DELTA
Those seeking the remnants of the striped bass run out on the delta waterways are finding very little for their efforts these days. Most of the bass are small with the exception of a few stripers coming out of Whiskey Slough for those drifting live blue gills. As an option the largemouth fishing is a better target for those fishing early and late in the day tossing weedless frogs and then switch to flippin’ jigs mid-day. Tournaments conducted in the Delta recently produced winning 5 fish limits from 25 to 27 pounds respectfully. That’s better than a 5 pound average per fish.

Just a reminder, that the inland salmon fishing opened on last Saturday, July 16 on the Sacramento River up to the Carquinez Straits. Reports indicated that a few salmon have migrated into the Feather River and that means that they had to migrate through the Delta to get to that area. So, what I’m trying to say is that shouldn’t keep you from dropping a spinner of other type lure into the water at the mouth of the old Sacramento River up into the Walnut Grove area into the Freeport area to try your luck. You never know you might be surprised. The upper most zone for salmon fishing opens August 1 from the diversion dam to the Deschutes Bridge at Anderson, this also includes the Barge Hole and the old mouth of Battle Creek.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY
The better tidal action is producing limits of striped bass for clients on most charters drifting live anchovies over the rock piles. Cant. Jim Smith aboard the Happy hooker reported 27 limits of bass to 15 pounds, 3 halibut to 13 pounds and limits of quality rock fish and lingcod for his clients. In the South Bay, the leopard shark fishing is still producing 3 fish limits off the Alameda rockfall. Salmon action off California City is non-existent.

OCEAN
Rough seas keeping most inside the bay. When they are able to venture out they are finding very little action on salmon. Most charters are able to scratch about 3 or 4 fish for their clients, up to 23 pounds off Stinson Beach, Muir Beach and Rocky Point. The rock fishing is still red hot with 10 fish limits the rule including some quality lingcod as a bonus.

Salmon beginning to make an appearance in Bodega Bay. The last of the crab pot pulling is taking place off Shelter Cove in the northern part of the state.

Take time to enjoy the great outdoors. Until next tide stay safe to fish another day. Be sure to check weather conditions before venturing out into the big waters.

JAY’S BEST BETS
Pardee Lake - kokanee
New Melons Lake - kokanee, trout
San Francisco Bay - halibut, striped bass, leopard shark
Ocean - salmon, rockfish, lingcod

UPCOMING EVENTS

2014 ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE
July 30-31, 2016 - Bring your favorite brand of frog and get out on the Delta for some big dollar prizes and more. For more information go to anglerpress.com.

KOKANEE POWER STAMPEDE RESERVOIR TEAM DERBY
July 16, 2016 - Catch big kokanee and win some awesome prizes! Information: Gary Coe at (916) 985-4943

BERKELY BASS TANK AT SPORTSMAN’S WAREHOUSE IN ROCKLIN
July 22, 2016 - Come see the 4,000 gallon Berkley bass tank at the Sportsman’s Warehouse on Friday, July 22nd thru Sunday, July 24, 2016. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to see how the latest Berkley baits and specific lures react and function under water. The Berkley pros will be on hand to answer all of your questions. Sportsman’s Warehouse is located at 6640 Lonetree Road, Rocklin, Ca. For more information, call the store at (916) 782- 9900.

HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES
The Stockton Sportsman’s Club has announced they will be conducting 4 hunter safety courses on August 13 and 20, and October 1 and 8. Instructor Paul Sarstead stated that the courses will take place at the Waterloo Gun and Bocce Club, 4343 N. Ashley Lane in Stockton. Sessions are free to boys and girls, 16 years and younger with a small fee charged for adults. Information: (209) 204-0358.

LAKE ALMANOR KOKANEE POWER TEAM FISHING DERBY
August 6, 2016 - The Lake Alamanor team derby offers anglers an opportunity to compete for cash and prizes. for information call (916) 985-4943.

LAKE PARDEE KOKANEE POWER TEAM FISHING DERBY
August 20, 2016 - The Lake Pardee team fishing derby which offers anglers an opportunity to compete for cash and prizes. For information call Cary Coe at (888) 744-8150.

SHAVER LAKE KOKANEE POWER TEAM FISHING DERBY
September 10, 2016 - Kokanee Power presents it’s Shaver Lake team fishing derby offers anglers an opportunity to compete for cash and prizes. For information call Gary Coe at (888) 744-8150.

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETS TO DISCUSS PROPOSAL TO EXTERMINATE DELTA’S STRIPED BASS AND LARGEMOUTH BASS FISHERY
The California Fish and Wildlife Commission will be holding their August meeting at the Lake Natomas Inn Hotel/conference Center in Folsom, Ca on August 24-25, 2016. On the agenda will be a proposal by a group of Southern California water contractors calling themselves “The Coalition For A Sustainable Delta” who want to rid the Bay and Delta waterways of so-called predator fish, mainly striped bass and largemouth bass, who maintain that they are responsible for the decline of two smelt species along with salmon and steelhead populations.
This past week the House of Representatives approved a bill by Jeff Denham, R-turlock, that would end part of a 1992 environmental law that included a goal of doubling the number of striped bass living in the Bay-Delta Estuary. It’s Denham’s effort to scale back the Central Valley Project Improvement Act that some agricultural interests blame for water shortages south of the Delta. This time around the proposed legislation is dubbed the “Save Our Salmon Act”. Denham claimed during a house debate that “in California predation is rampant” and blamed striped bass for killing endangered species, including several species of salmon and Delta smelt. At this meeting over 38 sportsman’s organizations are expected to attend along with many business owners who stand firmly against this proposal. It is well known that striped bass have co-existed for over 150 years with approximately 70 species of Bay-Delta fish ( about half non native species) until the advent of major water diversions.
To voice your opinion on the proposal write to:

California Fish and Wildlife Commission
1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA

To say that you want to protect the Public Trust, sport fishing and a $550 million Delta economy attributed to striped bass and largemouth bass. Noted fisheries biologist, Peter Moyle doesn’t believe that reducing striped bass and other predator populations is likely to make a difference in saving endangered fishes, and will serve only to distract attention to the real problem.

RIO VISTA BASS DERBY
October 7 - 9, 2016 - The Rio Vista Bass Derby is one of the oldest fishing tournament in the U.S. Big prizes are up for grabs. if you love fishing the fabulous Delta waterways this is a must attend. For more information, call the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce at (707) 374-2700.