Exceptional trophy trout action on tap at Santa Ana River Lakes
Plants of the largest Nebraska Tailwalker rainbows ever planted in Southern California and another load of German brown trout led to "the most unbelievable big fish week ever" at Santa Ana River Lakes, according to Craig Elliott with SARL.

"You should go to the web site and see all the fish, it'll just blow you away," said Elliott.
The Tailwalkers planted were all from five to 15 pounds, but the biggest trout anglers were able to land over this past weekend were a pair of nine pounders. Tim Quiring, Buena Park, caught his nine-pounder on a nightcrawler-rainbow floating bait combo at Levitz' Corner, while Craig Joachim, Anaheim, topped off his four-fish, 24-pound, two-ounce stringer with a nine-pounder fishing nightcrawlers near the boat dock.

There were also over another dozen rainbows reported that were eight pounds or bigger. Jose Magana, La Habra, had a five-fish, 32-8 stringer topped with an 8-10 Tailwalker fishing nightcrawlers with garlic scent. That means the remaining fish on his stringer averaged close to six pounds each. Tim Morlan, Anaheim, had an 8-8 rainbow to cap his 24-pound, five-fish limit throwing green Roostertails, while Andy Schena, Placentia, also caught an 8 1/2-pounder. Michael and Bill Takigawa, Torrance, caught six trout for 18 pounds and their big fish was also an 8-8. Tim McAroy, Bellflower, had an 8-2 rainbow on garlic flavored floating bait.

One of the most impressive all-brown-trout stringers was a catch made by David Bush, Corona, that included three fish that weighed in at 13 pounds total. The biggest brown he landed was a 4 1/2-pounder, and all were caught on Panther Martins from Chris' Pond. Chase and Kristy Britt, Covina, had a 10-fish mixed brown and rainbow stringer with a 4-8 brown trout at the top fish. They were fishing nightcrawlers and Panther Martins.

Sturgeon also continue to show every week for anglers fishing bait, usually by trout anglers. Brad Kame, Gardena, landed a 17-4, while Paul McCarver, Los Angeles, had a 12-8.

Even a few catfish are starting to show with the warmer weather. Craig Joachim, Anaheim, landed five cats to seven pounds fishing nightcrawlers near the boat dock. The stringer weighed 24-8.

"If water conditions allow, we're going to do it again before the end of trout season. We have another big load of the trophy Tailwalkers we could put in two weeks from now," said Elliott. While water conditions are perfect right now, a hot spell could start pushing up water temperatures beyond ideal levels for the rainbows spelling an end to trout season, but he anticipated loads of rainbows this week and perhaps another load of the trophy rainbows in two weeks.

Santa Ana River Lakes is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass. Each of these passes is $22. Seniors only pay $20, with a special $17 pass sold on Wednesdays. All of these passes have a five-fish limit. For kids 4 to 13, a three-fish pass is just $9. The 24-hour passes are now available every Friday and Saturday night. These passes are $60, and anglers can bring a spouse and up to three kids to help fill the 24-hour pass 15-fish limit. Camping at the lakes is free with the 24-hour pass. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call 714-632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com