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FISHING • HUNTING • TRAVEL

CALSPORTSMANMAG.COM

California

Sportsman Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

Volume 18 • Issue 11 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Dave Anderson, Mark Fong, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Tim E. Hovey SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Janene Mukai DESIGNER Katrina Ngor 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 Author Mark Fong and guide Roland Aspiras experienced some solid Mackinaw fishing at Union Valley Reservoir, located in the Sierra’s El Dorado National Forest east of Sacramento. Please see page 42 for details on how they combined forward-facing sonar and soft plastic baits to catch lake trout. (ROLAND ASPIRAS/ EMBERLINE ADVENTURES)

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 11

FIRST ELK FOR TIM?

After retiring and moving to Idaho, Tim Hovey reunited with an old California pal named Ray, another transplant to the Gem State, and they both drew cow elk tags. Join along as the guys head out on a whirlwind of a sageland hunt that went down to the wire for the duo.

(TIM E. HOVEY)

FEATURES

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

SPOTLIGHT ON CALIFORNIA BRUINS

We’re introducing a new feature this month that spotlights a fish- or wildlife-related topic in California with some news, some fun facts and a little nostalgia from past issues. First up is a look into a failed state assembly bill that aimed to consider the feasibility of reintroducing grizzly bears here (after all, these majestic critters still adorn our flag), and we throw in some bear-able tidbits for you.

HERE’S THE RUB ON ELK HUNTING

11 15 30 39

The Editor’s Note: Recalling a big Mack catch NEW FEATURE! Spotlight On ... Bears Outdoor Calendar The right way to introduce beginners to hunting, big game camp Use paddleboards for smarter gun dog training, last-minute fall conditioning

Checking out rubs that bull elk make on trees from the prerut well into fall can help you develop a strategy for filling that tag this season. “The closer attention you pay to elk rubs, the more you’ll learn about the bulls you pursue,” writes Scott Haugen, who leads off our From Field to Fire feature with a tutorial on reading rubs, followed by something a little different from chef Tiffany Haugen. She “dishes” on some of her favorite practical outdoor gear for the field and home.

42 ATTACK THE MACKS

Mark Fong returns for another Sierra fishing adventure, this time joining guide Roland Aspiras in the late afternoon at gorgeous highcountry fishery Union Valley Reservoir in the El Dorado National Forest. Their target on this summer outing: Mackinaw, which can be active and feisty. Find out how the guys utilized forward-facing sonar technology and finesse plastics to actively target the fish.

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 © 2026 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 SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

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THE EDITOR’S NOTE

Mackinaw have always created nostalgic memories for the editor, including a massive lake trout he once landed at Lake Tahoe. This month, our Mark Fong writes about targeting Macks at another Sierra fishery, Union Valley Reservoir. (ROLAND ASPIRAS/EMBERLINE ADVENTURES)

’ve always had a soft spot for the Big Mack, and I am not referring to the Big Mac at the Golden Arches. (I always preferred their Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and frankly, I was a Carl’s Jr. fan instead.) Probably my most memorable California fishing experience involved fishing for Mackinaw at Lake Tahoe, and with Mark Fong’s piece on fellow Sierra Mack fishery Union Valley Reservoir (page 42), it has me reminiscing a bit. In 2003, shortly before I planned to move to Arkansas to continue my sports reporting career, I joined my buddy Chris for a fall adventure in Northeast California as my going-away present. Spontaneously, we decided to end the trip with a two-night stay in Tahoe, which I gladly accepted, as it allowed me to play a little blackjack at the casino – not to mention hit up the buffet at what was then known as the High Sierra hotel/casino. But Chris also arranged for us to get out on the lake to fish with local guide Mike Nielsen, who still runs his Tahoe Topliners Sportfishing (tahoetopliners.com), and we’ve since collaborated on a couple of CS stories about fishing the big lake. On a chilly early October morning – the area was pretty dead, given it was Tahoe’s low season between summer watersports and winter skiing – we set out on Nielsen’s boat with a choice: either target Tahoe’s lake trout – aka Mackinaw – or take on a bigger challenge and try to pursue the more popular but difficultto-catch brownies. I just wanted to catch fish, so I suggested we troll for Mackinaw first and see how the day unfolded. It would be a special morning. We had caught a few nice but average Macks early on, but sometime during that morning over 20 years ago, I hooked what still might be the biggest fish of my life. When Nielsen finally netted the lake trout, I was overwhelmed with its size. We figured it was about a 25-pounder, and Chris thought he’d never seen a Mackinaw that big. Nielsen couldn’t argue with it. I didn’t need anything else that morning to make the day any better, so I had no issue when we then switched over to trolling for brown trout. I didn’t even care that we got skunked the rest of that day. In a way, that trip was cathartic for me, given that years before my dad and I had rented boats multiple times and toplined for lakers without any success. But I’ll always have my Mackinaw moment. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

BEARS Grizzly bears, despite adorning the Golden State’s flag, remain extinct in the state. The California Assembly’s Senate Appropriations Committee killed a legislative bill that could have kickstarted a reintroduction plan to bring grizzlies back. (ERIC JOHNSTON/ NATIONAL PARK SERVICE)

STATE SENATOR»S BILL TO RETURN GRIZZLY BEARS TO GOLDEN STATE REJECTED

ou could say California state Senator Laura Richardson’s intentions were wrapped in the flag. The primary symbol on the Golden State’s standard, the mighty grizzly bear, hasn’t been spotted in the wild within the state’s borders in about a century. So Richardson, a Democrat whose District 35 represents mostly the South Bay region near Los Angeles, introduced in July State Bill 1305, which as described in part, “Would require the (California Department of Fish and Wildlife) to develop and make publicly available a roadmap that evaluates whether, and under what conditions, reintroduction of the grizzly bear is feasible and advisable, and the extent to which the ecological functions once provided by the grizzly bear may be restored through human-mediated landscape restoration, including through reintroduction of the species.” Richardson’s bill, co-authored by four other Democratic members of the California legislature, had a wave of momentum with support from several prominent entities, continued on page 12

SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE MONTH

Summer heat leads black bears to find whatever cooling centers they can for relief – even in family pools like this one in SoCal’s Sierra Madre.

