Napa River

According to Pat Fetzer, along with fishing partner Jim Sullivan, he caught 78 keeper-sized striped bass in his most recent five trips in the Cuttings Wharf area.

He recommends trolling with large swim baits or Broken-back Rebels.

This report looks like a harbinger of a great striper season on our river.

Sacramento River

We all are looking for some ray of hope that the fall salmon run here will be better than last year. While not conclusive, here is a small tally of improvement.

Adult salmon counted after July 1, 2008 at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam counting station totaled 3,990.

For the same period last year, the count was only 2,272.

California Delta

My favorite striper/sturgeon captain is Barry Canevaro (916-777-6498). He told me that they had striper limits all around on Monday.

Shad was the go-to bait. His “six pack” is just the right size for a family or group of friends to buy out the boat.

Now is the time to get your booking — the colder water will improve fishing for all species as we go forward.

He also mentioned the annual Delta Seminar to be held Saturday, Sept. 27 at Hap’s Bait & Tackle, 84 Main in Rio Vista.

This all-day session with the pros has plenty of time built in for one-on-one instruction and lots of Qs and As.

Clear Lake

Judy Laverty and I were on the lake with pro guide Bob Myskey (349-4460) last week.

The bite was light and tough.

We worked hard to boat and release a dozen large mouth bass. It’s kind of “run and gun” — catch a couple here, then you need to hit another spot.

Water temperature was 74, best depth was 20 feet, most effective lures were natural-colored Baby Brush Hogs and six-inch worms rigged wacky style.

San Pablo Dam Reservoir

Here’s the top of the current Whopper Board.

Pedro Moreno caught a seven-pound large mouth bass at the Pines.

Wanchow and Mueuy Saechow fooled two major catfish with “stinky stuff” by the Tower. One was 16 pounds, 11 ounces; the other was 10 pounds, 10 ounces.

Good news: Look for regular plants of hatchery trout to resume starting early October through closing.

Klamath River

Four of us will fish for king salmon on the Klamath with pro guide Kevin Brock (800-995-5543) Monday and Tuesday.

Early reports are “cold weather” and “good fishing.” Stay tuned.

Bodega Bay

Bodega Charters (463-3618) provided the current weather conditions as of Sept. 19:

• Wind speed of 10 knots, gust to 12, direction southeast.

• Air/water temperatures were even at 59 degrees.

• Atmospheric pressure — 29.99 with a slight drop.

• Wave height is 6 feet.

They are booking giant squid runs from now right through Jan. 2009.

There is no bag limit. With weights up to 40 pounds, you can bring home a truckload.