"The bass bite has been strange up at Sonoma this week," explained Mike Nunnally of Outdoor Pro Shop. "One of our local anglers, Steve Seals, nailed 20 fish up to 7 pounds on Zara Spooks one morning last week, then couldn't get a single topwater bite the next day."

According to Nunnally, the average fish has been running 1 to 2-1/2 pounds with an occasional fish in the 5 to 7 pound class. "When Seals fished the next day, he did manage to catch a handful of fish by drop-shotting plastics in the trees," he added.

Night fishing is picking up as temperatures continue to rise. "The latest club tournament was a night time event and it took 10 fish for 22 pounds to win it," said Nunnally. "Dominick Ellisery of Petaluma and Russ Vezalli of Rohnert Park won the tournament fishing Brush Hogs and plastic worms. The big fish of the night was a 6 pounder caught by John Griffith of Santa Rosa."

Trout action is beginning to pick up at Sonoma. "I just spoke to one of our regular customers and he reported catching 5 trout in the 2 to 3 pound class while trolling 30 feet deep near the dam," said Nunnally. "The top baits have been Yozuri Pin's Minnows and Needlefish."

On the Russian River, anglers are taking decent numbers of smallmouth bass, mainly small fish in the 8 to 12 inch class. "Try throwing small plastic worms or Tiny Torpedo topwater baits," said Nunnally. "The top spots are Healdsburg and the Alexander Valley."

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Randy Thornton of Telstar Charters confirmed the hot action being experienced by Fort Bragg anglers fishing north of the reef in 250 feet of water. "Our last trip out, we pulled in full limits of quality salmon weighing up to 29 pounds," noted Thornton.

"All of our recent trips out for salmon have produced near limits to limits, and fortunately we have been catching fish over 20 pounds," added Thornton.

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"It's been tough make a decision about what type of fishing we would like to do," reported Todd Hannah of The Oregon Angler Guide Service. "Ocean fishing off the mouth of the Umpqua is providing steady coho and chinook hook-ups, along with limits of crabs."

As of July 7, anglers fishing the ocean will be able to possess fin clipped coho, along with the chinook salmon that they can currently take. Drift boat trips on the upper river around Elkton are yielding well over 100 bass per day, with the fish ranging from 1 to 3 pounds. "The fish are being caught using top water baits during the early morning hours, as well small crank baits and jerk baits," noted Hannah.

"If that's not enough to keep you busy, you can always venture down between Buoy 12-15 to fish for pink fin perch," said Hannah. "Try fishing sand shrimp in 10 to 15 feet of water."

According to Cathy Williamson of The Big-K Guest Ranch and Guide Service, anglers fishing a variety of poppers and pink plastic worms are bagging lots of smallmouth bass, including fish measuring 15 to 20 inches long. "The fish are holding just off structure," said Williamson.

Fly fishermen are also experiencing steady action while tossing out black Wooly Buggers and other patterns, added Williamson.

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"I've been averaging 2 to 3 fish a day and my best day this week produced 5 fish," reported Tim King of King's Guide Service. "I started out fishing the Junction City area at the beginning of the week, then spent the last two days upriver in Douglas City after a big school of fish moved into that area."

According to King, the top method for taking Trinity River kings has been back-trolling Kwikfish and salmon roe. "The fish are all running 8 to 12 pounds with a few in the 14 to 15 pound class," he added. "These are bright fish that jump and fight like crazy."

"The river is in great shape and very fishable," reported local guide E.B. Duggan. "Hoopa at Red Rock would be one of the best places to start. Greys Falls is also a good spot for the lower section of the river. As for the upper section, I would work the area above Cedar Flat or Big Swede Hole." "The bass fishing has been fantastic at Trinity Lake this week," reported Henning Behrens of Wyntoon Resort. "Most of our customers are reporting at least 4 or 5 fish a day."

