private land for deer and wild pig. CDFW also provides early season openers for junior hunters on some game species to in76 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
made once he found out my daughter had never hunted turkeys. Casey invited us up to hunt in his Northern California hometown of Redding for this year’s spring turkey opener. The original idea was to head up to Redding the week before the general opener so Alyssa could hunt the junior season, but our schedules couldn’t line up. Undeterred, we made arrangements to drive north the following weekend to hunt the general opener. The day before the turkey opener, Alyssa and I headed up to Redding. After checking in to our hotel, we met up with Casey near the area we’d be hunting. He wanted to sneak in, set up a blind in our hunting area and confirm that the birds were roosting nearby. We followed Casey into the ranch and pulled off near a field. Casey and his friend, Dillon, grabbed the portable blind and started walking to the far side of the field. After a brief discussion, they began to set up the blind at the base of a tree at the edge of a ravine. We secured it to the ground and hiked back to the truck. We grabbed our binoculars and waited. Within 20 minutes of setting up the blind, we spotted our first turkey. A pair of hens appeared from the river bottom and leisurely fed behind our blind. Within a few minutes they moved up the far side of the field and fed out of sight. By the time the sun went down, there were 17 birds feeding and posturing in the field below us. One large tom strutted around the hens, trying hard to express his dominance over the flock. There were also three very energetic and aggressive jakes in the group, and despite the size difference between the tom and the jakes, the latter males ran the show. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we watched the jakes chase the tom around, keeping him from the hens and pushing the big bird to the edge of the group. I’ve been on enough turkey hunts to know that having a big tom pushed around by jakes may be a problem. The birds moved to the edge of the field; one by one they flew up to a large pine tree above a creek to roost. We gathered our gear and made a plan for the next morning. Casey confirmed that it may be
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NORCAL tough to call the tom close with the three jakes, but he appeared optimistic about opening morning.
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Tim and Alyssa Hovey enjoy some father-daughter success reflection after she bagged her tom. (TIM E. HOVEY)
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we parked about a quarter-mile from the blind and hiked to the field in the dark. Quietly, we entered the blind as Casey placed a single hen decoy a few yards out front. We set Alyssa up in the shooting position and waited. The birds were roosted less than 50 yards from where we were and had no idea we were there. We talked about the plan while we waited. Casey was sure that the jakes were not going to let the tom get close and we needed to take the first opportunity to kill the tom we were offered. I had patterned Alyssa’s shotgun the week before and I felt comfortable she could easily hit a bird out to about 30 yards with the turkey loads. At sunrise, we began to hear the turkeys flying down from their roost. Casey used the slate call twice and the birds began trotting over to check out the decoy. From my position on the far right of the blind, I spotted two hens move towards the plastic bird. The other birds were way to my right and out of sight for me. Less than a minute after the birds dropped to the ground, Casey spotted our gobbler. He leaned over to Alyssa and told her to take the shot. I leaned over and noticed that the bird was strutting out at about 40 yards. After some discussion, we decided he wasn’t getting any clos-
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NORCAL er. It was now or never. Alyssa leveled her Remington 870 at the bird, sighted right down the barrel and fired. The big tom tipped over and got right back up. He turned to leave and Alyssa fired again. The rest of the flock started moving away and the tom followed. We quickly exited the blind and chased the wounded bird. The rest of the turkeys made it to the edge of the field and took flight over a steep ravine, easily gliding over the raging river at the bottom. The wounded tom hunkered down in a bush near the edge. As we walked up, he stumbled to the ravine and started gliding across the river. I swung my shotgun on the fleeing turkey and took a quick shot, but only knocked tail feathers off the bird. The wounded tom glided over the river and crashed landed on the other side. Casey was certain the bird was dead on the other side of the river. The only problem was there was no safe place to get across. As we walked the river bank looking for the best way to cross, Alyssa was convinced she was going as well. Unfortunately, the river was way too wide and the water moving too fast. Bird or not, I wasn’t letting my daughter forge across the river. Casey and I found a spot to cross that looked a little less treacherous. Alyssa wasn’t happy about staying put,
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CALIFORNIA’S TOP TURKEY SPOTS Currently, wild turkeys are available throughout California and occupy 54 of the state’s 58 counties. The Rio Grande subspecies is the most widespread, followed by the Merriam’s. California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife offers two hunting seasons: spring and fall. The highest harvest numbers have been reported in Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Shasta and Yuba Counties. Daily turkey movements are generally tied to available food, water and roost sites. Adult turkeys feed on acorns, dandelion flowers, grasses and insects. During the spring, male turkeys or toms begin gobbling and strutting, usually triggered by increasing day length. Despite their statewide abundance, all the turkeys in California are the result of introductions of wild and farm-raised birds. Beginning in 1908, birds were released by CDFW forerunner into San Bernardino. Releases of wild birds continued off and on from 1959 to 1999, when close to 4,000 birds were released in 200 different locations around the state. –TH
but the conditions were too dangerous. I was about to follow Casey into the frigid water when he turned and suggested I stay with Alyssa. I handed him my shotgun
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and a few shells and he started for the far side. We watched Casey roughly cross the river to retrieve Alyssa’s turkey. He stumbled a few times and reached the other side soaked to above his waist. I would’ve been happy to follow Casey across, but seeing him on the other side I wondered if I could’ve made it. Casey moved through the thick cover and wild berry bushes on the far side of the river. He was out of sight most of the time and after about ten minutes we heard a shot, followed by a second. A few minutes later Casey appeared at the far bank with not only Alyssa’s turkey, but one of the jakes as well. Start to finish, the success of Alyssa’s hunt rested with Casey and his friend Dillon. Without their scouting and preparation, success would’ve been limited.
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CROSSING THAT RIVER TO retrieve my daughter’s bird will forever remain a strong memory for both of us. Casey’s willingness to go above and beyond to get a new hunter her first bird demonstrates that for many who already know how to hunt, the bigger thrill is to help others experience the outdoors. I’m proud to know someone like Casey. If you know anyone interested in the shooting sports, or just wants to come out and experience a hunt, please make the effort to get them involved. California juniors can hunt turkeys this month from May 2-15 and May 19-20. In my opinion, teaching the next generation about the rewards and benefits of hunting is vital to its continued existence. I’ve enjoyed hunting and the outdoors since I was young and began teaching my daughters what I know as soon as they were old enough to venture outside. I strongly believe that if we don’t actively engage our youth in this outdoor activity, it will go away. CS
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HUNTING
MAY MEANS VARMINT OPS, NRA CONVENTION By Dave Workman
M
ay’s great for hauling out the varmint rifle and getting it zeroed. I know people who sit around all winter reloading ammunition so they have a couple of thousand rounds to haul along on trips to central and eastern Oregon, Nevada, Montana, the Dakotas, eastern Wyoming or Colorado, and even out to places like Kansas and Nebraska to shoot prairie dogs in late May, through June and even into July, or until the grass grows too high.
fleman to pop a target that stands about 8 inches high and maybe 4 inches wide at most – at that distance – is one hell of a cartridge. And take this hint: If you can hit a prairie dog at that range, you can conk a coyote much easier. • The .223 Remington is far and away the most popular prairie dog round, though it may not be the best. That’s a rather subjective opinion, so who is going to argue with someone who can sit on top of a hill overlooking a dog town and shoot hundreds of prairie pups, pausing only long enough to let the barrel cool?
