Message from the Board of Directors - April 2024

Spring is definitely in the air. After a few days of warm sunny weather, winter made a reappearance. Looks like unsettled weather is on the menu for the next couple of weeks. Be that as it may, people are getting out on the water and putting fish in the box. Read the reports below.

Membership renewal began in March and are due by April 15th. You can pick up a membership application and release of liability form at our meetings or you can download the forms from the Rooster Tails Fishing Club website in the Become a Member section.

Our speaker this month is Denis Peirce of Trollingflies.com. Denis has been in the fly fishing industry since 1993. He will share techniques for using flies in our regional lakes.

 

CLUB UPDATES

  • 2024 Jackpot Contest continues. All those participating must be a member in good standing, have a liability form on file, and have paid the Jackpot entry fee. You can download a form from the Rooster Tails website or pick one up at the next meeting.
  • Rooster Tails Board of Directors Meeting - April 15, 2pm, at Lyons Real Estate office (near Mel’s Dinner in Auburn). Free pizza provided.
  • Rooster Tails Monthly Breakfast Meeting - April 19 - Auburn Elks Lodge. Doors open at 7am, breakfast served at 8am, Speaker at 9am.
  • Rooster Tails Board of Directors Meeting - May 13, 2pm, at Lyons Real Estate office (near Mel’s Dinner in Auburn). Free pizza provided.
  • Rooster Tails Monthly Breakfast Meeting, May 17 - Auburn Elks Lodge
  • Rooster Tails Bay Halibut & Striper Trip - April 22 (Sold out!)

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More Benefits Our Members Enjoy
Monthly $19 wide-selection buffet Breakfast Meetings for Members & and
       non-member Guests.
Breakfast meetings include a 30 minute seminar by expert fishing guest
       speakers.
Members-Only fun fishing outings with cash & other prizes.
Members-Only Jackpot fishing contests.
Members free Informative Monthly Newsletter & Current Website Info.
Adventure Travel Camping & Fishing Outings.
Members & invited guests Annual Holiday Banquet & party.
Member Group Purchase Discounts on fishing gear & guided fishing.
Free Fishing Magazines & Related Literature


 
 

Fishing Report

04/05/24

 

Well spring sprung for a few days, but winter weather has returned. Hopefully with the snow on the dogwoods we are done with it. Waking up to 6” of snow while packing up to fish the Kokaneepower Bullards Bar Derby did not bode well. Next week we will see a return of spring with high 70s weather bringing back spring like fishing opportunities.

 

 

 

STRIPER: Take your pick, Delta or valley rivers, both are producing. The minnow bite on the Feather has been producing and trollers on the west bank of the Sacramento in the Delta are having a great time when the weather permits. It’s only going to get better from here on out. It is time to go out and get you some.

LANDLOCK KINGS: To everyone’s delight, both Folsom and Oroville are producing decent Landlock Kings right now. A few 4 to 5 pounders have come out of Folsom and a smaller but respectable grade of Kings is coming out of Oroville. Go big with 8” flashers and smaller anchovies or go small with 4” glow dodgers and anchovy tipped pearl hoochies to get your bites. Depths are all over the place this time of year so

trust your sonar and target fish on bait.

TROUT: All the put and take lakes are fishing reasonably well for planter rainbows. Think Collins, Pardee, Amador, and Camanche for the top spots. Water levels and temperatures are perfect right now for trolling fast or slow. Fast troll Speedy Shiners and/or F7 to F9 Rapalas or slow down and troll naked grubs in pearl and firetiger to get those large stockers to go. I always try to fit in a day at one of these lakes to get a nice limit of trout for the smoker. Don’t forget the boat inspections at some of these lakes.

HALIBUT: The SF Bay is starting to produce limit style halibut fishing. Nothing like fresh halibut for a great meal. Try trolling frozen bait behind a flasher for this early season bite. Rig is similar to a river flasher cutplug setup with a 4.5” hoochie over a frozen herring in place of the cut plug.

BLUEFIN TUNA: There are already signs of life around the Farallon Islands for BFT. Same as last year, fast troll long lined Nomad MadMacs through foamers. Make sure you are not under gunned, these are not your north coast albacore. A 30 size lever drag loaded with 100 lb spectra and 100’ of 150 lb mono on a 60 -100 trolling rod is the minimum setup for these beasts. I don’t know how many stories I heard last year about anglers getting bit and immediately spooled. If you are trying to check BFT off your bucket list, bring the big sticks.

KOKANEE: The season to start Kokanee fishing is upon us. Lower elevation lake are available to us now and have been producing. I am partial to Bullards Bar this time of years as it is fairly accessible, and the Kokanee are plentiful. New Melones has already produced some quality fish so if you haven’t tried it, give it a shot. There are beautiful rainbows there as well. Early indications is that Berryessa might be making a come back with quality trout there as well. With the recent winter/spring snows it will be a

while before we can get to our upper elevation Kokanee spots. Time to plan your next Kokanee trip with lot’s of options open to explore.