(ROBERT LESTER/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE)

DID

KNOW

U ?

lack bears are highly expressive and use their body and a range of facial expressions and sounds to communicate. Agitated bears will snarl, open and close their mouths rapidly while salivating, baring their teeth and make clacking/popping sounds with their jaws. A bear walking with its head held below its shoulders may indicate aggression. A bear may bluff charge by running at full speed at a perceived threat before stopping just short in order to provide a signal for the intruder to immediately leave the area. -California Department of

Fish and Wildlife

calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

continued on page 11 including the Yurok and Tejon Tribes. But the opposition included hunting groups and ranchers, who have seen how the return of wolves in the state has impacted game animals and livestock. “I just don’t think that our California today is ready for a grizzly bear,” said Assemblymember Heather Hadwick (R), who represents rural Northeastern California, at a meeting earlier in the summer with the Assembly’s wildlife committee present. Hardwick was among many Republicans who opposed Richardson’s legislation, and in August the bill was rejected by the Assembly’s Senate Appropriations Committee. Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, a Democrat representing the Bay Area’s Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, told reporters that, perhaps due to the controversy over how to manage California’s increasing wolf population, “The state needs to really invest in how we are actually addressing and dealing with those conflicts.”

QUOTABLE “ ” “These bears spent their first

winter hibernating naturally in the wild as opposed to staying overwinter in a facility, which can be costly and difficult to do. It means less time in rehabilitation and less opportunity to get comfortable around humans. We were able to work together to release these healthy young animals back to the wild where they belong. It highlights the important and unique role of wildlife rehabilitators – and wildlife rehabilitation by its very definition – in the conservation of California’s native wildlife.” -Dr. Heather Perry, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s wildlife rehabilitation program coordinator, discussing the success of the release of five orphaned black bear cubs now thriving in various Northern California regions.

Former University of California Golden Bears quarterback Mike Pawlawski’s 2024 book included a chapter about an outdoors filming trip to Alaska and which featured a charging brown bear. (MIKE PAWLAWSKI)

FROM THE CS ARCHIVES OCTOBER 2024

WHEN A CAL GOLDEN BEAR MET AN ALASKA GRIZZLY BEAR

any of the stretches were so full of sockeye it seemed there were more fish than water. That kind of bounty, especially in a place as wild as Alaska, always brings out predators. Along the banks, either hard at work or jockeying for position, we saw several dozen bruins using various fishing methods to fill their plates. After a final pass to check wind direction, we landed, unloaded and proceeded to film bears for two hours. At times, I was so close to grizzlies going about their business I could smell them. The footage would add a lot to my documentary. We came to film bears, so now we could take our time on the float out because the planes were meeting us 7 miles downstream on Kukaklek Lake. As I headed back to meet up with our guide, whom I will call Fletch, and my cameraman, Bill, I rounded the top of the island serving as my filming station for the morning and came face to face with two young grizzlies heading the opposite direction, a male and female from what I could gather. If I had to guess, they were twins. The male stood 3.5 feet minimum at the shoulder. The female was slightly smaller and had a narrower face. I’d been in close proximity to bears all morning. I’d grown comfortable, though not complacent, toward the end. I wasn’t worried about this encounter. They headed to the creek to fish, and I just happened to cross their path at the wrong time. I stopped for a second and held my ground, and they veered left into the island brush. They looked a little annoyed but left me alone. No harm done, I continued downstream, wading in shallow water on the left side of the island. The island was about 200 yards long. The bottom of the island created a shallow gravel bar that allowed access to the left bank where our raft was beached. About three minutes after my first encounter and just short of reaching the bar, I heard a ruckus in the woods. Suddenly, the two young bears I’d bumped earlier came crashing out of the brush 15 yards in front of me to my right. On my left was deep water. On my right the island was nearly impenetrable for a human. I was trapped between a lake and a very hard place. They froze and I froze. We locked eyes. They looked panicked. I could relate. -Mike Pawlawski

12 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR SEPTEMBER

1-15 First dove hunting season dates (mourning and white-winged dove) 2-13 Northeastern archery Rocky Mountain either-sex elk hunt dates 2-24 Northwestern Roosevelt elk hunt dates 5 Zones D-11 and D-13 through D-19 archery deer hunting seasons open 5-11, 12-18 Lake Pillsbury period 2 and 3 tule antlerless elk hunt dates 9-20 Marble Mountains apprentice Roosevelt either-sex elk hunt dates Marble Mountains general Roosevelt antlerless elk hunt dates 12 Shaver Lake Team Kokanee Derby (kokaneepower.org/derbies.php) Zone Q1 mountain quail hunting season opens Sooty (blue) and ruffed grouse hunting seasons open 12-20 White-tailed ptarmigan hunting season dates 12-27 Bishop period 1 muzzleloader tule bull elk hunt dates Independence muzzleloader tule bull elk hunt dates 16-27 Northeastern apprentice Rocky Mountain either-sex elk hunt dates 17 California Waterfowl Palo Alto Banquet, Elks Lodge (408-203-9647) 19 Zones B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, all of C, D-6, D-7, X-9a, X-9b and X-12 general deer hunting seasons open 23-Oct. 4 Mendocino Roosevelt/tule bull elk season dates 26 Zones D-3, D-4, D-5, D-8, D-9, D-10, X-8 and X-10 general deer hunting seasons open Oroville Salmon Festival, downtown Oroville and Feather River Fish Hatchery (visitoroville.com/salmon-festival)

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

Several California deer hunting seasons get started this month. (DAN RYAN/BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT)

