Midsummer bass action on Lake Oroville is about typical, according to Fil Torres at Oroville Outdoors. "The bass are not biting in the massive numbers available a month or two ago, and there are a lot of smaller fish", observed Torres. "However, if you move way up the middle fork to where there is running water, there are more fish with a larger average size. There are also fewer water skiers.

"It's been a typical summer fishing pattern, start with topwaters very early, then work you way down to about 30 to 50 feet with shad-pattern tubes and Senkos. Mid-morning anglers are also doing well with chartreuse-color 10-foot diving crankbaits on suspended fish off points. Most or the fish are spotted bass, with only a few as large as three pounds. One angler was very surprised to catch a pair of nice brown trout in the three-pound class by throwing Kastmasters off the bank while his kids were swimming.

"Coho salmon fishing has been very consistent for fish ranging from two to three pounds. Deep trolling the usual flasher and hoochy or spoon combo at 50 feet has been the best bet, but at times the fish are nearer the surface and can be targeted as shallow as 20 feet by casting with shiny lures."

Torres added, "Well-known pro bass angler Gary Dobyns was testing some new darthead worms in about six feet of water when he hooked what felt like a snag at first. After a nearly two-hour fight on eight-pound line, Dobyns brought a nice-size sturgeon up to the side of the boat."