Meandering Angler: Winter fishing hints from Bill Lynch

The best fishing in the North Bay this week has been along the Marin Shoreline near China Camp. The only catch is that the wind is blowing so hard anglers will have to put rocks in their pockets or tie themselves to a tree.

If a cast manages to reach the water, a surprising number of striped bass are taking the bait. Some report hooking a sturgeon now and then.

High winds and the lack of rain have slowed the fishing around us. But to the north conditions are a little better, though much drier than normal for this time of year.

The usual winter steelhead rivers like the Trinity and Klamath are also suffering from lack of rain, but the fishing has been fair to good in spite of the low flows. The Klamath below Iron Gate is at a good flow rate and fish are being caught in good numbers.

The best fly fishing right now is in the Sacramento River between Redding and Anderson where the warmer conditions and clear water seem to be promoting some interesting bug hatches.

The upper Sacramento River above Lake Shasta is also clear and producing lots of trout action for fly-fishers.

Looking into the future, the current Sierra snowpack is less than half of normal, which bodes well for good fishing early, but not so good later in the summer.

Meanwhile, the Rocky Mountains are having a good snow year, and fishing in Montana ought to be excellent this summer. It is not too early to make reservations at a fly-fishing lodge. The best summer days fill up fast.

Here are a few places to check out:

Harrison Homestead, Livingston, Montana. The Vermillion brothers of Sweetwater Travel Company (sweetwatertravel.com) operate several nice lodges including this one on the Yellowstone River where the fishing is outstanding. I stayed there a few years ago with some of our Sonoma fishing buddies and had a great time.

The brothers also just announced the opening of their Royal Bighorn Club on the banks of Montana’s most famous tailwater river, the Bighorn. I imagine it too will fill up quickly.

Hidden Canyon Lodge, Craig, Montana. I really like fishing out this charming little lodge on the Missouri River. Formerly known as Upland Angler Lodge, it offers the best combination of comfortable accommodations, great food and outstanding fishing of any place I’ve fished. I’ve been there three times and intend to go back.

It also passes Dottie’s checklist for comfort, food and easy fishing, meaning it is an excellent choice for fishing couples that are not into roughing it. Go to hiddencanyonlodge.com.

Need help planning your fly-fishing trip? Contact Rachel Andras of Andras Outfitters, andrasoutfitters.com. Rachel is an experienced guide and fly-fishing instructor and an outstanding fishing vacation travel consultant. In fact, she is leading a group of anglers to Patagonia next winter and she’s already taking reservations for that trip.

Rachel can book you into the best fly-fishing places just about anywhere, including Montana, Oregon, Alaska, Canada and South America. She has helped Dottie and me with several fishing vacations, all of which were great trips.

If you just want to take your kids or grandkids fishing somewhere close this week, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is planting rainbow trout in Marin’s Bon Tempe Lake and Santa Rosa’s Lake Ralphine. Lake Chabot in Solano County is also getting stocked regularly.

Remember you will need a 2020 California fishing license. Go to wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing to get started.