I had occasion to fish a “scouting” trip with Captain Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy’s Guide Service last Friday to figure where and what was biting. In spite of the poor reports coming into Fins, Fur and Feather Sports (FFF), he was, as usual, able to put us on fish.

We cruised away from Canyon Dam launch ramp at the break of dawn heading for the east side of the lake. Just before reaching Hamilton Branch, we dropped downriggers to 25-35 feet with just a threaded nightcrawler. Within 15 minutes, we had our first takedown. It was a hefty rainbow that we managed to get within 10 feet of the net when it came unbuttoned. We ended up with 6 in the boat and lost 4 more.

Yesterday, my friends Keith and Julie headed up to try their luck. Basically, in the same areas with the same baits, managed to land 5 rainbows and a hefty brown.

So, fortunately, the doom and gloom reports at FFF proved to be wrong. All our fish came on the east side in about 50-60 feet of water. The bite slowed somewhat about 10:00 a.m. when the younger generation showed up with their water recreation toys. I’ll leave it at that except to say some wake boat captains should attend water etiquette classes. The law states that anglers with lines in the water have the right of way, I’m just saying.

We have current reports on the local waters at FFF Sports. Any and all of your angling needs are available, including fresh and frozen baits. Call for information at 530-876-8800