Brennan Hart, then 8, shot up these gophers near Choteau, Mont., a few years ago. Between he and his dad, the duo helped rid farmers’ fields of around 200 of the pests. Brennan was shooting an open-sighted Cricket .22 and a .17-caliber HMR Savage. (BROWNING PHOTO CONTEST)
Farmers and ranchers despise these little rodents. What are the best varmint cartridges? Here are what I consider the five best: • The .204 Ruger is simply awesome. I once predicted that the .204 would become the hot varmint cartridge of the 21st Century, and I stand by that statement. It shoots flat and far, and at warp speed. I have found loading data that will push a 32-grain bullet out of the muzzle at better than 4,000 feet per second. Once on a prairie dog hunt in South Dakota with Ruger’s Ken Jorgensen, I used a Ruger No. 1 single-shot chambered for this cartridge to clobber the little devils at well beyond 350 yards. Now, any round that enables a ri-
Available loading data shows that it is possible to get better than 3,800 fps with some bullet and powder combinations. A dog within 400 yards of someone with a good rifle is in serious jeopardy. • Some people never heard of the .222 Remington Magnum, and that’s their tough luck. This is one hellacious cartridge that has been overshadowed by some of the other varmint rounds. It uses slightly heavier bullets for better wind resistance, although the velocity will be lower. Years ago I knew a guy who had a bolt-action rifle chambered for this cartridge, and whatever load he was using was so accurate that it was scary. On a calm day, it would not be surprising to see somebody with a rifle in this calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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HUNTING caliber capable of hitting prairie dogs at beyond 400 yards. • The .22-250 Remington is the stuff legends, or tall stories, are made from, depending upon one’s perspective. This sizzler is capable of better than 4,000 fps velocity with the right bullet and propellant. A good rifle with a decent barrel and topped with a good long-range scope, fired with a bipod for support or off a good rest, can be devastating in a prairie dog town, or against any coyote that ever walked within 500 yards of somebody The .223 Remington and .204 Ruger both rate with a steady trigger pretty highly as varmint killers in author Dave finger. Workman’s learned mind. (DAVE WORKMAN) One thing about the .22-250 is that you have got to curb your excitement. Some people have gone wrong by shooting so fast that they ruin a barrel due the heat. Pace your shots and a rifle of this caliber will rain terror on varmints. They’ll never hear the shot that gets ’em! • Last and certainly not least is something of an old-tim-
86 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
er, the venerable .220 Swift. Introduced back in 1935 or thereabouts, this round shoots so flat that it might surprise some people. I wish I’d had one on a ground squirrel excursion some 20 years ago in eastern Oregon. I was up on a plateau overlooking a huge valley in which a crossing antelope first looked like some small critter until I put the binoculars on it. Up from behind at about 200 yards a coyote came running out of nowhere. I tried to pop the sucker with a Colt Python, but the bullet missed. A .220 Swift would have been curtains for that ’yote. Loading data is available that will scoot a 35-grain bullet out the muzzle at more than 4,300 fps and I found one suggested load in the Nosler manual that topped 4,400 fps! I dare a prairie dog, rockchuck or coyote to outmaneuver that. Buh-bye! If you stick around California for varmints, nonlead ammunition is currently required to shoot nongame mammals in the condor range and on state wildlife areas, with that regulation going statewide July 1, 2019.
WHATEVER ONE THINKS about the National Rifle Association, there is one truth that applies to the 5-million-member organization: Come springtime, they gather in some city for what invariably turns into a monster-sized gun-andgear exhibition, and a lively members meeting that sets
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HUNTING the course for grassroots political activity for the coming year. NRA members will descend on Louisville, Ky., May 19-22 for the organization’s 145th Annual Meetings & Exhibits. Because this year’s presidential and congressional elections are so critical, according to leading Second Amendment activists, I anticipate a record turnout, and that could be somewhere in the 80,000-plus range. I’ll be there, as will a lot of other West Coast hunters and shooters. All of the big names in firearms and ammunition will be there, along with reloading equipment, clothing and other gear, including ATVs, camping equipment and more. Exhibit hall admission is free to all NRA members and their immediate families, plus uniformed military, law enforcement and youth groups. There are seminars, outfitters, firearms collections and much more to see. This event has gotten so big that a weekend doesn’t seem long enough to see it all any more. For more on it, see the May 2016 issue of California Sportsman’s sister publication, American Shooting Journal. The annual, official members’ meeting always commences at 10 a.m. on Saturday. That meeting is required by the bylaws, and is where we’ll hear NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre deliver his annual report, which traditionally is much more than that. LaPierre can fire up a crowd of gun owners like nobody else.
88 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
This year the NRA is going to be busy. Whomever’s elected in November will likely appoint two or three new members to the U.S Supreme Court, and that is the real prize. Whichever direction the court takes will affect this country for the next generation. That could have massive implications not just for hardcore gun owners, Wayne La Pierre. but also for hunters. (NRA) Anti-gunners are eager to see the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller and 2010 McDonald v. Chicago rulings, upholding the Second Amendment as protective of an individual civil right to keep and bear arms, reversed. Anyone who doesn’t think that’s important, and that it won’t have a major impact on your ability to hunt and shoot, or own guns for self-defense and home protection, just might be living in denial. If you’re not registered to vote, get registered. Bone up on who is running for Congress this fall and find out how they feel about your right to own any kind of gun you want. Beware of anybody who says, “I support the Second Amendment … but …” CS
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THE ROAD TO RENO
SIERRAS
FISHING THROUGH THE SIERRAS ON INTERSTATE 80
Donner Summit marks the demarcation between lake fisheries on the west side of the Sierras pass and flowing water opportunities in the form of the Truckee River to the east. (“FAMARTIN”/WIKIMEDIA)
By Chris Cocoles
O
nly in my more “advanced” years did I discover that there were more places to explore outside of Northern California and Nevada. I blame my family for keeping my shackled for so many moons. Not that I didn’t enjoy spending time with the famdamily when we took our vacations, but let’s just say the Cocoles clan wasn’t exactly creative when it came to deciding where to spend our time off when we escaped the Bay Area in the summer. Save for one Disneyland appearance (honestly, that was probably enough for me; I was never much of a Mickey Mouse fan) and an annual Memorial Day visit to friends’ Clear Lake waterfront home, most summers it was, “Hey, let’s go back to Reno or Lake Tahoe.” So it’s safe to say I eventually memorized what it was like to travel on Interstate 80 from San Francisco to the Sierras. That said, after having zigzagged across the country
multiple times and eventually traveling on many northsouth California highways, there are worse routes to be stuck on than the dozens of times I’ve traversed I-80. For now, we’re going to focus on just the distance from Sacramento to Reno, which covers about 130 miles. The following is virtual look at what to see, where to go and as
The tragedy of the Donner Party, which was stranded in the area during the brutal winter of 1846-47 and lost about half its members, is memorialized near Donner Lake. (WIKIMEDIA) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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SIERRAS ble cheeseburger under a Pittsburgh Steelers logo. And for you Southern Californian hamburger snobs, Auburn now features an In-N-Out.
