Northern pike being poisoned in California

September 26, 2007 By 2 Comments

Fear And Fishing in Lake Davis - Pike Poisoning

Northern pike fisherman won’t be happy to hear about what’s been happening in the mountains of Sierra Nevada, California recently.

UC  Davis Fear and Fishing in Lake Davis – Northern Pike Documentary Video Preview

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v1d7GavV5I]

Government workers began pouring toxic chemicals into Lake Davis on Tuesday Sept. 23, 2007 in an effort to kill off all northern pike. Over 16,000 gallons of the poison Rotenone were destined to end up the 7-mile long lake. Dead fish began washing up on the shore within hours of the poison distribution.

This will be the government’s second attempt to trump mother nature and exterminate northern pike from the well-known trout fishing reservoir situated in the back country 150 miles northeast of Sacramento.

The first poisoning attempt began in 1997, but the voracious pike reappeared after 18 months. Officials are worried that the northern pike could decimate not only all the trout and salmon in Lake Davis, but also in the Sacramento River system.

A new chemical formulation of the aquatic insecticide Rotenone, which has been used to successfully kill off pike in other reservoirs, was used for this round of poisoning. Officials previously tried eradicating the pike through over fishing, explosions, electric shocks, traps and nets, but all failed to kill off the hardy predators.

Northern Pike PhotoOver $20 million has been spent since 1989 to eliminate northern pike from the area, but despite the fact that an estimated 65,000 pike have been killed, the toothy predators keep coming back.

Officials are confident they will get all the pike this time.

For more information on the northern pike poisoning please visit the links below: 

Filed Under: Fishing News & Events

Acclaimed wildlife artist catches trophy lake trout at Webber’s Lodges North Knife Lake Lodge

September 24, 2007 By Leave a Comment

Acclaimed wildlife artist Linda Besse with Master Angler lake trout caught at Webber's Lodges North Knife Lake LodgeAcclaimed wildlife artist Linda Besse (www.BesseArt.com) and her husband Jim Olson made the trip to North Knife Lake Lodge this summer and went home with a canvas full of colorful memories that included a 35-pound lake trout.

“It was the biggest thrill of our trip,” said Linda from her home in Washington. “Certainly the biggest fish I have ever caught. And it had the fattest body both Jim and our guide had ever seen.”

Linda caught the monster trout on a lure picked out by Jim, an avid fisherman who has fished all over the world.

“It was an overcast day and Jim thought a green flatfish might show up well in the water based on the light conditions,” said Linda. “He was right!”

“I probably had it in the water for oh, a good 5 minutes before zzzzzzzzzing, my rod bent hard into the water.  Every time I’d get the fish close to the boat, he’d make another run. There weren’t any sharp jolts, the fish would just plow down lower and lower in the water and reel off line. Four times he took off. My arms were killing me. I finally got him close enough to the boat and begged the guide to net him. When he surfaced, he looked like a monster!”

Linda wasn’t sure how much she would enjoy fishing at North Knife Lake Lodge. Her husband was the real fisherman. A general contractor who specializes in custom homes and remodeling, Jim tries to squeeze as much fishing as he can in between contracts. He’d always wanted to take Linda on a trip they could both really enjoy, but knowing Linda’s passion wasn’t fishing, he knew it would take something very special.

He surmised that Linda, a wildlife artist who has traveled the world, might enjoy the beautiful scenery and first class lodge at North Knife Lake. And he was hoping the fishing action and a knowledgeable guide might get her excited about fishing. He was right.

 “Jim is the real fisherman,” said Linda. “I had fished for king salmon in British Columbia, but that was mostly trolling. I hadn’t used a spin cast reel for years, but once I saw North Knife Lake I was determined to give it my best shot. Casting into the clear water, motoring past picturesque bays, watching eagles on their nests, I thought it really didn’t matter if I caught anything. Despite my rusty technique, I was astonished at how many fish I caught!”

Calm isolated bays allowed Linda to perfect her casting technique and by the end of the trip she could pick a spot a foot from the shore and nail it. Her trophy trout was caught on the final day of their trip.

“There were some windy days when I decided to just enjoy the beauty of the lake and sit and watch Jim fish,” said Linda.  “As a game, I decided to count how many northern pike he caught one afternoon. 38. On a less windy day, I caught 22 northern pike in one bay. But, the big thrill was my lake trout.

"Jim also caught a 35-inch lake trout, which made him a Manitoba Master Angler, but it was mine that made him happiest. He was so thrilled I caught the biggest fish!

Jim Olson and Linda Besse enjoying cocktail hour at Webber's Lodges North Knife Lake Lodge“The Lodge is a wonderful place to stay,” continued Linda. “Our two-story room had a beautiful view of the lake and was off in the woods and the food at the main Lodge was to die for! 