OCTOBER

Most X Zone general deer hunting seasons open Zone D-12 archery deer hunting season opens Northeast Zone duck, scaup and Canada geese hunting seasons open North Coast Special Area Canada geese hunting season opens Klamath Basin dark and white geese hunting seasons open 3-4 Mojave National Preserve early quail season dates for hunters with junior hunting licenses FPT Western Tour Classic Championship bass tournament, Clear Lake (anglerspress.com/sign-up/fpt-top-75-classic-championship/ group-registration) 3-11, 17-25 Lone Pine period 2 and 3 tule bull elk hunt dates 10 Archery-only pheasant hunting season opens Zones D-11, D-13, D-14, D-15 and D-17 general deer hunting seasons open 10-18 Bear Valley tule antlerless and bull elk hunt dates 10-25 Cache Creek period 1 tule bull elk season hunt dates 10-Nov. 1 La Panza period 1 tule bull and antlerless elk hunt dates 17 Statewide chukar hunting season opens Statewide snipe hunting season opens Zones Q1 and Q3 all-quail hunting seasons open Zone X-9c general deer hunting seqason opens Stasyuk Memorial Fishing Tournament, Tower Park Marina, Lodi (anglerspress.com/events/mark-stasyuk-memorial-tournament.html) Morrison’s Bonus Derby Weekend, Convict Lake (800-992-2260; 23-25 convictlake.com/activities/fishing-convict-lake) Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California Zones duck and 24 geese hunting seasons open Balance of State Zone duck and geese seasons open

General bear season opens concurrently with general deer season in the A, B, C, D, X-8, X-9a, X-9b, X-10 and X-12 deer hunting zones and extends through December 27. In the remaining deer X zones, the general bear season begins October 10 and extends through December 27. General bear season closes on December 27, or earlier, if the California Department of Fish and Wildlife determines that 1,700 bears have been reported taken. This includes bears harvested during archery season.

calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

When you find elk rubs, look at them closely to determine how fresh they are. “Early-season rub lines are often by themselves,” author Scott Haugen writes. “Territorial rubs will be surrounded by older rubs.” (SCOTT HAUGEN)

HUNTING

FROM FIELD...

HERE»S THE RUB FOR FILLING YOUR ELK TAG HOW TO READ TORN-UP TREES FROM PRERUT WELL INTO FALL By Scott Haugen

nother season of archery elk hunting is upon us. This marks my 50th year of big game hunting, and one thing that’s taught me a lot about elk and how to hunt them is closely studying the bulls’ rubs. Rubs are one of the most valuable signs an elk hunter can study. The progression of elk rubs starts with the stripping of velvet in mid-August. As soon as the velvet is stripped, testosterone levels begin to spike, which is the start of the prerut. With the beginning of the rut only a couple weeks away, elk rubs continue to build.

RUBBING INTO FALL I’ve seen bulls make rubs from the middle of August through September, and very heavily into mid-October in multiple Rocky Mountain states. I’ve called in a number of bulls in October in areas where I’ve found fresh rubs, even wallows. I’ve seen fresh Roosevelt rubs in late October, with the latest being made on November 9. I once watched a Roosevelt bull mount a cow on Thanksgiving Day, after incessant bugles gave away its location. I credit these late rubs to scenarios where a cow missed being bred the first or even second time around. Cow elk are only receptive to breeding for 24 hours once they

reach estrus, and while they’re rarely missed being bred during their first heat cycle, it does happen. If they’re not bred, cows will come into heat 21 days later. They’ll have up to three estrus cycles. Not only can this explain why you’re seeing rubs well into fall and early winter, but why late-arriving calves pop up in the summer.

WHO’S ON THE LATE SHOW? I’ve found late-season rubs to most often be made by satellite bulls. This is because the big bulls are in seclusion, licking their wounds and trying to put on weight before the onset of winter. A big bull can lose up to 20 percent of its body weight during the rut and won’t risk injury in a late-season fight and burn more calories to potentially breed with only one cow. While laterutting bulls aren’t as eager to come to calls as they are during the peak of the rut, their bugles will reveal their location, giving you a starting point for a game plan.

READING RUB LINES From mid-August into early September, rub lines can cover a lot of real estate. These are rubs often made by herd bulls as they attempt to gather cows that are strewn about, or on the move. Multiple bulls will take part in developing these early rub lines, which can explain why there

Find an area with new rubs as well as old rubs from previous years, and you’ll know exactly where your hunting efforts should focus. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

HUNTING

... TO FIRE

OUTDOOR GEAR THAT AN OUTDOOR CHEF LIKES By Tiffany Haugen

ummer is winding down and hunting seasons are fast approaching. Whether you’re getting in some last-minute camping trips with the family or gearing up for hunting camps, here are some key items to put on your radar.

WATERPORT 2-GALLON GOSPOUT TANK One of our most-used pieces of gear this summer comes from WaterPort (waterport.com). We got their 2-Gallon GoSpout pressurized tank, which is a good size for camping. Originally we got it to use as a shower, but soon discovered its value in washing cookware, cleaning gear and even hosing off muddy dogs. I’ve even used it around home to water plants on the porch and pots in the garden. The GoSpout is a very durable, self-

Taking a break from recipes for the month, chef Tiffany Haugen shares two favorite field accessories, WaterPort’s 2-gallon tank (above) and Yeti’s coolers and day packs (top right). (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

pressurized tank. It’s easy to carry and the 8-foot coiled hose is plenty long and won’t tangle. The five-pattern, high-pressure nozzle serves a range of needs. This is one of those pieces of gear you think you might use but aren’t really sure, then you ask yourself how you got by without it.

YETI 15 HARD COOLER, 20L DAYTRIP, 35 CARRYALL TOTE Looking for a durable, compact and portable hard cooler? Give the Yeti 15 a try (yeti.com). I almost got the 24 model because I wasn’t sure if the 15 was going to be big enough to hold food and drinks for two people for a day afield, but it was. It kept ice frozen plenty long, and when it did start to melt on those excessively hot summer days, the built-in drain plug was very convenient. The shoulder strap and two side handles made transporting the cooler easy and comfortable, no matter how full it was. I really like the quick, easy operation of the latching handles, which are simple to open and close with one hand. The nonslip feet work great, keeping the cooler in place on boats, ATVs and even on a paddleboard. The shoulder strap is easy to remove if you want to secure it to an ATV and the sturdy build makes for a great stool around the campfire. If looking for a portable daytime cooler that’s streamlined and easy to carry, check out Yeti’s 20L Daytrip insulated tote bag. With a brick of ice, the tote keeps food cool and fresh all day long, thanks to a very lightweight, closed-cell foam design. Wine bottles can even be stowed upright.