you head from the Valley to the Sierras:
Business 80 to Old Sacramento Assuming you didn’t start your journey in our capital city and don’t know much about this town except that former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger once held court there, that the 1970s’ TV show Eight is Enough is set there or that the NBA’s dreadful Kings play what’s touted as pro basketball there, a stopover in Old Sacramento is prudent. Get out of the car and stroll around the Gold Rush-era neighbor-
Exit 135 to Colfax Apologies to my dad, but I have to share this story. Once we did a father-son trip that took us first to visit friends in Yuba City, then onto Tahoe, where we managed to catch a few smallish Truckee River rainbows and a skunking at Donner Lake before we began our drive home. It deteriorated into chaos on 80.
Oroville New Bullards Bar Reservoir
Tahoe National Forest
Stampede Reservoir
Truckee Emigrant Gap
Grass Valley
Donner Pass
Sugar Bowl Resort Donner Lake
Interstate
Rollins Lake
Yuba City
80
r Rive ento ram Sac
Lake Tahoe
Colfax
Reno
Interstate
80
NEVADA
Carson City
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CALIFORNIA Auburn
Roseville
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Lake Oroville
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Kirkwood
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5
Folsom
Sacramento Interstate
80
Davis
Interstate
5
hood, get a bite to eat and check out the California State Railroad Museum (916-323-9280; csrmf.org) for a history lesson. And chances are around this time of year it will be hot, so it’s a chance to cool off.
Exit 119-B to Auburn We always tried to avoid making a pit stop in Sacramento – “Too much traffic,” my dad would grumble – so more often than not we’d begin the climb into the Sierras and go to Auburn, a quaint town of 13,000 with a charming square that features another Gold Rush theme. What’s my childhood memory of Auburn? More than once we stopped for a quick bite at an Auburn Burger King that was owned by former Oakland Raiders’ football player Jim Otto (he eventually sold them). What made this particular BK so unique was that helmet plaques of all the NFL teams were scattered through the dining area. So it made it that much more cool to eat that bacon dou92 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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Dad drove his 1963 Lincoln Continental, which generally got us where we needed to go (besides a busted water pump on a previous trip to, of course, Lake Tahoe!). But to make a long story short, our car’s seminew tires malfunctioned terribly. We eventually had to replace two flat tires, and we ended up spending a couple hours longer in Colfax at a tire store than I ever could have imagined. If you do stop in Colfax it might be because you’re heading to nearby Rollins Lake (Exit 139 at Rollins Lake Road), which you can see from the interstate. Rollins traditionally has some really solid fishing for rainbow trout, bass and catfish. Just make sure you check your tire pressure before taking to the pavement.
Exit 158 to Emigrant Gap Historical Marker Did you know the great John Candy’s last movie – he died of a heart attack near the end of filming – was a box office
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SIERRAS flop called Wagon’s East, about a group of misfit pioneers who reversed course and took off in their covered wagons and went not west like everyone else in the 1800s but east? That’s all I’ve got about the flick, but Emigrant Gap is supposedly the spot in California (Historical Marker No. 403) where “The Spring of 1845 saw the first covered wagons ... surmount the Sierra Nevada Mountains.” Scattered above there are a number of fishable lakes, including
The Truckee River meanders along I-80 all the way to Reno, and both anglers and rafters take advantage of its trout and rapids. (CHARLENE KING/ CAROL COCOLES)
Spaulding and hike-in Loch Leven.
Exit 174 to Sugar Bowl ski area
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My only two appearances on skis didn’t go well whatsoever. My friends and I went to Heavenly Valley in South Lake Tahoe and I made it down the bunny hill before I retreated to the bar while the others stayed out a little longer than I did. But Northern Californians will flock this way in winter, and Sugar Bowl (530426-9000; sugarbowl.com) is one of the first available exits for the skier and snowboarder looking for winter fun. Boreal Mountain (530-426-3666; rideboreal.com) is just a few miles to the east.
Exit 180 to Donner Lake
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www.TahoeTroutFarm.com 94 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
Today, Donner is a great alternative to the overcrowding down the road at Lake Tahoe. The water is a gorgeous blue color and the lake is surrounded by tall trees, lakefront rental homes and mom-and-pop businesses. Plus the trout fishing can be epic in this skinny but long body of water at almost 6,000 feet.
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SIERRAS But the name Donner also has a far more historic (and dark) symbolism to it: the Donner Party, a group of nine wagons led by brothers George and Jacob Donner that headed for California. By the time they got to what’s now known as Donner Pass in
late 1846, a snowstorm trapped them as winter approached. Almost half of the 87 members died, the living resorting to cannibalism to survive. In this vacation wonderland, take some time to remember the tragedy that went down here.
Exit 185 to Truckee The water level at Stampede Reservoir remains low, but when this lake has water the kokanee fishing can be fantastic. (RICK KENNEDY)
The Truckee River meanders through this town that’s an unofficial gateway to both Reno and Lake Tahoe. I dropped many a fishing line into the cold, clear water – and one of the treats of Tahoe City is watching the giant
trout that swim around the river mouth that empties out of massive Lake Tahoe. There’s so much to do around here, but one of our favorite pastimes was rafting down the Truckee, which was normally a lazy stretch of water that usually ended with a modest set of rapids, except for one year when we had two boats that got separated during the grand finale, when the river was a lot faster than anyone could remember. It was literally a blood bath. A boat in front of us with strangers overturned over a hard set of rapids, and we rescued a woman we didn’t know who was trying to swim to shore. By the time we reached my sister and her friend, we found out the latter tore open her knee on a sharp rock when their raft capsized, meaning a trip to a local hospital emergency room was part of our sightseeing plans.
Ever fished the Owens River? Might just be time to...
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Reno, Nev., represents the end of our journey, as the Truckee River rolls right through the heart of the city center’s row of hotels and casinos. (MARK HILLARY/WIKIMEDIA)
Exit 188 (Highway 89) to Stampede Reservoir Our old friend, retired Sierras guide Rick Kennedy, loved taking his clients just past Truckee to scenic Stampede Reservoir, which when at good water level, features some of the area’s best kokanee fishing. Unfortunately, the lake was just about 31 percent capacity in mid-April, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Exit 13 (Nevada side) to Reno And so we’re at the final destination on this trip. I love this city (I even named one of my first-ever fantasy baseball teams – in the pre-Internet era – the Reno Gamblers). The Biggest Little City in the World, so the sign on Virginia Street in downtown says, is just more down-to-earth than pretentious Vegas (hey, the epic bowling movie Kingpin takes places there, so take that The Hangover, Rain Man and Con Air). You can catch more trout in the Truckee River right in the shadows of all the big casinos, and my dad – the classic car buff and collector that he is – loves going back to the National Automobile Museum (775-333-9300; automuseum. org) along the riverbank. And the all-you-can-eat buffets and subsequent trip to the blackjack tables make for a nice reward after the long trip from Sacramento. CS 98 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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NOOTKA WILDERNESS LODGE
By Steve Joseph
I
n salmon fishing-crazed British Columbia, Nootka Island is right in the heart of the action. Just off the west coast of Vancouver Island, some of B.C.’s best fishing starts right from the port here. Among the top guide services and lodges in this area is Nootka Wilderness Lodge (250-850-1500; nootkawildernesslodge.com), which is run by Brian and Kelly Gage and their kids. We caught up with Brian Gage for more on their business.
