DELTA
The recent rains have turned the Sacramento River off-colored which, in turn, has slowed down the striped bass and salmon fishing. The secret this time of the year when conditions on water clarity exist is to find better water clarity and that can be found over on the San Joaquin River side of the Delta where striped bass in the 12 pound category are being taken regularly, especially in the Venice reach area off Venice Island where bait dunkers tossing mudsuckers and shad are scoring on the 2 fish limits on both the outgoing and incoming tidal action. Stockton angler chris Huff was tossing a lure for largemouth bass last week when he hooked into a huge fish. After a long struggle it turned out to be a king salmon weighing approximately 30 pounds that was quickly released. Since the salmon fishing season is closed on the San Joaquin River all hooked fish must be released as per DFW rules and regulations.
Striped bass is rated good over in the South Delta in Whiskey Slough and Middle River off Bacon Island with anchovies and threadfin shad. Drifting live bluegill has been productive as well. Huge striped bass in the 30 to 40 pound range continue to be caught and kept by fishermen out of McAvoy harbor on live split tail or jack smelt. Several bass in the 20 to 30 pound range taken between the Firing Line and Garnet Point. All were released after a quick photo shoot. The sturgeon fishing has improved immensely this past week with 5 to 10 fish days from Benicia up into Cache Slough. Ghost shrimp and eel strips seem to be the top fodder in water 30 to 60 feet deep.

CAMANCHE LAKE
Camanche Lake has risen to about 68% of capacity and as a bonus, gasoline is once again available at the North Shore Marina. Trout plants continue on a weekly basis with most rainbows averaging 1.5 to 5 pounds.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Good minus tides begin on December 12 offering anglers the best chance of hooking up with a keeper sturgeon. Striped bass to 6 pounds are thick for those dunking bait. The best areas to fish are the mouth of Sonoma Creek and the Petaluma River.

OCEAN
Unsettled seas along with large swells make crab pot pulling and rock fishing a crap shoot. If planning a trip you are advised to call ahead. When conditions are right the popular combination trips for crab and rockfish do very well. The rockfish season runs through December 31st.
The holiday season is fast approaching and I am still wondering where the year has gone. The new 2017 Sportfishing Licenses will soon be available at the local sport shops and they make a great stocking stuffer for that fisherman in the family.

TAKE TIME TO GO OUT AND ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS.

JAY’S BEST BETS:
San Joaquin River - Striped Bass
Amador Lake - Trout
Camanche Lake - Trout
San Luis Reservoir - Striped Bass
Saltwater - Dungeness Crab, Rockfish

PARDEE LAKE CLOSED FOR SEASON
Pardee Lake closed for the season on Sunday, November 6. The lake will reopen February 16, 2017 for camping and February 17, 2017 for fishing.

DELTA WATER QUALITY PLAN HEARINGS SCHEDULED
Earlier this year thousands of Restore The Delta supporters signed a petition urging the State Water Resources Control Board to update outdated water quality standards for the Bay-Delta region. Now we need your action in person. Presently this outdated, 20 year old Water Quality Control Plan allows more than half the water needed for the Delta’s ecological health to be diverted away for unsustainable Big Agriculture in the west and south San Joaquin Valley.
The State Resources Control Board is currently in phase 1 of updating the plan and the need to make sure that the State Water Board gets it right and is not influenced by special interests. New water quality standards that truly protect communities and species is a proactive step that helps ensure reliable water supplies for all water users of the Bay-Delta.
We need you to make your comments! The public comment process ends January 17, 2017, and all hearings conclude January 3, 2017. Please limit your oral comments to 3 minutes in length.

HEARING LOCATION, DATE AND TIME:
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016
Stockton Civic Auditorium
525 N. Center Street
Stockton, Ca
Time: 9:00 a.m.

The State Water Resources Board will accept both written and oral comments the proposed plan amendment and the SED. They must be received no later than 12:00 noon on January 17, 2017 and addressed and submitted to:
Jeanine Townsend, Clerk to the Board
State Water Resources Control Board
1001 I Street, 24th Floor
Sacramento, Ca 95814-0100
Information: Jeanine Townsend at (916)341-5600

UPCOMING EVENTS

GENERAL PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON CLOSES
December 25, 2016 - The general pheasant hunting season closes throughout much of he state. For more information checkout the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website at dfg.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL SPORTSMAN'S EXPOSITION
January 19 - 22, 2016 - This is the big one. Come on out and view what's new in the world of hunting and fishing. The Sacramento ISE show boasts hundreds of vendors and offers dozens of hard hitting hunting and fishing seminars. The event takes place at Sacramento's CalExpo. For more information visit sports expos.com Drop by the Delta Chambers booth 3317 in the Pavilion Building!

GENERAL WATERFOWL HUNTING SEASON CLOSES
January 29, 2017 - The general waterfowl hunting season closes throughout much of the state. For more information go to the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife website at dfg.ca.gov

QUAIL HUNTING SEASON CLOSES
January 29, 2017 - The general quail hunting season closes throughout much of the state for mountain and valley quail. For more information go to the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife website at dfg.ca.gov

FUTURE PRO NEW MELONES BASS TOURNAMENT
February 18, 2017 - Future Pro holds their bass tournament at New Melones Reservoir. Be part of the west coast’s hottest bass fishing circuit by signing up for this event. For more information call Vince Harris at (916) 768-0938

SACRAMENTO BOAT SHOW
March 9 - 12, 2017, 2017 - At Sacramento’s Cal Expo. Doors open at 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.on Sunday. For more information go to sacramentoboatshow.com or call (916)371-4239.

SANTA ROSA FISHING TACKLE AND DUCK DECOY SHOW
March 10-11, 2017 - This is the place to go for antiques. Collectibles, new and used fishing tackle and much more. This annual event takes place at 1351 Maple Ave. in Santa Rosa, ca. For more information call (707) 539-3662

RENO BOAT SHOW AND RECREATION EXPO
March 17, 18,19, 2017 - Every outdoor sports and recreation enthusiast will appreciate the Reno Boat and Recreation Expo. This show boasts the latest outdoor gear and accessories, adventure and travel, boats, RVs, camp trailers and much more. The expo will be held at the Reno Convention Center. For more information call: (775) 885-2222

UPCOMING FUTURE PRO BASS TOURNAMENTS
March 25, 2017 - Lake Berryessa. Information: Call Vince Harris at (916)768-0938
April 8, 2017 - Don Pedro Reservoir. Call Vince Harris at (916)768-0938
April 22, 2017 - Folsom Lake. Call Vince Harris at (916)768-0938
May 6, 2017 - Camanche Lake. Call Vince Harris at (916)768-0938
May 13, 2017 - Clearlake. Call Vince Harris at (916)768-0938