You know, everyone is always so excited about catching a big fish, but sometimes it's a long hard path that no one else sees or wants to take -- and that's exactly why we keep fishing!

P.S. No, I'm not saying where I caught it or what I used -- you understand!

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 * *

In the California Aqueduct in Fresno and Madera counties, Patrick Movey of the Fisherman's Warehouse in Fresno reported, "More fishermen are going now and if you get onto the right headgate, you can pull them out with either white flukes or Lucky Craft 128s in American shad." Consistent action remains in the south aqueduct in Kern County with Pete Cormier of Bob's Bait in Bakersfield reporting, "Anglers continue to catch multiple striped bass, but the majority of bass are undersized. You still have to go through multiple fish to score a keeper."

Eastman Lake

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

Merritt Gilbert of Valley Rod and Gun touted the lake as the top local reservoir for quality bass with experienced anglers picking up eight to nine per outing with a few in the 3-pound range. A slow presentation with jigs or drop-shot plastics at 30 to 50 feet over structure is working for the larger bass, and a smaller grade in the 1- to 2-pound range is coming up to the shallows at 15 feet in the afternoons on warm days. Ranger Andrew Steele of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ranger Station reported an overall slow bite with Keith and Austin McGraw taking first in Saturday's Mid-Valley Bass tournament at 12.30 pounds, anchored by a kicker at 5.02 pounds. Roboworms on the drop-shot led to their success. Steele reported good trout action due to last week's plant. The lake is on the middle ramp on the Codorniz Campground side and on the top ramp on the Chowchilla Day Use side. Be aware of unmarked hazards such as submerged rocks and trees. The Lakeview Trail is closed to hunting but open to all other use between the Codorniz Recreation Area and Raymond Bridge. The area extending upstream from the Keep Out buoy line is closed to fishing and boats. The lake rose slightly to 514 feet in elevation and 31% capacity. Mark Inman said the new Six Star Tackle Box Too is now open at 29849 Highway 145 outside Madera with lots of new tackle, lures and live bait for bass, trout, crappie and catfish as well as licenses and convenience items. The store, open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., is set up to handle anglers going to Eastman, Hensley, Millerton and Bass Lake. Inman said the store was already getting good traffic.
Call: Eastman Lake 689-3255

Hensley Lake

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

Hensley remains very slow for bass fishing and Merritt Gilbert reported, " An experienced bass angler released two trout to 14.5 inches while only receiving one bass bite." Trout fishermen have been heading up to Shaver or south to Pine Flat for more consistent action. Bank trout action continues to be fair at best with night crawlers or various colors of Power Bait. The lake rose nearly 1 foot to 487 feet and 29%. The new Six Star Tackle Box Too is open on Highway 145 outside Madera with a large selection of lures, live bait and convenience items.
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