18 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

The interior is surprisingly roomy, holding more items than anticipated. And the magnetic lid securely closes, holding items in place and keeping them cool. A zipper pocket on the side is great for stowing keys and phones, while the stash pocket on the other side is nice for quick access to special items. The hitch-point is convenient for attaching items and the weather-resistant material is durable and easy to clean. One of my husband Scott’s mostused pieces of gear is Yeti’s Carryall tote bag. He has three of them, and in three sizes. I borrowed his 35 Carryall, then got one for myself. Then I got the smaller 20 Carryall. These totes are sturdy, stand up by themselves and the deployable inside dividers are a great feature. Whether I’m packing for a day trip or loading it to keep in my truck for extended use, the 35 Carryall has been a great, all-around size. The two interior zip pockets are practical, as are the crossbar handles, which make for easy carrying of heavy loads, and the hook closure is perfect for holding items securely inside. This is a tough tote that’s easy to clean, holds a lot of gear and is now one of my most-used outdoor items. Next month, I’ll have a new recipe for you to enjoy. In the meantime, check out the 11 recipes I included in Scott’s new book, Elk Hunting The West: The Experience, available now on Amazon. Heck, the recipes alone are worth the price of the book! Editor’s note: To order signed copies of Tiffany Haugen’s popular book, Cooking Big Game, visit scotthaugen.com for this and other titles.

calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

HUNTING In places where I hunt nonmigratory Roosevelt elk, I’ve found rubs in the same places for over 30 years. Such a history of rubs – even over a few years – tells us the habitat is ideal for cows to thrive in. Where the cows are this time of year during the prerut and rut, bulls won’t be far away.

BE ALERT The closer attention you pay to elk rubs, the more you’ll learn about the bulls you pursue. The result will be an increased understanding of the elk rut process and how bulls communicate with one another and display their dominance, which ultimately equates to an efficient plan and more meat in the freezer. CS

HAUGEN’S NEW BOOK TALKS ELK HUNTS

W might be so many rubs in one area. This is also a time of testosterone buildup, meaning the sight and scent of rubs will trigger more bulls to rub on nearby trees.

MARKING TERRITORY Rubs are a sign to other bulls to keep away, that the area is taken. Rubs also let cows know what bulls are in the area. In addition to the physical rub, pheromones from the bull’s preorbital glands are deposited on the tree and bark, sending further signals to bulls and cows. The more intensely testosterone builds, the more violent the rub will be. Bulls often rub trees for several

minutes to strengthen neck muscles in preparation for fighting during the rut. Bulls sometimes rub-urinate when making rubs on trees. The more a rub area smells of urine, the more aggressive I’ve found those bulls to be, meaning they’re more responsive to calling.

LOOKING FOR CLUES The first things I look for when a rub is located are older rubs. Early-season rub lines are often by themselves. Territorial rubs will be surrounded by older rubs. In many areas I hunt, I’ve documented rubs being made for seven consecutive years or more.

20 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

ith 50 years of big game hunting experience, Scott Haugen is one of North America’s most published outdoor authors and renowned hunters. His latest book, Elk Hunting The West: The Experience, is now available on Amazon. The e-book is available for purchase on Kindle for e-readers, phones, tablets and computers. With a formal education in the sciences, Haugen combines his knowledge of and personal experiences with elk for the purpose of helping fellow elk hunters achieve consistent hunting success. This is a book based on personal experiences, not theories or ideas. It’s not about gear, guns or the best units to hunt elk. It’s not a picture book. It’s an educational hunting book based on situational learning and experiences acquired through thousands of hours spent in the elk woods. CS

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HUNTING

ATOMIC SAGE AN ELK HUNTER FILLS A MILESTONE TAG IN THE REGION FIRST LIT BY NUCLEAR ENERGY By Tim E. Hovey

Taking advantage of any shot opportunities would be critical to success during a quick elk hunting trip to southeastern Idaho. (TIM E. HOVEY)

picked up the phone call on the first ring. “Did you get yours?” My 73-year-old friend Ray was so excited about the early-fall hunting season here in Idaho that the standard phone greetings were pushed aside. Earlier that day, we had separately waited in line at our local Idaho Fish and Game office in the hopes of snagging one of the coveted overthe-counter cow elk tags available. As it turned out, we both had secured a tag for the zone surrounding the southeastern Idaho town of Arco. Ray and I had met through a mutual friend almost 20 years earlier. We had started hunting together in California shortly after that. Ray had relocated to Idaho about five years before me and my family, and we had stayed in touch. As soon as we landed in the Gem State, Ray started asking me about hunting plans. With both of us now holding cow elk tags for the upcoming season, it was indeed time to start planning. As opening weekend approached, we checked the weather and decided it might be better for a couple of retired guys to wait out a forecasted storm and head out the second week of the season.

calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

HUNTING With the dates of the trip set, Ray stated that he’d grab us a room in Arco. Ray said he only had three days to dedicate to the hunt, since he had a previous trip planned with his wife. I seriously didn’t care. I was just happy to get out and hunt a new area with Ray.

