I just read about Carp - but I've never seen one - at least not that clearly in a photo. Wow, that is a big fish! What is it like to eat?
BTW, hopefully to compliment you, but Santa (that's you) brings gifts that keep on giving...

Now if that does not say it all, nothing would. Delightful picture!!

Hi all, it's nice to see exchanges that include the location and something about the baits/lures used. Maybe it is the "rule" that information is not included, to protect the fishing hole of the person writing, and I guess that is Okay. But I have seen this website used to exchange between individuals as if it was their own listserv. If that is to be the case, I'd suggest that those members start their own listserv and allow this site for the greater good (improvement!) of the other members who wish to enjoy through learning some aspect of their fishing knowledge they did not know. Apologies to those that I may have offended... :|

One other thought - if you are a fly fisherman or a super light rod person - and you are fit, there are some streams in the Santa Cruz mountains that resemble Sierra streams. Generally winter and spring for the flow. Trout are fairly plentiful. It’s hard work getting there (that’s why the fish are reasonably good) and if you are out for a few days in winter, and it rains, can be pretty cold.

Hello, unless I’m at the wrong place Sadie Cliffs looks like an industrial pond…? If that is the location, is there really trout in there at this temperature? Not critical, just curious before trekking out there.
Other comments:
Lexington - a bit perplexing - looks like an ideal reservoir but hard to find a good location. There is one fair spot but you cannot get there by bank access. There are some infrequent bass, no trout that I’ve ever seen, but there is a ghost town at the bottom of the reservoir that was vacated to create it. It was revealed a few years ago when the powers that be emptied the water to make repairs. The res is currently ~ 95% full.
Loch Lomond - Santa Cruz mountains. Cannot use your own dinghy. Rent an electric boat if you want but reserve. Kayaks available. 1/2 the res is accessible by trail for bank fishing. Swimming prohibited (it is part of Santa Cruz’s water supply system). Very strict! Fishing is average at best altho trout are there when the water is cold. Right now very deep - maybe 50-90’. . Heavily used on weekends but maybe 20 people weekdays. Call to check openings and hours - they change.
Use gps to get there and when on the winding section, drive slow and watch for signs - easy to miss. Once there it is very pretty, perhaps the best in the whole Bay Area. Not called Lock Lomond for nothing.
Del Valle- big and relatively deserted weekdays. They say heavily use weekends. Rental 9 hp rental dinghies, same fish profile as LL. Can be lucky but generally fish are pressured. You can see some big bass(?) right near the ramp in about 10-20’ sometimes, but they won’t bite. Too smart it seems! I’ve seen guys fishing for catfish, trolling for strippers… Never seen one caught but the pics are there in the bait shop. Can get very windy in the afternoon so if you rent a boat plan your day. Some nice coves, etc. about 1/2 the banks are trailed, rest are not.

My role model…! Some people have the knack!

It appears that the old bridge is on the east river. Maybe I’m mistaken but I thought this great day’s fishing was on the west. Looks like the west river runs about 35 mile…. That’s a nice stretch!

Steve, I’d say that shark is gone. Like you, I worry about the sustainability of fish populations. Salmon is exhibit one - and depending on what side of the story you are, it’s all BS, or the stock is in trouble. Sharks like this, maybe more clear. When I sailed from Hawaii to Anacortes, WA we saw only an occasional seabird likely because of an absence of food, Pribiloff seals a thousand miles from any land, and one only Mahi Mahi. Zero other fish seen or caught (for food). Fish factory boats from Asia and now China are running nets 5-10 mile long, most still without the safety holes for turtles,etc, to escape. There’s no question that the oceans are in trouble. I “regular” and fly fish both salt and fresh, and my hooks are almost always barbless, and all river catches are released. I was at Loch Lomond in the Santa Cruz hills yesterday. Trout were deep at about 70-100’ I was told. There were delightfully only about 20 people around or on the whole reservoir, and checking with the the ranger at the very end of the day, he said that one person caught one bass. He said too much pressure and fished out. Believe him or not.

That looks like a southern Sierra Nevada stream. Very pretty.

That would be right. Sixty lb of assorted fish. Altho one of mine was a 45 lb Halibut-I gave away some of it. Largest Halibut caught by an angler that week was 80lb. Largest last season was 145 lb. All at 120’ + depth.

Just returned from a week in Elfin Cove Water's Edge lodge, two hours out of Juneau, and one entrance away from the Gulf of Alaska. Fished for King, Silver, rock fish of all kinds, and Halibut. Pleased to say that all caught and in the case of the black rock fish, there were up to five at a time chasing the silver lure to the surface. Seemed like there was not one under 5-6 lb. Limit was two King a day, three to take home - but you were lucky to catch that - even in Alaska, there are limits and there are not that many to catch this year. Govt just put a limit for the commercial guys and they are not happy at all. The weird weather stretched up there as well. Normally "reasonable" weather for the Gulf was not for sure! Three days produced freezing cold, up to 8-10' seas and 15-25 knots wind. These were self-drive 22' fiberglass boats, with 120 horse Yamaha (seems they own the market), with out much wind protection. We scarily surfed back down one wave one late afternoon to the pass through into calmer waters at a top speed that I could glance at one time of about 25 knots. Lots of throttle work. Interesting stuff. Fishing was a little hit or miss - one morning it was good with big Silvers, Halibut, other times trying to keep warm... My first time in Alaska, and I was blown away. Stunning vistas, and even flying into Juneau, was magnificent. Bald eagle family outside the window, 11' tide to watch come in and out. The island has the largest population of bears per square mile in the world. Do NOT go out looking to fly fishing the streams with out heavy armament! Came back with +/- 60 lb fish. Alaska Airlines knows how to handle all this and the lodge had packaged up tight. Great experience. Pix of that bird..., 32" 22lb, King - one of two that day. Limit is 28" Hard to tell them from Silver's sometimes. Don't get caught with < 28"!

I'mm curious, w
here is Skinner Bay - it does not show on the maps programs...

Well, well, and wow!! What was the miracle bait for the days that you fished?? Very nice catch...

Is the Carson river dammed, and if so, how many? There should be a report somewhere of the cfm they are releasing…

Yes, sorry, I was referring to Baum Lake.