Ernie Kinzli from Ernie's Casting Pond in Soquel loves the weather this week. "This is the best time of the year for steelhead," says Kinzli. "The last week or two in February is when we catch our fish." He received reports of three fish caught Wednesday morning on Soquel Creek. Long time local steelheader Bill Rawson found his fish on Sunday, fishing the San Lorenzo River Gorge, and using a flatfish lure. "I caught one and lost one, not bad for low water conditions," Rawson says.

We have local trout fishing coming soon. Santa Cruz reservoir Loch Lomond in Zayante opens for the season on March 1. Ranger Judie Cole informed us the California Department of Fish and Game has at least one trout plant scheduled prior to the opening, and we can expect larger "holdover" trout from last year in addition to the largemouth bass population in the lake. Cole says the lake is "full and spilling," with water clarity of 10 feet. She also warns us that staff may be inspecting boats this year to guard against the introduction of invasive species, particularly the zebra mussel that is causing problems in other California lakes. If inspections are required, your boat must be clean and dry, inside and out before staff can allow in on the lake.