Liquid sunshine and buttercups
I tip my hat to the prayer warriors ! It’s lookin’ like our Lord has taken a liking to you
! I am sure y’all are with when I say, “Hip-Hip Hurray for the rain!” All of last year and at late Spring for 2020 and 2021 our hometown lake, Lake Mendocino has been too low to allow boats to be launched. The boat ramps were closed. Teresa and I sure have missed being on it’s water. Every angler I have talked with have a spring to their steps and smiles on their faces as we all are anxiously awaiting the opening of our backyard lake. Currently, there is enough water in Lake Mendocino for the south boat ramp to be opened. And the word on the street is that the Corps will be opening the ramps.Sweet! — Sweet! — sweet!
Steelhead Fishing: Well, it is no suprise that the Russian and Eel Rivers are blown out right now! Isn’t that wonderful? Ahh, Liquid Sunshine and Buttercups.Soon enough the rivers
will be running green and they will be full of steelhead. Get your steelhead gear and tackle ready!
Upper Blue Lakes: Last Monday some angler took advantage of the break in the rain to go fishin’. With the lake getting stocked arround Christmas, and being scheduled for yet another plant next week, the trout fishin’ from the shore has picked. There are reports of a couple 2 — 2 1/2
pounders being caught. Also, the same success can be said for those who are on the water trolling. The fish are deep, 20 to 30 feet. Also have been told that a few bass have been picked up on a white spinnerbait at the Narrows area.
Fishing Licenses: It’s that time of the year again! Woo-hoo or is it boo-hoo! Starting Jan. 1 all fishermen in California were required to have a 2023 fishing license. In 2023 the basic license costs $58.25 and that doesn’t include $17.02 for a second-rod stamp. New for 2023 is the law that says a fishing license is good for one year from the date of purchase. For example, if you buy a 2023 license on Jan. 12, the license is good until Jan. 12, 2024. *Well, it is just one more thing that sets California ahead of every other state, it has the highest fishing license fees in the nation!
New Year’s Resolutions: We publicly announce our intention to do something or to do something differently for the coming year. Many good intentions are spoken, but few resolutions are kept, but one that I would like to suggest is a resolution for anglers everywhere, and it is simple. Resolve to take one person fishing this year. Offer an angler on the bank a chance to fish with you in your boat, you may even learn something. Take a child fishing for the first time, and you will be blessed. Invite a neighbor, a coworker or even your boss to go fishing with you. Do you remember your first fish? Was it with your
with your grandfather, your father or maybe an uncle or an older brother? I know how important those memories can be. This is a sport that needs to be passed to the next generation and shared with others. You will be glad you did. I’m not asking you to promise anyone anything, I am asking you to just do it. One day on the water could change someone’s life.
*Remember, a good day winter fishin’ could be two or three fish. A good day in the summer could be six to twenty. It’s all perspective, and always good being on the water.
Thanks for reading and remember to keep it reel! — Don = 4REEL Fishin’