Fishing Report, February 10, 2012

While the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has been planting lakes around our area for many years in order to enhance a local winter trout fishery, it announced this week that it will begin planting rainbow trout (triploids) in Lake Mendocino for the first time this month.

By Bill Lynch

Fishing report February 3, 2012

The phrase "There's a sucker born every minute," is said by some to have been first uttered by P.T. Barnum, while others say it was someone else. No matter who first said it, Steve Kyle and I found out where suckers are born – the Yuba River.

By Bill Lynch

Fishing Report January 27, 2012

Last weekend's rains pumped lots of fresh water into the North Bay, which automatically improves the sturgeon action at the usual locations including the Pump House, China Camp, the mouth of Sonoma Creek and even the Napa River.

By Bill Lynch

Fishing Report January 20

Except for the hardcore crazy anglers, the next few days are going to be good for sitting at home oiling your reels, sorting out your tackle or watching fishing shows on TV. We need the rain, so we have to accept this as the price.

By Bill Lynch

Fishing Report January 13, 2012

Anglers should head north to the Sacramento River near Redding, the Trinity, the Klamath and even the Pit River for good trout and steelhead fishing this week. The waters are low, but the fish are in, and the action has been good for most anglers.

By Bill Lynch

Fishing Report December 16, 2011

Dungeness Crab, Sturgeon and stripers all good.

By Bill Lynch

Fishing roundup for Sonoma anglers

As of press time, commercial crabbers are still tied up because of a price dispute with crab buyer/wholesalers. That means that the only way to have fresh Dungeness crab right now is to catch them yourself. There is a way.

By Bill Lynch

Gift ideas for your favorite Sonoma angler

Every angler has a wish list. In his or her head, or actually posted on the refrigerator door. Here are some suggestions, just in case.

By Bill Lynch

Fishing Report November 18, 2011

As the I-T went to press this week, the commercial crab fishermen were still on strike, so the best way for Sonomans to get fresh local Dungeness crab is head for the coast and catch them yourself.

By Bill Lynch

Fishing Report November 11, 2011

Local striped bass fishing and a good crab season opener made local anglers happy this week.

By Bill Lynch

Fishing Report November 4, 2011

Fishing news in the North Bay

By Bill Lynch

Kyle and Powers conquer the Rogue

I threw my back out a couple of weeks ago, and had to bail out on last week's steelhead trip on the Rogue and Klamath Rivers that Steve Kyle and I had scheduled with guide Jim Andras. Kyle persuaded Jim Powers to take my place and they had phenomenal success with 25 hook-ups on the Rogue, landing 15 up to 28 inches long. The fish were a mix of steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout.

By Bill Lynch

Braving the Truckee River rapids

Bill's note: Steve Kyle is my friend, fishing buddy and frequent correspondent. He also spends more time fishing that anybody I know. Recently, he made his second descent of the Truckee River on his pontoon boat, "Mr. Sky." Here is his account of that adventure.)

By Steve Kyle

Wine, food and fly-fishing - Part III

In planning our recent eight-day meander through Oregon, I told Dottie about Lake Creek Lodge, a fishing resort near Sisters that my folks took me to when I was a teenager.

Wine, food and fly-fishing - Part II …and then the lights went out

Following our drive from Portland, Dottie, our Lab, Annie. and I checked into the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel, perched on a 200-foot high bluff overlooking the Columbia River at the top of Wah Gwin Gwin Falls. Built in 1908, this once grand lady of the Gorge was hostess to presidents (Roosevelt and Coolidge) and actors Myrna Loy, Jane Powell, and Rudolph Valentino.

By Bill Lynch

Wine, food and fly-fishing Part I

There was a time when I could not walk or drive past a stretch of river (or creek) without wondering if there were trout to be caught there and wishing I had a fly rod in my hand to find out. When the opportunity presented itself, I could spend all day, every available day, casting to real and imagined fish, embracing my obsession with "trouty-looking" waters, forgoing food, drink and other diversions so I could keep on fishing.

By Bill Lynch

Fly-fishhing in the land of my ancestors

In 2007, Dottie and I traveled to the land of my forefathers. It was one of those "Trip of a lifetime" kind of things. I planned it with a sense that it was something that must be done. Images of myself, fly rod in hand, wading in a lovely river flowing through a glorious green landscape haunted my waking dreams. In this, I was probably channeling Norman Maclean.

By Bill Lynch

China – Way beyond the Vale

(In 2006, partially as compensation to Dottie for dragging her to various fishing locations in the wilderness, I was persuaded to go with her, and our friends Ken and Pat McTaggart on a long tour of China. I didn't get to fish, but ate a lot of fish and was enchanted by the people. . Here is a 20-part tale of this adventure way beyond the borders of our little vale.)

By Bill Lynch

My quest for golden trout, the rarest jewel in the Sierras

In 2003, I went on a quest for Sierra gold; not the precious metal, but something even more rare and precious, the California Golden Trout. Joining me were my sons Ryan and Drain, and good friends Al Maggini and Mike Brown. Our horseback adventure started near June Lake on July 13, 2003. Here is a nine-part account of that wonderful and exciting adventure, made most pleasurable by the company of my sons.

By Bill Lynch

Editor travels beyond the vale discovers sweet life in Italy

A 14-part series on a trip to Italy that has nothing to do with fishing, but was a "pay-back" to my wife for taking her to the "Bates Motel" of fishing that year.

By Bill Lynch