"Exquisite dishes – no wonder they have their recipes in a cookbook. The before dinner cocktail hour had wonderful hor d’oeuvres, but more importantly, it gave the guests a chance to talk to others about our fishing day and other past adventures.”

In addition to the fishing, Linda was also able to get some excellent wildlife photos as references for future paintings, including some great shots of eagles in flight.

“It really was a wonderful trip," said Linda. “I would recommend Webber’s Lodges and North Knife Lake Lodge to both novice and expert. We had a marvelous time. “

About Linda Besse

A self-taught artist, Linda Besse creates compositions designed to reflect the inherent artistry of nature. Painting exclusively in oil, because she likes its luminosity, depth, and intensity of color, she uses a mostly wet-on-wet technique to capture the immediacy of the image. She lives in a country setting surrounded by deer, wild turkey, grouse, quail, coyotes and the occasional moose and mountain lion.

Enchanted with animals and nature from a young age, Linda was further  drawn to the outdoors through her geology degree from Colgate University, followed by a Master of Science, which enabled her to experience the back country of Alaska, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, and Montana. She has now traveled to over 27 countries to photograph wildlife for her paintings. Her most recent trip took her to Africa, where she was able to take some spectacular leopard photographs.

Linda’s galleries, exhibits, and shows have included:

Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum 2001-2006;
Birds in Art 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2005-2007  National Tour
Art and the Animal VIII + IX, Bennington Center for the Arts, VT;
Scissortail Art gallery Solo Show, November 2007
Three Woman Show, Holland & Holland, New York City, 2003:
Art of the Hunt Gallery, Greenwich, NY;
NatureWorks, Tulsa, OK, 2002-2007;
- Best In Show, Natureworks 2007
- Best In Show – Miniature , Natureworks 2005
Safari Club International, Reno, and Las Vegas, 1999-2007
Waterfowl Festival, Easton, Maryland, 2003-2007
Society of Animal Artists 44th + 46th Annual Exhibition + Annual Tour 2004-2006
Society of Animal Artists Miniature show, The Wildlife Experience, Parker, CO  2007

Below is a small sample of some of Linda’s wildlife paintings. To view more of her work
please visit: http://www.besseart.com

Filed Under: Fishing Articles

Naked Fishing in the Canadian Wilderness

September 11, 2007 By Leave a Comment

Toni Morberg - Lodge Baroness - North Knife Lake Lodge - Webber's Lodgesby Lodge Baroness, Toni Morberg

Well, maybe not naked, but what a great way to start thinking about fishing with your better half. 

Imagine the warm lick of the sun on your back, an almost breathless breeze on your neck, miles of wave-lapped beaches and 150,000 acres of fresh, clear water in the middle of the wllderness (teeming with trophy fish). Just you, your bride and YOUR GUIDE – oh, forget the naked part – we assure you that will all work out.

Never been fishing with your bride? Wondering why your bride would want to go fishing with you? You’re not the first to ask that question, and you certainly won’t be the last.

We’ve wondered about the answer to that question ourselves from time to time, and what we’ve come up with, based on our extensive research of brides that fish is that: 

"Fishing with your man provides the ideal opportunity to connect at a deeper, almost tantric level, allowing you to refresh your relationship in even the most fulfilling of ways, if you know what we mean." 

Just kidding – they say they like it because they can almost always out-fish their husbands and they derive limitless gratification from that.  But seriously, fishing with your bride is always appreciated and remembered by the woman in your life who, once in a while, just wants a little quality time. 

Fishing is a sport where men and women are on equal footing – physically, both have all it takes to master the art and science of angling.  And while you’re at it, you can both enjoy time away from the everyday and a chance to really relax and unwind.

By now you must know that you can’t just take your wife anywhere.  Like anything you do for a woman, you must show her that you put some thought into it. That it took some time to plan and choose and make happen. And yes, that it cost you more than a few dollars.

What your bride needs is a luxurious retreat set in the Canadian wilderness. She needs to feel the waves caressing the shore, experience the sun glistening on the lake, soak in the hot tub and hear the whisper of the breeze rustling in the trees. She needs to experience gourmet cuisine, wonderful people, fine manners and exceptional service. And then she needs to go out and catch fish like you just wish you could.  

Whisk her away on the trip of her (your) dreams! We’re waiting for you!

Not naked. 

Need more information on romantic fishing vacations in Canada? Visit our couples fishing vacation page and then get your free brochure. And make sure to check out these happy couples fishing photos!

Filed Under: The Lodge Baroness
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