California Sportsman Magazine - June 2022

FISHING • HUNTING • TRAVEL CALSPORTSMANMAG.COM

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Alaska Elite Outfitters –

Conquer The Wild

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laska Elite Outfitters (AEO) was started by Mike Vanstrom, who is an experienced hunting guide and fisherman. Born and raised on a farm in Southeast Minnesota near Rochester, he grew up on the farm, spending his summers fishing and his falls bow and rifle hunting whitetail deer throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.

After moving to Alaska in 2002, he began packing that same year and began guiding in Alaska in 2004. Michael is an avid rifle and bow hunter and has guided in Alaska for many years, where he has led hundreds of hunters and fishermen through the Alaskan wilderness for their adventure of a lifetime.

Taking his lifelong passion for hunting and fishing, he specializes in trophy brown bear, moose, and king and silver salmon adventures. Past clients that continue to come back can vouch for Michael’s expertise, knowledge of the area, and the guarantee of a great Alaskan experience.

Alaska Brown Bear Hunt AEO utilizes various hunting methods to harvest Alaska brown bears. Besides hunting moose carcasses, spot-and-stalk hunting, and floating the river where they travel, they also utilize several calling methods to bring big bears in close. AEO also utilizes vantage points for spot-and-stalk hunts as these bears move from denning areas to the river drainage. Hunting by jet boat, they travel up and down the river corridors.

Hunts are conducted in Southwest Alaska in the Game Management Unit 17 near Bristol Bay. Their bear hunting season is open for over nine months per year. As a result, AEO offers four months (April, May, Au-

In addition to that, they set you up with all the gear, bait and freezer boxes, as well as fish cleaning and packaging, for your fully guided fishing trip.

gust and September) of prime bear hunting opportunity. They hunt brown bears in the spring and fall every year with a limit of two bears per year.

Their historical success rate is 75 to 80 percent, depending on the year and weather.

Alaska Moose Hunting AEO offers a fully guided top quality moose hunting experience. By taking a limited number of hunters into their vast area, they keep the quality high. AEO efficiently uses jet boats for hunting the trophy bull moose in the area. Cow calling, bull grunts and brush thrashing are the primary methods of getting big bulls within gun and bow range.

Moose hunts are held in early September during the pre-rut, when the bulls are very receptive to calling.

Alaska King Salmon Fishing Alaska Elite Outfitters provides its clients with a fantastic opportunity to fish on the famous Nushagak River for the most massive Alaska king salmon (Chinook) run in the world.

King salmon fishing packages are all-inclusive once you arrive in the main camp, 20 miles downriver from Ekwok, Alaska. In the field, AEO provides three meals a day plus snacks for all their guests.

Hunting and Fishing Camp Alaska Elite Outfitters is located overlooking the Nushagak River. There is a wooden cooking lodge at the hunting and fishing camp, with a stove, freezer, refrigerator and icemaker, where meals are prepared and served. The field has showers with hot running water and electricity for clients to clean up at the end of the day.

Their main hunting camp is a wooden cabin with kitchen, steam bath and outhouses. The other main hunting camps are tents with wood stoves or propane heaters.

Contact Mike Vanstrom, owner-operator, at 218-434-0068 or email mike@ alaskaeliteoutfitters.com to reserve your adventure. For more information, visit alaskaeliteoutfitters.com.

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estled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, High Adventure Ranch offers all of the excitement of western big game hunting without the costs and hassles.

Be prepared for a fair chase hunt! With over 3 square miles of prime natural habitat, our ranch provides challenges to even the most seasoned hunter, but our experienced guides and “No Game, No Pay” policy practically ensure that you won’t go home empty handed. In addition, High Adventure’s hunting season is year-round, allowing ample time to fit the most demanding schedule.

While our whitetail, elk, wild boar and red stag hunts top our hunter’s most popular lists, hunters from around the world have visited our ranch, hunting everything from American bison, black buck, fallow deer to Spanish goats and African game.

So, whether you desire a 10-point whitetail mount for your trophy room or simply the thrill and challenge of taking down one of our many elusive big game animals, High Adventure Ranch guarantees memories of an unparalleled hunting experience that will bring you back again and again.

Red Stag We are 8,000 miles closer than New Zealand.

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Call Charles (ranch owner) 314-293-0610 or Brad 314-578-4590 highadventureranch.com

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California

Sportsman

Volume 14 • Issue 8

Your LOCAL Hunting & Fishing Resource

PUBLISHER James R. Baker

INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn

GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@calsportsmanmag.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott

CORRESPONDENCE Email ccocoles@media-inc.com Twitter @CalSportsMan Facebook.com/californiasportsmanmagazine

EDITOR Chris Cocoles CONTRIBUTORS Jason Brooks, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Todd Kline, Bill Schaefer SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold

ON THE COVER Kazden Haugen shows off a nice rainbow.

Summer temperatures can make trout fishing a little more challenging, but knowing how to find cooler, deeper river water can still make for a productive day this month and beyond.

(SCOTT HAUGEN)

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Kelley Miller, Mike Smith DESIGNER Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker DIGITAL STRATEGIST Jon Hines DIGITAL ASSISTANT Jon Ekse ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Katie Aumann

16 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

MEDIA INC PUBLISHING GROUP 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120 Renton, WA 98057 (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com www.mediaindexpublishing.com

CONTENTS

VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 8

KEEP IT COOL TO TRICK SUMMER TROUT The cool waters of spring produce outstanding trout fishing in California. But even as many lakes heat up in summer, many rivers continue to have cooler water that fish congregate in. Whether you’re a lure chucker or prefer to cast flies, Scott Haugen offers up some of his best summer trout fishing tips in his From Field to Fire column, topped by wife Tiffany Haugen’s latest fish recipe.

47

(U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE)

FEATURES

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

33 RELOCATING SACRAMENTO CHINOOK

23 25 29 31 63 67

A collaborative effort by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and federal Bureau of Reclamation is relocating threatened winter- and spring-run king salmon to the cooler waters of the Sacramento River’s North Fork Battle and Clear Creeks to spawn in and for their progeny to rear. Get the details about the ambitious plans meant to help the iconic Golden State salmon “become more climate resilient and drought resilient for a brighter future.”

41

73

The Editor’s Note The Adventures of Todd Kline Photo contest winners Outdoor calendar Offseason training for gun dogs Company profile: Timber King Outfitting’s Alberta, Mexico trophy hunts Company profile: High Adventure Ranch’s Ozark big game, exotic hunts

THE BASS LIFE CYCLE

Anglers tend to focus on specific times to target their favorite fish. The peak of bass fishing season is the spawning/postpawn times of spring, but bassing guru Bill Schaefer argues that developing a broader understanding of the annual life cycle of Southern California largemouth and smallies will make you a better angler. Schaefer gets into the mind of the state’s iconic bass and dishes on how to become a successful year-round fisherman.

55 FAMILY BUSINESS AT COLLINS LAKE

Editor Chris Cocoles and his niece Ashley recently fished at Yuba County’s Collins Lake in the Sierra foothills. While two trout were hooked but got away from the editor’s line, it was a great experience fishing at this longtime family-run resort. We caught up with Jacob Young, grandson of the founder, who shared the backstory of a wonderful destination for fishing, camping – and some of the best ice cream around.

Read California Sportsman on your desktop or mobile device. Go to www.calsportsmanmag.com/digital California Sportsman is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues). Send check or money order to Media Index Publishing Group, or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2022 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 18 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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THEEDITOR’SNOTE

A day of fishing at Collins Lake was a brief moment of peace for the editor in a tumultuous time for our country. (CHRIS COCOLES)

A

dmittedly, I’m having a difficult time with this space because my thoughts and focus have been on the communities of Uvalde, Texas, and before that, Buffalo, New York, which both were broken by senseless and horrific shootings within about 10 days of each other.

