Last week I had a dream come true! I got to fish with my daughter Michelle and son-in-law Rio(they live in Germany) and we had a SUPER day! We started trolling at 6:AM around the mouth of the O'Brien Inlet with Sling blades followed by a shad pattern Needlefish, smeared with Smelly Jelly. Within a 1/2 hour we caught and released 5 nice trout! As the morning went on, we landed a nice 3.5# Rainbow and another 10 fish. To top off the trip, one of the rainbow that we released was splashing about 100 feet behind the boat and a Bald Headed Eagle swooped down and carried it away to it's nest. "What a Sight!" In the next couple of weeks, Jimmy Fly, Hoffa and I are going to try the McCloud Arm and see what's going on over there. I'll give you a report. Don't forget the Lakehead Trout Derby which will be October 12 and 13. We are still taking entries. This is our 2nd annual Trout Derby and everyone last year had a great time so hope you consider joining us. Check out our derby site at www.shastalaketroutderby.com. Also, if you do come, make sure you check out our awsome food and drinks in our bar and grill. The Basshole Burger and Smoked Prime Rib are some of my favorites! Dave

Hoffa, Jimmy Fly and I have been fishing every Wednesday for the last two months for bass. Every trip we have caught and released 25-30 Legal Bass. At the crack of dawn is when we were nailing the 17-18 inch spots. You won't believe the number of smallmouth that we've caught this year. Also, for all the trips we have used only one set-up... FAT ALBERT GRUB ON A DARTHEAD! Head past the O'Brien Inlet and work the shaded rock banks right on the main body of water. The trout and salmon fishing has kicked into high gear and we're using Sling Blades and trailing a Humdinger. The colors vary week to week so stop in and we will hook you up. We're weighing in catfish up to 10 pounds with mackerel being the best bait. Stop by and say Hi and have a beer with Hoffa our chef, Jimmy Fly in the Bait Shop, or myself. Check out our Lakehead Trout Derby at www.shastalaketroutderby.com. It promises to be a great time, but you're going to have some strong competition because my wife Cheryl, and her girlfriend Robyn have entered! Dave P.S. The last two weeks I've won the Triple Crown (1st, largest, and most fish) much to Hoffa and Jimmy Fly's dismay, but I sure enjoy quaffing down those cold suds back at the Basshole!

Last Thursday, nine of us guys jumped on a houseboat for a 4 day fishing trip. We all tied on our fishing boats to the houseboat and headed out of Holiday Harbor and started trolling up the McCloud Arm of Lake Shasta. Within a couple hours, John hooked up and landed a 27inch , 8 pound Rainbow trout using a speedy shiner (We have pictures!) We were all jacked and knew that this was going to be a special trip! Five of us jumped in our boats and fished for bass. We limited out fishing around Hirtz Bay around 7pm. Next morning we headed to the Squaw Arm and did okay. Friday night Rocky and I decided to head for the Pitt Arm at the crack of dawn. We started fishing back in the coves and landed nothing but small bass. After about an hour of that we started fishing the steep walls on the main water and limited out quickly. The largest bass I caught on the trip was a 17 1/2 inch Spot. Everyone in the boat had a ball between the food, cocktails and all the fish we caught!

The top-water bite is just starting and, of course, the trout bite is also on! Catfish are being caught over by Salt Creek using chicken livers. The fishing on this lake is phenomenal, so grab your gear, stop at the Basshole for last-minute tips and have a SWEET time!

Please note: the correct web site for the Trout Derby is www.shastalaketroutderby.com. Check out the info, sign up soon and hope to see you October 12 and 13.

I've never been so excited about the fishing on this lake.Ever! We had a tremendous shad hatch the last couple years and the bass, trout, salmon and catfish are gobbling them up and growing big. With the bass, I'm using the Zoom Fat Albert grub with a lead-head hook and working the rock walls. Hoffa, Bob and I limited out within 2 hours fishing north of I-5 Bridge in Lakehead. This Wednesday I am going to check out the top-water bite with the Spooks and then switch to the white Spinner baits down 20-30 feet. From the shore, live minnows and crawdads are knocking them dead. The salmon bite is on at Dry Creek Inlet. The shad are THICK in there and all you need to do is troll 50 feet down with a Slingblade and Humdinger lure. Use the same set-up at 25 feet to catch the rainbow and brown trout. Catfish are starting to bite on the Pit Arm with weights up to 12 pounds using flavored chicken livers. The kicker is, CRAPPIE ARE BACK! Harold at Sugarloaf Cottages brought in a picture of 15 nice size fish that his guests caught a week ago. Please check out our Lakehead Trout Derby being held October 12-13. Sign up early and get your lodging. Go to lakeheadtroutderby.com. I'll let you know how I did with a new report in a week..... Don't hesitate to call or drop in the daily report. David

Trout fishing is excellent from shore and boat. Boat People are toplining using small cripplelures.

Don't forget our Christmas Party!

Please stay tuned as we gear up to start our NEW fishing reports! Thank you!