Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - april2008 - Index

ALABAMA
From farm ponds to tailwaters, April fly fishing is
great in Alabama. The bite is on and everything will
be on the take. Alabama stripers are taking Clousers
and deceivers, and spotted bass will chase nearly
any baitfish pattern. The Coosa River watershed
has plenty to offer the fly fisherman. From bream
to catfish and everything in between, they are all
vulnerable to a fly. Weiss Lake crappie are always a
good choice for the fly angler. For more information,
call Frank Roden at Rainbow City Fly Shop
in Gadsden at (256) 442-5919.
ALASKA
April is spring steelhead time. Lots of frozen fingers
and stiff fly lines yet, but any river with a run of
steelhead in it will be a prime target this month
and into May. Most anglers rely heavily on flesh
flies and egg patterns in April and May. Snow melt
that stirs the cold, clear, winter water into a spring
freshet pulls the trigger on striking fish through
south central and southeast rivers. Smaller rivers are
usually in the best steelheading shape at this time
of the year. Prince of Wales Island has some of the
finest April-May steelheading in the state.
ARIZONA
The shoreline is alive with signs of feeding fish.
With great anticipation I approach the shore,
observing the shallow weeds. I cast to an open spot
44
between the growth and am immediately rewarded
with a strong hit on my woolly bugger. A tough
fight in close quarters finally results in the netting
and release of a nice, fat 15 inch rainbow. Crescent
Lake is on the high plateau south of Eager. Trout
have been growing well in this fertile lake, so expect
some of substantial size. While you can fish from
shore, it’s best to bring a float tube. Big Lake is next
door, so if one lake is not fishing well, the other
probably is. Both are on Forest Service land, so
no special permit is needed. Check with Arizona
Flyfishing (480-730-6808; www.azflyfishing.
com) for current information on these and the
many other White Mountain lakes that offer great
fishing this time of year.
ARKANSAS
Mother Nature has created an all-you-can-eat
buffet in the tailwater of Beaver Dam Lake, and
big brown trout are gorging themselves on white
bass and walleye eggs. The Beaver Dam Store
(479-253-6154) in Eureka Springs suggests that
anglers locate holding schools of white bass in
the clear water and fish immediately downstream.
Orange and pink egg patterns and Y2K bugs will
draw plenty of strikes throughout the day. Late in
the day, a white woolly bugger will catch white
bass, walleyes, and browns. Spawning walleye love
to snack on small trout, causing a slow down in
rainbow action for several weeks.
CALIFORNIA
April may be a little early, but the Klamath River
run of spring Chinook is one of the few bright spots
for steelhead and salmon fishermen in the Golden
State this time of year. Usually the run doesn’t
hit stride until May, but it runs strong into June.
Typically, springers come in fast on a high water
and rocket upstream. Pay close attention to reports
and try to get ahead of the run. This is one of the
most challenging fisheries in the state—hook one
and you’ll understand why others try.
Or you could fly fish for ling cod hiding in the
rocks off the north and south jetties at Humboldt
Bay. Boats make this a lot less work, nosing into
the seam and casting heavy dredging lines parallel
to the jetties. Short (3- to 5-foot), heavy leaders
are required. Lings move into these rocks in good
numbers in early spring, and they are aggressive.
Large (six-inch is not too big), weighted bunny
leeches and similar undulating patterns can provoke
savage strikes. A short shock leader of 30 pounds,
or even wire will save a lot of flies. Retrieve just off
the rocky bottom, and hit the fish hard. There are
good ramps in Eureka and off Hwy. 101. Check
for current info at Bucksport Sporting Goods
in Eureka (707-442-1832).
COLORADO
Pre-runoff is one of my favorite times to fish streams
for trout. Well okay, summer, fall and winter are
JASON BORGER ILLUSTRATION