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California

Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 17 • Issue 7 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles WRITERS Mark Fong, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Tim E. Hovey, Cal Kellogg, Joe Sarmiento SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Janene Mukai, Gabriel Patel DESIGNERS Kha Miner, Gabrielle Pangilinan WEB DEVELOPMENT/INBOUND MARKETING Jon Hines ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Aumann INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES media@media-inc.com CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com X @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine ON THE COVER Joe Sarmiento is a veteran of saltwater fishing throughout Southern California waters, and he reminds anglers that private boaters can get in some of underrated halibut fishing. There might not be the numbers of fish off the Southland coast as further north in and around San Francisco Bay, but as Sarmiento shows, there are some big flatfish to be had. (JOE SARMIENTO)

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4 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

CONTENTS

VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 7

ATTRACT A BIG MACK

In a state where rainbows and browns rule the trout fishing scene, Mackinaw – aka, lake trout – should not be ignored. These large-sized, underrated fighters can be found in several Northern California alpine lakes, most notably Lake Tahoe. Cal Kellogg, shown here with a nice Mack, dishes on all the dos and don’ts for how to target these overlooked beauties.

(CAL KELLOGG)

FEATURES 13

FIND FLATFISH OFF SOCAL

Southland saltwaters don’t have the same reputation for churning out big numbers of halibut as those further north around San Francisco Bay do, but our SoCal Salty guru Joe Sarmiento thinks flatfish are worth pursuing here. He provides important details.

23 TROUT FISHING TIME ON THE RIVERS

This time of year is when rivers start warming up and moving faster, wild trout hold in the riffles and Scott and Tiffany Haugen are breaking out their flies and spinners to entice colorful rainbows to play. In their From Field to Fire column, Scott lists his favorite lure and fly options for streams and offers some hints on where to find fish, and chef Tiffany smokes up some of your spring-caught trout for an easy and flavorful meal.

45 YOU PESKY VARMINT!

It may be hunting’s offseason doldrums, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get some shooting in – and maybe do a favor for local residents with pest problems. California is full of varmints – think coyotes, jackrabbits, ground squirrels and marmots – and Tim Hovey is glad to take a long gun afield and get his hunting fix in until fall’s main event.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 9 11 19 37 53

The Editor’s Note: Salmon fishing blues mostly remain Outdoor Calendar Hot bite for Sacramento River stripers Fly angler’s case for kayaks over float tubes Choosing the perfect hunting dog, Part 1

Get the digital version of California Sportsman for free. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. Annual subscriptions are $39.95 (12 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2025 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 6 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

THEEDITOR’SNOTE

The editor’s recent visit to the Santa Cruz area found a fleet of boats that for a third straight year will have at best a limited recreational salmon fishing season and a closed commercial fishery. (CHRIS COCOLES)

SANTA CRUZ–Our extended family annually celebrates the Greek Orthodox Easter holiday, so during a recent trip to the Bay Area, we visited our cousins in the Santa Cruz County community of Aptos. On the way, we made a stop at the Santa Cruz Harbor just so I could get some quick reflection. As I looked around the marina’s fleet of boats – mostly personal watercraft – I found myself thinking of all the similar ports up and down the coast that continue to feel the brunt of a disastrous three years. At early April’s Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in San Jose, the recommendations for California’s ocean salmon season were almost as bleak as the previous two years of totally shut down fisheries: another full closure for commercial salmon fishing and a recreational fishery limited to a few sporadic days of opportunity and a modest harvest guideline. California Department of Fish and Wildlife director Charlton H. Bonham said a partial recreational salmon season at least provided some “hope” compared to the previous two years, adding, “We know, however, that this news brings little relief for California’s commercial salmon fisheries.” I kept remembering my experiences on boats at other marinas like Half Moon Bay’s Pillar Point and the deep-sea fishing trips I used to take with my dad; San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf fleet and captains like Don “Sole-Man” Franklin, who took myself and family members to fish a couple years ago; and not to mention those who guide inland rivers like the Feather – where I caught my first fall-run Chinook – and Sacramento and the likelihood they won’t get much if any opportunities to fish for salmon this fall. After years of droughts and perceived mismanagement, Bonham is correct that PFMC’s lifeline of an abbreviated recreational salmon season indeed offers a glimmer of hope. But

it’s hard to ignore the calls to completely scrap another season and wonder when or if there is any hope at all at a time when politics threaten how water is diverted in the rivers salmon spawn in and desperately need to survive. “This closure is a wakeup call. We need to take bold action now, leave just a little more water in the rivers to protect and restore salmon, put people back to work, and save a way of life for fishermen and -women, tribes and entire coastal and river towns,” Golden State Salmon Association executive director Scott Artis says. “This closure comes at a frightening time for the salmon economy. Despite the collapse of Central Valley salmon runs, the federal government is working to weaken existing salmon protections, which are obviously too weak already. California must defend our salmon runs and industry against efforts in D.C. to slash protections and destroy our jobs. Currently, we are on a path to the extinction of salmon runs and fishing families. That would be one hell of a fishy legacy.” Our Easter celebration in Aptos was wonderful. We ate Greek-style lamb, toasted with glasses of Metaxa and walked down to a nearby beach, where my dog Olive got her first wade in the Pacific Ocean. But as I looked out at those waters, I couldn’t help but think of all those boats in the harbor and wonder when their owners will have meaningful chances to fish for salmon again. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

OUTDOOR CALENDAR MAY 3-4 5-18 5-18 16-18

Shasta Lake Classic Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org/derbies.php Archery-only spring wild turkey season dates Additional junior spring turkey season dates Clearlake Oaks Catfish Derby, Clear Lake; clearlakeoaks.org/derby/ register-for-the-derby 17 Lassen Sportsmen’s Club Junior Kids’ Fishing Derby, Susan River Memorial Park, Susanville; facebook.com/lassensportsmensclub, (530) 310-0151 23-25 Hangman’s Cash Bonus Derby Weekend, Convict Lake; (760) 934-3800 23-June 23 Crowley Lake Perch Derby; crowleylakefishcamp.com, (760) 935-4301 24 Arrowhead Lake Association Fishing Derby; ala-ca.org/fishing_derby.php 24 NorCal Trout Angler’s Challenge, Pardee Lake; anglerspress.com/ events/norcal-trout-anglers-challenge 31 Raahauge’s Youth Outdoor Adventure Day, Eastvale; raahauges.com/ youth-day JUNE 6-7 7 14 20 21 21-22

Finest Annual Trout Invitational Tournament, Crowley Lake; crowleylakefishcamp.com/new-events/fatit-finest-annual-troutinvitational-tournament Whiskeytown Lake Team Kokanee Derby; kokaneepower.org Greg Marks Youth Fishing Derby, Shaver Lake; shaverlaketrophytroutproject.org/youth-fishing-derby Golden State Salmon Association Fundraising Dinner, Friedman Events Center, Santa Rosa; goldenstatesalmon.org Russ Faught Memorial Kokanee Derby, Pardee Reservoir; centralvalleyanglerslodi.org/content/central-valley-anglersderby-schedule Bridgeport June Trout Tournament, Bridgeport Reservoir and East Walker River; bridgeportfish.com, (760) 616-4214

For a list of upcoming bass tournaments, go to nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FishingContests/default.aspx.