Steve Joseph How long has the lodge been around? Brian Gage The current Nootka Wilderness Lodge has been in Nootka Sound since 1994. SJ How long have you and your wife been in the fishing industry? BG Kelly and I have been involved in the fishing industry for 30-plus years now. I started guiding when I was 16. SJ Is this a total family affair?
BG NWL is a family-run lodge with a capacity for 26 guests, keeping it quaint and personal. I am at the lodge for every group, and that’s really what I enjoy about the business: meeting new people and getting to know them. We like to say, “Arrive as guests and leave as a friends.” Ninety percent of our guests return to NWL, something we are very proud of! SJ What area do you fish? BG We have a fantastic area for fishing. Nootka Wilderness Lodge is located in the heart of Nootka Sound, with salmon fishing only minutes away on calm, protected waters. We also have the open ocean with an amazing coastline of kelp beds and rock structure for our more adventurous fishing guests. Our bottomfishing for halibut, red snapper and lingcod is also world class and a “guaranteed” catch for those who enjoy action-packed bottomfishing. SJ Tell us about your fleet and the lodge. BG Our lodge, our staff, our location and our fleet are what sets us apart from oth-
er lodges. Our fleet of boats is primarily Grady Whites, ranging from 24 to 28 feet in length. We also have one 40-foot offshore vessel for larger groups that want to stick together. All of our boats are covered and have twin four-stroke power and trolling motors. All of our boats have bathrooms onboard. Our 10,000-square-foot lodge features sprawling decks, private bathrooms, spacious rooms, a lounge area and bar. It’s a floating lodge tucked in a picturesque bay with a southwest exposure. We enjoy beautiful sunsets over Vancouver Island’s coastal mountains into the early evening hours. We actually see very little rain throughout our season, so don’t forget your sunscreen! SJ In one word describe the whole experience. BG Unforgettable! Follow and like Nootka Wilderness Lodge on Twitter (@FishNootka), Instagram (@Nootka_wilderness_lodge) and Facebook (facebook.com/NootkaWilderness-Lodge-144212605624365).
calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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BAY AREA
TROLLING TIME FOR LINESIDES WITH STRIPED BASS ABOUT TO BEGIN THEIR SPAWNING RUNS INTO THE DELTA, TROLLERS SHOULD SCORE BIG
By Bill Adelman
T
o the avid angler, is there any time more precious than spring? In San Francisco Bay the halibut bite is just kicking in. A tad further upstream, sturgeon are still on the prowl. And in the sloughs and bays, stripers are stirring. In about a month’s time, these same linesides are venturing up the Sacramento and Feather Rivers, anticipating the spawn. As these are rapidly moving schools, a favorite technique for catching them is trolling. Why? Because where they is yesterday ain’t gonna be where they is today. However, as long as you’re in the same general areas, say, within 5 to 6 miles, your chances of success are maximized. If you’re trolling the bays and sloughs – up the Sac to about Walnut Grove – tidal activity will determine timing. A moving tide always activates the bite.
WHERE AND HOW Montezuma and Suisun Sloughs are excellent early-season options. Out from the Pittsburg Marina area across to Collinsville, checking out Grizzly Bay, the middle grounds,
Sherman Lake and even up the San Joaquin is a viable option. Stop by local bait shops for very recent reports, then decide. Should you opt to start higher up the Sacramento, head out from Brannan Island to fish the San Joaquin or the Mokelumne Rivers, or launch in Rio Vista to head up the Sac with the option of hitting Steamboat, Cache or Prospect Sloughs. If you choose the Sac, trolling all the way to Walnut Grove is a go. For some reason, schooling stripers prefer structure of sorts, so troll shallow – as shallow as 4 feet – right There are plenty of options for San Francisco Bay up against the bank and very near anglers to target. But as spring drags on, striped fallen trees, old piers, bridge abutbass will head into the Sacramento/San Joaquin ments and whatever junk or pilings River delta, which provides plenty of trolling room are left over from the old days. to limit out. (BILL ADELMAN) Try different styles of lures. An off-white 5- to 6-inch plastic swimbait is my top choice. But today’s hot lure is the P-Line Predator, in both the shallow- and deep-running models. In this shallow water, distance is the key. The shallow lures should be trolled at least 125 feet back, as you’re running right on top of the fish. Consider dragging these baits in depths up to about 12 feet. When hitting the deeper areas – say, up to 25 feet – switch. Almost always, trolling against the current is the best approach. However, when you hit a school of active stripers, stick with it. After hooking a fish, continue on the same path for at least 300 yards. If another fish bites, stay with it. If not, two thoughts: Get out of the trolling lane and run downriver to at least 300 yards below where you hooked the fish and reset. If another fish or two comes into the mix, redo. Or turn around and troll downstream through the same area, keeping in mind you’ll have to run a bit faster in order to properly calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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BAY AREA
Montezuma and Suisun Sloughs, Grizzly Bay and Sherman Lake are productive Delta locations to catch stripers. (BILL ADELMAN)
activate the action of the lure.
