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Meehan memorial trapshoot Saturday

Fishing and hunting

 

The seventh annual Jim Meehan Memorial Trap Shoot and Barbecue is tomorrow, Saturday, April 30, at the Valley of the Moon Trap Club way down at the end of Burndale Road off Fremont Drive. Trap starts at 9 a.m. sharp, with events for men, women and juniors.

Lunch starts at 11 a.m. and includes barbecued chicken, tri-tip, salad, beans plus no host beer, wine and soft drinks. Shoot and lunch combo-tickets are $50 for adults and $35 for juniors (16-years-old-and-under). Lunch-only tickets are $20 and children 12-and-under are free.

There will be a silent auction and raffle, including a special gun raffle. The proceeds benefit Sonoma Valley Girls Softball League and Sonoma Valley 4-H. For more information call Lynette Meehan at 484-1654, Fred Mertens at 481-9525, or Mike Hage at 738-6329. Tickets are also available at Steiners Tavern and Town Square in Sonoma.

Saturday is also the opening day of regular trout season in most mountain streams. But they are still either surrounded by snow, or roaring high with snowmelt. Either way, there are not very many good trout-fishing choices right now. The lower Sacramento River is pretty good trout-fishing, but you need a boat (and guide). Lake Ralphine and Bon Tempe Lake both got plants of rainbow trout this week. Other than those spots, you might try other kinds of fishing this weekend.

If the wind dies and the temperatures warm this will be an excellent weekend to be on San Pablo Bay fishing for striped bass and sturgeon, said Keith Fraser. The tides will be very good for sturgeon and most of the best action will be between the Pump House and China Camp. Keith books party boats. Call him at 415-456-0321. Salmon fishing off the Sonoma Coast has been held in check, primarily because of the wind. When anglers can get out they are averaging about one salmon per rod, said Capt. Rick Powers, of Bodega Bay Sportfishing. He described the action as steady, but not red hot, yet. Although his party boat, The New Sea Angler, is still being refitted, you can call Rick at 875-2244 to book a trip on some six-pack boats he represents.

Locals who want to learn to fly-fish, improve their skills or have their kids or grandkids learn how to fly-fish will have lots of opportunities right here in Sonoma Valley at Leland Fly Fishing Ranch. Here is a list of some things you might want to check out: Sunday, May 1 – Bill Lowe will teach a Spey casting seminar from 9 a.m. to noon; Sunday, May 22 – Women's fly-fishing seminar and Rod and Reel Day; July 18-21, Jul 25-28, Aug 1-4 – Kid's Fly Fishing Camps.

This summer, spend four fun-filled days at the beautiful Leland Ranch in Sonoma, and discover the art of fly-fishing! Learn to cast a fly and to fish like a pro under the direction of Leland instructors as rainbow trout cruise the clear water of spring-fed ponds. Campers will become efficient casters, proficient knot-tiers, fly-tiers, and self-reliant anglers with the knowledge of where trout live, what they eat, proper fly selection and presentation, and the ability to put it all together when the fish takes.

May 29th and July 31 – Intro to Fly Fishing for Bass class. Why Bass? In addition to heart-stopping surface takes and dogged fights, bass thrive in all but the coldest waters offering fly-fishermen quality angling for wild fish just about anywhere. Furthermore, the most successful bass anglers cast efficiently with great accuracy, cover productive water thoroughly, and employ good line management skills. Every fly-angler can benefit from learning more about how to fly-fish for bass and will improve his or her overall fly-fishing success by spending time on a bass pond. So the question is really not why bass, but why not bass? Call Leland Fly Fishing Ranch at 939-6910, or email lelandranch@flyfishingoutfitters.com.