I haven't been bass fishing much recently but that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about it :-) Having lived in the bay area for only 2 full years I don't have a lot to compare to, but it would seem that this June sure has been windy so far. Every day I see the marine layer hanging over the hills on the penninsula. It looks something like the West end of Santa Cruz island when it's windy out there. Something about the competing forces of the ocean breeze and the inland warm air just equates into a whole lot of wind. This wind put the hurt on Brian and I at Pablo over memorial day and I know Fish Chris had a tough time of it last week there, although he did get a 12lber. I haven't even been out fishing in it, but I kind of hope it goes away pretty soon.

I drive all over the State a great deal between fishing and going to Santa Barbara. This past weekend we drove down to SB and I tell you what ... things are bone dry everywhere already. Santa Ynez was nothing but a trickle, Salinas had water in it but I think that's probably at the expense of Naci and San Antonio. Every small creek or ditch was either dry or on it's way there. I think by August we are going to have some really low water at a lot of places. And you know what? I can't wait. Low water makes lakes look ugly and takes away visible shoreline cover. I think this discourages a lot of people from going to the lake, and I know for sure that it makes the bass easier to find. I'm hoping that by September or so Coyote will be down below the ramp and the lake lice won't be able to launch. I'm hoping that Pablo is low and looking nice and boring so that all the trout fisherman go home. I'm hoping that Chabot drops down a bit so that I can maybe get lucky and find some fish out off the bank. Don't be discouraged by low water. Just think about where the fish used to be and move out from there. They can't pack their bags and leave the lake. They gotta be somewhere :-)

I think in two or three weeks when I get back out I'm going to get a new fish finder and go to San Pablo. I may even make an evening run to Coyote for some topwater, and lake Chabot ... even though I hate you, I may pay you a visit after work and put in some time on your stingy shores.

Can you tell I'm ready to go fishing right now? :-)

-Rob

That is the case in many places. Up in central Oregon where i just returned it was windy for most of the trip and just not a gentle breeze but a heavy wind that made running a 15ft boat and two downriggers a little interesting. An elderly friend in Wyoming said this year the wind is the worst he can remember. Also up in Oregon the lakes are dropping fast even some of the natural lakes are hurting for water. There was even one lake in the bottom of a crater with mountains surrounding it that was 2.5 feet below full pool. There seemed to still be quite a bit of snow up there for June. I have not been to the Sierras since early April, it would be interesting to see how the conditions there are. Remember low water is very tough on the fish. I would rather have normal water levels and healthier fish, than a year of low water and great fishing followed by poor fishing the following years. Time will tell what happens.