THE MORNING OF THE trip, our travel day, I drove to Ray’s house. We loaded up his truck and started the four-hour drive to Arco. Within minutes we were on the highway headed out of town towards our elk zone. When I heard we were staying in the small town, I realized that its name sounded familiar to me. Looking it up, I found that Arco is kind of famous. The community of less than 1,000 people today is known as the Atomic City. Back in 1955, an experimental nuclear

The guys hunted near the tiny Idaho community of Arco, which earned the nickname the Atomic City after becoming the world’s first city powered by nuclear energy.(TIM E. HOVEY)

Author Tim Hovey (left) and his buddy Ray have hunting roots dating back to their days in California together. Now they have both retired in Idaho. (TIM E. HOVEY) 24 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

HUNTING

Glassing for elk. The guys relied on their onX mapping app to navigate between public and private lands. (TIM E. HOVEY)

Hovey’s first elk seemed like it was the size of a horse. (TIM E. HOVEY)

reactor, built by Argonne National Laboratory, successfully supplied the town with electricity, and Arco became the first community in the world to be entirely powered by nuclear energy. It was mostly an experiment, and the town was only powered by this new energy alternative for an hour, but it was successful. As we drove, I thought how cool it was that Ray and I were going to be hunting elk near the famous town. Halfway there, we gassed up, switched positions and I took over the driving duties. Ray had hunted this area the previous year and he wanted to reference the onX map app on his phone to see where they had seen elk before. They didn’t have any luck, but they had seen animals. If he could point us to a good location near the Atomic City, I was all for that.

During the drive, we caught up and talked about the hunt. Ray was asking me leading questions, and I knew he had something on his mind. After fielding inquiries about how big my freezer was and how long I thought it took to field dress an elk, I finally got him to open up. “Tim, what are your thoughts on only filling one of our tags on this hunt?” He laid out his reasoning, all of which centered on the work involved in getting the meat back to the truck and the short amount of time we had for the hunt. I had to remember that my hunting partner for this trip was 73 years old. “I don’t care who fills his tag, and we can split the meat!” he added. I knew we’d be rushing to fill both tags with just three days to hunt, and I really didn’t care. Knowing he was kind of

26 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

stressed about it, I happily agreed.

OUR HUNTING ZONE STARTED about 30 minutes outside Arco. At Ray’s urging, we pulled over to check out the terrain. We both referenced onX on our phones to familiarize ourselves with the hunting area. Ray pointed out a couple of spots on his screen where they had seen elk the year before. Even though we had the same app open on our phones, it took me a minute to reference his spots on my phone. After a short break, we decided to explore the location on the way into Arco. The area was a mix of private agricultural fields, public pine forests and rolling, sage-covered hills. Ray had mentioned that at times they had seen large herds of elk feeding in the ag fields. Since referencing the area before the trip, I knew we’d have to navigate

HUNTING “It was a quick hunt, but we both had meat for the freezer, plus it was fun getting to hunt with Ray again,” the author writes. (TIM E. HOVEY)

the private parcels to hunt, but I didn’t care. We stopped at a few spots and glassed the area, but it was midday and we didn’t see any animals. We got on the road to Arco and decided to check into our hotel and drop off our luggage. With a long drive behind us and no food in our bellies, I think we were both looking forward to a quick rest before the hunt. That didn’t happen. A few miles down the road, our plans for the day would drastically change. Ray was looking at his phone and I was wondering what kind of burger they served in the Atomic City when I happened to glance to my left as we drove. The terrain was a gradually rolling hill covered in chest-high sage. About 200 yards out, sticking up just above the brush, were hundreds of small, brown, triangular structures. I pulled over and grabbed the binoculars. What I thought were birds were actually the ears of over 100 elk. Ray, again referencing his phone,

flatly stated that the parcel to our left was private and the one to our right was public. I again looked at his phone and was confused. Our pin clearly showed the parcel on our left where the elk were was private, but our position pin was pointed in the wrong direction. I reached over and hit the orientation button on Ray’s phone, and the screen rotated 180 degrees. The parcel where the herd was actually public land! We spent the next four hours watching the elk herd move from the public parcel to the adjacent private ag field. Trying to anticipate their movements, I dropped Ray off several times in the hopes of getting him a shot, but the elk kept moving away from him. It was frustrating, but I knew we were giving it our best. Back at the truck, we decided that when we had first spotted the herd, they’d been bedded down in the sage. We were both confident that they would return to the sage to bed down for the evening. So we waited.

WITH ABOUT 25 MINUTES of shooting time left, the elk began to slowly move back to their bedding area. Ray grabbed his rifle and moved to intercept the herd. I grabbed my rifle and shooting sticks and moved further into the

28 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

sage. Through binoculars I could see the herd split, probably sensing Ray’s presence. A group cut wide and started to move towards me. I planted my sticks, mounted the rifle and waited for an opportunity. A shot from Ray’s location told me we were done. I disengaged and headed towards Ray. A minute later I found him dejected and sitting in the dirt. “I forgot my sticks and shot a bush,” he said. I really wanted Ray to fill his tag, but we still had a chance. I ran back to where I’d been, staying low in the sage. I could hear elk calling, peeked out and saw three cows lined up 125 yards out. Again, I planted my sticks, mounted the rifle and got the elk in my scope. I needed one to step away for a safe shot. The largest cow took three steps and separated from the group. Two shots later, she was down. I walked over to the largest animal I had ever harvested. It honestly looked like I had shot a horse. As I marveled at the size of the elk, an alarm I’d set on my phone went off. It was the end of shooting time.

WE SPENT THE NEXT three hours using headlamps and battery-powered lanterns to field-dress the elk. Using onX, we found a road about 450 yards from the downed animal and drove the truck close. After making multiple trips, we had the elk completely parted out and loaded in the truck by midnight. Yipping coyotes and the occasional wolf howl kept us company the entire time. The following morning, we grabbed breakfast in the Atomic City and then got on the road back home. It was a quick hunt, but we both had meat for the freezer, plus it was fun getting to hunt with Ray again. When I pulled into my driveway, I realized that the hunt had lasted just a little over 24 hours. You’ve got to love Idaho! CS Editor’s note: California also offers elk hunting, and for three different subspecies – more than any other state – but it is by special hunt draw only. For more, see wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Elk.

