Big Bear Blog

The easy, “limit style” fishing of Spring is over, but fishing in the Summer can also be very good! You just have to change your tactics a little. The first thing you should do before you leave the house is to log onto Big Bear Municipal Water District’s website www.bbmwd.com, and click on current lake conditions. Then click on the Limnological Report.

The Limnological Report will show you the lake conditions from 5 different monitoring buoys placed down the middle of Big Bear Lake. The buoys are located at the boom line at the dam, in front of Papoose Bay, by the West Launch Ramp, in front of the Observatory; and near Juniper Point.

The three main things that you want to check out in the report that will help you catch more fish this Summer are the Secci reading which shows light penetration, water temperature, and D.O. (dissolved oxygen). If the Secci Reading is reads 10, then that means that sun light penetration is ten feet, and at mid-day, you will probably catch most or all of your fish “below” that depth. Trout being a cold water fish will seek out water temperatures between 58 & 66 degrees if it is available and food is present. The third, and really important thing to look at is the D.O. reading at different depths. Trout need at least 5 parts per million of dissolved oxygen to breath, so fishing below that depth is a waste of time!

So now let’s put all this information together. We are fishing near the West Ramp. Look at the report and it shows the Secci reading is 9. Now you know you want to fish at least ten feet deep. Next check the temperature. That shows the water is between 60 and 57 degrees from 9.84 feet to 22.96 feet deep which is perfect. Now check out the D.O. Reading which shows D.O. at 9.84 ft. of 6.6 and D.O. at 4.5 at 26.24 feet. The D.O. reading at 26.24 feet is not enough for trout to survive so with this information I know I want to troll my lures between 10 and 20 feet to have the best chance at catching fish!

The lures I’m having the best success with right now are Rapala’s in
F-3’s, CD -3’s, and Husky Jerks. Size #1 Needlefish, in Copper Chicken Wing, Pear Bikini, Brass Bikini, Fire Tiger, and Hot Banana. And Thomas Buoyant’s, in Copper, Gold, and Rainbow. Shore fisherman can also be successful if they fish early and late in the day, or even at night. Go to one of the marinas or sporting good stores and show you how to rig a slip bobber. Slip bobber allow you to fish from the surface the surface down which is exactly what you want to do. It will probably be best to set the slip bobbers to fish your bait from 8 to 15 feet down from the surface.

Best baits to fish on a slip bobber rig are Pautzke’s Fire Bait, Power Bait & Gulp, Night Crawlers, and Pautzke’s Salmon Egg’s.
Try these tips and I guarantee you will catch a lot more fish this summer!

www.FishBigBear.net

Only in its third year, already the Big Bear Paddlefest – put on by North Shore Trading Company in Fawnskin - is a huge hit. Paddlers from every discipline shared the waters and the race drew competitors from as far away as Tecate, Mexico and Sacramento.

Saturday’s event included beginner and advanced clinics in canoe, kayak & stand up paddleboards (SUP). While there were a few unintentional capsizes, a team rescue and recovery clinic in the afternoon got everyone in the water - flipping their boats and learning how to get back in. Fortunately the day was hot and the tumble into the water was sweet relief.

New this year to Paddlefest is an affiliation with Hobie SUPs. Hobie’s Mark Carlisle gave expert advice during his beginner and advanced SUP clinics on Saturday and offered free SUP demos all weekend. Doyle Surfboards joined in with free demos of their SUP line. If you haven’t tried SUP – you should - super fun and a great workout. Captain John’s has a fleet of SUPs for rent this year.

Sunday was race day. The 30K and 10K races began at 8:00. A crazy starting line with solo kayaks, tandem sit-on-tops, SUP’s and even a four man canoe. There was a bit of a wake from all the boats speeding off as Paul Romero gave the start command. The 5k – equally as exciting and visually fun to watch – went off at 10, followed by the kid’s fun paddle.

While a few competitors got wet, everyone finished with smiles. Locals featured prominently in the podium standings – proving Big Bear is generating some amazing athletes. And, I have to mention Dan McKernan – he placed 3rd in the Men’s 5K Kayak and was pretty stoked on his podium finish.