QUICKNESS COUNTS A bit quicker trolling speed is the key. Against the current, consider 4.5 to 5 mph. It may feel too quick, but it works. It’s acceptable to have anglers hold their rod, but the trolling pressure will get to their wrist and forearm quickly. It’s also easy to lose the required attention, resulting in a missed fish by overreacting. A striper’s grab is solid and there’s time to remove the doubled-over rod from the rodholder. Just don’t stop the boat and don’t set the hook, as the fish is already on; just lift and crank. It won’t take long to determine if your “fish” is an underwater obstruction to which you are firmly attached. Don’t release the spool or you’ll get a bird’s nest. Just back off the drag until you recover. Pull away from the bank if necessary
after hooking a fish, but continue to troll. Double and even triple hookups are not uncommon. Move upstream to Freeport through Sacramento to the mouth of the Feather at Verona and up through Knights Landing, as far upstream as One key to a successful striper outing is boat speed. About 4.5 to 5 mph is a you’d like to ven- good pace for your boat when trolling. (FISHHOOKERS SPORTFISHING) ture. Tidal movement matters not. Varying depths, sandbars, underwater humps, hidden obstructions, rock piles and who knows what else from year to year will bite when you least expect it. Due diligence is still required. It’s not necessary to run your lures way back; however, about 80 feet is recommended while employing rodholders. Let’s say you have two anglers with appropriate stamps. The two inside rods should be closer to the boat – say, one at 60 and the other at 70
104 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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110 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
CENTRAL VALLEY
A LIFETIME
OF OUTDOOR MEMORIES STOCKTON’S BOB SCRUGGS, 69 YEARS YOUNG, KEEPS CATCHING THE BIGGEST FISH AND HUNTING BIRDS AND BULLS
Bob Scruggs has been a top-notch sportsman for most of his life, and even at 69 years old he’s still scoring big fish like this 36-inch brown trout at Pardee Reservoir, not far from his Stockton home. Whether he’s angling, hunting big game or helping other sportsmen get more out of the outdoors, “Whatever he does, he goes all in,” says friend Tony Cazale. (BOB SCRUGGS; STEVE DEMELLO)
By Brad Hall
W
hen a Northern California man hooked and eventually landed a monster German brown trout recently at Pardee Reservoir, he termed it the “fish of a lifetime.” For 69-year-old Bob Scruggs, that’s saying something. Scruggs boated the big brownie during a kokanee fishing trip he had organized for a couple of buddies. He was running the boat and had four lines out with high hopes his friends would land limits of one of Pardee’s most prominent species, the popular landlocked sockeye salmon. Not really caring if he caught a fish at all that day, Scruggs rigged up a line of his own and sent it down 20 feet from a side-planer just for good measure. Trolling a 3½-inch Rapala plug at 1.5 mph – it was the same lure he used to bag his biggest rainbow at Camanche Reservoir a few years earlier – Scruggs struck gold. Twenty-five minutes later, the trophy fish was in the boat. It measured a whopping 36 inches long. After posing for a couple of photos, Scruggs released the lunker successfully and crossed off an item on his personal “bucket list,’’ he said.
“I’ve tried all my life to catch a German brown that topped 10 pounds,’’ he said.
A VENERABLE SPORTSMAN Nobody who knows Bob Scruggs even slightly is remotely surprised by his most recent outdoor accomplishment. By all accounts from his family and friends, it’s just the latest in a long line of shake-your-head moments. “Whatever he does, he goes all in,” says Tony Cazale, his fishing and hunting partner of 41 years. Like Scruggs, Cazale is a retired city of Stockton firefighter. “Whether it’s fishing or hunting, he’s the first one up in the morning and usually the last one back in camp. I don’t know anybody who puts more time, effort and research into things the way he does.” An Eagle Scout at the tender age of 13 – one of the youngest ever, he thinks – Scruggs credits a game warden friend of his father’s with introducing him to the great outdoors as a young boy. Scruggs’ dad and two brothers were not really interested in hunting or fishing, but the family owned a cabin in the coastal foothills near Elk Creek. Scruggs hunted his first deer on Goat Mountain near the calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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CENTRAL VALLEY family cabin. As a teenager in Stockton, he would hunt waterfowl and pheasant in the Delta after school. “We had our shotguns in our cars in the parking lot,” he recalls.
giving his time freely to women’s and youth shoots. Oh, and let’s not forget his stints as a judge at state and regional shooting sports events. Some of his hunting trips are extraordinary. There’s the time while bowhunting in Oregon that
DOGS, BIRDS AND BULLS Bird hunting has always been a favorite hobby of Scruggs, be it pheasant and quail in Oregon, chukars in Nevada or waterfowl in Northern California. Bird hunting generally Hunting dogs are a big part of Scruggs’ life. This German shorthaired pointer is one of many he’s raised. He also loans out dogs to bird hunting clubs. (STEVE DEMELLO)
requires hunting dogs, prompting Scruggs and his wife Serene to breed and train German shorthaired pointers. The Scruggs and their dogs boast a long and beloved affair dating back more than 30 years. To this day, Bob Scruggs supplies pointers for hunters without dogs at a local licensed bird club. Like many veteran hunters, Scruggs is one of those guys who would rather watch a good dog in the field than bag a bird. That’s not to say his hunting days are finished. Not hardly. Although he’ll celebrate his 70th birthday in September, Scruggs has plans underway for deer hunting in Oregon and duck hunting near Knights Ferry come fall. There’s normally a dove hunt or three in the works, as well – all that while still running dogs at the hunting club and 112 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
PARDEE RESERVOIR: A MOTHER LODE GEM Pardee Reservoir, located in the Amador County foothills near the town of Ione, is rapidly gaining a reputation as a trophy-fish impoundment. While many Northern California lakes have suffered through four years of drought with shrinking shorelines, Pardee has remained near capacity due to local water-management practices employed by East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD). The cold, clean water of Pardee has led to some dynamic fishing in recent years. This spring, the lake kicked out a 36-inch German brown trout that was caught by Bob Scruggs (see main story) trolling a Rapala plug. In 2007, Stockton’s Harold Hardin landed the state record smallmouth bass, which weighed a hefty 9 pounds, 13 ounces. Largemouth bass, catfish, rainbow trout, kokanee and crappie also abound in the lake. Trolling the back end of Pardee, or the river channel, has proven successful over the years, but bank anglers also excel, landing frequent limits of stocked rainbows. Approximately 70,000 catchable trout are planted each year. Body-water contact is not allowed in the lake, which opens annually President’s Day weekend in February, with season running through the first Sunday in November. The lake is operated by Pardee Lake Recreation, Inc., a concessionaire under long-term contract with EBMUD, which determines rules and regulations of the lake and sets the camping, fishing and license fees. The lake also features a state-of-the-art fish-cleaning station, complete with an automated grind-and-rinse system that’s open 24 hours a day. For those outdoorsmen not interested in fishing, Pardee offers boating, camping, hiking, picnicking and swimming pools. In addition, there is a gas station, store, coffee shop and full-service marina. Wildlife viewing can also be sensational at Pardee, with deer, wild turkeys, geese, quail, osprey and bald eagles spotted frequently. BH
Scruggs waited nearly eight hours on a sidehill near a juniper tree for a bull elk to rise from its bed. He had spotted a trio of bulls across a huge canyon and watched them bed down. With the wind pushing down the hill in his favor, he crept to within 30 yards of the trio but could only see antlers. Just before dusk, the bulls made a mistake and stood up. Scruggs seized the opportunity and sent an arrow through the biggest one. Maybe even more remarkable is a trip he took to Arizona to hunt elk – just a few days after being diagnosed
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CENTRAL VALLEY with a leaking valve in his heart. Following the diagnosis, Scruggs questioned the doctor about any activities he should avoid and was told – half-jokingly – not to run marathons. Good enough, he thought. “What he really wants to know,” his wife Serene interrupted the doctor, “is if he can go elk hunting in Arizona.” Scruggs went on the trip by himself and camped out for two weeks. It turned out to be one of his favorite outings. “The first week of hunting was as good as you can have,” he says. He passed on numerous bulls, stalked the biggest wapiti he’s ever seen before hunters on four-wheel drive vehicles scared it off, and eventually killed a six-pointer with his bow. Two years later, Scruggs underwent open-heart surgery. It was the day before dove season opened, which put him on the shelf for a few months. He was back in stride within a year, traipsing across foothills and through ditches following pointing dogs in search of pheasants, and climbing in and around boats while rigging fishing rods and reels in search of big fish.
