HOT CORNER
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What: The Definitive Guide to Fishing in Central California
Author/Publisher: Chris Shaffer
Price: $24.95
Where available: www.fishingcalifornia.net.
The author says that within two years, “I will have fished more waters than anyone in the state.”
Chances are, he already has. This 528-page guide, which follows a Southern California version and precedes a Northern California version, includes practically every fishable body of water in an area from Santa Barbara to San Jose; Bakersfield to Stockton, and Mojave to Sonora Pass, including the Eastern Sierra.
To complete the color photo-illustrated book, Shaffer not only visited every one of them, in many cases he claims to have donned a mask and snorkel and plunged in to see first-hand how prolific the fisheries might be.
The author says that helped him come up with a more accurate rating system, and it’s hard to fault some of his ratings: A perfect 10 for Crowley Lake, a nine for June Lake, Bridgeport Reservoir and nearby Twin Lakes, and a one for Mono Lake, which has no fish but warrants a rating simply for being the otherworldly tourist attraction it is.
Without a doubt, the book is a handy reference guide, especially for adventurous anglers looking to get off the beaten path.
With fall upon us, Shaffer lists Edison Lake above Fresno as one of his favorite fisheries because its enormous brown trout are just now becoming active.
The catch: “There’s only one way to Edison Lake by car--Kaiser Pass Road--and it’s one of the most dangerous and frightening paved roads I’ve ever driven,” he writes.
Another hot spot: Grassy Lake in the Minnow Creek Drainage, reachable via 16-mile hike but “where catching a fish on each and every cast is expected.” All in all, the glossy book is well researched and informative, containing fish-stocking information and listing available facilities, directions and phone numbers. If there is a drawback it’s that some of the color photos are either too small or of poor quality and fail to do the fisheries justice.