All I can hope for now is our elected officials can put aside their differences, finger pointing, and frankly, hatred for each other, and come up with sensible solutions to help prevent future tragedies.

But I don’t feel confident that will happen.

I found it devastatingly ironic that these events happened leading up to the Memorial Day Weekend, when we honor those men and women who lost their lives fighting for all of us who are supposed to feel safe due to their bloodshed. Right now, I don’t feel very safe. Should anyone?

I was hoping to write a little more about family and the upcoming Father’s Day celebration this month based on my experience at Northern California’s Collins Lake (page 55), where I fished with my niece Ashley and had a wonderful conversation with Jacob Young, who is now part of the third generation of his family running the campground and resort at this popular fishery an hour north of Sacramento.

Young has two children, ages 4 and 2, and they will soon be in school like the kids were in Uvalde when theirs and their families’ lives were shattered. Such a thought haunts me now. My fishing partner that day, Ashley, is a new mom of an adorable 1-year-old sparkplug named Weston, who we are already dressing in San Jose Sharks gear so someday he can root for his great uncle’s and grandma’s beloved hockey team. It won’t be that long until he’ll be a student, and I’m already a bit worried about his safety.

Young told me about a recent early evening at the lake, when he took his two young kids shore fishing not far from where Ashley and I tried our luck.

“We did not catch anything, but it was more of an entertaining/ teaching experience for them. I think they had more fun rolling the PowerBait into a ball than the actual fishing,” Jacob said with a laugh.

The simplistic joy of fishing is something that offers me some peace and normalcy in the anything-but-normal world we live in.

And it breaks my heart that those families in Uvalde – not to mention Buffalo – will never get to experience that joy again. -Chris Cocoles calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

23

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s e r u t n e v d A

I recently fished the Anglers Marine Customer Appreciation tournament at San Vicente Reservoir near San Diego. It’s such a great event, with not only 100 percent of entries paid back, but tons of prizes handed out, including a Ranger boat. Pretty awesome how they give back to the community like they do! (TODD KLINE)

W

e’re not ashamed to admit it: Todd Kline has the kind of life we wish we could experience. Kline’s a former professional surfer, a successful co-angler on the FLW Tour and a Southern California bass guide, plus he gets to travel the world as a commentator for the World Surf League’s telecasts. Todd has agreed to give us a peek on what he’s up to each month. For more on Todd or to book a guided fishing trip with him, check out toddklinefishing.com, and you can follow him on Instagram at @toddokrine. –The Editor

My partner Josh Park and I were able to wrangle enough bass at San V for a sixth-place finish in the Masters Division and a decent check. (TODD KLINE)

Our son Dylan played lacrosse this year at his high school as a freshman. We enjoyed a year-end function for his interscholastic athletics program. (TODD KLINE) calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

25

The Coolbaits Underspin is one of the key baits that’s been catching fish for both my clients and myself. (TODD KLINE) The bite is beginning to turn on. Our favorite period of the year is starting to take place, and there is nothing like seeing bass smash the SPRO Frog.

Happy fishing, everyone! (TODD KLINE)

It’s been a good month for guiding, highlighted by this 9-pounder for this happy angler. Thanks to all of my clients for the continued business! (TODD KLINE) California Sportsman | calsportsmanmag.com 26 26 California Sportsman JUNEJUNE 20222022 | calsportsmanmag.com

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

27

PHOTO

CONTEST

WINNERS!

Stefanie Parrish is the winner of our monthly Fishing Photo Contest, thanks to this shot of son Wyatt with a big eastern Washington walleye. It wins her a knife and light from Coast!

Jay Fox is our monthly Coast Hunting Photo Contest winner, thanks to this pic of he and successful gobbler-hunting lads Jon Ludwig and Easton Fox from Washington’s youth turkey season. It wins him a knife and light from Coast!

For your shot at winning a Coast knife and light, send your photos and pertinent (who, what, when, where) details to ccocoles@media-inc.com or California Sportsman, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. By sending us photos, you affirm you have the right to distribute them for our print or Internet publications. calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

29

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

JUNE 10-11 Finest Annual Trout Invitational Tournament, Crowley Lake; crowleylakefishcamp.com 11 Kokanee Power Team Derby, Don Pedro Reservoir; kokaneepower.org

11-12 Youth Angler’s League, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta;

anglerspress.com/events/youth-angler-s-league 19 Rush Creek Clean-up and BBQ, Silver Lake Resort; silverlakeresort.net; (760) 648-7525 25 Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation Trout Tournament, Bridgeport Reservoir and East Walker River; bridgeportfish.com/tournament 25 Modoc Sportsman’s Outdoor Expo, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Alturas; (530) 640-0125

JULY

1 1-10

Rabbit and varying hare hunting season opens Mono Village Summer Fishing Derby, Upper Twin Lake; facebook.com/Mono.Village; (760) 932-7071 1-31 How Big-Is-Big Fishing Derby, West Walker River; northernmonochamber.com 2 Free fishing day, no sport license required in state waters; wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing/Free-Fishing-Days 9 Kokanee Power Team Derby, New Melones Lake; kokanee power.org 9 Zone A archery deer hunting season opens 16 Sacramento and Feather Rivers king salmon fishing season scheduled to open 23 Zone B-4 archery deer season opens 29-30 Bridgeport Fish Fest, Twin Lakes Resort; facebook.com/ twinlakesbridgeport

Note: With Covid-19 restrictions uncertain, always confirm events before attending.

For a list of upcoming bass tournaments, go to nrm.dfg. ca.gov/FishingContests/default.aspx.

Bridgeport Reservoir is one of the sites for the Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation Trout Tournament, which is scheduled for June 25. (CHRISTIAN PONDELLA/MONO COUNTY TOURISM) calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

31

FISHING

Winter-run Chinook, a threatened species in a state reeling from extended drought and concerns about the long-term future of salmon as a whole, were released above a dam on Northern California’s cool North Fork Battle Creek to give the stock a better chance of survival. (CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE)

SALMON RETURNED TO COLDER WATERS

STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES COLLABORATE ON CHINOOK RELEASES IN UPPER CLEAR, BATTLE CREEKS

By California Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation

S

tate and federal biologists have begun moving endangered adult winter-run Chinook salmon to the upper reaches of Battle Creek and threatened spring-run Chinook salmon to Clear Creek in Northern California, where colder

water temperatures will better support spawning and help their eggs survive the continuing drought.

Teams from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the US Fish and Wildlife Service are relocating the fish. Together, they will return about 300 adult winterrun Chinook salmon to native habitat above Eagle Canyon Dam on North Fork Battle Creek, about 20 miles east

of Cottonwood in Shasta and Tehama Counties, for the first time in more than 110 years.

Pacific Gas and Electric, which operates hydroelectric facilities on Battle Creek, coordinated operations to make the move possible. It is one of a series of urgent actions to help the native fish survive another year of the lasting drought and high temperatures, thiamine deficiency,

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

33

FISHING

April’s salmon release into Battle Creek’s headwaters above Eagle Canyon Dam – east of the town of Cottonwood in Shasta and Tehama Counties – marks the first time winter Chinook have swam in these waters in 110-plus years. Their progeny are expected to make it down past the dam and into the Sacramento, hopefully to return from the ocean in a few years. (CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE)

predators and other stressors that devastated the population the last two years in the Sacramento River below Shasta and Keswick Dams.