ANGLING MEMORIES Some of Scruggs’ fishing trips have been equally momentous. Tony Cazale recalls fishing with Scruggs in the Delta west of Stockton off Decker Island for striped bass. While many an-
114 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
Open-heart surgery has slowed Scruggs down but hardly derailed his love for the outdoors and getting out in the field with grandson Brad. (STEVE DEMELLO)
glers were thrilled netting 7- to 10-pound linesides, the duo were hauling in three-fish limits weighing more than 100 pounds. And they did it more than once, insists Cazale. Mackinaw fishing at Lake Tahoe is another success story in the Bob Scruggs archives. He once called me while on his way home from Tahoe and asked if I wanted to see
CROSSROADS MINI MART AT LAKE ISABELLA
As Lake Isabella continues its recovery water-wise, the fishing continues to explode. After the past few years of low lake levels, vegetation (as in fish habitat), food and spawning have made a dramatic recovery. Locals and visitors alike are anxiously awaiting what has the makings of a record crappie season. Reports of this year’s spawn are heard everywhere, with the fish bite just beginning. Fish in the 2- to 3-pound range are reported. Red’s Marina, high and dry for the past two years, is afloat, remodeled and back in business. The big news has been about a 50-pound catfish, which was caught, weighed and released. Pictures from Isabella Supermarket show the proof. The 2016 Isabella Fishing Derby has concluded and the rumors are that most of the 9,000 pounds of trout provided by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce are still to be caught. Lake Isabella may be just the ticket for spring fishing with these “perfect storm” conditions.
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CENTRAL VALLEY some really nice fish. He said he’d be home in 30 minutes and to meet at his house. When I arrived, there were two 17-pound Mackinaw in the back of his truck.
Scruggs (right, with his friend Gary Burns) has reached the point where he prefers to take someone else and enjoy the outdoors rather than do it himself. “Whatever he does, he goes all in,” says friend Tony Cazale. (BOB SCRUGGS)
“Bob usually is more successful than everybody else because he puts more effort into it,” says Cazale. One of Scruggs’ most touching fishing trips had noth-
116 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
ing to do with catching fish but instead revolved around helping a handicapped youth, the blind grandson of his longtime friend Larry Skinner. Scruggs lost sleep the night before taking Dakota Skinner fishing, worrying about the next day’s trip and all the difficulties that could surface. When things went as planned and Dakota had caught a bevy of fish, Scruggs was delighted. “It was one of his most rewarding trips ever,” recalls Serene. Scruggs and his wife have been married 51 years, and Serene admittedly knew nothing of the outdoors when they met. But she decided the best way to spend time with him was to join him in the field; they boast two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A couple of the grandchildren are already looking forward to a trip to famed Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Utah this summer with Serene and Bob. The youngest, Lleyton, won a recent youth fishing competition sponsored by Central Valley Anglers, of which Bob is a board member. “It’s been a total change of lifestyle for me,” says Serene. “I was an only child, a piano player and ballet dancer and into the arts and that sort of stuff before I met Bob. He always got me the very, very, very best tools available, whether it was boots, sleeping bags for camping or shotguns. And it’s the same way with the kids and grandkids.” “The legacy lives on and we owe it all to Papa.” CS
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SOCAL’S MOUNTAIN TROUT GETAWAY
At an elevation of about 6,700 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake provides Southern Californians a place to escape the region’s urban sprawl, plus enjoy some great trout fishing. (H.G. JUDD/WIKIMEDIA)
TWO BIG FISHING DERBIES HIGHLIGHT BIG BEAR LAKE THIS MONTH AND NEXT By Chris Cocoles
S
outhern Californians looking to escape the heat, sprawl and smog of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire have easy access to the San Bernardino Mountains and Big Bear Lake. At an elevation of 6,700 feet, this mountain lake with its resorts and activities represents the Southland’s version of Lake Tahoe to the north. One of Big Bear’s main attractions is outstanding trout fishing that will continue all through spring, summer
and into the fall. Two highly anticipated derbies are also coming up: The May Trout Classic May 14-15 and the Fishing For $50,000 event June 11-12. We caught up with longtime trout whisperer John Cantrell of Cantrell Guide Service (909-585-4017; bigbearfishing.net) for a breakdown of the mountain getaway’s fishing prospects and more on the derbies.
Chris Cocoles How is the lake level and has Big Bear bounced back pretty well since the drought took a toll
on the water? John Cantrell This winter was close to normal, so the lake levels are near the level at the end of our season in November 2015. It’s still down around 13 feet from full. So while the Big Bear Municipal Water District has marked all known hazards with red buoys, it is not possible to mark every hazard due to constantly changing conditions. Boaters can protect themselves by keeping a sharp lookout for objects in the water and changing lake-bottom structure.
CC What are the spring fishing prospects for Big Bear? JC The trout fishing is what we would expect for this time of the year: fish
calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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SOCAL
Full stringers are the norm for trout anglers at Big Bear, where trolling spoons and other lures like Rapalas is the most popular technique. (CANTRELL GUIDE SERVICE)
from 1¼ to 2½ pounds are being taken by both boaters trolling and the bait guys on shore.
CC You’ve been fishing this lake for a long time now. How did you get your start? JC I moved to Big Bear from Cla-
remont in 1989 and started the guide service in 1991. I am the longest-running fishing guide service on Big Bear Lake. I have three boats running and three other guides working with me. Together we have a total of over 100 years experience of taking rainbows off this lake.
CC How has the trout fishery there evolved over the years? Is it significantly different than it was a decade or more ago? JC The fishery in the last 10 years has not changed much. But due to new state regulations, all trout stocked in Big Bear Lake have to be sterile
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SOCAL CC What are the go-to techniques/ triploid fish, meaning they do not have the ability to reproduce with each other. Furthermore, because of state budget cuts and drought, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which used to stock tons of rainbows in the lake, has decreased in their stocking numbers. However, fishermen should not fear these hard times! The Big Bear Municipal Water District has been planning for this situation for the last few years. By increasing the funding for fish stocking, the district has been able to maintain its trout fishery. Last year the district bought out the entire stock of approximately 1.2 million baby trout from (Calaveras Trout Farm) right before it permanently closed their doors. Those babies are now catchable size and swimming happily in the waters of Big Bear. The district has also budgeted and secured trout stocking from private sources for the 2016 season.
presentations that will catch trout? JC As for taking rainbows off the lake, trolling is the most productive method. We cover a lot of water and we use deep-water spoons, Needlefish, Dick Nites and Rapalas, along with Canada nightcrawlers. The guys from shore are taking trout as well with dough bait and worms.
