Special needs kids to fish free at Gray Lodge
Up to 40 special needs children or perhaps more will get to try their luck with rod and reel and some free fishing at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area on Saturday, April 17, thanks to C.A.S.T. the “Catch a Special Thrill’ Foundation and some Gridley area businesses... Full Story
Davis Lake ice fishing is on
By Gary Heffley
Colusa Area Report -- River Blown Out
By Gary Heffley
Lake Camanche Report, Feb. 2 – Trout a plenty
Trout
Camanche Recreation reports the trout are cooperating even though wild winter weather kept a lot of anglers from fishing this week.
Camanche Recreation reports the trout are cooperating even though wild winter weather kept a lot of anglers from fishing this week.
A good number of excellent reports came in from fishermen who were out on some of the better days. Dick Reisinger and Kris Sulonen, from Sacramento, caught seven fine trout on Saturday with a big fish at 3½ pounds. They were trolling Rapala lures and orange grubs, and caught four fish near Hat Island and three more in the Narrows.
Sturgeon active now on Sac!! Feb. 3
By Gary Heffley
Fly Fishing is tough but available on Upper Sacramento
By Gary Heffley
Burney Area Report, Feb. 3
By Gary Heffley
Amateur bass anglers urged join Future Pro Tour
Vince Harris, president and director of the Future Pro tour has been reminding members and future members there is only short time left to take advantage of a discount of 20 percent to join the group
Yearly membership is normally $40 per person but a 20% discount which equates to a total savings of $16 per team is available through February! Each team has two members.
Collins Lake Report, Feb.4: Plants should produce action
By Kathy Hess, Lake Reporter
Fish & Game surprised us on Jan. 26 with two truckloads of Rainbows (3,000 lbs.). The next plant to arrive will be a private plant which will come the week of 2/12. Fishing has been tough as the fish don’t seem to be too aggressive yet. A few anglers were able to catch fish in the last week anyway.
North Coast fishing, Feb. 4 -- A steelheaders story: Feast or Famine
By Kenny Priest
[Kenny Priest, Eureka-based writer who loves to fish fresh and saltwater along the northwest coast has agreed to share a few of his timely north coast reports with MyOutdoorBuddy.]
More rain for Humboldt rivers
Smith River: First week of Feb. & fishing is good
The first week of February steelhead fishing is going great! The water conditions are perfect and the steelhead are biting, according to Kevn Brock of Kevin Brock's Guide Service... Full Story
Update: Trinity River steelhead, Feb. 8
By Gary Heffley
Update: Smith/Chetco Rivers, Feb 8
Steelhead Fishing Tips: Understanding the importance of river levels
By Kenny Priest
[Kenny Priest, Eureka-based writer who loves to fish fresh and saltwater along the northwest coast has agreed to share these winter steelhead fishing tips with MyOutdoorBuddy readers.]
Other northern California & Nevada waters
Where can you fish and where are the fish biting? Keep us in the loop...
Full StoryFishing and Boating Tips
[Editor’s Note: This list of tips is just beginning. The editors, reporters and readers of MyOutdoorBuddy.com will be adding tips regularly.
Please share with our readers what you know that will enhance the experience of wetting a line in northern California waters. What have you learned? Your expertise, no matter where you fish (fresh or saltwater) or what species you target, could be invaluable to other anglers. What not to do is just as important as what to do. Please send your strategies, ideas, tips, techniques and personal experiences to MyOutdoorBuddy (see email address at bottom of homepage). Please include you name and hometown.]
Full Story
Fly fishing: Debunking the myths
By Gary Heffley
Fly fishing can be as simple as presenting an artificial bug in front of a fish and waiting for a bite but, in fact, it is a true art form. Much like a masterpiece painter with brush in hand, the truly accomplished fly-rod angler can create a scene that is unmatched, particularly if the area being fished is isolated and pristine. Just watching a good fly-angler form those beautiful loops while lightly, and quite literally, placing his offering on the nose of a rising fish has always captivated me.
