Recreation
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Bass anglers working artificial lures have complained of a tough bite this week. Most that have been successful have downsized the baits and slowed their presentations.
Jerk baits and Senkos are the top lures this week. Live bait anglers have been doing a bit better. Dunk a live jumbo minnow in the shade of a dock mid day and you’re likely to find yourself with a bass on the line in short order. Folks are fishing from 2 feet of water to 15 feet of water to stay in the action.
Crappie anglers have been delighted this week with a sudden onset of a crappie bite. Fishing guide Bob Koch came in with clients and a boatload of crappie yesterday afternoon for pictures. The crappie ranged from 1+ to about 2 pounds. No monsters, but rather good healthy fish and plenty of them.
Koch was fishing in the shade of docks in about 8 feet of water through the middle of the day. He commented that bass and crappie were mixed in the locations he fished. Mini-jigs or minnows – both were working once he was into the fish. Ken Taddie at Indian Beach resort reported similar activity along their docks with the best bite running through the darkest hours of the night.
Catfish action has been quite good. Last weekend’s Catfish Derby yielded a record number of anglers and a record number of fish weighed in. Good quality fish came from Cache Creek, Rattlesnake Island, Henderson Point, Indian Island and elsewhere. Mackerel was the top seller throughout the event with live jumbo minnows, shad, and shrimp also doing well.
We’re stocked up full on live and frozen baits, minnows, terminal tackle and ice for the weekend. Drop on by and share your holiday with us. Oh, and while you’re out there… thank a veteran!
Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, telephone 707-994-FISH (3474). Visit him on the Internet at www.994Fish.com.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
KELSEYVILLE – Lake County residents are privileged winter and summer to see raptors soaring overhead. The question usually is, “Which one is it?”
The Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association (CLSPIA) has chosen to present the dynamic film, “World of Raptors,” at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23, in the Clear Lake State Park visitor center auditorium.
This 55-minute film will entertain and educate.
It is narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Joanne Woodward, and presented by international raptor authority, Morley Nelson. North America is home to exciting and majestic falcons, hawks and eagles. See them in all their wild magnificence and power.
When Nelson died Feb. 21, 2005, the Boise Weekly News headline read, “Morley Nelson 1917-2005 The raptor world loses a great friend.” Indeed it had. The article, written by Sara Beitia, described Nelson as a falconer, educator and conservationist. He was 88 years old at his death.
To understand Nelson’s passion for birds of prey, it is well to understand something about the man. To address that need, CLSPIA will provide each attendee with a copy of Sara Beitia’s article written for the Boise Weekly News at the time of his death.
On Sunday, May 24, meet Walt Lyon at 8:30 a.m. at the park entrance kiosk for a walk up the side of an ancient lava flow.
The Indian Nature Trail is relatively steep, with steps formed by rocks on some areas of the trail. Sturdy shoes should be worn for this climb. Lyon will explain the plants along the trail and describe how Native Americans used many of them for food and medicinal purposes. There are great possibilities of seeing flowers, birds and animals along this trail.
There is no entrance fee to the park for attending film programs, participating in walks, or visiting the museum.
The Visitor Center will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer. Guided walks take place on the second and fourth Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
Visit www.clearlakestatepark.org for great photos, activity schedule and park information.
Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The bass reports have anglers doing well in shallow water – from 2 feet to 6 or 8 feet. Key lures have been Brush Hogs and creature baits like Maverick’s Bugly and Bugly Jr., finesse worms, spinner baits and smaller swim baits. Some folks are even working top water lures like frogs and wake baits with success.
Structure areas like tules, shallow rocks and docks have been tops. Don’t overlook the deeper water nearby – there are still some staging bass. Jumbo minnows are the hot ticket for live bait anglers. Fish ‘em in the same areas I just mentioned. Run your minnow with just a single piece of split shot about three to four feet up your line. Use enough weight to make the minnow work, but not enough to drag it down.
Our friend Ken, owner of Indian Beach Resort in Clearlake Oaks, tells us that they’re catching some nice crappie from their docks during the wee hours of the night. Reports have anglers catching from five to 10 crappie in an outing. Use live medium minnows and work directly below the floating docks. Other anglers have reported similar results fishing docks and dock pilings here in the Redbud arm of the lake. Some crappie, albeit fewer in number, are being taken from Redbud Park here in the City of Clearlake during the daytime.
Catfishermen are enjoying a consistent bite all around the lake. Most of my shoreline property owners are reporting several fish per day from their docks using a variety of bait. Mackerel, as usual, is king. Shad, anchovies, night crawlers and live minnows are also favorites. Chicken livers and clams are getting some action as well.
This is going to be a fun weekend to be a catfish angler on Clear Lake. Derby headquarters is at the fire station in Clearlake Oaks. Fishing for the derby kicked off at noon Friday.
I’ve been promised regular updates to the leader board all weekend. I’ll have the standings posted here in the shop as they’re updated. Call or stop in to see if your fish is in the money! And lastly, I’ve got some great folks coming out to do a barbecue booth in our parking lot this weekend. They’ll have great barbecue pulled pork, brats, and more on sale beginning around mid-day today and running through the weekend.
So come on by, grab your bait, pick up some great food, and have a super weekend on our state’s largest natural lake. It's derby time!
Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422, telephone 707-994-FISH (3474). Visit the store online at www.994Fish.com.
- Details
- Written by: Dorothy De Lope
The class will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Clearlake Riviera Community Clubhouse, 9689 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.
The cost for the class is $35.
This class will cover boating skills, vessel safety and numerous other subjects so that boaters can be properly equipped and prepared to react to boating emergencies. The class instructor is Auxiliarist Betty Strach.
For more information and to register, please call 707-513-5122.
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