Henning said the catch has been a mix of quality largemouth and smallmouth averaging 2 to 3 pounds. "Most of the bass are being caught on crickets at the north end of the lake," he explained "Big fish of the week was a 5.4 pound largemouth caught by Mike Kubala of Eureka. He caught the fish on a 6 inch junebug worm in the east fork."

Trout action has also been holding steady for trollers working the creek inlets early in the morning. Big trout of the week was a 3.2 pound rainbow landed by Burt Vanderwerf of Pacifica. The 23-1/2 inch fish fell for a cricket at the north end of the lake.

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"A few anglers ran to Ano Nuevo because the water was so calm," said Fraser. "The rockcod and lingcod were biting Fish Traps hard in 40-90 feet of water. Anglers reported limits of Rockcod and Lingcod."

The salmon fishing was slow near Santa Cruz but there may be some fish in the deep canyon edges between Monterey and the Santa Cruz Harbor.

"The Monterey bite was still good for the trollers in 350 feet of water. The best numbers were 36'42/121'58 and 36'39/121'58," stated Fraser. "The salmon were caught on bait with Blue R.S.K.'s and Blue Apexes down 80-100 feet. The water was calm but no boaters ran for the Albacore today."

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The Hat Creek Wild Trout Area is yielding good hatches of pale morning duns and caddis flies, along with some rusty spinners. Anglers are also catching and releasing rainbows while using callibaetis cripples. "The fishing is improving, but watch out for the full moon," advised Steve Vaughn at Vaughn's Sporting Goods.

Baum Lake is producing rainbows and browns averaging 10-15 inches, with a few fish over 17 inches. The best baits remain nite crawlers or meal worms, Power Bait and Crave, while the hottest lures are silver/blue Kastmasters and Panther Martins. For flies, use PT's, caddis, baetis, callibaetis cripples and midges. In the Cassel Area. anglers are bagging a mixture of brook and rainbow trout.

"PMD's in size 18, caddis and Adams parachutes in size 16 taking a few fish," he stated. "For nymphing, try pheasant tails in size 16. Callibaetis cripples in a size 16 are taking fish, while little Yellow Stones are showing."

In Upper Hat Creek, bait fishermen are nailing brookies and rainbows while drifting nite crawlers and Roostertails, according to Vaughn.

"Lots of caddis hatches are taking place in the Burney Creek Wild Trout Area, but Humpies and Royal Coachmen are working also," he stated. "Bait and lure fishermen are doing best above the falls using roostertails and Panther Martins, small nite crawlers and crickets."

In the Pit River Wild Trout area, rainbow trout in the 14-17 inch range are hitting. "The best bets are dark nymphs and Copper Johns bounced on the bottom," added Vaughn. "Droppers can also be very effective."

Trout fishing on the Fall River is going strong, according to Paul Voltura at the Pit River Lodge. "The average native rainbow being caught now is 14" to 18"," he stated. "Size #16-#18 Pale Morning Dun Emergers, PT Nymphs and #16 jug bugs are working well, along with #16 and #18 callibaetis and cripples. However, dry fly action has been slow."

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"The heat is starting to take over at Lake Davis, pushing the trout down deeper, reported Gary Milby of Gold Rush Sporting Goods. "Catching 2-3 fish per rod is common now for bait anglers and trollers. However, fly casters are finding better results while fishing hatches in the late evening."

Trollers looking for solid action should pull Jay Fair trolling flies around 20 feet deep on leadcore line, noted Milby. Anglers are also catching rainbows by using flashers and nightcrawlers. The hottest trolling areas are around the island or along the deeper channel on the lake's east side.

"Fishing has been tough from the bank with the increase in hot weather pushing the trout out into deeper water," explained Milby. "For the best action, try shore fishing during the evening."

"We've seen quite a few quality rainbows coming out of Little Last Chance Creek at Frenchman Lake," said Shirley Wiggin of Wiggins Trading Post in Portola. "Anglers are using worms, Power Bait, or salmon eggs to entice the rainbows. With the summer temperatures slowly increasing, the fish are moving into deeper water, so adding weight to your line while bank fishing increases the chance of catching fish."

