Yeah, Putah gets hammered in the Winter, which by some fluke chance is right about the time they start to drop the flows and the fish begin to spawn. People post up, the bickering begins and Keith brings out the edit hammer. It's never going to change, short of a seasonal closure, and I'm not going there again.
NCFFB used to hold fish outs at various locations, which were very popular. Most of them comprised a full weekend at locations such as Hat creek and Oneil forebay. I would guess very few people on this board spend a full weekend on Putah. It's close to home, which is part of its allure and makes it a great spot for a day trip. What would help is another place close by that offers the chance at some nice fish.
I am proposing a fish out at Lake Berryessa in early December. The lake will have turned over by then and the king salmon and trout will be on top. Bring your waders and a float tube and don't worry about snagging on bottom or loosing flies in the trees. Hell, I've got an extra float tube or one can fish off of the bank. To keep the drive close and simple, the old boat launch can be the venue. I will show up early and haul down a stove with garlic bread and home made chili for those that attend. Hell, I even cook a mean fish out breakfast if their is interest.
Why go there in December when you can go fish the Trinity for steel? For me, the Trinity is a good 4 hours. The Feather is just over 2 hours and the Yuba is just under 2 hours. The lake is 30 minutes if I take my time. But that really isn't the point. If you would normally be fishing Putah in early December, drive an extra 5 minutes and try something different.
6th, 13th, 20th, 27th?
No Keith, this isn't in the HOV/Carpool fishing trips section for a reason.
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
Keep in mind if we get a good weather system that comes in late November early December the American can fish well. The shot intercepting big chrome fish an hour away is wonderful.
I love the Trinity for some the Trinity 4 hour drive can be a turn off. The Feather is also one of my favorites.
If it ends up being a day chasing steel, count me in. I can assist with food and I can drive if people would like a ride.
Don't like the idea? Don't like the presenter? Suggestions?
I'd love to try and keep it local but the Feather isn't that bad of a stretch, granted others might be driving an hour or so just to get to Putah.
A decent weather system is due in the later part of next week. It's anybody's guess what comes in after that. Heck, with the recent fire, Putah might just turn to mud for the winter.
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
Don't like the idea? Don't like the presenter? Suggestions?
I'd love to try and keep it local but the Feather isn't that bad of a stretch, granted others might be driving an hour or so just to get to Putah.
A decent weather system is due in the later part of next week. It's anybody's guess what comes in after that. Heck, with the recent fire, Putah might just turn to mud for the winter.
One can only wish. I'm in. Sounds like a good time.
I would love to learn how to fish the Berryessa turnover. So you think a kayak would be ok to use? Keep me on the list list for a fish out! Unfortunately I occasionally work Saturadays. The trade off is occasionally having a weekday off to avoid the PC crowds
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I suspect that a kayak would work just fine. Being parallel to boat wake might be an issue but it's nothing you couldn't steer into should the need arise. It's not the water skiing season any more so most boats up there are going to be fishing, not blasting around like a mindless jet ski.
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
I really like the idea of fishing Berryessa this time of year. Count me in. I have a very flexible schedule that somehow seems to always fill up with some bs or another. The quicker we can get a firm date, the better for me.
Joe, for Berryessa, think shad. Anything that imitates them should work just fine.
In hindsight, the closer to Christmas, the higher the chance folks have that company/club/etc party to attend. If it's an issue for somebody please chime in, otherwise lets shoot for December 6th.
I'll get there 0'dark 30 and get set up for grub, sunrise is at 7:09. Breakfast will be ready by 7:00. We can wing it for a time to eat lunch.
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
What do I need set up wise? If were talking shad immitations I have a full sinking line, floating line, sink tips ect. Should I bring my pontoon?
I was gonna tie a few streamers, any suggestions a shad immitation?
Joe, for Berryessa, think shad. Anything that imitates them should work just fine.
In hindsight, the closer to Christmas, the higher the chance folks have that company/club/etc party to attend. If it's an issue for somebody please chime in, otherwise lets shoot for December 6th.
I'll get there 0'dark 30 and get set up for grub, sunrise is at 7:09. Breakfast will be ready by 7:00. We can wing it for a time to eat lunch.
I hope to move my schedule around to free up 12-6. Where is the boat launch? Crease flies? Floating or sink tip? Thanks for organizing!!!!
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The old boat launch is perhaps 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile past the dam. There is a pull out which now has a gate in front of it. There is room for a couple of vehicles to park at that spot. A hundred feet or so before that is a large pullout with plenty of room for everybody. I tried to link it via google earth but no go e go e. Past the gate there is a short trail that connects to a road that leads to the lake.
Disclaimer: I fished Berryessa for trout a lot when I was younger. At that time in my life it was always a minnow under a bobber, sit back with a drink etc and did really well This was always after the lake turned over. Good article on turn over here. Then in the early 90's my attention at the lake turned to spring bass fishing. After a long lull, I picked up a couple of Outcast tubes a few years ago and got back into it. I never really thought about the king salmon in Berryessa until I hooked one while tossing a shad imitation crank bait. That fish was a brute. If the lake turns over, which usually happens mid-November, fish should be shallow.
I'm going to drag along a floating line and add a little weight to get my fly down a bit. I have a shooting head to swing for steelhead but not sure if that isn't going to run too deep. I'll toss it in the float tube pocket just the same.
A pontoon should be fine
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
I just spent about an hour trying to track down a water temp. I found one report that as of 11/26/14 the lake had not turned over yet. I did find another report for last weekend that stated trout/salmon were caught from top to 30 feet.
I'll be up there regardless.
Omlets, spuds, bacon
Chili, cornbread
byob/soda/coffee/h2o
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
Valiant effort...oh well. Hope you guys find some chrome. Best wishes to family. I'm currently broken down on the side of 80 in Berkley. I'm going to call this event a bust and cancel the whole shiny ding.
Maybe try something similar next month on the Feather? Trinity? Pit?
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
All smiles. Got a tow off the highway to university avenue and waiting for another trick to tow me back to Dixon. Sitting around waiting and ended up laying in the water to change a tire for an older gal whose rear tire found a chunk of metal.
Feels good😃😃😃
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Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
Another event would be awesome. Maybe berryessa again when the lake turns over? American, feather, or even the Yuba for the skwala nite would be awesome.
So it's off for Saturday? If anyone hears that the lake is turning over, let us know. I would still like to give it a crack! How about Markley Cove? Jim at Kiene's says that is where he usually goes...
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Support Putah Creek Trout in their mission to improve the wild trophy trout fishery. Visit and contribute at https://putahcreektrout.org