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calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

THE CARE AND FEEDING OF A NEW HUNTER THE RIGHT WAY TO INTRODUCE A BEGINNER – WHETHER AN ADULT OR A KIDDO – TO HUNTING AND BIG GAME CAMP By Dave Anderson

ver the years, I have had the pleasure of introducing a handful of people to hunting and have helped some of them take their first big game animal. I’ve always felt a responsibility to share something that has given me so much enjoyment throughout my life. Each year, I focus on filling the freezer with elk and deer that can be shared with my family and friends. Providing meat is a major reason I hunt, but it is not the only reason. Hunting has given me friendships, memories, life lessons and experiences that are difficult to explain to someone who has never spent much time in the field. Because of that, I have also tried to mentor friends and family members who have expressed an interest in learning to hunt.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE examples started in

a place that had nothing to do with big game hunting. I met a guy while fishing roughly 30 miles offshore in the Pacific for albacore tuna. During the trip, we started talking about hunting, and he mentioned that he had always wanted to try hunting big game. I looked at him and said, “Why don’t you come with us?” I think the invitation caught him off guard. People often say that they would like to hunt someday, but they may not expect someone to immediately open the door and invite them into camp. A couple of years went by before he finally took me up on the offer. Once he decided to go, the preparation began. He was starting from scratch. He needed camouflage clothing, boots, binoculars, a rifle and scope, a backpack and everything required for a properly equipped daypack. We exchanged many phone calls and text messages about what he needed,

30 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

A simple invitation made at sea led an adult hunting-curious fisherman to eventually take up author Dave Anderson’s offer to come with him to mule deer country. (DAVE ANDERSON)

HUNTING

calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

HUNTING what he did not need and which products were worth the money. We talked about one brand versus another, how much money he should spend on optics, what type of boots would work and what gear could wait until later. We also tried to be mindful of his budget. Experienced hunters sometimes forget how overwhelming it can be for someone who is just getting started. Walk through any sporting goods store and you can easily convince yourself that you need thousands of dollars’ worth of specialized equipment before you ever step into the woods. The truth is that new hunters need good boots, dependable clothing, safe equipment and a few basic tools. They do not need every new gadget hanging on the wall. Years of experience allowed us to help him buy the necessities while avoiding items that would have added expense without much value in return. That guidance alone can make a huge difference. A new hunter Success was all the sweeter for the hunter because it was finally earned after several seasons of putting in the time, effort and investment in the pursuit. (DAVE ANDERSON)

who purchases the wrong boots, an uncomfortable pack or an unsuitable rifle may become discouraged before the hunt ever begins.

THE AREA I TOOK him was not some

It did take some trust on the part of Anderson that his charge would not burn the spots he was teaching him. He also considered how the hunter would fit in with his family’s well-oiled deer camp. (DAVE ANDERSON)

random place that I had found on a map. It was where my family had hunted for years. We hunted places that had been hunted by my father-in-law and by his father, family and friends. Some people may think I lost my mind by taking someone new into an area with that kind of family history. After all, hunters can be extremely protective of their spots. That protectiveness is understandable. We invest time, fuel, boot leather and years of trial and error in finding productive areas. Nobody wants to show someone a good location and

32 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

then arrive the following season to find that person parked at the trailhead with six of his closest friends. Before the hunt, we had a straightforward conversation. “I am going to show you an area that means a lot to us,” I told him, “and I would appreciate it if you didn’t share it with anyone else.” That was it. There was no complicated agreement. It was simply a conversation about trust and respect. Can you eventually get burned by sharing a hunting area? Absolutely. It happens. However, I can honestly say that I have never had anyone I mentored disrespect me in that way. We also need to keep the issue in perspective. A large percentage of the ground many of us hunt is public land. We do not own it. Sure,

HUNTING it is frustrating to arrive at a trailhead that has been empty for years and suddenly see another truck parked there. Nobody enjoys feeling like a quiet spot has been discovered. At the same time, we are incredibly

fortunate to have millions of acres of public land available to hunt. Sharing the tradition with one carefully chosen person does not mean you have to publish coordinates online or give away every place you have

When introducing kids to hunting, keep it light, let them help look for animals and avoid making it a survival trek. The goal is to have them ask, “When can we go again?” You can bet Anderson and wife Kristina’s boys Ryland and Barrett have asked just that! (DAVE ANDERSON) 34 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

ever hunted. You can teach someone how to find animals without handing them your entire playbook.

DURING HIS FIRST YEAR in our camp, my friend did not notch his tag. That does not mean his hunt was unsuccessful. He learned how to move through steep terrain, where to glass and when certain areas were most productive. He learned to check the wind, pay attention to changing thermals and understand how quickly a bad wind can ruin a good setup. In other words, the small details that experienced hunters often take for granted. It took him three years to finally notch his tag. When it happened, he was hunting with a longtime friend of mine in an area where my wife had filled her deer tag the previous day. That success meant more because it had not come easily. He had invested the time, taken the advice, purchased the equipment and kept returning after unsuccessful seasons. He learned that hunting is not about walking into the woods and expecting an animal to stand broadside on the first morning. Today, he continues hunting throughout the West. What began with a simple conversation on a boat way out at sea developed into something that has become an important part of his life. One day, he will have the opportunity to pass that love of hunting down to his son. That is how hunting traditions survive.

SHARING THE WOODS WITH new hunters is enjoyable for me, but that does not mean everyone should immediately be invited into your hunting camp. You need to use good judgment. Camp chemistry matters. A person can be perfectly nice in normal life and still be a terrible fit for a remote hunting camp. Before inviting someone new, talk to the other members of your group. Make sure they are comfortable adding another person and explain what will be expected. A new hunter should understand

HUNTING that camp is not a guided vacation. Everyone should help gather firewood, prepare meals, keep the area clean and contribute where they can. They should understand the importance of firearm safety, respecting other hunters, following regulations and taking care of the meat if an animal is harvested. You also do not have to take a beginner on your most important hunt of the year. Start small. Take them to the range. Invite them scouting. Bring them along on a day hunt, a bird hunt or a trip where success is not measured only by a punched tag. Let them learn how to read maps, use binoculars, understand wind and pack the right equipment. The same idea applies to taking children hunting. You do not need to bring your kids on every hunt. There are times when adults need to hunt hard, move quickly and cover

country that may not be appropriate for young children. However, children should be introduced early and allowed to become fully involved. Let them help pack their gear. Teach them how to use binoculars. Let them look for tracks, help with camp, carry something useful and participate in the recovery of an animal. Explain why you are checking the wind and why you are choosing one ridge instead of another. Do not make their first experience a miserable test of endurance and then wonder why they do not want to return. The goal of a child’s first hunt should not necessarily be harvesting an animal. The goal should be creating an experience that makes them ask, “When can we go again?”