AGENCIES JOINING FORCES CDFW, USFWS, NOAA Fisheries, Bureau of Reclamation, the California Department of Water Resources and water users are coordinating efforts to save the state and federally protected species. The agencies are working closely with the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, whose culture is intertwined with salmon in the area. Other actions include:

• Managing releases of limited water stored in Shasta Reservoir into the Sacramento River, where additional spawning gravel has been placed, to improve the odds that the released water is cool enough to allow some Chinook salmon eggs in the river to survive.

• Expanding production of juvenile winter-run Chinook salmon at Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, operated by the USFWS, at the base of Shasta Dam. Offspring produced at the hatchery in recent years have helped save the species, as most of their eggs in the wild have

34 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

died. Juvenile fish will be released into the river in stages when conditions are more hospitable in the late fall and winter.

• Moving adult spring-run Chinook salmon that return up the Sacramento River to the upper reaches of Clear Creek in Shasta County to cooler water and increased chances of egg survival.

• Boosting the resilience of transported adult salmon with injections of thiamine (Vitamin B) to counter a deficiency that researchers believe has depressed survival of their offspring in recent years. The deficiency

FISHING WHAT THEY’RE SAYING Comments from agency leaders on the winter-run king salmon relocation: “The historic reintroduction of adult, winter-run Chinook salmon into the North Fork Battle Creek this spring will help secure another generation of this imperiled iconic species. This reintroduction – combined with long-term efforts to restore the Battle Creek watershed and establish a second population of winter-run beyond the Sacramento River – means we are helping this species to become more climate resilient and drought resilient for a brighter future.” -Charlton H. Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife “This marks the first time in many years that anadromous fish have been in upper Battle Creek. Releasing salmon to this location is critical during this third year of drought because water temperatures are cooler and habitat is more conducive to spawning. This action would not be possible without the support of the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project, a collaborative effort between state, federal and private agencies.” -Paul Souza, Pacific Southwest regional director for the US Fish and Wildlife Service “Strong collaboration is key to managing the limited resources we have to work within the Sacramento River Basin this third consecutive drought year.

Together, we are taking unprecedented actions to increase salmon productivity during one of the driest years on record.”

-Ernest Conant, regional director of the Bureau of Reclamation “PG&E recognizes the current critical situation for adult winter-run salmon this year and are pleased to be working with the agencies to coordinate our project operations where we can to support a successful movement of salmon to colder water to support this urgent action by the agencies.” -Jan Nimick, PG&E vice president of power generation

California Department of Fish and Wildlife staffers prepare for the release of the 300 fish. “This reintroduction – combined with long-term efforts to restore the Battle Creek watershed and establish a second population of winter-run beyond the Sacramento River – means we are helping this species to become more climate resilient and drought resilient for a brighter future,” CDFW director Charlton Bonham says. (CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE)

has been tied to shifting ocean conditions and salmon feeding primarily on anchovies compared to a more diverse diet of forage fish, krill and other species.

• Tracking the survival and reproduction of the transported fish as part of a science plan to learn from these actions to promote climate resilience of Chinook salmon. Research includes field studies to understand the productivity of historic habitat where winter salmon will be reintroduced.

The transport of adult Chinook to upper Battle Creek builds on the “jumpstart” reintroduction program that began in 2018 with annual releases of juvenile salmon in lower reaches of the creek. Many of the released fish migrated to the ocean and have returned as adults to spawn, demonstrating that Chinook salmon can reestablish themselves given habitat that remains cool enough for their eggs to survive the summer.

Hydroelectric facilities and natural barriers prevent the adult salmon

36 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

from reaching the cool, springfed waters in the upper portions of North Fork Battle Creek some 3,000 feet above the Sacramento Valley floor. Juvenile offspring of the transported adults that hatch in the creek are expected to be able to swim downstream past Eagle Canyon Dam and reach the Sacramento River.

PLACING SALMON ABOVE SHASTA DAM State and federal salmon recovery plans also call for returning winter Chinook to historical spawning habitat in the McCloud River above Shasta Dam and Reservoir. That requires a means of collecting juvenile salmon that hatch and try to swim downriver toward the ocean and need to safely get past the 600-foot-high Shasta Dam. Agencies plan to test a pilot juvenile collection system this fall.

These efforts are part of a comprehensive program in the Sacramento Valley to address all freshwater life cycle stages to benefit all four runs of Chinook in the region.

calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

37

FISHING Work will continue this year to advance science through the Sacramento River Science Partnership and to implement projects in the downstream reaches of rivers and creeks to create additional spawning habitat, side channel rearing habitat, fish food and migration barrier removal.

These efforts are also part of a longer-term recovery effort underway to address climate change and provide greater resilience for salmon by expanding access to important habitat and landscapes, including reintroduction for spawning and rearing above Shasta Dam and Reservoir, spawning in the upper reaches of Battle Creek, and food sources and safe haven in the bypasses, oxbows and historic floodplain in the lower part of the system. CS The odds are long, but state and federal agencies hope to bring back threatened winter kings. “Together, we are taking unprecedented actions to increase salmon productivity during one of the driest years on record,” says regional director Ernest Conant of the Bureau of Reclamation. (CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE)

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Editor’s note: For more on winterrun Chinook salmon, go to fisheries .noaa.gov/species/chinook-salmonprotected#spotlight.

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calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

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NEW, FIRST IF IT’S KIND, COMBO ADVENTURE FISHING PACKAGE FOR THE 2023 SEASON.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR 2023 RESERVATIONS FOR THIS EXCITING PACKAGE BY AUGUST 31ST 2022.

We are very pleased to introduce you to our one of a kind, Combo Adventure Fishing Package for the 2023 season. This is our 5 night 6 day, Combo Salmon and Sturgeon Package. This Combo Package includes: 20 hours of guided fishing for sturgeon on the world famous Fraser River and 20 hours of guided fishing for salmon, halibut and lingcod on the Wild West Coast of Vancouver Island. Zeballos Top Guides is pleased to announce that we are partnering with Great River Fishing Adventures in order to bring you this exciting Combo Salmon/Sturgeon Package.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF OUR MOST RECENT REVIEWS: This review from David M. was received on Nov.9th 2021

Dale S fished with us last month.

Fabulous weeks guided fishing w/GRFA

Great Adventures

This was our first trip to GRFA and we were blown away. Despite some challenging weather, the whole trip was fabulous end to end.

Our guide Landon was a real expert, super professional, but also a joy to fish alongside. From the Sturgeon in the Canyon to Salmon on the Harrison and Chehalis River, we were always on fish quickly. We really didn’t want to leave. So good...3 return trips already planned for 2022....Thanks guys.

This was my fifth year of Sturgeon fishing with GRFA. The guides are knowledgeable, helpful and fun. The Fraser River scenery is stunning. The boats are comfortable and well equipped. The boat ride on the Fraser River is an adventure in itself. Reeling in Sturgeon is awesome. The power of these fish is something to experience. I am already looking forward to next year, catching up with friends and catching and releasing more of these magnificent fish. GRFA is a fantastic way for friends to spend a memorable day together.

Watch Our YouTube Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpilZyz3uM0

5 NIGHT 6 DAY COMBO SALMON/STURGEON PACKAGE Includes the following: All meals, including wine with your dinner meals, 5 nights accommodations and 40 hours of guided fishing. You will spend your first 2 nights with GRFA and your next 3 nights with Zeballos Top Guides at their Lodge in Zeballos. Your 5 day fishing licenses are included along with the vacuum packing and freezing of your catch while fishing with Zeballos Top Guides. Also included is your transportation between our Great River Fishing Adventures location on the Banks of the Fraser River and the Zeballos Top Guides Lodge in Zeballos, BC Canada.

