First I'll say I haven't fished Putah that much this year as I've been Chasing Chrome as much as possible and was taking road trips to the Yuba for rainbows during the summer!
I did fish today and while "near" access 3 managed to hook into a 3-4 pound rocket that instantly snapped my 5x. I decided to wait a while and put on some 3x (Never done that on Putah, always 5-6x). Hooked into the same fish and fought it for about a minute before it shot up and down the hole and bent my hook. Lesson learned...I'll never land a rocket on Putah with proper equipment. I haven't hooked into too many, this one was the first this year and I wish I knew they were there cause I'd not bother especially after using 3x and getting a bent hook. I really had no clue them big bastards would hold in such small but deep pockets.
Landed a few nice ones at access 4 and probably landed the biggest one ever for me at Putah (Which isn't saying much) snapped a quick photo....
Now for the heads up.... leave your car doors unlocked. I had nothing in my truck and they broke the window just to double check. Sorry sacks of ****! Didn't ruin my day though and shall I ever lay hands on one or more of em, a wood shampoo is guaranteed!
Bwag, sorry to see you being the latest recipient of vandalism along the creek. A few weeks back I posted that I had an encounter with a real shady character at # 4 and had a tough time concentrating on the fishing, wondering if I'd find my ride broken into upon my return. I was lucky, but as we find out, the random break ins continue to occur and as you pointed out, even if there is nothing left in sight, cars and their owners are at risk. I've also seen broken glass on numerous occasions along the South Tulloch Lake road along the Lower Stan. It sucks that we have to worry whether we'll be victimized by some scumbag every time we go fishing....I'll tell you though, If I ever catch some fool in my ride it will take divine intervention to prevent me from dragging him down to the creek and drowning his worthless ass........ just saying.
Yeah I was happy I caught some fish and didn't let it ruin the day. I'm pretty cautious but there's only so much one can do. There's really no way to stop it, the Sheriff doesn't have the resources, so, short of catching them red handed and giving the bastards some good service all one can do is leave the doors unlocked and a window down, which in itself may deter them paranoid sons of biitches as they would probably think that was a set up.