On Line Fishing Reports

We just got back from California and a splendid chance to fish the Central Coast near San Luis Obispo. I've fished there for years and, given our Idaho location -- and weather -- it's understandable that we were thrilled by mild days and flat seas. However, it's fair to note that some of the fishing reports I checked on the Net before we left were just as inflated as those I enjoyed, or suffered, from some sources when I lived in Northern California and wrote reports for several papers.

My report would say, "Try saltwater, everything up here looks like cocoa."

Reports from some resorts, guides and others with rather more of a vested intered might say, "Water's a bit off color, but should clear by the weekend."

To cite another example, a certain San Francisco Bay Marina source would mention "full sacks" or "two salmon each." My uncle, who was retired, would call with his eyewitness report of "three or four small reds and a couple of salmon for the boat."

So, if you get reports consider the following: 1. State agencies and others sans a vested interest are more reliable.

2. As a rule even honest reports from marinas and tackle shops are inflated as only the most successful types check in.

3. "Good fishing" means someone, somewhere caught a fish.

4. "Great fishing" means the expert are catching at least half a limit.

5. "Best in years" means the casual angler may have a chance at some 'truck' trout or panfish.

6. "Unbelievable" may be a warning, rather than a report.

What compounds this problems is lag time. You don't want to be where the fish bit last week. So do some checking the order of runs, streams or lakes getting hot and you can predict results.

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