CC There are a couple of big derbies coming up in the next month or two. Tell us what anglers should expect for those events. JC The May Trout Classic is back on track this year, thanks to the municipal water district. Jason Hall will be the tournament director for the event. This year, the BBMWD will supplement the tournament with several thousand pounds of trophy trout, plus CDFW stocking prior to the event. The top nine largest trout caught will split $8,000 in prize money, based on 500 entrants. The
122 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
entry fee is $75 for all licensed anglers. Children under 16 can fish for free, as long as they are fishing with a paid entrant related to them. Prizes for the children include trophies and fishing equipment such as rods and reels. There will also be additional prize drawings and tons of fishing gear to give away. So wet a line, catch some fish and win some prizes. Fishing For $50,000 is in June. There will be 80 tagged trout worth various cash prizes, including the grand prize of five tagged trout worth $10,000 each. Entry is $70 for adults and $30 for participants under the age of 16. For every entry, $20 is contributed to the Big Bear Lake trout fishery program to help feed and grow fish. CS Editor’s note: For information on the May Trout Classic, call (909) 866-5796. More details on Fishing For $50,000 can be found by calling (800) 424-4232 or going to bigbear.com.
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BIG BEAR ALPINE ZOO
The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a rehabilitation facility offering injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals a safe haven, either temporarily while they heal, or permanently if they are unable to survive on their own. The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is extremely proud that 90% of all the animals brought in for rehabilitation are successfully released back into their native environment, but we will provide a “home for life” for the animals that cannot be released. Those that remain with us on exhibit are either too injured or have been imprinted by humans and cannot be released back into the wild to care for themselves. bigbearalpinezoo.com • friendsofthebigbearalpinezoo.org 124 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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WHO’S YOUR CRAWDADDY? By Capt. Bill Schaefer
E
l Niño storms are still breezing through Southern California, which is a good thing for several reasons. Lakes are filling up and the fronts passing through prolong the bass spawn. Usually in May there are lakes with bass in all stages of the spawn. At lakes at higher elevation, the males are only just starting to think
about charging the bank. Big females have been biting and will continue to through June and beyond. One bait that is easy prey for bass during the spawn and provides the nutrition they need is a crawdad. Old timers will tell you that nothing will beat a pig-and-jig combo – a jig with a piece of real pork rind on it. But the young anglers of today dress their jig with any of the thousands of plastic creatures and craws on the market in The top bass bait this time of year is a jig with a pork-rind trailer. Color combinations are endless, and spawning bass aren’t particularly picky. (BILL SCHAEFER)
SOCAL BAITS THAT RESEMBLE THE FRESHWATER CRUSTACEANS WILL CATCH SPRING BASS
an endless color selection. We all have our favorites, but this time of year I like the brown-andpurple combo. Most lakes have their own unique color of crawdads, so if you can match the hatch, you should do well. Plastic baits can often mimic the colors almost exactly. Crawling them slowly across the bottom this time of year will usually draw a strike from a bass on a nearby nest. But sometimes the color of the bait isn’t so much about it looking perfectly natural to a bass, but rather for your own eyes. A bass will attack anything in its nest, so being able to see your plastic will help determine when a fish has snatched it up in her mouth and carried it off. I like an all-white jig this time of year, as I can see it well, and the living rubber and white craw I usually add is bulky and really makes a statement to the mother bass guarding the bed. She wants that thing gone, and the second you see all the white disappear, set the hook! For tackle, I use a Daiwa Tatula 7-foot, 6-inch trigger stick and reel strung with 30-pound Maxima braid. It is smaller diameter and plenty strong enough to tackle even the largest bass. The braid lets you feel the bite even better than mono. Bass know that crawdads have hard shells and require a good hard bite to disable them, so they really attack anything that looks like one with a vengeance. The braid telegraphs that strike to your hand, telling your brain in turn to set the hook and hopefully land that trophy. Nothing is more exciting than that hard slam of getting bit on a jig. You will feel the difference. CS
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GULLWING PADDLES Gullwing Paddles is proud to announce a new product, the Gullwing Hand Paddle conversion kit. New to the market, this conversion kit allows you to transform the company’s lightweight nylon and fiberglass blades into powerful hand paddles. By removing the blade from the aluminum shaft, you can simply attach the PVC grip by snapping it onto the blade. The hand paddle’s unique design allows you to navigate through tough spots, like under hanging trees, along rocky shores and through narrow waterways. The hand paddle easily cuts through water, creating substantial improvement in power, allowing you to maneuver easily while fishing. For over 10 years Arthur Carlow, creator of Gullwing Paddles, has made it his mission to create a unique, ergonomic kayak paddle in the US. Based on a revolutionary patented design, it’s become the most efficient and ergonomic paddle on the market today. Positive buoyancy, light weight and durability are just a few of the facets that make this the ultimate kayak fishing paddle. The blades are made of reinforced nylon and angle forward to offer the paddler maximum surface area, which translates into more efficient power. Gullwing Paddles currently make two models, the 230 and 215. For fishing, the Gullwing 230 is longer than the typical kayak paddle and better accommodates the fishing kayak’s wider shape. The paddle itself is uniquely designed to balance across the kayak’s prow or fit snugly along the gunwale, thus eliminating awkward coping with a paddle when the fisherman’s attention needs to be on the cast or the catch. The Gullwing 215 is a standard paddle designed for stress-free, recreational kayaking. Both models feature the unique forward-angled and asymmetrical blade design, which allows the user to glide on the water instead of digging through it. The nylon/fiberglass-reinforced blades can be easily changed. The ergonomic contoured and bowed handles of Gullwing’s paddles are made of powder-coated aluminum-alloy T-832 aluminum, and are also hard-coated to produce a tough, abrasion-resistant surface that delivers improved durability and resistance to corrosion. The paddles are so unique, easy to use and low impact that they are a great accessory to a large variety of kayak enthusiasts. Additional information on the versatile line of Gullwing paddles is available on the company’s website, gullwingpaddles.com. www.gullwingpaddles.com
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130 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
SOCAL
SCORING LIMITS, GIANTS OR BOTH PACIFIC TUNA ACTION SHOULD BE REALLY GOOD THIS MONTH By Capt. Bill Schaefer
S
altwater anglers are running for their tackle and heading out on everything from private boats to sport boats as the fishing off Southern California heats up. The yellowtail action, which almost never ended, has been great, with a lot of larger 20- to 30-pound fish, and the bluefin tuna have shown up, with party boats first finding them. The trend seems to be, if they don’t get limits, they score giants. Fish have been in the 15- to 25-pound range – with some in the schools running up to 50. And some anglers have only been able to watch as line disappears from their reels as even larger fish spool them! Indeed, you need to be ready for these fish. Bluefin fight hard and larger ones will take all your line in one run. If your tackle has been sitting since last year, give it a good cleaning and lubing and make sure your drags are smooth and not welded to the drag plates. You don’t want to hook that tuna of a lifetime and watch the line break. Make sure your line and leaders, as well as backing, are in good shape too. Braid can bury during a battle, so walk it out and respool it. Also, make sure you bring an assortment of rods with different actions and line sizes. You want to have what will get bit, but what will also land the fish, and with these guys, that can be a strong factor. The tuna were being found at about 60 miles out in American wa-