Convict Lake hosts the Hangman’s Cash Bonus Derby Weekend trout event on May 23-25. Call Convict Lake Resort at (760) 934-3800 for more information. (MONO COUNTY TOURISM) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING

’BUTS FOR PRIVATE BOATERS

BEST WAYS TO SCORE SOCAL FLATFISH

By Joe Sarmiento

alifornia halibut is on my list of top 10 gamefish that I target every year. It used to be a fish that would often trip me up on completing the list. The primary reason for it being problematic is that it is a fish that is tough to target on sportboats in Southern California compared to NorCal, where halibut are plentiful in San Francisco Bay. Typically, the only time halibut are targeted by sportboats in Southern California is during the rockfish closure from January 1 through March 31. During this closure period, there are some sportfishing boats that will run a halibut derby to generate interest with anglers who might otherwise stay home. I spent the last few years dialing in fishing halibut from shore. I really upped my shore halibut game fishing down at Estero Beach Resort, in Ensenada, Mexico, but the skills I learned there have transferred when I’ve been on the U.S. side of the border at fishing spots from San Diego to Long Beach. That’s not what this article is about, though. What I want to talk about today is targeting halibut on private boats. WHERE TO FIND A GOOD HALIBUT SPOT?

Halibut prefer sandy terrain next to structure. They also typically bite better when the water temperature is in the low 60s. This time of year, you can find that kind of water in shallow flats, especially if the terrain is somewhat uneven, giving them spots to lay in wait to ambush their prey. If you can find conditions like the kind I’m describing – while also marking schools of bait – then you have found a good area to target halibut. San Diego Bay never really gets deeper than 60 feet, but we’ve been having our best success in, say, 12 to 15 feet of water. While there are definitely fish in deeper water, I think part of our success can be attributed to the fact that the bigger

Author Joe Sarmiento with his personal-best halibut caught in San Diego Bay last year. These hard-fighting flatfish aren’t as plentiful in Southern California waters as they are further north, but late spring and early summer are good times to target them. (JOE SARMIENTO) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING (see sidebar, next page). One thing to be aware of is what kind of bait is available. Lately, the bait at the receiver has been largely anchovies, and halibut love anchovies, but they don’t do well when you are drifting – especially if the drift is faster. Also, a bigger bait will weed out a lot of the shorts. If you can’t get sardines, bring sabikis to make bait – likely smelt – or plan on fishing plastics. RODS, REELS AND RIGGINGS

Somehow a hungry halibut missed both hooks when it took a chomp at this bait. (JOE SARMIENTO)

sportfishing boats can’t access this skinny water. A lot of the private boaters simply fish the same area the bigger sportboats are fishing in, but knowing what we’re looking for and finding it away from the boat traffic has been a successful strategy. Because halibut are primarily an ambush predator, covering a lot of water is a key to success. If you can find stretches of terrain that meet the

criteria and you have some wind and current to push you along on a slow drift, then conditions are ideal for targeting this fish. BAIT BASICS

Lively bait is key. One of the really unique things about fishing in Southern California is the ready availability of live bait. Just roll up to the bait receiver and grab some

Rig up a Berkley Gulp! Jerk Shad on a Neck Breaker swinging jighead. Notice how the hook point is stuck back into the bait to make it weedless. (JOE SARMIENTO) 14 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

So, you have bait and found a likely spot – now what? We like to have a couple live bait rods in the water during our drifts, and then throw around a jig with a rod in hand. Avoid the temptation of fishing more than one bait rod per person. When having too many rods in the water, it’s hard to keep an eye on all of them. It also leads to more tangles. For the live bait rod, I like to use a light- to medium-action rod and a small star drag reel. My setup is a Fishing Syndicate Inshore Composite 800L (15-30) rod paired

FISHING with a Shimano Trinidad 14A reel. I like using a graphite and glass composite rod in this application because the more forgiving bend is stickier on a hooked fish. The reel is spooled with a 40-pound braid that I tie off to a swivel. From the first swivel, I tie about a 3-foot length of mono to a threeway swivel. Then I tie about a foot of mono down to the weight. The leader coming off the swivel is about 3 feet long and goes to a snelled octopusstyle hook – O’Shaughnessy hooks work well, too – and a treble hook I tie to the tag end. The length of the tag is dependent on the size of the bait. It needs to be roughly the length from where you hook the nose of the bait to the bait’s anus. You could use fluorocarbon for the leader, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Switching to a fluoro leader is a tactic to try if you’re not getting bit on mono. Having the stinger treble hook is critical. Halibut are notorious short biters. Unlike, say, bass or yellowtail, which attack the head, halibut will dog-bone a bait or attack it from behind. Even with the treble they still sometimes find a way to miss the hook. I like using a star drag reel, because when the rod is in the holder, I may not get to it right away. If the drag is set too tight, the rod could go overboard. Once a fish is hooked, it’s easier to tighten the drag to an appropriate setting with a star drag compared to a level drag. The amount of weight you will use depends on depth and speed of the drift. Because it can be variable, it makes sense to terminate the line down from the three-way swivel to a clip swivel. This way you can easily change the weight as conditions change without having to retie. For this application, 4 to 6 ounces with a ball-style weight was enough most of the time. Keep an eye on your bait rod while drifting. Obviously, you want to see if it gets bit, but you also want to see that the weight is bouncing on

Stopping by the live bait station on the way out of the harbor to load up on anchovies and sardines? As the author reminds, be cordial with the crew filling your livewell. (JOE SARMIENTO)

GRAB BAIT WITH A SMILE

pro tip for those of you who stop for bait on the way out of port: Always be nice to the guys at the bait receiver. We took one of the bait guys out fishing with us last week, and he straight up told us they will give halfdead bait or even refuse service to people who aren’t respectful to them or their workplace. And bumping your boat into the floating dock will not make points with them. Those same folks at the bait dock are also a great source of information. So be nice, learn their names, tip and bring them food; these things will go a long way toward currying favor with them. The boat captains know the rules too. When I was working on the Sea Watch, Captain Ryan Myers would often tell me to make some breakfast burritos for the guys at the bait receiver! -JS calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING Captain John Anjard, at right with a nice California halibut from San Diego Bay, is one of the Southland’s charter boat captains who can get anglers in on some outstanding fishing. (JOE SARMIENTO)

Inshore Graphite 800L (15-30) rod paired with a Lexa 300HD. The reel is spooled with a 40-pound braid to a short (2- to 3-foot) 30-pound mono leader. A tactical clip allows you to switch baits without retying. If you get bumped but don’t hook up, free spool immediately (or pause if you’re fishing a jerkbait). Hopefully, you’ll get a re-bite. Some of my favorite types of baits for this application are jerkbaits (Lucky Craft Staysee 90 or 100DD), jigs (Reaper Slow Pitch in 20 or 30 grams) and plastics (Berkley Gulp! 5-inch jerk shad in white with a Warbaits Neck Breaker in ½ or ¾ ounce). The Neck Breaker is a newer find. I used to fish jerk shads with a short-shanked leadhead. The short shank got bit better because it gave the bait a more enticing side-to-side waggle. The Neck Breaker achieves the same side-to-side action, but with the hook point further back. It’s also more weedless, which is a plus if you’re fishing near the kelp line. GET OUT THERE, HALIBUT HOUNDS!

the bottom of the bay. If the rod stays at a steady bend, the weight may not be touching the seafloor like it needs to be doing. One last note on the bait setup: I’ve noticed that more fish get hooked up when using a Scotty rod holder versus using a boat rod holder. I think it has to do with the angle. The rod recoil may be pulling

tentative bites out of fish’s mouths on the boat’s rod holders. For the rod I’m using to throw around lures, I like fishing the same type and rating of rod, but in a graphite version. Graphite is lighter, so that is a big deal over the course of the day. Graphite is also more sensitive, so you feel every bump or tentative bite. My go-to setup is the Fishing Syndicate

16 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

There you have it. We’re coming into the halibut spawning period – May/ June is typically good – and grunion runs are starting up (look up the dates on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website, wildlife .ca.gov). Both of these situations are prime times to target halibut in our inshore waters. Not long ago I got out with my buddy, Captain John Anjard. We only got one legal fish versus about 10 shorts. There were two legals lost, though; we saw one and the other pulled drag big time. Three legals per 10 shorts is a pretty typical ratio. Recently, the Dolphin out of Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego scored six legal fish and released 20 shorts on their Wednesday Halibut Derby trip. We just needed to do better by converting our opportunities. Luckily, the halibut we landed was a good one. Good luck out there! CS Editor’s note: Follow author Sarmiento’s blog at socalsalty.com.