MOST OF US CAN remember someone who helped us when we were

36 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

getting started. Someone answered our questions, showed us what equipment worked, taught us how to look for animals or invited us into a place where we could learn. We did not figure everything out alone. You do not have to give away every secret, reveal every hunting location or sacrifice every season to help someone new. You simply need to be willing to open the door occasionally. Choose the right person. Set clear expectations. Teach them to respect the land, the animals, the camp and the people who invited them. Then give them a chance. Years from now, the person you took hunting may not remember every ridge you crossed or every piece of equipment you recommended. But they will remember the person who looked at them and said, “Why don’t you come with us?” CS

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HUNTING

Cross-current swimming in a river is a great way to get your dog in top hunting condition. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

»SUP, GUN DOG OWNER? PADDLEBOARDS A FUN WAY TO TRAIN POOCHES LAST-MINUTE CONDITIONING IDEAS BEFORE THE START OF BIRD HUNTING SEASONS By Scott Haugen

lot is happening in the world of gun dog owners this month. Some of us are pounding the mountains in search of forest-dwelling grouse and quail. Others are sitting on the edges of crop fields and near water sources shooting speedy doves. Some of us might be targeting bandtail pigeons. And a flip or two of the calendar page will open all kinds of other bird hunts. But September throughout the West

has been blazing hot in recent years, and that means one of the best and final opportunities to get your dog in top physical condition before the full onslaught of wingshooting seasons. And this training has to do with water.

SINCE THEY WERE PUPS, swimming workouts have been a major part of my two dogs’ lives. Paddleboards have always played a role in our training, as they’re a great way to get a dog in shape and have fun. Swimming is the best, low-impact

workout for your dog, period. Having your dog swim alongside as you paddle is one of the best workouts possible. And I’m talking extended swims of 10 to 15 minutes, not short bursts you can get from shore. This isn’t a race and it’s not about you getting a workout. It’s important to pace yourself to keep your dog motivated and moving at a comfortable speed. Having your pup swim alongside a paddleboard is like a distance runner’s workout, not a sprinter’s. If this is new for your pup, work up to longer

calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

HUNTING Paddleboards are a fun and efficient training option for your dog, and they’ll welcome the change of pace. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

swim times, keeping in mind that even though they’re in cold water, your pup can still overheat. Work to build endurance.

WE RECENTLY PICKED UP a Wulf Aero paddleboard from Bote (boteboard .com). Tabbed an entry-level board, it’s perfect for dog training, and that’s the main reason we got it. We have some advanced paddleboards, including hard shells, and they’re not as dog-friendly because they’re faster and harder to control with a dog on or near them. The Wulf is tough and offers exceptional stability while maintaining an easy flow with quick reacting maneuverability. From standing and paddling while having a dog swim alongside you, to kneeling and tossing bumpers, or pulling the pup up for a breather, the paddleboard is well designed and functional. For extended swim workouts in lakes where your pup might be

climbing onto the paddleboard for a break, take your dog’s waterfowl vest, one with a handle on the back. This will allow you to assist your dog aboard for a breather. It’s much easier lifting your pup onto the surface of a paddleboard than into a canoe or kayak, which is why this is my preferred exercise vessel in lakes, ponds and slow-flowing rivers. Remember to always try and keep your dog horizontal in the water because once they get vertical, they may panic, as it’s hard to swim in this position. This is when your pup will grapple for the side of the board, so be prepared to either help them up or keep them swimming. The quicker you can grab them and assist with a lift, the better. Do this with a soaking wet dog that’s 65 pounds when dry, and instantly the sturdy design of the Wulf is realized. Even Tiffany, my wife, can handle our dogs with ease. If wanting to toss bumpers from

40 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

the Wulf, its stability makes it easy to do. Even multi-bumper retrieves are simple. It’s best to be on your knees in order to bend down so your pup can deliver the bumper to hand. This position also allows you to give a quick “back” command along with a hand signal so they can make a fast turnaround. Having your dog swim alongside with the bumper in its mouth is also good practice, as is tossing it in weedbeds, tall grass or lily pads to swim through. This inthe-water training, complete with commands and hand signals, will pay off come duck season. We got the 11-foot-4 Wulf, which is nice for a dog to haul out on, turn around and shake, or simply take a joy ride on. It barely weighs more than 20 pounds and the backpack/travel bag, makes for an easy pack into lakes. IN RIVERS, PADDLING ACROSS gentle currents is a great way to offer resistance training for your pup. If wanting more of that kind of workout for your dog, position the board on the outside of the main current – between the current and the bank – and get your dog on the inside of the current seam. This will allow you to easily make your way upstream while your dog swims in the faster water. If the main river current is too fast for a paddleboard, have some fun swim time with your pup in calm water for 10 minutes or so. Before your dog gets too tired, toss some bumpers into the faster moving water to end the workout with some speed training. Remember, we see a bumper from an elevated position on the paddleboard, and that’s far different from your dog’s point of view, which is only an inch or so above the water’s surface. This is all a great opportunity to reinforce voice commands and hand signals. Recently, I took my dogs to the vet for their annual checkups. The vet said both dogs were in top shape, looking and behaving half their age. Echo is 12½ years old, Kona, 10. I credit their fitness to year-round conditioning, and swimming is a major part of it. CS

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calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

A MORE PERFECT UNION USING FORWARD-FACING SONAR AND FINESSE PLASTICS TO CATCH MACKINAW AT SIERRA RESERVOIR By Mark Fong

ummers in the Sacramento Valley are notoriously hot, and the dog days are a real thing for freshwater anglers. A great way to escape the sizzling temperatures is to head to the Sierra, where conditions are more tolerable and enjoyable. In the past, a kokanee outing to Stampede Reservoir or Boca Reservoir has provided me with a welcome relief from the heat of the valley. This season I again made a trip up the hill, but it was to experience something new altogether. When friend Roland Aspiras asked me to join him for a late-afternoon trip up to Union Valley Reservoir to fish for Mackinaw, I was all in. Aspiras operates Emberline Adventures, a multi-species guide service, and one of his specialties is casting and jigging for Mackinaw using techniques typically reserved for targeting bass.