Steph Von Huben shows off a nice bluefin she scored on the New FreeJack out of San Diego. Tuna action should be fantastic in May off the Southern California coast. (NEW FREEJACK)
ters at the time of this writing, but as you read this, schools should be popping up as close as 20 miles out, easy for sport boats to reach and right at the comfortable limit for most private boaters. Three-quarter-, oneand one-and-a-half-day boats were doing the best, along with private boats that have the fuel capacity to reach the bite. Watch for baitfish breaking on the surface and slide up on them. Some iron fish are being taken as well. If you venture out and see a tuna boil, don’t charge it. Go around to
the upwind side and drift into it. You don’t want to put them down, especially if other boats are on them. Just take your turn drifting through the action and everyone will benefit. By the time you read this, giant yellowtail, bluefin and maybe yellowfin will be biting. What a great deal! It looks like this year may be even better than last with all the action already going on. Make sure you are ready, double check that your tackle is up for the job and go score some nice fish for your summer barbecue. CS
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BOLT OR SEMI FOR HOGS? BOTH! A TWO-GUN CHALLENGE FOR HUNTING TEXAS PIGS
By Brittany Boddington
I With the brushy terrain of north Texas as a backdrop, our Urban Huntress strikes her Lara Croft: Tomb Raider pose with an Axelson AR-15 in .223, one of two rifles she hunted Lone Star State feral swine with. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
’ve always been a rifle girl. I tried crossbows when they got popular and I like them, but I still prefer my rifle. I tried bowhunting and I had some success, but missed my gun the whole time. The new kid on the block in the hunting world is the semiautomatic sporting rifle. Some traditionalists reject the idea, but with the boom in the industry, it is impossible to ignore this new market. calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2016 California Sportsman
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pretty quick. Once we got settled I made us some dinner while we chatted about the plans for the week. The next morning we checked the guns. My LAW rifle was dead on, so we moved on to the Axelson. I brought a scope with me so we only mounted it the night before and there was some work to be done to get it on target. It wasn’t too long before we had that one zeroed in as well. I have to admit that shooting on the semiautomatic setting is a blast.
The rustic cabin overlooked the hilly, forested area at Andy Anderson's ranch in Bowie, located about halfway between Wichita Falls and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in north Texas. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
I was invited to try one of these guns on a feral hog hunt in Texas and I jumped at the opportunity. I had only shot one at the range once and not well, so I was excited to get a chance to try again. We decided to film the hunt and use my Legendary Arms Works .300 Win Mag as well as an AR-15 and do a compare and contrast. Axelson Tactical set me up with one in .223 for the challenge. We arrived at Executive Outdoor Adventures (940366-1565; executiveoutdooradventures.com) and were greeted by owner Andy Anderson. We had opted to do a ground hunt in order to use both guns, though the outfit predominantly does helicopter hunts. We had a lovely little cabin and I took the cooking responsibilities. I had flown into Austin because that is where my cameraman happened to live and we made it a road trip to get to the company’s location in Bowie, which is northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth. We stopped along the way and loaded up on groceries, as I had prepared a menu for the four days in camp. I knew what we needed and the shopping went 136 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
WITH BOTH GUNS READY we headed out to hunt. We had the unfortunate luck to be hunting during the week of a full moon, which is not ideal for pursuing pigs since they happily move all night when they have enough light and then sleep all day, which made them impossible to find. We decided to head out on foot from the cabin. We walked up and down the hills of the property and checked all the valleys and riverbeds but didn’t find any pigs. There was obvious pig damage all over the place. Anderson explained that the pigs were just destroying the land and reproducing so fast that the helicopter was really the only way he had found to keep the numbers in check. Our walk was nice but unfruitful, so we headed in for lunch and I made sandwiches for everyone. We went straight back out after lunch and tried a different route. It was extremely stressful walking through the thick bush because we knew there were pigs around that could shoot out at any moment, so we kept the guns ready.
This is Texas, so while pigs were the hunting target, beef still rules the roost. Brittany was in charge of the cooking and put together this great dinner. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
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We were walking through a very shady area of thick brush when Anderson stopped short and pointed to his ear. He had heard something moving in the brush. I tried my best to see through the thick brush in the direction of the noise but couldn’t make out anything. August, my camera operator, spotted the hog first and described it as flesh-colored and huge. Suddenly the spot I was trying to see moved and I realized the hog was way closer than I had initially thought. It took off and Anderson instructed me to be ready and focus on the next opening that it would cross through. I had been carrying the AR, flicked the lever from safe to fire and held on the open ground. Sure enough, the pig shot out. I hesitated; I usually don’t shoot at running animals and my instinct was to wait until it stopped. It stopped and I fired but pulled the light trigger hard and shot just under the pig. The hog was gone in a puff of dust, never to be seen again. My first attempt was a massive fail.
AS THE WEEK WENT on, the wind picked up and our chances looked worse and worse. We still walked every morning and evening. We tried sitting and waiting, we even tried baiting for them but had no luck. The pigs would only arrive after the camera had run out of light, which meant I couldn’t shoot. One afternoon we returned to the cabin from a long, 138 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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Boddington took this feral hog from 260 yards with her .300 Win Mag and then ďŹ nished it off at 25 yards with the AR-15. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)
hot walk and started to get settled. I glanced out over the balcony and saw some movement. We rushed out onto the balcony and sure enough, there were pigs moving in the valley below. Anderson and I looked at each other and immediately decided to go for it. We grabbed our gear and our guns and took off at a dead run. August, my cameraman, chased behind us as we ran out of the cabin, down the hill and around the ďŹ eld. We had plenty of light, the conditions were perfect but there was not much time until the light would go. We came around a brushy corner and carefully peeked out to see if the pigs were still there.
140 California Sportsman MAY 2016 | calsportsmanmag.com
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To our surprise there were four pigs feeding, blissfully unaware of our presence. We had no time to waste and no cover to work with, so we made a quick dash to close some distance and got to
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around 260 yards. I grabbed my trusty .300 and dropped to my bottom and got in position. As with all hunts I asked for a quick confirmation that the camera had the pigs and then asked Anderson if he had a certain one picked out. He said he didn’t care and to just take the one in the best position for shooting. With that out of the way I fired immediately on a big dark boar standing broadside. It dropped in its tracks and we made a quick approach. I swapped guns for the AR, and when we got close I put one more in the swine’s head to finish the job. Just like that our luck had changed and I got a chance to use both guns in rapid succession. We never got another chance at a feral hog on that trip, but at least I got enough to do my show and my comparison. My final verdict is that both guns have a place in the hunting industry, but for very different situations. For close-quarter pig combat – as I titled our walks through the brush – I prefer the AR, but for long-distance shooting there is no doubt in my mind that my traditional rifle is the way to go. I plan to try this again as soon as possible; it’s a lot of fun! CS
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Editor’s note: Brittany Boddington is a Los Angeles-based hunter, journalist and adventurer. For more, go to brittanyboddington.com or facebook.com/brittanyboddington.
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