Joe

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18 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

STRIPERS ON THE SAC

FISHING

THROWING SWIMBAITS, DRIFTING MINNOWS TO TEMPT CENTRAL VALLEY LINESIDES

By Mark Fong

am typically not the kind of person who likes surprises, but when Brett Brady of Bare Bones Guide Service told me he had an open spot on his boat for the next day’s striper trip, it did not take much for me to say yes. After I arrived early at Colusa Landing’s Sacramento River boat ramp, it was not long before Brett pulled up. I headed over to his boat, where he was busy talking with Mike Daries of Salinas and Joe Pacheco from Hollister. We made introductions and quickly hopped into Brady’s boat. Mike and Joe are longtime fishing buddies and Mike told me that he has fished with Brett for nearly two decades. The way the three of them joked around, I could tell that these guys were good friends. I kind of felt like an outsider crashing their party, but they instantly made me feel welcome.

Joe Pacheco had a good day on the Sacramento River as one of three guests who scored striped bass both chucking swimbaits and drifting minnows. (MARK FONG) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING NO TIME TO LOSE

Colusa Landing’s boat launch is a popular put-in for striper anglers looking to crush the spring run of fish. (MARK FONG)

Salinas resident Mike Daries (left) has fished with local guide Brett Brady plenty of times, and loading up on stripers has been routine for years now. (MARK FONG) 20 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

Brett piloted his Rogue Jet boat upriver to a very specific location. He told us that we would start out the morning by throwing swimbaits and that the bite window would be short and we would have maybe an hour before it would be over. Brett knows how much I like to throw swimbaits – so much so that I brought along my own gear, including my favorite lightaction swimbait rod and my collection of AA Swimbaits. I was focused and intent on making the most of this short window of opportunity. It did not take long for the action to begin – Joe hooked into a striper on his very first cast of the morning. The fish started pulling drag, and after a spirited fight Joe had the fish to the side of the boat, where Brett quickly helped him bring it aboard. The striper was carefully released back into the river. Brady is an excellent guide; his knowledge of the river is amazing. As he positioned the boat for us to cast our swimbaits, he educated us about the water we were fishing and pointed out both where the fish were holding and where to cast our baits. On my third cast, I felt the telltale sign of a striper mouthing my swimbait. I just kept reeling until my rod began to load, and with a sweep of the rod I was hooked up and the fight was on. The fish started pulling hard and digging for open water. It ran around the back of the boat to the other side while stripping drag. I knew this was a nice striper, and on my light-tackle swimbait gear it was a blast. Soon, the fish began to tire and I brought it boatside, where I carefully reached over the side and released it. The next 30 minutes were frenetic. I caught and released over a half-dozen fish. But once the sun got higher above the river levee, the bite just stopped. Brett took us to a few other areas, but the fish would not bite. At that point it was time to make an adjustment.

FISHING A TIMELY DECISION

During a short pause to stow our swimbait rods, Brett readied our minnow gear. Each rod was rigged with a small live bait hook attached to a 3-foot leader and a sliding 1.5-ounce dropper weight. Since having a lively bait is key, Brett carefully demonstrated how to properly nose-hook a minnow. As much as I love throwing swimbaits, I must admit that I do enjoy a good minnow bite. Minnow fishing is typically the go-to method for catching river stripers during the spring. Brett says there are two types of minnow fishermen: those who hold their rods and those who favor rod holders. I am still undecided on which camp I fall into, but I can tell you that Joe and Mike are rod holder guys, and boy, do they know how to catch them. Patience and discipline are critical when fishing live minnows. Stripers will often take their time before they commit to swallowing their prey. So the more time you give the fish to eat the bait, the better your success. Anglers who choose to hold their rods and feel for the bite often react too quickly and set the hook before the fish has committed to it. Rod holder guys need only to watch for the rod to load up before taking it from the holder; by this time, most fish have already hooked themselves. MAKING QUICK WORK

Brett set up our first drift on a stretch of the Sac River where he had located a nice school of stripers the day before. A quick look at his fish finder confirmed the linesides were still in the area. Now the question was, would the fish cooperate? The answer came quickly, as again Joe was the first to connect, and then Mike followed. These two guys were on fire, and it was evident after some two decades of targeting stripers with Brett that these guys had done this before. It took just a few drifts for each of us to limit out; then it was back to the boat ramp, where Brett cleaned

Author Mark Fong also got in on the plentiful action on this sunny spring outing. “It was truly an awesome day,” he writes. (MARK FONG)

and bagged our catch. It was truly an awesome day. Great fishing, great guys, a great guide and great memories. CS Editor’s note: Brett Brady is a multispecies guide specializing in striped bass,

trout, kokanee and landlocked salmon. To book a trip with Brett or to learn more, please visit his website at fishbarebones .com. Follow him on Facebook (@Bare Bones Guide Service) or contact him directly at (530) 263-4451.

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

22 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

FROM FIELD...

ROLLING ON THE RIVER By Scott Haugen

ummer is approaching fast, and with it, trout fishing heats up in rivers up and down the West Coast. Whether you’re looking to catch trout in rivers close to home or want to travel to the many streams north of the border – where Oregon and Washington have a lot to offer – these tips will cover it all. Every summer I get to experience some phenomenal trout fishing with my good friend and guide on our local Oregon river, Chris Wright of McKenzie Tackle Guide Service (mckenzietackle.com; 541-913-5963). I grew up with Wright’s mom and dad, and it’s been fun to watch this fishing aficionado take his passion to another level.

“Starting in late May and going through most of June, we’re targeting trout in eddies, pockets and along slow-moving current edges in the rivers we fish,” shares Wright. “But once the water temperature rises, the trout will spread out. Hatchery trout will mostly still hold in the softer water, but they’ll also move into shallow riffles.” “If you want to target larger, catchand-release native trout in late spring and early summer, concentrate on fishing deep holes,” Wright adds. “Due to the volume of water and boiling conditions, these can be challenging places to fish, but once the water warms up in early to midJuly, then focus on fishing the fast water. This is one of the things I can explain to people over and over – to fish the really fast water – but not

Now through early summer is the time to fish for trout on rivers throughout the West, and catching and releasing native redside rainbows like this one is hard to beat. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

TIPS FOR TROUT FISHING IN FAST-MOVING WATER until they see how fast the water truly is that we’re catching wild trout, will they actually try fishing it.” GETTING ‘WILD’ ON THE RIVER

One day on the river last June, Wright pulled two nice wild trout out of super fast-moving water – water I’d have been hard pressed to run a steelhead presentation through. A lot of wild trout hold in fast-moving water that’s anywhere from 3 to 8 feet deep. Of course, depth may vary depending on the river being fished. Search for the fastest-moving riffles in the river you’re fishing, and that’s likely a good place to target wild trout with the onset of summer heat. Whether fishing from a boat or off the bank, casting lures and spinners could be the most popular approach for trout anglers. Hardware like a

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING

... TO FIRE A little bit of liquid smoke will cut down on the length of the smoking process for trout and other fish. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

SMOKED FISH THE EASY WAY By Tiffany Haugen

far cry from traditional hotor cold-smoked fish, using liquid smoke – face it; they did the work for you – cuts the time for this delicacy by around 90 percent. Flavorful, moist and buttery, this fish can be served hot or cold, eaten on its own, or flaked over salad, rice or pasta. If you’ve already got the smoker out, give the fish 10 minutes of heavy smoke right before baking for another level of smoke essence. A note about liquid smoke: Look for a 100-percentnatural seasoning condensed from wood smoke. There should be no other ingredients or chemicals in the best liquid smoke products.