42 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

FISHING

With summer’s heat lasting well into September around the Sacramento area, consider a trip up the Sierra to Union Valley Reservoir in the El Dorado National Forest, where Mackinaw are one of the prime targets for anglers. (MARK FONG) calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

FISHING

Guide Roland Aspiras uses forward-facing sonar technology, which author Mark Fong writes is utilized “to pinpoint fish location and activity in real time, and then to present our baits to them and to entice strikes.” (ROLAND ASPIRAS/EMBERLINE ADVENTURES)

DIVERSE HIGH-SIERRA ACTION Located in the El Dorado National Forest at an elevation of 4,870 feet, Union Valley Reservoir is a popular recreation area. It is home to a diverse fishery that includes smallmouth bass, sunfish, rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee and Mackinaw. I met up with Aspiras off Highway 50, about an hour and a half from the lake. I have driven Highway 50 many times to South Lake Tahoe, but I had never taken the turnoff for Ice House Road, which makes up the final 15 or so windy miles to Union Valley. When we arrived at the launch ramp, I was eager to start fishing, but I would be remiss not to mention that my first impression of the lake was its beauty and how clean and fresh the air was.

IN SEARCH OF MACKS After we launched Aspiras’ River

Hawk boat, he made a short run to an underwater hump that topped out in 50 to 65 feet of water. Aspiras patiently idled around the area using his fishfinder to look for signs of not only Mackinaw but also for specific structural elements. When he located what he was searching for, he shut down the outboard and deployed the trolling motor. Our objective for the afternoon was to utilize forward-facing sonar to pinpoint fish location and activity in real time, and then to present our baits to them and to entice strikes. This is absolutely one of my favorite ways to fish; I have caught untold numbers of bass with FFS, but I had never used it to target Mackinaw before.

rod paired to an Okuma Safyre 3000 spinning reel spooled with 10-pound braid and a 10-pound fluorocarbon leader. I love a challenge, so I brought my ultra-finesse gear: a 7-foot, 3-inch ultralight-action spinning rod and 2000-series reel spooled with 5-pound braid tied to a topshot leader of 5-pound fluorocarbon. The Deps Sakamata Shad is Aspiras’ go-to finesse soft plastic bait for targeting Mackinaw with FFS. He rigged up a 4.5-inch Sakamata Shad in silver shad color and paired it with a 3/16-ounce jighead. I matched up my ultralight with a 2.5-inch wakasagi, or tan-backed and whitebellied, Sakamata that I rigged on a 1/8-ounce jighead.

GEAR CHECKLIST

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME?

As gear selection is extremely important for this type of fishing, I’ll note that Aspiras employed a Phenix M174ML

Aspiras is very skilled with FFS. He positioned the bow of the boat into the wind and used his Spot-Lock trolling

44 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

calsportsmanmag.com | SEPTEMBER 2026 California Sportsman

FISHING motor to keep us in the proper casting position. The fishing started off slow, as the Mackinaw that we saw on FFS just were not in the mood to bite. Just because you can see them doesn’t necessarily mean you can make them bite. Undaunted, we continued to cast to the fish we saw. They would be curious about our offerings, often swimming right up to the Sakamata Shad, then turning away at the last minute. Getting these fish to commit was proving to be quite the challenge. After an extended period of time without a bite, Aspiras decided to move to another location. This time he stopped on a mainlake point with scattered underwater rock. It did not take long for the Mackinaw to show interest in our baits, but the big question was whether they would bite. MACK MAGIC We got the answer in relatively short order, as Aspiras set the hook on our first fish of the day. The Mackinaw made several nice runs before he was able to work it close to the side of the boat. While it wasn’t a giant, the fish put up a spirited fight. With a quick scoop of the net our fish was onboard. After a few quick pics, Aspiras released the Mackinaw back into the lake.

It took some time for the guys to entice fish to strike, but Aspiras broke the ice with the first Mackinaw of the day. (ROLAND ASPIRAS/EMBERLINE ADVENTURES)

Following a slow start, it’s always nice to get the first fish in the boat, and to our good fortune it did not take much time to get hooked up again. This time it was my turn; I watched a Mackinaw stalk my Sakamata Shad on FFS. A few quick turns of the reel handle and this time the fish decided to commit to my offering. With a steady lift of my rod, I was hooked up. The Mackinaw wasted little time in stripping line off my ultralight reel. I played the fish carefully and enjoyed every minute of the fight. Once I had the fish

within reach, Aspiras was quick with the net and in a flash he removed the hook and carefully released it.

“With a steady lift of my rod, I was hooked up,” Fong writes of his first fish of the day. “The Mackinaw wasted little time in stripping line off my ultralight reel. I played the fish carefully and enjoyed every minute of the fight.” (ROLAND ASPIRAS/

Editor’s note: To book a trip or to learn more about Emberline Adventures, you can contact Roland Aspiras at (916) 572-4420 or follow him on Facebook and Instagram. His website is emberlineadventures.com.

EMBERLINE ADVENTURES)

46 California Sportsman SEPTEMBER 2026 | calsportsmanmag.com

FUN IN THE MOUNTAINS As the afternoon turned to early evening, we caught and released a handful of additional fish before it was time to head back down the hill. I had a great time fishing with Aspiras. He is an excellent guide and his innovative approach to targeting Mackinaw was fun, informative and very successful. CS