• Napa River

Last week, Chad Hole of Sweeney’s Sports said that warmer weather following the muddy run-off would get the sturgeon bite going.

Yep, it did. Sturgeon hunters are targeting and catching legal fish on shrimp in the south river.

Try the Southern Crossing/the towers/further down by Buoy 13. This cold front coming through right now will shut it down a bit, but should keep the river muddy.

Stripers like this mud. They can hide in it. You might want to hang up your lures and trolling gear for a while; switch over to cut and live baits from the bank.

• Lake Berryessa

It has been a good winter bass bite here all season. With smallies and spots in the mix, you get a lot of varied action. You can score with almost everything you like to toss — jerk baits, lipless crank baits, jigs, plastics and drop shots. The warmer weather will just continue to improve this situation.

Troll for trout at the surface with your favorite “metal.” Stay low and slow with tiny jigs and minnows around brush and docks for crappie.

• San Pablo Dam Reservoir

Just opened last weekend. Their “Whopper Board” isn’t operational yet. Stay tuned.

• Clear Lake

A couple of my friends boated and released five bass totaling more than 22 pounds. This continues to support the news that this bite is opening up. It’s interesting that a couple of big bass have been caught on tiny crappie lures in tradition crappie honey holes. Maybe that’s where all the crappie have gone — the bass ate them. The two secrets to the bite going wide open will be consistently warmer night temperatures, followed by the April full moon.

Be there or be square.

• Northern Steelhead rivers

Here’s what I heard on the phone from the north coast (especially the Smith and the Chetco): “Water clear, rain coming, prime time.”

I saw plenty of pictures of ironheads more than 15 pounds to stock the Napa phone book. The present key Smith stages (depths) are DRF at 15.3 feet and JED at 8.6. Give me a couple more light rains through Monday and get out of the way. Stan Press and I are going up for our annual steelie trip next week.

• Last chance to

tune up before spring

These final chilly nights of winter are perfect for tuning your flytying/flyfishing skills for the upcoming seasons.

Greg Schuerger at Sweeney’s Sports has a couple of programs that can make all the difference for you. (One of them can be a perfect spring birthday or Easter gift for the angler who has everything.)

Call Greg at 255-5544 or e-mail him at thehackler1@hotmail.com for details and to sign up:

• Sage Spey Rod Clinic hosted by Sweeney’s Sports on the American River, Saturday, March 10. Cost is $150. Instructor will be Bill Lowe. Bill is a real pro and close by.

2. Fly Tying II California Style. This is Greg’s most popular class for tyers. It is $100 and sessions are scheduled for March 14,16, 21 and 23.

• Bodega Bay

Look at these real-time stats at the Bodegas Charter dock at mid-day Tuesday: Wind — 1.9 K, gusts to 3.9. Average wave period is 6.6 sec., barometer is 30.20 and steady with air temperature at 51.6 and water at 52.2. You all know the problem in the winter; conditions change in an hour.

I urge you to call them at 463-3618 before you head out.