BY CHUCK WOLF
OROVILLE – The kings are in, but the upper zone of the Feather River from the Outlet Hole to Live Oak closed on September 15 and these fish are now out of reach. Despite the short season, a reduced take, the crowds and the shenanigans, most anglers were just happy to be on the water, and for many, back on the fish. Catch numbers were probably as good as could have been expected given the low number of returning fish but anglers who took fish were rewarded with some bigs. There were days when numbers were low, but the average fish topped 20 pounds. There were bigger fish taken and there was a 32 pounder taken from the shore during the late afternoon on closing day. Boats that were able to hold in the current or fish the racetrack, also saw some good numbers and boats that fished the deeper holes in the lower sections towards Gridley took fish, but the fish were scattered and a bit harder to find.
The river section between Live Oak and the Highway 99 bridge will remain open until October 31, but anglers fishing this section will have to change their tactics. The river is wider, and the flow is slower. Bank opportunities are limited, and bead flossing is generally left on the upper river. In this section, boat anglers will certainly hold the advantage and fishing Brad’s Killer Fish, Silvertrons and side drifting roe will become much more effective. Bank anglers who can find access should shift over to spoons and spinners. Silvertrons and Mepps Flying-C spinners are always a good start point. Drifting roe under a bobber may also work in the slower flows but will wash out quickly in fast-moving water.
There are already several guides who have been focused on this section, even before the upper section closed. After a moderately successful opener, guides like “Rustic” Rob Reimers, and Guide Pete Franco shifted down to Live Oak and Yuba City. Reimers has fished almost exclusively with Silvertrons and has posted fish after most trips. Franco has mixed things up a bit more and has taken fish on Brads Killer Fish, and roe. Both are covering a lot of water but are finding a good mix of older fish and an improving number of chromers. Franco reported good numbers in the Yuba area, but also a bit of lockjaw.
River flow and temperature will be critical to the success of the remaining season. Currently, flows have fluctuated between the most recent low of 4,250 CFS, and a high of almost 6,500 CFS on September 21 through at least 25 September. The high flows, the upcoming full moon on October 6 and water temperatures that drop below the current high of 64.7 degrees, should be more than enough to pull in some new fish.
