[media-credit name=”Dianne Kopernik” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]In my opinion Lake Almanor offers some of the most pristine fishing in all of California.  It supports healthy populations of quality trout and salmon.  Because I enjoy the challenge of trolling for these elusive fish, it is where I concentrate my efforts.

 

When folks ask me what’s the best time of the year to catch fish the answer comes easily, the last two weeks of June and the first two weeks of July although you truly can catch quality fish all year round.

 

When they ask “Where and how we can catch some of these fish?” the answer becomes a bit more complicated.  All fish species prefer a specific water temperature range.  Salmon do best in water of about 54 degrees F. and trout like it about 59 degrees.  So when the lake temperature is colder than that, fish in or near the shallower parts of the lake.  In the summertime when the lake water surface temperature is in the mid to high 70’s, fish in or near where the water is deeper.  The fish do move in and out of their “comfort zone” primarily for one reason-food.

 

Every time I think I have figured out what bait or lures are working best I get into a slump and then I hear some other fishermen sharing (bragging) of their success with some lure or bait and scent concoction that I have never heard of.  Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that it is not so much what you fish with, but more importantly how and where you fish.

 

I almost always start out my day with at least one rod trolling blades with a half night crawler threaded onto a #4 bait holder hook.  My second rod very often will have a small lure attached by a leader behind some blades.  I troll the blades at 1.7 MPH, a little faster 2.0 MPH for lures only and slower at 1.0 MPH for threaded worms without blades.  The most important thing about what tackle or technique to use is, if you are not getting any hits,-DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!  Change the boat speed, the fishing depth, location and/or the bait.

 

Where to fish?  Never forget that all fish are “object freaks”.  Use a good lake map to show you where the underwater points and drop offs are located.  If you have a depth finder look for weed beds and rock piles that will attract and hold fish.  I have figured out that I catch more fish where there is a sloping flat area near a drop off or deep channel.  I think the bait fish are concentrated on the slopes and the game fish are below (looking up) for their next meal.

 

Having fished Lake Almanor for over 35 years there are many days that I have been very successful and like everybody else, other days that I don’t want to talk about.  One thing for certain, I do enjoy hearing from folks to share info on what is working or not working.  I look forward to hearing from you this summer.

 

Bob Kopernik

Lucky Grady Fishing Guide Service

408.515.1503   VHF Radio Channel  69