Lake Oroville launching to improve

Some good news is on the horizon for boaters wishing to launch at Lake Oroville, reported Kevin Dossey of the Department of Water Resources. "We anticipate that the new ramp and parking lot at Bidwell will be completely done by the end of March. As of Thursday, the contractor has completed 300 feet of the 524 foot ramp, which will operate down to a lake level of 674 feet. The new parking lot is also complete, with a capacity of 46 vehicles with trailers, and eight solo vehicles."

Dossey added, "The Spillway Launch is currently the only operable ramp on the lake, and it is still recommended for four-wheel drive vehicles only. In response to numerous requests, the Department of Parks and Recreation has added a boarding float to aid with the launching process." BCFGC meeting

The Butte County Fish and Game Commission meeting held in Chico on Monday included the final approval of the 2009-10 financial grant awards: Gridley Kid's Fishing Day- $2500; Paradise Lake Kid's Fishing Day- $3000; Oroville Kid's Fishing Day- $3500; Paradise Park and Rec Kid's Fishing Day- $2400; Snow Goose Festival- $2500; Butte Environmental Council- $1000; Chico Kid's Fishing Day- $5000; Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve- $3128; Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation- $2125; California Waterfowl Association- $2000; AltaCal Audubon Society- $3323; Lake Oroville Florida-strain Bass Project- $5000; Butte County Resource Conservation District- $3000; Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation Center- $2500; Chico Boy Scouts- $3040.

Funding for the grants comes from the fines collected on Fish and Game Code violations that occur within Butte County.

The meeting agenda also included a biologist and warden's report. Butte County Fisheries Biologist Tracy McReynolds reported that the Butte Creek spring run chinook salmon were very successful this year, with a total of 10,082 spawners. The Butte Creek fall run was only 275 fish however.

The fall run escapement of Sacramento/San Joaquin River chinooks was down to a record low of 74,000 fish, even lower than the disastrous 2007 run of 96,000 fish. The one glimmer of hope in those numbers is that the number of two-year old fish returning was up by almost triple from 2007, indicating a stronger class of two-year old fish.

The Nimbus and Feather River hatcheries met their egg-taking goals of 6.7 million and 2.2 million eggs respectively. The Mokolumne hatchery did not meet its' goals, because only 234 adult salmon made it upstream to the facility.

Local DFG warden Chad Alexander reported that violations in the county were down overall last year, mostly because of the lack of a salmon season. Waterfowl violations were also down, although there were some pintail and canvasback citations written at Gray Lodge. .



Chico Area Flyfishers

The Chico Area Flyfishers February meeting will take place at 7:30 PM on Thursday [Feb. 12] at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1877 Hooker Oak in Chico. Very special guest speaker will be World Fishing Network expert Billy Labonte.

Labonte has been a professional trout and steelhead guide for 16 years in northern British Columbia. He has guided and managed on the Babine River for steelhead, and in Spatsizi Park for wild rainbows, with knowledge of fly casting, fly tying and entomology. His presentation will focus on rainbow trout in the Spetsizi region of B.C. for more information call 897-0978.

Send your outdoor news-related items to Steve Carson via e-mail at scarson@sunset.net

Chico Area Flyfishers continued

The CAF's January Fishout was held at Baum Lake, which was partially frozen in the mornings. Once a pod of fish was found, the action was very good, reported club member Don Sleeper. "We used olive wiggle tails and small black midges on an intermediate sink tip. The fish averaged about 14 inches, with a few up to 18 inches. My biggest was a four-pounder."



Lake Almanor

Considering the weather, a few nice fish are being taken up at Lake Almanor, reported Doug Neal of Almanor Fishing Adventures. "Fishing pressure is light, there's usually nothing but ice fishing here at this time of year", quipped Neal.\

"The Canyon Dam boat ramp is in great condition, with a usable dock. This area is not iced over and was looking good on Wednesday. On the east shore, ice is forming and looks like it is going to build off that.

"With the cold water temps, the fish are moving slower. We slowed down our presentation, and things began to happen. We got three rainbows, all under 2.5 pounds. We fished from old Lassen View Resort to Big Springs, with the downrigger set at 30 feet. Best lure was a Sep's 04 silver UV dodger, with threaded and scented crawlers set 12 inches behind the dodger."

Neal tipped, "We need a little warmer weather to get the temps up and the fish active, and the outlook for the next week is more snow and blustery weather. Spring is only 42 days away!"