Lots of trout in the 1.5 to 3 pound range are being pulled out by boaters trolling worms behind gold flashers, said Wiggin.

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"Most guys going out salmon fishing now are at least hooking up one fish per outing, whether they're bank fishing or fishing from a boat," said Wade McGrath at McGrath's Fishing & Diving Supply. "We're weighing in an average of one three fish limit per day, while many anglers are bringing in one or two salmon. The fish are averaging 16 to 20 pounds."

Bank anglers are finding success with #5 Blue Fox and Mepps Spinners, while boaters are back trolling with Kwikfish and Flatfish or jigging with Gibbs Minnows.

"Since the salmon fishing has been so good, nobody's been trying for steelhead lately," he added. "Before the salmon action picked up, one local was catching 2 to 3 steelhead per day while drifting nightcrawlers."

"We're averaging 1 to 3 salmon hook-ups per trip on the Feather between the outlet and Gridley," confirmed Rene Villanueva of Steelie Dan's Guide Service. "The fish have ranged in size from jacks to 23 pounds. We're both throwing Mepps #5 chartreuse/hot pink spinners and back trolling with Flatfish."

Villanueva is continuing to catch a few shad in the same area where he's salmon fishing. The shad are falling for light pink and chartreuse Teeny Rounders.

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"There are tons of fish out here to be caught, but the down side is that the bass are all post spawn fish ranging from 10 inches to 1.5 pounds," reported Mark Lassange of Gone Fishing. "When locating bass, I am looking for drop off points with current in the channel or along weed lines holding 4 feet off the bank."

Lassange is averaging well over 30 largemouth per trip for a two person team. He is finding consistent action while throwing out Senkos, buzz baits, spinner baits and frogs while working behind the weed mats. "I am finding the better quality bass fishing behind the weeds, where one of my clients picked up the largest fish of the week, a 5 pounder," said Lassange.

"The action on the Delta has been very sparse for striper enthusiasts," noted Ken Dyer of Valley Bait & Tackle in Lodi. "Only been a few small fish are being caught here and there."

"If it's action that you are looking for, Franks Tract, Big Break, and Sherman Lake are producing large numbers of largemouth, but most of the fish are small post-spawners," added Dyer. "Anglers are enticing the largemouths using Speed Traps and top water baits. With the current warming trend, the top water action is greatly improving and will continue to do so."

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"The stripers are probably your best bet now," reported Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun. "The fish are running up to 18 pounds and experienced fishermen are picking up a couple of nice fish on each outing."

Sliding sinker rigs with anchovies, large silver spoons, broken backs in silver/red and Rapalas in shad patterns are the top baits. The fish average 6 to 8 pounds. The hot spots have been near the up river campground and all the way in the shallows of the main inlet.

"Spotted bass are hitting around the marinas and near shoreline structures," said Gilbert. "The fish are slot limit, catch and release size. Motor oil plastics and trout Rapalas are the hot baits."

Catfish fishermen are finding 2 to 4 pound cats around the dam and near the Courthouse. The fish are taking stink baits and cut fish.

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Paul and Donna Kneeland, Skylor and Anthony had a great time catching kokanee salmon and browns on a recent two day trip to Hell Hole Reservoir.

"We caught over 30 kokanee in the 11 to 13 inch range," said Paul Kneeland, Fish Sniffer Advertising Director. "The kokanee hit Sockeye Slammers, tipped with white corn, at 45 feet deep. We found the best action in the Narrows." They also landed 10 browns, ranging from 12 to 16 inches, while trolling with surface Rapalas and Needlefish and Goldeneye lures at 15 feet deep in the Narrows and upper end of the lake.

"The other boaters we talked to all reported catching browns, mostly on nightcrawlers behind flashers and dodgers," he added. "However, we didn't catch any rainbows."

The lake is around 50 feet from maximum pool. Kneeland noted that the road from French Meadows to Hell Hole is closed by the logging company, so you either have to drive on a gravel road over Chipmunk Ridge or go to the lake from Georgetown.

