FISHERMAN'S CALENDAR
KEY TO SYMBOLS
FG=fishing good; FF=fishing fair; FP=fishing poor. OG=outlook good; OP=outlook poor.
SHARK: CALIFORNIA: Threshers in big schools off Carpinteria last week and should be there still, taking frozen sardines fished off kelp beds, and tasting like swordfish when broiled.
STEELHEAD TROUT: BRITISH COLUMBIA: Chehalis River is best bet on mainland, with many limit catches of fish to 15 pounds reported; Vedder producing poorly. On Vancouver Island, Campbell River run is skimpy and Quinsam is below par, but Bear River was hot several days last week; rivers from Courtenay south are in good shape and yielding some fish; if present cool weather continues, OG.
CALIFORNIA: Hard-working expert anglers are taking occasional steelhead from streams but OG with higher water; best bets are Eel, Sacramento, Gualala and Garzas. Commercial boats report lots of fish off Morro Bay but more rains are needed to start southern runs.
OREGON: Sandy River is high and falling, OG this week (but outlook is poor on most coastal streams for next 10 days).
WASHINGTON: Before Green River rose last week Paul Camus of Seattle beached 28½-pound steelhead, second biggest ever taken from Washington waters, and many others over 20 pounds reported. With driftable water the Bogachiel, Skykomish, Snohomish, Humptulips and Satsop should give fast action on roe, yarn, cherry bobbers and brass spoons.
SAILFISH: FLORIDA: Huge schools of sails and many bait-balls reported along southeast coast with heaviest concentration due east of Ft. Pierce; last week charter boats averaged eight fish daily; OG rest of month. International light-tackle sailfish tournament starts at Palm Beach Jan. 10 and should be great success; all fish except records will be released.
MEXICO: Acapulco boats averaging seven strikes and four fish per trip but few big fish reported.
BLACK BASS: MISSISSIPPI: OG in Pascagoula River, Mary Walker and Fort bayous and all waters connected to Bay of Biloxi as heavy rains last week should activate bigmouths.
FLORIDA: Kissimmee River and headwater lakes good bets. Charlie Apopka Creek and Horse Creek (near Wauchula) producing many bass over five pounds. On west coast upper Withlacoochee and Rainbow rivers are worth a try (troll deep-running plug slowly, or swim live shiner). Merritts Mill Pond and Ocheese Pond near Marianna are lukewarm, with top-water plug most popular lure, and OG.
MISSOURI: Last week's rain raised White River seven feet; James is high but falling; OP in most of this state's water through next 10 days.
TROUT: NEVADA: Outsize Walker Lake cutthroats are walloping wobblers cast from shore or trolled; top fish so far is 13½ pounds; OG and improving through February and March.
SNOOK: FLORIDA: Troll any yellow-feathered jig or big bucktail in north fork of St. Lucie River and you may acquire a 20-pound snook and sore wrist.