Unfortunately, fly-fishing can also be seen as an elitist sport where only the most wealthy and most expensively equipped need apply or are welcomed. But other conventional forms of fishing also have exclusive lodges, getaways and charters that only a few can afford. Why then, I asked myself; do so many conventional anglers see fly-fishers as just a bit too snooty? I asked myself: Is such a negative reputation deserved? --- Full Story
FLW Outdoors announces 2010 bass tourney schedules
WHAT: Date and Location Changes to National Guard FLW Series and National Guard FLW College Fishing
NOTES: FLW Outdoors announced that the Lake Mead and Lake Roosevelt events in the National Guard FLW Series and National Guard FLW College Fishing have been switched due to issues surrounding permits. The National Guard FLW College Fishing Western Regional dates have also been moved up one week. The changes are reflected in the schedules below.
Full Story
Calling all DUCK HUNTERS, Clear Lake DU Banquet is Feb. 20...
By Bob Rider, Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, Clear Lake, 707.994.FISH (3474)
Attention Coyote Hunters! Know the regs about the use of lights
The use of lights for hunting coyotes at night are somewhat complex. The regs can be found on the DFG website but they are reproduced here for your convenience. Coyote hunting at night is allowed in most northern California counties. As of January 1, the following regulations were published on the DFG website...
Full Story
2010 Joice Island pig hunt permits due by Feb. 12
The application deadline is approaching for hunters who wish to enter the permit drawing for the Joice Island pig hunts. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will accept application cards through close of business Feb. 12 and the drawing will be held on Feb. 15...
Full Story
For sale: Black & Tan & Blue Tick Hounds
All three of these hounds have been on 75 bear this year!!
(l.) Blue Tick "Rebel", age 4 yrs, not papered (Price $1000) is outstanding strike dog for bear, bobcat & lion.
Full Story
Big Valley Coyote Drive is Feb. 13/14
Adin Supply Outfitters and Pit River Rod & Gun Club are sponsors
Photo courtesy of sponsors Full Story
DFG offers bear hunting clinic in Diamond Springs
The California Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Advanced Hunter Education Program is offering a bear hunting clinic February 13 in Diamond Springs. The one-day class will include information about bear biology, habits and habitat; styles of hunting bear; gear and garb; dog breeds used to hunt bear; pre-season scouting; bear signs; shooter positions; and how to field dress a bear... Full Story
Cedarville physician does double duty
By Jean Bilodeaux, squirrel hunter and author of Squirrel Wars, A Politically Incorrect Manual on Combat available at www.modocmemories.com
Dr. Chuck Colas, of the Surprise Valley Smokepoles
Full Story
DFG to Hold Public Meeting on Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
DFG to Hold Public Meeting on Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has scheduled a meeting to solicit public comment regarding migratory game bird (waterfowl, coots, moorhens) hunting regulations for 2010. The meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 in the Wildlife Branch Conference Room, 1811 Ninth St., Sacramento.
Full Story
Repeat deer poacher arrested again
[Editor's Note: Why are we not confiscating all firearms, fishing and hunting equipment, boats, vehicles and any thing else used by these repeat offenders and forcing them to attend hunter education and conservation schools all at their own expense? Why are we converting their jail time to home monitoring and search and seizure clauses? Why are we not banning them from all waters and public lands? We treat DUI offenders more harshly than we do poachers. If you drink and drive and get caught and you may lose your driver's license, be forced to pay huge fines, be forced to make restitution to your victims, be forced to attend costly and inconvenient traffic schools, and much, much more, all of which racks up costs to ten grand or more. Such measures are a real deterrent! Let's stop being soft on poachers!]
A known Sacramento deer poacher is facing new charges just hours after he was sentenced for a previous poaching conviction.
A known Sacramento deer poacher is facing new charges just hours after he was sentenced for a previous poaching conviction.
CA DFG recommends increased bear harvest (2500); zone changes
An increase in the statewide bear harvest quota to 2,500 bears and replacement of the current the season closure mechanism with an automatic close on the last Sunday in December is being proposed in Draft Environmental Documents (DEDs) by the DFG.