Anglers are catching both mackinaw and kokanee salmon at Union Valley Reservoir now. "Two anglers reported catching good numbers of kokanee and one mackinaw today at Union Valley," said Clint Siebert at the Ice House Resort. "They took the kokanee trolling with lures, tipped with white corn, at 40 feet deep, and the mackinaw at 50 feet."

Ice House Reservoir is kicking out rainbows, mostly planters, for bank anglers and boaters. Anglers are tossing out Power Bait and nightcrawlers for the scrappy trout in the inlet and near the dam. "Your best bet for rainbows at Loon Lake is to bank fish with Power Bait and worms," he added.

For Wiza's Sierra's report, CLICK HERE.

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"The action around Bishop has been great. Just about all of the lake s and streams are at their peak now and limits are pretty easy. A good number of big fish have been stocked and the fishing is excellent," reported Jeremy Ross of Ernie's Sporting Goods.

Crowley Lake is kicking out good numbers of trout up to 4 pounds. Night crawlers and rainbow Power Bait are the top choices. Limits are common.

"Rock Creek Reservoir is full of 12 to 14 inch trout and has been planted with some huge Alper's trout in the 5 to 8 pound class," stated Ross. "Super Dupers in red/gold and frog are the top lures. Yellow Power Bait or Sierra Gold are the productive baits of choice. Limits are easy."

Fly fishermen are working Adams, California Mosquitoes and during the mid day, matukas and wooly buggers.

For the SouthEast Sierras Report, click here.

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"The catfish and trout bites are holding steady and the perch bite is really starting to heat up," reported Dennis Dunn of Wildhorse Resort. "We're seeing good numbers of perch averaging 10 to 11 inches and a few over 12 inches." According to Dunn, the top area for perch has been the south end of the lake, especially the hot springs on the east and west sides of the lake. "Try fishing a white jig 3 to 4 feet under a bobber or fish a red worm or piece of a nightcrawler and slowly work it along the bottom," suggested Dunn. "

Trout fishing has been steady early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Bank fishermen are now sticking to the north end of the lake. "The best bet for bank fishermen is red or orange Power Bait," said Dunn. "Also try casting a spoon or spinner. We aren't seeing any big numbers of trout, but they're quality fish in the 16 to 20 inch class."

Trollers are finding the best results pulling a Super Duper or Krocodile behind a silver flasher along the west shore. Most of the fish are being caught early and late in the day, but Dunn said the fish go on several short feeding sprees during the middle of the day as well.

Catfish are also on a steady bite that should improve as temperatures continue to warm. "One of our local anglers brought in three nice catfish from 5.8 to 8.9 pounds earlier this week," said Dunn. "The best bet for catfish is a nightcrawler or chicken liver fished at the south end or the deep water near the dam."

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Twenty passengers aboard New Easy Rider ventured out on June 26 to catch 24 fish up to 28 pounds. Following up with a solid 34 fish to 36 pounds were the 20 boaters aboard El Dorado I.

The hot boat of the day, New El Dorado III, managed to return with 46 fish (limits) for their 23 passengers.

Live bait trips out in the bay also continue to produce solid action. A recent trip aboard Golden Eye yielded 20 striped bass to 20 pounds and 6 halibut to 15 pounds for 10 anglers.

Salmon fishing off Point Reyes and along the Marin County Coast provided outstanding action for boaters leaving out of Emeryville Sportfishing Center. Since the opener, anglers have caught near-limits to limits on each available trip, weather permitting.

"Most of the fish are being taken while trolling or mooching anchovies 30-50 deep," said Craig Stone of Emeryville Marina Sportfishing Center. "Although we are seeing an average weight of 12-15 pounds, it's been common on every trip to bring back a fish over 30 pounds.

Unfortunately, live bait, pot luck trips have dropped off to less than one fish per rod over the past week, noted Stone. Craig attributes the slower action to bigger tides rolling through the main bay.