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Written by: Lake County News Reports

Published: 21 August 2008

Created: 21 August 2008

Last Updated: 21 August 2008

Well, the acorns are dropping and the geese have flown in – both are typical signs of autumn and both are a few weeks early this year.

While we’ve had some pretty warm days this week (90s), the nights are cool with cloud cover. Overnight Wednesday night we saw the onset of a pretty stiff wind – you know the kind that blows your bedroom door shut with a SLAM just after you’ve finally fallen asleep. That kind of gusty wind.

The weather guess for the weekend has it warm and a bit more calm. The bass bite is unchanged from the last couple of weeks. Most would call it tough. The catfish are still biting readily. And, we’re seeing the occasional crappie or bluegill. Here’s what we know …

Like I mentioned above, the bass bite is generally regarded as tough right now. Explosive weed growth coupled with an abundant baitfish population seem to have had a synergistic effect on the bass’ lack of willingness to take artificial lures. Some savvy folks are on the water well before daybreak and are catching bass until the sun comes up over the horizon. Generally, the bite drops off sharply around the 8 am. to 8:30 a.m. mark. Moving deep, downsizing your offering, and moving slooooowly can help your cause.

There is good news, however, on the minnow front. We received a load of Extra-Large Minnows for the first time in weeks. For most of this season we’ve only been able to get the smallish “large” minnows. The XL’s should help us get bit down deeper for improved mid-day action.

The crappie and bluegill are still widely scattered. Daytime action has been virtually nonexistent. However, we’ve heard tell of a decent night bite along one popular area near Clearlake Park. (Four Poles, perhaps.) The party that fished this area was keeping their cards pretty close to their chest so there isn’t a whole lot of detail to share. One could surmise that the crappie bite is following the bass bite and is at its best late at night or very early in the morning. Live medium minnows would be your best bet for finding hungry slabs. If you get into a tear of ‘em, please let us get some pictures!

And for catfish – definitely a better bite during the nighttime hours. And definitely a better bite from boat that from shore. I mentioned last week that most of the good shoreline areas are choked with weeds – that hasn’t changed. I have heard that the Jago Bay area (a couple of spots over there, actually), the pipeline/Leubow Point area, Indian Island, Windflower Point and Rattlesnake Island have all been productive. Best baits include the ever popular mackerel, the shrimp and marshmallow combination, or good ol’ fashion night crawlers.

With catfish on our mind, this is a great time to mention Saturday’s CatFest being held here at Lakeshore Bait and Tackle. The barbecue starts at 4 p.m., we’ll play games and whatnot until about 6 p.m., clean up and head for the launch ramp. You’ll donate $10 to eat, play, and fish with a portion of the funds going into a “Big Fish” pool.

The angler with the biggest fish when we return at 11 p.m. wins the pot. We’ve got brand new CatFest shirts that’ll be on sale for $10/each, too. Bring your buddy, bring your boat, and come out to enjoy some good clean fun. Drop by and reserve your spot now so we have a good head count for the food.

And last, but certainly not least, we’ve got a steady stream of new Shimano rods and reels coming in – everything from the new entry level Convergence rods to the new mid-priced Clarus, and a great selection of high-end Crucial and Cumara rods. Reels from the entry level AX series, to the mid-priced Sedona and Sahara models, to the stunning Saros and Stradics.

We have a HUGE supply coming of the completely redesigned Curado reels. These reels are going to knock your socks off. If you’ve been a Curado fan in the past, but didn’t fall in love with what they did on their last release, they’ve listened and revamped again into a smaller, lighter, faster reel that’ll actually cost less and should best most anything on the market in the same price point. I’ve seen ‘em, they’re great! And, the new Curados should be arriving very soon. (As in just before our fall bite kicks into high gear and all the tournament trails go into their TOC’s.) I hope you’ll come by and see our expanded selection.

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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Written by: Editor

Published: 18 August 2008

Created: 17 August 2008

Last Updated: 17 August 2008

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST – With only a few months left before rain and winter weather returns, it’s a great time to visit and recreate on the Mendocino National Forest.

The forest now has a new Motor Vehicle Use Map available, highlighting the roads and trails designated for vehicle use when visiting the National Forest.

Motor Vehicle Use Maps are free and available at the Grindstone, Upper Lake or Covelo Ranger District offices or the Mendocino National Forest Supervisor’s Office. Maps are also available online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino/maps/mvum.

The maps are presented in three parts – North-North Central, South Central and South. The maps only reflect the roads where vehicle use is permitted and reflects what type of vehicle is allowed and the season of use.

Since reference points aren’t shown on these maps, it is recommended that they be used along with a general Mendocino National Forest visitor map, which can be purchased for $10 at the Grindstone, Upper Lake or Covelo Ranger District Offices or the Supervisor’s Office.

For more than 30 years the Mendocino National Forest has had a system of designated vehicle routes. In 2005, the Forest Service published the national Travel Management Rule, which required each national forest to designate roads, trails and areas open to motor vehicle use.

Since then, the Mendocino National Forest has reviewed the designated routes on the Forest, gathered public input, analyzed environmental impacts, and now published the map of available routes.

If there is a route that you would like to see added to the system, please bring it to the attention of the district ranger. The designated routes and related comments will be reviewed annually and considered for further analysis and possible addition to the system.

“The Mendocino National Forest is one of the premier forests for motorized vehicle recreation in northern California,” said Forest Supervisor Tom Contreras. “We are happy to be sharing this first map and look forward to adapting it over the next several years with the help of the public.”

The map contains a brief overview and definitions, as well as operator responsibilities. If a motor vehicle is operated on National Forest System lands off the designated route system on the map, the operator is subject to fines of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months or both.

While the Forest Service strives to maintain a visible presence throughout the forest, available personnel is limited. Forest visitors are encouraged to help share the information regarding the new designated routes and to report illegal activity.

For more information on the Mendocino National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map, please visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino or call (530) 934-3316.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 17 August 2008

Created: 17 August 2008

Last Updated: 17 August 2008

CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK – The Junior Ranger program has been reinstated at Clear Lake State Park and will continue as scheduled through Labor Day weekend.

This popular program for children ages 7 to 12 takes place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and meets at the Visitor Center.

Children are invited for a fun experience learning about nature, Native Americans, Lake County geology and lots more through hands-on activities. Park Interpretive Specialist Elaine Mansell leads the program.

After learning that funding for the Junior Ranger program was cut by the state, Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association (CLSPIA) has undertaken the funding of this vital interpretive program for the remainder of the season.

Founded in 1983, the goal of CLSPIA has always been to assist the Department of Parks and Recreation in providing public education about the valuable and important natural and cultural resources located in the Clear Lake State Park and the surrounding area.

For information please call 279-2267.

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