Harrison Ibach of Mad River Outfitters (707-826-7201) reports that fishermen are starting to pick up spring Chinook salmon on the Klamath River near Klamath Glen.

The numbers of fish have not been exceptional, but it is still early in the run and the action should start to pick up. Anglers are taking fish by plunking spinners from boats on the inside of bends in the river. There are no reports of anglers taking fish by trolling in the estuary.

If you don’t have a boat but you want to feel the strong pull of a big bright spring salmon, give Mad River Outfitters a call. They are currently booking guided trips for spring salmon as well as fall salmon and rockfish trips in the ocean. A guided trip can also make for a great birthday present or surprise for a special person in your life.

By the way, spring salmon from the Klamath River are especially tasty, and they are literally the only salmon that you can fish for in California right now.

As I mentioned last week, the sportfishing allocation for fall Chinook salmon in the Klamath River is 22,500. Half of that number will be slated for the Klamath River downstream of the Trinity River confluence, and the other half divided between the Klamath and Trinity rivers upstream of the confluence.

The reason for this high harvest amount for the Klamath, unprecedented since the late 1980s, is the fact that there is no harvesting in the ocean this year. The Pacific Fishery Management Council decided that any take of Central Valley Chinook salmon stocks was unacceptable, which eliminated the option for a small bubble fishery for Klamath River stocks in the ocean.

Because the Klamath and Trinity rivers will be the only place that you can fish for fall Chinook salmon this year, you can bet that these rivers will see a lot of pressure. If you plan on doing a guided trip, be sure to make reservations soon before guides are completely booked.

Dan “the bass man” Troxel reports that last Sunday was slow for bass fishing on Freshwater Lagoon. The day left him scratching his head in terms of the reason for the lack of action.

Steve Gildesgard of Dragonfly Outfitters (530-623-4999) in Weaverville reports that excellent bass action continues on Trinity Reservoir. Brown 3.5 inch Gitzits continue to pay in terms of catch.

He also said that Vampire F7 size Rapala lures trolled 80 feet behind a boat are taking trout on Lewiston Reservoir. Cold weather has kept hatches to a minimum, but I bet drifting small nymphs and midges would produce fish for fly anglers.

Last week I attended a meeting in Trinidad hosted by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to discuss 2009 and 2010 regulation alternatives for the commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries.

The bottom line is that we’re looking at a two-to-three month recreational groundfish season next year. I wouldn’t even bank on a full season this year. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if DFG closed the groundfish season early this year, like it did last year in an attempt to reduce yelloweye and canary rockfish catch.

The short groundfish seasons next year, coupled with predicted low returns of Central Valley salmon stocks due to abysmal jack counts last year, threaten the existence of a variety of businesses in our community, and literally, a way of life for many of us on the North Coast.

Add in potential closures of areas like Redding Rock and Patrick’s Point as DFG turns them into Marine Protected Areas (MPA), and the long term outlook for fishermen and the businesses that depend on them isn’t good.

I tried to get information on what DFG has planned for MPAs in our region on Tuesday, but a variety of sources failed to return my calls and emails. I will have more in the next few weeks regarding what the proposals for MPAs in our fishing areas will be as I gather information.

(Opinions expressed in columns do not necessarily reflect those of The Eureka Reporter or its staff.)