The brown trout are still stacked in the bay adjacent to the ramp at Baum Lake, the proof being the 27 I caught and released in about an hour and a half using Cripplures.  It was definitely a nice way to start the new year, but an omen for sometime later in 2019! The fishing gods always have a way to even the score, as this was catching not fishing. There will be a time when fishing does not equate catching but I'll have fun all the same when the time comes.

As is usually the case when I'm out fishing, I met some super anglers that I struggled to keep up with, like 10 year old Jacob from nearby MacArthur who was having a great time catching and releasing around 17 feisty brown trout on a Sonic Spinner.

I also had the pleasure of meeting the Sanvageot family from Gladstone, Queensland Australia who were visiting with family in Burney. I introduced Emily Sanvageot to Cripplures as she scored a quick limit using a nickel fish-scale model that I gave her to take back down under. I had as much fun helping and talking with the family as I did catching trout myself. In fact, the entire family enjoyed limits!

Snow is forecast this weekend for the region but fishing should remain excellent in the near future for those willing to brave the elements.

Gary Heffley has been a valued contributor to MyOutdoorBuddy for over 10 years serving as manager, sales representative and reporter for much of Northern California. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves to fish and write about his adventures. He has a long history in the Sporting Goods field and uses that extensive experience to impart his wisdom in his writing.