Hunting photos of the month -- a predator challenge from Colorado "dog" hunters
"Horse Mountain Dog" -- Photo courtesy of Grant Thompson Full Story
California Waterfowl Fundraising Events
For more information on these events, visit http://www.calwaterfowl.org/web2/supportcwa/attendevents/default.htm to view event flyers... Full Story
First hand report: Feb 2 -- Big boars taken in rain at Rawhide West
By Keith Conger, Rawhide West Ranch
Walt Lara from Klamath and 19-year-old Justin Kinney from Crescent City hunted with me at Rawhide West this past week end.
Walt Lara from Klamath and 19-year-old Justin Kinney from Crescent City hunted with me at Rawhide West this past week end.
DFG conducting online poll related to pintail harvest regs
Throughout February, California's Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will solicit public opinion online prior to review of state and national pintail harvest management goals.
In January, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) presented state wildlife agencies with a wide range of regulatory options on pintails. In March, DFG and other state wildlife agencies will meet with the USFWS to discuss these options... Full Story
Elk Foundation to hold Super Bowl of Elk Calling
If you’re a screamer, bugler, grunter or chuckler, you may have what it takes to win the Super Bowl of elk calling, March 4-7, 2010, in Reno, Nev.
Competition is open to the public in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation/Leupold 2010 World Elk Calling Championships. The event will be held as part of the annual RMEF Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center...
Full Story
Competition is open to the public in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation/Leupold 2010 World Elk Calling Championships. The event will be held as part of the annual RMEF Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center...
New feature coming soon
DFG offers tours of Table Mountain
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will lead free guided tours at Table Mountain near Oroville this winter and spring. The two-hour tours will be conducted on first and third Saturdays, February through May, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m...
Full Story
Birds of Whiskeytown to show at Park Visitor Center!
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area will present an exhibition of photographs by nature photographer Jim Duckworth at the Visitor Center from January 24 through March 13. On exhibit are beautiful images of birds that are commonly found at Whiskeytown...
Cormorant photo by Jim Duckworth Full Story
Sac refuges offer weekend programs for nature lovers
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) will be offering a number of weekend programs during January and February. A variety of day programs including Birding Tours, Wetlands Walks, Geocaching, Scavenger Hunt, Nature Photography for Kids/Families, and Build-A-Wood Duck Box Day ($30 fee for materials) provide great educational opportunities for visitors of all ages...
Here's looking at you. Burrowing Owl by Mike Peters
Photo courtesy of Lora Haller, Visitor Services--Park Ranger, Sacramento NWR Complex
Full Story
Sac NWR to have Junior Firefighter Days
It is time for the second Annual Junior Refuge Firefighter Program at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The Fire Management Staff at Sacramento NWR will be holding a number of fun activities related to the field of firefighting, with children as the main focus. These programs will be held on Saturday, February 20 and Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 10 a.m. - noon. It is great for Boy and Girl Scout groups and young people between grades 3-6.
Full Story
February 2010 DFG Calendar
Date - Event
Self-Guided Sandhill Crane Tours at Woodbridge Ecological Reserve/Isenberg Sandhill Crane Reserve (just off I-5, near Lodi), through February. Informative signs are posted at Woodbridge Reserve South Unit. For information on directions to the site and self-guided tours, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region3/woodbridge.html.
Weekends -- Guided Walks on Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve trail at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Details at www.elkhornslough.org or call 831-728-2822...
Full Story
Winners of MyOutdoorBuddy ISE/Sac drawing announced
By Frank Galusha
Five lucky visitors to the MyOutdoorBuddy.com booth had their drawing ticket pulled from the fish bowl on Sunday, January 24 as the 2010 International Sportsmen Exposition came to a close at Cal-Expo in Sacramento.
Five lucky visitors to the MyOutdoorBuddy.com booth had their drawing ticket pulled from the fish bowl on Sunday, January 24 as the 2010 International Sportsmen Exposition came to a close at Cal-Expo in Sacramento.
SLIP System photo by Elk Mountain, Inc. Full Story
Geese and swans return. Fall River Hotel offers package for birders, kayakers
By Frank Galusha
Gaggles of snow white Snow Geese, large squadrons of Tundra Swans and quite a few Cackling or Ross’s Geese are piling back into the Fall River Valley at this time and are expected to remain in the area, resting and feeding prior to returning to their nesting areas in the arctic, Alaska or Canadian provinces as spring approaches.
