OFF THE HOOK: Nimbus Hatchery fish ladder to open Tuesday

The salmon ladder at Nimbus Hatchery in Rancho Cordova will open on Tuesday, signaling the start of the spawning season on the American River.

The hatchery opening will take place the day after fishing closes in the river's upper section from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauging station cable crossing near Nimbus Hatchery to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) power line crossing the southwest boundary of Ancil Hoffman Park.

However, the section of river from the SMUD power line crossing the southwest boundary of Ancil Hoffman Park to the Jibboom Street Bridge will remain open to salmon fishing through Dec. 31.

"Department of Fish and Game (DFG) hatchery workers will take more than a half million eggs during the first week alone in an effort to ensure the successful spawning of the returning fall Chinook salmon," said Dr. Mark Clifford of Nimbus Hatchery.

Clifford said three major state-run hatcheries in the Central Valley — Nimbus in Sacramento County, Feather River in Butte County and Mokelumne in San Joaquin County — will take approximately 38 million eggs over the next two months in order to produce a total of 24 million Chinook salmon for release next spring.

"Each hatchery has a viewing area where visitors can watch the spawning process," Clifford said. "At Nimbus and Feather River hatcheries, thousands of schoolchildren tour the facilities each year. The visitors' center at Nimbus Hatchery includes a playground with replicas of giant salmon that are enjoyed by young and old alike."

For more information about spawning schedules and educational opportunities at each hatchery, please visit the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/HatList.asp

Around the state, there are eight state-run salmon and steelhead hatcheries, all of which will participate in the salmon spawning effort. Those hatcheries, along with federally run hatcheries, will together be responsible for the release of 40 million juvenile salmon into California waters. These massive spawning efforts were put in place over the last 50 years to offset fish losses caused by dams that block salmon from spawning in historically used waters.

At each hatchery, a team of managers and staff monitor the progress of batches of eggs that will become tomorrow's returning salmon, while pathologists work with each hatchery to ensure fish health. Once the young salmon reach 2 to 4 inches in length, one quarter of stock will be marked and implanted with a code wire tag prior to release. DFG biologists use the information from the tags to chart their survival, catch and return rates.

Salmon fishing still going strong

Salmon fishing on the American River at press time continued to be great for experienced guides and anglers, with every one of guide Kevin Brock's recent trips producing limits for all aboard.

While most fish caught this year have been in the 5- to 10-pound range, some larger bucks and hens are starting to show. Anglers are concentrating on the Sailor Bar to Sunrise area of the river.

Wendy Pleasses of Vacaville, a client of Brock's, landed a 39-pound, 10-ounce chinook.

"That made Wendy's day, as she laid back and basked in the sun, soaking up the accomplishment of landing that prize fish," Brock said. "The other three family members were not far behind in catching their limits."

On Friday, Brock reported, "We had great clear weather once again and excellent fishing today, catching limits for everyone on board by 9:30 a.m., including a bonus hatchery steelhead. Fishing with Flatfish lures first thing proved very successful, with three salmon landed within the first hour. Many fishermen were side by side along the banks early this morning, catching their limits as well."

Russ Strickland of Hog-On Drift Boat Guide Service also reported daily limits and near-limits of salmon on the American in the Sunrise area.

"I fished with my friend Fishead on Oct. 26 and we had a great time harvesting two salmon for him and one for me," Strickland said. "All three were bucks in the 7- to 9-pound range and taken on salmon roe."

The Bureau of Reclamation will drop flows below Nimbus Dam from 3,000 cubic feet per second to 2,500 cfs on Monday for "Folsom storage management," said Randi Field of the Bureau.

The salmon fishing on the Feather River slowed down since the Department of Water Resources dropped combined releases below the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet to 3,300 cfs. However, improving steelhead fishing and striper fishing are taking up the slack.

"Steelhead fishing is really good in the low flow area," said Johnny Angel at Johnson's Bait and Tackle in Yuba City. "Fly fishermen are doing the best while using Glo Bugs and other egg patterns."

One angler landed a 46-pound striped bass while fishing a hair-raiser from the bank below the Shanghai Rapids. Another angler nailed a 13-pound striper at the same location, noted Angel.