One trout or 8-ounce salmon filet 1 tablespoon butter, melted ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon white sugar 1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses ¼ teaspoon black pepper

In a shallow dish, mix butter, liquid smoke, salt, sugar, molasses and pepper until thoroughly combined. Skin fish filet and marinate on each side for 10 minutes at room temperature. For trout, filet and skin each side whole. Bake in a preheated, 325-degree oven or grill in foil on medium-low heat for 18 to 24 minutes, until fish reaches desired doneness or an internal temperature of 130 degrees.

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TIP: REMOVE THE PIN BONES Let’s be honest: There’s rarely a truly boneless trout or salmon fillet until the pin bones are removed. That’s because removing the pin bones when the fillet is raw can tear the flesh, making it soft and even mushy upon cooking. Try removing the pin bones once the fillet is cooked. The fat around the individual bones will cook away, making the meat more flavorful and the bones easier to remove. Once cooked, the ends of the pin bones will protrude from the fillet, making them easy to grab and pluck out with tweezers. Over a decade ago I picked up a Shun Fish Bone Tweezer. Its design makes it easy to handle, plus it’s held up great on countless salmon, trout and bottomfish over the years. Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s popular Cooking Seafood and other bestselling book titles, visit scotthaugen.com.

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING previous two years found the gold and red Thomas Buoyant being the hot lure, but the trout shied away from it last spring. In fact, we were struggling to consistently catch trout on any lures, period, until the Blue Fox started producing; the rainbow pattern was the go-to choice.” I’m a fan of Rooster Tails – the most popular trout spinner in North America for a reason – in a range of sizes and colors. I’ve also had good success on Rooster Tail Minnows in clear water conditions. I think the detailed design, including a prominent eye, entices finicky trout into biting. BACK-TROLLING FOR ’BOWS

A selection of dry flies for tempting trout in the varied waters they occupy throughout the summer. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Thomas Buoyant, Mepps spinner and Rooster Tail are traditional go-tos, but Wright encourages anglers to change things up from time to time. “Last season, our hot spinner was a size 2 Blue Fox with an orange

body and gold blade. I wouldn’t have fished this thing in a million years, but a client who hadn’t fished much insisted on trying it because he thought it looked cool,” he says. “What’s even more crazy, the

When fishing from a boat, I also enjoy back-trolling plugs for trout. Whether I’m fishing the plugs or removing the hooks and using it as a diver with bait, this is a great way to cover water and search for fish. The past few summers, my musttry trout plug has been the Mag Lip in sizes 2.0 and 2.5. I’ll use a 3.0 Mag Lip as a diver, removing the hooks and running a 2-foot dropper off the back, to which I’ll have a single egg, half a nightcrawler or a pinch of nightcrawler with a salad shrimp threaded onto the bend of the hook. Trout have a powerful sense of smell, so targeting their nose along with their sight can pay off. CAUGHT ON THE FLY

In a recent survey among anglers throughout the country, the iconic Rooster Tail was voted the best all-around lure for catching fish. There’s no denying that trout love it. (SCOTT HAUGEN) 26 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

“Most of the trout anglers I take want to catch fish on flies, especially dry flies,” Wright says. “In June, it’s hard to beat a green caddis on Western rivers. On cloudy days, when there’s a green caddis hatch, concentrate on fishing riffles that are moving about walking speed with a little bit of chop on the surface.” Wright is quick to remind anglers to research the hatches on the rivers they’re fishing, as that’s the key to consistently hooking trout. “We have a lot of caddisflies in our rivers, too, and we’ll switch things up all summer long, between an orange Elk Hair Caddis and a green Elk Hair

FISHING Caddis,” he says. Wright runs a lot of two-fly setups. “The Parachute Adams, Chubby Chernobyl, Possie Bugger and a host of other beadhead nymphs are tough to beat this time of year,” he says. While these patterns can be fished on the swing, Wright has a fondness for drifting and mending these presentations. During summer transition periods, pay attention to river conditions. Let water levels, temperature and flow rates be the deciding factors on where and how you’ll fish. By being prepared with a range of options, you’ll increase your chances of catching more trout every time you hit the river. CS

Author Scott Haugen with a dandy redside he caught and released while fishing dry flies last summer. “By being prepared with a range of options,” he writes, “you’ll increase your chances of catching more trout every time you hit the river.” (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Editor’s note: Signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular book, Bank Fishing For Steelhead & Salmon, can be ordered at scotthaugen.com.

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

Mackinaw can grow to massive proportions. This trophy was caught at Lake Tahoe, the state’s best-known fishery for the species. (TAHOE TOPLINERS SPORTFISHING) 28 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

MAKING MACKS ATTACK HOW NORCAL ANGLERS CAN CRUSH LAKE TROUT By Cal Kellogg

hether it’s browns, rainbows or brookies, we all love to catch trout, but what about Mackinaw? Macks go largely overlooked by the California trout fishing fraternity, yet they provide the best trophy potential of any trout swimming our waters. Mackinaw regularly range up to and beyond the 10-pound mark at several lakes in the northern portion of the state. From a scientific perspective, Mackinaw, like brook trout, are not true trout at all, but rather members of the char family. However, from an angler’s perspective, if it looks like a trout, swims like a trout and quacks like a trout, it’s a trout! Mackinaw, also known as lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), are one of the most prized fish species in North America. Known for their size and strength, these fish are often found in the depths of large, colder bodies of water. To thrive, Mackinaw require a specific set of environmental conditions: clear, cool waters with temperatures ranging between 40 and 50 degrees. They are typically found in lakes with a deep, welloxygenated environment – often at depths of 30 feet or more – where they find cooler waters and abundant food. The lifespan of a Mackinaw can be impressive, with these fish living up to 20 years. Macks are known for their ability to grow quickly in nutrientrich waters, often reaching sizes of 15 to 20 pounds, with some specimens exceeding 30 pounds. Their growth is heavily dependent on the availability of food and water quality. The forage base for Mackinaw is diverse, consisting primarily of smaller fish species like whitefish, smelt and young salmonids. They are opportunistic predators, using their keen sense of sight to detect prey in the clear waters where they reside. As apex predators, they play a critical role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem by controlling the populations of smaller fish. Spawning typically occurs in the fall, when Mackinaw migrate to shallow waters to deposit their eggs. After spawning, the fish return to deeper waters and continue to grow and thrive. In terms of size, Mackinaw are the second largest salmonid in North America, surpassed only by Chinook salmon. According to Mackinaw expert John calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING

In a state where rainbows, browns and brookies rule the trout fishing scene, don’t forget about big Mackinaw, also known as lake trout, which are a staple for anglers at many deep and cold Northern California lakes. (CAL KELLOGG)

Richardson, lakers up to 120 pounds have been taken at Canada’s Lake Michilimackinac. Here in California, the state record is 37 pounds, 6 ounces and was taken out of Lake Tahoe by Robert Aronson in 1974. Over the years, Mackinaw have earned the reputation of being reclusive, deep-water denizens that

put up a substandard fight when hooked. This reputation is largely undeserved. The idea that Mackinaw don’t fight dates back to the days before downriggers and sonar, when anglers were forced to blindly work the lake bottom with heavy weights and wire lines. These days, anglers equipped

with sonar and downriggers typically target Mackinaw in 50 to 250 feet of water using light- to medium-weight tackle. Retired Lake Tahoe Mack specialist Gene St. Denis of Blue Ribbon Charters employed mediumaction Shakespeare Ugly Stik rods teamed with Penn 209 reels and 20-pound Stren monofilament. I can tell you this from experience: Macks hooked on this gear provided plenty of adrenaline-pumping excitement.