Cruiser sunglasses good for outdoor activities
Wrap-around Cruiser (2554DM) sunglasses with Coppermax lens tint provide great contrast lens for driving & outdoor sporting activities such as hunting, shooting, fishing, hiking, boating, skiing and golfing. Polarized versions are available for just $29.95...
Full Story
NOR CAL Sports Show Coming March 5-7
Nor-Cal Productions and Taylor Motors will present the 24th Annual 2010 Boat, Sport and RV Show at the Shasta District Fairgrounds in Anderson starting Friday, March 5 through Sunday March 7... Full Story
California Outdoors Q&As, Feb 4: "Don't Blame Me ... the Fish Did It!"
By Carrie Wilson, CA DFG Marine Biologist
Question: Can someone be cited for the inadvertent stomach contents of their catch? As an example, a typical cabezon belly might contain a couple of 3-inch abalone, crabs and/or octopus. Is it a violation to have the abalone (and crabs and octopus if it is in a no-invertebrate take zone) in possession? Another example would be a ling with a big rockfish in his belly. Could the stomach contents place you over the 10 fish RCG complex (rockfish, cabezon and greenlings) possession limit? (Craig G.)... Full Story
Winter Wings Festival is next weekend
The Klamath Basin Winter Wings Festival (February 12, 13 and 14) is a three-day event that occurs every President's Weekend in Klamath Falls. The event is produced by the Klamath Basin Audubon Society. It opens early Friday morning with a flyout to watch hundreds of eagles fly from their night time roosts to the Klamath Wildlife Refuges to begin foraging. It ends Sunday afternoon after a day of birding that matches your interests. In between, the Festival offers more field trips, workshops, talks, vendors, displays, and free activities attractive to families. The Klamath Basin Winter Wings Festival is a four-day event that occurs every President's Weekend in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The event opens Thursday evening in the very walk-able Downtown of Klamath Falls where arts, food, music, vendors, and store specials will give families and tourists the opportunity to enjoy Downtown as part of the Winter Wings Festival...
State Park lifeguards prepare for winter swells, urge safety first
As the winter storms come ashore and sweep through the Sierras, many people think about a warm fire, driving safely on wet or snow covered roads, or perhaps a fun run at their favorite ski resort.
Trinity River Report, Jan. 31, By E. B. Duggan
From Willow Creek, CA. By E. B. Duggan, “D” Fishing Guide, 530-629-3554 yen2fish@yahoo.com
Trinity Lake is 111 feet below the over flow (2.5ft decrease) and 41.8 percent of capacity (2.3% increase).
INFLOW to the lake is 1,541 and 315cfs is being released to Lewiston Lake and 46cfs to Sacramento River.
Trinity River at Lewiston is 269cfs, water temps are 44.3, air?? degrees at 9:00am today.
Limekiln Gulch is 4.8ft at 412cfs. Douglas Cityis 2.6ft at 653cfs, water temps are 43.9, air 41 degrees.
Helena/North Fork is 10.4ft and 1,050cfs, water temps 44.7, air 418. Cedar Flat is 5.9ft at 2,050cfs.
Willow Creek is estimated at 2,110cfs, water temps 45, air 48 degrees.
Hoopa is 16.9ft at 7,190cfs, water temps 46. Mouth of the Trinity at Klamath is 14.5K cfs, water 46 degrees.
Klamath River releases at Iron Gateare 1,320cfs. Seiad Valleyis 3.6ft at 2,380cfs.
Happy Camp is estimated at 3,230cfs. Somes Bar is estimated at 5,650cfs. Orleans is 7cft at 7,350cfs.
Klamath at 101 is 13.7ft at 18.3K cfs and water temperatures of 46.6 degrees. Full Story
Trinity River Report, Feb. 6 by E.B. Duggan
From Willow Creek, CA. By E. B. Duggan, “D” Fishing Guide, 530-629-3554 yen2fish@yahoo.com
Trinity Lake is 107.4 feet below the over flow (4ft decrease) and 42.6 percent of capacity (0.8% increase).
INFLOW to the lake is 6,275cfs and 468cfs is being released to Lewiston Lake and 185cfs to Sacramento River.
Trinity River at Lewiston is 283cfs, water temps are 45.3, air?? degrees at 10:00am today.
