Catfish: I haven't pursued cats, but they seem to show up at times. I think they are an underrated fish and I've seen some giants coming from this area. Hensley, Eastman, the San Joaquin River and even Millerton pump out 20-pound-plus fish every year. My biggest was 6 pounds. Self-rating: 5/6.

Stripers: I got hooked on big stripers in the early 1980s after I landed a 40-pounder at Millerton. Stripers fit me because they take a lot of dedication, technique and perseverance, and they're incredibly powerful and big! I spend 95% of my time chasing these critters. Biggest striper: 50.3 pounds at Millerton. Self-rating: 8.

There you have it, a confirmation of what you suspected all along: This guy is still practicing! You may have it exactly right. Don't forget, however, I'm originally from Florida -- that's got to help some?

Roger George is The Bee's fishing expert. He can be reached at rogergeorge8000@sbcglobal.net

Key:

• Try dynamite

• • Have to work hard

• • • Limits possible

• • • • Fish jumpin' in boat

VALLEY

Delta Mendota Canal and Sloughs

Striper * * * Catfish * *

More area fishermen are tossing flukes or swimbaits into the moving water at the head gates in the Aqueduct, according to Patrick Movey of the Fisherman's Warehouse. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun said, "We have seen increased sales of Lucky Craft Pointer 127s in American shad for anglers in the Delta-Mendota or California Aqueduct." In the south aqueduct in Kern County, Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield said, "The best bite in our area is the Aqueduct near the normal access locations with a variety of lures including RatLTraps, tubes or rip baits while bait fishermen are using blood worms, sand worms, anchovies or sardines. The cold has eliminated most of the moss and grass in the aqueduct system, but there is still some debris. Anglers are cautioned to use extreme caution in the icy slippery conditions along the banks and the cold water temps of the canals.

Eastman Lake

Bass * * Trout * * Bluegill * * Catfish * * Crappie * *

Ranger Andrew Steele of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ranger Station said, "The bite for bass and trout was slow with the overnight lows below freezing for over a week." The water temperatures have been hovering around 50 degrees or below and the bass are deep and inactive. Live bait is the top option, but even this has been slow. Merritt Gilbert at Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, "A few anglers have finally found some good fish at 50 feet in depth with jigs or drop-shotting on a slow presentation and there have been some 3 and 4-pound fish caught." A few trout anglers are trolling with mixed results. Steele added, "Warmer storms will raise the lake's level and provide better conditions for bass fishing." The lake is on the middle boat ramp on the Codorniz Campground side and on the top ramp on the Chowchilla Day Use side. Be aware that unmarked hazards, including submerged rocks and trees, are present throughout Eastman Lake. The Lakeview Trail is temporarily closed to hunting but open to all other use between the Codorniz Recreation Area and Raymond Bridge. The lake rose slightly to 513 feet and 31% capacity.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

Hensley Lake

Bass * * Trout * * Crappie * * Catfish * * Bluegill * *

"There is very little happening at Hensley," Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun said. "Even the crappie bite up the river arm has slowed down." The cold has all but shut down the bass bite and trout fishing is only fair for trollers and bank anglers. A plant is this week. The lake rose a half foot to 485 feet in elevation and 27% capacity.
Call: Fresno Fisherman's Warehouse 225-1838; Valley Rod Gun, Clovis 292-3474; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hensley Lake Hidden Dam 673-5151