Party of 2, fishing 2 per boat...$5537.00 + tax USD PP Party of 3 fishing 3 per boat....$3633.00 + tax USD PP Party of 4 fishing 4 per boat... $3185.00 + tax USD PP How to book your Combo Salmon/Sturgeon 5 Night 6 Day Package for 2023: Go to https://www.zeballostopguides.com/contact and complete and submit the Submissions Form. If you have any questions or would like information on availability, just give us a call at 1-250-337-2158 or send an email to doug.zeballostopguides2022@gmail.com Here are the Dates for the package: May 1st to May 6th, May 6th to May 11th, May 11th to May 16th, May 16th to May 21st, May 21st to May 26th May 26th to May 31st, May 31st to June 5th, June 5th to June 10th, June 10th to June 15th, June 15th to June 20th June 20th to June 25th, June 25th to June 30th, June30th to July 5th, July 5th to July 10th, July 10th to July 15th July 15th to July 20th, July 20th to July 25th, July 25th to July 30th. September 1st to September 6th, September 6th to September 11th, September 11th to September 16th, September 16th to September 21st, September 21st to September 26th and September 26th to October 1st.

Don’t wait—packages will sell out fast! ZeballosTopGuides.com

FISHING

THE BASS LEARNING CURVE BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE FISH WILL BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE – AND LARGEMOUTH CATCHES

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

M

ost bass fishermen give up on winter or early prespawn fishing because it can be a real test for anglers, their will and their stamina.

It can be cold, rainy and just downright miserable to fish in the late and early in the year, but because the weather in Southern California is so unpredictable it could also be the most beautiful weather any day.

Winter fishing can slide seamlessly into spring and then into summer. You should always expect the unexpected and be ready to react with the proper approach for the bass.

TEMPS, BASS HEATING UP The warmer the weather, the warmer the lake’s water temperatures, and the more active the largemouth are. We all know that as the waters cool in the winter, bass become more lethargic and feed less. All it takes is for the water of a lake to start to warm again and the entire bass population will become more active. The largemouth do not have calendars, so no matter the date, the warming waters will trigger their instincts to start their prespawn or even their spawn.

Some lakes’ bass will start to spawn even as early as April if we have an unusually hot spring. Males start roaming the banks and females move up to nearby points at the ready for

Author Bill Schaefer caught this Lake Otay bass. With mild weather most of the year, Southland bass anglers can catch fish throughout the 12-month cycle once you understand how bass behave in all conditions. (BILL SCHAEFER) calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

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FISHING then you need to get something. If you are traditionally a renter of boats, then invest in a portable unit. It is one of the best things you can buy as a fisherman and it will make a world of difference.

Remember, the life cycle of the largemouth? Different times of year, different depths. If you can’t tell how deep the water is, then you may be fishing where there are no bass.

BLESSED BY GOOD WEATHER In Southern California, we are spoiled with beautiful weather. In most other states, especially back east, it is cut and dry; either it’s warm weather or freezing weather. In our corner of the country we can stay on the lakes year-round, unless they close for conservation purposes. The better you get at handling this transitional time, the more you will want to be on the water for most of the 12 months.

Another thing to remember in this transitional time is that most lakes in the Southland plant trout during the cooler months to draw in another group of fishermen. This also bodes well for largemouth anglers, because the bass love to treat themselves to these tasty morsels. If you invest in some imitation trout lures, you will also have a chance of scoring a giant while you work through winter to the prespawn.

Chuck LaVinge with a nice El Capitan Lake bass. El Capitan is one of several San Diego-area fisheries where anglers can target big fish in multiple seasons. (BILL SCHAEFER)

their mate. You could virtually miss the spawn if you don’t start thinking about it early enough. That is why most diehard bass fishermen don’t ever stop fishing if they don’t have to.

STUDY THE FISH If you do not understand the life cycle of the largemouth, then you need to read more magazines or online articles like this, watch videos and visit all the seminars you can. But most of all, get out on the water year-

round so you can better understand the cycle of your favorite lake. The better you understand where the bass have gone, any time of year, the better a fisherman you will become.

Those breaking fish you were chasing only a couple months ago will just be hunting the same schooled-up shad or baitfish, but a little deeper in the lake. They are not gone; just a little harder to find and fish for.

This is where your electronics come in. If you don’t have electronics,

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PICK A FISHERY So where should you try out this spring and summer? The answer has to be your favorite lake. Most bass fishermen usually have a top spot.

This is where they catch the most fish, know several hot spots and just plain feel the most confident in fishing. This is the place to start, because you have confidence and a starting knowledge of the lake that you can advance on and add to with experience.

If your lake closes for the winter, as many do, then fish right up to the closure and file away in your mind where the lake left off when it closed.

You could also move to one of the other lakes in your area that may

FISHING this time of year can be deadly as well. Bass crave crawdads and you should crank the rocky points with crawdad colors, but don’t overlook working the beaches between them.

Grind that crankbait down till you hit bottom, then go to a slower stopand-go retrieve, bouncing the plug off anything down there. It will look just like a crawdad scurrying along the bottom kicking up silt.

Spooning in the winter and spring can produce fish, and trout lures come in handy, as, again, most lakes also plant trout during the colder months. You can transition into the early prespawn with spinnerbaits and jigs. Carolina-rigged crawlike creatures also do very well this time of year. Flukes or anything shadlike can do well once the prespawn loads the shallows with males searching for nests. Main lake points will hold larger females that need crawdads for nutrients for spawning and will attack jigs in those patterns.

BE SEASONAL Anglers like Joel King – here with a Lake Hodges largie – are advised to take the author’s advice: “Learn the life cycle of the largemouth and you will be able to fish year-round and be successful at it.” (BILL SCHAEFER)

not close. There are still bass there to find, and if you spend enough time on the lake, you will discover where they are when you are usually home watching football in the fall.

PLOTTING YOUR PLAN Once you have spent some time experimenting and examining the bass at your favorite lake, then you should be able to plot out an attack on any lake. Timing, water temperature and weather all make a difference. Once mastered, you will see that finding the bass at any lake can be much easier year-round.

Springtime can bring a great spinnerbait and crankbait bite. You would think a lake would be too cold in the winter even though the winter

weather is mild here, but all it takes is a warming trend into spring and the fish go off in their prespawn mode. In a lake with a lot of rocks, those rocky points can help warm the water.

If the water is up at a lake, then brush and rock will litter every shoreline. The fish really gravitate to the brush when water rises, and it can be real fun going in after them.

Long lake points can hold larger fish, but will hold all sizes in late winter and spring. Drop-shot these areas with small worms in crawdad colors.

LURE OPTIONS Start out with spinnerbaits around shoreline brush. Don’t be afraid to throw past and bring it right through the middle of it. Crankbaits

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Traditionally, as lakes get cold in the winter, most fishermen give up. In the springtime, the lower-level lakes tend to warm and then as you travel east, the foothill lakes go off into their prespawn and spawn, and finally the mountain lake bass do their thing. But spend some time on the water during winter and early spring and you will find out why you may have missed the spawn one year or another. Weather plays such a big part in the spawn and it can change things at a lake so fast, you will miss it if you are not prepared.

Learn the life cycle of the largemouth and you will be able to fish year-round and be successful at it. It won’t come fast, as winter can be a brutal time to fish. But as you start to catch fish when you never thought you would, your confidence will grow with your knowledge.