Earning my turns, Glade Girl

If you have been out on the trails lately, you might have noticed a change in the landscape. The mountains seem to be leaving the lush color of green behind for a canvas painted in orange, purple, red, yellow and white. Flowers and their brilliance accompanied by a sweet scent – it’s making hiking, running and biking a bit more interesting.

I went for a quick run on the PCT this morning – a carpet of tiny purple and white flowers slowed my pace as I admired the perfection of a native landscape. Why can’t my yard look like this? I ran past Indian paintbrush, Sea Fig, Columbine and Lupine. I even came across an entire meadow of wild Iris earlier this week – shocked because I had never seen them before despite having mountain biked the trail for years.

The constant change makes me hike, ride and run the same trails week after week. Checking for changes and waiting patiently for my two favorites - Lemon Lily and Corn Lily – to arrive.

Earning my turns,

Glade Girl

There isn’t almost anything in fishing that leaves a longer lasting memory than catching your first fish! For me, I was staying with my grandparents during Easter Vacation. My grandfather came into the house and told me to follow him, that he had a surprise for me in the garage.

When we got out to the garage, my grandfather gave me a rod, reel, and a small tackle box, and asked if I would like to go fishing in the morning? Yes was all there was to say, and I gave my grandfather a big hug!

Even though I was only about 5 years old, I can remember just about every detail of that trip. First my grandpa said we would have to dig up worms in the back yard for bait; even that part was a lot of fun. The next morning we got up early and headed for a small lake in San Fernando Valley. When we got to the lake, grandpa tied a hook on my line, pinched on a small split shot, and attached a small red and white bobber to the line. Then he put one of the worms we dug the day before on the hook, and cast it out in the lake. He told me to watch that bobber, and when it goes under water, pull back and set the hook because there was a fish on there.

I have learned a lot about worm fishing since that day. Every fish that swims in Big Bear Lake will take a worm including the Trophy Rainbow Trout and catfish. Last year in May, Erin Dominguez broke the lake record for trout landing a massive 18.69-pound Rainbow on a night crawler.

The following is a way to rig your line that at times can be deadly for fishing night crawlers, or a combination of a mini marshmallow and a night crawler. This works best if the line from your reel is either 2 lb. or 4 lb. test so that you can get a good distance on your cast. On the end of your line tie a #6 hook for large worms, or #8 bait holder hook for smaller worms. About 12 to 15 inches above the hook pinch on a # 3 to # 5 split shot. When you cast this rig out, let it sink to the bottom, and then s-l-o-w-l-y work it in, stopping occasionally. If you feel a bite, wait a couple of seconds to make sure the fish has it, and then set the hook.

If there is a problem with moss from the bottom covering your bait, you can inflate the crawler with a worm blower, or put on a mini marshmallow above the eye of the hook then add the night crawler which will help keep it off the bottom.

You can also fish a night crawler on a slip bobber rig, which works very well once the water in the lake warms in summer and the fish are no longer on the bottom. If you are targeting trout, the medium size night crawlers work best. If your after catfish, try the large crawlers.

www.FishBigBear.com
Fish Big Bear Charter Service

You’ve probably seen them out there already – people standing on a long, surf board using a paddle to propel themselves forward over the surface of the water. Known simply as SUP, they are not new and have been used on the ocean as a cool option to traditional surfing. A few of the marina’s have purchased SUP’s for rent and Big Bear is coming into its own as a popular SUP destination. 

Need proof? Last Friday a few of us were treated to a special clinic put on by Mark Carlisle of Hobie. He showed us how to find the right paddle length, the proper stance and a few basic paddle strokes. With that we each got to demo one of Hobie’s boards. Friday was just a snapshot of what Mark will teach at this year’s 3rd Annual Big Bear Paddlefest. Saturday, July 10th, Mark – courtesy of Hobie – will instruct an SUP clinic. He will have numerous paddle boards for demo purpose. SUP is easy to learn and super fun! Plus, if you feel the need to challenge yourself against other SUP enthusiasts, Sunday’s race line up features a 5K and 10K SUP race.

