It was 34 degrees last Friday morning when I got up, packed everything, and went to meet Bill Ryan, our fishing forecast editor for the Napa Valley Register, and outdoor editor for the St. Helena Star. Bill is a very enthusiastic fisherman. I imagine that is a part of everything he does, from the days with the theater in New York to vice president of operations at Beringer. Now retired, Bill loves to fish and travel.

We had this date set, depending on weather, for a week or so, to fish for big bass with big minnows at Clear Lake. We launched at the city park in Lakeport and started fishing around docks by the lagoon, and then other hot spots near Lakeport. It was a beautiful day. At about 10:30 a.m., it began to warm up, and there was no wind. My first cast resulted in a small bass, and then my second fish was over five pounds. In all, Bill and I landed eight bass. The biggest was just over five pounds, and there were also two four-pounders in our bag of eight. We lost at least that many and wrapped it up at 2 p.m. Life is good, and big minnow fishing is fun. If you have a chance to fish with Bill Ryan in his bass boat, you're in for a treat.

Napa River sturgeon

and striper trip

Last week I had a chance to join Ray Sercu, Kevin Bentley, Bob Fisher and John Ross aboard the Rajen Sue for a wonderful calm water outing in the lower Napa River. We caught mitten crabs and undersized striper and had a great time. Kevin landed one keeper striper that weighed about six pounds. Kevin was once again, our outstanding chef. Bob Fisher was our chief storyteller; he has his own fishing Web site at www.SportfishWorld.com.

Winter hot spots

March is the last month of "winter" fishing, but as the temperatures start to warm, the fishing picture will change. As for now and the next few weeks, with the new rains, sturgeon and striper action should improve.

Fishing Lake Tahoe should be a winner. The mackinaw are in shallower water and on the bite. As the water clears (usually three to five days), get ready for steelhead on the Smith, Eel, Trinity, Chetko, or Klamath. Most of our local streams are producing down streamers.

Bass action continues in nice weather for winter pre-spawners at most lakes, including Berryessa, Clear Lake and Lake Hennessey. The temperatures need to be in the mid 70's and 80's for at least a week before the bass will move into the shallows for pre-spawning activity. That is usually in mid-April and through May.

Local trips

I got together with my son for some dates and my wife for some plans, and in the next few weeks I plan to hike and fish at Sea Ranch on the coast, take more striper trips in the bay, and enjoy another trip to Berryessa. I also plan to conduct some turkey scouting prior to the opener on March 25. We have tentatively set May 23 through May 28 for our Oregon trip to the Cascades and Newberry Crater. Anyone wishing to join us for our Oregon trip just call me.

Napa Valley Register outdoors columnist George Carl can be reached at 253-0665 or gcarl@sbcglobal.net