We are ALL experiencing turbulent times right now with this worldwide pandemic Covid-19. Daily news reports and social media posts are ranging the gamut from straight forward helpful facts to straight anxiety laden uncertainty.
Like many of you, I am taking the situation very seriously while also trying to remain positive and keep things in perspective. Context is important as well as facts and science as we move forward in these uncertain times.
Now more than ever, we need to band together and do what's best for our communities and the wealthfare of our most vulnerable. Please heed the warnings of the public health professionals and follow their recommended guidelines to help prevent spread. Look out for your friends and neighbors and be a good human. And, for F@#$% sake, if you have more than 2-3 weeks supply of TP PLEASE stop hoarding rolls!!!
Utilizing exposure reduction strategies must be adopted. We need to flatten the curve of the total number infected with this virus, ASAP. Eat healthy foods and make sure you get outside and get your daily exercise. The mind and soul should not be neglected during this time. Exercise is a tremendous stress reducer. So is fishing... maybe it's time to explore that local bass pond or lake nearby your home?
And finally, make sure you thank our healthcare professionals and first responders. They are under tremendous stress and they need our support as much as we need them.
As for the business side of Reel Adventures...
Understandably, we've had a large number of cancellations lately. This hasn't been the easiest of times for a fishing guide these past few years... Drought... Floods... Fires... and now Pandemic. But life goes on and the fish are still swimming and they will definitely still be there when we return.
Those of you with dates booked in the future we will need to evaluate on a trip by trip basis and do what's best for your situation.
Currently, I am still guiding and fishing the Lower Sac here in Redding and some bass trips on Shasta Lake. This is a daily to weekly evaluation on our part. I've sought the advice of healthcare professionals about continuing to fish and guide anglers during this time. Of course, it's complicated and it's also a dynamic situation... but the advise given is that being outdoors in fresh air and avoiding large crowds has a low exposure risk. We are also mindful of basic hygiene practices and doing our best to mitigate exposure in our day to day operation.
If you want to set some dates up in the future contact me via email, text or phone and we can discuss options and timing. Below are a few of my thoughts on the potential fishing trips in the foreseeable future.
- Clients should live close, within half day drive of Redding. No flying or complicated travel
- Anglers should not be among the most vulnerable of Covid-19 contraction. Older anglers or those with preexisting conditions or compromised immunity need to stay put at home for now.
- Look at short trips... 1 or 2 day trips, even quick Half-Day fishing excursion up and back. Right now on the Lower Sac we are timing our fishing roughly 9am-5pm Full Days, or 12pm-4pm Half Days.
- If you have kids out of school and just need to get out of the house!!! It might be worth a quick trip, especially when the weather turns warm and sunny.
And how is the fishing...
The best options right now for fly fishing include the Lower Sacramento River here in Redding and down to Anderson. We are also fishing out on Shasta Lake for bass.
The top section of the Lower Sac (Posse Grounds/Sundial Bridge) will close on April 1st - the rest of the river from Highway 44 Bridge down (ab 1 mile below) will remain open all year around. Despite the upper closure there are still MILES of river worth fishing the rest of the year.
(David Y holding up a nice 20" stud wild rainbow from the Lower Sac)
We have been experiencing good to great conditions that vary day to day and can be weather related. When the bugs are hatching the wild trout are chowing... when they are not hatching it can be slow. Bugs right now include PMD's, BWO's, brown Drakes, midges, and occasional tiny caddis. There are also some stonefly nymphs getting active.
On some days you can even find a few dry fly eaters... this can be very good in the late afternoon during the mayfly action.
(Jeff F feeding a para Adams where it promptly got inhaled. The L Sac is not just a bobber fishing river... spring can offer some solid dry fly fishing)
Last week we were still running steelhead trips on the Trinity River and the fishing was quite good. Feb & March has been the best time for steelhead fishing this entire season. We are experiencing prolific MB mayfly activity leading to dry fly opportunities and overall super grabby fish during the peak midday cycle. The days were sunny and warm and very pleasant.
(Line slapping good times... Courtland here sticking a well deserved steelhead in the bottom of the 9th inning...)
The Trinity River may be over and done with for me this season. I've been fishing over the hill since July... nine months of floating that river. I'm sure I'll miss it in a week or two. These latest storms and rain have got the steelhead on the spawning beds now. It's time to let them be. I'm hoping that we get enough rain to really bump the tributaries allowing these wild fish to get where they really need to go... up high into the mountain streams where the habitat will be best for future recruitment.
(Working alongside my buddy Mike Hibbard... fun day on the water and Court and Eric found a few steelhead and lost a few steelhead along the way.)
Gotta run for now. If you have any questions regarding my guide service or to inquire on a trip please visit my website www.ReelAdventuresGuideService.com
