Report from Lake Oroville......bass.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Here is an email report I received from Mike T..........

"Hi Bill,
I made it back to Oroville yesterday with a flyrod this time. The fish had moved a little deeper this week but I was still able to get 4 of them to eat a fly. Most notable was a 4lb spot which is a really big fish for this lake and would get you paid in most tournaments up there.

I'd be lying if I said I threw a fly all day. The bite on gear is off the hook and when I drive that far I want to get my string stretched. I definitely considered the day a success and something I can expand on.

Here's a few pics. I considered posting this on the board but I still don't know how to add pics.
Have a good day."

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[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Nice report Mike......

I have heard that Spotted Bass have displace Smallmouth in some larger reservoirs?

[MThompson]

I've heard alot of theories on spotted bass taking over a lake. I believe Oroville had a large population of Red-eye bass in it before the spots were introduced. People always mistake Red-eyes for smallmouth but they are not even close to a smallmouth as a sport fish. They are a feeble, poor fighting fish that spots and largies love to eat. Melones used to have a fair population of them also but I haven't caught one in a few years. I'd guess they all got eaten.
I'd say a lot depends on the health of each fishery. Berryessa smallmouth seem to compete pretty well with spotted bass. It's a very healthy lake. The opposite seems to be occuring at Don Pedro where spots are now far more common than smallmouth. 10 years ago we never saw spots there and caught some nice smallies. Bucket biology at it's finest.