Lake Sonoma 12-10

Fished lake Sonoma today with Lost Coast Joe. We got a late start and launched at Yorty Creek at 1100 Hrs. Beautiful day and glassy water. We both tied on a size 7 Rapala floating minnow and headed to our go to spot for landlocked Steelhead. It is about an hour paddle to the 'secret" spot but once there we both hooked up pretty quick. Joe had a nice one break him off in the trees and I managed to land two, 16 and 18 inches. Ounce for ounce these Steelies fight as hard as any fish I have fished for. Stopped in Cloverdale and had a pint at the brewery, another great day of fishing. Oh ya... the fish were C&R to fight another day.

Matt

  Can't wait to catch my first land lock steelhead. Thanks for the report! I'm done with Mendo for a while. Would like to start exploring L. Sonoma for a change.

Ahh Matt,
If your going to release a trout, I don't recomend using a boca on em. They don't do well when you poke a hole through their throats. If you want them to survive, I'd suggest using a net and handle them gently. Landlock steelies are pretty rare these days. Sonoma is one of the few lakes that have them. It's great you want to release them, but trout in general are a "delicate" fish that don't tolerate much abuse. Even if they swim off, there's a good chance they'll die later. Now lings and rock fish, that's another story. I think you could land them with a 2X4...

WTG, nice pics, Capt Matt!   They are very beautiful fish!
let me know when you going next, I'll try to catch up w/ you!

love the report!  thnks Matt, you put in enough details to get a "rook" like me fired-up about a chance for one there!......you mention "trees"?, i've seen pics and was wondering where/which direction are they from the BoatLaunch that is near/under the bridge by dam?   

Can't wait to catch my first land lock steelhead. Thanks for the report! I'm done with Mendo for a while. Would like to start exploring L. Sonoma for a change.

I thought I'd never say that i was "tired" of catching fish, but brudah, i feel your pain!    after the stroke of MIDNITE on DEC 31st......letscheckitout?!   

Jonesz is absolutely correct on the releasing of trout. The trout in the picture was initially netted because I was going to keep it. The net is the type that supposedly does the least amount of damage to the fish for catch and release. I had second thoughts on keeping the fish and decided to give the fish a 50/50 shot at survival rather then end up on my dinner plate. The second trout was released without ever leaving the water or being touched, THATS the way to release a trout. In my opinion once the fish hits the net (or Boca grip) regardless of what type its chances of survival are diminished.

Matt

Hey fishunter, I going to try again next week. Lets hookup and Ill show you what I know. Weather permitting

Hey Uminchu, Didn't me to leave you out, your invited too!!!!!!!!!

Hey fishunter, I going to try again next week. Lets hookup and Ill show you what I know. Weather permitting

i'm on a serious sturg' mission for the next 3weeks, will have to take you up on that after the stroke of midnite on Dec.31st (end of AOTY comp)

Capt Matt,
Didn't want to bust your hump, just wanted to pass on a little edumacation... Sometimes folks just don't know is all. Glad to hear your up on it  hate to see fish get wasted... I've hit Sonoma a couple times myself this year and so far I've come up with a big 0. I've only worked the main launch/dam area. Haven't tried the back. I imagine they are staging near the creeks to spawn. Maybe next time I'll hit the back area. Nice report by the way.

Thanks Jonesz, if I go next week I will post before hand and maybe we can hookup.

Matt

Hey Capt. Matt, had a great time fishing with you yesterday, and Ruth McGowan's Pub was pretty good too!!  Though, I don't usually drink.

As always a pleasure fishing with you. Next time you will have to try something other then the ROOTBEER. I hear their Ale is pretty good.

Maannnnnn what a beautiful fish......

I'm totally bummed.

I'm effectively barred from fishing Lake Sonoma because the Corps of Engineers won't allow trailers at the Yorty Creek entrance.    I get my kayak around on a little trailer.   No other way, with a Toyota Corolla.

I've launched from the ramp down near the dam but there are just too many power boats........and that end of the lake isn't where I want to be.  Not ever.

Just......totally......bummed.

Judd

Hit the hookups, Judd - I'll bet you five bucks you'll have someone hauling your yak in no time.

Nice report, Matt.  Nice feedback, Jonesz.  Nice reception of feedback, Matt!