TO CONSISTENTLY BOAT MACKS, whether

This Mack was feeding on pond smelt and could not pass up a soft plastic minnow imitation trolled near the bottom. (CAL KELLOGG) 30 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

fishing at Lake Tahoe or one of the other Golden State lakes that play host to these fish, it’s important to have a basic understanding of their diet and habits. Studies reveal that small Macks, those under 20 inches, feed mainly on shrimp and other small organisms. Larger fish that primarily exceed 24 inches target baitfish and crawfish. In terms of lure sizes, it’s interesting to note that given a preference, lakers prefer forage that is from a sixth to a quarter of their body length. That means a laker the size of Aronson’s 44-inch state record would find a bait from 7 to

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING

Anglers on the hunt for large Mackinaw often rely on minnow plugs to imitate the larger baitfish trophy fish prefer. (CAL KELLOGG)

11 inches very attractive. Targeting Macks conjures up the old saying, “big lures equal big fish.” It certainly has validity. Most of the time, Mackinaw hold near the bottom, although occasionally you’ll locate suspended fish. A quality sonar unit is one of the most important pieces of gear a Mackinaw hunter can possess. Unlike targeting other types of trout, it really pays to invest some time in cruising about and looking for Macks before beginning to fish. In even the best Mackinaw lakes, only 10 percent of the water holds 90 percent of the fish, so it doesn’t

make sense to begin fishing until you are reasonably certain a spot holds Mackinaw. Rocky, boulder-strewn ledges that drop into deep water and show signs of forage such as kokanee salmon are classic areas for Mackinaw prospecting. In the spring and winter, when the water is cold or during periods of low light such as at dawn, dusk and during overcast stormy days, it is not uncommon to find Macks cruising flats. However, these flats are almost always in close proximity to deep water. For much of the season Mackinaw are spread out and travel alone or in

32 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

small pods. During the fall spawn, they concentrate in large groups on the lake bottom, and once fish are located, nonstop action is often the reward for anglers.

OVER THE COURSE OF the year, trolling accounts for more Macks than any other method, although jigging is a reliable producer too. Mackinaw are aggressive feeders, so a number of trolled offerings will tempt them. Rigged baitfish are a top choice – wherever it’s legal to use them. A lot of dedicated Mackinaw savants go through the trouble of catching chubs and other minnows that are

FISHING native to the lakes they fish. Some anglers insist that it is crucial to have live minnows, but I have never found this to be the case. Since the common method for rigging minnows for trolling is to thread a treble-hook-tipped leader through the body of the baitfish, I doubt if it makes much difference whether the minnow is alive or frozen fresh. For small minnows, use a No. 6 treble attached to a 16-inch piece of 15-pound monofilament leader. Thread the leader through the minnow from the vent to the mouth so that the treble rides along the bottom of the bait just in front of the tail. When using frozen herring or other large baitfish, go with the

same leader length, but upsize the treble to a No. 2 or 4. When using baitfish, the standard approach is to always pull them behind a dodger or set of flashers. Many lakes don’t allow the use of minnows and baitfish. In these situations, you can substitute the minnow for an artificial such as a soft plastic minnow imitation, a wobbling spoon or a trolling fly. If large fish are your goal, large bulky plugs such as Bomber Long A’s, Yo-Zuris, Rapala Husky Jerks and J-Plugs are all top choices. Premiumpriced swimbaits like AC Plugs and Sebiles will produce strikes, too, but be forewarned: If rocky structure abounds, probing the bottom with these lures can be expensive.

As a general guideline, a laker’s preferred habitat is craggy, boulderstrewn ledges that fall into deep water. If an area shows signs of forage – such as clouds of shrimp, kokanee, smelt or chubs – the chances of it holding Macks increases significantly. During months of colder water – fall through early spring – Macks can often be found hunting in shallow bays and on shallow flats. The common denominator that separates productive flats from nonproductive ones is the immediate proximity of deeper water. When the water temperature is cool, Mackinaw won’t hesitate foraging in shallow areas, so long as the security of deep water is nearby. Uninitiated anglers often assume that since they successfully pull

If you decide to take up the challenge of Mackinaw fishing, leave the kokanee gear at home. You’ll need a rod with some power to pull fish out of deep water. (CAL KELLOGG) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING Bruce Wicks pulled this dandy Mackinaw out of Bucks Lake during a spring trolling adventure. “Over the years, Mackinaw have earned the reputation of being reclusive, deep-water denizens that put up a substandard fight when hooked,” author Cal Kellogg writes. “This reputation is largely undeserved.” (CAL KELLOGG)

rainbows out of deep water using their downriggers, the same approach will earn them a quick limit of Macks, but this is seldom the case. While the basics of downrigger trolling are the same no matter what species is being targeted, there are a number of variations in tactics that differentiate the successful rainbow troller from the troller who consistently nets Macks. When targeting rainbows, it is often to the angler’s benefit to cover ground, while the exact opposite is

often true when it comes to hooking lakers residing in deeper water. A successful Mackinaw troll begins with pinpointing a group of fish using your sonar and marking their position via GPS. Generally speaking, Mackinaw holding just off the bottom are the easiest to catch because they tend to stay put, allowing the angler to work on them. Deep-water Macks may or may not be actively feeding, but provided the fish stay in one position, they can often be caught even if they

34 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

aren’t initially in feeding mode. Inactive fish can often be prodded into feeding by presenting your baits to them multiple times. Jigging produces fish all year long, but is most effective when the fish are concentrated in preparation for spawning. Crippled Herring and Hopkins spoons are standard fare for jiggers, as are large bucktail jigs tipped with pork rind or a thin herring fillet. Jigging is a technique best used when the wind is light, making it an easy proposition to keep the boat over the top of the fish you locate on the sonar. When jigging, drop your lure to the bottom, reel in a crank or two of line and begin yo-yoing the lure over the bottom. Try to stay in touch with the lure as it drops, since this is when strikes most often occur. In many cases, line stretch is the nemesis of the jig angler. The less stretch your line has, the better you’ll be able to detect strikes. For this reason, a lot of experienced jig anglers prefer braided line such as Berkley Fireline over monofilament. Braid stretches very little, providing exceptional feel and hooksetting power. In addition, it is much smaller in diameter than monofilament of an identical pound test. This translates to less line resistance as it moves through the water, allowing the angler to use lighter, livelier jigs.

WHEN I TALK TO anglers about Mackinaw fishing, they almost always ask me where to fish. Tahoe is the state’s best-known Mack fishery, but it’s also a large lake that can become dangerous when the wind blows. Other great choices include Jenkinson Reservoir, Union Valley Reservoir, Donner Lake, Bucks Lake, Gold Lake and Caples Lake. CS Editor’s note: Cal Kellogg is a longtime Northern California outdoors writer. Subscribe to his YouTube channel, Fish Hunt Shoot Productions, at youtube.com/ user/KelloggOutdoors.

