Ever since the Upper Sacramento River opened to year-round fly fishing, Opening Day hasn’t carried the import it used to.
Don’t get me wrong; I love fishing this river in the fall and winter, but opening day has largely became something that happens to other people’s home waters.
This year, things feel different. The Upper Sac is fishing tough, and apparently there’s a small gland in my brain stem producing "Get Out of Town" hormones, and I’m thinking hard about a handful of other streams and rivers.
The backcountry remains mostly out of reach, though I haven’t completely given up on one particular adventure ski/fly fishing trip (you’ll know about it after it happens).
Given our cold, dry (damned to hell) spring, it turns out a lot of the normally blown-out smaller waters will be wholly fishable, and you could say I’ve noticed.
We got choices, Undergrounders. So what are yours?
That’s not a forecast designed to make the Underground’s Edgy Staff Happy
In short, I’m asking: with California’s Big Opening Day Clock counting down, where are you planning to fish? (If your opening day isn’t soon, or has already passed, then just play along, and let us know where you’re fishing).
See you on Opening Day, Tom Chandler.
I was going to invade your home water with a couple of bikini clad waifs afflicted by “Turret’s Syndrome.”
Now that I know you’re a non participant, I’ll have to content myself by carving my sentiments on the picnic table at the access.
Then again, you could skip the high country for some low brow entertainment in my backyard. But bring graphite – too many organic solvents in the water to risk one of your bamboo rods.
kbarton10(Quote)
…there’s a small gland in my brain stem producing “Get Out of Town” hormones…
I have the same gland…
Eduardo Sanchez(Quote)
KBarton – those waifs are still welcome no matter where Tom chooses to spend his opener. We’re lacking in the waif department. The Turrets is another story…
I had an invite to spend the season opener in Mammoth – free lodging and all. I’m staying home to enjoy the rain and high water here though.
Smellslikefish(Quote)
kbarton: You could always send the bikini waifs up and just stay home. And thanks for the warning about your water; I’ll bring my “home heavy-metal chelating kit” if I come.
Smells: If only it were just rain. Got better than an inch of snow up here already.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I plan to visit a few small bass/bluegill ponds. They’re at a low elevation, so they should be plenty warm and active. A float tube and some cold beer, and I’ll be all set.
SMJ(Quote)
Well…. you know the saying “If I tell ya….”. Since my partner & I both got hall passes from the wives, we’ll be doin’ an overniter for opening weekend. “Trout….glorious trout!”
Guido(Quote)
Where better to spend an opening day than fishing the warm waters (mid-70′s about now) of Copano Bay from a kayak? That’s where I’ll be. Air temperatures next week should range from low 70′s at night to upper 70′s or low 80′s in daytime. But I will take fly rods, and will be targeting what’s called “speckled trout” in those parts. Minus the crowds, the snow, the frigid waters numbing my noogies, it’s close enough to opening day fishing for me.
Lou(Quote)
Hey Tom,
Why no mention of all those three to six pound trout you’ve been catching all month?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/23/SPTL109AJ7.DTL
SMJ(Quote)
“reported guide Jack Trout.”
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I’ve no doubt all the facts have been thoroughly checked. After all, it’s been published in the SF Chronicle.
SMJ(Quote)
Well, the Chron’s not wholly without taste; the Underground’s supposed to get mention in the Sunday paper (post to follow).
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I saw no mention of the Underground in Sunday’s Chron. Did I miss it?
SMJ(Quote)
SMJ: Ya got me; I was contacted for some information and told they had a “featured blog” section.
A quick search of SFGate.com doesn’t turn anything up, so maybe I’ll be in next week — or they decided to go with a celebrity gossip blog, which gets 100000x the readership.
Tom Chandler(Quote)