Limekiln Gulch is 5.2ft at 700cfs. Douglas Cityis 3.7ft at 1,330cfs, water temps are 44.4, air 43 degrees.
Helena/North Fork is 12.5ft and 2,410cfs, water temps 45.7, air 48. Cedar Flat is 8.2ft at 4,420cfs.
Willow Creek is estimated at 9,240cfs, water temps 45.9, air 50 degrees.
Hoopa is 19.9ft at 13.9K cfs, water temps 46.2. Mouth of the Trinity at Klamath is 23.2K cfs, water 46 degrees.
Klamath River releases at Iron Gate are 1,310cfs. Seiad Valleyis 3.6ft at 2,400cfs.
Happy Camp is estimated at 3,375cfs. Somes Bar is estimated at 7,350cfs. Orleans is 8cft at 9,300cfs.
Klamath at 101 is 16.1ft at 29.3K cfs and water temperatures of 45.8 degrees... Full Story
Fishermen to march on Washington
"United We Fish" To Seek Congressional Support On February 24
[Editor’s Note: This is not just an “east coast” problem. What’s happening along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts is what’s happening to the coast of California – environmental groups are using the law and the courts to restrict our fishing rights. Currently, in California, it is the Marine Life Protection Act and the imposition of Marine Protected Areas that threatens to curtail our recreational fishing opportunities. At this time both the South Coast and North Coast of California are in jeopardy of significant loss of fishing habitat. If we do not band with our brethren in other parts of the nation we may never be able to save our fishing rights.]
Part I. Sacramento River Watershed Salmon and Steelhead Story -- Will It Ever End?
By Bob Baiocchi, California Fish and Water Unlimited, A California Non-Profit Corporation
[Abstract] Several state and federal agencies have reached an agreement called the Habitat Expansion Agreement (HEA). A committee has been formed to manage and control the Habitat Expansion Agreement. The agencies managing the HEA Committee are the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and PG&E. These two agencies have a conflict of interest because of the effects to endangered spring-run salmon and threatened steelhead in the Feather River watershed caused by construction of Oroville Dam and PG&E dams in the North Fork Feather River. The major discrepancy is that the HEA prevents the mitigation of losses to historic endangered salmon and threatened steelhead habitat above the dams in the Sacramento River watershed that have harmed the anadromous fisheries. The HEA also limits the recovery mitigation to 2.000 to 3,000 endangered spring-run salmon below the dams when tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of salmon existed before the major dams were built. Another discrepancy is that there was very little public participation in the development of the HEA, if any, and there was not any federal and state environment document prepared to support the limiting mitigation for the spring-run salmon and steelhead trout of the Sacramento River watershed.
RFA pushes for flexibility bill
"Unless We Unite...Sportfishing is in big trouble"
By Jim Hutchinson, Jr. Recreational Fishing Alliance, Managing Director
[Editor’s Note: While Mr. Hutchison’s alert posted below refers to the east coast fisheries being closed by NMFS via the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), what’s going on there is exactly what is happening to our fisheries here. MyOutdoorBuddy.com urges all its readers to support the RFA in every way possible.]
Local coalition’s offer could stop decommissioning of Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydro Project
A local coalition wants to save Kilarc Reservoir, a popular fishing recreation facility above Whitmore, and associated green hydropower facilities on two Cow Creek tributaries (known as FERC Project 606) by buying the existing facilities from PG&E for up to $1.1 million.
The public filing was submitted January 22 to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by a coalition consisting of Shasta County, Sierra Pacific Industries, the Abbott Ditch Users, Tetrick Ranch and Evergreen Shasta Power.
Agribusiness Giant Westlands moves to kill salmon
Seeks legal permission to double death rate of out-migrating smolts in Delta
Westlands Water District has asked a federal judge in Fresno to issue a temporary restraining order to block a federal salmon restoration plan that protects salmon and other fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Resource agencies could hit ball out of “Kilarc Park.”
If the regulatory agencies, including the Department of Fish & Game, will step up to the plate there’s a possibility the fish that want to migrate up Cow Creek and its tributaries, particularly Old Cow Creek and South Cow Creek, might get a little help.