North state fishing report
TOP PICKS
SMITH RIVER, Smith River: The best fishing in recent years has been reported by guides on the Smith, with most boats catching two to four steelhead a day, and plunkers also doing well with SpinN-Glos. The river is high but green, with fish spread from the Forks to Ruby. Fish in the upper teens were caught last week and over the weekend. Rain is expected this week, but the Smith should remain fishable. AMERICAN RIVER: Steelhead fishing upstream of Ancil Hoffman Park has been fair after a slow start to the season. Anglers drifting Glo Bugs with scent, roe or nightcrawlers are catching adult steelhead from 4 to 6 pounds between Sunrise and Sailor Bar. Halfpounders also are being caught. Flows at Fair Oaks dropped from 2,500 cfs early last week to 1,990 cfs over the weekend.
LAKE OROVILLE: The king salmon fishing remained good here for trollers pulling hoochies and flashers at slower speeds or burning Speedy Shiners. Most of the action has been from Bidwell back towards the dam and the fish have been holding 20 to 60 feet down. The key is to find the bait. Out of every limit of kings, there’s usually a fish or maybe two in that 4- to 5- pound class. Bassin’ got a little funky with the cold but light-colored tubes and drop-shot worms have been getting some fish.
TRINITY RIVER: Last week’s storms gave flows a boost and added color to the water, sending bigger numbers of adult steelhead into the upper river. Fishing has been good for anglers drifting bait or fishing flies. More rain is coming this week. Flows over the weekend at Lewiston were 299cfs, while flows at Douglas City were 397cfs and flows at Junction City were 447cfs. Flows at Hoopa are 3,190cfs.
OTHERS
SHASTA LAKE: The trout fishing has improved, with most fish being caught near the surface out to 20feet maximum and having to go even that deep has not been necessary. Bank anglers are finding similar success with float and fly techniques and fly fishing with locally tied woolly buggers. The WWBT pro-am event kicks off next week with practice days on Wednesday and Thursday followed by the highly anticipated 3-day event from Friday-Sunday.
TRINITY LAKE: Although road access up Hwy. 299 from Redding to Weaverville is very limited after recent snowfall, a local angler reported making it for a brief outing before the weather turned and there was an excellent bite for spotted bass with finesse drop-shot worms on long flat sloping points.
DAVIS LAKE: Ice fishing was good last week around the dam and the Lightning Tree for anglers soaking worms and dough baits. Rainbows up over 20inches have been possible when the weather permits. As always, check for safe ice before venturing out on the hard water. There is a derby on Feb. 1 here and it’s $20 to enter. Check with J&J Grizzly Store for details. SACRAMENTO RIVER, Redding to Red Bluff:
Trout fishing remains good from Keswick Dam to
Anderson, with beads, Glo Bugs and roe producing native rainbows. Guide Kirk Portocarrero of SacRiverGuide said beads have been working best, with 20-plus fish landed on most trips. Salmon fishing is closed. Flows from Keswick are stable near 4,950cfs. FORT BRAGG: Even with big seas running, Sea Hawk made trips out for crab, filling out limits in reasonable time for everyone on board. Grey whales were coming through in force and all trips, by default, were whale watch trips because it seemed like the gentle giants were everywhere. Snare casters did well on crab from Noyo Jetty where hook and liners caught kelp greenling, rockfish and perch. Nearby Dog Park was a good spot for perch fishing.
The weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state. A longer version, with many more lakes and rivers, can be seen online at chicoer.com/sports.