Fishin' Talk

By Boots Johnson

Well, folks…..leave the boat home if you plan on fishing the Feather River. Anyone who has ventured across either the Fifth Street or the Tenth Street bridges will look down and realize how low the river is at this time. We suggest fishing for stripers off the bank. Just find a way to hit the river bank and fish with lures or plastic worms…you know….kind of like fishing for trout in upper level streams….cast upstream and reel in the lure or plug as it hits its drift. You should score using this method. Also, the water is so low you could probably walk across the river in certain areas. This also reminds me of the drought back in the early 70’s when we run the jeeps across the river at Mosquito Beach. That jeep club was called Easy Come, Easy Go, was having a rally, and I am proud of being one of the persons to get it started. We had a ball running across the river until one of the “NEW” jeeps went under. Remind me to get into this story some other time.

The stripers are in the system and are forming below Sacramento, ready to come up the Sacramento River. Expect them to invade the Feather River and American also. Look for the big run to hit our area the end of March or the first part of April. Reports are good for a great run. We hope so.

Local Folks know where Englebright Reservoir is located and they know we called it the “Narrows” many years ago….but what about the Henry J. Englebright Lake? Yep, that is what it is called at the state level. At any rate they planted it last week along with Collin’s Lake both in Yuba County (the Harry J. Englebright Lake is also in Nevada County) and with plants in Stumpy Meadows Reservoir. Now, where is Stumpy Meadows? Just check your El Dorado Map to find out.

Where are the big spotted bass in Bullard’s Bar Reservoir? We are told that there is indeed more large bass living in this body of water. But the question is…Where are they? You can catch spotted bass all day in the 12 to 14 inch range, but catching another “TROPHY FISH” in the spotted category will probably be a tough job, but there are sure lots of anglers out there doing their best, including local guides.

We have lots of issues in regard to drought conditions yet there are still reports of excellent fishing out there just about any place you wish to drop a line.

We have a report from our weather source….he advises to expect rain the end of March, continuing into the first part of April and says there is not much snow to hope for in the Sierras. We certainly hope he is right for any participation in the Golden State.

Closing Thought: Always wear a life preserver when you drop anchor in the darkness of first light or after dusk. The splash of an anchor sounds just like you if you fall into the water.