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

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36 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

KAYAK FISHING IS SO ‘FLY’

VERSATILE WATERCRAFT LEAVE FLOAT TUBES IN THE DUST

By Cal Kellogg

was 12 years old when I first tried fly fishing. It was August and I was on a family vacation and fishing Battle Creek near the town of Mineral in Tehama County. The weather was hot, the creek low and the fishing had been tough. I was hiking back to our camp when I saw a guy bent over cleaning a mess of trout. I said hello and asked him how he caught the fish. “I got them on dry flies,” he said. He must have liked helping kids because he invited me to take a few casts with his rod. I managed to get the fly into the water near a partly submerged log. Bam! Trout on, and a fly angler was born.

As soon as I saved the money, I got a Fenwick rod, Pflueger reel, some floating line and a spartan collection of mostly horribly tied departmentstore flies. I caught fish mainly casting off the bank, but occasionally, if the situation called for it, I’d wade in my pants or a pair of shorts. A few years later my dad and I visited Manzanita Lake just inside Lassen National Park. Standing on the bank, we were amazed by the number of big trout we saw. I’d never caught trout like that in the streams I fished. I was determined to hook one, which I did – a beautiful 23-inch rainbow! At that moment I realized I’d been missing the boat by only fishing streams. Lakes had trout too, and for

the most part they held bigger trout than the streams! I was off and running again. I caught trout on fly gear while fishing the banks of lakes and reservoirs – from Lake Chabot in the Bay Area, to Lake Almanor far to the north, and at a long list of spots in between. While I was hooking trout from the bank, I figured that if I could get out onto the water, I’d catch even more fish. Thus began my quest for a float tube. I’d seen them in magazines, but the investment was pretty big. In addition to the tube, I’d need chest waders and fins. Plus, my mom said it was a no go if I didn’t have a life jacket on.

Kayaks are arguably a better alternative than float tubes for fly fishing in California’s lakes. Author Cal Kellogg’s cousin Tom battles a trout off Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake. Tom is 6-foot-3 and weighs 260 pounds but is comfortable on this kayak. (CAL KELLOGG) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING

Kellogg thinks his light and fast Hobie Lynx is an ideal option for kayak fly anglers. But shop around, as there are plenty of good brands and options anglers can thrive in. (CAL KELLOGG)

I mowed a lot of grass, stacked firewood and built a fence for my neighbor, but it was worth it because the money I earned covered the cost of all the gear I needed, with a little slush fund left over. I was on the water! As I suspected, I caught more fish while on the water than standing next to it, but I learned really fast that float tubes have some limitations. Wind is a real bummer, and casting is a chore because you are low on the water. Your range is very limited, and if there is any boat traffic around, you’re a sitting duck. Still, I was on the water and loving it, but my evolution as a fly angler also stopped growing. FAREWELL, FLOAT TUBES; HELLO, KAYAKS

Years went by and I became the editor and then owner of the Fish Sniffer magazine, and while I still fly fished, a lot of my fishing time was spent fishing with conventional

gear. During that time, I went from having my own small powerboat, to running big, sponsored aluminum sleds. Power boats are fun – there is no doubt about that – but I started noticing guys out on the water in pedal-driven kayaks. I was intrigued. Long story shorter, I took the plunge and got a pedal-drive Hobie a few years back and immediately fell in love with fishing kayaks. Since then, I’ve spent thousands of hours fishing from a few different pedaldrive kayaks. I can tell you without hesitation, kayaks are the best and final evolutionary step in terms of watercraft with applications for the fly-fishing community. Now, when you hear the term fishing kayak, some of the folks out there undoubtedly think about the $99 Splash Master sit-inside kayak they saw at the local big-box store when shopping for socks, a gallon of milk and some antacid tablets.

38 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

Buy that thing for fishing and you’ll get $99 worth of misery and frustration. Plus, if you try to stand up in it, you’ll likely end up in the water with the fish you’re fishing for. A dedicated pedal-drive fishing kayak is another animal entirely. Let me say right out of the gate that I’m a Hobie guy. I own several of them and actually guide out of them part of the time. I’m not sponsored by Hobie; I just think the Hobie Mirage Drive is the most advanced pedal-propulsion system – bar none. Your mileage may vary, and there are a lot of great pedal-drive kayaks on the market from many different manufacturers. What I’m trying to do is raise awareness in the fly angler community that something far better than a float tube or pram is available to fly fish from. Should you decide to take the plunge, do your research, kick the tires and decide which kayak best meets your needs.

FISHING KAYAKS AS A FISHING PLATFORM

Pedal-drive fishing kayaks come in a lot of different sizes and weights, but most of them have one thing in common. They are all designed to a large degree with bass fishing in mind. That’s because black bass are the most popular gamefish in the country. I know what you’re thinking – “Big deal; I fish for trout.” That’s cool, but think about bass fishing for a second. Those guys like to stand up, flip and rip, pitch and stuff like that. Notice I said stand up? Modern fishing kayaks are extremely stable and designed for you to stand on. Another common query: “Can I fly cast while sitting in the seat atop one of my Hobies?” You bet! But I can cast even better when standing up on one of my Hobies, and I’m no ballerina. I’m big and clumsy, just like you! The stability of modern fishing kayaks result from pure engineering. Fishing kayaks, compared to paddling or old-school whitewater kayaks, are extremely wide. For example, my Pro Angler is 46 inches wide in the cockpit area. Width lends stability for the angler who wants to stand up, but hull design is also a major factor. Fishing kayaks have a modified catamaran-style hull. They will lean to the side a bit, but that enlarged portion of the hull does not want to go below the surface, so there is a very positive “locking point.” In other words, a fishing kayak will lean to the side a little, but after that there is no more lean. There are tons of videos on YouTube of anglers not only standing in their kayaks, but actually walking around. Before I talk a bit about the types of kayaks available, let’s look at why you might want one. OK, so you are a float tuber. Would you benefit from owning a kayak? Not only do I think you’d benefit, but I also think your float tube would be retired. First, your range would increase greatly. I’ve pedaled for 20 miles in a single day when trolling flies from my Hobie Pro Angler 14. When was the last time you covered 20 miles

You’ll definitely need a telescoping net aboard your pedal-powered craft. Rubber nets like this model from Ego are tangle-free and fish-friendly accessories for catch-andrelease-minded anglers. (CAL KELLOGG)

kicking around backwards in your float tube? Next, the weather factor is greatly reduced. If it’s windy, you aren’t taking out your float tube because you’ll get blown away. That’s not the case in a modern pedal kayak. I’ve been on lakes in 30-mile-per-hour winds when the wind came up fast and blew hard. I was able to safely

navigate 3 miles back to the launch area without a problem. Now, I wouldn’t plan a trip when the wind was gusting at 30 mph, but I brought that up to illustrate just how capable pedal-drive kayaks can be. Winds in the 10- to 15-mph range won’t keep you from effectively fishing, and neither will chop and small whitecaps.

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING Kellogg powers through wind-driven whitecaps, which is hardly the kind of conditions where you could safely employ a float tube. (CAL KELLOGG)

When the weather is cold, I’ll often wear waders when fishing from my kayak just to stay warm, but during most of the year I wear water shoes and a pair of cargo shorts. A kayak is infinitely more comfortable than a float tube. In a fishing kayak you aren’t sitting in the water – you are on top of it – and you are sitting in a state-of-the-art, fully adjustable mesh seat. My kayak seat has adjustable lumbar support; ’nuff said! Are kayaks as portable as a float tube? Yes, no and maybe. There are huge kayaks like my Hobie Pro Angler 14. That boat travels on a small trailer, weighs upwards of 200 pounds when loaded and accommodates me and my 65-pound Labrador Lucy, plus a full range of camping and fishing gear. That’s not the kayak you are

going to hike over hill and dale with. On the other end of the spectrum, I have several 11-foot Hobie Lynx kayaks in my guiding fleet. The Lynx has been described as the world’s most advanced pedal-driven fishing platform. The Lynx is a kayak with the soul of a paddleboard. It has no internal space or storage. It is an extremely stable 36-inch-wide deck, just like a paddleboard, but it features a seat, rudder and Mirage Drive pedals. The hull weighs 45 pounds. My wife can pick one up and move it across the garage. Add the seat, pedals and rudder and you are still under 60 pounds. Snap on a set of kayak wheels and you can easily hike into those out-of-the-way locations where there are no boats or other kayakers.

