Hello my fellow anglers. Did you know that there is a real water 911 event about to happen? It is a true head scratcher. The way I understand it, there are those who think that removing the Cape Horn Dam, which makes the Van Arsdale reservoir and, the Scott Dam which produced Lake Pillsbury would restore the salmon and eel fishery of the Eel River and bring the flow rates back what they were a 100 plus years ago. Hmmm. I think that when it comes to mother nature, pretty much we, humans have messed things up a lot!
I remember as a kid fishing all the local creeks and streams for steelhead/trout. Now these streams cannot support a fishery year round. They dry up during the summer months. Yeah, past droughts have had some effects but, over the past century there has been more and more people taking ground water which has had a much greater effect on these streams. There is no reversing it.
Many anglers think one reason for the drastic down fall of salmon and eel in the Eel River is Pike, yup Squaw Fish. These nasty fish eat everything! The Eel River is infested with them. Also, the seal and sea lion populations have exploded! Their natural predator, the Orca Whale has gone way down in numbers. The balance is out of wack! There are so many sea lions and seals, that they are being sighted all the way up into the Sacramento River. Why? They have followed the fish runs up the rivers to feast. Add to that, a blind eye toward nations that strip the oceans of every fish. Along with how we are destroying the oceans eco systems. Fix the above problems and it might be possible to restore all the waterways fisheries.
I think that removing these dams are only going to make things worse. Not bring nature back to where it once was. There are way too many factors involved . One thing I really agree with is that there needs to be functional fish ladders installed on every dam. It should be a federal law.
One thing that is certain, is that nothing is certain! During the past 10 years we have only had a couple winters with average or above average rainfall amounts. Water is gold. So, why wouldn’t you want to keep the water storage that Lake Pillsbury provides?
Quoting from Ryan Burns article, “President James Russ of the Round Valley Indian Tribes believes that this Feasibility Study Report puts us one step closer to achieving the tribes goal of restoring the Eel River fishery to sustainable and healthy condition.”
So, with this statement comes several questions. Why not just put in a couple really good fish ladders? To sustain a fishery there must be enough current and cool water temps. If Lake Pillsbury is gone, how would flow rates be regulated in a way that would assure that the steelhead and salmon hatch would be able to survive? What about the Squaw Fish that are infested in the Eel River? They eat everything that is in the water! During drought years, even with Lake Pillsbury, the Eel River looks more like a creek. Restoring the Eel River to what, compared to what era? Shoot, the population here in Northern California now and, let’s say from the 1970s is a huge difference. The demand of water now compared to the rainfall amounts and demand from even 25 years ago is huge. Most things cannot be what they once were before. Things have changed too much! Remember years back, there was talk about raising the the height of the Scott Dam so that the water storage capacity of Lake Pillsbury could be increased? What ever happened to that? Now they want it removed all together? Finally, where is the money coming from? Will the California tax payers have pay the bill? Why not just keep Lake Pillsbury the way it is? Yikes! Plus, Loosing Lake Pillsbury would have devastating effects. Resulting in 600,000 people facing severe water shortages. Shortages that will only get worse. Mendocino County would dry up.
* There is is a gimpse of common sense hope though. This matter is being brought forth for considerationby the Federal Government. PLEASE write to your Congressman, Senartors and the White House asking them to reconsider thae action thatsoon will be taken. Your voice matters! Save our water!
Great areas for Trout fishing
Try trout fishing the East Fork of the Russian River at the bridge just off of Hwy. 20. The California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has stocked this area with some nice trout. Also the Upper Mill Creek Pond has been planted with some large Steelhead Trout. Try fishing panthers, roostertails and superdupers. Also a chunk of crawdad tail meat has been working very well.
Trout Fishing Blue Lakes- The wind has been blowing a lot as of late on the Upper Blue Lake. Here are some tips for all you trout fishermen. If the water is flat like glass, the trout will be near the water surface. Try fishing a roostertail, small castmaster or superduper. You can also drift Power Bait/Salmon egg with a bobber. If the wind picks up the trout will move down into the deeper water. So, change it up with a rigging that will allow you to fish off the bottom. Try chartreuse Power Bait or blowing up a worm. Anglers that have been trolling have been catching nice trout at 20 to 25 feet with a ford fender or action disk chasing it with a pink or orange plastic worm or fly. Don’t forget there are some very nice bass in the lake too.
Trout Fishing Lake Pillsbury-They, ( PG&E ) have the lake level on the low side right now? Especially for this time of the year. The word is that there really hasn’t been that many trout fishermen on the lake. The ones that have, caught some really nice rainbows. Many trout anglers do very well trolling the deeper water along the west side down to the dam area. Action disks and flashers set down 20 to 30 feet has been working well.
The bass fishing has really picked up. The best time to fish will be during the morning hours.
The bass are starting their spawn, it is very important to practice catch and release right now so that these bedding fish can finish spawning. Reports have started to come in of bass weighing four to five pounds. The hot spots are, the Sunset area, Oak Flat, Salt Creek and Turtle Cove. The road is in excellent shape right now. Take it slow and you won’t have any trouble.
Clearlake -Well, you sure can tell it’s spring on Clear Lake! During the weekends, there are bass fishermen site fishing everywhere, especially the north end of the lake where the water is a bit warmer. The fishing pressure has really picked up. Be patient, in most cases there will probably be a few anglers already fishing your spot. Try fishin’ the edges of submersed tules with a sweet beaver, brush hog, senko, or swimbait. The crappie fishin’ is really good right now. Some really large ones have been caught along Hwy. 20 near Nice and Lucerne. Try fishin’ the docks.
Don’t forget the big 41st Annual Catfish Derby is coming, May 16, 17, and 18. First place prize is $5,000. Also, $10,000 in cash and prizes — Adult and kid divisions. (Here kitty-kitty) For more information go to www.clearlakeoaks.org/derby or stop by MOIR’S and pick up a entry form.
“Fishing is the chance to wash ones soul with pure air. It brings meekness, and inspiration, reduces our egoism, soothes our troubles, and shames our wickedness. It is discipline in the equality of men – for all men are equal before fish.” Herbert Hoover
Be kind – Be safe – And, watch out for the other guy.
Thanks for reading and remember to keep it reel.
Don = 4REEL Fishin’
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