Summer: Fishing Reports, Drinking, Sports, Sons/Daughters…Things to celebrate on Fathers Day.

So, First of all Happy Fathers Day to every father out there. Enjoy the day and revile in the experience of being a father. I can personally say there is nothing that has changed my life more or made me happier then being a father. I could give everything in my life up before I would give being a father up.

Public service announcement to all fathers, get your off spring out doors! if you are reading this blog you have some affinity for the outdoors, someone created that and nurtured that in you, Share it and pass that same affinity down to your kids. This is tough, it takes stepping away from what you want to do, or your time on the water. A fishing trip becomes something different when you have young kids…believe me I know with a 3 and 6 year old. My free fishing days become swimming, rock throwing, mixed with some bluegill, shad, or pike minnow fishing (the most overlooked fish for kids). Many times I have guided Fathers and their teenage or pre teenage children on their first "fishing trip" together and some times it takes and sometimes it doesn't…a kid that has never been outdoors until they are 13-17 years old is hard to all of a sudden "get into" fishing or being outdoors. I am a strong believer in that it must be nurtured and shared early in life. There is no better fishing partner then a son or daughter, but like most relationships it takes investment. Invest when their young, share your passion, and pass on your love of the outdoors.

Fishing Reports

Lower Sacramento River 

Shad: Fishing is slowing down and fish are moving up river. There are still fish around throughout the Chico area but the bite has been late and the schools seem to be shrinking in size.

Striper: Fishing is starting to pick up for stripers. Some shakers and smaller keeper size fish are starting to be caught on a fairly regular basis and reports of some 8-10lb fish are floating around. July-early september is prime time but like most things this year fishing may get started early. 

Bass: Topwater fishing during the evening has been good in the backwaters for Largemouth bass. Frog fishing over and around the weeds has been pretty fun…good 3-4lb fish caught in the last few weeks. 

Trout: Trout fishing on the Sac has been pretty consistent and summer is one of the best times to float down through the lower river from Balls Ferry down to Red Bluff. Beautiful canyon and lots of wild rainbows if you can take the heat at times.  

Pit River: Spent 4 days on Pit #3 and Pit #1 the last week in floating and wade fishing.  Both fished incredible, great numbers of fat and wild Pit river rainbows with plenty of 14-15" trout and even some in the 18-20" bracket which are real beasts in the tight fast pocket water of the Pit. 

Lower Yuba River: With the cooler weather this week fishing has been good throughout the day. The golden stones are starting to appear and caddis, PMD's, Little Yellow Sallies, and PED's are around. Best dry fly fishing is during the evening hatch but fish are opportunistically looking up throughout the day. 

Open Guide Dates:

June 23-25
July 2, 6, 8, 9
August 2, 3, 5, 6, 16, 17, 23, 30, 31

Drinking

My new favorite river beer…Hams. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. I also had a few bottles of the new Southern Hemisphere Harvest Beer from Sierra Nevada. Fresh Hope IPA…good stuff. I like the first Harvest beer this year best so far. Word on the street is there is some new small batch Sierra coming out this week as well…stay tuned.

Sports

I was hoping the Giants would avoid the "June swoon" but after watching them give up the last two games in the 9th inning blowing a 5 run lead and a one run lead on crappy pitching and defensive errors to the Rockies…. all after loosing 3 of 4 to the Nationals…both sub .500 teams, I think we are swooning fast.