The good the bad and the ugly!

SwettMan · Newbie

RE: The good the bad and the ugly!

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

Swettman-

The fish that are lighter are usually the females, in my experience. There are a bunch of places that the fish are spawning. The areas that were taped off were the areas that were cleaned out and are being monitored by DFG. It doesn't mean those are the only places the fish spawn. Your best chance for fishing spots that aren't redds are deep holes. If you can see the fish there's a 95% chance that they are spawners. Especially if they see you and they don't take off. Those other fisherman you saw were targeting the spawners. I know it's disguraging to see fish and choosing not to go after them but I can tell you there are spots on the river that hold fish who aren't spawning or they are post spawners. Best advice I can give is explore the river and if you can see fish in shallow water this time of year move on. There are deep holes that I've caught silver fish and post spawn and it was in deeper water a couple weeks ago.

lightfoot · Senior Member

Swettman,

Welcome to the board. There is a ton of good information here about Putah creek as well as other fishing venues. It was nice talking with you and your son in the parking lot. The fact that you posted on the board gives me hope, and for that I thank you.

Yes there was one increadibly dark fish in that section, looked almost black. That fish was kind of an oddball as I don't think i've observed one yet that was so dark. Granted last year at a different locaton we had a ghost of a fish.

As Ross mentioned, basically if you can see the fish it's probably in spawn mode. On another note, did you notice how far below the run that I crossed the stream while doing the survey, there was a redd located just above. SK60 or some others may know the specifics on time but once the eggs are laid, they are very succeptable to damage from foot traffic on the redds. It makes it tough because the redds tend to be in areas that are easier to cross and thus used by anglers to do so. Just food for thought.

Robert

SK60 · Senior Member

Its 45 days from the fertilized egg to the escape from the redd. We use April 1 as the first "safe" day for the emerging fry. Fish at least 150' above or below a visible spawning area

kype · Newbie

Took a drive to check the redds again today, great to see the fish have returned to seemingly normal behavior below 3. Educated another fisherman at the beds below the bridge again though, must have been the tenth this month. I think signs and tape at the site are needed as the one in the parking lot unfortunately doesn't seem to be doing the trick

shon42073 · Senior Member

This is pathetic !