Learn to fish all year and you will be able to take on any lake under any conditions. CS

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Coho Fishing The Egegik River

The Egegik River is touted by many experienced anglers as the best silver salmon stream in all of Alaska. Becharof Lodge On The Egegik River was the first fishing lodge to become established on the breathtaking Egegik River, and is less than a 5 minute boat ride from some of the best fishing holes on the entire river.

Now Booking for 2022 Coho Fishing Trips Included in your fishing trip: • 5 days fishing/5 nights stay in camp • Experienced, fully guided fishing.

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becharoflodgefishing.com

FIELD

The Mag Lip is the author’s favorite plug when it comes to trout fishing. This hatchery rainbow couldn’t resist a 2.0-sized version back-trolled through a shallow riffle. Summer warming trends make catching trout more of a challenge but completely possible when fished correctly. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

FROM FIELD...

TRICKING TROUT IN SUMMER HEAT IT’S NOT EASY, BUT STEALTHY, PATIENT ANGLERS CAN STILL SCORE RIVER FISH

By Scott Haugen

T

ypically, June marks the beginning of excessively hot days in California. While we might feel the heat, many trout rivers and streams are still running cooler.

As a result, trout will be holding in slower, less taxing waters.

As water temperatures stay cool, target trout in eddies, pockets and along slow-moving current edges.

But once the water temperature rises, trout will spread out. Hatchery

trout will still hold in the more gentle flowing water, but they’ll also move into shallow riffles for protection, food and cooler temperatures.

DEEPER IS BETTER If you want to target wild trout in June, concentrate on fishing deep holes. Due to the volume of water and boiling conditions, these can be challenging places to fish.

Once the water warms up in July, then focus on fishing fast water. In July, a lot of wild trout hold in fast-

moving water, anywhere from 3 to 8 feet deep. Of course, depth may vary depending on the river. Search for the fastest-moving riffles in the river you’re fishing, and that’s likely a good place to target wild trout in the summer heat.

CASTING CALL Whether fishing from a boat or off the bank, casting lures and spinners could be the most popular approach for trout anglers throughout California.

Hardware like the Thomas Buoyant,

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FIELD

Sprinkle of granulated onion and garlic Dash of soy sauce Dash of toasted sesame oil

... TO FIRE

A STEAMY WAY TO PREPARE SALMON

By Tiffany Haugen

T

here are endless places to find inspirational food videos, from social media to streaming services to YouTube. My favorite personality is Beryl Shereshewsky (youtube.com/c/ BerylShereshewsky), because she focuses on unique, interesting recipes contributed from all around the world. Not only do I get great ideas from her short videos, she’s a delightful human who radiates sunshine.

Highlighted in one of Beryl’s videos last year was a French chef, who simply goes

by Alex, making salmon wrapped in rice paper. This was a recipe I had to try, and because it was so delicious, I had to share my version with you.

Banh trang, or rice paper, can be found in the specialty section of any large grocery store. It takes a bit of practice working with rice paper but it’s well worth the trial and error. The added flavors to this dish can be as simple or complex as you wish.

Three sheets rice paper 1 tablespoon shredded cabbage 1 teaspoon shredded carrot 1 teaspoon minced red bell pepper One thin slice fresh ginger, optional Fresh dill, parsley and/or cilantro, chopped Inspired by a favorite chef’s YouTube page, author Tiffany Haugen uses rice paper and a steamer to create a fantastic salmon dish worth adding to your menu. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

Ingredients per portion (increase as desired) 1 4- to 6-ounce salmon fillet 48 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

Prepare salmon fillet by removing skin and any pin bones. Fill a large bowl half full of cool water. Dip rice paper in water 10 to 15 seconds or until slightly flexible. Place on a large, clean surface in a flower pattern, overlapping like a Venn diagram.

Place cabbage, carrot and bell pepper in the middle and spread to the size of the salmon fillet. Place salmon on top of cabbage mixture and add a sprinkle of granulated onion and garlic, ginger slices and herbs. Top with a dash of soy sauce and sesame oil.

Wrap rice paper securely around salmon and place seam-side down in a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for eight minutes.

Carefully remove salmon packet from steamer and serve immediately.

Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s popular book, Cooking Seafood, and other best-selling titles, visit tiffanyhaugen.com.

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FIELD

Boats and other watercraft allow you to not only access more sections of river, but to fish them multiple ways. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Mepps Spinner and Rooster Tail are traditional go-tos, but don’t be afraid to try something different, like a size 2 Blue Fox with an orange body and gold blade, which is an option that worked great for me last summer.

What I find interesting is that the previous two summers my standby gold and red Thomas Buoyant was the hot lure, but the trout shied away from it last summer. In fact, I was struggling to consistently catch trout – even hatchery fish – on any lures.

But when I tried the Blue Fox, things quickly changed.

I’m a fan of Rooster Tail spinners in a range of sizes and colors. I’ve also had good success on Rooster Tail Minnows in clear water conditions. I think the detailed design, including a prominent eye, entices finicky trout into biting.

GO THE BACK ROUTE When fishing from a boat, I love back-trolling plugs for trout. Whether I’m fishing the plugs or removing the hooks and using it as a diver with bait, this is a great way to cover water and search for trout.

The past few summers my go-to trout plug has been the Mag Lip in sizes 2.0 and 2.5. I’ll use a 3.0 Mag Lip as a diver, removing the hooks and running a 2-foot leader off the back, to which I’ll have a single egg, half of a nightcrawler or a pinch of nightcrawler with a salad shrimp threaded onto the bend of the hook.

Trout have a powerful sense of smell, so targeting more than just their sight can be the key.

FOR THE FLY GUYS Fly fishing – especially with dry flies – can be very effective for summer trout in transition. Early morning and evening are great times, as is fishing shade and riffles anytime of day. In June it’s hard to beat a green caddis.

On those cloudy days when there’s a green caddis hatch, concentrate on fishing riffles that are moving at about walking speed with a little bit of chop on the surface.

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FIELD Be sure to research the hatches on the rivers you’re fishing, as that’s the key to consistently hooking trout. Caddis flies may be prevalent all summer long, and switching to an orange or green Elk Hair Caddis pattern might entice consistent bites.

A two-fly setup can also be fantastic. A Parachute Adams, Chubby Chernobyl, Possie Bugger and a host of other beadhead nymphs are tough to beat this time of year. While these patterns can be fished on the swing, drifting and mending these presentations works well also.

ACCESSIBILITY PRINCIPLE While the majority of trout anglers fish from the riverbank, don’t overlook the value in accessing more water.

I’m often asked what my number one trick is for catching trout – as well as steelhead and salmon – in rivers throughout the West and into Alaska, and my number one reply is, “Access.”

Accessing more river means investing in a drift boat, pontoon

The author’s son Kazden Haugen was all smiles over this plump hatchery rainbow he caught on a back-trolled plug and bait. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Fly fishing for trout can be very productive in the summer months.

This rainbow fell for a purple Parachute Adams. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

boat, kayak or float tube. There are many options that will allow you to efficiently reach secluded, lesspressured waters. Not only will the seclusion be worth the investment and effort, but you’ll catch more fish.

During summer transition periods, pay attention to river conditions, letting them be the deciding factor as to where and how you’ll fish for trout. By being prepared with a range of fishing options, all that’s left to do is hit the river and start catching those great-tasting trout. CS Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time author specializing in the West. For signed copies of his many best-selling books, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook.

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COLLINS LAKE

Northern California’s Premier Fishing Lake

• • • •

Stocked with Trophy Trout, Bass & Crappie.

California’s largest private trout stocking program of any lake North of Sacramento.

