Meandering Angler: Cool off with hot fishing

There are two good reasons to go fishing this weekend: The fishing is hot, and the weather is comparatively cool.|

There are two good reasons to go fishing this weekend: The fishing is hot, and the weather is comparatively cool.

You can drive 60 minutes due west from Sonoma to Bodega Bay, get on Capt. Rick Powers party boat, “New Sea Angler,” and float on the cool Pacific Ocean while you reel in very tasty king salmon, lingcod, rock and Dungeness crabs.

Rick reports this week that the salmon fishing off the Sonoma coast has been fabulous.

He’s had several trips where all anglers have brought home limits of salmon, rock cod, Dungeness crab and near limits of lingcod. These salmon, cod, crab combos are continuing for another week or so and the prognosis is good for continued action. Call Rick at Bodega Bay Sportsfishing 875-3344.

Floating on the cool waters of San Francisco Bay is great way to beat the heat while catching large numbers of halibut. The halibut fishing is the best it’s ever been according to veteran fishing guru Keith Fraser at Loch Lomond Bait Shop. Keith has received reports of anglers heading out from his marina location and catching 30 to 40 halibut in a matter of a few hours. About a quarter of them are keepers running around 10 pounds. Striped bass fishing has also been excellent on the bay this week.

You can also fish off the pier at McNear Beach Park and Paradise Park on the Marin shoreline. Call Keith at (415) 456-0321 for more information.

It’s not as cool as being on the Bay itself, but fishing on the Napa River near Cuttings Wharf can be very comfortable. There, you’ll catch quite a few striped bass and an occasional keeper.

Meanwhile, Northern California rivers are feeling the effects of the heat in the form of rapid snowmelt.

Steve MacRostie fished on the Upper Sacramento River near Dunsmuir last week and said the water was barely fishable and too dangerous to wade. Nevertheless he caught a few fish.

Bob Grace at the Ted Fay Fly Shop in Dunsmuir said that the river has come down since then and is producing better fishing. The best action in that Mt. Shasta area is on Hat Creek and the lower McCloud River. For the latest condition call Bob at (530) 235-2969. He can also give you information on guide services for the river.

Trout fishing on the Sacramento River between Redding and Anderson is also very good right now, mainly because the the flows out of the Shasta Dam are controlled.

It might be quite hot floating on the Sac in that part of the state, but the fishing is very good. Guide Kirk Portocarrero has been having excellent floats there this week. Call Kirk at (530) 221-6151.

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