North East California

BAUM LAKE/CASSEL AREA TROUT
(Burney) Fishing for trout in the Burney area has slowed down with the increased temperatures, with mornings and evenings remaining the best time to "hook-up” trout.
“Baum Lake fishing has been spotty, with early mornings getting the best reports, though the hatches in the evenings have been fairly good,” said Steve Vaughn at Vaughn’s Sporting Goods. “Otherwise, the fish seem to be keeping to the shadows or deeper water during mid-day.”
As usual, Power Bait, Power Eggs and crawlers are fishermen's favorites for rainbows, browns and brookies in the 10 to 18 inch range. Fly fishermen report that red copper johns or brown or olive wooly buggers are fooling a few fish. Lure fishermen are sticking to Panther Martins and Kastmasters.
“The Cassel Area of Hat Creek is seeing lots of fishermen, with fairly good results,” said Vaughn. Use similar baits, lures and flies as those used on Baum Lake.
Access to the Pit River in the Pit # 3 Powerhouse reach is closed until Labor Day weekend, then closed again until October, according to Vaughn.
The wild trout section of Hat Creek is a decent bet for catch and release action on rainbows. Nymphing continues to be the best method, but callibaetis cripples can yield some fish also. Nymph fishermen are doing best on hare's ear, birds nest, pheasant tails.
Crappie and smallmouth bass are still rewarding anglers fishing the warm waters of Lake Britton. Fish Mini Jigs and Crappie Nibbles for the crappie and plastic worms and top water lures for the smallmouth bass.