Clean, professional RV park with lakefront hookup sites. Big rigs welcome.

Stocked weekly with Trophy Trout each Spring from Mid-February thru May.

Online Reservations www.collinslake.com or Call (530) 692-1600

e

FISHING

FISH ON, FISH GONE

NEAR MISSES CAN’T SPOIL PEACEFUL DAY AT FAMILY-RUN COLLINS LAKE

By Chris Cocoles

B

ROWNS VALLEY–They were the ones that got away. Thus, my Collins Lake fishing trip in early May was not dull, to say the least.

But the day still proved to fulfill my expectations of Collins, which allowed me to get an in-person look at a family-run operation that will bring me – not to mention my fishing partner for the day – back for another experience.

If it’s not the fishing, or the well-maintained campsites, or the well-stocked bait and grocery store, there’s always the ice cream. More on that later.

For a few years now, I’ve been in

touch with Jacob Young and his dad Lincoln, two members of a multi-generational family who have run Collins Lake resort since the early 1970s. Jacob and Lincoln – longtime advertisers with our magazine – and I have exchanged many emails and phone calls the past few years for spring trout fishing previews and other events sprinkled throughout the calendar.

Frequently in our correspondence I’ve told Lincoln and Jacob I planned to come out to fish, but I was never able to get up to their location in Yuba County whenever I’ve visited my family in the Bay Area. But with my niece Ashley and her husband David now

Collins Lake is one of the most popular resorts in Northern California, and is known for its great fishing, camping and some delicious ice cream. It’s also a multi-generation family business. (CHRIS COCOLES) calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

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FISHING living in the Sacramento area, I figured at some point we’d make it.

Sure enough, in May during an extended visit home my sister Charlene and I, plus our dogs, drove up to Ashley and David’s house in Rocklin and spent the night. David had to work and Charlene, Ashley’s mom, took care of their 1-year-old son Weston and all the dogs, so Ashley and I set out relatively early for the 60-mile trip to Collins.

It was a cloudy, crisp morning in the Sacramento Valley, but we made pretty good time driving through the quaint bedroom community of Lincoln – Ashley pointed out several microbreweries along the way that we plan to hit up the next time I’m in town for a pub crawl – and then got through morning rush-hour traffic in Marysville before eventually finding the lake entrance.

Soon, I’d find the fish biting and also get a Young family history lesson.

AFTER RETURNING TO THE United States from a stint working abroad in the early

1970s, Robert (Bob) Young researched potential careers, with market analysis pointing him toward opening up a campground as an up-and-coming industry. Bob’s family of nine had also enjoyed a road trip throughout Europe in a rented motorhome, so it seemed like a no-brainer to break into the business of running a camp.

By 1971, Bob Young and his family first sought out potential sites in the Lake Tahoe area, but fate sent them down the Sierra.

“On one of their scouting trips, a snowstorm made them stay a night in the lower-elevation foothills and they camped out in what is now the open area of the (Collins Lake) campground,” says Jacob Young, Bob’s grandson. “They woke up the next morning to the sunrise coming up over the lake and were admiring the area and potential of the campground.

As they got to talking to the campground host, they found out that the owners were looking at selling.”

Collins Lake was relatively young –

its dam project was completed in 1964 – but the potential was certainly there.

“And a few months later, in 1972, Bob Young was the new owner of the campground operations at Collins Lake,” Jacob says.

Bob Young retired from running the show in the 1990s, with his sons Lincoln (Jacob’s dad), Bart and Robbie taking over through 2020 before retiring themselves. Now, it’s Jacob and his cousins who represent the third generation of the Young family who are in charge of the resort, which now features campsites, RV hookups and eight cabins, plus a picnic area, a swimming beach, and full-service general store and snack bar.

“We are intentional in honoring our legacy of those who have gone before us and paved the way as we continue to grow and develop,” Jacob Young says. “We have been honored and blessed to have families that have made Collins Lake their tradition to bring their families to annually connect with each other and with nature.

The resort’s general store features everything from bait and tackle to groceries to Collins Lake apparel. (CHRIS COCOLES) 56 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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FISHING Now we have seen some going into their fourth and fifth generation of family (visiting the lake).”

And did I mention how good the fishing can be here?

It was a pretty low-pressure fishing day on this May Thursday. But anglers in a few boats were out trolling. (CHRIS COCOLES)

ASHLEY AND I STOPPED at the general store on the way in to purchase the daily fishing permits that help fund Collins’ generous planting schedule (each spring, 50,000 trout from various private and California Department of Fish and Wildlife sources are stocked). We also picked up a container of nightcrawlers, but the worms wouldn’t get bit very much on this Thursday morning.

I had reached out to Jacob Young before coming up and he suggested possibly driving past the general store

and fishing down by the dam. This was a typically quiet spring weekday before the summer crowds flock up here once the kids are out of school.

We essentially had the entire shoreline to ourselves (there were a few boats trolling in the main body of the 1,600-acre lake).

We parked and carried our gear

down to the rocky beach just down from the dam and boat launch. My rig was ready to go, so I put some bright green, garlic-flavored PowerBait on my hook and cast out. Then, as I was in the middle of helping Ashley set up her rod, my rod tip buckled.

I fought a feisty trout – it looked like about a 15-inch rainbow – right to the verge of the rocky shoreline close enough to where Ashley attempted to grab the fish from the water’s edge when … the trout broke free from my line. So close, yet so far.

The action slowed down for a while, and Ashley’s curiosity prompted her to try casting lures for bass down closer to the dam. It was a little windy and chilly for early May, but it was a peaceful setting, with hardly anyone else around save for the boats trolling out in the distance and some waterfowl drifting across the lake.

I had one more near miss with a late-morning bite that again broke free before I could get the trout to shore, and by then it was time to get home so Ashley could relieve her mom from babysitting and dog-sitting duties.

But first the ice cream was calling our names.

WHEN WE GOT TO the general store, I was

The author’s niece Ashley Laver tries her luck with a bass lure. (CHRIS COCOLES) 58 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

able to finally meet Jacob in person after all our past calls and emails. We chatted about possibly coming back here to camp sometime – Ashley and David have a tricked-out trailer they camp with – and I asked him about what his family’s legacy means to him, his dad and grandfather who started this tradition of Youngs picking up from previous generations.

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FISHING “I am definitely excited to see the family business legacy continue for hopefully generations to come. The oldest of the fourth generation is 11 years old, so it will not be too long before we start to see them working seasonally,” says Jacob Young, who has two young children himself.

“Whether it is my kids or members of the extended family, it will be exciting to watch how they all grow, develop and pursue their life paths. For those who choose to make this operation their career, it will be surreal to be in the position to assist in the next cycle of generational passing over.”

Ashley and I took a stroll through

the store, which offers visitors just about anything they might need, from bait and tackle to Collins Lake souvenirs, groceries, cold drinks – including a nice beer selection – and some great food. We had planned to eat lunch back in Rocklin, but we couldn’t leave without trying the Collins Lake ice cream that Ashley had tried on a previous day trip here and that Jacob highly recommended we indulge in.

“It began with Bob wanting to create memorable experiences for the guests coming to the campground. Ice cream became the vessel to provide something that dramatically exceeded expectations and left an impression that would be a memory and

Jacob Young’s grandfather Bob took over the campground at the lake in 1972. Jacob is the third generation to run the operation, with the next wave of offspring hoping to follow suit in the future. “I am definitely excited to see the family business legacy continue for hopefully generations to come,” he says. (CHRIS COCOLES)

The mantra of Collins Lake could be, “Come here for the fishing and camping; stay for the ice cream.” Spoiler alert: It’s delicious. (CHRIS COCOLES)

“We have been honored and blessed to have families that have made Collins Lake their tradition to bring their family to annually connect with each other and with nature,” Jacob Young says, “and we have seen some now going into their fourth and fifth generation of family (visiting).” (CHRIS COCOLES) 60 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

something to come back for year after year,” Jacob says.

