Recreation
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Bass guys (and gals) are finding a few fish in the morning hours. They’re fishing transitional areas such as dock ends, drop offs and weed lines. Stay well away from the many areas being treated for hydrilla – noted by locating the decaying weeds and floating brown particles. The bass find these areas of particular discomfort and get right on out of dodge.
There isn’t any one technique to pin your hat on right now. We’re largely back to a “throw it all at ‘em” tactic to see what works. On the live bait front, we’re pushing a lot of extra large minnows at the moment with some good luck. Try ‘em for bass, try ‘em for cats. Take your pick. We’ve also received word that we should be into some nice Jumbos soon, soon, soon. (Next week? I’ve got my fingers crossed for good luck!)
No mention of crappie yet, still in a holding pattern there. There’s an abundance of tiny bluegill in the lake. They’re taking worms of any variety. Let ‘em grow a bit before really setting into them – please.
Catfish. Voracious eaters, they are. Live minnows have been the big sell for cats lately. Lots of folks still working the other baits too. Mackerel, anchovies, clams, livers, night crawlers, you name it. Again, try to stay away from the weed decay and you’ll likely do okay. A couple of my bass guys have mentioned that the cats have taken a fancy to some high-dollar crank baits, too. So, if you don’t mind having a whiskerfish gnaw on your Lucky Craft lures, then try that too … J
And lastly, the big question everyone is asking … The carp kill. Thousands of carp line the shoreline and coves all around the lake. The official word is that the officials don’t know … officially. Speculation would have us pointing to the heavy hydrilla abatement efforts or perhaps a carp specific virus. The state biologists are testing, but the results are weeks or months out.
The net effect, however, is largely that the lake just flat stinks – as in malodorous stinks. Cooler weather and some stiff winds this weekend should help to move the natural process along and clear out some of the funk.
That’s the reel deal for now … Any questions, give us a call at the shop we’re here for you seven days a week!
Bob Rider owns Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake. Visit his Web site at www.994fish.com or call him at 994-FISH (3474).
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- Details
- Written by: Editor
A guided walk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 12. Meet docent Glenn Smith at 8:30 a.m. at the visitor center ramp.
Smith is also a member of the board of directors of the Clear State Park Interpretive Association and has great knowledge of the park.
The park visitor center will be open for one day, Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an exceptional program, “Bird Watching, When, Where, What and How,” presented by Brad Barnwell at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium.
Barnwell, a Clear Lake State Park docent, Lake County Land Trust and Redbud Audubon member has been leading bird walks for these same organizations for a number of years, as well as conducting birding surveys at both Rodman Slough Preserve and Clear Lake State Park.
He also will lead a bird walk on Oct. 26. Participants are to meet at 8:30 a.m. at the visitor center ramp.
There is no entrance fee to the park for participating in programs, walks or visiting the museum.
Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.
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- Details
- Written by: Editor
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST – Fire restrictions on the Mendocino National Forest have been lifted as of Saturday, October 4 at 6 a.m. as a result of rain and lower temperatures in the area.
Visitors with a valid California campfire permit will once again be able to have fires outside of designated campgrounds, including wilderness areas.
The fire restrictions were put in place July 14 due to increased fire danger and hot, dry weather.
Despite the change in weather, fire season is not officially over. Visitors are asked to be careful when using campfires, charcoal fires and gas stoves in the National Forest.
When you have a campfire, please do the following:
Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of 5 feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire.
Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires.
Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.
Extinguish campfire with water, drowning the fire, stirring the coals and ash, and feeling for heat or warm spots; continue the process until the coals and ash are cold.
Campfire permits are available free of charge from any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or Cal Fire offices, including the Mendocino National Forest.
For more information, contact the National Forest office at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino.
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- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The fishing has followed suit – some good days, some tough ones. Bass anglers are hoping things will settle down and stabilize. Catfishermen are enjoying a steady bite. Here are the details.
This week saw the weather warm up a bit from last, and with it the bass bite stiffened up a bit. We’re right back to an almost exclusive morning bite. Jerk baits are working for some. Jigs are working for others. A few spinner bait fish have been in the mix too.
The best bite, by far, has been on live minnows. Most folks fishing minnows have experienced better fishing that lasts longer into the mid-day hours. Night fishing with minnows has also been a hit.
The minnows we’re getting now are a pretty decent-sized extra large. They’re not jumbos yet, but they’re good strong fish. (I’d rather have good healthy extra larges over weak jumbos any day.) The advantage goes to the angler on this one … extra larges cost less and work well so you can get more of ‘em for your hard earned dollar. We’ve been told jumbos are just a few weeks away …
The crappie are still in limbo – we’re waiting for some good foul weather to hit for anything to break loose with that. (November-ish) Some local folks are reporting bluegill biting around docks and walls at our local parks. Wax and meal worms, night crawlers, mini crawlers and red worms are tops there.
Catfish action was good this last week. Live minnows ranked at the top of the list of best baits this week. Use a half-ounce sliding sinker rig with 4 to 5 feet of leader to let your minnow swim just off the bottom. Boaters have done far better than our shore anglers – perhaps due to the low water levels near shore.
Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait and Tackle, located at 14913-D Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake. For more information call the shop at 994-FISH (3474) or visit them online at www.994Fish.com.
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