40 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

Transporting a Lynx is simple. I slide mine into the bed of my big, muddy four-wheel-drive truck, but you can easily put it atop the roof rack of a car with no problem. Heck; toss some tofu and wine coolers in the ice chest, slap the ’yak atop the Prius and you are ready for adventure! A big part in deciding what size of kayak is right for you will be determined by where you want to fish. If you are a big-water angler – say, someone who fishes Eagle Lake, Pyramid Lake and maybe the Delta for stripers and black bass – you will likely benefit from a big, heavy kayak that offers a lot of comfort and internal storage. Large kayaks have hatches for stowing tackle and indispensable items such as your lunch, and many of

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

FISHING them feature horizontal rod storage. My Pro Angler has six internal rod storage tubes inside the cockpit. Most big waters offer drive-up launching, so a big, hefty kayak isn’t going to be a liability. You’ll slide it off your truck or trailer directly into the water; that way you’re not worried about dragging the kayak any distance over dry land. Conversely, if you like hitting ponds and high-mountain lakes that require a little hiking to get to, a smaller, lighter kayak might be just what the doctor ordered. Now, you may have noticed that the Lynx I referenced is only 3 feet shorter than my Pro Angler, which is nearly as wide but significantly lighter. Here’s why: Length and width give the angler the stability needed to stand up, so even with a much lighter fishing kayak, you won’t see a huge reduction in length and width. What you do see in the lighter kayaks is less vertical height and little if any

internal storage. Most lightweight fishing kayaks have strapping and bungies on the fore and aft decks for attaching gear, strapping down rods and other needs. SHOPPING, SAFETY TIPS

Admittedly, I’ve talked a lot about Hobie kayaks, but as I said, I don’t have a dog in the fight. They are just the best fit for me and my clients. Do some research, jump on some online forums, ask questions, and then drop by a kayak shop and ask more questions. These days, I buy my kayaks online and get them delivered, but I wouldn’t advise that route for a first-time buyer. At a shop, you can compare crafts in person, and most of these retailers are staffed by hardcore plastic boat enthusiasts who will guide you down the road to success! Regardless of what type of kayak you decide works best for you, there are some other things to consider

Catching hefty rainbows is a fly angler’s dream, and a kayak makes that possibility more comfortable and safer than float tubes. (CAL KELLOGG)

42 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

once you launch your new toy. First and foremost is this: You absolutely must wear a life jacket at all times when on the water; no exceptions. Life jackets save lives; end of story. Your kayak will come with a rudimentary paddle. You must have a paddle when launching and retrieving your kayak. Your pedal drive is for open water. You don’t want that drive dragging along the bottom of the lake. The pedals can be raised and lowered easily. When you launch, you’ll use your paddle and you’ll use it again when coming to shore. A paddle is also handy to have for making subtle movements on the water. Kayaks are very nimble and a light stroke with the paddle will make them move forward, backward or rotate. In closing, if you are a fly angler who enjoys the challenge of stillwater fishing, a kayak will absolutely help you catch more and bigger trout, and it will make your fishing trips more enjoyable! CS

HUNTING As hunting’s offseason doldrums hit their stride, there are still some year-round opportunities for hunters like Tim Hovey, who loves targeting varmints such as coyotes. (TIM E. HOVEY)

BE VERY VERY QUIET, HE’S HUNTING VARMINTS! GET IN ON YEAR-ROUND OPS – COYOTES, JACKRABBITS AND MORE

By Tim E. Hovey

ow that we are firmly in hunting’s offseason doldrums, I think it’s important to mention that even though primary game seasons are months away, sportsmen and -women still have options. While not an official designation,

species known as varmints are usually animals that aren’t considered game but are still huntable. These species routinely do not have a set season or bag limit either. I first heard the term varmint as a kid during a Saturday morning cartoon. Yosemite Sam referred to Bugs Bunny as a varmint, and I thought the name was cool. I

remember referring to most of my childhood friends as varmints, before I really knew what the word meant. Varmints are animals that are primarily considered agricultural pests and they rank pretty low as huntable species. However, if you’re like me and aching to get out and pursue some critters during the offseason, varmints are something you should consider.

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

HUNTING In California, there are a handful of native species that can be hunted year-round and don’t have a set season or bag limit. These are coyotes, ground squirrels, jackrabbits and marmots. Non-native or exotic species like wild pigs, Eurasian doves and starlings also fall into this yearround huntable category, but for now we’re sticking to the huntable California natives. The great thing about pursuing varmints in the offseason is that you likely have a suitable firearm in your safe already, and with the exception of calling for

coyotes, no new specialized gear is really needed.

COYOTES In much of the Golden State, coyotes are considered the top urban edge predator. They are essentially omnivores, meaning they will feed on just about anything. As predators, they feed primarily on small mammals, birds and, in situations where they have become comfortable around human presence, the occasional pet. To target coyotes does require some specialized gear. Dedicated predator

Alyssa Hovey scored this coyote she called in and took with a shotgun. If you’re getting impatient as the calendar ticks down to big game and upland bird seasons in a few months, grab your long gun and have some fun hunting coyotes, ground squirrels, jackrabbits and marmots. (TIM E. HOVEY) 46 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

hunters use either electronic calls or hand calls to fool coyotes into range. Setting up in good habitat, coyote hunters decked out in camouflage will start calling, mimicking prey in distress. Hungry coyotes will respond to the distress sound thinking they’re in for an easy meal. Coyotes often race in ready to fight off other animals and take their prey. This type of hunting is often fast paced and very exciting. Coyote hunters should pick their calling stands carefully and play the wind almost religiously. Ideally,

HUNTING

coyote hunters will put the sun at their back and the wind in their face. Success comes from staying still and carefully searching the calling area for approaching coyotes. Any firearm in the .20-caliber range is suitable for taking coyotes. Additionally, shotguns with heavier loads are often a good backup when the action gets close.

GROUND SQUIRRELS For most farmers, the mere mention of ground squirrels will turn their face red with anger. These 10-inch-

tall rodents destroy crops, burrow constantly and are very prolific, putting them at odds with almost all property owners. Some populations are so numerous that crop loss can become an economic issue for landowners. Targeting ground squirrels is much more of a leisurely proposition than chasing coyotes. When a squirrel population is located, hunters can set up a shooting bench near the area and plink the critters in relative comfort. As the animals are very active during spring and summer,

48 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

hunters can eradicate dozens at a time from one spot. Some hunters, using centerfire rifles, can kill squirrels out to a few hundred yards. The most abundant populations of ground squirrels are usually associated with agricultural fields, thus, located on private land. However, this animal is routinely hated by farmers, and they often readily accept the help of hunters in dropping the numbers of these crop stealers. Knock on a few doors and offer some help. You may be surprised by the response.