Indeed, my child-sized scoop of Cookies & Cream was plenty big enough and perfectly hit the spot.

Ashley enjoyed hers too. So by the time we were ready to head back down to Rocklin, the near misses on the lake were all but forgotten.

“I always tell people that there are three things that people come to Collins Lake for: fishing, camping and ice cream,” Jacob tells me. “Even on those days that you get skunked fishing with the two that got away, you can always end the day with a sweet treat.” CS Editor’s note: Go to collinslake.com or call (530) 692-1600 for more information.

IT’S JUST THE BEGINNING! JOHNATHAN BURKETT SHOWS OFF RECENT BASS CATCH Bass fishing starts with a bang at Lake Isabella.

Lake Isabella located in the Kern River Valley just east of Bakersfield, is known for some of the best trophy bass fishing in So. Calif.

Now with water levels at a low point fishing is at its best.

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HUNTING

SUMMER TRAINING PART I: WATERFOWL

By Scott Haugen

S

ummer is here, bringing with it the most active time of year for gun dog training. While many hunters work dogs year-round, summer is when the most time is devoted to getting dogs in the field and in shape. Be it the nice weather, warmer temperatures, increased daylight hours or the fact you simply have more time on your hands, the next three months are prime for dog training.

In this first of a two-part trainingtip series, we’ll look at waterfowl season, while next month we’ll focus on upland hunting.

A GOOD PLACE TO start your summer dog training for waterfowl season is with what needed fixing from last season. For me, it’s making sure my two dogs don’t compete on retrieves.

I’ll devote time to working both dogs with multiple bumpers, as well as sending them on retrieves one at a time, to teach restraint. I’ll do this with bumpers and a dummy launcher. The sound of a launcher really gets my dogs fired up, so I’ll have a buddy shoot the bumper from a distance while I handle the dogs.

If you have a dog that’s gun-shy or breaks on the shot, work on that now.

If a dog is scared of a loud shotgun blast, start off with a BB gun or air rifle – something quiet. Once they’re comfortable, progress to a .22, then a small-gauge shotgun with light target loads. As you increase the firepower, thus the noise, be sure to keep the dog behind you so the muzzle blast isn’t too much for them. A great approach is having a friend shoot while you handle the dog.

Behavior and conditioning are two areas to work on in summer. Geese are big, and working with large training dummies in water and on land will go a long way once hunting season gets here. (SCOTT HAUGEN) calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

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HUNTING This is also the time to introduce new gear to your dogs. Neoprene dog vests, dog blinds, platforms, even eye and ear protection, should be introduced now. Keep the introduction short and sweet, maybe in the comfort of your home or yard.

Make the experience fun and take away the gear while their interest is piqued. Next, reintroduce the gear in the yard, and let them use or wear it a bit longer this time; let them explore and get used to it. Again, keep it fun and make it seem special for your dog, and never force it on them. Once they get comfortable with the gear, bring in the bumper and get to work. Make sure their attention is focused on the task at hand – retrieving the bumper – not worrying about the gear.

SUMMER IS ALSO A good time to get your dog in shape. Truthfully, your dog should never get out of shape following hunting season. Allowing your dog to gain even an extra pound or two in the off-season could not only result in health issues, but actually shorten its life. Think of summer training as keeping your dog in shape.

Now is a good time to introduce new gear to your dog. Here, author Scott Haugen first got his dog used to her new vest, then a new blind. Keep introductions brief and in a familiar place. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

As summer temperatures climb, early morning and evening are prime times for physical workouts.

Whatever you do, do not expose your dog to excessive workouts in the heat. Water-entry training and swimming alongside a canoe or paddleboard can be done during the heat of the day, and both are great forms of conditioning.

Come hunting season, you want your dog to be comfortable with their new gear, and it starts with preseason training. This Lab is heading out on an airboat ride, complete with ear muffs and vest. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Be sure to regularly run your dog on hard dirt or gravel in order to keep their pads firm and toenails short. Running dogs up hills is a great workout.

Swimming your dog in moving water like a creek or river, amid tall grass and reeds, and anywhere else you might hunt, gets them used to such habitat and is also good exercise. Multiple bumper retrieves in vegetated water is great practice.

If you’re a goose hunter, getting a large dummy for your dog to practice retrieving is a good idea. Pushing a big goose through water is relatively easy for a dog, but once they hit land, the bird becomes heavy and cumbersome, so practice this and get your dog in shape for such retrieves – especially if you’ll be hunting fields.

NO MATTER WHAT TRAINING

you’re doing, keep it upbeat and positive, and clearly communicate your expectations to your dog. Teaching obedience and restraint are neverending challenges of a dog owner, and for that, there is no off-season. CS

Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time writer. See his puppy training videos and learn more about his many books at scotthaugen.com and follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

64 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

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66 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

COMPANY PROFILE

Moose are the biggest big game that Timber King Outfitting guides for, but whitetails, mule deer and more are available for sportsmen looking for “an unforgettable and successful experience.” (TIMBER KING OUTFITTING)

BE ALBERTA-BOUND, AND BEYOND

Timber King Outfitting guides moose, wolf hunts in Canadian province, and desert bighorn, deer in Mexico.

By Staff

A

lberta, Canada, is home to many big game species, and is an ideal hunting destination for nonresidents looking to bag a trophy. Mule deer, whitetail and moose abound, as do wolf and bighorn sheep, and hunting opportunities are plentiful.

Local outfitter Rob Brown has been guiding from a young age and has more than 15 years of experience

The Alberta-based company got its start guiding for wolves, filling a hunting niche in a province that hosts an abundant population of the predators. (TIMBER KING OUTFITTING) calsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

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COMPANY PROFILE in the business, so he knows what it takes to not only pursue these animals, but to give his clients the adventure of a lifetime. Initially, Timber King Outfitting started as a small wolf hunting outfit – “I had seen the demand for nonresident hunters wanting to harvest a wolf and the abundance of wolves we had in Alberta,” he explains – but things took off quickly from there.

“We started small, and with success in mind, we had created a unique experience hunting wolves in the depth of winter that snowballed into a rather large business,” says Brown. “From there, we started to acquire permits for deer and moose.”

Mule deer and moose have since become Timber King Outfitting’s most popular hunts. Brown explains, “With limited harvest opportunity stateside, it creates a demand in hunters not wanting to wait until they’re successful in drawing a tag – which in some states is a lifetime, depending on the

Mule deer are among the Canadian company’s most popular hunts these days, thanks to guaranteed tags that contrast with draw-only opportunities in some American states home to the iconic species. (TIMBER KING OUTFITTING)

tags – making our guaranteed tags very attractive to a citizen of the USA.” Each all-inclusive package is taiIn Sonora, Mexico, Timber King Outfitting guides for Coues and mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep. (TIMBER KING OUTFITTING)

68 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

lored to the client’s individual needs, and every hunt is led by one of the company’s knowledgeable, experienced guides.

“The majority of our clients repeat after their first hunt with us and have told us that they specifically like our company because of the knowledgeable and professional team we have built,” adds Brown. “It’s easy to have fun while hunting with us and let the hunt play out because our clients feel they are in the best position for success due to our extensive scouting and preparation for the hunt. We don’t sit on game, waiting for the hunters to show up; we scout to get an idea of where we need to be in order to achieve the best odds of a harvest and then return with the clients and give them an honest hunt in a prime area while giving them the full experience.”