Even if you don’t want to learn to SUP, you can always take part in one of the three kayak or canoe clinics happening on Saturday as well. Whatever you decide – just get out and paddle Big Bear!

Earning my turns,
Glade Girl

What a weekend! Exciting! Busy! Bike-friendly! The Tour of California blew through Friday leaving in its wake tons of enthusiastic bikers taking to it to the streets and trails all day Saturday. I spent Friday taking photos, talking to people and watching the race from the East Ramp. Saturday I shared Grout Bay trail with a bunch of riders from San Diego and there could not have been more smiles. 

For many years, Big Bear Lake was one of the top bass fishing lakes in Southern California. Then after several years of low water conditions, and poor to non-existent spawns, the bass population seriously declined. The good news however, bass fishing in Big Bear Lake is making a major comeback, and here’s why. For the last several years, Mike Stephenson, Lake Manager for the Big Bear Municipal Water District, has worked his butt off to turn the trend around, and improve the bass population in the lake.

Bass habitat structures have been placed in many locations throughout the lake. On several occasions large mouth bass were stocked, and in the summer of 2007 small mouth bass were also added. All this effort has paid off, and bass fishing in Big Bear Lake is showing signs of a real come-back.

The large mouth bass planted in Big Bear Lake are of the northern species, due mostly because of our high mountain elevation. These fish do not grow as large as their Florida cousins, but put up one hell of a fight! If you catch a large mouth bass over 5 pounds (the lake record is 5.9 pounds), you have a real trophy. The good news about Northern Strain Large Mouth is they tend to be more aggressive, and little easier to catch than other strains of bass!

For me, the most exciting bass to catch in Big Bear Lake is the Small Mouth Bass. These fish might not get quite as big as large mouth, but they more than make up for size with their hard fighting ability when they are hooked. The current lake record for small mouth is 2.35 pounds, but I am sure there are larger fish in the lake. Small mouth’s favorite forage is crawfish, and Big Bear Lake is full of them. I would not be surprised to see a 4 pound plus small mouth weighed in the near future.

In the early spring if you are targeting large mouth, jigs, plastic worms, and grubs all work well. Most of the large mouths will be caught on points, around the marina’s and boat docks. Once the water in the lake approaches sixty degrees, these fish become more active and you can catch them on crank baits, spinner baits, and even surface lures and buzz baits.

Small mouth bass are more likely to be caught on gravely, or rocky shore lines and points. When fishing for small mouth bass smaller versions of the same lures you would use for large mouth bass work great, and I also have had much better success using lighter monofilament, like 6 and 8 pound test. Because of their love for crawfish small jigs, grubs, and crawfish colored crank baits are tough to beat.

One key factor about the bass fishery in Big Bear Lake is it is just starting to get back to what it once was, so it is crucial all angler’s practice “catch and release” so that we can all enjoy catching these exciting fish well into the future!

Curt Dills,
http://www.fishbigbear.com/

As Rev mentioned, we are getting close to the Amgen Tour of California finishing Stage 6 in the Big Bear Valley. And, it seems like the cycling vibe is growing stronger and stronger every day. I know I am definitely motivated to find any excuse to ride: From cruising to the grocery store on my mountain bike to riding around the Lake on my road bike and showing up for spin on a Tuesday morning at Mountain Fitness.

In fact, a friend of mine rode her bike to Riverside yesterday. Crazy? Maybe. She said she would definitely do it again and the only downside was the nasty sunburn stripe across her thighs. Her little adventure motivated me. So, this morning I packed my work clothes and a lunch, threw on my bike sandals, jumped on my bike and left the house. I gave myself enough time to swing by the Farmer’s Market at the Convention Center. It was fun and looked a little different from the seat of a bike. Smiling, I finished my commute and sat down at my desk energized. My day flew by. At six, I switched back into my bike clothes and left the office. Taking side streets, I felt like I was a kid again – exploring my hometown on a powder blue Ross Europa 12-speed.