HUNTING JACKRABBITS One of my favorite varmints to chase is the jackrabbit. It was one of the first animals I ever hunted in my youth, and they still hold a special place in my hunting heart. While they do occasionally appear around agriculture fields, I like to focus my efforts in the desert sage. When conditions are optimal and forage is abundant, jackrabbit populations can explode. In the right areas, hunters can harvest many in a single day. They are fast and challenging to hunt, and often break cover almost at your feet. I like to hunt jackrabbits two different ways. If I have the time, I’ll head out to the bunny grounds before sunrise and find a good place to sit, which gives me a great vantage point over the area. I’ll rest my Savage .17 HMR on a set of shooting sticks and glass the terrain for jackrabbits feeding through the sage as the sun comes up. This can be an excellent way to harvest a few jacks before the day gets too hot. When the weather is cooler, I like to walk the desert floor with a shotgun loaded with No. 7s or 8s. As discussed, jackrabbits will often hold to cover until you get close, busting through the brush right at your feet. Hunters will have to take quick shots at moving animals to be successful. Moving through the sage, I like to brush up against the dry vegetation, causing enough of a disturbance to get animals moving.

Jackrabbits can gather in bunches in some areas, and with no limit they can keep hunters busy, as the author’s wife Cheryl Hovey can attest. (TIM E. HOVEY)

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

HUNTING MARMOTS Also known as rockchucks, marmots are considered agricultural pests when they take up residency near farmer’s fields. Reaching almost obese size, a single marmot can eat almost half its body weight in vegetation daily, making the marmot another critter that landowners often want controlled. Living in debris piles or under buildings, marmots will excavate many deep burrows near their feeding grounds, leaving droppings and causing damage to farm structures. When hunting in the wild, hunters can do well glassing rockpiles for marmots sunning themselves during the day. Setting up near these locations with a shooting bench or a steady rest, plus a centerfire rifle, hunters can practice their long-range

shooting on these smallish targets. Where marmots show up on private land, I’ve had great luck talking to ranchers about accessing their property to take care of their pest problem. Most producers are happy for the help to reduce the numbers of these crop-stealing, burrowing critters. In 2020 I was approached by Roger, a rancher who was fed up with his marmot problem. They were stealing his crops and burrowing under every building on his farm. I asked him for access and approval to use my Savage .17 HMR rifle to help him out. That spring and summer I removed almost 60 marmots from his property, with the largest rodent tipping the scales at 15.5 pounds. Now, when the marmot season starts in spring, Roger gives me a call.

Hovey took this large marmot on a farmer’s property. Often, these rodents are major pests for agricultural producers. (TIM E. HOVEY) 50 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

YEAR-ROUND HUNTING FUN With a little exploring and a tank of gas, hunters can get into a variety of offseason action. Whether you’re into rimfire shooting or centerfire action, these varmints can provide you with hunting opportunities when all other game seasons are closed. And don’t be afraid to approach ranchers and farmers for access. Many are happy for the help in controlling some of these crop pests. In some cases, you may encounter all four varmint species near one another. Where these smaller mammals exist, coyotes will be close by. Dust off those rifles, strap on your hunting boots and get out there and explore. You may find that you start looking forward to the offseason as much as I do. CS

52 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

HUNTING

PICKING A HUNTING DOG THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU PART I OF II WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN A PUP By Scott Haugen

any gun dogs and gun dog owners are still suffering from poor decisions made during the Covid chaos. Some hunters purchased gun dogs on a whim. Others because they wanted a companion. Decisions were made without considering bloodlines, the money it costs to raise a dog, and that 10 to 14 years of dedication is just starting. In this first of a two-part series, we’ll take a close look at what hunters should consider before investing in a hunting dog.

This is Dodger. On a late-season depredation goose hunt in March, he retrieved over 200 specks in three days, several of which were beyond 400 yards, and a handful over 800 yards – that’s half a mile away. He’s well trained, in top shape, has drive, and great to watch him work. Owner Todd Lemma has put in the time and effort that gun dog ownership demands. (SCOTT HAUGEN) calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman

HUNTING LAST SEASON I HUNTED in a number of places around the country with a lot of people and a variety of dogs. Some dogs were rock stars. Some were downright bad. The good dogs were the result of quality bloodlines and dedicated training. The bad dogs, the result of just the opposite; they were also largely overweight. If looking to get a hunting dog breed that’s right for you, there are many factors to consider. First, what kind of hunting do you want to do? If it’s just ducks in water, a Labrador retriever is hard to beat. Most of my hunting buddies have Labs for waterfowl. They hunt rivers, fields and lakes with them. Another buddy has always had Chesapeake Bay retrievers for his diver and sea duck hunting addiction. If you want to also hunt upland birds, fall turkey, squirrels and antler sheds, a versatile gun dog like a pudelpointer, griffon or Drahthaar may be what you’re looking for. Athletic dog breeds like these can cover the miles, even on hot days.

NEXT TO CONSIDER, WHAT’S your home and training situation like? If you live in a city apartment, a high-energy gun dog would be hard to manage. If you

have to drive 30 minutes to run or swim your dog, every day of the week, often twice a day, will the distance and time constraints keep you from doing so? If the answer is yes, now might not be the best time to get a dog, no matter what the breed. If you live in the country or have a big yard where you can let a dog run, this opens up opportunities for owning a hunting dog. But don’t think a backyard is all a hunting dog needs. We live in the country. I can open the door and instantly my two pudelpointers have access to over 20 acres of field to run and play in. This is also our training field. They cover it multiple times a day. On one edge of the field are thousands of acres of hills and mountains, climbing to over 2,500 feet in elevation. There’s a river that flows by us and a reservoir within short walking distance. I have all the optimal training grounds I need for my versatile dogs and use them every day we’re not hunting. We train twice a day, with exercise being emphasized during one of the sessions.

DON’T FALL UNDER THE assumption that a few tosses of a bumper is exercise either. It’s not. Hunting dogs need to

A healthy, hard-working dog will likely incur injuries at some point in its life. Having funds set aside for these unexpected setbacks will help ease the pain on your pocket book. (SCOTT HAUGEN) 54 California Sportsman MAY 2025 | calsportsmanmag.com

stay physically fit all year. As my article last month made clear, there is no offseason when it comes to keeping a dog in top condition. Working with dogs to keep them in shape can be done by them running alongside you on an electric bike or ATV. Riding a bicycle and letting the dog run with you is another good option. Letting them run circles in a field is not exercise; that’s leisure play. Swimming a dog alongside you in a canoe, kayak or on a paddle board will offer them the best workout. My vet has repeatedly told me the number one thing he treats hunting dogs for is being overweight, which is the cause of many serious issues. This is typically the result of a poor quality diet and a lack of discipline on the owner’s part to regularly exercise their pup. Speaking of vets, have a slush fund for your dog in case of an emergency. Five years ago, Kona, my male pudelpointer, suffered stomach twist. Fortunately we were home and got him to the vet with only minutes to spare before it might have taken his life. A $5,000 surgery wasn’t even a question because we had the funds set aside.

HUNTING I average about $2,000 a year in vet bills, barring no major surgeries. One season reached over $8,000 due to injuries suffered while hunting. Great dogs work hard and don’t know when to stop. They often hide signs of pain until the end of the day. That’s when you do the right thing and get them to a vet as soon as possible, credit card ready.

SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER are the best times for hunters to invest in a pup because the weather is favorable for training, especially in water. With that, next month we’ll take a close look at the importance of quality bloodlines, healthy food choices and other areas that should be considered before investing in a hunting dog. CS Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time writer. See his puppy training videos and learn more about his many books at scotthaugen.com and follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

If you want a four-legged hunting partner that does it all – waterfowl, upland game, shed antlers – a versatile gun dog is the way to go. Author Scott Haugen spends nearly 200 days afield with his pudelpointers Kona and Echo. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

calsportsmanmag.com | MAY 2025 California Sportsman