And if that wasn’t enough, Timber King Outfitting has expanded their business south to Sonora, Mexico, offering guided hunts for a variety of species.

“I had been guiding in Mexico for a number of years before a decision to start taking hunters myself into old Mexico,” says Brown. “I had some very

COMPANY PROFILE “Our mission is to provide every client with an unforgettable and successful experience,” says outfitter-owner Rob Brown. A happy hunter smiles over a nice bighorn ram. (TIMBER KING OUTFITTING)

good friends that owned ranches down there that were looking for someone to work with to provide hunting trips for desert bighorn, muley and Coues deer.

We started slow and with a few clients, and it quickly became busy with hunters from all over the globe reaching out in hopes to hunt with us for free-ranging game in Mexico.”

Whatever your destination and whatever your targeted species, you’ll be well taken care of at Timber King Outfitting.

“Our mission is to provide every client with an unforgettable and successful experience,” says Brown.

“Whether success is measured from a harvest of a mature specimen or an adventure leaving you with lifelong memories and new friends, you can rest assured that our professional staff will tailor a service to your specific and individual needs.” CS Editor’s note: For more information, visit timberkingoutfitting.com.

70 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

COMPANY PROFILE

HIGH ADVENTURE IN THE OZARKS MISSOURI FREE-RANGE BIG GAME RANCH OFFERS HUNTS FOR MORE THAN 30 SPECIES, PLUS LODGING, FISHING AND MORE

By Jason Brooks

T

here comes a time in every hunter’s life when they start to think of hunting something new. Maybe a trip to Africa for kudu, impala and springbok, or an adventure to New Zealand for red stag.

These hunts are often “once in a lifetime” for most hunters, who save up and plan for a trip to a far-off land. In recent years, excursions like this have been difficult with the current climate of Covid and travel restrictions.

But what if I told you there was

International travel restrictions have made it hard to get to New Zealand and its huge-antlered red stag, but the species has been available all along right here in the US at Missouri’s High Adventure Ranch. (HIGH ADVENTURE RANCH)

As befitting the Ozarks, the ranch’s “most popular deer hunt” is for whitetails, and the place is “loaded” with eight-plus-pointers.

(HIGH ADVENTURE RANCH)

a place right here in the United States that you could drive to and hunt those same animals, along with many other African, South American and even big game animals of the Rocky Mountains, all in a mild climate and complete with a hunting lodge that serves great food? All of this is found at High Adventure Ranch, located in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri.

I RECENTLY HAD THE opportunity to talk with Charles Puff, founder and ranch owner, and our conversation quickly turned to why he established his ranch back in 1983 with so many game animals.

Puff admitted that, like most huntcalsportsmanmag.com | JUNE 2022 California Sportsman

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COMPANY PROFILE ers, his passion for the outdoors started when he was young. At age 9, his neighbor took him out hunting and by age 12, “There were only three things I wanted: to learn how to dance, how to swim and to kill a 100-pound elephant.” Puff explained that a “100-pound” elephant meant taking a bull that had tusks weighing 100 pounds each. For me, it was a quick lesson in African hunting; for Puff, it was reminiscing about his life and the hunts he has been on. He did eventually do all three things, and the elephant drove his passion for hunting.

Wanting to bring those kinds of experiences to hunters in the US at an affordable price, Puff planned and formed High Adventure Ranch. Since then, the ranch has grown to over 30 big game species with an estimated population of 2,000 animals. Hunters from all over the world are now traveling to Missouri to hunt here, whether they are looking to go on an exotic hunting adventure or just want

If horned critters are more your style, High Adventure Ranch features mouflon, Hawaiian and Corsican rams, along with Jacob’s four-horn sheep – sure to make a killer European mount. (HIGH ADVENTURE RANCH)

to hunt a game species not offered in their home state.

While enjoying the ranch, hunters dine together in a large dining hall that serves the same game they will be hunting, such as buffalo chili, elk meatloaf and wild boar sausage. Cab-

Axis deer are considered by some to offer the best-tasting venison to be had, and they too can be hunted on this free-range operation that encompasses over 2,000 acres in rolling hills two hours southwest of St. Louis. (HIGH ADVENTURE RANCH)

ins and a main lodge offer modern accommodations, and the hunts are all free-range on the ranch’s massive acreage which covers 3 square miles of open land. Along with the hunt, there are several ponds and lakes that family members can fish if they don’t want to pursue game. And once your hunt is over, the ranch offers full-service meat cutting, including vacuum-sealing the meat and keeping it in a walk-in cooler until it’s time to head back home.

During the early and late summer months, High Adventure Ranch offers family vacations that include a tour of the ranch where you can see some of the animals that call this place home, all in a free-range environment. Axis and sika deer, blackbuck, wild boar, nyla, kudu, eland and many more animals are often seen in the early morning or late evening hours heading to water at the many lakes, all of which are stocked with fish and no fishing license is needed. They do close during the very hot summer months of mid-June to mid-July for maintenance on the ranch.

IT IS THE HUNTING that Puff really prides himself on, especially the hunts that are donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, along with other hunts offered to military veterans and disabled 74 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

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COMPANY PROFILE hunters. As we chatted about these hunts, Puff’s voice cracked a bit, explaining how helping wounded vets is something he is very passionate about.

“My brother was a marine and killed over there in Vietnam,” he said.

“That’s the reason why I started donating hunts to vets; he was always foremost on my mind.”

It was his dedication to honoring his brother that led High Adventure Ranch to offer hunts to disabled veterans, but Puff admits that now it is the hunt and seeing how it helps the veterans that really gets to him.

“When those hunts are over, you

never forget them,” he added.

High Adventure Ranch has been around for nearly 40 years, and is established with top-notch guides and staff. “One of my ranch managers has been working here for 39 years,” Puff explained, and added that many of the staff have worked at the ranch for a very long time.

When he started the ranch in 1983, he knew of only one other ranch in Texas with the kind of hunts that High Adventure Ranch offers.

A very unique thing that this ranch promises is the “no game, no pay” guarantee. If you book a hunt with

Nearby Arkansas is home to the Razorbacks, but the ranch has the huntable kind. (HIGH ADVENTURE RANCH)

Hunters enjoy very high success rates, with trophy whitetail typically taking two days or less, but High Adventure Ranch also has a “no game, no pay” guarantee. Should you not harvest or wound an animal, the trophy fee is waived and you only pay for lodging, food, guide, license and sales tax.

(HIGH ADVENTURE RANCH)

76 California Sportsman JUNE 2022 | calsportsmanmag.com

High Adventure Ranch and you don’t fill your tag, then you don’t pay the trophy fee. Not many other places offer that kind of promise.

Along with the fact that the ranch is CWD-free – unlike many states – there is no worry of a draw or a license and tag being sold out. Puff explained that many hunters head out West for elk, only to find little public access, high-priced over-the-counter tags or a draw system where you might not even get a tag, and a low overall success rate. High Adventure Ranch offers world-class elk hunting or a cow “meat” hunt – and again, if you don’t fill your tag, you don’t pay – but they also boast a 100-percent success rate on their elk hunts for the past 37 years.

It all started when Charles Puff was 12 and he had three wishes: learning to dance, swim and kill a 100-pound elephant. Now he offers hunts to those looking for an adventure or to finally harvest a 200-inch whitetail.

Maybe take the family for a vacation or to honor our veterans. You will find it all at High Adventure Ranch in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. CS Editor’s note: For more information, visit highadventureranch.com.

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