Santa Ana River Lakes to get another plant of huge Tailwalkers, sizzling bite continues
Southern California's best trout fishing of the winter-spring season has continued at Santa Ana River Lakes, and it doesn't look like the excellent action will end soon. This popular Orange County water will get another load of trophy Nebraska Tailwalkers this week.

"Another state ordered these fish but ran out of money and cancelled their order. We bought half the load and planted them two weeks ago, and - well - we just bought the rest of the load," said Doug Elliott with The Lakes. These five to 15-pound rainbows from Chaulk Mound Trout Ranch in Nebraska will be planted at mid-week, and the video of the plant will be up on The Lakes web site (www.fishinglakes.com) on Thursday this week.

These are the largest Nebraska Tailwalker rainbows ever planted in Southern California, and they have led to some of the most spectacular and heaviest stringers of trout ever posted at Santa Ana River Lakes.

The week's big fish was a 23-pound, eight-ounce holdover Mt. Lassen Trout Farms rainbow caught by Ray Vangorkum of Lakewood, while fishing rainbow floating bait at the Pump House. The week's best stringer was a six-fish catch made by Dave and Tim Beaver, Anaheim, that weighed 30 pounds and included an 8.9-pound Tailwalker. They were also using rainbow dough bait, but fishing at Levitz' Corner.

Other impressive stringers included a four-rainbow catch by Arturo Velazquez, West Covina, that weighed 25-4, and included an 8 1/2-pound Tailwalker. He was fishing Kastmasters at Levitz. Albert Vargas, Santa Ana, had seven rainbows for 24 1/2 pounds with an eight-pounder his top fish, all on Eagle Claw Nuggets. Chase Britt, Covina, had five rainbows on rainbow dough bait off the west shore that weighed 20-2, including an 8 1/2-pounder. Dave Beaver of Anaheim had a five-fish limit and only weighed his three biggest fish at nine, 6 1/2 and five pounds.

There were at least 14 trout over eight pounds reported at the tackle shop, and five to eight pounds have been part of most stringers. An 11-pound Tailwalker was caught by Al Missbrenner, Cypress, fishing La Palma Point with chartreuse dough bait. Trout at 8 1/2 pounds were caught by Jesse Cooper, Simi Valley, and Eric Houston, Irvine.

Sturgeon remain pretty fair, and a few catfish and carp have also been caught in the past week. The top sturgeon reported was an 18-pounder caught by Fernando Diaz, Garden Grove, on a nightcrawler at the pumphouse, while Lavon Tebelekyan, Los Angeles, landed a seven-pound carp, also on a nightcrawler. Anglers are reminded that 24-hour fishing is again available every Friday and Saturday night throughout the late spring-summer season.

"This is the best family special money can buy, particularly during these tough economic times," said Elliott. "Here's the deal. Dad pays $60, he gets a 15 fish limit, and Mom and three kids 12 and under get in free. Mom and the kids can fish free and help Dad get his 15 fish limit. Here's the best part, there is no charge for camping, that's free too."

Elliott said that if a family actually gets a full 15-fish stringer, and the trout (or catfish later in the season) average just two pounds each that 30 pounds of fresh fish. Fresh fish are at least $4 a pound, so it's a $120 worth of fish -- with the fishing fun, family time, and camping thrown in for free.

"How can you beat that?" said Elliott.

There's one exception to the 24-hour open fishing, and that's coming up on Saturday, May 15th, when Team 57 has purchased the rights to 24 hour fishing on that Saturday night at Santa Ana River Lakes. To get in on 24-hour fishing on that Saturday, you must be a member of Team 57. For complete information on this great event and instructions for sign up, go to fishinglakes.com and click on the Team 57 announcement.

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. And don't forget, 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.