cold-water smallmouth tips?

They say the north end of any lake warms faster, just what I read.

I've heard this as well, and it makes sense.  I talked with a coworker today who's also an avid bass angler (from a PB anyway), and he said the first bass to be caught in Almanor are typically in the northwest end, near the causeway and Gould Swamp.  Rip baits worked with sporadic twitches were getting a few for him.  He also said the bite was better after 10am.  Good stuff to know  !