By Doug Neal
Almanor Fishing Adventures

February 1, 2012

Canyon Dam is the only public ramp open with a dock, The USFS ramp is open but no dock available.
Rec. 1, and Rec. 2 are open with docks.

Some ice forming at night, most of it is in the extreme west basin and is gone by 2:00 pm... and then starts to reform again. Clarity is still holding at 7 to 8 ft. No wind this week.
Surface temps are a cool 36 degrees early, and will warm to about 38 degrees after the sun gets high. About 1/4 inch of snow last night. The clouds are moving out now, and sunshine is in the forecast all week. Mid 20s in the morning, warming to the mid to low 50s by afternoon.
Lake Levels are just starting to rise.
Lake levels @ 4485.45 ft. elevation, and 912,447 acre storage feet.

Winter time fishing anyone?
Well it is winter, but it feels like more April here. Blue Jays squawking and Robins are singing at first light. Hitting the water in the wintertime has its advantages. Fishing pressure is light, no pleasure boats or Jet skies scaring the fish and creating wakes that don’t help when you're on Anchor. All that winter cold have the Rainbows looking bright & clean, like the picture attached to this report. This 6.5 lb. buck Rainbow came off a crawler suspended off the bottom near Skinny Dip Beach during this time of year. My biggest Rainbow came in March trolling a J5 Rapala near Rocky Point..10.2 lbs...oh yea, winter fishing is good. Just dress for cold mornings, and you can stay out all day... Chance favors the prepared dude!

Here's the latest.
The Rainbow trout spawn has begun. Bailey Springs is located 800 yds. north of the Bailey Creek inlet, it's easy to find this time of year when lake levels are lower. When the lake is full they cannot be seen, like now. Currents flowing right out of the hillside can easily be seen as you work your way up the shoreline. Rainbows will be spawning here and the shallow flats around the springs. Browns will be in the mix as well, looking to feed off the spawn. Crawlers 36” under a bobber and let the current take it out into the open water. Large white tube Jigs also got a couple hits. Hens should be released, try not to use a net. Geritol Cove at Canyon Dam also will be having Rainbow spawn activity. Fish will be tipping, picking up spawn material along the bottom, try roe or Salmon eggs down there. Or work power bait off the weed line in the back of the cove..like I showed you if you were at my ISE seminars last week..baby there some big fish in there. Remember the ”Power of the Pyramid” and work it back slowly.

Trolling has been weak this week...no pun intended...all sizzle and no steak. I tried all my favorite rigs over the last 2 days trolling, about 6 hours total, and got 4 Rainbows, all about 14 to 16 inches... plants from last fall..they looked good and were released. The bait bite has been way better. Work the usual places like, Big Springs, A-Frame, the Snag, Skinny Dip Beach, Spar Buoy, Fox Farm..If you're coming up, bring Crickets...they will work great, but you can't get them here. Anchovy Tails at the Snag and Big Spring for Kings, add Pro-Cure Super Herring Gel for the Trollers. With water clarity a issue, flashers, Micro flashers, and dodgers will give off flash and vibrations that help fish find your presentation whether it’s a threaded crawler or smelt pattern.. troll the top 20 ft. of water and up to 5 ft. Use a heavy application of Pro-Cure Trophy Trout scent on lures, or inject crawlers with scent..warm the needle, a scent path will always help.

Winter conditions require a elevated awareness of safety. As lake levels rise, logs and sticks will be refloated. Check current weather reports prior to you trip. Have respect for the wind. Avoid launching into ice. Ice can seriously damage your transducer or other electronics sensors that are typically mounted on the stern. Walk the ramp, if you can't walk down without slipping on your AZ, then don’t back down it.

Stay thirsty my friends..