After some thinking, I decided that since those who have never owned a boat have no idea of all the costs that I would become more proactive and set the tone for the trip up front. Now I usually tell them early on that I'm really looking forward to fishing, but could they do me one favor and put in $50 -- since it's so expensive to just get there -- and we'll share the load! You may think it's rude, but I've found that they really appreciate me bringing it up early and in the end they feel they have done their fair share and everyone is happy. I'm not necessarily suggesting other boat owners do this, but if you're an angler who rides along as a guest, it's something you may just want to do voluntarily. Show your gratitude, class and appreciation by appropriately helping out your host -- he's covering more than you know and you may just pleasantly shock him!

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

VALLEY

Delta Mendota Canal and Sloughs

Striper * * * Catfish * *

Local striper fishermen are starting to concentrate on the California Aqueduct from Kettleman City to Highway 145 with pearl white flukes with a chartreuse tail on a three-quarter-ounce jig head. Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun in Clovis said, "We have been selling more and more of the flukes for the Aqueduct and the fish are running from just undersized to the 22-inch mark." The action remains very good in the south Aqueduct in Kern County, but the majority of linesides remain of less than legal size. Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield touted a variety of lures including RatLTraps, tubes or rip baits while bait fishermen are using blood worms, sand worms, anchovies or sardines. The cold weather has eliminated most of the moss and grass in the aqueduct system, but there is debris. Anglers should use caution in icy conditions along the banks and the cold water temperatures of the canals.

Eastman Lake

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

Eastman is showing signs of life with bass in the 4- to 5-pound range landed. Merritt Gilbert said, "Anglers have been averaging from 10 to 12 fish per trip working from 20 to 40 feet in depth, but, the best cut is coming at 50 feet in depth near the dam with jigs. To find the better fish, you can expect to receive three to six bites per day." Trout fishing is fair with occasional fish landed from the banks with Power Bait or by trollers pulling blade/crawler combinations or Wedding Rings tipped with a night crawler behind a dodger. A trout plant is this week. The lake is on the middle boat ramp on the Codorniz Campground side and the top ramp on the Chowchilla Day Use side. Boaters are encouraged to launch from the Codorniz ramp if they wish to avoid the long walk to the parking lot. The area inside the 5-mph buoys is very shallow and hazards are not marked. The Lakeview Trail is closed to hunting but open to all other use between the Codorniz Recreation Area and Raymond Bridge. The lake rose a half foot to 513 feet in elevation and 31%.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

Hensley Lake

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

Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun said Hensley is "a dead sea right now." One experienced bass fishermen worked six hours for a single bite. A few trout have been taken from banks with Power Bait or night crawlers, but the action is fair at best. The crappie bite up the river arm has dried up. A trout plant is this week. The lake rose 1 foot to 486 feet in elevation and 28%.
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