Napa River. No, I don't have to come to Napa to see what the river looks like. I'm sorry to say that I can see that brown muck we are sending you when I cross the river right here in St. Helena. Looks like it is blown out again -- for a while. Keep trying for sturgeon south of the bridge. They are the only creatures that like this color water.

Lake Berryessa. The report from Spanish Flat was grim except for some bass in the Putah Creek arm/Capell Cove and a few crappie early on little jigs or minnows. Got to get some clearer water before the bite returns. Jim Munk says that the key indicators for a fat spring bass bite are redbud blooms and the April full moon. I don't predict redbud blossoms but the April full moon is on the 11th -- my birthday. Jim is a better angler than I am -- but I've been told that the "dark of the moon" is also a hot time for big fish. Try it on March 29 if you can't wait till April.

San Pablo Dam Reservoir. Same old story -- bad weather and murky water have created some tough fishing.

Best bet is targeting trout with a night crawler and lots of attractant to call them in. Use a long leader and be patient. They just had a plant of a thousand pounds for trout this past week. This will continue throughout the year.

Clear Lake. This water is still clearing slowly. Look for a good and long spring bite when it does. I'm going to wait till the 27th to try it again. Hope to have some good news for you then.

Bodega Bay. In addition to a roller coaster weather pattern that have kept boats a the dock, the news of a possible no salmon season for 2006 has cast some gloom over the area. However, the salmon season here is presently scheduled to open April 1 -- so make your reservations at Wil's Bait & Tackle (875-2323). The authorities have to give the fleet two weeks' notice of closure -- so, if they do, you'll have time to fish or change plans

California Delta. After a couple of almost perfect fishing weeks in February, the weather has punished this region again. Tough to launch, tough to boat, tough to fish until we get some consistently stable weather. I'll try to keep you posted.

Sacramento River. Just look at these wildly changing flows over the past month: 33,000 cfs, 15,000, 8,000 and this week 25,000 cfs. Fish hate these fluctuations and won't bite. Add to that the heavy winds and strong rainstorms and it's time to take a break till the sun shines for a while.

Smith River. Lots of rain in the north country -- mostly good news for a change. The Smith clears quickly and gets back into fishing shape better than most other coastal California rivers -- sometimes taking only a couple of days.

I heard of an 18 pound wild steelhead caught Saturday before this last storm. Right now (Tuesday at 1 p.m.) the stages (depths) at JED and DRF are 13.3 feet and 18.3 feet and they are dropping.

Optimums are around 9 to 10 feet at JED and 15 to 17 at DRF. If it stays dry, fishing will be good by the time you read this.

A couple of us will be making our annual trek to Crescent City on the 19th to battle Mr. Steelie with Kevin Brock. Stay tuned; the season remains open till the end of April.