First fish of 2023, finally!

[Pat Dilling]

The rain finally let up and gave us a beautiful day.  Kate and I headed for Lake Oroville.  The lake has come up at least 100 feet with all the rain and all the launch ramps are back in the water and usable.  Still 150 feet to go to be full. There is quite a bit of floating debris, typical with rising water this time of year.  Water temp was 49 degrees, clairity was 1-3 feet depending on location.  Also typical with incoming water.  We started on a mainlake point by the ramp at Loafer creek, but nothing there.  Tried an inflowing creek in the South Fork, but still nothing.  Moved to the middle fork and started fishing decomposed granite rock and sand banks.  Tried crankbait, jig and finally a ned rig.  After about 20 minutes lifted my ned and felt a little weight, swept the rod and had a good one.  Turned out to be a skinny 2.2 pound spotted bass.  Great way to start the fishing year.  Tried throwing a shaky head worm for a while and went back to the Ned.  Caught another quality fish so stayed with it.  Kate finally got on the board with another nice fish about 2 pounds.  We ended up with 10 fish total in 5 hours.  All on Ned rigs, mudbug and PBJ.  Fish were mostly in 15-20 feet, but a couple were shallower.  We did not catch any in running water, which surpised/disappointed me.  Majority were on or near points.  Looks like another 5 days of rain before we have a chance to get out again.  But at least we got our fix in to stop withdrawels!    We did bring a couple fat keepers home for  dinner.  Very tasty done with Zatarains seasoning.

[Mike Cork]

Bringing back a lot of memories talking about the south fork, middle fork and Loafer creek. Great that you caught some 

[Donald Garner]

Pat congrats on a successful outing.  Congrats on the catching, tks for sharing the trip and pictures with us also.

[Dark3]

At this rate maybe the berryessa glory hole will be operational soon. Glad to see you guys getting all that rain. Nice catch.


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[Pat Dilling]

At this rate maybe the berryessa glory hole will be operational soon. Glad to see you guys getting all that rain. Nice catch.


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Just saw a post that it is 36 feet below the Glory Hole.

[Dark3]

At this rate maybe the berryessa glory hole will be operational soon. Glad to see you guys getting all that rain. Nice catch.


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Just saw a post that it is 36 feet below the Glory Hole.

Haha. I think its only hit that level a few times since its creation. I think atleast a lady and a popular on social media duck have made the ride down it.


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[BassmanRudy]

Way to go!!! And glad the lake is UP over 100'!! Y'all def needed it.

Fishing is so bad here I tried to book a guide trip on Castaic and he said it wouldn't be worth it right now and wait a few weeks. I sure appreciate his honesty.