Two weeks of rain have yielded to a few days of sunshine here on stunning Clear Lake. The best possible news comes in reading of the Rumsey gauge. Our lake has been short on the water level now for a couple of years. As of today, the Rumsey met the 91-year average water level. Frankly, I'm just simply stoked!

With more rain to come as we put more winter days behind us and spring ahead of us, I think the overall health of Clear Lake should be nothing short of phenomenal.

And to give us another much needed shot in the arm, the fishing is flat fabulous on the bass front. Crappie (anglers) still haven't made an appearance. There's nothing big going on the catfish side either, but bassers beware – the bass bite is excellent right now.

Live bait rules. That's the lesson. We know that our winter season usually means a better bite on live minnows than artificials, but this whole season has been exceptional in proving that out.

Five independent reports on Thursday (from nearly a dozen anglers) are telling. Bass are eating jumbo minnows aggressively in the south end of the lake. The water in the very southern tip of the Redbud Arm is quite stained from the heavy runoff coming in streams and creeks. The water clarity returns once you're north of Monitor Point/Monitor Island. Jago Bay was also reported as clear.

Key depths mentioned in the reports were 10 to 20 feet. Rocks and rock piles were target areas.

Fishing Guide Bob Koch added that the best strategy is to fish the spots you believe will be holding fish. You'll either load up right away or move on to another spot. The bass were tightly schooled. Once you've "worn out" a spot, meaning that the fish have stopped biting or the bite has slowed, move on to another. Repeat the strategy and you'll stay on the fish.

Crappie and crappie anglers have been noticeably absent this year. If you come, report in and we'll get the word out. If not, we'll just wait until next year ...

With the bass bite as good as it has been in years, the catfish aren't getting much attention. I wonder if they've noticed ... Perhaps they're having a party with the crappie celebrating the lack of pressure.

 

That's it for now. Hope to see you while the sun is shining...

 

The Clear Lake Ducks Unlimited chapter is gearing up for our Feb. 20 banquet. Merchandise – that's prints, sculptures, knives, guns and more – has been chosen and ordered. The banquet reservations have been made. Dinner and raffle tickets are on sale at Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake or Lakeport Camper in Lakeport. Come join your Clear Lake DU chapter and be a part of something fabulous in 2010.

Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-994-FISH (3474). Visit the store online at www.994Fish.com .