Bill Lynch’s fishing column, Dec. 15

Sunny weather, great fishing|

Sunny and calm conditions continue to allow anglers to enjoy great fishing less than an hour’s drive away from Sonoma.

The anglers bringing home the most fish are heading over to Bodega Bay where Capt. Rick Powers at Bodega Bay Sportsfishing is finding them full limits of rock fish, near limits of lingcod and full limits of Dungeness crab virtually every trip.

Rick has describe the weather as nearly flat calm. And for your favorite angler, he also offers $130 gift certificates for a full day’s fishing on his party boat. Call Rick at 875-3344.

Also close to home there are lots of striped bass biting in the Bay. You can fish off the bank at the mouth of Sonoma Creek at Highway 37, or in the Napa River along Cuttings Wharf Road. You can drive to Marin and fish at China Camp or off McNears Pier. Or you can book a party boat with Keith Fraser at Loch Lomond Bait Shop in San Rafael. Call Keith at 415-456-0321.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife planted rainbow trout this week in Santa Rosa’s Lake Ralphine, and in Marin’s Lagunitas and Bon Tempe Lakes.

The CDFW also thinks it is a great time to purchase your 2018 fishing license so you won’t miss a day’s fishing after Dec. 31. A license, $48.34, also makes a great gift. You can find them here in Sonoma Valley at Brocco’s Old Barn, 19660 Arnold Driver, or on line.

In its annual pitch, the CDFW reminded state residents of the many good options there are to fish including:

Trout fishing in the Sierra and Cascade mountain ranges. CDFW raises and plants millions of trout each year for the enjoyment of anglers. You’ll find some of the finest scenery anywhere while you pursue trout in the streams and lakes of California’s mountains.

Chinook salmon fishing in the ocean and rivers for hard-fighting and excellent-eating Chinook salmon.

Bass fishing for largemouth bass in Clear Lake, the California Delta, and the trophy black bass lakes of Southern California. The next world record bass could very easily come from California.

Steelhead fishing in coastal streams in northern California. These fish are challenging to catch and are found in beautiful coastal settings. Once hooked, they often put on a show, leaping wildly while peeling line from the angler’s reel.

Lingcod, rock fish and halibut from a charter boat – three of the best tasting fish you’ll find anywhere.

Dungeness crab – highly sought after, delicious and fun to catch.

Striped bass and sturgeon in the California Delta – catch and release a giant white sturgeon that is bigger than some anglers, or take a striped bass home for dinner.

If you’re looking for a fantastic gift for a child or grandchild who is a fishing nut, then consider the fabulous fishing camp put on by Rachel and Jim Andras near Ashland, Oregon. They also offer gift certificates for a days steelhead fishing with Jim and fly-fishing lessons from Rachel. You can find all the info at their website, andrasoutfitters.com.

One final reminder: salmon season on the Sacramento River ends tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 16. Action has been good this year, and the Sac is still open for excellent trout fishing from Redding to Anderson. Call Kirk Portocarrero at 800-670-4448.

Thank you to the many people who have inquired about my new book, “My Sonoma – Valley of the Moon.”

There are still some copies for sale in local stores including Chateau Sonoma, Fat Pilgrim, Depot Museum and at the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau.

Readers’ Books was sold out earlier this week, but I am trying to get more to them by this weekend.

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