The good news is Clear Lake is full to the brim and the tules are flooded. The bad news is the cold weather has slowed the bass fishing to a crawl. The series of storms and the dropping water temperature this past week continues to delay the spawning cycle of the bass.
While the water temperature has been holding from 54-56 degrees, it will take a water temperature of at least 60 degrees to move the bass into the shallow water. That could happen by the weekend. However, another storm is forecast to hit the county by Monday and that will only delay the spawning cycle.
Jumbo minnows continue to be the top bait for the finicky bass and most of the guides have been using the minnows and working the north end of the lake near the State Park, Rocky Point and Shag Rock. Rodman Slough has been very muddy and no action has been coming out of this area. The water along the Nice-Lucerne shoreline has been slightly colored but it is producing a few fish.
American Bass is holding a team tourney Sunday. It operates out of the Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina and the weigh-in is 3 p.m.
You would think that with the high lake level the catfish action would be nothing short of phenomenal, but it hasn”t happened yet. It could be the lack of fishermen. However, that could change with a couple of catfish derbies coming up. The Indian Beach Resort in Glenhaven will hold its annual catfish derby on May 6-9. The entry fee is $25. Call 998-3760 for more details.
The big catfish derby on the horizon is the annual ClearlakeOaks/Glenhaven Catfish Derby scheduled for May 14-16. The derby is the largest of its kind in the West and more than 450 fishermen are expected to enter.
There are still very few crappie being caught. Ken Taddie of Indian Beach Resort reports a few crappie are being caught off the resort”s docks by fishermen using minnows and fishing at night, but it”s still nothing to brag about.
Fishermen are still waiting for the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to stock Upper Blue Lake with trout. It”s been more than a month since the lake has been stocked. The trout fishing has slowed considerably and it”s hardly worth the effort. The East Branch of the Russian River will be stocked next week just in time for the trout season opener, which is April 24. Still no word on whether Lake Pillsbury will even be stocked this year. The stocking program on the lake is on hold pending a court decision about the trout eating endangered invertebrates.
The spring turkey hunting season is in full swing and a few hunters have received some surprises. Hunting guide Tony Giorgi of Hopland was guiding two clients last week on a ranch near Hopland and was calling in a pair of tom turkeys. He said the turkeys were out about 50 yards from his blind and were in full strut when all of a sudden they gave an alarm call and flew off. Just then, less than 30 yards away, a huge mountain lion appeared. Giorgi said the lion was crawling close to the ground and headed their way, apparently being attracted by Giorgi”s calling. At the last moment the lion spotted Giorgi and his clients and ran away.
Two weeks ago I gave sports editor Brian Sumpter a turkey call because he wanted to call some of the many turkeys that he sees while walking his dog near his home in Cloverdale (he doesn”t hunt). Sumpter said the first day he used the call he called in a huge coyote. The animal came right up to Sumpter and his dog. Calling in coyotes while turkey hunting is not unusual. Many hunters have reported having a coyote approach them while turkey hunting. Apparently both the lion and coyote were looking for a free meal.