The evening was in full swing as I passed Stanfield Cutoff and the sun cast long shadows. I chased mine across the board walk, happy to be pedaling and finishing my day. Unobserved, I stopped to watch a group of Pelicans fish and realized this didn’t feel anything like my normal Tuesday.

I am now committed to adding a couple ‘Non-Drive’ commute days to my weekly routine and I encourage everyone else to do the same, regardless of where you live. Even if it’s to pick up the mail or go to the bank. I’d love to hear your comments on your experience.

In the end, my day of ditching my car was amazing and only confirmed Big Bear Lake is a pretty cool place to be - especially as our community prepares to host a mountain finish for the Tour of California.

Earning my turns,
Glade Girl

May is finally here! In just two weeks Big Bear Lake hosts America’s greatest bicycle race, the Amgen Tour of California. As an avid cyclist it’s exciting to have such a huge event come to my home town. Its fun for me to see the way the community has embraced not only the race, but cycling in general.

On Saturday the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation hosted its first of three community bike rides. More than 40 riders ranging in ages from 7 to 75 showed up to cruise the neighborhoods of Big Bear Lake.

The ride was free to participate, and everyone got a free Ride Big Bear t-shirt. Heck, even Mayor Liz Harris made it out to the ride on a borrowed bike, thanks to Derek at Bear Valley Bikes. Mayor Harris enjoyed herself so much, she asked me how much the bike cost before we returned from our short, but fun loop around Eagle Point!

Special thanks to Phil Hamilton and Angela Meyers for hosting such a fun morning cruise and “spreading the love” of cycling in Big Bear Lake. If you ride any kind of bicycle come join us for one or both of the next two community rides on the 8th and the 15th. If you would like more information, or to view photos of last Saturday’s ride log onto www.bigbeartrails.com.

Spreading the love one pedal at a time, rev

Early season fishing can be fantastic “if” you’re in the right area, and at the right depth. Right now we are catching most of the fish in very small areas where the bugs are hatching from the bottom of the lake.

If you are bait fishing, Pautzke’s Salmon Eggs and Fire Bait are working great right now. I saw a couple of nice limits of trout caught from Juniper Point last week. The fishermen were using just a single Pautzke’s Salmon Egg on their hook. Pautzke’s Fire Bait in Chartreuse and Pink has also produced several limits at Stanfield, Juniper, and the dam.

The fish are shallow early in the day, so don’t cast your bait very far off shore until about 7:30 or 8:00 am. Then after the sun is high in the sky, the fish start heading for deeper water; as deep as 22 feet during the middle of the day. Don’t spend more than an hour at any one spot if you’re not catching fish, because the next place you try might mean a lot of action! You have to fish 2 to 4 pound test line because the water is very clear right now!

Trolling is absolutely fantastic! Again, early in the day, the fish are shallow, and you can catch them at 1 1/2 to 2 colors of lead-core fishing line. During the middle of the day, I’m hooking fish as deep as 4 1/2 colors (22 to 23 feet).

In the last couple of weeks the best colors of Luhr Jensen Needlefish have been Red Dot Frog, Fire/Pearl, Pearl bikini, and Brass Bikini. Thomas Buoyant’s top colors have been Hot Pink, Gold, and Gold/Red trolled as slow as you can go! Thomas Cyclone Spoons in the same colors plus Watermelon have also worked well. If you just want to target the big “holdover” fish, tie on CD-5, F-5, and Husky Jerk Rapala’s and Thomas Buoyant’s. Fish the Buoyant colors mentioned above and Rapala’s in Gold/Black, Brook Trout, Purpledescent, and Hot Steel.

Start off shallow at 1 1/2 to 2 colors early. Then as the sun moves higher in the sky, keep fishing your lures deeper, some days having to go 4 1/2 colors to get a bite.

Just like shore fishing, I’m catching trout all over the lake right now, but in small area’s of the lake. Troll different places in the lake until you start catching fish, then really work that area hard!

Curt Dills
FishBigBear.com