Feather River

Some very large salmon were in the mix for Feather River anglers this week, reported John Lackey at McGrath's in Oroville. We had Mark Griffin of Oroville check in with a 45-pounder, and Jim Sanders of Oroville had a 37.5 pounder", reported Lackey. "There were several more salmon between 30 and 42 pounds, with most of the fish running around 20 pounds.

"Typical for this time of year, most of the fish are up in the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet being caught on beads. Interestingly, there was even a black bass caught at the outlet on a bead this week. There are still some salmon being caught on purple or blue #6 Blue Fox Vibrax spinners for people who get out there very early at 5:30 AM."

Sacramento River

Anglers on the Sacramento are finding things on the upswing, observed Richard Peeples at The Tackle Box in Chico. "They're doing pretty well on the Sacramento", said Peeples. "Salmon anglers are averaging about two fish per boat below Scotty's Landing. "Most of the fish are big ones of 30 pounds or better, and the largest this week was a 42 pounder. The salmon are hitting in the mornings on silver/chartreuse K16 Luhr Jensen Kwikfish, and anchor fishing is the best bet."

Peeples added, "The stripers are also biting well below Scotty's. There's a surface bite on stripers to 22 pounds in the early mornings, and a bait bite after that."

Lake Oroville

Bass anglers on Lake Oroville have a couple of options this week, noted Fil Torres at Oroville Outdoors. "Some of the fish are moving up, with their nose on the bank looking for crawdads as the water level drops", said Torres.

"There are also a lot of fish at 20 to 30 feet hitting on darthead and dropshot-rigged plastic worms. With all the boat traffic this holiday weekend, anywhere a mudline develops will have the fish moving right into it. Night time fishing should also be very good with dark-colored spinnerbaits and crankbaits."

"The coho salmon fishing is about status quo with last week. Bait fishing is a little better than trolling, with most of the fish up under the green bridge and where there is moving water."

Recent reports of "sores" on bass caught in Lake Oroville are likely the result of a parasite, according to Eric See, the DWR's biologist for the lake. "We have had this in past years, especially when the lake is low. We see pinkish, slimy sores on the bass from a parasitic organism called Epistylis.

"It seems like it occurs more in years and they live on the surface of the skin. It is not usually lethal to the bass, and will clear up by next spring. Although fish mortality from Epistylis is not common, it can provide an avenue for secondary infections, such as from bacteria."

Quagga mussels

The discovery of Quagga mussels in four southern California lakes last week has sent a chill through the hearts of water facility managers throughout the state. The highly destructive and invasive mussels were found in lakes San Vicente, Dixon, Matthews and Skinner.

The discovery is so recent that no "official" information regarding preventative action has been issued by any state agency. Possible measures include mandatory decontamination of all boats being launched statewide, and even a prohibition on boats being transported from southern to northern California.

The DWR advises that anyone observing what may be Quagga mussels should collect several specimens, record their precise location and preserve them. Immediate notification should be sent to mussels@water.ca.gov or 1-888-840-8917. Dove opener

Tomorrow [Saturday September1] will be opening day of California's general dove hunting season.

Dave Ebright at the Chico Sportsmen's Den predicted, "I think it should be a good dove opener this year. We've been hearing decent reports of birds in the area, and there hasn't been the cold snap that often happens just before the opener."

The first half of dove season runs from Sep. 1 to Sep. 15, then again from Nov. 10 to Dec. 24. Legal shooting time is from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Daily bag limit is 10 doves, with 20 total in possession. A valid 2007-08 California Hunting license and Upland Game Bird Stamp is required.

Rifle safety class

The Chico Rod and Gun Club will be holding a Junior Rifle Safety Class for youths age 10 to 18 years from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the first Saturday in September and the first Saturday in October at the clubhouse near Horseshoe Lake. The $10 registration fee includes books and use of all equipment. Parents are welcome as observers. Call 342-0226 after 4:00 PM for registration or more information.

DFG hunting clinics

The DFG will be holding separate waterfowl and upland game bird hunting clinics in Williams during September in association with Wilderness Unlimited.

The waterfowl clinic will take place on Sept. 22 at the Wilderness Unlimited property in Williams, with topics discussed including decoy placement, blind building, ballistics, calling, duck identification, dog use, gear and garb, game care, cleaning and cooking and safety.

The upland game bird clinic will run on Sept. 29, and will offer instruction to beginning hunters. Topics will include hunting quail, chukar and pheasant. Discussion will cover regulations, hunting lands, firearms and ammunition, clothing, habitat, dogs, first-aid, ethics, game care and cooking.

Registration fee is $40 for either clinic, with lunch available for $5. Hunters age 10 and older may attend. Both clinics will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To register for either clinic, go to www.dfg.ca.gov/huntclinics or call 530-347-3980. Trout plantsB
The DFG planted catchable-size trout this week in the following area waters: Butte County- Butte Creek Big, Philbrook Reservoir; Plumas County- Feather River north fork; Hamilton Branch, Warner Creek; Tehama County- Deer Creek, Nevada County- Fuller Lake; El Dorado County- Stumpy Meadows Reservoir.